WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.700 The reading today is Hebrews chapter 2, verse 5 to 18. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.759 He left nothing outside his control. 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:40.299 At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him, but we see him, for who 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:45.500 a little while was made lower than angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:51.079 because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for 00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:51.579 everyone. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:59.140 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:03.740 to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:10.819 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:16.480 That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, I will tell of your name 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:17.180 to my brothers. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:20.340 In the midst of the congregation, I will sing your praise. 00:01:20.980 --> 00:01:23.819 And again, I will put my trust in him. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:28.120 And again, behold, I and the children God has given me. 00:01:29.140 --> 00:01:34.480 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:39.680 the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:46.219 that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:46.879 slavery. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.599 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:59.140 Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a 00:01:59.140 --> 00:02:05.339 merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the signs 00:02:05.339 --> 00:02:06.140 of the people. 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:12.780 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 00:02:18.019 --> 00:02:19.159 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:34.060 So, the letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage Christians whose practical experience 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:39.560 of living as Christians was not in any way, shape, or form what they'd expected. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:46.620 Obviously, the readers, the background of the readers was that they were Jewish. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:55.520 But they had turned their back on their old, age-old Jewish religion when they had encountered 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:55.939 Jesus. 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:05.480 They were convinced, of course, like all Christians are, that acceptance with God and heaven was 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:07.699 only possible through Jesus. 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:20.919 But all in identification with Jesus had resulted, it would appear, in personal hardship, which was 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:24.459 unexpected and for many unacceptable. 00:03:26.659 --> 00:03:30.719 Now, I want you just to come with me for a minute as we try and imagine their excitement 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:32.340 as they come to Jesus. 00:03:34.859 --> 00:03:38.259 They've just embraced the concept of once-for-all forgiveness. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:41.079 New acceptance by God. 00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:44.199 A new forever relationship with God. 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:47.579 New certainty of heaven in the future. 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:54.180 And all of that as a free gift of God's generosity to them. 00:03:54.180 --> 00:04:01.860 And on top of that, freedom from the day-in, day-out religious rituals that had marked their lives 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:02.960 to that point in time. 00:04:05.980 --> 00:04:12.740 It's easy to imagine how they assumed, therefore, in their excitement that that meant being in 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:15.700 Jesus would mean they would live happily ever after. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:22.539 But their practical experience was very different. 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:33.439 Taking a stand for Jesus, they soon realized, put them at odds with, and even found them excluded 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:41.060 from, their biological family and their wider clan, which was big in a Jewish context. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:48.519 More than that, they may well have found themselves at odds with or excluded from, their local community. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:54.639 Life was just getting really hard. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:02.139 And then out on top of that, Emperor Nero brought in persecution. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:08.319 From Nero, the Roman Empire tended to blame everything that was wrong in the world on the Christians. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:16.379 And so, increasingly, Christians were being arrested. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:20.779 There was already rumors flying around of many having been beaten. 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:23.360 And yes, some even having been killed. 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:32.600 Their property, if not when this was written, certainly a few years after, was being confiscated. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:36.600 Their right to work was being restricted or removed. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:40.160 Some of these Christians ended up in poverty. 00:05:44.260 --> 00:05:45.100 The result? 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.620 We can well understand them saying, hang on a minute. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:54.800 All that excitement about Jesus, that's wonderful. 00:05:55.260 --> 00:05:56.820 But I didn't sign up for this. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:06:08.800 New life in Jesus is not what I assumed it would be, is not what I expected it to be. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:13.539 And probably, if I was being honest in the depth of my soul, is not what I demand it to be. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:29.500 Now, from that point, if you're with me in the imagination, from that point, it's not hard then to imagine these Christians starting to look for some ways to ease their circumstance. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:36.300 And obviously, they started to think about toning down their identity in Jesus. 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:47.160 Or some of them might have been starting to think about walking away altogether and walking back into the Jewish religious way of doing it because the Romans were quite happy to accept the Jewish religious system. 00:06:47.160 --> 00:07:01.460 They started to think, well, maybe because there's not total disconnection between age-old Jewish religion, Judaism, and Christianity. 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:03.800 Maybe we can work a blend. 00:07:04.640 --> 00:07:10.840 Maybe we can do something that we can still hang on to Jesus in a fashion, but will be acceptable with our family again. 00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:12.700 Will be acceptable in our local community again. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:14.700 Will be acceptable in the Roman Empire again. 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:16.159 And life will settle down. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:28.120 So the challenge of the letter of Hebrews is repeated. 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:37.139 Don't allow yourself to drift away from Jesus because serving him in a hostile world is really hard. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:44.800 And the way I've tried to set up the scenario, you should be able to see what it means to drift away. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:48.539 It just starts and you think, well, maybe I could do this and that. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:58.120 And by drifting, you wake up one morning and you find you're kilometers away from where you thought you were or where you started. 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:07.680 And I think in those terms, we understand what it is to drift away from Jesus. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:15.120 When life gets hard for us, we automatically start thinking about ways we can make life easier. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:24.100 The writer encourages these anxious believers, and they are anxious. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:25.939 And you can understand why they're anxious. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:29.560 You can encourage them to remember who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:35.779 In other words, remember what caused you to respond to Jesus in the first place. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:44.980 And in chapter 1, verse 1 through to chapter 2, verse 4, I'm just going to try and recap and bring the argument forward with me. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:48.200 The writer walks them through some key elements of Judaism. 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:54.159 Contrasting what Judaism or the old Jewish religious practices offered against Jesus. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:59.939 And the point is that there's nothing to go back to. 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:04.779 Jesus effectively stamped the old Jewish religion, Judaism. 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:07.559 He stamped it past its use by day. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:15.019 And that he is the key to the good life. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:23.299 Now, in Judaism, prophets, priests, kings and angels had a huge part in God's plan of salvation. 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:24.919 That's what was worked out in the history of Israel. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:31.439 But we're led into this argument in Hebrews with the fact that Jesus is God. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:40.599 And because Jesus is God, he's in a category of his own in terms of status, authority in God's work. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:43.039 His part in God's salvation plan. 00:09:43.699 --> 00:09:44.379 His achievement. 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:52.259 And when you put those things together, Jesus has done more than all of the prophets, all of the priests, all of the kings, all of the angels in some. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:54.439 That's how unique Jesus is. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.860 That's the argument of Hebrews. 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:00.259 He's the best prophet ever. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:02.779 Chapter 1, verses 1-4. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:09.039 He reveals God's word with a clarity and authority like no other prophet before him. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:12.219 He's the best king ever. 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:22.519 Modeling God's character of justice and mercy and subduing the unruly hearts of his rebellious people like no other king before him. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:26.620 And he's the best priest ever. 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:30.679 He finally sorts the problems of his people's sin. 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:33.220 He finally makes them acceptable to God. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:39.259 And then consistently prays for their spiritual well-being, which was one of the key jobs of a priest. 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:43.860 And he does all that like no other priest before him. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:50.439 The argument continues then, verse 5 through to the end of chapter 1. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:56.319 He's even in a category of his own in terms of comparison and contrast with angels. 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.399 Vastly superior even to angels. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:08.759 Those incredibly powerful messengers of God tasked with implementing every part of God's salvation plan in history. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:12.740 Compare and contrast. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:15.740 Well, they were created beings. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.840 Jesus was their creator. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:23.980 They followed God's orders in implementing God's purposes. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.480 Jesus gives the orders. 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:26.519 Jesus gives the orders. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.399 Jesus gives the orders. 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:38.439 So, given all that, chapter 2, verses 1-4, given all that, the writer's saying to these anxious Christians, 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:42.679 don't allow yourself to drift away from Jesus. 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.860 Remember who he is. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.600 Remember what he's done. 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:49.819 Remember the thing that attracted you to Jesus in the first place. 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:57.620 Don't allow yourself to start thinking that you can blend in with this world. 00:11:57.620 --> 00:12:05.899 while still being religious and doing religious things and still hang on to Jesus in some shape or form. 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:16.019 Don't think that you can live a life driven by avoidance of ridicule and hostility. 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:23.039 Don't think that that's preferable to a strong identification with Jesus, 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:25.360 even though the latter will bring you trouble. 00:12:27.599 --> 00:12:29.019 It will also bring you life. 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:36.399 And then the writer continues in our section this morning, chapter 2, verses 5-18. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:43.419 The writer, I think, anticipates the response of his readers at this point in time. 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:45.879 I think it would go something like this. 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:49.639 Now, this is my reading into the text, so if you don't like it, then just ignore it. 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:52.559 But tune in after I finish this, because I do have other things to say. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.600 So, it goes something like this. 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.779 Well, thank you very much. 00:12:55.779 --> 00:13:01.620 We really appreciate being reminded of how majestic Jesus is. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:06.819 His unique authority, his power as ruler of God's world. 00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:13.360 His centrality to God's big picture salvation plan in history. 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:16.259 We really appreciate all that. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:20.139 But I'm still stuck on this question. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:27.100 Does he really understand my daily struggle, my daily suffering as a believer? 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:32.939 Does he understand how hard it is to have all-in identification with Jesus? 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.860 Does he care for me? 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:43.980 Now, the next sentence is the big theme. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:46.420 So, if you don't take anything else away this morning, take this away with you. 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:53.340 His encouragement in these verses is Jesus does know and care. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:14:00.519 In fact, the argument is, you guys have been rabbiting on about angels. 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:07.879 Well, let me tell you, Jesus is far more close to us than angels could ever be. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:10.600 Why? 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:13.740 Because Jesus has shared our situation. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:15.000 He's shared our humanity. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:18.480 Therefore, he knows exactly how we feel. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.600 He knows our daily needs. 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:25.700 And he is the best placed person to help us in our struggles. 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:31.259 That's the big picture of where I'm going this morning in the next few minutes. 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:34.639 So, let's jump into verse 5 then. 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:38.659 And it talks there about the world to come. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:42.579 It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:47.500 Now, just a little note there to make sure you're on board on the right page here. 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:50.059 It's the world of which we've been speaking. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:58.259 That is, not some vague future time, but it's the edge of salvation that has been mentioned in verse 3. 00:14:58.259 --> 00:15:08.039 It's the new world order of the gospel, which had already begun in Jesus, described in chapter 1, verse 2, as these last days. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:17.659 So, what he's about to say now about Jesus, comparison and contrast, that's how the whole letter works, is applicable to us now. 00:15:19.719 --> 00:15:25.779 United with Jesus, believers are experiencing now God's future. 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:29.759 And what is that future? 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:36.360 Well, it's created and defined by Jesus' identification with his died-for people. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:46.639 And that is something far more personal than angels could ever deliver. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:52.139 Two main points. 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:56.639 Jesus is our purpose-built trailblazer, verses 6 through to 9. 00:15:58.319 --> 00:16:02.639 Now, a trailblazer, for those who, it's very obvious, I think, from the word itself. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:09.379 A trailblazer is someone who sort of pushes into uncharted territory, wilderness territory, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:14.120 and does the hard work of cutting out a track. 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:21.720 So, before there's just jungle, impenetrable, scary, darkness, lostness, 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:24.320 trailblazer goes through and cuts a track. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.440 And there it is. 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:27.480 The comparison is so clear, isn't it? 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:32.060 And everyone then who follows the trailblazer 00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:35.740 can, on the one hand, be perfectly thankful 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:38.419 for the one who's gone ahead of them and done all the hard work. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:46.299 But they can be perfectly thankful also because they get the benefits of that hard work 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:51.620 and the safety of following a clear-cut track. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:57.459 Well, Jesus is our trailblazer. 00:16:57.460 --> 00:17:07.000 He came into our world as an image-bearer or a human like us. 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:12.519 Now, there's lots I could do with that verse, 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:15.440 but I'm just going to have to keep moving and just do a sort of summary. 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.519 What does that mean? 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:24.940 Well, it means that nobody understands us better than one who's like us. 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:32.859 Jesus isn't just as it were talking down to us from up there. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:36.019 He's actually been down and dirty with us. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:46.160 Nobody understands us better than Jesus. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:52.119 Our feelings, our fears, our specific needs 00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:54.220 as we struggle to serve Him daily. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.279 And angels, again, by contrast, 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:00.180 angels for all their involvement in God's world, 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:03.379 and it was clear that they had a massive involvement in God's world. 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:11.660 But they cannot feel for God's people as Jesus feels for them. 00:18:12.520 --> 00:18:12.840 Why? 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:18.140 Because angels, in a sense, have only observed God's world from the outside. 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:23.360 They've not experienced it from the inside, as has Jesus. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:31.820 Nobody, therefore, can have more empathy towards us 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:37.200 or for us, however empathy is expressed, than Jesus. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:47.460 He lived as a true image bearer or human for us. 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:50.799 So He came to be like us, and then He lived for us. 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:57.059 He actually did perfectly what God always intended His image bearers to do, 00:18:57.379 --> 00:19:00.179 but were never able to do because of sin. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:04.779 Humans were created to rule over God's world 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:07.320 as God's representative, 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.960 as expressed in the theology of Psalm 8, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.880 which is quoted here. 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:17.060 But sin or rebellion just never, ever happened as God intended. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.640 Not even close. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:25.320 Well, Jesus fulfilled God's original intention 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:28.559 in terms of His image bearers, His humankind. 00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:37.819 He models perfectly how to live in God's world. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:42.319 Even more, He models perfectly how to live in a rebellious world. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.639 A hostile world. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:50.780 He models how to live as God intended us 00:19:50.780 --> 00:19:53.220 to live as His image bearers. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.800 And the third thing Jesus does, 00:19:56.360 --> 00:20:00.880 He restored true image-bearing humanity in us. 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.520 So He's like us. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.980 He's lived for us. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:07.660 But He does more than just model the good life to us. 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:10.380 He transforms our humanity. 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:16.680 Jesus renews us from the inside out, 00:20:17.260 --> 00:20:19.000 putting His Spirit within us. 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.480 It's mentioned in chapter 2. 00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:21.880 At the end of chapter 1, right? 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.580 Chapter 1, verse... 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:25.620 It's mentioned in chapter 2, verse 4. 00:20:26.280 --> 00:20:27.080 Somewhere before, anyway. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:30.660 He puts His Spirit within us 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:35.920 to enable us to live the good life of obedience. 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:40.519 And He gives us the privilege in Him 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.759 as a true humanity 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:45.320 of sharing in the rule of God's world with Him. 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:49.040 And also, verse 8 and 9, 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:53.019 also sharing in the reward of glory and honor 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:57.000 in heaven forever. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:59.000 Remember... 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:06.240 That's who Jesus is. 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:10.900 That's what Jesus has done for us 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:12.380 and is doing in us. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.319 And here's the application. 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.819 And all of that, 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.880 behind the scenes, as it were, 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.380 because it's not all evident 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:23.619 in our daily circumstances, 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.000 but all of that is true. 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.980 All of that is happening. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.420 All of that has already happened 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.740 in the background, 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:29.960 if you want to put it in those terms. 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.980 Even as the world despises, 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:35.360 rejects, and ridicules us 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:37.079 for our identification in Jesus. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.460 There's the contrast. 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:45.140 When we feel so abandoned, 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:47.140 so alone, so cut off for Jesus, 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.860 we need to remind ourselves 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:50.380 that it's not possible 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.640 to be closer to Him 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:53.920 than what we are. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:59.019 Second point, 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:02.180 Jesus is our personal champion. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:04.259 Verses 10 through to verse 18. 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.360 Verse 11, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.759 He's described there, 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.720 it's one of the lovely verses 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.680 in the Bible. 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:15.360 Verse 10, it is. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.779 For it was fitting that He, 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.539 that's Jesus, 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.059 for whom and by whom 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.939 all things exist 00:22:19.939 --> 00:22:21.579 in bringing many sons to glory, 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.159 should make the founder 00:22:23.159 --> 00:22:24.179 of their salvation 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:25.939 perfect through suffering. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.279 So I read that long. 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:27.959 For it was He, 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.719 that is God, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.459 the Father, 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.119 for whom and by whom 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.939 all things exist 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:33.359 in bringing many sons to glory, 00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:34.359 should make the founder 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.919 of their salvation 00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:37.079 perfect through suffering. 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:40.299 Jesus is described 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.219 as the founder 00:22:41.219 --> 00:22:42.759 of our salvation. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.299 Other words that could be used 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.759 there would be 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.140 the author of our salvation. 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.660 Some translations use that word. 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:48.960 Personally, 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.720 I like the idea 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.940 of the word champion. 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.579 And it fits 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:54.160 with the semantics 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.619 of the word. 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:58.240 To be someone's champion 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:01.420 is to be totally 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.779 identified with them. 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.879 Totally committed 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.900 to their well-being. 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:09.019 and acting 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.320 for their good 00:23:10.320 --> 00:23:11.600 no matter 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:13.440 the personal cost. 00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:20.220 These anxious Christians 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.040 need to remember 00:23:21.040 --> 00:23:21.660 that Jesus 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:23.380 is their champion. 00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:26.460 Not just 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.800 a majestic king 00:23:27.800 --> 00:23:28.519 and lord 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.620 and ruler of the world, 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.340 but He is their 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:33.259 personal champion. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.680 He's bringing 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.799 all His power, 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.019 all His knowledge, 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:38.279 all His love 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:40.100 to bear 00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:42.080 on their circumstances 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:42.920 for their good. 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:49.519 He's got a single-minded 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.299 focus 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:52.060 on family. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.840 It's in there. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.259 What's His purpose 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.840 in coming into this world? 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.860 To bring many sons 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.820 to glory. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.500 I love that phrase. 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:08.539 When Jesus 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.680 came into the world 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.980 on His 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:13.079 salvation rescue mission, 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.400 it was never 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.640 just a job. 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.920 It was never 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.960 just a formal 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.900 assignment. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.299 For Jesus, 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.440 it was personal. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:30.019 It was family 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.160 who were in trouble, 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:33.940 and it was 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.759 family 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.860 in trouble 00:24:35.860 --> 00:24:36.360 that He came 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:36.800 to help. 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.400 And it was family 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.640 He determined 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.300 to renew 00:24:41.300 --> 00:24:42.100 so that He could 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.160 set them apart 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.720 for lives 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.120 lived for God 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:48.080 as they were 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:49.100 intended to be lived. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.620 It was for family 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:53.620 that Jesus 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.779 took upon Himself 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.360 huge cost 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:58.440 even to death. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.440 confidence 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:03.620 confident 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.299 that God 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.980 would reward 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.640 His actions 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.920 by opening 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.820 the door of heaven 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.700 to all His 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.640 died-for people. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.940 So the champion, 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:14.420 as it were, 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.640 if you could visualize this, 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.519 would march in 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.980 with all those 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.620 people He championed 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:21.880 following in His wake. 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:26.300 And three passages 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:27.200 from the Old Testament 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:29.460 pick that up. 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:30.460 There's a whole 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.180 bit to say 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.820 about how the 00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:32.560 writer to the Hebrew 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.760 actually uses 00:25:33.760 --> 00:25:34.280 those passages 00:25:34.280 --> 00:25:35.100 from the Old Testament, 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.200 but there's too much 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.780 to talk about that 00:25:36.780 --> 00:25:37.180 here now. 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.500 I can talk to you 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.140 about that some other 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.740 time if you want to. 00:25:40.760 --> 00:25:41.160 Essentially, 00:25:41.520 --> 00:25:42.180 there's three passages 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:44.100 here from the Old Testament 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:45.020 used by the writer 00:25:45.020 --> 00:25:45.500 of the letter 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.060 to the Hebrews 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:47.280 that picks up 00:25:47.280 --> 00:25:48.520 the family nature 00:25:48.520 --> 00:25:49.840 of Jesus' focus. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.540 Sons, 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.519 daughters, 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:52.519 children. 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.899 Friends, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.440 you can't get 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:03.099 a closer connection 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.700 than a family connection. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.599 Some would argue 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.200 you can't get 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:12.000 a greater concern 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:14.079 than a broad-based 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.119 family concern. 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.740 We often say 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.960 that a mom or a dad 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.840 would do anything 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:25.559 to protect their child 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.620 and to keep them safe. 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.000 We know that 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.720 has its limits 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.579 in human terms, 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.880 but it's a good picture 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.420 here, isn't it? 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.559 Jesus was prepared 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.680 to do what was 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.880 necessary to be done 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:40.680 for the family, 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.000 his family. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:47.279 nobody is more committed 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.880 to the well-being 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:50.339 of his people 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.619 than Jesus. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:55.259 Not sparing himself 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:57.200 because he wanted 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.180 to free them 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:01.640 from fear. 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:03.420 We'll say a little bit more 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:03.960 about that in a minute. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.880 Fear from, 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.160 fear of death. 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.220 He wanted to guarantee 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:10.099 that they'll get home 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.459 to heaven. 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.099 He wanted them 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.779 to rest in that security, 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.959 in the toughness 00:27:13.959 --> 00:27:14.579 of life, 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.240 to just be able 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.639 to say, 00:27:17.719 --> 00:27:18.719 to settle their anxiety, 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.439 he will bring me 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.119 as his son 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.899 home to glory. 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.059 He will bring me 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.699 as his daughter 00:27:24.699 --> 00:27:25.559 home to glory. 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:30.599 And friends, 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.419 all that proves 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:31.940 that Jesus 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:33.480 is perfectly 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:38.839 skipped a point, 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.379 I have to go back. 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.299 Jesus was uniquely 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.700 qualified to fight 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.299 and defeat 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.179 our key enemies, 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:45.599 verses 14 through to 17. 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.839 Rebellion reduces, 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.379 or rebellion or sin, 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.480 reduces people 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.740 to being helpless, 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:58.099 terrified victims 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.220 of Satan 00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.819 or the devil. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.220 That's picked up 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.799 in these verses 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.559 14 onwards. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.440 Now here's how it works. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:09.059 Death is a direct 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.799 consequence 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.839 of sin. 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.440 God said, 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.519 where a person sins, 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:14.059 a person has to die. 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.360 Satan 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:20.559 gladly plays 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.660 on that reality 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:23.920 in a way 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.900 that enslaves 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:26.259 people to fear 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.920 for the whole 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.320 of their life. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:28.920 Fear of what? 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.720 Fear of death, 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.100 which is fear 00:28:32.100 --> 00:28:34.720 of God's wrath 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.940 and that final 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.300 accounting, 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.560 fear of condemnation. 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.779 Determined to rescue 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.360 his people, 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.000 that is, 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.140 covering all those 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.100 bases I've just mentioned, 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.560 determined to shield 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.339 his people 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.480 from God's wrath, 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.919 determined to pay 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:55.759 the penalty 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.940 of their rebellion 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.519 in full, 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.299 so that Satan 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.319 could no longer 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.119 accuse them 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:01.000 of being guilty, 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.359 guilty, 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:01.839 guilty. 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.919 And giving his people 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.819 the righteousness 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.639 they need 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.379 to be acceptable 00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:09.879 to God, 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.399 so that God 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:10.980 looks at them 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.240 and says, 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:11.960 yes, 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.720 you are perfectly 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.079 righteous, 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.819 you are welcome 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.599 into my heaven 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.079 forever. 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:17.859 to be able 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.659 to do that, 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.619 the argument here 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.299 for the writer 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.720 of Hebrews 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:22.059 is that Jesus 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:24.019 had to become 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.779 like his guilty 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.899 people in every 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.199 way, 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.179 in every respect, 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:27.839 verse 17. 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:29.960 Why? 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.579 Well, 00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.699 only a sinless 00:29:32.699 --> 00:29:33.519 person could 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.339 step in 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.659 as a champion 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.599 and act 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.319 on behalf 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:39.099 of sinful 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.500 people. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.720 The same 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.119 idea 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.419 is also 00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:45.179 in verse 10. 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.099 Jesus 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.619 was made 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.019 perfect, 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.460 not in the 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.859 sense that 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.279 he was 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.779 imperfect 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.379 beforehand, 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:51.720 as it's 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:51.960 something 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.079 deficient 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:54.359 in Jesus, 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.119 but he was 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:55.839 made perfect 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.659 in the sense 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:58.019 that he 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.519 needed to 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.240 become a 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.099 true human 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.759 experiencing 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.379 life, 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.859 temptation 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.720 to disobedience, 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.399 suffering. 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.039 He needed 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.579 to experience 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.099 all of that 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:07.359 to be 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.740 properly 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.459 qualified 00:30:08.459 --> 00:30:10.639 for every 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.240 aspect of 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.659 his rescue 00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:12.019 mission. 00:30:18.699 --> 00:30:19.759 And such 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.119 is his 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.539 commitment 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:20.939 to his 00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:21.279 people 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.899 that he 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.299 willingly 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.059 took all 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.439 of that 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.039 shame 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.959 and humiliation 00:30:25.959 --> 00:30:26.579 on, 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.699 ultimately 00:30:27.699 --> 00:30:28.240 to take 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.079 sin itself 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.599 upon his 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:29.959 shoulders 00:30:29.959 --> 00:30:31.119 and become 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.519 sin, 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:33.539 so his 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.019 people could 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.819 be freed 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.439 from 00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:36.279 infernal 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:38.099 accusations 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:38.819 of guilt 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:40.599 and lifetime 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.319 slavery 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:42.019 to fear 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.539 of having 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.099 to face 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.259 God's 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.019 accusations 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.000 and condemnations 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.660 when we die. 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.639 It's all been 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.119 dealt with. 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.539 There is no 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:52.859 fear. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.299 And all of that 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.879 proves that 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.420 Jesus is 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.859 perfectly 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.639 qualified to 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.059 help us 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.159 and represent 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.819 us before 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.220 God 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.919 in the last 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.460 two verses. 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.539 Now, 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.139 priests 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.519 had two 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:06.940 jobs. 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.039 One was 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.559 to offer 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.039 sacrifice 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.559 for sin, 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:11.099 to make 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.559 sure that 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.319 the relationship 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:12.859 between God 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.119 and his 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.679 dirty people 00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:15.659 was continuous. 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.779 Another really 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.319 important job 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:18.659 that often 00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:19.039 doesn't get 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.379 mentioned 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:20.019 is that the 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.500 priest was 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.319 responsible to 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.059 pray for his 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.480 people and 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.440 advocate for 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.700 them before 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.039 God. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:29.099 He was 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:29.720 to pray for 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.859 them in 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.519 their struggle 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.319 to live 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.059 faithfully 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:37.899 because he 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:38.339 knew as a 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.579 priest that 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.220 he'd be doing 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.599 more sacrifices 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.159 tomorrow for 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:42.859 the same sins 00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:43.220 as he did 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.000 sacrifices for 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.379 yesterday. 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:50.099 Nobody knows 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:50.839 the power of 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.500 temptation. 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:55.400 temptation to 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:55.940 turn away 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.700 from obedience 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.599 and find an 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.500 easier pathway 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:58.960 in life 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.359 more than 00:31:59.359 --> 00:31:59.819 Jesus. 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.359 Just think 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:05.420 of Jesus 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:05.759 in the 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.140 garden 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.900 on the 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.279 eve of 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.480 his 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.559 crucifixion. 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.299 Nobody knows 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.200 the debilitating 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.779 fear that 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.299 comes with 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:18.880 the prospect 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:19.740 of suffering 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.380 and cruel 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.140 torturous 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.760 death 00:32:22.760 --> 00:32:25.440 better than 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:25.820 Jesus. 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.020 Jesus' 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.900 own encounter 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.300 with a 00:32:33.300 --> 00:32:33.760 sinful 00:32:33.760 --> 00:32:34.660 hostile 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.400 world and 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:35.940 the suffering 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.420 of death 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.500 means he 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.300 is perfectly 00:32:38.300 --> 00:32:38.980 placed to 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:40.000 understand, 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.700 to pray 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.100 for, 00:32:42.760 --> 00:32:43.160 and to 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.760 help you 00:32:43.760 --> 00:32:44.160 and me 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.580 in our 00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:44.800 daily 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.200 struggles. 00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.940 He knows 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:48.320 what it's 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.560 like and 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:50.200 he cares. 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:54.060 So, 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:54.760 I wrap up 00:32:54.760 --> 00:32:55.080 with just 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:57.160 a thought 00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.140 to challenge 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.580 you for 00:32:58.580 --> 00:32:58.940 the week 00:32:58.940 --> 00:32:59.260 ahead. 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.240 What have 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.580 you been 00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:02.240 saying to 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.820 yourself 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:05.440 as you 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.700 face your 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.400 situation 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.040 each day? 00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:09.820 Paul Tripp 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:10.220 and others 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:10.920 use this 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.420 idea so 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.900 it's not, 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:12.920 I'm not 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.300 claiming it's 00:33:13.300 --> 00:33:14.380 new to me. 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:16.040 The point is 00:33:16.040 --> 00:33:16.180 this, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.100 each of us 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.500 is constantly 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.679 in conversation 00:33:19.679 --> 00:33:20.399 with ourselves. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:23.000 We tell 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.799 ourselves how 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.399 to think, 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.219 how to feel, 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:26.279 how to react 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.219 to external 00:33:27.219 --> 00:33:28.059 circumstances. 00:33:31.659 --> 00:33:32.139 So, 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.919 what have you 00:33:33.919 --> 00:33:34.480 been saying 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.039 to yourself 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.759 on the one 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.199 hand about 00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:37.059 your circumstances 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:39.059 and on the 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.359 other hand 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:39.699 what have you 00:33:39.699 --> 00:33:40.059 been saying 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.480 to yourself 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.099 about Jesus? 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.079 And what have 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.639 you been saying 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:44.139 to yourself 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.340 in terms 00:33:45.340 --> 00:33:45.720 of bringing 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.180 those two 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.560 together? 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.040 What have 00:33:53.040 --> 00:33:53.280 you been 00:33:53.280 --> 00:33:53.700 saying to 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.060 yourself 00:33:54.060 --> 00:33:54.840 about who 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.660 Jesus is? 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.720 What have 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:00.980 you been 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.540 saying to 00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:01.860 yourself 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:02.340 about the 00:34:02.340 --> 00:34:03.320 value of 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:03.860 identifying 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.660 with him 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:06.580 even if it 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.500 brings hostility 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.680 and rejection 00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:09.360 and ridicule? 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.579 Each of us 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.400 preach some 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.819 sort of 00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:16.380 gospel to 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.739 ourselves 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.420 every day. 00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.319 Have you 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:19.900 been preaching 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.500 a gospel 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.159 to yourself 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.699 that heightens 00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.380 your fear 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:25.940 and encourages 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.400 you to 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.219 distance yourself 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.860 from Jesus 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.219 thinking, 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:28.440 well, 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.079 okay, 00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:29.440 if I can 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:29.840 just keep 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.239 my head 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.559 down, 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.299 if I can 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:31.900 just blend 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.199 in, 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.380 then life 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:33.659 will be 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:33.880 good. 00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:38.299 Or have 00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:38.519 you been 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:38.940 preaching 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:40.519 the gospel 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.159 of Jesus 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:43.780 who's been 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:44.400 there before 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:44.699 you, 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.719 who's blazed 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:46.199 the trail 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.800 of suffering 00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.280 and death, 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:48.280 who knows 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:48.639 how you 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:48.920 feel, 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.420 who's 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:49.900 committed 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.840 to helping 00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:52.179 you because 00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:52.699 he wants 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.039 to make 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.440 sure he 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:53.920 brings you 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.280 home to 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:54.579 glory. 00:34:56.259 --> 00:34:57.079 A gospel 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:57.480 like that 00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:57.960 which gives 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.559 courage, 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.139 trust, 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.340 confidence, 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.980 and hope 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:07.720 to step 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:09.539 in 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.960 to 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.320 trouble. 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:15.880 Have you 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.320 been preaching 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.780 a gospel 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.300 to yourself 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:17.680 in which 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.280 Jesus is 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:18.780 remote, 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:20.900 perhaps 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.680 unaware of 00:35:21.680 --> 00:35:22.380 your situation 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:24.019 or aware 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.740 but uncaring 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.140 of your 00:35:25.140 --> 00:35:25.700 situation? 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.519 Have you 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:28.960 been preaching 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.480 that sort of 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.019 gospel to 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:31.400 yourself or 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:31.820 have you been 00:35:31.820 --> 00:35:32.920 preaching the 00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.740 gospel of 00:35:33.740 --> 00:35:35.680 Jesus who 00:35:35.680 --> 00:35:36.260 is closer 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:36.760 to you, 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.480 more committed 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:38.940 to you, 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.200 more active 00:35:40.200 --> 00:35:41.320 for you 00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:42.599 than anyone 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.240 or anything 00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:43.880 else in this 00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:45.780 world because 00:35:45.780 --> 00:35:46.860 he's taken 00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.280 you as a 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:47.639 son or 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.260 daughter home 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:48.780 to glory. 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.400 This week, 00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.860 like last 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.119 week, 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.500 when it 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.500 feels as if 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.000 nobody 00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.880 understands 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.619 your fears, 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:04.440 failures, 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:04.819 if they 00:36:04.819 --> 00:36:05.279 were known 00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:05.679 by those 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.099 around you, 00:36:06.139 --> 00:36:06.679 would just 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:07.519 destroy you, 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:09.460 when your 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.119 pain just 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.940 rises up 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.500 and grabs 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:11.819 you around 00:36:11.819 --> 00:36:12.199 the throat 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:12.719 and threatens 00:36:12.719 --> 00:36:13.239 to throttle 00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:13.619 you, 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.920 will you 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.400 preach 00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:20.699 the Jesus 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:22.339 of Hebrews 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:25.500 such that 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.059 you rest 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.500 in him 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:28.400 rather than 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:28.720 panic. 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:31.280 Well, 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.420 thank you 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:32.760 very much 00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.120 for listening 00:36:33.120 --> 00:36:33.400 to me. 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:33.480 Thank you.