WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.140 My name is Matthew Capone and I'm one of the pastors here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you this morning. 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:10.140 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.019 Called Romans because it is written to the churches in the city of Rome and the letter is about the gospel. It's about the good news of Jesus' life and death and resurrection. 00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:54.500 We are now getting to the very end of Romans chapter 8. We're going to finish it next Sunday, Lord willing, and I've told you before this is arguably the greatest chapter in all of the Bible. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:01:09.799 Well, at least some people make that argument and last week and this week and next week we're in verses 31 through 39 which is in fact the greatest section of the greatest chapter in all of the Bible. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:18.439 Last week we looked at verse 31. Paul says, what then shall we say to these things? So Paul's saying, hey, what's the point of all of this? 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:26.780 And the point of everything he's taught in Romans 8 is this, that in the end we can't not win. 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:40.459 We can't not win because we know the end of the story. We know how everything ends up. So whatever you face in this world, whether it is the world, the flesh, the devil, slander, disease, sickness, pain, poverty, destruction, war, 00:01:40.459 --> 00:01:56.839 none of it has the last word. So that's review, that's 31, that's last week. Verses 32 through 39 then proceed to give us the reasons why this is true. 00:01:56.839 --> 00:02:01.539 Three reasons. The first one we looked at again last week, verse 32. 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:22.780 In other words, God will give you everything necessary for your life as a Christian. 00:02:22.780 --> 00:02:32.219 There's nothing that you will lack that you need for life and godliness. You have everything you need to make it to the end. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:36.039 So that's all review, that's last week, that is verses 31, 32. 00:02:36.580 --> 00:02:43.060 This week we get to reason number two, why it is that we can't not win. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:51.960 Reason two is that because God has justified us, and because Jesus has died for us, 00:02:51.960 --> 00:03:01.500 we are free from condemnation and accusation. Because God has justified us, 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:10.540 and Jesus has died for us, we are free from condemnation and accusation. 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:16.180 So we're talking about our confidence, we're talking about assurance, which is this word that simply means 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:20.719 that we are sure that God has saved us. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:28.260 And so verses 32, excuse me, 33 and 34 tell us how it is that we have that assurance. 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:34.860 What do we do when we doubt that we really belong to God? 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:41.939 With that, I invite you to turn with me to Romans chapter 8, verses 33 and 34. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:48.139 Or you will find those on page 8 of your worship guide. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:51.259 And as we come to these verses, remember that this is God's word. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:57.340 Jeremiah chapter 23 tells us his word is like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces, 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:01.599 which is a way of saying that there is nothing that is so powerful 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:05.579 that God's word is not more powerful still. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:11.080 So that's why we read now Romans chapter 8, starting at verse 33. 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:15.900 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:18.780 It is God who justifies. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:21.379 Who is to condemn? 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:27.360 Christ Jesus is the one who died, more than that, who was raised. 00:04:27.900 --> 00:04:33.939 Who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:34.939 Christ Jesus is the one who died, more than that, who is the one who died. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:38.719 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:46.920 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and thank you again this week that you speak to us. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:54.980 You speak to us in your word, not in confusing terms and phrases, 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:57.620 but you speak to us in ways that we can understand. 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:00.040 We ask that you would do that again this morning, 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:05.220 that you would send your Holy Spirit to make your word clear to us, 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:06.860 that we would understand it. 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:10.160 Father, that you would make it lovely to us, 00:05:10.200 --> 00:05:11.439 that you'd soften our hearts. 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:13.980 Father, you'd make it beautiful, 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:17.180 that we, most of all, we'd see Jesus in his glory, 00:05:17.700 --> 00:05:20.259 his majesty, his mercy, his grace, and his love. 00:05:20.340 --> 00:05:24.160 We ask that you would grow our love and affection for Jesus Christ. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.920 Christ, you'd increase our reverence and our awe for him, 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:30.920 and that we would follow him in obedience because of your word. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:33.900 We ask all of these things in his mighty name. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:34.780 Amen. 00:05:38.200 --> 00:05:40.200 When I was in seminary, 00:05:40.640 --> 00:05:47.120 I rented out the top unit of a two-family house in St. Louis, 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:48.180 kind of a townhouse, 00:05:48.340 --> 00:05:54.420 and the house was owned by a deacon who was at the church that I went to in St. Louis, 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:56.699 and in July of 2014, 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:59.699 I moved kind of at the very end of May, 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:01.699 very beginning of June to St. Louis, 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:03.019 he sends me the lease. 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:03.860 He says, 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:05.079 read through this lease, 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:06.620 tell me if you have any questions. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:08.399 So me being me, 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:10.100 I read through every sentence of the lease, 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:10.920 and me being me, 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:11.759 I had one question. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:12.800 I said, 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:13.720 everything looks great, 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:17.480 except the lease says that I have to have renter's insurance, 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:22.140 and the renter's insurance has to be at an amount of $300,000. 00:06:23.400 --> 00:06:24.740 Now, this is 2014, 00:06:25.080 --> 00:06:25.820 so in 2014, 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:29.620 $300,000 was worth a lot more than it is in 2026, 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:30.940 and at the time, 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:35.240 $300,000 exceeded the value of the home I was renting. 00:06:36.260 --> 00:06:36.500 It's like, 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:41.500 can you explain why the renter's insurance needs to be so high? 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:42.519 He said, 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:42.680 yeah, 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:45.339 the renter's insurance is so high so that I can sue you. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:48.959 Wait, 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:49.279 what? 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:50.379 So you can sue me? 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:51.740 It's like, 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:51.939 yeah, 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:53.220 you burn down the house, 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:56.399 and you're a seminary student, 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:57.779 so you don't have any assets. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:06:59.920 So you burn down my house, 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:02.439 I can't come after you for anything. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:05.860 I can't get money out of you that you don't have. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:08.139 But if you have the insurance, 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:09.460 then I can sue you, 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:12.660 and I can get everything that I need. 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:14.439 I can sue you, 00:07:14.460 --> 00:07:15.800 and the insurance will pay. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:17.560 Okay? 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.600 I have great news for you, 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:20.020 by the way. 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:22.500 I moved out of that house in 2017. 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:25.099 I have still not been sued by that landlord. 00:07:26.859 --> 00:07:28.019 So I made it out. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:31.000 He was actually fantastic. 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:35.939 He rented that house really at below market rates to seminary students. 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:36.779 It's kind of a ministry. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:39.240 And so when I heard that he was selling the house, 00:07:39.299 --> 00:07:39.620 I thought, 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:39.859 man, 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:41.399 I just hope he makes a lot of money. 00:07:41.979 --> 00:07:44.079 I hope God blesses him for his years. 00:07:44.299 --> 00:07:44.560 There's, 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:45.079 you know, 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:49.259 a whole generation of seminary students who made it through with low rent from this guy. 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:53.259 I tell you this to make this point. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:01.039 We live in a world where there is great fear around lawsuits. 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:05.839 We live with fear of lawsuits being brought. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:10.579 There's tremendous energy spent preparing for the consequences of lawsuits. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:15.839 There are lawyers who make their entire living protecting assets. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.519 So if someone sues you, 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:20.539 they cannot touch your great fortune. 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:26.419 That is the scenario that Paul envisions here in verse 33. 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:27.560 However, 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:29.919 he's not speaking about a rental home. 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:33.460 He is speaking about the spiritual realm. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:34.340 Again, 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:35.419 this is verse 33. 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:40.279 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:41.680 In other words, 00:08:41.780 --> 00:08:44.259 who's going to bring a lawsuit against God's people? 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:49.080 Who is going to come and accuse them of their sins? 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:50.180 Now, 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:52.860 he's not saying someone can't do that. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:58.020 He's saying they can't do it and succeed. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.520 In other words, 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:03.580 who can successfully bring a charge against God's people? 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:09.060 Who can win against God's children in court? 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:15.119 Who can prove them guilty so that they receive punishment? 00:09:16.219 --> 00:09:17.179 Of course, 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:19.039 Paul here is talking about Satan, 00:09:19.359 --> 00:09:21.839 the great enemy of our souls. 00:09:22.599 --> 00:09:27.099 Revelation chapter 12 calls Satan the accuser. 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:29.819 And Satan comes, 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:30.820 Satan is coming, 00:09:30.820 --> 00:09:31.820 Satan is coming, 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:35.820 Satan is coming, 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:40.160 hoping he can rattle the confidence that we have in our salvation, 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:42.760 and he does that by accusing us. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:44.840 So Satan comes, 00:09:44.920 --> 00:09:45.740 he reminds us, 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:47.480 he taunts us of our sins, 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.320 our rebellions, 00:09:48.400 --> 00:09:50.060 the failures of our life. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:50.780 He tells us, 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:52.259 you're not going to make it. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:57.339 Because of what you've done and are doing, 00:09:57.779 --> 00:10:00.519 you don't really belong to God. 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:03.699 Your sins are too great. 00:10:03.839 --> 00:10:04.839 They're going to destroy you. 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:06.839 And ultimately, 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:10.839 Paul here is speaking of the end when Christ returns, 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:11.660 and Satan, 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:13.580 at that time, 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:16.660 brings his charge against us. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:18.480 By the way, 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:22.460 notice how Paul describes Christians at the beginning of verse 33. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:27.840 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:32.740 Now we'll have plenty of time to talk about the doctrine of election. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:34.840 When we get to chapter 9 of Romans, 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:39.280 I'll simply remind you that the word elect here means chosen. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:41.240 So Paul's saying, 00:10:41.660 --> 00:10:47.000 who will bring any charge against those God has chosen? 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:52.480 Who can bring a case that will not get thrown out? 00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:54.820 And the answer is this, 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:56.820 no one. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:02.259 If God has chosen you, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.540 if you're a Christian, 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:07.519 you are safe. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:11.280 If God has chosen you, 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:16.320 you are safe from Satan's accusations. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:27.200 Second half, verse 33. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:32.540 It goes on to tell us exactly why we're safe. 00:11:33.040 --> 00:11:36.259 It is God who justifies. 00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:37.740 That's the answer. 00:11:38.780 --> 00:11:40.360 Those God chooses, 00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:43.540 he also justifies. 00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:46.120 Remember the meaning of justification. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:46.740 justification. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:49.019 I've given you this device to remember it. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:54.560 Justification is when God makes it just as if we had never sinned. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:58.979 So that's Jesus taking the punishment for our sins, 00:11:58.979 --> 00:12:00.939 wiping our slate clean. 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:05.759 Now that device is only half true because justification includes something else. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:08.379 It's not just when Jesus takes our sins. 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:13.179 It's also when he gives us his righteousness. 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.179 God's the judge. 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:16.219 That's why Paul can ask this question. 00:12:16.219 --> 00:12:20.279 Who can bring any charge against God's elect, his chosen one? 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:21.919 God's the judge. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:32.759 Are you going to have the gall, the boldness to show up in God's courtroom and accuse his chosen people? 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:35.759 He's already made up his mind. 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:39.740 And he's a just judge. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:47.860 He can justify his people not by cooking the books or by fudging numbers. 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:55.060 No, God justifies his people because of the work of Christ. 00:12:58.060 --> 00:13:00.700 Now remember I asked you that question last week. 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:01.320 So what? 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.960 Why does any of this matter? 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:17.519 It matters because it gets at the security of the Christian believer in his or her experience day by day. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:28.779 You don't wonder, you don't walk around on Wednesday wondering whether you're really saved. 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:41.340 You are not blown about and filled with anxiety over the memories of your past sins. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:54.280 When your past comes up in your mind, when Satan arrives to you at Tuesday morning at King Soopers and he accuses you, 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:56.740 you know how to answer him. 00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:04.360 You can tell him, I have been chosen by God. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:06.700 I'm one of God's elect. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:08.200 He's justified me. 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:10.019 So go away. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:17.720 Jesus took my sins and he gave me his righteousness. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.639 You can taunt me all day. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:23.080 You can accuse me all day. 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:26.620 You can remind me all day. 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:30.220 But I know the truth. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:34.120 Yes, I have failed. 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:38.060 Yes, I still fight against sin. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:41.019 But God has forgiven me. 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:45.600 God has justified me. 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:51.040 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:54.180 It is God who justifies. 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:54.259 God justifies. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:04.759 So we've established that Satan can't accuse us. 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:06.800 At least not successfully. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.700 That's verse 33. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.040 But what about God? 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:15.220 God doesn't need Satan to accuse us. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.680 God knows about our sins. 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.960 He doesn't need Satan to remind him. 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.940 Will he condemn us? 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:25.000 Will anyone else condemn us? 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:27.700 That's the question of verse 34. 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:30.620 Who is to condemn? 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:38.259 And Paul proceeds to then give us four reasons that God will not condemn us. 00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:39.540 We've dealt with Satan. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:41.500 Okay, that's, we're done with that. 00:15:42.540 --> 00:15:43.700 But what about God? 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:46.000 Reason one. 00:15:46.400 --> 00:15:50.160 First, Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:55.420 This is saying the same thing that the last half of verse 33 said. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.100 God justifies us. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:57.460 Why? 00:15:57.580 --> 00:16:01.300 Because Jesus takes our sin onto him. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:07.920 And so it doesn't make any sense that God would, on the one hand, send his son to die for your sins, 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:11.259 and then, on the other hand, condemn you for your sins. 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:14.940 Those two things can't both be true at the same time, right? 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.080 It's a contradiction. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:20.659 Jesus Christ is the one who died. 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:26.860 It would not make sense even for Jesus to die for you and then stand at a distance. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:33.419 God is not going to send his only son to take the punishment that you deserve, 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:39.240 and then, on the other hand, stand at a distance and cross his arms and shake his head at you. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.079 Doesn't make any sense. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:46.379 Of course he won't condemn you. 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:51.019 You know that because he died for you. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:57.039 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:59.459 So Paul's saying this. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:06.039 If you fear that God is condemning you, remember how silly a thought that is. 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:12.440 God doesn't condemn the same people he died for. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.660 It's not the end of the case. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:19.100 Paul goes on to give us a second reason for confidence. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.160 Again, this is verse 34. 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:24.880 More than that, who was raised? 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:35.940 The resurrection is proof positive that Jesus' death was for our sins. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.640 We talked about this before in Romans. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:44.920 If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we would have to conclude he wasn't sinless. 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:49.540 If Jesus stayed dead, what that would tell us is, you know what? 00:17:49.580 --> 00:17:51.940 Actually, Jesus had to die for his own sins. 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:58.320 The resurrection happens because Jesus died for our sins. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:04.400 So how do we know that Jesus' death, the first reason, is something we can have confidence in? 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:11.400 Well, because of his resurrection, the second reason, the resurrection proves and certifies and verifies 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:16.700 that Jesus' death was actually for you and your sins. 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:23.400 The resurrection shows that God's plan of salvation worked. 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.700 It was effective. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.500 How do you know he died for you? 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:33.240 You know he died for you because he rose from the dead. 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:41.380 It's so important to Christian belief that Paul, in another letter, 1 Corinthians 15, says this, 00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:49.660 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:59.220 Now those two reasons, Jesus' death and his resurrection, are more than enough. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.540 Paul could easily stop there. 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:06.100 But Paul has a train and he is going to keep going. 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.740 He has two more reasons. 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:10.680 The third reason, again verse 34, 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:14.200 Who is at the right hand of God? 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:20.319 Now why does it matter to us that Jesus is at the right hand of God? 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:24.259 It matters for at least two reasons. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:31.600 First, the right hand is a position of the greatest power and authority. 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:37.679 You have any doubt that Jesus can get done what he wants to get done? 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.119 Don't. 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:42.000 He's at the right hand of God. 00:19:43.219 --> 00:19:46.779 There's no more powerful place for him to be. 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:52.259 Martin Lloyd-Jones, famous for his series in Romans, 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:55.980 points us to the book of Hebrews to understand the second reason. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:20:01.579 The book of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not just at God's right hand. 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:05.360 He is seated at God's right hand. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:09.480 And in Hebrews chapter 1 and Hebrews chapter 10, 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:15.200 the author of Hebrews makes this point that Jesus sits down because he's done. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:20.400 Jesus sits down because he's finished. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:27.820 In other words, if your salvation was not sure and complete, 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:30.640 Jesus would still be standing. 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.980 But he's not. 00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:38.300 Jesus is so finished, so done with your salvation, 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:43.940 it is so sure and unshakable that he's decided it's time to sit down. 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:47.060 There's nothing else to do. 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:50.300 He's just waiting. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.960 By the way, this is what Hebrews tells us. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:56.160 Jesus is just sitting around waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. 00:20:57.800 --> 00:20:59.240 Okay, he's done saving you. 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:00.259 He's completed that. 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:02.019 He's made purification for your sins. 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:04.300 Now he's just waiting for the end to come. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:08.240 He's going to prop up his feet on his enemies. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:19.620 So, if Jesus' resurrection by itself does not give you confidence that God will not condemn you, 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.400 remember this. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:28.120 It is so finished, so complete, so final that Jesus is just sitting. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.220 He is done. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.859 He is finished. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:36.519 He is at the right hand of God the Father. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:39.319 Are you worried? 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.319 Jesus is not. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:42.500 Jesus is not. 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:52.339 Jesus is so unfazed and unbothered about the security of your salvation that he sat down. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:22:03.259 Paul then goes on to give us a final reason, the very end of verse 34. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:10.259 Speaking of Jesus, who indeed is interceding for us. 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:20.279 In other words, Jesus is continuing to work actively on your behalf. 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:26.839 Why is it that we end our prayers? 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:30.440 Every time we pray, we say, in Jesus' name, amen. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:37.680 We say it in Jesus' name because he is interceding for us. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:44.200 And to jump back one point, he's interceding for us as he's at the right hand of God the Father, 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:46.100 the place of power and authority. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:54.380 So, the most powerful, influential voice is speaking for you. 00:22:54.580 --> 00:23:00.680 He is interceding for you, representing you before God. 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:03.539 Do you think he's going to condemn you? 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.820 No. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:05.879 No. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:08.179 He's praying for you. 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.619 Very different. 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:20.439 Would he condemn you and be your advocate at the same time? 00:23:21.419 --> 00:23:23.019 Of course not. 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:25.000 Of course not. 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.519 That's ridiculous. 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:33.259 Lloyd-Jones again points us to the book of Hebrews, chapter 4, which says this. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:37.740 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:44.960 that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:50.220 Why is it that we draw near and expect mercy and grace? 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:55.980 Because he is interceding for us. 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.400 Christ Jesus, he's the one who died. 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.519 Reason one. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:10.400 More than that, he was raised. 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.120 Reason two. 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:16.579 Even more than that, he's at the right hand of God. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.799 Reason three. 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:22.899 And he is indeed interceding for us. 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.179 Reason four. 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:31.539 Now, I've told you before, Romans is the fifth gospel. 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:37.539 And whatever Paul teaches, Jesus taught first. 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:40.320 Jesus teaches these same things. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:43.120 John chapter 10, he says this. 00:24:43.119 --> 00:25:04.000 What does that sound like? 00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:07.000 Sounds like verse 33. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:25.240 Romans is the fifth gospel. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:29.579 What Paul teaches, Jesus taught first. 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.839 John chapter 3. 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:56.220 What does that sound like? 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.720 Sounds a lot like verse 34. 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:02.440 Who is to condemn? 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:06.200 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.940 More than that, who was raised. 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:11.460 Who is at the right hand of God. 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:15.779 Who indeed is interceding for us. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:21.380 Who indeed is interceding for you. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:26.059 God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:28.059 but in order that the world. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:31.059 The world might be saved through him. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.919 Let's pray. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:40.759 Our Father in heaven, we do thank you and praise you that we can have great joy and confidence. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:44.740 That we don't fear condemnation or accusation. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:48.700 Because we know that Jesus is the one who died. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.960 More than that, who was raised. 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.160 Who is at the right hand of God. 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:56.900 And who is indeed interceding for us. 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.519 We ask that you would remind us of that. 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:03.779 That you would use it to grow our hope and love and trust in you. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.720 And we ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.460 Amen.