WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.379 Well, folks, maybe you want to turn to Hebrews chapter 12 now. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:08.419 This is where we've got to in our little series that we've been in. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:10.120 Since we've been back in the building in the evenings, 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:17.260 looking at the Christian life as it's been described to us 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:20.140 by the author of Hebrews, 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:25.179 who's encouraging his generation to keep on keeping on for Jesus Christ. 00:00:25.560 --> 00:00:27.900 So we took in 40 verses last week, 00:00:27.899 --> 00:00:30.160 which was a big task, but I think we got there. 00:00:30.779 --> 00:00:32.539 What we're going to do maybe mercifully this week 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:34.640 is we're going to hone in on just two verses. 00:00:34.839 --> 00:00:36.280 We're just maybe going to slow the pace down, 00:00:36.379 --> 00:00:37.899 which is ironic given what we're looking at, 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:39.560 but we're going to slow the pace down a little bit 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:42.079 and just focus on these couple of verses, 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:43.719 which are so key to the letter. 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:44.599 So let's just read them. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:47.399 This is verses one and two of Hebrews chapter 12. 00:00:49.619 --> 00:00:54.820 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:00:55.820 --> 00:00:57.739 let us throw off everything. 00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:07.359 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:09.700 fixing our eyes on Jesus, 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:14.120 the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:17.079 For the joy set before him, 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:18.359 he endured the cross, 00:01:18.939 --> 00:01:20.060 scorning its shame, 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:23.140 and sat down at the right hand 00:01:23.140 --> 00:01:25.500 of the throne of God. 00:01:26.820 --> 00:01:27.219 Amen. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:29.159 And I'm sure God will bless the reading of his words 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:32.819 and it will not return to him without accomplishing the purposes 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:33.960 which he has for it. 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:35.539 So, 00:01:36.019 --> 00:01:41.799 if anybody sees me ever going near a boat again, 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:44.479 you've got my permission to shoot me. 00:01:46.579 --> 00:01:47.459 You said that? 00:01:48.619 --> 00:01:49.339 Steve Redgrave. 00:01:49.419 --> 00:01:50.479 Sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to speak. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:52.339 Steve Redgrave said it, right? 00:01:53.119 --> 00:01:54.339 Steve Redgrave, the roar. 00:01:54.879 --> 00:01:55.639 Do you know when he said it? 00:01:55.699 --> 00:01:56.619 He said it rhetorical. 00:01:56.620 --> 00:01:59.560 He said it seconds after winning the gold medal 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:03.300 at the Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia in 1992, right? 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:04.840 Guy was in absolute agony. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:07.000 You feel that in his words. 00:02:07.080 --> 00:02:09.180 Every bone in his body aching, 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:10.360 every muscle aching. 00:02:10.420 --> 00:02:11.400 I always love it how reporters 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:14.719 just put the microphone straight in an athlete's face 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:16.800 straight after they finished the race, 00:02:16.860 --> 00:02:18.900 which is probably why they get the lines that they do, 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:19.420 don't they? 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:20.859 But this is what he did. 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:23.439 And here's the reality behind his words, right? 00:02:24.179 --> 00:02:24.539 Sprinting. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:26.759 I used to do it all the time at school. 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:28.000 Sprinting is easy. 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:29.419 Right? 00:02:29.539 --> 00:02:29.819 Easy. 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:31.779 It's why you watch UC and Bolton 00:02:31.779 --> 00:02:34.539 doing the 100 meters back in the day. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:36.299 Hardly ever broke a sweat, did he? 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:36.719 Right? 00:02:36.899 --> 00:02:38.000 Sprinting is easy. 00:02:38.619 --> 00:02:40.119 But endurance running, 00:02:41.079 --> 00:02:42.060 endurance racing, 00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:44.199 is unbelievably hard. 00:02:45.019 --> 00:02:46.039 Some of you might know that 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:47.899 if you've done any kind of marathons in your time. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:49.079 Unbelievably hard. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:51.759 And here is what we're being told 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:53.039 about the Christian life tonight. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:54.919 Right? 00:02:54.959 --> 00:02:56.379 It's an endurance race. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:00.459 Now let me just pause for a second, right? 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:01.599 And just ask you the question 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:02.959 I was asking myself all week. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:05.759 Do you think of your Christian life like that? 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:06.919 Right? 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:10.019 Do you see it in the context of it being a race? 00:03:11.239 --> 00:03:12.819 Because here's what I was thinking this week. 00:03:12.859 --> 00:03:14.439 How often I view my life 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:17.719 as almost a series of many, many sprints. 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:18.139 Right? 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:18.739 I think to myself, 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:20.279 if I can get from one holiday 00:03:20.279 --> 00:03:21.399 to the next holiday, 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:23.019 if I can get from one weekend 00:03:23.019 --> 00:03:24.019 to the next weekend, 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:25.319 if I can get from the morning 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:26.159 to the evening, 00:03:27.059 --> 00:03:28.159 then I'll be okay. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:28.619 Right? 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:30.979 Hardly do I ever stop 00:03:30.979 --> 00:03:32.699 and think about my life 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:34.239 as a race? 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:35.539 And as I said, 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:35.979 ironically, 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:37.780 this passage really helped me 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:39.399 slow down this week 00:03:39.399 --> 00:03:41.659 and regain something 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:42.799 of the bigger picture 00:03:42.799 --> 00:03:44.819 of the Christian life. 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:47.400 think about it. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:47.579 Okay? 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:47.799 This, 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:48.039 this, 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:48.500 this, 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:48.579 this, 00:03:48.579 --> 00:03:48.599 this, 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:49.799 I hope tonight 00:03:49.799 --> 00:03:51.239 will be extremely freeing 00:03:51.239 --> 00:03:52.400 to think of our lives like this. 00:03:52.459 --> 00:03:54.280 What does being in a race tell you? 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:55.319 It tells you two things. 00:03:55.579 --> 00:03:56.359 First of all, 00:03:56.459 --> 00:03:57.739 that you can expect 00:03:57.739 --> 00:03:59.079 periods of pain. 00:04:00.239 --> 00:04:00.639 Okay? 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:02.340 If you've ever done 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:03.479 any running in Edinburgh, 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:04.060 you'll know 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:05.240 what that's like. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:06.560 Because what is Edinburgh not? 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:07.919 It is not flat. 00:04:08.799 --> 00:04:09.079 Okay? 00:04:09.359 --> 00:04:10.939 One minute you're going downhill 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:11.439 and you're thinking, 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.280 I'm loving this. 00:04:12.339 --> 00:04:13.379 I could do this all day. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.159 Sign me up for the Berlin Marathon. 00:04:15.579 --> 00:04:16.379 And the next minute 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:17.000 before you know it, 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:17.839 you're going uphill. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.399 Your calves are tightening. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:20.680 Your thighs are burning. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:21.779 And you're thinking to yourself, 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:24.159 I just want this to end. 00:04:24.659 --> 00:04:24.860 Now, 00:04:24.919 --> 00:04:27.000 how often is that 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:27.879 the Christian experience 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:28.680 in the Christian life? 00:04:30.599 --> 00:04:31.000 Okay? 00:04:31.039 --> 00:04:32.139 Some of us will be here tonight 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:33.039 and we're flying 00:04:33.039 --> 00:04:35.419 with the Lord. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:36.699 Right? 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:37.779 Every conversation you have 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:38.159 with somebody 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:39.000 somehow gets to the God. 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:40.639 You're on fire for the Lord. 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:42.899 And some of us will be here 00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:44.919 and we're in really tough 00:04:44.919 --> 00:04:46.839 periods of our lives. 00:04:48.799 --> 00:04:49.199 Okay? 00:04:49.239 --> 00:04:49.779 We're dealing with 00:04:49.779 --> 00:04:51.279 some really painful stuff. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:51.959 We're asking some 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:53.199 really big questions. 00:04:54.219 --> 00:04:55.159 And if truth be told, 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:57.239 we are thinking about 00:04:57.239 --> 00:04:57.839 tapping out. 00:04:58.679 --> 00:04:59.619 Or in some kind of way, 00:04:59.679 --> 00:05:00.739 just dropping the pace 00:05:00.739 --> 00:05:01.879 a little bit. 00:05:03.239 --> 00:05:05.059 Can expect periods of pain 00:05:05.059 --> 00:05:05.719 in the race? 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:07.780 And secondly, 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:10.400 there's a prize at the end. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:12.100 Okay? 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:13.040 We're not running aimlessly. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:13.560 We're not, 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:15.100 we're running somewhere. 00:05:16.640 --> 00:05:17.660 There's a goal. 00:05:17.780 --> 00:05:18.340 There's an end. 00:05:18.420 --> 00:05:19.320 There's a heavenly city. 00:05:19.440 --> 00:05:20.700 There's a resurrection future. 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:22.060 There's a risen savior. 00:05:23.440 --> 00:05:24.540 That's the prize. 00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:24.920 Him. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:27.960 And so verse one, 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:29.440 here's what our author writes. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:33.219 Let us run with perseverance 00:05:33.219 --> 00:05:37.219 the race which is marked out for us. 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:38.019 You see in the text? 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:39.899 Let us run with perseverance. 00:05:40.180 --> 00:05:41.240 Here's what's going on 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:42.560 in Hebrews 11. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:43.959 Background to Hebrews here. 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:45.680 When these folks, 00:05:46.620 --> 00:05:48.040 this generation of Christians, 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:51.659 when they first came to know Jesus, 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:53.220 they came flying out the traps. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:53.680 Okay? 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:55.060 What did Linford Christie used to say? 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:56.420 He used to go in the B of the bank, 00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:56.759 didn't he? 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:57.259 Right? 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:00.199 That was these guys flying out the traps for Jesus. 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:02.899 If you want to flick back to verse 32 of chapter 10, 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:03.439 if you've got it there, 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:04.199 you'll see this. 00:06:05.659 --> 00:06:06.599 Our author writes, 00:06:06.719 --> 00:06:08.099 verse 32 of chapter 10, 00:06:09.099 --> 00:06:09.500 he says, 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:11.019 recall the former days. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:12.800 Right? 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:14.099 Verse 32 of chapter 10, 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:15.620 recall the former days. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:16.019 In other words, 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:17.659 remember back to what it was like 00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:19.899 when you first came to know Jesus. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:21.500 Right? 00:06:21.539 --> 00:06:23.139 You were standing with those 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:24.620 fellow brothers and sisters 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.759 who were going to prison. 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:26.459 Right? 00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:27.500 You were standing with, 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:28.199 I'm with them. 00:06:28.239 --> 00:06:29.039 That's what you were saying. 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:31.279 You were looking out for those 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:32.359 who were struggling in the fight 00:06:32.359 --> 00:06:34.000 and to get them back on their feet again. 00:06:36.919 --> 00:06:38.180 Some of you might know what that was like. 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:39.919 Remember back when you first came to know Jesus. 00:06:40.099 --> 00:06:40.199 Right? 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:40.539 Boom. 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:41.579 Flying out the traps. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:43.039 That was these guys. 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:43.599 But now, 00:06:44.539 --> 00:06:45.699 the pace has dropped 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:46.779 massively. 00:06:47.299 --> 00:06:47.579 Right? 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:48.579 They've been rejected 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:49.759 probably by their 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:50.819 Jewish community 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:51.939 that used to be part of. 00:06:53.859 --> 00:06:54.740 Ridiculed by a world 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:56.139 that thinks Jesus is offensive. 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:57.859 All of a sudden, 00:06:57.939 --> 00:06:59.079 they began to drop 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.099 the pace. 00:07:01.740 --> 00:07:02.360 And he writes, 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:03.560 you're in an endurance race. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:04.939 Why does that come as a surprise? 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:06.279 This stuff is happening to you. 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:07.319 You've got to see. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:08.060 You've got to keep going. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:08.839 You've got to keep going. 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:12.099 You're in an endurance race. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:12.939 Do you see the word, 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:13.259 therefore, 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:14.039 at verse 1? 00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:15.240 Right? 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:16.240 Every time you see a therefore, 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:16.920 we've got to ask, 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:18.680 what is it there for? 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:22.060 And it connects this invitation 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:22.720 back to everything 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:23.400 that's come before 00:07:23.400 --> 00:07:24.160 in chapter 11. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:25.000 This great cloud 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.319 that he's talking about here 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:27.960 is every single person 00:07:27.960 --> 00:07:29.319 that has been mentioned 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:30.600 in chapter 11. 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:31.420 As if to say, 00:07:31.780 --> 00:07:33.860 these guys were in the same race 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.060 that you're in. 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:36.660 Right? 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:37.920 What does he call them? 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:39.579 He calls them witnesses. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:40.560 Love that word. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:41.439 Witnesses. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.600 Two meanings here probably. 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:43.220 Firstly, 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:44.759 their lives. 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:46.300 Everyone in Hebrews chapter 11. 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:48.039 Their lives are testifying 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:48.659 to the fact 00:07:48.659 --> 00:07:49.699 that the race 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:52.000 is worth persevering in. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:53.139 Right? 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:53.740 First image. 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:54.539 Second image. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:55.740 These people, 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:56.319 as it were, 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.500 they finished the race. 00:07:57.899 --> 00:07:58.519 They're now either 00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:00.459 watching on from the stands 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:01.279 or maybe they've even 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:02.180 made it down the side 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:02.699 of the track 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.899 and they're cheering you on 00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:04.199 saying, 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.120 keep on going. 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:06.459 Keep on going. 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:07.439 You know, 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.339 I loved a bit this week 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:09.420 hanging out with Abraham. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:10.719 Right? 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.399 As I read about him, 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:11.959 remember we met him 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:12.819 in chapter 11 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:13.620 hanging out with Abraham 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.199 this week. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.439 You could feel him. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:16.259 Keep on going. 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:17.060 Keep on going. 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:17.920 Keep on going. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:20.579 Friends, 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:21.219 we're in a race. 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:22.599 We're in a race, 00:08:22.659 --> 00:08:23.779 an endurance race. 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:25.839 Now, 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:27.120 the what of that race, 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:28.860 what we encounter 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:29.579 is going to look different 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:30.279 for each of us. 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:31.779 Right? 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:32.819 The unique things 00:08:32.819 --> 00:08:33.240 that we'll 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.819 come up against 00:08:34.819 --> 00:08:35.819 while we're on this race, 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:36.679 the things that the Lord 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:37.299 knows about 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:38.639 that he's sovereignly put there 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.759 and the where 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:40.379 will be different 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:41.059 for each of us. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:41.600 Where we are 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.240 in this race. 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:43.220 Right? 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.000 We've got no idea 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:44.779 where we are 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:45.419 in this race 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:46.919 for all I know 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:47.500 I was thinking about 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:48.620 I could hit the finishing line 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:49.080 tonight 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:50.460 when I go home. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:52.039 Right? 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:54.100 But make no mistake 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:56.100 of what might be different, 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:57.039 the where might be different, 00:08:57.439 --> 00:08:58.819 but the race is exactly 00:08:58.819 --> 00:08:59.240 the same 00:08:59.240 --> 00:08:59.860 and the goal is 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:00.639 exactly the same 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.259 and the goal is 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.519 to finish the race. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:04.980 Finish the race. 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:05.620 And so just 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:06.980 in the time we have remaining 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:07.899 let me just ask us 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.420 two questions 00:09:09.420 --> 00:09:11.639 from this text 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.259 to help us 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:13.840 think about 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:15.379 our race. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:16.700 Okay? 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:17.740 Here's the first one. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:19.960 Friends, 00:09:20.060 --> 00:09:20.600 what might be 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.539 slowing us down? 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:23.320 Okay? 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:23.920 What might be 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:24.680 slowing us down? 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:25.420 You see this 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:26.340 halfway through verse 1. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:26.820 What does he say? 00:09:27.420 --> 00:09:28.180 Let us throw off 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:29.180 everything that hinders 00:09:29.180 --> 00:09:30.860 and the sin 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:32.139 that so easily 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:33.600 entangles. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:36.040 And here's the cultural image 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:37.500 that the author's tapping into. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:38.740 One that every single reader 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:39.139 of this 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:40.100 would have been 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:41.759 very familiar with. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:43.340 So what you did 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.040 if you were an athlete 00:09:44.040 --> 00:09:44.600 in the day, 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.420 if you were serious 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:46.139 about competing, 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.220 serious about winning, 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:48.300 what you used to do 00:09:48.300 --> 00:09:49.680 is to run stark naked. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:51.759 That's what you did. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:53.340 So that nothing 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:54.860 held you back. 00:09:54.920 --> 00:09:55.560 Now don't dwell 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:56.659 on the visual for too long, 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:56.940 okay? 00:09:57.040 --> 00:09:57.920 Except to make, 00:09:58.740 --> 00:09:59.379 see the two 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.500 spiritual realities 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.899 that I think that image 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:03.259 is actually really helpful for. 00:10:04.540 --> 00:10:04.720 Okay? 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:06.920 Is there anything, 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:07.220 friends, 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:08.120 that we need to 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.899 strip back 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:11.379 from our life 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.420 so that we can run better 00:10:12.420 --> 00:10:14.279 in the Christian life, 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:15.320 in the Christian race? 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:17.860 Okay? 00:10:17.920 --> 00:10:18.899 Stuff that's 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:20.680 getting in the way. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:21.820 Okay? 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.060 That's just clogging up 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:23.399 our 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:25.840 spiritual life. 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:26.000 You know, 00:10:26.040 --> 00:10:26.840 I found out this week 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:28.139 did it with our Hoover, 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:28.720 right? 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.180 It was Hoover 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:29.680 and all of a sudden 00:10:29.680 --> 00:10:30.540 the thing cut out 00:10:30.540 --> 00:10:31.700 wasn't working anymore. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.220 Thinking to myself, 00:10:33.540 --> 00:10:34.600 get me that guarantee, 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:36.240 get me that customer service 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:36.520 number, 00:10:36.640 --> 00:10:37.340 I'm going to give them 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.400 a piece of my mind. 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.160 Do you know what it was? 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:40.900 The thing was just clogged up. 00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:41.920 Right? 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:42.660 Just spent ages 00:10:42.660 --> 00:10:43.240 just trying to, 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.500 pulling out hairs 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.420 and bits of couscous, 00:10:45.520 --> 00:10:46.300 that's always nice, 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:46.700 isn't it? 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.040 Pulling things out 00:10:48.040 --> 00:10:48.520 of the Hoover 00:10:48.520 --> 00:10:49.100 and all of a sudden 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.080 once I got everything out, 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.100 put it back together, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:51.780 hey Presto, 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.600 it was working again. 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:55.100 Friends, 00:10:55.140 --> 00:10:56.560 stuff that's 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.680 clogging us up, 00:10:58.640 --> 00:10:59.180 right? 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:00.099 It could be anything. 00:11:00.339 --> 00:11:01.919 So many good things 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:02.639 can do this, 00:11:02.719 --> 00:11:02.899 right? 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.379 I uninstalled Twitter 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.379 on my phone last night 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:05.839 because I realised 00:11:05.839 --> 00:11:06.979 it's just eating up my time. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:08.159 It's just eating up my time. 00:11:08.719 --> 00:11:08.879 Right? 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.539 It could be anything. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.759 A DVD box set, 00:11:10.859 --> 00:11:12.379 a place and a committee, 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:13.419 a do-it-up house, 00:11:13.479 --> 00:11:14.419 a job that's demanding 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:15.219 all your hours, 00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:16.500 a relationship that you're in 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.620 that's just not helpful. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:18.799 Friends, 00:11:18.859 --> 00:11:20.079 what is clogging up 00:11:20.079 --> 00:11:22.059 your walk with 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:24.019 and your love for Jesus? 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.039 I remember a good friend 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.399 of mine 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.019 phoning me 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:26.579 and telling me 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:27.459 that he just stopped 00:11:27.459 --> 00:11:28.299 going to the gym. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.319 Because he realised 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:31.539 that it was eating up 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.219 all his time 00:11:32.219 --> 00:11:32.939 and it was doing more 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:33.199 than that. 00:11:33.319 --> 00:11:33.439 Actually, 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:35.979 it was obsessing him 00:11:35.979 --> 00:11:36.919 with how he was looking 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.359 and he thought, 00:11:37.459 --> 00:11:37.879 do you know what? 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.000 It's nonsense. 00:11:42.719 --> 00:11:43.479 And here's the other 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:44.059 spiritual truth 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:44.679 about the athlete, 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.199 right? 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:45.879 I was trying to think 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.439 about it this week. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:49.459 To run naked 00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:51.599 is to open yourself up, 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:51.899 isn't it, 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.339 in the eyes 00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:53.199 of the watching world 00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:55.919 and to make yourself 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:56.599 very vulnerable. 00:11:58.299 --> 00:12:00.059 And let's just give you 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:00.479 an example 00:12:00.479 --> 00:12:01.240 of what I mean here. 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:02.279 Remember, 00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:03.000 we were on holiday 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.039 down in Cornwall 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.779 a few years ago 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:06.279 and we went to 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:07.839 just Google churches. 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:08.939 The first one 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.379 that came up 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:11.000 with a New Frontiers one, 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:11.779 which was a couple 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:12.339 of miles away, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.059 so we went there. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:13.379 They gave us 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.319 a wonderful welcome. 00:12:15.359 --> 00:12:15.919 But the thing 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.599 that struck me 00:12:16.599 --> 00:12:17.240 when I was there 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.539 struck me most, 00:12:19.219 --> 00:12:20.199 it was the notices, 00:12:20.719 --> 00:12:20.919 right? 00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:21.879 Hear me out, 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.479 it was the notices. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.800 because the pastor 00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:24.440 stood up 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:26.740 and he gave out 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.120 the notices 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.659 for the week 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.279 and he talked 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:30.279 about the guys 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:31.060 who meet 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.620 at the Tesco Cafe 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.460 on Tuesday mornings. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:34.800 I thought, 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:35.259 what on earth 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.180 is that notice about? 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:37.879 So I got chatting 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:38.680 to him after the service 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:39.580 and what it was, 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.680 it was a group 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:42.840 of people in the church 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:44.460 who met up regularly 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.240 with one another 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.620 to help one another 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.659 in their battle 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.360 with pornography, 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:48.820 right? 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.320 And this is what they did. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:50.899 They just met up 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.659 in Tesco Cafe 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.519 on a Tuesday morning, 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:53.639 right? 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:54.120 Committed 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:56.919 to sharing struggles, 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:57.319 right? 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.819 Determined to help 00:12:58.819 --> 00:12:59.480 one another 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:01.500 in their Christian race, 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:01.840 right? 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.860 Committed to speaking 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.139 the gospel to one another, 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.120 right? 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.079 You've fallen this week, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.019 get back up, 00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:07.259 remember, 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.100 we're saved by grace, 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.179 keep your eyes on Jesus, 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:09.720 right? 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.600 No condemnation 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:11.579 because of his blood. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:12.679 Okay, okay, okay. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.159 And they start going again, 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:14.899 right? 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.059 This is what they did. 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.079 They met up in this cafe 00:13:17.079 --> 00:13:18.199 to talk this stuff out. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.879 Get the stuff on the computer, 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:20.819 anything you need to do 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:22.640 to just to cut it out. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.300 This is a sin 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:24.500 that so easily entangles 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.040 and they did this 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:25.800 in front of the church. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.920 The church didn't need 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.720 to know who went. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.200 Okay, it was a kind of 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.379 what happens in Tesco Club, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.320 stays in Tesco Club 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:31.840 kind of thing. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.140 But everyone in the church 00:13:33.140 --> 00:13:34.000 knew this went on 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.640 and it was inspiring them 00:13:35.640 --> 00:13:36.400 to take the action 00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:36.980 that they needed 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.700 in their lives 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:39.140 to deal with a sin 00:13:39.140 --> 00:13:40.320 that so easily entangles. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.800 And I remember thinking, 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.720 how great is that? 00:13:46.520 --> 00:13:46.800 My friends, 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.740 maybe some of us today 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.640 it will be Tesco Club, 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.140 right? 00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:49.200 Right? 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.940 And let's make that happen. 00:13:52.020 --> 00:13:52.720 Let's get in touch 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.120 and see if we can meet up 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.200 to chat things out, 00:13:55.280 --> 00:13:55.940 to help one of us. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:57.160 But whatever that looks like 00:13:57.160 --> 00:13:57.840 in your life, 00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:59.020 that is the call 00:13:59.020 --> 00:14:01.240 of this passage 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.740 to make yourself vulnerable, 00:14:03.300 --> 00:14:03.440 right? 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.420 Whatever it is, friends, 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.100 in our lives 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:06.260 that we struggle with 00:14:06.260 --> 00:14:08.600 to come forward 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.000 and say, 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:09.520 Lord Jesus, 00:14:09.640 --> 00:14:10.240 I need you. 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:11.560 Right? 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.580 Think of it like this. 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:14.220 What is the first thing 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:15.380 that we read happens 00:14:15.380 --> 00:14:16.720 when Adam and Eve sin? 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.400 Right? 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.840 What do they do 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.240 after they sin? 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.939 They hide their nakedness. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.179 Right? 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.600 Think about it. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.659 They hide their nakedness. 00:14:24.959 --> 00:14:26.159 But here's what the gospel does. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.939 It frees us 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:29.179 from having to pretend 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.959 and live a life 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:32.259 of empty religion 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.220 and covering up 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:33.720 and pretending 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.399 that we're sorted. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:35.740 Right? 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:36.860 Because if we were sorted, 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.639 then Jesus would not need to, 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.899 would not have needed 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.759 to die on the cross 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.259 for us. 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:42.340 Okay? 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:44.779 Jesus bore our shame. 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:46.240 He bore it all. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.379 He paid every penny 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.039 of the ransom 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:49.279 to buy us. 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:50.759 And you see how 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.039 this invites us 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:53.220 to admit our struggles 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.560 and to run to him 00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:56.159 for fresh grace. 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.379 I know I read somebody 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.299 on the internet this week. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:01.940 They put up, 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.299 I think it was on Facebook, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:03.940 they said, 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.379 what is your favorite line 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:05.960 from a hymn? 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:06.779 Right? 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.600 And just boom, boom, boom, 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.379 all these comments. 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.379 It was wonderful to read. 00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:10.539 Do you know what my favorite line 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.159 from a hymn is? 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.060 It's these words 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:14.279 from Horatius Bonar. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:14.940 I penned these 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:16.019 all these years ago. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.440 He said, 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.779 I heard the voice 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.759 of Jesus say, 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.840 come unto me 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.639 and rest. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:23.960 Lay down, 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:24.759 thou weary one, 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.360 lay down, 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.440 thy head upon my breast. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.960 I came to Jesus 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.039 as I was, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:30.480 weary, 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:30.940 worn, 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.659 and sad, 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.399 and I found in him 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.600 a resting place, 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:37.399 and he has made me glad. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:37.899 You know, 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.779 so thankful 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.720 that that is the Jesus 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.460 that we encounter 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.639 day after day after day. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:44.639 Friends, 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.159 what is 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:47.299 holding us back? 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.799 What is slowing us down? 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.879 It's a great question 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.799 to ask ourselves. 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.799 Here's the second question then. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.819 What's slowing us down? 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.580 Second question, 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.399 just really simply, 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.759 are we looking 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.899 to Jesus? 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.159 Okay, 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:02.620 tell you about 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.899 something Alex and I found 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.960 happened a few weeks ago 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.620 with our girls. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:09.340 we would ask them 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.019 to do something, 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.240 right, 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.539 just wash your hands 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.179 before dinner, 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:15.200 or just put your knife 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:15.759 and fork away 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.399 at the end of the meal, 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:16.940 something like that, 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.560 and every time 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:18.539 we used to ask this, 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:18.899 right, 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.000 they would just go, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:20.440 huh, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.720 huh, 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.799 right? 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.639 Somebody told me 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.360 this is like living 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.299 with a three-nager, 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.039 that's what it is, 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.519 but huh, 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.200 every time we asked, 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:28.759 huh, 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.039 I would look to each other 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:30.179 thinking, 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.019 where did they learn 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.620 this from? 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.500 Right, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.159 I don't think they've 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.720 learned it from others, 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.399 but I don't know, 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:34.759 right? 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.279 Do you know where 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.000 they'd learned it from? 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.539 They'd seen it 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.579 in this little cute, 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.120 innocent little TV program 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:41.720 that they watched 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.439 just before dinner, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.019 and they picked it up 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.899 from one of the characters, 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.279 right? 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.799 The character would just go, 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.100 huh, 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:47.879 huh, 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.759 anytime she had to do 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:48.939 something, 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.059 so this is what they do. 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.879 Here's the real simple 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:55.240 truth of life, 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.480 friends, 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.639 that what we look at 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.959 affects the way we live, 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.439 right? 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.379 What we look at 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:05.099 affects the way we live. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.740 So do you see 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.399 where we're invited 00:17:08.399 --> 00:17:09.180 to look here, 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:10.339 right? 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:10.960 Do you see 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.879 as we run the race, 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:12.839 verse 3, 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.599 fixing 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:16.700 our eyes 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.079 on Jesus. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.359 That's how we're to run, 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.839 by looking at Him, 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.799 looking at Him. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.139 What is it about Him? 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.039 Let me just give you 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:26.019 three quick things, 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:26.839 okay? 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.319 Here's the plea, 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.039 in the race, 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.619 never stop looking at Christ, 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.960 never stop gazing at Him, 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.299 breathe Him in, 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.140 savour Him, 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.059 take hold of Him. 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:38.460 What do you need to take in 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.059 and hold of? 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.220 Three quick things. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.620 Firstly, 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.680 that He's our Saviour, 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:43.420 okay? 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.860 Follow with me in the language here, 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.539 the pioneer 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.039 and the perfecter 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.180 of our faith, 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.039 right? 00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:51.059 Notice that those two 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:52.500 are both perfect words, 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:53.900 okay? 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.860 In terms of Jesus being 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:57.140 our perfect Saviour, 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.880 that He has ran the race 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.400 perfectly, 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.220 that His righteousness 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.960 is ours, 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.140 it is done, 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:03.700 okay? 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.460 Those words, 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.220 it is done, 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.920 not it will be done. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.420 It's not like the 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.339 John Lewis crane, 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.059 right? 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:10.299 Down near the Omniscientor 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.339 that says this will be done 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.620 and what's it say, 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:14.839 like summer 2022, 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.140 just bear with us 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.920 while this work goes on. 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.480 It's not like that 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.019 with Jesus, 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:19.880 right? 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.100 His work is done. 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.640 It's done. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:24.039 These are perfect, 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.220 finished words. 00:18:26.100 --> 00:18:26.740 That's why we get 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.160 at the beginning 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:27.980 of this letter, 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:28.559 we're thinking about 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.319 this morning as well, 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:29.660 weren't we? 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.680 What is Jesus doing 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.220 in heaven? 00:18:31.820 --> 00:18:32.779 He is sitting. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.960 He's sitting. 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:37.000 This is done. 00:18:37.820 --> 00:18:38.720 We are His, 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:41.220 His perfect life, 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.100 His righteousness, 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.519 we claim as ours, 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.600 which means that 00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:45.560 when we stumble 00:18:45.560 --> 00:18:46.440 in the race 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.200 and we stumble 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.400 all the time, 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:49.600 friends, 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.580 what gets us back 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.120 on our feet 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.440 is not legalism, 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:52.820 right? 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.160 It's not, 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.380 I want to do better. 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.640 What gets us back 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.100 on our feet 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:57.680 is who Jesus is for us, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.900 His grace. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.060 Right? 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:02.200 When sin does 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.940 entangle us 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.620 and we trip, 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.800 we always come back 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:06.040 to who He is 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:07.100 for us 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.680 and He is the pioneer 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:10.100 and the perfecter 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.820 of our faith 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:13.100 and that's who we are. 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.300 Right? 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:14.940 I love what 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.779 Scottish minister 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.860 Robert Murray McShane 00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:17.320 used to say 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:18.420 to his congregation 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.100 and he would have said 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:20.060 it in the city here. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.500 He said, 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.320 for every one look 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:23.019 at your sin, 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.259 I want you to take 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:26.380 ten looks at Christ. 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:27.779 Right? 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.539 Just do that 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.680 next time in your head. 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.379 You fall, 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.019 look to Jesus, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:32.980 look to Jesus, 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.819 look to Jesus, 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.599 look to Jesus, 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.480 look to Jesus, 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.720 look to Jesus, 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.619 look to Jesus. 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.940 I look at Jesus, 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:39.700 look to Jesus, 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.460 look to Jesus 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.379 and our eyes 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.319 are fixed on Him. 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.639 He's our Savior. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.639 What is He secondly? 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.660 He's our example. 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.019 Do you see in the text, 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:50.539 for the joy set before Him, 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.139 He endured the cross, 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:54.339 scorning its shame. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.759 So the question is, 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:57.679 what made Jesus 00:19:57.679 --> 00:19:59.259 endure the cross? 00:19:59.399 --> 00:19:59.859 Answer, 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.740 it was the joy 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.699 set before Him. 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.759 What was that joy? 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.519 Going back to being 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.439 in the very presence 00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:08.599 of His Father 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:10.079 that He'd left 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.539 to take on our flesh. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.299 And because of His work, 00:20:14.419 --> 00:20:15.039 the presence 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.419 that He will one day 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:18.000 bring all His ransomed 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.939 people into 00:20:18.939 --> 00:20:20.519 that we might enter into 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.299 and share 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.519 in the joy 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.259 of the Father, 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:23.759 the Son, 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.359 and the Spirit. 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.259 And that joy 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:28.059 saw Him endure 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.900 the most horrific 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:30.379 of deaths. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:32.180 And I hope that encourages us 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:34.059 wherever we're at 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.099 right now 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.799 that when we feel 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:38.359 the pain of suffering 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.299 in this life, 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:39.519 right, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.480 whether it's suffering 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.740 in general 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.779 or suffering 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.680 because we stand 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.259 for Jesus 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.460 and something in us 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.079 in that moment 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:47.180 longs for that day, 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.460 friends, 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:51.039 in a really profound way, 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.700 we are sharing 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.519 in something 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.299 of the life 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.480 and the death 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.180 of our Savior. 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.299 And I often think 00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.960 what often gets me 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.519 through a run 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.000 and I run home 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.559 from the office 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.599 during the week 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.440 and did it this week. 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:05.659 When you're running 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.200 in the rain, 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.960 what gets me 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.779 to the other side, 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.359 right, 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.099 the joy that's set 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.559 before me 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.039 so often 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.819 is a warm shower. 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.319 Right, 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.000 we'll go through anything 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.599 because I know 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.579 the warm shower is there. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.019 And this challenged me, 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:16.859 how much more 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.460 should the joy 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.779 set before me 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.180 eternally 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.720 cause me 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.680 to keep running 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.740 the race 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.480 with my eyes 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.259 fixed on Christ. 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.180 Friends, 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.980 he's our Savior, 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.579 he's our example 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.399 and thirdly, 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.160 he's our helper. 00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:34.579 He's our helper 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.740 and sat down 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.700 at the right hand 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.839 of the throne of God. 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.200 See, 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.779 the author here 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.559 brings the attention 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.720 to where Jesus is. 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.519 He's seated 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.660 at the right hand 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.740 of the throne of God. 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.059 What's he doing there? 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.339 Is he twiddling his thumbs 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.220 wondering what time 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.180 am I coming back? 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:49.600 No, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.579 he ever lives 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.400 to plead for us. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:54.380 He's praying for us. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.059 Isn't that a magnificent thought? 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.640 He's praying for us. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.620 We thought this morning 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:00.720 if you tuned into that 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.980 how often our prayer lives 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.420 are substandards, 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.539 they're up and they're down. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.920 Christ's prayer life 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.460 for us 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.279 is people 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:09.559 that never falters. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.900 He's given us 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.440 the spirit, 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.240 the very presence 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.740 of God 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.579 living and working 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.180 in us 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:18.299 and he promises 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.100 to equip us 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:19.600 with everything 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.200 that we need 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.840 to live 00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:21.840 a life 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:23.200 for his glory. 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.539 But friends, 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.600 just as we finish here, 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.360 we're in a race. 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.120 We're in a race. 00:22:32.580 --> 00:22:32.940 You know, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.140 there were two other guys 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:34.940 in the boat 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.039 with Steve Redgrave 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:38.299 when he won his race. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.160 Right? 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.279 You had Matthew Pinson, 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.140 he was the other guy. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.860 The two of them 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.900 got all the limelight. 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:43.980 Right? 00:22:44.540 --> 00:22:45.600 Fast forward a little bit 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.259 and there's a knighthood 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.900 in there as well 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:48.560 as gold medals. 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.560 The third guy 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.120 that was in the boat 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.880 was the cocks. 00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:53.400 Right? 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.980 His job 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:56.140 is just to know 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.280 his roars inside out, 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:58.980 is to know 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.860 what they need to hear 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:01.120 and to know 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:02.019 when they need 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.620 to hear it 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:04.240 and keep them going 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.820 right to the finish line. 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.000 Right? 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.960 And that's what 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.360 the author 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.060 to the Hebrews 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:09.540 is doing 00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:10.640 right here 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.440 to a tired 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.500 and to a battered 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.300 generation 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:15.300 who are on the verge 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:16.380 of giving up. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:16.720 He's saying, 00:23:16.780 --> 00:23:17.500 come on guys. 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.980 Come on, 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.720 we can do this. 00:23:19.800 --> 00:23:20.400 Come on. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.840 Let's keep going. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.980 Let's keep running. 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:23.780 Oh, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.020 that you would know 00:23:25.020 --> 00:23:26.280 what's at the other side 00:23:26.280 --> 00:23:27.160 of the finish line 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.759 and you would know 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.540 that that is worth 00:23:28.540 --> 00:23:29.100 enduring 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:30.600 every single strain, 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:32.360 every single insult, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.300 every single sleepless night, 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.600 every single hardship 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:37.740 because that prize, 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.340 oh, 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:40.060 it's so good. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:42.920 one thing to do 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.400 practically 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.580 just as we finish this. 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.900 Friends, 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.020 I want us to think about, 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:48.759 maybe some of us 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.480 know right now, 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.600 those in the race 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:53.720 who are really struggling 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.200 at the minute. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.640 Right? 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.820 It's one of the beauties 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.780 of being a church family. 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:58.500 Right? 00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.400 Those in the race 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:01.080 who are really struggling 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.259 to keep going 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.660 at the minute. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:03.620 You know, 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.240 I love those scenes 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.800 in the marathon, 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.140 you know, 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:07.000 when somebody's struggling 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.780 and somebody comes in 00:24:07.780 --> 00:24:08.340 from the crowd 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:08.800 or whatnot 00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:09.300 and they just go 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:09.900 under the shoulder, 00:24:10.040 --> 00:24:10.360 don't they? 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.379 Just take them around 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:14.039 and they just carry them, 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:15.099 help them keep going, 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.899 carry them on. 00:24:15.959 --> 00:24:16.059 Well, 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.699 maybe that's something 00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:17.539 that all of us 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.299 could do this evening 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.059 as we go home, 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.740 as we leave here. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.000 Maybe it's even somebody 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.659 that's sitting here, 00:24:21.719 --> 00:24:22.259 you know what they're 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.819 going through. 00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:24.459 Friends, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.279 could you be the cocks 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.839 in their life? 00:24:25.959 --> 00:24:26.699 Could you be 00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:28.519 Hebrews chapter 12, 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.259 the one who just 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.839 helps lift our eyes 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:31.719 to who Jesus is? 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:35.620 So if anyone sees me 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.319 going anywhere near 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.960 a boat again, 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:39.100 you've got my permission 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.740 to shoot me. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:41.980 Friends, 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.460 in all the pain 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.460 that's in that quote, 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.740 don't miss the fact 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:48.259 that the context of it 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.779 is that the guy 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.279 who's just won 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.920 the gold medal. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.200 Christian, 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.860 you're in a race, 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.640 we're in a race, 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.460 let's fix our eyes 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:56.920 on Jesus 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.299 and let's run it 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.940 with perseverance. 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:00.740 Let me pray. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.340 And Father, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.200 in the silence now, 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.720 we would just maybe 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.160 bring to you 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.980 our own prayers. 00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:09.980 Father, 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.740 of the ways 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.680 that where we know 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:13.440 we are struggling 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.059 right now 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.500 and Father, 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.940 thank you for that promise 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.140 that in Christ Jesus, 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:17.559 Lord, 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.960 you promised to give us 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.500 the power to live 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:22.279 a life of godliness 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:23.019 and so Lord, 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.460 I pray, 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:23.980 Lord, 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.539 wherever we're at 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:27.019 that the grace 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.460 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:30.000 would be so precious 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.880 to each of us 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.759 and that your spirit 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.579 would be at work 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.880 in each of our lives. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.039 Father, 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.000 help us fix our eyes 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.440 on Jesus, 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.279 the founder 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.140 and the perfecter 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.700 of our faith. 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.200 And we pray 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.100 in his precious name. 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.259 Amen. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.380 Amen. 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:44.420 Amen. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.460 Amen. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.480 Amen. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:44.500 Amen. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.519 Amen. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.519 Amen. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:46.559 Amen. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:46.579 Amen. 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:48.440 Amen. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.460 Amen. 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:48.519 Amen. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.640 Amen. 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:50.579 Amen. 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:52.519 Amen. 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:54.500 Amen. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:54.559 Amen. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:54.579 Amen. 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.620 Amen. 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:56.640 Amen. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:58.440 Amen.