WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.200 Over the next couple of weeks, I am very blessed to have the opportunity to go on a sabbatical. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:21.359 Now, in addition to this time off to take some time to relax, one of the main goals for the sabbatical is to think through a discipleship pathway for the church. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:34.899 It was interesting that many of the things that I was already thinking about as far as this pathway goes, many of those things were reinforced this week as I began to look at this week's passage. 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:46.679 After a number of chapters of theology and right doctrine, we get to some of the applications that all of that theology brings to our life this week. 00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:51.780 And the text that we're in today has a couple of options of teaching through it, in my opinion. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:01:00.439 I'm sure there's many, but one of those is to take three or four weeks and gradually go through some of these things and really dive in deep to some of these things. 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:13.180 But the other option that we're going to be taking today is kind of taking a step back and seeing the overview and seeing how all of these truths come together that we should be applying to our life. 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:17.160 And so our passage this week covers a significant portion of scripture. 00:01:17.320 --> 00:01:21.080 It's going to be Hebrews 10 verses 19 through 39. 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:33.660 But the main idea that the author is trying to communicate to us from this passage is because of Jesus, we can confidently come before God and boldly live for him. 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:40.360 Because of Jesus, we can confidently come before God and also boldly live for him. 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:48.180 Now, the main thing that I want us to see today is that our salvation was bought and paid for by Jesus. 00:01:48.939 --> 00:01:55.939 And living for him will be counterculture to this world, but living for him is worth it. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:01.980 Living for Jesus will be counterculture to this world, but living for him is worth it. 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:10.500 Now, we're going to be reading all of this passage today, but we're going to do it as we walk through it and break it up into these sections. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:15.060 Now, there are five truths, five things that I want us to make very clear today. 00:02:15.200 --> 00:02:18.640 And we're going to very quickly go through some of these things. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:20.319 We're going to very quickly go through those. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:24.099 So I just want to go ahead and give you all five of them to begin with. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:26.099 And so it'll save some of you from afterwards. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:27.039 I missed the third one. 00:02:27.079 --> 00:02:27.819 I missed the fourth one. 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:30.400 Some of you like to make sure you have all of those down. 00:02:30.459 --> 00:02:35.780 So I'm going to go ahead and give you all of those things to begin with so that we can work our way through them. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:40.039 To begin with, we want to see the importance that we know Jesus. 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:41.579 We know Jesus. 00:02:41.859 --> 00:02:43.180 We follow Jesus. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:45.219 Don't reject Jesus. 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:50.500 Count the cost of following Jesus and be faithful to Jesus. 00:02:50.759 --> 00:02:51.960 So know Jesus. 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:53.259 Follow Jesus. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:55.199 Don't reject Jesus. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:03:00.539 Count the cost of following Jesus and be faithful to Jesus. 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:06.219 And so to begin with, I want us to see how important it is that we know Jesus. 00:03:06.860 --> 00:03:10.719 We get this from the first two verses of our section this week, verses 19 and 20. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:11.879 It says this. 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:14.719 Therefore, brothers, since we have comforted, 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:18.319 confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:23.340 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:25.840 that is through his flesh. 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:32.780 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. 00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:38.819 You see, for the last nine chapters, the author has been showing us the supremacy of Christ. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:44.879 How Christ is so much better than anything and everything in this world. 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:47.120 And sharing the good news of the gospel. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:53.780 Now, as he gets ready to give us some application and also share some strong warnings, 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:57.780 he gives us a very quick recap of the gospel. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:04.479 He gives us a very quick overview and review of what we've already been learning for nine chapters 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:09.680 and wants to make this very clear as we get ready to apply this to our lives. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:10.460 He says, 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:16.300 We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:25.780 We have seen the author make it very clear that the holy place here doesn't just refer to the most holy place in the tabernacle or the temple, 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:29.780 that part that only the high priest could go behind once a year. 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:35.099 But he's telling us very clearly that Jesus doesn't just enter into the shadow. 00:04:35.559 --> 00:04:37.279 He doesn't just enter into the cup. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:43.259 He goes into the real place, the real presence of God to secure our forgiveness. 00:04:43.919 --> 00:04:48.000 And it says he went through the curtain, that is, through his flesh. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:56.779 You see, the thick curtain in the tabernacle stood as a constant reminder that our sin has separated us from God. 00:04:56.779 --> 00:04:59.139 That we can't enter into his presence. 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:04.439 And so it tells us that Christ went through the curtain, that is, through his flesh. 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:10.019 And so when Christ's flesh was torn for you, the temple curtain was also torn. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:12.959 Now, this actually happened in history. 00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:18.759 It actually happened at the death of Christ where the temple curtain was torn in two. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:22.119 It was a physical sign of a spiritual reality. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:29.319 Now, because of Christ, you and I, as believers, can walk straight into the most holy place. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:36.620 We, as believers, because of what Christ has secured for us, can go straight into the presence of God. 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:44.199 And this is not because of our worthiness, of our actions, but it's because of the worthiness of the sacrifice. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:48.879 Because Christ made this sacrifice for us. 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:55.219 You see, one of the things that Hebrews does beautifully is to show us the uniqueness of Christ. 00:05:55.740 --> 00:06:01.779 He was uniquely qualified to make a permanent and lasting sacrifice for us. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:08.079 Jesus was uniquely qualified to pay for our sins because he is both God and man. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:14.019 You see, in order for him to make a perfect sacrifice for us that would be enough forever, 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:18.379 that wouldn't require another sacrifice to be made over and over again, 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:23.919 like the priests of the Old Testament, in order for this sacrifice to be enough to be done, 00:06:24.299 --> 00:06:26.859 then he would have to be God. 00:06:27.099 --> 00:06:33.379 In order to bridge the infinite chasm between us and God would require an infinite sacrifice. 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:37.719 But we also see that this person would have to be human. 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:43.960 Like us, familiar with our shortcomings, understanding what we're going through in this life, 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:49.740 in order to pay the price for humanity, he would have to step into humanity. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:56.300 And so we also see that this person would have to be perfect in order to make a sacrifice. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:02.500 Because if he was not perfect, then a sacrifice would have to be made for him, 00:07:02.640 --> 00:07:04.460 much like the priests of the Old Testament. 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:08.779 And so what we see very clearly as we work our way through the book of Hebrews 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:14.839 is that the sacrifice to pay for our sins, to pay for our sins once and for all, 00:07:14.919 --> 00:07:19.219 that wouldn't require a constant sacrifice, that would have to be made over and over again, 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:25.379 would require this person to be God, would be like man, and also to be perfect. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:29.519 And so what we very clearly see is there's only one. 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:31.399 There's only one God, man. 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:35.939 And there's only one who is God, man, and perfect, and that is Jesus. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:41.399 And so it makes him uniquely qualified to pay this sin debt for us. 00:07:41.979 --> 00:07:45.299 J.I. Packer, speaking on this incarnation, he knows, he says, 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:52.660 Hebrew stresses that had he not thus experienced human pressures, weakness, temptation, pain, 00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:56.740 he would not be qualified to help us as we go through these things. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:04.199 As it is, his human experience is such as to guarantee that in every moment of demand and pressure 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:09.340 in our relationship and walk with God, we may go to him. 00:08:09.339 --> 00:08:16.179 Confident that in some sense, he has been there before us, and so is the helper that we need. 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:23.299 In every single situation and circumstance in life, we have one that we can go to. 00:08:23.679 --> 00:08:27.359 One that will never fail us, and this is the confidence that we have. 00:08:27.679 --> 00:08:30.279 This is why it's important to know Jesus. 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:35.919 What the author has done beautifully, and what I hope to have accomplished as we look through this, 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:42.759 is to see that Jesus is not only enough for us, but Jesus is available to us. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:46.939 Not only is he enough for us, but he is available to us. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:54.879 We are all dead in our sins, but the sacrifice on the cross is enough for all of us to be able to come to God, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:57.980 for all of us to be able to come to him. 00:08:57.980 --> 00:09:04.480 And so next, the author gives some application to this understanding of who Jesus is 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:07.680 and how we should follow him and how we should know him. 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:14.039 And so once we know the gospel, once we know Jesus, we are called to follow Jesus. 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:15.779 We're called to follow him. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:17.659 Look at verses 21 through 25. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:19.180 It says this, 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:48.859 And let us consider how to stir up one another, 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:50.480 to love and good works, 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.180 not neglecting to meet together, 00:09:53.180 --> 00:09:55.300 as is the habit of some, 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.919 but encouraging one another, 00:09:57.300 --> 00:10:02.100 and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.139 And so in this passage, 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:07.399 the author gives us several let us statements. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:09.200 To begin with, 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:10.320 as believers, 00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:11.879 as those who know Jesus, 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:12.460 it says, 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:15.139 let us draw near. 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:19.000 And it says to let us draw near with true hearts. 00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:22.220 The passage tells us that as believers, 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:26.940 our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:27.820 You see, 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.080 under the old covenant, 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:32.879 the priest would take the sacrifice of these animals 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:37.560 and they would sprinkle objects in the temple with the blood in order to cleanse them. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:39.219 And in order to make them pure, 00:10:39.339 --> 00:10:42.639 they would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices on these things. 00:10:42.739 --> 00:10:44.799 And so figuratively speaking, 00:10:45.319 --> 00:10:48.179 Christ's blood has been sprinkled on our hearts 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:50.539 so that we can have new life. 00:10:51.119 --> 00:10:52.119 Because of this, 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:53.719 we can draw near to God. 00:10:54.119 --> 00:10:54.959 And as believers, 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:56.559 we have the full confidence 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:59.419 that we can go into the presence of God, 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:01.199 not in ourselves, 00:11:01.199 --> 00:11:03.539 but in the precious blood of Christ 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:05.079 that has been sprinkled on us 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:06.560 to cleanse us. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.879 And this is wonderful news for us 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:11.180 because it is the presence of God 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:13.639 that gives our lives joy, 00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:14.220 meaning, 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:15.040 and purpose. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.259 It is being in his presence 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.700 that gives our life meaning, 00:11:18.780 --> 00:11:19.780 that fulfills us 00:11:19.780 --> 00:11:20.620 because in the garden, 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:22.560 this is what we were created for, 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.400 to have this relationship with God, 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:27.040 to be able to be in the presence of God. 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.820 Sin has destroyed this, 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:31.680 but Jesus has restored it. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:34.259 And so we see we are to draw near. 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:36.700 But next we are to hold fast. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:40.059 We are to hold fast to our confession, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:42.120 to what we believe. 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.399 And when I read this, 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:45.120 my mind immediately went back 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:47.019 to Hebrews chapter 6 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:49.500 when we were talking about holding fast. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.000 In Hebrews 6, 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.019 we are told it says, 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:54.220 we who have fled for refuge 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:56.519 might have strong encouragement 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:58.819 to hold fast 00:11:58.819 --> 00:12:01.379 to the hope that is set before us. 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:03.759 And we have this as a sure 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:07.059 and steadfast anchor of the soul, 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:09.840 a hope that enters into the inner place 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.360 behind the curtain. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.439 There's a song, 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.500 and it's actually a song 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.620 that the choir is going to be singing this week 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:18.139 in the 11 o'clock service. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.460 It was written by Matt Boswell, 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.120 and it's called 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:23.120 Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:24.500 And in this song, 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.559 he writes these words. 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.179 He says, 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:50.740 You see, 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:52.460 we're to hold fast 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:54.539 to this anchor that is in Christ, 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.779 that has gone before us, 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.879 that has gone into the presence of God, 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:00.899 that has bought and paid for our redemption. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:03.320 This is what we are clinging on to. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.860 In this life, 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:07.519 when our faith is put to the test, 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:09.860 whether it be by our own doing 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.779 or others trying to bring us down, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.980 we must hold fast 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:16.000 to the anchor of our souls, 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.799 hold fast to our confession 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.819 that our hope in this life 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:21.639 and the life to come 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:24.000 is in none other than Jesus Christ. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.679 And there is nothing 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:28.579 that is more secure than Him. 00:13:28.979 --> 00:13:29.859 We recognize 00:13:29.859 --> 00:13:33.219 what we are holding on to is truth. 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.740 And that truth 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:37.139 is what we build our lives on. 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:39.419 Finally, in this section right here, 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:41.079 we see that we are to consider 00:13:41.079 --> 00:13:43.519 how to stir up one another. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.240 It says, 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:46.059 Let us stir up one another. 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:48.559 Now, some of us are really good 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.879 at stirring up one another. 00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:51.719 But it's important that we see 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:53.679 what we are to stir up one another to do. 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:55.179 We are to stir up one another 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.000 to do good works. 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:57.559 You see, my kids are really good 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.879 at stirring one another up. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.779 In fact, another translation 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.979 that some of your Bibles may have, 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:03.319 it says to provoke. 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.859 Charlotte has a master's degree 00:14:05.859 --> 00:14:06.599 in provoking. 00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:08.279 She can provoke everybody 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:10.079 and get them all stirred up. 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.839 But what this is telling us to do 00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:13.319 is to stir up one another 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:15.939 to love and good works. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.799 Now, either way that you look at it, 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:19.459 whether your translation says provoke 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:20.879 or to stir up, 00:14:20.959 --> 00:14:21.619 either way, 00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:23.619 what the author is communicating 00:14:23.619 --> 00:14:25.799 is we are to do this 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.579 to the point 00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:29.079 that it can become uncomfortable. 00:14:29.839 --> 00:14:30.079 You know, 00:14:30.099 --> 00:14:31.599 when you're provoking somebody, 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.039 when you're stirring someone up, 00:14:33.119 --> 00:14:35.019 when my kids provoke each other 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.759 and stir one another up, 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.059 they do it to the point 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:39.579 that they get a reaction from somebody. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.959 They do it to the point 00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:42.819 where they actually understand 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.979 that their provoking, 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:45.199 their stirring up, 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:47.060 has caused a reaction. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.780 The author is calling us 00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:51.020 to push each other 00:14:51.020 --> 00:14:53.740 to do what God has called us to do. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:56.800 And it's more than just a suggestion. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:57.920 It's more than saying, 00:14:58.020 --> 00:15:00.460 hey, it might be a good idea to do this. 00:15:00.660 --> 00:15:01.900 It's an encouragement 00:15:01.900 --> 00:15:04.180 that leads to an action. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.800 It's an encouragement 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:08.120 that goes beyond just a suggestion. 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:09.740 And one of the ways 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.740 that we are to encourage one another, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.639 in the early church 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.419 that they were writing to, 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.000 one of the ways 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.580 that they were encouraging one another 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.940 was to make sure 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:20.860 they didn't neglect coming together. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.700 Corporate worship 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:23.779 is important 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.820 in the life 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:26.680 of every believer. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.500 The gathering together 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.120 like this 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.700 is important 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:31.399 in the life 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.820 of every believer. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:36.060 This is what we are called to do. 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.519 One commentator 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.539 that I was reading this week 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:39.500 said it like this. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:41.019 He says Christians 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.580 must not neglect 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.759 gathering together 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.899 for corporate worship 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:46.240 and for the times 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.740 of prayer and encouragement. 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:49.960 He said verses 24 and 25 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.120 are strong words of judgment 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.879 against those 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.460 who are in the habit 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:56.519 of neglecting other believers. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.299 Those who neglect 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.659 the assembling together 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.659 cut themselves off 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.480 from the very means 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.379 whereby Christ feeds, 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.399 assures, 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:08.440 and protects His people. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:09.840 to say that 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:11.300 I can do this alone 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:12.800 is to defy 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:14.680 the very command of Christ. 00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:16.380 Some may claim 00:16:16.380 --> 00:16:17.540 they can hear better preaching 00:16:17.540 --> 00:16:18.260 on the internet. 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.640 Probably so. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.900 Others said 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:21.740 they are too busy 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.860 to attend church. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.680 But these excuses 00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:26.380 revealed the reality 00:16:26.380 --> 00:16:28.340 of a disobedient heart. 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.000 Instead of searching 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.480 for an excuse, 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.660 Christians should be doing 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:34.200 everything within their power 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.420 to meet together 00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:36.280 not only because 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.339 they need to be fed 00:16:37.339 --> 00:16:37.959 by the preaching 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.779 of God's word 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.120 but also because 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:42.000 it is part of their faith 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:44.220 to stir up fellow believers 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:46.720 to love and good works. 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:47.899 You see, 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.799 you need someone 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:51.120 to stoke the fire in you. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.199 You need someone 00:16:52.199 --> 00:16:53.199 who will call you out 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:53.600 when you need, 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.259 you need someone 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.579 to keep you on the right track 00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:56.259 to help you 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.500 when you get, 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.519 to get up 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.319 when you don't want 00:16:59.319 --> 00:16:59.899 to get up, 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:01.559 to shake you occasionally 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:02.279 and tell you 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.620 to get it together. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.180 This is part of what it means 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:06.559 to be a follower of Christ 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.079 is that we stir up, 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:09.339 we provoke one another 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:11.720 to love and good works. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.839 The next thing the author does 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.900 is he highlights 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:17.460 only two possibilities 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.740 when it comes to 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:20.039 knowing the truth 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.740 of the gospel. 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.859 When a person knows the truth, 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.819 when they understand 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.099 the truth of the gospel, 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:26.339 they either believe 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.880 and give their life 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:28.859 to this truth 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.859 or they reject it. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.480 And so the next thing 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.640 the author makes clear 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:35.640 for us is a strong warning 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.660 and the warning is this, 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.420 don't reject Jesus. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.700 The author gives us 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:44.259 a very strong warning here, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.680 don't reject Jesus. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:49.059 Look at verse 26, 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:49.700 we're going to pick up 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:49.980 right there, 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.720 it says this, 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:53.079 for if we go on sinning 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:55.339 deliberately after receiving 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.799 the knowledge of the truth, 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.460 there no longer remains 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:01.160 a sacrifice for sins, 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:03.580 but a fearful expectation 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.440 of judgment 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:06.560 and a fury of fire 00:18:06.560 --> 00:18:07.540 that will consume 00:18:07.540 --> 00:18:08.340 the adversaries. 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:10.420 Anyone who has set aside 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.340 the law of Moses 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:13.779 dies on the evidence 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.980 of two or three witnesses. 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.880 How much God 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.660 is a fearful thing 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:20.040 to fall into the hands 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:21.440 of the living God? 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:23.680 This is one of several 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:25.800 challenging passages 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:27.120 that we have dealt with 00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:28.279 in our study 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.259 of the book of Hebrews. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.940 In this passage, 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.220 the author addresses 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.420 an issue that was 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:35.559 most likely prominent 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.759 in this church. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.539 That is, 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.319 there were people 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:40.539 who knew the facts 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.440 about Christianity, 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.379 they knew the truth, 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.839 they had heard the gospel, 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.319 they knew it well, 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.640 and yet they went 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:49.859 about deliberately sinning 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:51.339 and living in sin. 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.460 In the Greek, 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.559 this word that's translated 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.420 deliberately here, 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.099 it actually comes 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.339 at the very beginning 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:57.579 of this sentence. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.799 the very beginning 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.179 of this, 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.059 and so what the author 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.980 is trying to do 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:02.699 is emphasize something 00:19:02.699 --> 00:19:04.000 very clearly for us. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.339 What he's emphasizing 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:08.519 is stop living in sin. 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:10.460 Stop deliberately 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.899 living in this sin. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.720 The warning against sinning 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.939 deliberately does not mean 00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:15.859 that all sin 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.960 that we commit 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.859 nullifies Jesus' sacrifice 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.579 for us. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.859 It doesn't mean that, 00:19:20.939 --> 00:19:22.159 but it does mean 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.759 that just because 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.700 you grew up 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:26.040 hearing truth, 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.620 just because you 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.500 walked an aisle 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.140 and was baptized 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.700 is not evidence 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.680 that you're truly saved. 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:33.960 You see, 00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:34.700 perseverance 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.420 in a changed life 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.560 is evidence 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.500 that you're saved. 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.080 Perseverance 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.560 in a changed life 00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:42.580 is the evidence. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.460 It is people 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.080 who repent 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:46.000 of their sins 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.960 that are truly saved. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:49.279 And this is what 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.460 God allows us to do 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.559 once we believe, 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.299 once we are saved, 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.680 then this process 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.680 of repentance begins. 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.779 And this is evidence 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.860 of the change 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.519 that has happened 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.160 in our life. 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.279 A lack of repentance 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.100 shows very clearly 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.960 a lack of understanding 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.600 of the gospel. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.799 I think one of the things 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.000 the author is doing 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.720 is showing 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:11.299 that you can't keep 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.539 playing this game. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.559 He's showing 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.539 that you can't keep 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.720 straddling the fence 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.120 where he's saying, 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:16.640 you know what, 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.960 I want to follow God, 00:20:18.040 --> 00:20:19.140 but I also want 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.259 to follow this world. 00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:21.060 You know, 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:22.600 I want one foot here 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.680 and one foot here. 00:20:23.820 --> 00:20:24.780 One foot that is 00:20:24.780 --> 00:20:25.960 clearly looking towards God 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.940 and one foot that is 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:28.540 clearly looking away. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.280 He says, 00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:30.480 you can't do this. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:32.000 And it reminds me 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.880 of Elijah 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.880 when he's calling out 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:35.020 to the people of Israel 00:20:35.020 --> 00:20:35.320 there, 00:20:35.580 --> 00:20:36.680 when there was many 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.500 that were following 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.020 the Baals. 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.520 And he said, 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:39.120 he says, 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.240 how long will you go 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.040 limping between 00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:42.240 two different opinions? 00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:44.540 If the Lord is God, 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.020 follow him. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.539 But if Baal, 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.119 then follow him. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.259 What he's saying, 00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:50.500 he says, 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.579 if the Lord is God, 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.619 if you are claiming 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:54.420 that the Lord is your God, 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.879 if God is your master, 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.519 if he's the one 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.139 that you're following, 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:59.000 then follow him. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.559 But if not, 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.879 then stop pretending 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.759 like you are 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.420 and follow whatever it is 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.379 that is most important 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.400 in your life. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.079 When it comes 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.900 to our relationship 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.460 with God, 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.559 a choice 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.019 has to be made. 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.339 We can't go on 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.420 without making a choice. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.300 We must choose 00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:16.039 who it is 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.860 that we're going to serve. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.820 We can't serve 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:19.500 two masters. 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.300 And so the question 00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:22.400 then becomes, 00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.580 are you going 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:25.039 to follow this world 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.240 or are you going 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.080 to believe, 00:21:27.580 --> 00:21:28.440 be saved, 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.200 and repent? 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.080 The next thing 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:31.539 we see 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.080 when it comes 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:33.160 to following Jesus 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:35.060 is that we must 00:21:35.060 --> 00:21:36.240 count the cost 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.820 of following Jesus. 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.380 We must count 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.259 the cost here. 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.480 We'll pick up 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.279 in verse 32. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.599 It says this, 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.599 but recall 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.700 the former days 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.180 when after you 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.759 were enlightened, 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.639 you endured 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:50.079 a hard struggle 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.599 with suffering, 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.539 sometimes being 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.460 publicly exposed 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.460 to reproach 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.099 and affliction, 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.099 and sometimes 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.220 being partners 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.960 with those 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.039 so treated. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.279 For you had 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.059 compassion 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.220 on those in prison, 00:22:02.399 --> 00:22:03.500 and you joyfully 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.940 accepted the plundering 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.899 of your property 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:06.879 since you knew 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:08.619 that you yourselves 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:10.079 had a better 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.859 possession 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:12.240 and an abiding 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.719 one. 00:22:13.219 --> 00:22:13.500 Therefore, 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.299 do not throw 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.479 away your confidence 00:22:15.479 --> 00:22:16.799 which has 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:18.319 a great reward. 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:19.939 You knew yourselves, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.199 you had a better 00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:21.819 possession 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.240 and an abiding 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.619 one. 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.379 You see, 00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:25.359 most scholars 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.199 will date 00:22:26.199 --> 00:22:27.219 the book of Hebrews 00:22:27.219 --> 00:22:27.759 to be written 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.979 around just 00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:30.759 the mid-60s A.D., 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.859 and they do this 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.559 because of some 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.459 contextual clues 00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:34.039 within it. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.879 They know 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.399 that it was 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.599 almost certainly 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.339 written before 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.240 A.D. 70 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.480 because that was 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.180 when the temple 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:40.900 was destroyed, 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.039 and from some 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.480 of the things 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.039 that it talks 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.720 about in here, 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.799 many of the 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.759 practices of the 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.400 temple were still 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:46.759 in place. 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:47.720 The sacrificial 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:49.099 system was still 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.700 in place 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.420 when this was 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.120 written. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.000 But also, 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.359 there's some 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:52.960 other contextual 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.720 clues that lets 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.299 us know that 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.460 it wasn't long 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.799 before A.D. 70 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.819 that this book 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.299 was written, 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.339 and a lot of 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.180 that comes from 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.039 this passage 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.059 right here 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:03.079 because it speaks 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:03.819 of oppression, 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.240 imprisonment, 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.220 afflictions, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.240 all of which 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.140 were consistent 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.240 with what was 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.880 going on 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.500 in the Roman 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.019 Empire. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.259 You see, 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.400 in A.D. 64, 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.980 Nero burned 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.079 Rome and blamed 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.700 the Christians 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.360 for it. 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.420 And at this 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.000 point, 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.519 many Christians, 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.880 the persecution 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:24.200 escalated greatly. 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.400 Many of the 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.120 things done to 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:26.620 the Christians 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.620 at this time 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:29.059 were so gruesome 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.680 that I wouldn't 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.860 even share them 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:31.519 in a context 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.180 like this 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.980 with everyone. 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:34.360 But understand 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:34.980 this. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.000 There was a 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.980 cost to 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.200 following Jesus. 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.279 There was a 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.019 cost that these 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.000 believers were 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.839 enduring when it 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.299 comes to 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.640 following Jesus. 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:44.480 And the truth 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.099 of the matter 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:46.019 is that there 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.319 is always a 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.400 cost to 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.319 following Jesus. 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.140 We can clearly 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.900 see it here, 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.740 but the truth 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.099 of the matter 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.279 is always a 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.380 cost for these 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.900 believers, 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.700 for them to go 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.599 public with their 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.539 faith and be 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.440 baptized meant 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.299 that a target 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.980 would be placed 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.740 on their back. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.599 You see, 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.079 for them, 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.940 they didn't have 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.579 like we do here, 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:04.980 where we can 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.599 roll out a 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.259 baptistry and 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.139 just right here 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:09.059 have a baptism. 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:10.240 Many of them, 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.839 for them to be 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.139 baptized, 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.740 they would go to 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.460 a very public 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.240 place like a 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.619 river where 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.220 everyone could 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.039 see and they 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.319 would be 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.179 baptized there. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.720 And all of a 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:16.960 sudden, 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.139 everybody knew 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:18.919 that this person 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.759 was a follower 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.119 of Christ. 00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.079 Today, 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.859 we're blessed 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.699 with these nice 00:24:23.699 --> 00:24:24.519 air-conditioned 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:24.960 facilities, 00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:26.199 nice heated 00:24:26.199 --> 00:24:26.960 baptistries. 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.619 And when someone 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.259 is baptized, 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.960 we clap for them 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.699 and we get really 00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:31.439 excited for them. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.000 We should do 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.699 all of those 00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:32.939 things. 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:34.120 That is wonderful. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.019 We are blessed 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.600 in so many ways. 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.259 Rarely do we have 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:38.960 to deal with a 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.840 great deal of 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.559 persecution. 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.340 In fact, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.779 many times the 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.900 persecution that 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.580 we deal with 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:47.019 is not brought 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.559 on by faithfully 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.299 following God, 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.500 but sometimes it's 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.340 brought on by 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.220 not faithfully 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.100 following God. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.460 Kent Hughes, 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.340 one time he noted 00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:55.680 this. 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.019 He said, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.639 sadly, 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.059 Christians are 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.900 very often 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.539 persecuted, 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.400 not for their 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.039 Christianity, 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.220 but for their 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.259 lack of it. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.819 Sometimes they 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.379 are rejected 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:06.240 simply because 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.740 they have 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.599 unpleasing 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.420 personalities. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.660 They are rude, 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.500 insensitive, 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.339 thoughtless, 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.420 or piously 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.279 obnoxious. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.639 Sometimes they 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.259 are rejected 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.940 because they 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.019 are discerned 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.799 as proud 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.720 and judgmental. 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.559 Others are 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.319 disliked because 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.139 they are lazy 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.359 and irresponsible. 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.920 Incompetence 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.700 mixed with 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.920 piety is 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.720 sure to 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.640 bring about 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.299 rejection. 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.940 So don't 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.500 assume that 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.160 just because 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:32.120 people are 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.160 rejecting you 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:33.860 that you are 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.340 doing this 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.120 the right way. 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.680 Sometimes what 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.400 we need to do 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.319 is to look 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.080 more like 00:25:39.080 --> 00:25:40.140 Christ in 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.380 our context, 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.380 to show 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.299 grace and 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.900 kindness and 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.059 show people 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.779 who Jesus 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.980 truly is. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.120 That being 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.720 said, 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.620 there is 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.740 always a 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.460 cost to 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:51.920 following 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.500 Jesus. 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.980 It will 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.640 change the 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.020 way you 00:25:55.020 --> 00:25:55.460 live your 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:55.900 life. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.600 It will 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.160 change the 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.480 way you 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.920 think about 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.700 your finances. 00:25:59.020 --> 00:25:59.400 It will 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.940 change the 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.259 way that 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.800 you interact 00:26:00.800 --> 00:26:01.140 with your 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.520 family. 00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:01.759 It will 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.259 change the 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.560 way that 00:26:02.560 --> 00:26:02.900 you love 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.600 your spouse 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.280 and your 00:26:04.280 --> 00:26:04.580 children. 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:04.880 It will 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.340 change the 00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:05.640 way you 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.080 spend your 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:06.480 time. 00:26:06.800 --> 00:26:07.020 It will 00:26:07.020 --> 00:26:07.460 change the 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.740 way you 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.140 spend your 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:08.759 priorities. 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:09.860 You will 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.680 still live 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.220 with a sense 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.800 of urgency, 00:26:11.800 --> 00:26:12.600 but instead 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.240 of having a 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.540 sense of 00:26:13.540 --> 00:26:14.100 urgency of 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.680 trying to 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.380 get the 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.060 next greatest 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.860 thing or 00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.280 to keep 00:26:17.280 --> 00:26:17.600 up with 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.120 your neighbors, 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:18.759 you're going 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.280 to live 00:26:19.280 --> 00:26:19.680 with a sense 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.160 of urgency 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.840 to get the 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:21.700 gospel message 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.680 to those that 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.600 need to hear 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:23.900 it. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:24.779 You see, 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.340 Jesus just 00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:27.000 asked for 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.840 one thing, 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.799 and that's 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.400 everything. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.279 He wants 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.799 all of us. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.940 To put it 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.340 very bluntly, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.460 if following 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.820 Jesus has 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:39.060 not cost you 00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:39.620 something, 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:40.580 then the 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.440 Bible calls 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.880 us to 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.539 question whether 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.060 or not you 00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:43.799 are following 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.320 Jesus. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.200 If following 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:49.100 Jesus has 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.160 not cost you 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.799 something, 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.160 then the 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.019 Bible calls 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:54.200 us to 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.779 question whether 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.240 or not you 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.840 are actually 00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.880 following Jesus. 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:57.920 You see, 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.440 you will not 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.200 find one 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.860 follower of 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.360 Jesus in 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.820 the Bible 00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:01.960 who trusts 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.540 in Jesus 00:27:02.540 --> 00:27:03.320 and their 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.140 life doesn't 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.700 change. 00:27:05.320 --> 00:27:05.960 It doesn't 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.500 exist. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.840 There is a 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.519 cost to 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.540 following Jesus, 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.680 but it's 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.340 worth it. 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.000 But it is 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.200 worth it. 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:16.980 You see, 00:27:17.040 --> 00:27:17.320 what is 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.180 remarkable is 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.740 not that they 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.540 lost their 00:27:19.540 --> 00:27:20.440 possessions 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.700 because they 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.460 identified with 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.759 Jesus. 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.420 What is 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.120 remarkable is 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.820 they responded 00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:26.380 with joy to 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.019 losing their 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.519 possessions. 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.720 It's not 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.420 remarkable that 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:30.039 they lost 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.779 everything by 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.440 following Jesus. 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.559 It's how they 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.600 responded to 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.160 losing to 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.100 everything to 00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:35.620 following Jesus. 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.380 They responded 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.660 with joy to 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.519 this persecution. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.900 How is this 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.480 possible? 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.680 Because what 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.100 they are 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:43.440 gaining is 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.240 far more 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.100 valuable than 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:45.700 what they were 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.400 losing. 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.660 What they are 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.600 gaining is far 00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:49.420 more valuable than 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:49.680 what they are 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:49.900 losing. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.300 But you say, 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.060 well, some 00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:51.480 of them were 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.100 losing their 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.660 life. 00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:53.980 Let me say 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.580 it again. 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.740 What they 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.700 were gaining 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.420 is far more 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.880 valuable than 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.600 what they were 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.420 losing. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.820 And so, 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.580 finally, we 00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:04.120 look at this 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.420 passage and 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.519 we see that 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.039 we are called 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.880 to be faithful 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:09.039 to Jesus. 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.560 Be faithful 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.340 to Jesus. 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.720 Verses 36 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.480 through 39. 00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:14.680 For you have 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.320 need of 00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:16.200 endurance so 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.580 that when you 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.340 have done the 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.920 will of God, 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.680 you may receive 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.600 what is promised. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.160 For yet a 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.039 little while 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.980 and then coming 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.580 one will come 00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:26.460 and will not 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.960 delay. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.960 But my 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.779 righteous one 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.560 shall live 00:28:29.560 --> 00:28:30.460 by faith. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:30.960 And if he 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.800 shrinks back, 00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:32.500 my soul has 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.100 no pleasure 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:33.660 in him. 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:34.820 But we are 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:35.560 not of those 00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.100 who shrink 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:37.160 back and 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.800 are destroyed, 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.779 but of those 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:40.000 who have faith 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.900 and preserve 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:42.100 their souls. 00:28:42.300 --> 00:28:42.720 You see, 00:28:42.800 --> 00:28:44.120 the life of a 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.920 Jesus follower 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.860 is a lifetime 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:47.000 of faithful 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.779 endurance, 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:48.839 of faithful 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:49.500 devotion. 00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:50.799 We need 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.759 the hope 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.299 of God's 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.740 word for 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.279 this journey 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.859 and we 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.559 need the 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.000 fellowship 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.539 of other 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.379 people to 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.099 be along 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.699 this journey 00:28:57.699 --> 00:28:58.419 with us. 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.379 This is what 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:00.059 this is telling 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.599 us clearly. 00:29:00.719 --> 00:29:01.319 To endure, 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.399 to be faithful 00:29:02.399 --> 00:29:03.019 to Jesus 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.539 over the 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:03.919 course of 00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:04.379 our lives, 00:29:04.479 --> 00:29:05.259 we need 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.919 God's word 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.500 in our lives. 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:06.979 We need 00:29:06.979 --> 00:29:08.059 it to resonate 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.459 with us. 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:08.799 We need 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.500 it in our 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.919 souls, 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.899 but we also 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.419 need the 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:11.839 fellowship 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.359 of other 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:12.819 believers 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.220 who will 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.879 spur us 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:14.339 on to 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.279 love and 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.179 good works. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.119 I've used 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.579 this quote 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:17.959 a number 00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:18.480 of times, 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:18.779 but I 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.459 believe it 00:29:19.459 --> 00:29:20.259 bears repeating. 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.679 Eugene Peterson 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.279 in his book, 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.819 A Long 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:23.399 Obedience 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:23.659 in the 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:23.919 Same 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.439 Direction, 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.240 he says 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.639 it this 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:25.980 way. 00:29:26.459 --> 00:29:26.819 He says, 00:29:26.939 --> 00:29:27.799 one aspect 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.599 of world 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:28.980 that I 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.319 have been 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.699 able to 00:29:29.699 --> 00:29:30.179 identify 00:29:30.179 --> 00:29:30.980 as harmful 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.799 to Christians 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.899 is the 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.419 assumption 00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:34.159 that anything 00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:34.919 worthwhile 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.339 can be 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:35.819 acquired 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.599 at once. 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.459 We assume 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:38.799 that if 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.539 something can 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.000 be done 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.439 at all, 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.179 it can be 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:41.419 done 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:41.920 quickly 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:43.220 and efficiently. 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.620 Our attention 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.340 spans have 00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:45.920 been conditioned 00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.840 by 30-second 00:29:46.840 --> 00:29:47.340 commercials. 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.500 Our sense 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.140 of reality 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.720 has been 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.320 flattened 00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:51.140 by 30-page 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.720 abridgments. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.840 It is not 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.700 difficult in 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.400 such a world 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:54.840 to get a 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.039 person interested 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.800 in the message 00:29:56.800 --> 00:29:57.560 of the gospel, 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.560 but it is 00:29:58.560 --> 00:29:59.140 terrifically 00:29:59.140 --> 00:30:00.200 difficult to 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.120 sustain the 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:01.600 interest. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.740 There is a 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.640 great market 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.840 for religious 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:06.100 experience in 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.640 the world, 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.720 but there is 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.940 little enthusiasm 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.580 for the patient 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:11.259 acquisition 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.079 of virtue, 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.359 little inclination 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:15.200 to sign up 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.440 for a long 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.039 apprenticeship 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.500 in what 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.660 earlier generations 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.379 called holiness. 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.619 You see, 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.460 all too often 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:22.960 we see 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.539 sanctification 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.079 in the 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.900 Christian life 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:26.079 as a task 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.960 to be completed. 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.759 We say, 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.180 we just need 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:28.980 to hurry up 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.319 and be 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.700 sanctified. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.059 We just need 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.839 to hurry up 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.240 and become 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.700 what God 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.079 has already 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.599 declared us 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:32.940 to be. 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.700 But this 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.099 is a 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.680 lifelong 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.700 process. 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.559 It's a 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.440 lifelong process 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.079 that only 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.099 sees us in 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.679 when we 00:30:39.679 --> 00:30:40.059 get to 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.519 be with 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.279 him in 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.599 heaven 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.279 one day. 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:42.959 And so 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.839 as believers, 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.359 we are 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.019 declared 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.599 righteous. 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.459 We saw 00:30:46.459 --> 00:30:46.759 this last 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:46.859 week, 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.000 we are 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.459 declared 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:47.799 to be 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.219 righteous, 00:30:48.699 --> 00:30:49.059 but we 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.939 will spend 00:30:49.939 --> 00:30:50.359 our 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.639 lifetimes 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.679 becoming 00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:53.399 what God 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.099 has declared 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.959 us to be. 00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:56.159 You see, 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:56.579 it is my 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.079 hope and 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.079 prayer that 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.539 we are able 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.319 to see that 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.199 our salvation 00:31:00.199 --> 00:31:01.639 very clearly 00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.779 was bought 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.679 and paid 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.379 for by 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.399 Jesus Christ. 00:31:05.939 --> 00:31:06.679 And living 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.440 for him, 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.340 it will 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:08.560 be 00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.240 counterculture 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.660 to this 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.000 world. 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:10.720 There is 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.400 a cost 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.980 that goes 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.539 along with 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:12.940 following 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.400 him, 00:31:13.560 --> 00:31:14.440 but also 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.820 we will 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.400 see very 00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:15.900 clearly 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:17.039 that it 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.279 is worth 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.600 it. 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.360 Because 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:19.940 following 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.400 Jesus 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.259 is the 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:21.820 greatest, 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.980 most valuable 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.720 gift that 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:23.980 we could 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.779 ever be 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.160 given. 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.259 And so 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.519 I want to 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:26.920 ask you 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.340 this morning, 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.660 are you 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.920 ready this 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:30.259 morning to 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.799 believe, 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.340 to be 00:31:31.340 --> 00:31:31.759 saved, 00:31:31.820 --> 00:31:32.220 and to 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.299 repent of 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.640 those sins? 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:33.920 Are you 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.400 ready to 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:34.940 give your 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.380 life to 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:35.640 Jesus? 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:36.380 Maybe 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.080 you're 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:37.660 like many 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:37.940 of these 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.300 believers, 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:38.920 they know 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.400 the truth, 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:39.640 they've 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:39.960 heard it 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.240 all of 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.700 their lives, 00:31:40.760 --> 00:31:40.940 they've 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.420 grown up 00:31:41.420 --> 00:31:41.960 understanding 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.300 this, 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.080 but now 00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:43.660 they actually 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.060 need to 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:44.400 get it 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:44.820 right. 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.580 They need 00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.160 to understand 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.640 that going 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.040 all in is 00:31:47.040 --> 00:31:47.820 not straddling 00:31:47.820 --> 00:31:48.180 the fence, 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.780 you can't 00:31:48.780 --> 00:31:49.820 follow Jesus 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:50.540 and follow 00:31:50.540 --> 00:31:51.220 this world. 00:31:51.540 --> 00:31:52.180 A choice 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.880 has to be 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.240 made. 00:31:53.560 --> 00:31:53.780 And so 00:31:53.780 --> 00:31:54.600 maybe today 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.180 you need 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.640 to make 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.480 that choice. 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.400 Or maybe 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.100 today you 00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.480 need to 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.380 think about 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:00.780 where you 00:32:00.780 --> 00:32:01.180 are and 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.520 look at 00:32:01.520 --> 00:32:02.020 your life 00:32:02.020 --> 00:32:02.600 and realize 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.440 that there 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:03.960 needs to 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.380 be some 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:04.860 progression 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.240 that's 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:05.620 happening. 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.159 There needs 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.479 to be 00:32:06.479 --> 00:32:06.699 some 00:32:06.699 --> 00:32:07.359 sanctification 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:08.000 that happens 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.599 and you 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:08.879 need to 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.239 ask 00:32:09.239 --> 00:32:09.799 yourself, 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.339 what or 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.839 who do 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.219 I need 00:32:12.219 --> 00:32:12.500 in my 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.439 life to 00:32:13.439 --> 00:32:14.139 help me 00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:15.239 more faithfully 00:32:15.239 --> 00:32:16.779 follow Jesus? 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.159 But let's be 00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.639 honest with 00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.379 ourselves today 00:32:19.379 --> 00:32:20.559 and respond in 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:20.919 a way that 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.759 brings God's 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.000 name, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.279 honor, 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.759 and glory. 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.519 Father, 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:23.519 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:24.180 thank you so 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.819 very much. 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.420 Thank you 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:26.799 so much 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.039 for the 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.339 book of 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.799 Hebrews, 00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:28.960 written to 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.519 a church 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.299 that is 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:30.759 like any 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.200 church in 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.680 this world, 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:32.259 struggling 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.799 with so 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.440 many different 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:33.980 things in 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.640 this life. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:35.839 But Lord, 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.460 I pray that 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.200 we take the 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.740 truths that 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.119 are found 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:38.460 in your 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.759 word, 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:39.440 that we 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.099 would see 00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.579 them not 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:40.960 as just 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.420 knowledge 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:41.779 to be 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.099 gained, 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:42.980 but knowledge 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.240 that we 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.599 want to 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:44.339 apply to 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:44.839 our lives 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.599 to change 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.000 the way 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.279 that we 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.779 live. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.539 And so 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:47.839 Lord, 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.339 help us 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:48.940 to see you 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.500 more clearly 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:49.960 today. 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:50.920 Help us 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.460 to follow 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:51.880 you more 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.220 faithfully. 00:32:52.300 --> 00:32:52.660 Help us 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.480 to endure. 00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:53.980 Help us 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.779 to come 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.440 alongside 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:55.900 other 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:56.240 believers. 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:56.680 Help us 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.640 to stir 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:58.100 up one 00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:58.340 another, 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.019 to provoke 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.519 one another 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.019 to love 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.279 and good 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.620 works. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.400 And Lord, 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:01.920 help us 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.340 to be 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:03.560 open when 00:33:03.560 --> 00:33:04.019 people are 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.500 doing that 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.140 to us. 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.460 When people 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.300 that have 00:33:07.300 --> 00:33:07.840 our best 00:33:07.840 --> 00:33:08.340 interest in 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:08.700 mind are 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.300 encouraging 00:33:09.300 --> 00:33:09.779 us or 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.380 provoking 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.279 us to 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.039 follow you 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.580 more 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:13.100 faithfully. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.640 So Lord, 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.060 help us 00:33:14.060 --> 00:33:14.620 to see you 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.420 clearly today. 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.400 Whether that 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:16.900 be for the 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.539 first time 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.080 to give 00:33:18.080 --> 00:33:18.660 our life 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.279 to you, 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.200 or whether 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.900 that is to 00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:21.460 faithfully 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.280 follow you 00:33:22.280 --> 00:33:23.180 all the 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:23.560 days of 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:24.080 our life. 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.019 And we 00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.460 ask this 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.840 in Jesus' 00:33:26.040 --> 00:33:26.259 name. 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.080 Amen. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:27.920 I'm going 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.240 to invite 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.560 you to 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:29.180 stand this 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.340 morning. 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:29.519 We're 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:29.700 going to 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.060 sing a 00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:30.440 song of 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.980 invitation. 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:31.840 And if 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.360 God is 00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:32.860 speaking to 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.100 you this 00:33:33.100 --> 00:33:33.300 morning, 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:33.640 won't you 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.120 respond as 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.540 we stand 00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:35.000 together 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.840 and sing?