WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.219 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn with me to Hebrews chapter 12. 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:13.839 Hebrews chapter 12. Our text for study this morning is Hebrews chapter 12 verses 4 through 11. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:20.760 ! Before I read it, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's Word to us, written for His glory and our good. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:28.179 And as such, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:31.320 Hebrews 12 verse 4 and following. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:02.880 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:06.900 For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:14.739 If you are left without discipline in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:20.099 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:25.219 Shall we not much more be subject to the father of spirits and live? 00:01:25.959 --> 00:01:29.599 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them. 00:01:30.039 --> 00:01:34.560 But He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:39.560 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant. 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:46.600 But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 00:01:47.460 --> 00:01:52.320 The very first sermon that I preached on the book of Hebrews some months ago 00:01:52.320 --> 00:01:56.620 was opened with the following quotation from William Lane, 00:01:56.740 --> 00:02:00.840 who is a contemporary and very respected New Testament authority. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:02.100 He wrote, 00:02:02.100 --> 00:02:06.700 Hebrews is a delight for the person who loves puzzles. 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:12.420 Its form is unusual, its setting in life is uncertain, and its argument is unfamiliar. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:17.560 It invites engagement in the task of defining the undefined. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:22.240 Undefined are the identity of the writer, his conceptual background, 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.860 the character and location of the community addressed, 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:27.879 the circumstances and date of composition, 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:31.599 the nature of the crisis to which the document is a response, 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:35.819 the literary genre and the purpose and plan of the work. 00:02:36.579 --> 00:02:40.819 Although these undefined issues continue to be addressed and debated vigorously, 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:45.039 no real consensus has been reached. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:48.300 Lane then goes on to do a very careful work 00:02:48.300 --> 00:02:54.319 to give us the probabilities and the likelies of the letter before us. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:57.560 But one matter is without contention. 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:05.419 The theme of Hebrews is the supremacy and finality of Jesus Christ. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:08.859 That is that Christ is greater than, 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:11.740 and he lays out this argument in the opening chapters, 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:14.259 than angels, greater than priests, 00:03:14.539 --> 00:03:17.680 greater than the old covenant redemptive economy. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:22.299 And that Christ is the final word. 00:03:22.300 --> 00:03:25.040 We need no new revelation. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:28.920 And we need not go back to any system of the world. 00:03:29.100 --> 00:03:30.300 Jesus Christ is supreme, 00:03:31.040 --> 00:03:35.860 and Jesus Christ is final for the salvation of our souls. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:39.760 We know from clues throughout the text 00:03:39.760 --> 00:03:44.000 that this letter was originally written to Hellenistic Jewish Christians, 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:46.200 that is Greek-speaking Jews, 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:48.719 that had not seen Jesus, 00:03:49.299 --> 00:03:51.739 but had heard the gospel and believed. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:54.859 This is Hebrews chapter 2, the very beginning. 00:03:55.359 --> 00:03:58.439 And that they had an Italian locus. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:01.000 They were located within Italy, 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:03.799 likely on the outskirts of Rome. 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:08.459 They were suffering and would suffer further. 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:13.800 And so we have been exploring at link the letter's secondary theme, 00:04:14.320 --> 00:04:17.420 the necessity of faithful endurance. 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:21.519 He is working out that those who are in fact in Christ 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:25.660 will endure in Christ to the end. 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:30.060 Last week we saw the author use the metaphor of a race 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:33.300 to encourage these believers and us 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:37.220 after a sweeping Old Testament summary of faithful endurance 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:38.819 in the following way. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:41.560 And this is the first three verses of Hebrews chapter 12. 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:46.120 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:50.939 let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:54.500 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:58.139 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:01.279 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:05.279 despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:09.699 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:14.319 so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:17.839 So he tells us that it's going to be a race 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:20.480 that has to be run with endurance. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.980 And to do so, we're going to have to lay aside anything 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:27.360 that hinders that race. 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:30.100 And the way that we're going to complete that race 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:32.800 is by fixing our eyes on Christ 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:37.140 as the supreme example of faithfulness. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:41.439 He continues this section with further encouragement 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:46.420 to faithful endurance amidst these undefined issues 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:48.680 that Lane suggests to us, 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:52.100 which we will study in the following outline. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.420 Number one, this is our outline for the text this morning. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:57.980 Number one, correction for faltering endurance. 00:05:59.260 --> 00:06:00.780 Correction for faltering endurance. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:03.939 Number two, challenge to sustained endurance. 00:06:05.400 --> 00:06:09.660 And number three, reasons for sustained endurance. 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:13.780 So number one, correction for faltering endurance. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:16.600 And we'll find this in verses four through six. 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.500 At the very outset of today's text, 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:22.320 he begins with two corrections. 00:06:23.460 --> 00:06:26.160 First, he corrects them with the fact that 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:28.100 while they had suffered, 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:31.520 no one had yet been martyred. 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:36.280 He works to give them a bit of perspective. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:37.320 Verse four, 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:38.920 in your struggle against sin, 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:40.600 you have not yet resisted. 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:43.760 To the point of shedding your blood. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:46.519 There appears to be a shift in metaphor here 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:49.300 from the Christian life being described as 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:51.800 the race that is set before us in verse two 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:55.659 to that of a wrestling match with sin, 00:06:56.099 --> 00:06:58.379 possibly also in the Olympic games, 00:06:58.539 --> 00:07:00.939 a boxing match, right? 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.899 This imagery may have popped into his original hearers' minds. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:07.759 Truly, the Christian life is one 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.699 that must be run with endurance, 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:13.680 and it certainly is a struggle against sin. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:16.579 Now, in verse three of chapter 12, 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:20.479 he has just exhorted them to consider him 00:07:20.479 --> 00:07:25.139 who endured from sinners such hostility against himself. 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:29.079 Jesus had shed his blood. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:31.680 They had not. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:34.079 It is as if he is saying, 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:36.519 quit being so dramatic. 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:38.740 None of you has died yet. 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:41.800 It is as if he is saying, 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:44.740 stop your whining. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:47.019 John Piper would say, 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:48.960 murmur, murmur, murmur. 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:53.680 I find this a particularly striking correction 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:55.460 for the church today. 00:07:56.460 --> 00:07:59.920 We have suffered so little. 00:08:00.780 --> 00:08:01.920 Suffered so little. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.699 And we complain so much. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:06.659 But we have suffered so little compared 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:08.979 to the death of our Lord. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:12.539 Not a single one of us will ever bear 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:14.099 what Christ endured. 00:08:14.599 --> 00:08:16.480 While it's possible that we may 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:19.219 die a death for the name of Christ, 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:21.980 we will not bear the wrath of God 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:24.159 for the church in our dying. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:26.099 None of us. 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:28.420 So as we look to Christ, 00:08:28.640 --> 00:08:31.320 as this perfect example for us, 00:08:31.640 --> 00:08:36.320 we have not struggled against sin in this way. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.540 If we are considering him who endured from sinners 00:08:39.540 --> 00:08:41.960 such hostility against himself, 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:48.040 then we also should not grow weary or faint hearted. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:50.939 This is the first correction that he brings to them. 00:08:51.159 --> 00:08:52.899 Gives them some perspective. 00:08:54.099 --> 00:08:55.559 Second, the author corrects them 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:57.599 because they had failed to remember 00:08:57.599 --> 00:08:59.099 and apply the scripture 00:08:59.099 --> 00:09:01.219 to their current situation. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:03.579 He writes, verse 5, 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:06.259 and have you forgotten the exhortation 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:08.959 that addresses you as sons? 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:10.980 They had forgotten. 00:09:11.599 --> 00:09:14.939 And so he is gently reminding them. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:17.780 Ladies, do not forget that the Bible was written 00:09:17.780 --> 00:09:20.080 at a time when all of the inheritance of a father 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:22.100 was granted to his sons. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:24.520 So you want to be a son, 00:09:24.900 --> 00:09:26.200 as the Bible expresses it, 00:09:26.760 --> 00:09:27.500 and you are. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:31.300 Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 3, verse 26, 00:09:31.520 --> 00:09:32.420 in Christ Jesus, 00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:36.180 you are all sons of God through faith. 00:09:37.060 --> 00:09:38.100 With this in mind, 00:09:38.260 --> 00:09:41.240 here the scripture that the author of Hebrews now cites, 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:45.440 which is Proverbs chapter 3, verse 11 and 12. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:50.779 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:54.399 nor be weary when reproved by him. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:57.440 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:01.720 and chastises every son whom he receives. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:04.500 You see here what the author is doing 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.200 is he's saying, 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.399 listen, church, 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:08.100 everything you're experiencing, 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:10.800 all of the hardships that happen in your life 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:14.440 come from the Lord's good hand 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:17.500 because you are his children. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:23.259 This is an astounding perspective shift. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:25.279 If you don't think in these terms, 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:27.540 oh, I pray that you would begin 00:10:27.540 --> 00:10:29.440 to be able to see this morning 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:31.440 that the difficulties that are happening 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:33.779 in your life are coming from 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:36.080 the one who loves you. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:39.379 In verses 5 and 6, 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:42.560 there are two negative implications. 00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:46.840 Don't disdain and don't dismay. 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.639 The author says, 00:10:48.920 --> 00:10:51.220 do not regard lightly. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.879 Do not cast it off. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:56.160 Do not consider it as it should be considered, 00:10:56.420 --> 00:10:57.900 the discipline of the Lord. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:01.940 And do not dismay when you are being disciplined. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:02.460 He says, 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:06.480 nor be weary when reproved by him. 00:11:07.400 --> 00:11:08.540 The opposite, therefore, 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:12.780 are two positive exhortations for us. 00:11:13.300 --> 00:11:13.980 That would be, 00:11:14.940 --> 00:11:15.720 do regard, 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.700 pay close attention, 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:21.520 appreciate the discipline of the Lord, 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:23.920 and do refresh, 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:25.340 which I recognize is bad English, 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:25.860 so you could say, 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:27.100 or be refreshed, 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:28.940 be encouraged, 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:31.320 be uplifted by the fact 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:34.680 that God disciplines you. 00:11:35.760 --> 00:11:37.460 The author wants us to see 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:39.780 that the challenges that we face in this world 00:11:39.780 --> 00:11:42.260 are for our good. 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:44.200 They are given to us 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:47.600 by his kind hand. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.340 Why? 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.260 Love. 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:52.940 The text tells us, 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.160 for love, 00:11:54.300 --> 00:11:56.300 the Lord disciplines 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:59.360 the one he loves. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:02.100 Being disciplined is a sign 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:03.580 that you belong to God 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:06.140 and that he is seeking your good. 00:12:07.280 --> 00:12:08.320 Do you believe this? 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:12.000 Do you believe 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:14.560 that you belong to God 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:16.400 and that his discipline 00:12:16.400 --> 00:12:18.400 is an act of loving kindness 00:12:18.400 --> 00:12:19.540 to you? 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:21.000 Or, 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:23.179 do you think that you 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.399 know better? 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:26.819 That you could arrange your life 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:28.860 in a more suitable fashion? 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:30.480 That the challenges of your life, 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.659 the things that seem to keep you 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.899 from enduring faithfully, 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:36.039 are unfair and misplaced. 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:38.740 That they couldn't possibly 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.379 be kindnesses 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.879 from God. 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.679 Beloved, 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.679 if your faith is faltering, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.959 you need correction. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.960 You need perspective 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.560 and you need 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:52.420 the promises 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:54.080 of God. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:56.360 The Lord disciplines 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.620 the one 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:59.240 he loves. 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:01.259 To make the point 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:01.980 a bit further, 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:02.759 let me give you 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.660 one more text. 00:13:03.780 --> 00:13:05.320 This is Psalm 84, 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.940 the second half 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:08.019 of verse 11, 00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:09.600 which says, 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:10.960 no good thing 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.240 does he, 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:12.700 God, 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:13.200 withhold 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.460 from those 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.280 who walk 00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:15.960 uprightly. 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.759 uprightly. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.440 No good thing 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:19.320 does he withhold 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.240 from those 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.560 who walk 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:23.000 uprightly. 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:25.259 If you are in Jesus Christ 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:25.940 this morning, 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.940 if you have repented 00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:28.900 and believed 00:13:28.900 --> 00:13:29.560 in the person 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.240 and work 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.259 of Christ, 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:32.680 knowing that he 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:33.700 kept the law 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:34.680 for you, 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:36.440 that he died the death 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.500 that you deserve, 00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:37.920 right? 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:39.139 You don't come to God 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:39.900 on your own merit, 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.940 but because of the merit 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.780 of Jesus, 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.120 right? 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.740 If you have turned 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.360 from your sin 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.259 and you have said, 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.360 I need a savior, 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.000 Christ is this 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.779 great savior 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.279 to you, 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:49.879 then you are 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.539 clothed 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:52.299 in his righteousness. 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:53.799 Therefore, 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.940 you walk 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:55.720 uprightly 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.680 before God. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:57.779 When God 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.659 sees you, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.659 he sees the 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.680 uprightness 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:02.159 of Christ. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.720 Psalm 84, 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:04.320 11 says, 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.019 no good thing 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.440 does he withhold 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:06.320 from those 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.539 who walk 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.860 uprightly. 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.680 If you're in Christ, 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:10.220 you walk 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:10.799 uprightly. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.199 As such, 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:13.339 God withholds 00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:14.079 no good 00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:14.740 thing 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.839 from you. 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:17.240 That is, 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:18.000 your life 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.699 is full 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.279 of 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.559 good. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.959 Maybe not 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:22.919 by your definition, 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.639 but it is full 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.399 of good, 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.979 of God's 00:14:26.979 --> 00:14:27.699 defining, 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:28.919 and it is 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.599 aimed at, 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.559 it is for 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.439 your 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.639 sustained 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.939 endurance. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.099 God loves 00:14:36.099 --> 00:14:36.699 you far 00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:37.539 too much 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.939 to be terribly 00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:40.019 concerned about 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.659 the benefits 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.299 you're receiving 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.019 now. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.639 He's far 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.419 more concerned 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.319 about the benefits 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:45.719 that you'll 00:14:45.719 --> 00:14:47.179 receive forever. 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:49.459 He has 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:50.299 the mindset 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.799 of eternity, 00:14:52.719 --> 00:14:53.259 and we 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.139 very quickly 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.279 are forgetting 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.279 that we are 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:56.719 a people 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:57.679 passing through 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.339 a vapor 00:14:58.339 --> 00:14:59.699 in the wind, 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.379 and God 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.879 is preparing 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.659 us for 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.839 a future 00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:04.219 glory. 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:05.779 The Lord 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.659 disciplines 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.600 the one 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.839 he loves. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.879 have you 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.540 forgotten 00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:11.980 the text 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.639 that addresses 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.200 you 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.899 as sons? 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.879 Secondly, 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.879 we see in the text, 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.120 in the first half 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.860 of verse 7, 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:21.000 a challenge 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.519 to sustained 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.440 endurance. 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.420 The author 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.379 has told us 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:28.700 that Jesus 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.600 endured, 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:29.680 endured, 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.159 and it is 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.700 imperative 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.200 that we 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.920 endure. 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.220 It is 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.240 for discipline 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:37.980 that you 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.720 have to 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.060 endure. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.460 Culturally, 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:40.800 we tend 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:41.159 to have a 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:41.940 very negative 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.139 view of 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.840 discipline. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:44.860 You may 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.360 have either 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.000 never been 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.379 disciplined 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.700 in your 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.019 home, 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.920 or you 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.720 were possibly 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.399 disciplined 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.980 with severity. 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.659 The word 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.200 discipline 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:55.040 means to 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:55.500 teach 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.960 or instruct. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.960 This is 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.379 what this 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.360 word means, 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.080 which means 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.040 that discipline 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:01.519 ought to be 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.560 viewed as 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.120 a positive 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.500 thing, 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.300 especially 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:06.000 that discipline 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.780 which comes 00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:07.820 from the 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.060 Lord. 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.580 Additionally, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.139 the discipline 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.660 of God 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:11.580 for his 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.120 children 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.139 never 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.519 involves 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.280 his 00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:15.680 wrath. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.600 Theodore, 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:18.600 I'm going to 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.580 guess Latch 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.200 is the way 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:20.580 you pronounce 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.300 this very 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:21.759 oddly spelled 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.160 last name, 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:22.960 who is an 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.280 Old Testament 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:23.600 scholar, 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.100 put the point 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.639 this way, 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:26.060 God's plans 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.719 concerning his 00:16:26.719 --> 00:16:27.159 people are 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.339 always thoughts 00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:29.299 of good, 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.739 of blessing. 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.199 Even if he 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:32.799 is obliged 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.439 to use 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.039 the rod, 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.039 it is the 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.919 rod not 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.839 of wrath, 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.719 but the 00:16:37.719 --> 00:16:38.659 Father's rod 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.659 of chastisement 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.079 for their 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.959 temporal and 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.119 eternal welfare. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.359 There is not 00:16:43.359 --> 00:16:44.279 a single item 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.159 of evil in his 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.759 plans for his 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.079 people, 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:46.759 neither in their 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.139 motive, 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:47.959 nor in their 00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:48.519 conception, 00:16:48.979 --> 00:16:49.419 nor in their 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:49.939 revelation, 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:51.559 nor in their 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.799 consummation. 00:16:53.739 --> 00:16:54.539 So we can 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.359 read Psalm 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.539 23 this 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:56.899 morning, 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.820 and we 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.860 can unite 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.259 with the 00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.720 psalmist in 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.340 saying that 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.519 God's rod 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.300 and his 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:03.100 staff are 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.700 a comfort 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.259 to us. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.099 We can 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.680 declare that 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.480 he is in 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.019 fact the 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:11.460 good shepherd. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:14.180 So we 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.700 should endure 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.579 our hardships 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:17.299 as kindnesses 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.019 from God, 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.120 as helpful 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:20.480 discipline. 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.660 And this 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.960 discipline takes 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.039 three forms. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.539 So we'll 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.039 step outside 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.519 of the text 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.059 just a bit. 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.940 I want to 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.159 give these 00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:27.440 to you 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:27.839 quickly. 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:28.700 Discipline 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.399 takes three 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:29.700 forms. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:29.940 I'll give 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.240 you a couple 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.579 of Bible 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.579 examples for 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:31.759 them. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.139 Number one, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:33.920 corrective 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.420 discipline. 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.940 Sometimes we 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.379 need to be 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:36.879 shown the 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.879 error of 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.759 our ways. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.799 We need to 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.200 be shown it. 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.519 There needs 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.220 to be consequence 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.299 for our 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:42.980 action. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.420 And we need 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.099 to experience 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.940 the temporal 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.819 consequence of 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.119 our sin to 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.119 keep us mindful 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.399 of its eternal 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:50.420 consequence, 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.259 especially if we 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.159 are not found 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.340 in Christ. 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:55.259 An example 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.800 of this is 00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:56.120 found in 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.640 Paul's letters 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:56.980 to the 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.380 Corinthians. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.320 Some of 00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:58.820 them were 00:17:58.820 --> 00:17:59.200 sick. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.640 Some had 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.700 died because 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.100 of their 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.320 abuse of 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:03.840 the Lord's 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.320 Supper. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.180 And Paul 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.519 writes in 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.019 1 Corinthians 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.680 chapter 11 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.060 and verse 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:07.580 32, 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:17.259 So God 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.059 brings along 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.139 corrective 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.740 discipline, 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.879 helps us to 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.779 see that there 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.059 is error in 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.039 our way. 00:18:24.379 --> 00:18:24.679 And there's a 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.879 consequence here 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:27.319 and possibly 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.480 forever. 00:18:29.179 --> 00:18:30.480 Second form 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.000 of discipline 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.359 is preventive 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:33.079 discipline. 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.399 Sometimes we 00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:35.879 need to be 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.860 kept from 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:38.460 sin by 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:38.920 discipline. 00:18:39.760 --> 00:18:40.280 An example 00:18:40.280 --> 00:18:40.840 of this is 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:41.600 the humility 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:42.360 God worked 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:42.940 in Paul, 00:18:43.080 --> 00:18:43.380 which he 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:43.900 speaks of 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.720 in 2 Corinthians 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.740 chapter 12 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.760 and verse 7, 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.180 where he 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.560 wrote, 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:48.900 So to 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.800 keep me 00:18:49.800 --> 00:18:50.860 from becoming 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.780 conceited, 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.740 there's the 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.840 preventive measure 00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:54.180 there, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.560 Paul was 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:56.680 kept humble, 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.040 right? 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.620 He wasn't 00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:58.360 allowed to 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.640 become conceited, 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.940 he goes on, 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.820 because of the 00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:02.680 surpassing 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.600 greatness of 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.500 the revelations, 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.000 a thorn was 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.619 given me 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.740 in the flesh, 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.880 a messenger 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.519 of Satan 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.259 to harass 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.519 me, 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.359 to keep 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:12.279 me from 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.140 becoming 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.440 conceited. 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:15.779 You see 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.380 that Paul 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:17.440 takes this 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.019 as a 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.660 kindness 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.099 from God 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.900 on his 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.319 behalf. 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.319 The third 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.279 form that 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.579 discipline 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.339 takes is 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.519 instructive 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.480 discipline. 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.039 Sometimes 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.519 we are 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.559 taught lessons 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.680 proactively 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.400 through 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.100 discipline. 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:35.200 This was 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.680 the case 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.120 for 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:36.740 Job, 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.140 who after 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:37.500 enduring 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:37.900 much 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.340 suffering 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:38.560 that 00:19:38.560 --> 00:19:38.700 was 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:38.980 neither 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.799 corrective 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:41.100 or preventative, 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.160 he declares 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.620 in Job 00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:43.380 chapter 42 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.120 verse 4 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.779 and following, 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.960 Here I will 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.299 speak, 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.660 I will 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.299 question you, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.840 and you 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:48.360 make it 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:48.920 known to 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.259 me. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.539 I had 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.039 heard of 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.460 you by 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:51.900 the hearing 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.180 of the 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.420 ear, 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.060 but now 00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:53.960 my eye 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.880 sees you. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.019 Therefore 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.720 I despise 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.299 myself and 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.000 repent in 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.140 dust and 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.600 ashes. 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:01.039 Through 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.500 Job's 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.199 suffering 00:20:02.199 --> 00:20:02.939 and his 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.639 following 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.219 dialogue 00:20:04.219 --> 00:20:05.000 with God, 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.299 he reached 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.779 a new 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.439 and more 00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:08.099 complete 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.919 understanding 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.839 of his 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.179 Lord. 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:11.299 Because 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.139 Job was 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:12.559 doing 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.299 well, 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.659 God 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.019 allowed 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.639 suffering 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.500 so that 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:16.879 Job 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.419 would do 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:18.219 all the 00:20:18.219 --> 00:20:18.659 more 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.859 well. 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.159 Much 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:21.719 like an 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:22.459 elite athlete 00:20:22.459 --> 00:20:23.559 gets pushed 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.159 by a 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.500 coach, 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.299 those at 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:25.699 the top 00:20:25.699 --> 00:20:25.959 of their 00:20:25.959 --> 00:20:26.299 game 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.079 don't stop 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.359 getting 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.939 coached. 00:20:28.179 --> 00:20:28.559 They get 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:28.960 pushed 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.819 further 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.759 on. 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.639 We are 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.019 often 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.779 instructed 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.740 through 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.720 our 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.119 hardships. 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.139 We must 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:37.539 remember 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.399 that the 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:38.859 challenges 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.220 of our 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.700 lives 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.079 are 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.679 discipline 00:20:40.679 --> 00:20:40.940 that 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.299 comes 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:41.859 in one 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.139 of these 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.359 three 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:42.799 forms 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.220 and we 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.559 must be 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.200 discerning 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.059 and sorting 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.679 that out 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.460 and we 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.259 must remember 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.019 that it is 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.339 loving 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.539 and it is 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.099 for our 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.919 good. 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.200 James 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.759 Moffat, 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.019 who's a 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.339 contemporary 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.220 commentator, 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:55.759 stated in 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.220 his commentary 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.759 on this 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.119 text, 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.019 to endure 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.679 rightly, 00:20:59.459 --> 00:21:00.239 one must 00:21:00.239 --> 00:21:00.879 endure 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.219 intelligently 00:21:02.219 --> 00:21:03.279 and by 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.739 which I 00:21:03.739 --> 00:21:04.139 think he 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.479 means 00:21:04.479 --> 00:21:05.299 mindfully. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.199 If we're 00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:06.639 going to 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.079 endure the 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.659 hardship of 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.539 this world, 00:21:08.959 --> 00:21:09.679 we must 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.819 understand 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.959 why it 00:21:11.959 --> 00:21:12.419 comes our 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:12.939 way and 00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:13.539 the purpose 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.859 for it. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:16.959 Third, 00:21:17.479 --> 00:21:18.739 reasons for 00:21:18.739 --> 00:21:19.459 sustained 00:21:19.459 --> 00:21:20.199 endurance. 00:21:20.459 --> 00:21:20.699 We'll see 00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:21.000 this in the 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.619 last half of 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.339 verse 7 and 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.839 through the 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.159 end of the 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:23.899 text in 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.719 verse 11. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.539 The author 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.640 gives four 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.539 reasons for 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.079 sustained 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.680 endurance, 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:30.500 beginning 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.680 second half 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.200 of verse 7 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.259 and on. 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:34.940 Number one, 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.400 he gives 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.019 us a 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.059 paternal 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.579 reason. 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:38.740 A paternal 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.039 reason. 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.900 He writes, 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.960 God is 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.759 treating you 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:44.579 as sons. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.660 For what 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.400 son is there 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.799 whom his 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.600 father does 00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:48.700 not discipline? 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:49.819 If you are 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.299 left without 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.000 discipline in 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.640 which we 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.460 all have 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.019 participated, 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.980 then you 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.099 are 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.579 illegitimate 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.980 children and 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.960 not sons. 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.359 The logic 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.079 goes, if 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.539 you are 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.379 sons, then 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:00.740 you will 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.059 receive 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.480 discipline. 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.000 If you 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.460 are not 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.180 sons, then 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.619 you will 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.740 not receive 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.160 discipline. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.660 Because this 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.720 is true, 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.420 we should 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.160 not regard 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.819 lightly the 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.480 discipline of 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.839 the Lord, 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.539 nor be 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.660 weary when 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:16.200 reproved by 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.160 him, but 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:18.079 should rather 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.400 be encouraged 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.400 to press 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:22.700 on by 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.059 it. 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.920 God loves 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.500 us as 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:25.980 our 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.059 father. 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.640 Second 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.240 reason for 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.920 sustained 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.860 endurance. 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.160 It is a 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.340 lesser to 00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:34.160 greater 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.940 reason. 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.539 There is a 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.759 Latin phrase 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.319 I wrote down 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.640 and I am not 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:38.860 even going to 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.080 try to 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:39.440 pronounce it 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:39.779 for you. 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.440 A logical 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.840 tool, a 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.620 lesser to 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.140 greater 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.120 argumentation. 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.519 The logic 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.380 here goes, 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.279 if this is 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.519 so, then 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.500 this must 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.480 be even 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.720 more so. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.660 He says 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.099 in verse 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.480 9, 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.240 besides this 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.519 we have 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.000 had earthly 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.539 fathers who 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:57.860 disciplined 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:59.079 us and 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.519 we respected 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.819 them. 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:00.880 Shall we 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.319 not much 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.019 more be 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.519 subject to 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:02.900 the father 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.500 of spirits 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.539 and live? 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.059 Now I 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:07.019 recognize that 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.680 not all of 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.059 you have 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.740 fathers who 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.180 disciplined 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.900 you or 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.460 disciplined 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.920 you well. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.039 You may 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.400 not have 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.019 had the 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.700 type of 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.319 respect for 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.740 your fathers 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.059 that the 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.480 author is 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.559 here implying. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.720 If that is 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.279 the case for 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:19.620 you, I want 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:19.819 you to 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.659 know that 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:20.899 he is 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.579 speaking in 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.239 generalities 00:23:22.239 --> 00:23:22.559 and that 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:22.959 the lesson 00:23:22.959 --> 00:23:23.339 he is 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.839 teaching does 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.739 not have 00:23:24.739 --> 00:23:24.979 to be 00:23:24.979 --> 00:23:25.639 lost on 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.599 you because 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.019 your frame 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.479 of reference 00:23:27.479 --> 00:23:27.979 is different 00:23:27.979 --> 00:23:28.339 from the 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.159 one he 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:29.699 is implying. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.319 So here, 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.819 if you 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.179 have a 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:33.539 father who 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.799 disciplined 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.239 you and 00:23:34.239 --> 00:23:34.659 you respected 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.779 him, or 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.119 if you 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.679 have ever 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.439 noticed a 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:37.859 father who 00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.199 disciplined 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:38.819 well and 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.579 you respected 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:41.199 him, then 00:23:41.199 --> 00:23:42.219 how much 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:43.579 more should 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.179 you respect 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:44.959 God? 00:23:45.979 --> 00:23:46.799 Fathers who 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.339 discipline their 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.859 children are a 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:50.659 shadow, a 00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:52.219 reflection of 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:53.079 our great 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.979 God who 00:23:53.979 --> 00:23:55.019 disciplines us 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.799 for our 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.159 good. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.240 So we 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.119 should much, 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:00.339 much more 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.199 respect God 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:01.759 and therefore 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.959 respect his 00:24:02.959 --> 00:24:04.479 loving correction. 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.599 His loving 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.199 correction is 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:07.919 always perfect. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.419 It's always 00:24:09.419 --> 00:24:10.039 perfect. 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:10.799 He does not 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.979 fail the way 00:24:11.979 --> 00:24:12.719 that earthly 00:24:12.719 --> 00:24:13.879 fathers fail. 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.119 And as 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:16.399 such, therefore, 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.980 it is always 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.480 respectable. 00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:21.820 The third 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.060 reason for 00:24:23.060 --> 00:24:23.960 sustained 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.980 endurance is 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.920 a sanctifying 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.700 reason. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.120 Verse 10, 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.780 For they, 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.680 these fathers, 00:24:30.820 --> 00:24:31.460 disciplined us 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.019 for a short 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.860 time as it 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.759 seemed best 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.360 to them. 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.620 But he 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.480 disciplines us 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.240 for our 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.280 good that we 00:24:38.280 --> 00:24:39.040 may share 00:24:39.040 --> 00:24:40.360 his holiness. 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.880 It's a 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.700 sanctifying 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.480 reason. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.300 We've said 00:24:44.300 --> 00:24:44.780 this already 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.220 before, 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.759 but God 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.259 is about 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.639 working in 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.700 our lives, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.119 aiming us 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:50.759 to look 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.180 more like 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.259 him. 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.220 Good earthly 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.920 fathers do 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.559 this, right? 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.039 The discipline 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.319 of our 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.859 children is 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.460 aimed at 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.259 making them 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.000 look more 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.740 like our 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.660 children. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.319 You are 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.000 my son, 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.460 therefore, 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.099 you should 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:05.759 look like 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.180 this. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.539 You should 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.299 live like 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.039 this. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.180 But we 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.819 do this 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.200 so imperfectly 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.379 because we're 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.779 fallen and 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.940 we fail in 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.339 many, 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.440 many respects. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:17.859 But our 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.599 heavenly father 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.379 does not 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.460 and never 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.319 does. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.839 Everything that 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.599 he is working 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.500 is working us 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.299 in the direction 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.779 of looking 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.700 more like 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.480 him so that 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.119 we would 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.720 share his 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.059 holiness. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.740 And if your 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.639 holiness is not 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.879 the highest aim 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.819 of your living 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.660 in this life, 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.059 then you're 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.680 shooting too 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.200 low. 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.940 If you're 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.399 aiming at 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.299 other things, 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:41.059 it's not a 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.879 worthy enough 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:43.240 thing to aim 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.519 at. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.880 God aims 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.519 as the 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.099 aiming should 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:46.519 happen. 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.339 He's aiming 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.880 at your 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:49.359 holiness. 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.420 Romans 8, 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:53.400 28 gives 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:53.799 us some 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.680 direction in 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.019 this. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.099 I think all 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.339 of you, 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:56.720 when I say 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.200 Romans 8, 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.519 28, 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:57.759 go, 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.039 I know 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.380 this one. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.440 I got it. 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.799 We know 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.240 that for those 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.519 who love 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:01.799 God, 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.500 all things 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.140 work together 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.880 for the good 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.259 for those 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.720 who are called 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.200 according to 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.559 his purpose. 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:05.940 You probably 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.319 dropped the 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.740 last half 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.059 of that 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.120 off of there 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.940 because we 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.180 don't want 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.539 to think 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:09.880 about what 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.500 God's purpose 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.539 is in the 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:11.859 good that 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.299 he's working. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.399 Because really 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:13.799 we want to 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.259 think about 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.480 our purposes 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.259 in the good 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.659 that God 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:17.359 is working. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.039 And so we 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.519 make it into 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.539 this strange 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.819 mystic verse. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.619 I know it's 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.000 true. 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.220 Everything works 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.480 out. 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.139 Everything for a 00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:25.419 reason. 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.139 And we're 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:27.019 looking for the 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.299 reason. 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.019 We're trying to 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.460 understand. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:28.960 We're giving 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.519 ourselves this 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.839 hope. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.240 Like, yeah, 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.659 I don't like 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.099 what's happening 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.519 right now. 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.220 But somehow, 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.200 some way, 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.319 yeah, 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.319 it's going to 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.819 be good. 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:35.859 good. 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.019 The text 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.439 tells us 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.879 the good. 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.059 We don't 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.539 have to 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.579 guess at 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.079 the good. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.619 The clue 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.079 of that is 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.480 the last part 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.960 of verse 28. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.480 For those 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:45.700 who are 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.480 called according 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.419 to his 00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:48.079 purpose. 00:26:48.179 --> 00:26:48.500 What is the 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.799 purpose? 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.379 Verse 29 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:50.019 tells us. 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:50.899 For those 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.179 whom he 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.500 foreknew, 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:51.960 he also 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.379 predestined to 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.659 be conformed 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:56.019 to the image 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.240 of his 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.240 son. 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.740 That's the 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.279 good that 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.639 he's working 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:03.140 in your 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:04.100 life and 00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:04.420 in my 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:04.900 life if 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.440 we belong 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.000 to him. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.500 God is 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.440 working all 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.259 things together 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.000 for that 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.960 great and 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.060 highest good. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.460 Read there. 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.240 Share in his 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.920 holiness that 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.300 we will be 00:27:15.300 --> 00:27:16.940 conformed to 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.640 the image 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.620 of his 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:18.880 son. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.000 His son, 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.060 who was 00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:22.840 himself God, 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.780 but was 00:27:23.780 --> 00:27:24.840 fully man and 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:26.020 submitted himself 00:27:26.020 --> 00:27:27.720 in every way 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.520 to the 00:27:28.520 --> 00:27:28.759 father. 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.240 Our high 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.060 example of 00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:31.460 faithful 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.200 endurance. 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.360 This is 00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:34.759 what he is 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.799 making us 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.720 into. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.620 And we 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.120 won't arrive 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.640 at it on 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.079 this side 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.500 of glory, 00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:40.160 but we 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.660 are moving 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.160 in that 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:41.680 direction 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:43.200 steadily for 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.039 the praise 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.680 of him 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.200 who is 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.220 doing it. 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.420 This is a 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.039 wonderful reason 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.059 to press on. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.500 A sanctifying 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:53.100 reason to 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:54.380 appreciate the 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.000 kind 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.960 corrections 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.299 of God. 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.039 And then 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.660 the fourth 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.600 reason for 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.319 faithful endurance. 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.220 is a 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.660 joy-filled 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.420 reason. 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.100 A joy-filled 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.380 reason. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.860 Verse 11 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.140 says, 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.420 For the 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:07.980 moment, 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.140 all discipline 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:10.380 seems painful 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.480 rather than 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:11.779 pleasant, 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.100 but later it 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:13.720 yields the 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.440 peaceful fruit 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.079 of righteousness 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.900 to those 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.720 who have been 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:18.039 trained by it. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.519 The author 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:21.059 recognizes that 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.579 there is a 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.460 disconnect 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.160 between the 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:25.360 experience of 00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.500 discipline and 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.620 the reality 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:29.259 of discipline. 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.739 He notes 00:28:30.739 --> 00:28:31.279 that for the 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.619 moment, 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:33.019 all discipline 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.639 seems painful 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:36.539 rather than 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:36.859 pleasant. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.379 He knows 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:38.839 that it 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.899 hurts. 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:40.559 He has 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.159 experienced 00:28:41.159 --> 00:28:42.079 that hurt, 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.439 and he 00:28:42.439 --> 00:28:43.419 sympathizes with 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:44.500 us in that. 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:45.539 But, 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:46.759 by implication, 00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:48.179 it yields 00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:49.659 pleasantness. 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.039 In the 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.439 moment, 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.099 he says, 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.799 it's painful, 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.159 but it 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.799 will 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.759 yield 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.299 pleasantness, 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:58.980 which he 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.539 calls the 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.219 peaceful 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.500 fruit 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.659 of 00:29:03.659 --> 00:29:04.099 righteousness. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.399 Doesn't 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:06.819 that sound 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.319 wonderful? 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:09.519 In the 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:09.919 midst of 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.439 trial, 00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:11.359 you're 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.439 sailing the 00:29:12.439 --> 00:29:12.980 sea of this 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.339 life, 00:29:13.439 --> 00:29:13.699 and it is 00:29:13.699 --> 00:29:14.779 getting rocked 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.139 by the 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.919 storms of 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.599 this world. 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.980 In the 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.500 midst of 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.139 temptation, 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:20.980 doesn't 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.240 that, 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.960 the 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.559 peaceful 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.440 fruit 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:23.980 of 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.579 righteousness 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:27.599 steady you? 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.279 We can 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.759 be 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.960 steadied. 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.640 We are 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.700 steadied by 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.200 our loving 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.859 God as 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.620 he trains 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.920 us to 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.960 yield this 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.880 in our 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:39.299 lives. 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.940 Isaiah 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.819 chapter 32 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.740 verse 16 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.559 and 17 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.019 says, 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:44.940 justice 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.799 will dwell 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.160 in the 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.460 wilderness 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.519 and righteousness 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.599 abide in 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.120 the fruitful 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.900 field, 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.859 and the 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.679 effect of 00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.179 righteousness 00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:53.639 be peace, 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:54.359 and the 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:54.819 result of 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.240 righteousness 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:57.039 quietness 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.579 and trust 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.899 forever. 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.359 I love 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:01.619 that. 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.399 I love 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:02.679 that. 00:30:03.219 --> 00:30:03.740 The effect 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.259 of righteousness 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.759 will be 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.199 peace, 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.519 and the 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.319 result of 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:06.759 righteousness 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:08.539 quietness 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:10.179 and trust 00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:11.719 forever. 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.939 So hold 00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:15.000 up and 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.659 hold on. 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:15.779 love. 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.940 We have 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.440 a loving 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.640 God who 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.160 disciplines 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.660 us for 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.320 the sake 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.640 of faithful 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:23.019 endurance. 00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.240 Beloved, 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:25.060 it is because 00:30:25.060 --> 00:30:26.759 he loves 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:26.980 you. 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.140 Trials of 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.600 this life 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.040 are not 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:29.940 outside of 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.300 his control. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.180 They're being 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.800 brought your 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:33.060 way, 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.279 whatever it 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:34.920 is, 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.620 for your 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:36.960 good. 00:30:38.060 --> 00:30:38.620 May we be 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.140 those who 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.779 declare, 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:40.700 Hebrews 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.380 chapter 10 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.900 and verse 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.600 39. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.540 We are 00:30:43.540 --> 00:30:43.920 not of 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.360 those who 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:44.980 shrink back 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.240 and are 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.740 destroyed, 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.560 but of 00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:47.019 those who 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.720 have faith 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.900 and preserve 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.480 their souls. 00:30:50.080 --> 00:30:50.440 Let's pray 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.759 together.