WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.419
 Good morning. My name is John as well. I'm a regular member here for about 25 years,

00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:07.799
 and I've been on staff for about the last few years.

00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:15.500
 We are currently in a series that looks into chapter 1 to 11 of Genesis, the first book of the Bible,

00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:20.160
 which starts with this word, in the beginning, God.

00:00:21.240 --> 00:00:26.620
 These words tell us that Genesis, and in fact, the whole Bible is about God,

00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:30.960
 the creator of the world, and his interaction with his creation.

00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:35.600
 So what comes to your mind when you think about God?

00:00:36.660 --> 00:00:40.719
 What about God can we expect from reading Genesis or the Bible?

00:00:42.480 --> 00:00:48.920
 The beginning of Genesis shows us that God created a perfect environment in the Garden of Eden,

00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:51.960
 a paradise for Adam and Eve,

00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:56.920
 the very first pair of humans made in the image and the likeness of God.

00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:01.920
 They were put into the garden to rule over all God's creatures,

00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:08.219
 in the sea, in the sky, on the ground, while enjoying a relationship with God.

00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:12.319
 God gave Adam and Eve specific instruction to follow,

00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:17.159
 but instead they disobeyed and rebelled against God.

00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:23.319
 They followed the serpent's voice and each other's voice and twisted God's word.

00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:28.780
 They were made in the image and likeness of God, and God treated them as equal,

00:01:29.399 --> 00:01:32.719
 but they sought to be equal with God on their terms.

00:01:33.259 --> 00:01:37.199
 They want to live their life in their own way as they see fit.

00:01:37.939 --> 00:01:41.299
 And that's how sin enters into God's creation.

00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:45.259
 Sin is not just law-breaking.

00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:49.379
 It is a deep-rooted rebellion in the hearts of humans

00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:54.120
 to reject God as their ruler and want to rule on their own terms.

00:01:55.219 --> 00:01:57.519
 In responding to this serious transgression,

00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:03.420
 God certainly could have destroyed Adam, Eve, and the serpent and start anew.

00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:10.300
 However, through his gracious actions in response to and on behalf of these people,

00:02:11.140 --> 00:02:13.099
 we see the grace of our Creator.

00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:20.180
 The fact that God instead chose to allow them to live is a manifestation of his grace.

00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:23.199
 Running through Genesis and all through the Bible

00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:27.960
 is the theme of grace showing God's mercy despite human sin.

00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:34.840
 Genesis 1-11 forms a foundation of how we understand God

00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:38.200
 and his works from creation to a new creation.

00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:43.060
 The Bible is about God, our Creator and our Redeemer.

00:02:43.820 --> 00:02:48.560
 What we can and should expect to learn about God from reading Genesis in the Bible

00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:51.200
 is that God is gracious and merciful.

00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:56.260
 The amazing things we can see from these chapters and all through the Bible

00:02:56.259 --> 00:02:59.979
 is that God's grace increases as sin increases.

00:03:01.079 --> 00:03:04.280
 Our short passage today illustrates God's grace perfectly.

00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:12.139
 It demonstrates how God brings in his grace to alleviate the mystery that sin brings.

00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:17.359
 Grace is God not treating his creatures as they deserve,

00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:19.759
 but with kindness and mercy,

00:03:20.259 --> 00:03:24.579
 providing something far greater than any expectation.

00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:28.620
 God provides a couple of things in our passage today.

00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:31.440
 The covering and the sword,

00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:35.140
 and Adam and Eve ends up being outside of paradise.

00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:37.980
 If you have the St. Paul's app,

00:03:38.320 --> 00:03:39.740
 you can see these three points,

00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:43.380
 and please follow along with your Bible open to the end of chapter 3.

00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:50.759
 Today's passage from Genesis 3.20 begins with this word,

00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:56.379
 Adam named his wife Eve because she would become the mother of all living.

00:03:57.060 --> 00:04:02.759
 The Lord God made garment of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:06.099
 Previously in this chapter,

00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:08.519
 Adam and Eve sinned against God

00:04:08.519 --> 00:04:11.299
 by not trusting and following what God commanded.

00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:13.439
 Instead, they listened to the serpent

00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:17.519
 and each other without careful consideration or discussion.

00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:22.599
 Humanity fell into sin because Adam's attitude towards God

00:04:22.599 --> 00:04:25.300
 and his command and the action that followed.

00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:30.379
 The immediate consequences was that Adam and Eve were filled with shame

00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:32.660
 about their nakedness.

00:04:33.340 --> 00:04:35.520
 In chapter 3, verse 7,

00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:38.580
 then the eyes of both of them were opened

00:04:38.580 --> 00:04:40.360
 and they realized they were naked.

00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:42.879
 So they sewed fig leaves together

00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:44.759
 and made a covering for themselves.

00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:49.560
 That's the best I can do.

00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:56.519
 They hide from the Lord when they visited them.

00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:57.860
 In verses 10,

00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:00.459
 they were fearful and ashamed

00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:03.480
 and they pulled further away from God,

00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:06.220
 the one who created and loves them.

00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:08.439
 They tried to cover themselves

00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:11.100
 by sewing up fig leaves together,

00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:13.399
 which is only temporary and uncomfortable.

00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:18.060
 So the very first act of grace after human fall

00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:20.259
 was in verse 21.

00:05:21.359 --> 00:05:26.919
 The Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife

00:05:26.919 --> 00:05:31.799
 and clothed them.

00:05:36.859 --> 00:05:39.219
 When it says God made garments of skin,

00:05:39.539 --> 00:05:41.799
 what imagery do you have?

00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:44.800
 Hopefully it's not God waving his hand like

00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:46.800
 a magician saying abracadabra.

00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:50.060
 That would be very far from the truth.

00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:54.980
 The image behind this verse is very bloody

00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:57.800
 because the animal was slaughtered

00:05:58.580 --> 00:05:59.759
 to make that happen.

00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:05.139
 God graciously provided for humans' needs

00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:08.280
 in a way superior to what Adam and Eve

00:06:08.280 --> 00:06:09.720
 had done with fig leaves.

00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:12.320
 But in order to do that,

00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:14.820
 something or someone else

00:06:14.820 --> 00:06:16.360
 had to be the substitute.

00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:18.680
 A life for a life.

00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:22.100
 The consequence of Adam and Eve's sin

00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:23.740
 is that God had to sacrifice

00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:25.920
 some other of his creatures

00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:27.360
 to cover for them.

00:06:28.380 --> 00:06:29.920
 The use of animal skins

00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:32.480
 anticipates the Old Testament system

00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:34.060
 of animal sacrifice,

00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:37.540
 which is another demonstration of God's grace.

00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:39.879
 Why do I say that?

00:06:40.260 --> 00:06:42.420
 Because without God's willingness

00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:45.120
 to forgive and allow humans

00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:46.140
 to approach him,

00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:49.420
 no amount of sacrifice is enough

00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:51.480
 to fulfill the righteousness of God.

00:06:52.320 --> 00:06:54.920
 No amount of sacrifice by humans

00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.740
 can buy God's forgiveness,

00:06:57.400 --> 00:06:59.580
 which is what so many religious people

00:06:59.580 --> 00:07:01.879
 wrongly think that they can achieve.

00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:05.719
 Anyone who thinks they can do enough good deeds

00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:08.319
 to repay for the wrong they have committed

00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.519
 in thought and deeds

00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:12.800
 against a creator God is delusional.

00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:15.620
 The best man can do

00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:17.879
 is to cover for our sins against God

00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:20.480
 is a covering that's made with fig leaf

00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:21.860
 against our naked body.

00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:25.980
 We'll have to keep sowing the covering

00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:27.319
 every couple of weeks,

00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:29.379
 and it will only partially cover you.

00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:33.339
 What God has made with animal skin

00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:35.000
 will last forever

00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.719
 and be much more fitting.

00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:38.819
 The good news is that

00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:40.620
 God covers Adam and Eve,

00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.579
 and he will also provide cover

00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:45.500
 for his people in the new creation.

00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:48.839
 Paul spoke of a day

00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:50.300
 that God will do that

00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:54.379
 in 1 Corinthians 15, 53-54,

00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.540
 and 2 Corinthians 5, verse 4.

00:07:57.540 --> 00:07:59.980
 God will clothe his people

00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:01.560
 with immortality,

00:08:01.960 --> 00:08:03.120
 providing the complete

00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:05.260
 undoing of the curse

00:08:05.260 --> 00:08:06.560
 of human sins.

00:08:07.900 --> 00:08:10.140
 For the perishable must clothe itself

00:08:10.140 --> 00:08:11.379
 with the imperishable,

00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:13.980
 and the mortal with immortality.

00:08:14.640 --> 00:08:16.460
 When the perishable has been clothed

00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:17.759
 with the imperishable,

00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:20.500
 the mortal with the immortality,

00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.220
 then the saying that is written

00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:24.379
 will come true.

00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:26.819
 Death has been swallowed up

00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:27.540
 in victory.

00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:30.659
 For while we are in this tent,

00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:32.659
 we're grown and unburdened

00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:33.960
 because we do not wish

00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:34.379
 to be unclothed,

00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:36.539
 but to be clothed instead

00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:38.059
 with our heavenly drawing,

00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.700
 so that what is mortal

00:08:39.700 --> 00:08:41.659
 may be swallowed up by life.

00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.360
 Last Sunday,

00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:46.179
 we explained how this victory

00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:46.919
 covers sin

00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:48.440
 and its curse comes about.

00:08:48.440 --> 00:08:50.580
 Please check our website

00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:52.240
 or our channel on YouTube

00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.800
 for a further explanation,

00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.260
 a fuller and further explanation.

00:08:55.660 --> 00:08:56.320
 But in short,

00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.040
 this victory over sins

00:08:58.040 --> 00:08:59.220
 and its curse

00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.940
 was made possible

00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:02.700
 through our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:09:02.880 --> 00:09:05.900
 Jesus Christ is the Son of God,

00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:07.760
 and he became the once

00:09:07.760 --> 00:09:09.160
 and for all sacrifice

00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:10.880
 that fulfilled God's requirement

00:09:10.880 --> 00:09:12.880
 in dealing with the consequence

00:09:12.880 --> 00:09:14.980
 of humanity's sin.

00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:17.080
 Jesus was a substitute

00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:18.779
 that God sacrificed

00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:20.120
 to provide a covering

00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:20.940
 for humans.

00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.120
 Because of his death

00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:23.980
 and resurrection,

00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:25.879
 Christ has overcome

00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:26.920
 the stain of sin,

00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:28.420
 and he clothes all

00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:29.700
 who believe and follow him

00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:31.519
 with his perfect obedience

00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.800
 and pure love

00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:33.700
 towards the Father.

00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.420
 Galatians 3, 26-29 says,

00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:39.079
 So in Christ Jesus,

00:09:39.479 --> 00:09:40.719
 you are all children of God

00:09:40.719 --> 00:09:41.439
 through faith.

00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:43.219
 Clothe yourself with Christ,

00:09:43.579 --> 00:09:44.500
 for you are all one

00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:45.479
 in Christ Jesus.

00:09:46.099 --> 00:09:47.360
 If you belong to Christ,

00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.419
 then you are hers

00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:50.120
 according to the promise.

00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:51.959
 Last Sunday,

00:09:52.059 --> 00:09:52.839
 we also talked about

00:09:52.839 --> 00:09:54.099
 God empowering people

00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:55.479
 to resist the lies

00:09:55.479 --> 00:09:56.099
 of the serpent

00:09:56.099 --> 00:09:58.099
 to become Eve's offspring.

00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:00.120
 God grants faith

00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:01.579
 to those he chooses

00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:03.259
 to enjoy eternal life

00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:03.839
 with him.

00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:07.259
 Colossians 3, 12-14 tells us,

00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:08.059
 Therefore,

00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:10.099
 as God's chosen people,

00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:12.000
 holy and dearly loved it,

00:10:12.479 --> 00:10:13.259
 clothe yourself

00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:14.120
 with compassion,

00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:15.099
 kindness,

00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:16.419
 humility,

00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:17.479
 gentleness,

00:10:17.719 --> 00:10:18.299
 and patience.

00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.699
 Bear with each other

00:10:19.699 --> 00:10:21.139
 and forgive one another.

00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.479
 If any of you

00:10:22.479 --> 00:10:23.379
 has a grievance

00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.120
 against someone,

00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:26.000
 forgive as the Lord

00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:26.740
 has forgave you.

00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:28.839
 And over all these virtues,

00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:29.819
 put on love,

00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.219
 which binds them

00:10:31.219 --> 00:10:32.019
 all together

00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:33.240
 in perfect unity.

00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:36.120
 God in his grace

00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:37.539
 has provided the covering,

00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:39.419
 the clothing of compassion,

00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.100
 kindness,

00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.179
 humility,

00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:41.879
 gentleness,

00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:42.500
 and patience.

00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.620
 Paul says in 2 Corinthians,

00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:47.039
 chapter 5, verse 5,

00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.099
 Now the one who has fashioned us

00:10:49.099 --> 00:10:50.719
 for this very purpose

00:10:50.719 --> 00:10:51.299
 is God,

00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:52.579
 who has given us

00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:53.079
 the Spirit

00:10:53.079 --> 00:10:54.039
 as a deposit

00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:55.039
 guaranteeing

00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:55.860
 what is to come.

00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:58.319
 God has fashioned us.

00:10:58.860 --> 00:10:59.639
 He is our style.

00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.179
 And God's style

00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:02.120
 and fashion for us

00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.039
 is Christ,

00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:05.120
 who is the only person

00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.719
 who has all this virtue

00:11:06.719 --> 00:11:08.199
 plus love and forgiveness.

00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:09.959
 When you are clothed

00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:10.539
 with Christ,

00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:11.559
 you will no longer

00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:12.759
 be found naked

00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.740
 and ashamed.

00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:16.799
 God has forgiven humanity

00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:17.860
 because Jesus

00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.139
 took upon himself

00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:20.139
 the punishment

00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.759
 for all our rebellion

00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.879
 towards our Creator.

00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.799
 Jesus was clothed

00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:27.279
 with our wrongs

00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.639
 to cover for us.

00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.779
 And as we put on Christ

00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.019
 and be in Christ,

00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:33.620
 and when God see us,

00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.960
 he no longer see

00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:36.220
 our trespasses,

00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.860
 but we only know

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.019
 the honor and glory

00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.320
 of his beloved Son.

00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:42.279
 That is God's grace.

00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:46.019
 After God made garments

00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.600
 and clothed Adam and Eve,

00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:50.080
 it says in verse 22,

00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:53.100
 And the Lord God says,

00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:54.639
 The man has now become

00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.560
 like one of us,

00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.820
 knowing good and evil.

00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:58.279
 He must not be allowed

00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.299
 to reach out his hand

00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.039
 and take also

00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:01.180
 from the tree of life

00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:02.840
 and eat and live forever.

00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.639
 So the Lord God

00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.279
 banished him

00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.320
 from the garden of Eden

00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.340
 to work the ground

00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:09.200
 from which he had been pecan.

00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.899
 After he drove the man out,

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.519
 he placed in the east side

00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:14.139
 of the garden of Eden,

00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.100
 cherubim,

00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.539
 and the flaming sword

00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:17.860
 flashing back and forth

00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.939
 to guide the way

00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:20.000
 to the tree of life.

00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:22.259
 This banishing

00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.539
 and stopping of humans

00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.199
 from reaching

00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:25.259
 for the tree of life

00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.579
 is a second act

00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:27.519
 of God's grace.

00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.480
 Because of sin,

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.279
 humans now know

00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.340
 good and evil

00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:34.100
 experientially.

00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.059
 Humans will continue

00:12:37.059 --> 00:12:38.539
 striving to define

00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.199
 good and evil

00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:40.079
 through voluntary

00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.740
 and involuntary means.

00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:43.600
 Humans will continue

00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.180
 to sin

00:12:44.180 --> 00:12:44.940
 and misuse

00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.540
 their ability

00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:46.780
 to define good

00:12:46.780 --> 00:12:47.400
 and evil

00:12:47.400 --> 00:12:48.560
 selfishly

00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:50.100
 to benefit themselves.

00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:51.840
 And they will keep

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.879
 incurring a penalty

00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.980
 of death

00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:55.580
 for their disobedience

00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.200
 towards God.

00:12:57.280 --> 00:12:58.620
 God stopping humans

00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.780
 from reaching out

00:12:59.780 --> 00:13:00.780
 to take and eat

00:13:00.780 --> 00:13:01.800
 from the tree of life

00:13:01.800 --> 00:13:02.980
 and live forever

00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.100
 is an act

00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.040
 of God's grace.

00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:06.280
 The banishment

00:13:06.280 --> 00:13:07.500
 and the expulsion

00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:09.460
 were at the same time

00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.460
 and act of mercy.

00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:12.300
 Banning humans

00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:13.360
 from the tree of life

00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.200
 putting a limit

00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.759
 to their physical life

00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.860
 allowed for their redemption

00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:19.080
 rather than for them

00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.960
 to live in a life

00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.080
 of perpetual sin

00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:23.639
 in an unredeemed condition.

00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.980
 The time limit

00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.720
 on our life

00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.240
 is God's gracious action.

00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.620
 It's not just

00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.920
 a reactive punishment.

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.980
 Paul tells us

00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.320
 in Acts 17

00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:35.800
 verse 26 to 27,

00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:37.399
 from a man

00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:38.959
 God made all the nations

00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.939
 that they should

00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:41.199
 inhabit the whole earth

00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:42.339
 and he marked out

00:13:42.339 --> 00:13:43.279
 their appointed time

00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:43.899
 in history

00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.899
 and a boundary

00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:45.919
 for their lands.

00:13:46.479 --> 00:13:47.039
 God did this

00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:47.740
 so that they might

00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.299
 seek him

00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:49.139
 and perhaps

00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:50.059
 reach out for him

00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:50.899
 and find him

00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.019
 though it's not far

00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.139
 from any one of us.

00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.439
 God put a limit

00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:56.740
 to our physical life

00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.099
 so that we no longer

00:13:58.099 --> 00:13:59.819
 reach for the wrong thing

00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:01.419
 that will bring us curses.

00:14:02.099 --> 00:14:02.799
 But instead,

00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:04.519
 we can use the limits

00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.659
 of our time

00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.539
 to promise

00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:08.079
 to seek him

00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:09.259
 and reach out for him

00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.500
 for he's not far

00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.519
 from any one of us.

00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:14.000
 Do you agree that

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.279
 when there's a deadline

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:17.299
 you are far more motivated

00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.620
 and to get things done?

00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.019
 A sword

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.759
 is often also

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:26.419
 related to judgment

00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.259
 in the Bible.

00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:28.959
 Knowing that

00:14:28.959 --> 00:14:29.819
 there's a time

00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:31.599
 we'll all give account

00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.120
 can be scary

00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.080
 or encouraging

00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:34.980
 at the same time.

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.440
 Depends on how you

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.379
 have been living

00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.100
 your life.

00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.300
 At the end

00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.560
 of his second letter

00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:43.100
 Peter reiterated

00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:43.820
 in chapter 3

00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:45.100
 that God is not

00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:46.180
 limited by time

00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.420
 but he gave us

00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.100
 an understanding

00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.860
 of time

00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.820
 and its limit

00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.840
 so that everyone

00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.019
 can come to repentance.

00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.360
 And with repentance

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.440
 and the help of Christ

00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.279
 we'll regain

00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.240
 our access

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.500
 to the tree of life

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.519
 in the new creation.

00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.480
 That is the picture

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.139
 we are given

00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.939
 in the beginning

00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:04.279
 of Revelation 22

00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.939
 the last book

00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.980
 and last chapter

00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.799
 of the Bible.

00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.720
 On each side

00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.419
 of the river

00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.799
 stood the tree of life

00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.600
 and the leaves

00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.299
 of the tree

00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:14.159
 are for the healing

00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.199
 of the nations.

00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.419
 No longer

00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.559
 will there be

00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.340
 any curse.

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:19.980
 The leaves

00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.939
 of the tree of life

00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:21.899
 are for the healing

00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.699
 of the nations

00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:23.759
 and no longer

00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.279
 will there be

00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.019
 any curses.

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.919
 What a tremendous picture.

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:28.639
 The banishing

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.799
 and the flaming sword

00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.740
 are both acts

00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.599
 of God's grace.

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.319
 Since human sin

00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.819
 the garden of Eden

00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.559
 is no longer

00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.339
 a paradise

00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:38.360
 but a place

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.819
 remembered

00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:39.419
 as where

00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.919
 the first human foe fell.

00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:43.399
 God had a new heaven

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.899
 a new earth

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:46.000
 prepared for those

00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.500
 who he choose

00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.759
 to be Eve's offspring

00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.579
 to share in the victory

00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:52.159
 over the crushing

00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.240
 of the shepherd.

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.099
 God makes sure

00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:56.220
 we do not get

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.159
 to the tree of life

00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.259
 through the old way.

00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.879
 So he put a flaming

00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:02.659
 flushing sword

00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.800
 to guide the way.

00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.180
 The flushing

00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.800
 flushing sword

00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.840
 is a warning sign

00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.519
 saying

00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.620
 wrong way

00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.639
 turn back.

00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.779
 The word of God

00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.480
 is described

00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.360
 as a sword

00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.240
 in the New Testament

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.360
 in Hebrews 4

00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.279
 and Ephesians 6.

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.340
 The word

00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.659
 becomes fresh

00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.820
 in Jesus Christ.

00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:21.379
 Jesus opened

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.040
 a new way

00:16:22.040 --> 00:16:22.560
 to God

00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.740
 for he is

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.259
 the only way

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.840
 for anyone

00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.080
 who wants access

00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:26.580
 to God

00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.779
 and eternal life.

00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.639
 Now that Adam

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.059
 and Eve

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.519
 have been sent

00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.399
 out of paradise

00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.480
 we see God's grace

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.240
 once again

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.299
 in chapter 4

00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:37.159
 verse 1 to 2.

00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:39.819
 Adam made love

00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.819
 to his wife Eve

00:16:40.819 --> 00:16:41.740
 and she became

00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.399
 pregnant

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.360
 and gave birth

00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.840
 to Cain.

00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.000
 She said

00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.700
 with the help

00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.200
 of the Lord

00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.419
 I have brought forth

00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:47.860
 a man.

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.240
 Later she gave birth

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.399
 to his brother Abel.

00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:51.259
 Now Abel

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.939
 kept flocks

00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.480
 and Cain

00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.340
 worked of soul.

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.799
 Eve gave birth

00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.259
 to Cain

00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.879
 outside of paradise

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.019
 but she said

00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.759
 with the help

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.279
 of the Lord

00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.220
 I have brought forth

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.639
 a man.

00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.299
 God went

00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.019
 with them

00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.519
 into the banishment

00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.319
 and expulsion.

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.500
 They were sent

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.500
 outside of the paradise

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.359
 but they were not

00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.359
 cut off from God.

00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.359
 God was there

00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.859
 with Eve

00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.740
 helping her

00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.720
 in the midst

00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.900
 of severe

00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.960
 painful labor.

00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.220
 Eve knew

00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.819
 her child

00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.619
 came into being

00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.960
 with the Lord's help.

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.559
 God did not

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.259
 leave her alone

00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.220
 outside paradise

00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.640
 to face

00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.220
 a consequence

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.000
 of her sin

00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.119
 all by herself.

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.579
 God was there

00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.400
 with Adam and Eve

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.579
 outside paradise.

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.359
 God is with them

00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.400
 in every moment

00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.079
 of their life

00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.299
 and God will also

00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.099
 be with you

00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.299
 in your life

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.079
 and will not

00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.859
 leave you alone

00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.019
 to face your life

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.160
 and difficulties too.

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:43.099
 The experience

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.799
 of Adam and Eve

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.839
 is enlightening.

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.400
 They have sinned

00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.799
 and when they sinned

00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.599
 they recognized

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.440
 they were naked.

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.700
 They have been

00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.519
 naked beforehand

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.340
 in a pure

00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.340
 physical sense

00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:56.080
 but they had not

00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.880
 yet seen so

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.200
 they were not ashamed.

00:17:59.120 --> 00:17:59.960
 After they become

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.400
 a sinner

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.840
 their nakedness

00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.480
 becomes something

00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.400
 more than merely

00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:03.920
 physical.

00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.480
 It becomes

00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.259
 a psychological

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.220
 nakedness

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.080
 connected to

00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:09.080
 their moral guilt.

00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.440
 They were guilty

00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.380
 before one another

00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.440
 and before God.

00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.120
 And what happened?

00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.559
 God came

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.840
 walking in the garden

00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:18.059
 to confirm them

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.619
 in their nakedness.

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.099
 He exposed the sin

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.339
 for sin cannot be

00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.619
 hidden in his presence.

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.960
 But then he did

00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.919
 something tremendous.

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.279
 He clothed them

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.220
 using skin

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.059
 from animals.

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.500
 He sacrificed himself.

00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.119
 He kept them

00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:32.980
 from reaching

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.559
 for things

00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.720
 that would bring

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.500
 them curses

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.779
 and kept them

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.440
 from going back

00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.299
 to their old way.

00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.619
 This is the message

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.259
 of Christianity.

00:18:42.419 --> 00:18:43.980
 We can be fully exposed

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.279
 and yet clothed

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.879
 and covered

00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.879
 at the same time.

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.980
 Being clothed

00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.099
 is not accomplished

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.940
 with the skin

00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.659
 of animals.

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.440
 When God sent

00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.099
 Jesus Christ

00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.259
 to die for sins

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.139
 so guilt may be removed

00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:59.220
 he made the most

00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.059
 perfect covering

00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.079
 for all humanity.

00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.539
 Based on Jesus'

00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.319
 perfect and

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.700
 atoning sacrifice

00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.819
 God would then

00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.480
 clothe all

00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.460
 who believe in Christ

00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.539
 with the Lord's

00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.039
 righteousness.

00:19:10.179 --> 00:19:11.559
 Because of Christ's work

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.879
 God no longer

00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:13.779
 looks at us

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.599
 as sinners

00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.679
 but as those

00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.460
 who have become

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.960
 righteous in Christ.

00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:20.079
 now we can stand

00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:20.619
 before him

00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.599
 rather than hide

00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:23.259
 not because God

00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.259
 has been in ignorance

00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.099
 of our sin

00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:26.519
 or has refused

00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.639
 to care about it

00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:29.039
 but because he has

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.179
 known about it

00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:31.279
 and has dealt

00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:32.200
 with it perfectly.

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.139
 Now we can cry

00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:34.819
 with Messiah

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.619
 the prophet

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.980
 I will greatly

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.960
 rejoice in the Lord

00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.980
 my soul

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.980
 shall exude

00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.940
 in my God

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.339
 for he has clothed

00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.359
 me with the garments

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.099
 of salvation

00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.500
 he has covered me

00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.139
 with the robe

00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.020
 of righteousness

00:19:47.020 --> 00:19:49.140
 with the Lord's help

00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:50.220
 in God's grace

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.300
 we are no longer

00:19:51.300 --> 00:19:51.720
 naked

00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.920
 and no need

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.520
 for shame

00:19:53.520 --> 00:19:54.680
 let's rejoice

00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.840
 in the gracious God.

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.779
 for you

00:19:56.779 --> 00:20:10.859
 for you

00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:13.559
 You

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.579
 you