WEBVTT 00:00:00.980 --> 00:00:01.540 Amen. 00:00:03.660 --> 00:00:07.799 Isn't it powerful to hear the message of the cross all through the scriptures? 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:11.500 You realize we started with Revelation, the last book of the Bible. 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:14.980 We've heard from Isaiah, one of the prophets. 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:18.100 We've heard from a psalm of David. 00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:20.059 We've heard from one of the gospels. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:22.780 And now we're going to turn to the book of Acts. 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:27.060 So if you would, please turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts. 00:00:27.060 --> 00:00:29.879 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:34.480 And I'm going to read from chapter 8 beginning in verse 26. 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:39.519 Here in the book of Acts we see that this is the birth of the early church. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:40.859 Jesus has come. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:42.179 He has lived. 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:43.159 He has died. 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:44.340 He has risen. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:46.560 He has ascended back to the Father. 00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:48.539 He's now sent the Holy Spirit. 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:53.640 And he's mobilized the church to go out and to spread the message of the gospel. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:57.519 And so we see the church blossoming as the message is being spread. 00:00:58.300 --> 00:01:03.040 So if you would, follow along with me as I read, starting in Acts chapter 8, verse 26. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:13.560 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:18.319 Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:20.439 This is a desert place. 00:01:21.039 --> 00:01:22.180 And he rose and went. 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:28.740 And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, 00:01:28.880 --> 00:01:30.760 who was in charge of all her treasure. 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:35.700 He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot. 00:01:35.960 --> 00:01:38.320 And he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:42.780 And the spirit said to Philip, Go over and join this chariot. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:47.320 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:49.540 Do you understand what you are reading? 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:54.680 And he said, How can I unless someone guides me? 00:01:55.400 --> 00:01:57.980 And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:02.079 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this. 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:05.359 Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:10.240 And like a lamb before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:13.659 In his humiliation, justice was denied him. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:15.540 Who can describe his generation? 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.400 For his life is taken away from the earth. 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:20.800 And the eunuch said to Philip, 00:02:21.420 --> 00:02:24.200 About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this? 00:02:24.260 --> 00:02:26.820 About himself or about someone else? 00:02:27.920 --> 00:02:29.820 Then Philip opened his mouth. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:35.680 And beginning with this scripture, he told him the good news about Jesus. 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:38.980 And as they were going along the road, 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:41.319 They came to some water and the eunuch said, 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:42.659 See, here is water. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:44.619 What prevents me from being baptized? 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:47.539 And he commanded the chariot to stop. 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:50.280 And they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch. 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:51.939 And he baptized him. 00:02:52.679 --> 00:02:54.280 And when they came up out of the water, 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:56.339 The spirit of the Lord carried Philip away. 00:02:56.459 --> 00:02:58.199 And the eunuch saw him no more. 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:02.079 And went on his way rejoicing. 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:06.880 Now you talk about a divine opportunity. 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:12.980 And we pray for opportunities to share the gospel with others around us. 00:03:13.020 --> 00:03:17.400 I don't know if any of us have ever had a providential opportunity quite like this. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:20.700 You know, we ask the Lord for open doors to share the good news of Christ. 00:03:20.699 --> 00:03:26.199 The door does not get any more open than what we saw here with Philip. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:31.019 The angel personally directs Philip to the place. 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:36.119 He sees the Ethiopian official there in his chariot returning from worship in Jerusalem. 00:03:36.339 --> 00:03:37.219 The spirit tells him, 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:39.120 Go join this man in his chariot. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:42.419 Philip hears the man reading God's word out loud. 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:43.500 He asks the man, 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:45.539 Do you understand what it is that you're reading? 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:46.039 The man says, 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:47.979 No, I wish somebody would explain it to me. 00:03:47.979 --> 00:03:51.119 He invites him up into this chariot. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:52.679 And the passage of scripture, 00:03:52.799 --> 00:03:53.359 Verse 32, 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:57.139 That the man was reading was this, 00:03:57.299 --> 00:03:59.539 Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter. 00:04:00.859 --> 00:04:03.039 And like a lamb before its shearer is silent, 00:04:03.139 --> 00:04:04.599 So he opens not his mouth. 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:08.199 In his humiliation justice was denied him. 00:04:08.299 --> 00:04:09.959 Who can describe his generation? 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:13.879 For his life is taken away from the earth. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:17.659 This is the passage of scripture that we heard, 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:21.180 Read earlier from Isaiah chapter 53. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:25.420 And this beautiful scripture about God's suffering servant. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:28.399 The one who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:32.240 Who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:36.699 This man was sitting in his chariot reading this scripture seeking to understand. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:37.879 But he had a problem. 00:04:38.740 --> 00:04:39.219 What was it? 00:04:40.159 --> 00:04:42.879 The Ethiopian was missing a key piece of information. 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:43.659 Wasn't he? 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:48.540 As he read this text out loud to himself and then to Philip, 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:48.879 He was perplexed. 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:50.740 And he asked Philip, 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:54.680 About whom I ask you is the prophet writing these things? 00:04:54.819 --> 00:04:58.180 Himself or someone else? 00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:01.560 Who is this man of sorrows? 00:05:02.659 --> 00:05:05.159 Who is this man who is acquainted with grief? 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.839 Who was this writing about? 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:10.339 And of course, he didn't realize this, 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:15.439 But this question has become a very common and a very controversial question, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:16.819 Even to this day. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:18.259 To this day. 00:05:18.679 --> 00:05:21.359 Many ask that same question about Isaiah 53. 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:24.539 Who is this about? 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:28.580 I remember as a college student, 00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:32.000 I took an Old Testament survey class. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:34.800 I was a brand new Christian, new to the faith. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:37.120 Wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into. 00:05:37.840 --> 00:05:40.320 But this was an elective that was offered to me. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:42.420 And so I signed up, Old Testament survey. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:49.960 And what I quickly realized was that my professor was a very theologically liberal Jewish man. 00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:54.400 And he made it very clear, as we got to the book of Isaiah, 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:57.600 That whatever else we might think about this passage, 00:05:57.900 --> 00:06:04.439 This suffering servant in Isaiah 53 was definitely, certainly not about Jesus Christ. 00:06:05.520 --> 00:06:09.420 His position was that this passage was about Israel. 00:06:09.580 --> 00:06:11.220 It was not about the Messiah. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:12.300 That was his perspective. 00:06:12.440 --> 00:06:13.800 Others share that perspective. 00:06:13.940 --> 00:06:14.900 He made that very clear. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.980 This cannot be about Jesus. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:22.420 Others have the perspective that maybe Isaiah was, in fact, writing about himself. 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:26.480 This was Isaiah describing his own suffering as a prophet of God. 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:30.780 Others take the position that he was writing about Moses. 00:06:31.940 --> 00:06:33.160 Others say Josiah. 00:06:34.140 --> 00:06:35.000 King Hezekiah. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:37.880 Some say he was writing about Ezekiel. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:41.180 There's plenty of different answers to this question. 00:06:41.220 --> 00:06:43.560 Who is this suffering servant? 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:47.360 But I hope you can see it's an important question for us to ask. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:51.160 And it's even more important for us to get it right. 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:55.660 Who is this suffering servant? 00:06:55.660 --> 00:07:06.040 Who is it who was oppressed and afflicted, who opened not his mouth, who was crushed by the very will of the Lord to make many accounted righteous? 00:07:07.160 --> 00:07:10.160 Who is it who will bear their iniquities? 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:25.980 You know, it's interesting that most of the ancient rabbis in the years before Jesus was born almost unanimously agreed that this passage, Isaiah 53, pointed forward to its fulfillment in one individual coming Messiah. 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:30.200 But then Jesus comes, and he's not quite what they expected. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:36.300 And now this beautiful passage of Scripture has begun to cause some issues. 00:07:36.459 --> 00:07:39.060 So much so that it's often called the forbidden chapter. 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.139 Which is ironic. 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:45.459 Because the chapter itself begins with unbelief. 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:49.839 Who has believed what he has heard from us? 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:53.819 And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 00:07:54.739 --> 00:07:59.219 For he grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. 00:07:59.219 --> 00:08:02.339 He had no form or majesty that we should look at him. 00:08:02.419 --> 00:08:04.579 No beauty that we should desire him. 00:08:04.679 --> 00:08:09.779 The one that Isaiah wrote about was not going to be impressive to the physical eye. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:13.279 He was going to be despised and rejected. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:29.919 One Jewish-Israeli scholar named Etan Bar, he writes that the 17th century Jewish historian Raphael Levi admitted that long ago the rabbis used to read Isaiah 53 in the synagogues. 00:08:30.719 --> 00:08:35.039 But after the chapter caused arguments and great confusion, 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:43.539 the rabbis decided that the simplest thing would be to just take the prophecy out of the Haftarah readings in synagogues. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:52.459 And that's why today when we read Isaiah 52, we stop in the middle of the chapter and the week after we jump straight to Isaiah chapter 54. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:58.379 We've read Isaiah 53 tonight. 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:06.379 And I wonder, as we read and as we think through this chapter of God's word, 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:10.179 who do you say Isaiah has written about? 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:15.439 Philip had an answer to that question, didn't he? 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:20.100 Philip had an idea of who this chapter might be about. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:22.919 Verse 35 of Acts chapter 8 says, 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:34.719 According to Philip, 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:41.079 this Old Testament passage written 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ 00:09:41.079 --> 00:09:45.959 found its fulfillment in the man Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:48.719 Jesus is the suffering servant. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:53.879 And of course, as you read back through this passage in Isaiah chapter 53, 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:56.300 you realize this Old Testament prophecy, 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:59.840 it describes Jesus perfectly, doesn't it? 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:02.920 It describes his death perfectly. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:07.779 It describes the purpose of his coming and dying perfectly. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:10.800 We know Jesus grew up like a young plant, 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:12.360 like a root out of dry ground. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:13.560 He was not impressive. 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:15.680 He was not from a noble family. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:19.399 Jesus had no form or majesty that we should desire him, 00:10:19.599 --> 00:10:22.139 no beauty that we should look upon him. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:26.000 Jesus was despised and rejected by men, 00:10:26.699 --> 00:10:28.059 still is to this day. 00:10:29.339 --> 00:10:32.739 Jesus Christ was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 00:10:32.839 --> 00:10:37.239 As we look to the cross and consider the words that we've sung this evening, 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.679 the passages that we've read this evening, 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.939 if we look to the events of Good Friday, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:45.859 we see Jesus beaten and stripped and pierced. 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:49.539 His body mangled, his flesh torn, 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:51.919 a crown of thorns placed upon his head. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:56.899 And his wonderful prophecy 700 years before he comes, 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:59.179 it explains to us why. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:02.479 It says Jesus has borne our griefs. 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:06.059 He's carried our sorrows. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:11.059 He was stricken and smitten by God and afflicted. 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:14.639 Jesus was pierced for our transgressions. 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:18.500 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:23.359 Upon Jesus was the chastisement that's brought us peace. 00:11:23.459 --> 00:11:27.159 And with Jesus' wounds, we are healed. 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:31.539 For the message that we proclaim here on Good Friday 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:35.039 is the unthinkable hope of the gospel 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:37.839 that all we like sheep have gone astray. 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:40.379 Each one of us has turned to his own way 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:43.299 and the Lord has laid upon Jesus 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:47.100 the iniquity of us all. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:52.100 The Son of God has taken our place. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:53.459 That's the gospel message. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:57.960 I came across this quote today. 00:11:58.820 --> 00:11:59.840 I just had to share it with you. 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:00.280 It's beautiful. 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:03.560 Normally I find the good quotes the day after I preach. 00:12:04.280 --> 00:12:05.940 Today the Lord allowed it to happen 00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:08.960 just an hour or two before this evening. 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:12.200 This is John Stott in his book, 00:12:12.280 --> 00:12:13.220 The Cross of Christ. 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.160 He says, 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:19.360 The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:22.120 while the essence of salvation 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:25.519 is God substituting himself for man. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:29.419 Man asserts himself against God 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:31.899 and puts himself where only God deserves to be. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:35.179 God sacrifices himself for man 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:38.039 and puts himself where only man deserves to be. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:43.240 Man claims prerogatives that belong to God alone. 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:47.960 God accepts penalties that belong to man alone. 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:51.139 It's a powerful message. 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:55.440 It's the only hope we have. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:59.000 The message of Good Friday is that 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:01.560 for those who trust in this suffering servant, 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:04.440 the sin and guilt that we have earned 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:08.539 has been taken from us and placed upon him. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.159 But did you hear that caveat? 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:13.079 God, it's important for us to hear, 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.100 so I'm going to say it again. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:17.980 For those who trust in this suffering servant, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:21.419 those who trust in him by faith, 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.919 for those who trust in this suffering servant, 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:26.439 our sin is given to him 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:28.639 and he's punished for our sin. 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:31.519 His righteousness is given to us 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:34.000 and we're blessed for his obedience. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:36.879 For those who trust this suffering servant, 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.419 by faith, 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:41.519 we have our sin removed from us 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:44.240 and paid for in full in the cross of Christ. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:46.279 That's what we celebrate this Good Friday. 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:50.600 So as we close this evening, 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.799 I just want to encourage you 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:54.740 as we think upon the events of Good Friday, 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:57.539 as we remember the cross of Christ, 00:13:57.919 --> 00:14:00.659 please don't let this Good Friday 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:03.720 and Easter Sunday just pass by. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.720 You come to church, 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.560 you go home, 00:14:05.660 --> 00:14:06.580 nothing changes, 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.440 three-day weekend is here, 00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:08.940 it's gone, 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.720 and nothing's different. 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:15.879 Make certain in your heart this evening 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:19.779 that you trust in this suffering servant by faith. 00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:23.580 Make certain in your heart this evening 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:26.519 that you answer with complete confidence 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:29.080 that you know who this suffering servant is 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:31.360 and you know that it is your iniquities 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.540 that drove him to the cross 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:35.560 and you know that the Lord has laid on him 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:37.940 your sin and your grief 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:40.040 that he's paid your debt in full. 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.660 Acts chapter 8. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:49.480 It says that when the Ethiopian eunuch 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:51.639 heard this message of the gospel, 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.320 I love this, 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.560 he didn't waste any time, did he? 00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:56.740 He responded in faith. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.560 Verse 36, Acts chapter 8. 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:01.220 It says that as they were going along the road, 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.280 they came to some water 00:15:02.280 --> 00:15:03.000 and the eunuch said, 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.440 see, here's some water, 00:15:04.520 --> 00:15:05.780 what's keeping me from being baptized? 00:15:07.020 --> 00:15:08.660 And they went down into the water, 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:10.960 the eunuch now believing the gospel, 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.300 now trusting that this man Jesus 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.620 has suffered and died 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.620 to take away his sins. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.480 He was baptized 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:21.420 and it says he went on his way rejoicing. 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:25.899 For now I realize that Good Friday 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:27.959 is somber 00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:30.879 as we think about the cross of Christ. 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.079 But for those who have received 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:35.199 what he's done, 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.659 this message is reason to rejoice. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:42.860 And I pray that as we think 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:44.740 on the message of the cross of Christ, 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.539 that your response this evening 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.139 by faith in what he's done 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.639 would be that you are able 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:52.759 to leave this place rejoicing. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.159 Your sins have been paid for. 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:57.699 He's died in your place. 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.819 His death is your death. 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.039 And as we come to Sunday, 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:02.120 the good news, friend, 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:04.220 his life is your life. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.759 What can separate us 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.639 from the love of God 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:08.039 and Christ Jesus our Lord? 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:08.980 Nothing. 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:11.480 Neither life nor death. 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.759 Anything else in all creation. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:18.700 Because of this suffering servant, 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.819 all who trust him by faith, 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.899 not even death itself 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.519 can have the last word against us. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:25.759 Amen? 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.000 Let's pray. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.539 Lord Jesus, 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:36.799 we praise you for what you've done. 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:42.340 We praise you for your perfect life 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.080 in our place 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.420 where all of us have failed. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.580 And we praise you 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:49.920 for your sacrificial death 00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:50.879 in our place 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.160 to take the judgment 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:54.440 of God against our sins 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.560 that we have earned. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.480 And we pray, Father, 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:00.220 that we would look upon 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:02.000 the man on the cross 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.720 by faith 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.879 and receive what you've done. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.259 That we would leave this place 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:07.039 rejoicing in the hope of the gospel. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.039 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:10.759 Amen.