WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.760 So it's just a real joy to be here this morning. 00:00:02.859 --> 00:00:05.419 And if you have your Bible, if you want to turn to Romans chapter 8, 00:00:06.060 --> 00:00:10.279 Romans is in the back third of the Bible, right after Acts and all the Gospels. 00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:12.140 And we're going to be looking at chapter 8. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:17.679 And this morning, I really hope that the Word this morning will encourage you. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:26.240 You know, it doesn't take much to just look around our lives and our community 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:29.899 and our state and our nation, the world, 00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:33.600 and to see that there's a lot of things that could make you discouraged. 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:38.239 There's a lot of things you could be thinking about that would leave you discouraged 00:00:38.239 --> 00:00:43.719 and discontent and sad and wondering whether there's hope for the future. 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:46.140 And I just so appreciate some of the songs we sang this morning 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:49.399 that pointed us away from that to what we're going to be focusing on this morning. 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:54.060 Because I want to encourage you with this one key truth that Paul has for us in Romans 8, 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:57.100 which is God is for us in Jesus. 00:00:58.760 --> 00:01:02.180 And I know that if you've been to church for any amount of time, 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:06.020 if you've read your Bible at all, that sounds familiar and you know it. 00:01:06.520 --> 00:01:09.240 But when I was in seminary, there was a counseling professor 00:01:09.240 --> 00:01:11.260 who pulled a hundred students aside. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.040 These are students who want to go on and do counseling 00:01:14.040 --> 00:01:15.859 and be pastors and be missionaries. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:18.079 And she asked them one simple question. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:23.539 Do you believe that on your best day or your worst day 00:01:23.539 --> 00:01:27.480 that God is a hundred percent for you only because of Jesus? 00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:30.420 Do you believe that with a hundred percent certainty? 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:33.840 And only three out of a hundred said yes. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:36.700 What about you this morning? 00:01:37.480 --> 00:01:41.599 If I asked you, do you believe that on your good day or even on the bad days 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:47.319 that God is a hundred percent for you because of Jesus? 00:01:49.199 --> 00:01:53.199 And so I hope this morning that maybe if it's the truth that you just know up here, 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:55.299 that God will work it into our hearts this morning 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:58.399 so that we will leave encouraged and strengthened 00:01:58.399 --> 00:02:00.699 because there's many trials around us 00:02:00.699 --> 00:02:04.759 and yet we have a God who is for us in Jesus. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:07.500 And so this morning I just want to remind us of this truth 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:11.099 and remind us that the picture that Paul is going to paint for us 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:16.960 is that we are not spiritual orphans trying to earn the love of someone, 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:22.500 but we are adopted children beloved by God the Father. 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:25.479 And so let me pray and then we'll read Romans 8. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.360 Father, I'm so grateful this morning that 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:34.139 that even though what our sins deserve 00:02:34.139 --> 00:02:36.920 is to be cast out into the darkness, 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:40.159 that because of Jesus, 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:43.360 that you actually call us children 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:45.599 and welcome us into a home 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:49.539 and you say that you will be our God 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:54.180 and we will dwell with you one day face to face. 00:02:56.460 --> 00:02:57.819 So I pray this morning 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:00.680 that as you speak through your word 00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:02.500 that we would hear, 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:05.039 that we would have our eyes opened 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:07.000 and that we would be encouraged 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:09.979 that you are for us in Christ 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:12.879 so we might then live for you. 00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:13.840 Amen. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:16.979 Let me read Romans 8, 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:18.539 starting in verse 28. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:23.939 And we know that for those who love God, 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:26.419 all things work together for good 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:29.280 for those who are called according to His purpose. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:31.459 For those whom He foreknew, 00:03:31.579 --> 00:03:35.219 He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:37.780 in order that He might be the firstborn 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:39.680 amongst many brothers and sisters. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:42.699 And those whom He predestined, He also called. 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:45.219 And those whom He called, He also justified. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:48.300 And those whom He justified, He also glorified. 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:51.780 What then shall we say to these things? 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:54.300 If God is for us, 00:03:55.020 --> 00:03:57.099 who can be against us? 00:03:57.979 --> 00:04:00.280 He who did not spare His own Son 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:01.699 but gave Him up for us all, 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:03.879 how will He not also with Him 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:06.079 graciously give us all things? 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:09.500 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.680 It is God who justifies. 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:13.159 Who is to condemn? 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:15.719 Again, Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:17.779 More than that, who was raised. 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:19.600 Who is at the right hand of God. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:21.879 Who indeed is interceding for us. 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:24.980 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:27.199 Shall tribulation? 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:28.459 Or distress? 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:30.219 Or persecution? 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:31.659 Or famine? 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:33.100 Or nakedness? 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:33.899 Or danger? 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:34.699 Or sword? 00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:36.399 As it is written, 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:39.759 for your sake we are being killed all the day long. 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:43.099 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:44.000 No. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:47.920 In all these things we are more than conquerors 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:49.099 through Him who loved us. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:52.939 For I am sure that neither death nor life, 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:55.000 nor angels nor rulers, 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:57.379 nor things present nor things to come, 00:04:57.620 --> 00:05:00.180 nor powers, nor height, nor depth, 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:02.659 nor anything else in all creation 00:05:02.659 --> 00:05:04.500 will be able to separate us 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:08.699 from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:09.939 Amen. 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:12.800 Well, this morning I just want to look at 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:15.339 the three things that Paul's going to talk to us about. 00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:18.000 The reason God is for us, 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:20.839 the reality of Him being for us, 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.560 and the results of God being for us. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:27.120 And so first, the reason why He's for us. 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:30.819 Verse 31 is this key verse in the passage, right? 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:34.379 He says, if God is for us, who can be against us? 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:36.899 But let's not just slide past that, 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:39.099 because maybe this morning you're thinking, 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:40.800 well, of course God is for us. 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:41.699 I mean, that's who God is. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:42.639 He's a loving God. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:43.540 He just loves us. 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:44.740 Or maybe you're thinking, 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:46.120 well, of course God's for me. 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:47.000 I'm a good person. 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:48.279 Why would He be against me? 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:50.740 But if you're reading the whole Bible, 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:54.100 and if you read the first seven and a half chapters of Romans, 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:56.480 you would see there's actually a lot of good reasons 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:57.920 for God to be against us. 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:01.620 Mostly because we have all set ourselves up against Him. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:04.900 He made us to live for Him, 00:06:05.140 --> 00:06:07.360 and we rejected that and went our own way. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:08.340 We're rebels. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:09.240 We're traitors. 00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:14.580 We deserve eternal darkness and judgment and death. 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:16.360 Because God is holy. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:17.060 He's perfect. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:20.600 And the only people who are allowed to be in relationship with Him 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:22.319 are perfect people. 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:23.840 Not good people. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:25.740 Perfect people. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:27.900 And I don't know about you, 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:29.379 but I don't fall in that category. 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:32.480 And so there's no reason for me to hope 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:35.319 that God would be for me or God would be for you. 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:41.379 And yet, God is for many, many sinners. 00:06:42.400 --> 00:06:42.740 How? 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:44.860 Well, Paul gives us two answers here. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:46.960 First, he says in verse 29, 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:49.819 For those whom God foreknew, 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:53.599 He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:55.000 Do you know what it's saying? 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:55.379 He's saying, 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:57.120 Do you know why God's for you? 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.680 Because He chose to be. 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:02.560 He just chose to be for you. 00:07:02.779 --> 00:07:04.120 He looked at you, 00:07:04.419 --> 00:07:05.500 a spiritual orphan, 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:06.679 lost and alone, 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:07.259 and said, 00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:08.759 I'm going to adopt you. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:12.039 Just because of who I am. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:19.500 Just because I'm a God that loves to adopt orphans and to save sinners. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:22.279 Before you were thinking of me, 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:24.699 before you were thinking about being adopted, 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:27.079 I just came and adopted you. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:28.800 And I adopted you to be in my family, right? 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.639 Because that's the last half of verse 29. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.539 In order that He, that's Jesus, 00:07:33.719 --> 00:07:36.620 might be the firstborn amongst many brothers and sisters. 00:07:37.539 --> 00:07:39.039 He's adopted us into a family. 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:39.860 He just said, 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:40.819 I'm going to adopt you. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:42.779 I'm just going to love you. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:45.300 Just because of me. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:46.360 Not you. 00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:47.279 Because of me. 00:07:48.219 --> 00:07:50.860 And even that word foreknow in verse 29 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:52.659 is this beautiful relational word. 00:07:52.919 --> 00:07:54.180 It's not foreknowing like, 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:55.919 I know what you're going to do, 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:57.240 what you're going to think about. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:59.680 It's the kind of knowing we talk about 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:01.000 when I ask you a question. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.720 Do you know Mike Salvati? 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.879 I don't mean, do you know about him? 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:06.019 I mean, do you know him? 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:07.939 Do you have a relationship with him? 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:09.019 And God's saying, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:10.620 I foreknew you. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:14.060 I knew you relationally before you ever knew me. 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:17.980 And I chose you before you ever knew me. 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:20.579 Just because I'm for you. 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:21.699 Because I love you. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:24.220 And what's beautiful about this is, 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:28.000 if God being for us was primarily dependent on us, 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:28.879 then we'd be in trouble. 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:29.959 Because if God said, 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:32.379 well, I'm only for you if you have enough faith, 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:34.720 well, then what if tomorrow you don't have enough faith? 00:08:35.179 --> 00:08:36.860 Then that foundation gets shaky. 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:38.860 Or what if God was just for you 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:39.779 because you were good enough? 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:40.879 You did enough good things. 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:42.740 Well, maybe today you feel confident, 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:43.620 but next week, 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:45.519 I don't know if I've done enough good this week, 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:46.939 maybe God's not for me. 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:50.139 But if God is for you because He chose to be, 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.960 and He doesn't change, 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:54.299 then you've got a stable foundation. 00:08:54.299 --> 00:08:58.319 You've got a bed you can lay your head on. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:03.120 And that's God's choice to love you. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:07.319 God's choice to love those who are in Christ. 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:09.800 And not only that, 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:12.720 but I think it's really important to see this 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:14.800 because not only does it give you a stable foundation, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:16.980 but if you think about this human relationship 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.520 that we always have, 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:20.740 if you were the only one doing 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.480 all of the pursuing of a relationship, 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:22.900 you know, 00:09:23.260 --> 00:09:24.379 hey, let's hang out, 00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:25.960 and the other person never returned your calls, 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:27.600 never initiated anything with you, 00:09:28.040 --> 00:09:29.700 you might wonder if they liked you back, 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:31.160 if you're doing all the pursuing. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:34.240 But since God did the pursuing of us, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:36.339 just like in a human relationship, 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:39.759 we know that person must love me 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:43.199 if they did all the pursuing of me 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:47.179 even before I had any thought of loving them. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:51.639 That's God loving us. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:54.059 And not only did He choose to adopt us, 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.899 but maybe some of you know this, 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:58.039 adoption has a cost, right? 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.259 If you've adopted, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.199 you know there's a cost to adopting. 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:04.379 And so Paul tells us in verse 32, 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.519 let me tell you what the cost was of your adoption. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:11.659 He who did not spare His own Son, 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:13.779 but gave Him up for us all. 00:10:14.839 --> 00:10:15.199 And saying, 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.719 do you want to know why I'm for you? 00:10:17.319 --> 00:10:19.059 Because not only did I choose to adopt you, 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:22.099 but I sent my only Son 00:10:22.099 --> 00:10:25.459 to die to make you family. 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:30.019 That's how much I loved. 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:33.519 And it really hit me 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:35.420 when I was talking to a non-Christian friend recently 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:37.139 about why Jesus had to die. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.400 And it just hit me. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:39.540 And I told him, I said, 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:42.580 do you think that if I could save you 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:44.780 any other way than sacrificing my child, 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:46.139 that I would sacrifice my child? 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:48.040 He was like, well, probably not. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:51.759 I said, yet God sent His Son for us. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:55.559 How can you doubt that He is for you 00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:59.200 when He sent His Son to die? 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:01.759 That's the proof to go back to 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:02.879 when you're wondering, 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.819 is God for me? 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.039 He sent His Son. 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:11.319 And this really struck me several years ago, 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.519 back in 2010. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:15.100 I'm a big hockey fan being from Canada. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:19.040 And Roberto Luongo is a goaltender 00:11:19.040 --> 00:11:21.700 who always got the rap of being a good goalie 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:23.440 but never able to win the big games. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:24.639 But in 2010, 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.879 he helped Canada win the gold medal. 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.680 And right after the game, 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.540 he was being interviewed. 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:31.600 And he held up his gold medal and said, 00:11:31.700 --> 00:11:32.620 from now on, 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:34.700 no matter what anyone says, 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.879 I can point to this gold medal 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.519 and tell them, 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.980 I am a winner. 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.320 And he's right. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:42.700 He's got the evidence right there. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.060 He can point back to it. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:45.299 He can hang it up on his wall 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:46.599 and when people come over and say, 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:47.959 you see that medal right there? 00:11:48.239 --> 00:11:49.819 That proves I'm a winner. 00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:51.719 And Paul's saying, 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.239 that's how the cross works. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:54.219 When you're wondering, 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.179 is God for me? 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:55.559 He says, 00:11:55.739 --> 00:11:56.899 look back there 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:59.139 on that wood 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:02.279 where you see God's Son crucified for you 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:04.000 and then ask again, 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:05.839 does God love me? 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.739 Is God for me? 00:12:07.079 --> 00:12:08.439 And guess what the answer's gonna be? 00:12:09.479 --> 00:12:09.919 Yes. 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:12.899 That's the proof to go back to. 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:15.299 So when you're doubting, 00:12:15.859 --> 00:12:17.099 which we all have doubts at points, 00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:19.000 when you're wrestling with questions, 00:12:20.239 --> 00:12:21.339 don't look inward 00:12:21.339 --> 00:12:23.299 to see if there's anything inward 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.359 that God would love. 00:12:24.739 --> 00:12:26.039 Look outward to the cross 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.239 and see there 00:12:28.239 --> 00:12:30.799 that God is for sinners. 00:12:31.739 --> 00:12:34.339 That God loves people 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:35.799 who don't deserve to be loved. 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.679 And if you've trusted in Christ, 00:12:38.219 --> 00:12:39.119 he's for you 00:12:39.119 --> 00:12:40.359 because of Jesus. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:43.060 He chose in eternity past 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:43.860 to adopt you 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:45.440 and he paid the price 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.399 at Calvary 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:47.700 to make you family. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:50.379 That's why God is for you. 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.539 Because of him, 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.500 not you. 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:55.259 But what is the reality 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.899 of living in his family 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.600 then look like? 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.899 Well, Paul doesn't leave us hanging. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:12:59.240 He says, 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.340 I'm not just gonna tell you 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.120 that God's for you. 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:01.899 I'm gonna tell you 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.700 what that means 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.500 to encourage you. 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:05.159 So he says in verse 31, 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.340 what shall we say 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.019 to these things? 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:09.220 Well, first he says, 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.340 if God is for us, 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.759 who can be against us? 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.259 So that's the first reality 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.039 of God being for us 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.559 is no one can ultimately 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:17.500 be against you. 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:19.120 Now that doesn't mean 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.460 you're never gonna face opposition. 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:21.819 That doesn't mean 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:23.100 you're never gonna face 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:24.439 trials or difficulty. 00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:25.860 But what it does mean 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.519 is that you have 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.720 the all-powerful 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:30.000 creator God 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.139 behind you. 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:33.240 And anything he wants 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.579 to do in your life, 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.059 no one and nothing 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:37.039 will stop him 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.099 from doing that 00:13:38.099 --> 00:13:39.439 for good in your life. 00:13:41.239 --> 00:13:41.559 Man, 00:13:42.319 --> 00:13:43.179 that's the guy 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.000 I want on my team. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.099 And Paul's saying, 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.519 if you are in Christ, 00:13:46.739 --> 00:13:47.459 you have this 00:13:47.459 --> 00:13:48.259 all-powerful God 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:49.159 behind you, 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.439 strengthening you. 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.699 No one can stand 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:52.859 against him. 00:13:53.219 --> 00:13:54.099 But the second reality 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:55.619 he says in verse 32, 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:57.079 God will provide 00:13:57.079 --> 00:13:58.119 what you need. 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.859 He who did not spare 00:13:59.859 --> 00:14:00.799 his own son 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.979 but gave him up 00:14:01.979 --> 00:14:02.619 for us all, 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:04.299 how will he not 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.379 also with him 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.479 graciously 00:14:06.479 --> 00:14:07.899 give us all things. 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.959 You see what Paul's doing? 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:10.559 He's arguing 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.159 from the greater 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:11.679 to the lesser. 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.039 He's saying, 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.039 if God provided 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.179 for your greatest need, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.500 you were on your way 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.699 to eternal judgment 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:19.039 and Jesus paid 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.579 that amazing price, 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:22.120 then don't you think 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.719 he'll take care 00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:23.459 of the little things 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:23.799 you need? 00:14:24.859 --> 00:14:25.859 It would be like 00:14:25.859 --> 00:14:26.500 if, say, 00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:27.240 a billionaire 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.959 found a homeless person, 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:29.939 built in this 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:31.079 amazing mansion, 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.740 and then one day 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.639 the light bulb 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.520 over the front door 00:14:34.520 --> 00:14:35.120 burns out 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:37.300 and the person 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:37.820 that's now living 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.120 in the house 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:38.400 is like, 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:38.920 man, 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:39.300 I don't know 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:39.780 if the billionaire 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:40.240 is going to want 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.560 to pay 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.060 to replace 00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:41.740 this light bulb. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:42.780 It's like, 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.139 Paul's like, 00:14:43.160 --> 00:14:44.080 what are you talking about? 00:14:44.420 --> 00:14:44.920 He built you 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:45.660 a huge house, 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:46.139 of course he'll 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:47.280 replace the light bulb 00:14:47.280 --> 00:14:48.320 and that's what 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:48.900 Paul's saying. 00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:50.120 He's saying, 00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:51.280 it's so easy 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:52.139 to think of God 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.940 as this miser 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.700 that he doesn't 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.860 really want to give us 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:57.040 all that we need 00:14:57.040 --> 00:14:57.980 and Paul's saying, 00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:58.900 what are you talking about? 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.079 He gave you more 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.679 than you needed 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.240 in Jesus. 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:03.079 Of course he'll give you 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:04.279 what you need. 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:06.259 Of course he's eager 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.000 to be there 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.019 and graciously, 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:08.620 that is, 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.439 undeservedly give it to you. 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.620 You don't need to keep 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:13.120 earning anything from him. 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:14.679 He just wants 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.559 to give it to you. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.759 Now it's good to remember 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.179 that he'll provide 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:20.059 for your needs, 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.019 not your wants. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.480 He's not going to provide 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.779 everything you want 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.039 and even what you think 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.439 you need, 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.819 you might not actually need. 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.819 But even in those 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.520 moments when you're 00:15:29.520 --> 00:15:30.320 feeling like God's 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.000 not providing 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.780 what you need, 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.560 don't think of him 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:34.840 as a miser holding back. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.200 No. 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.800 Because of Jesus, 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:38.060 he is for you, 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:38.860 eager, 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:40.460 gracious to give you 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.560 what you need. 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.260 He proved that 00:15:43.260 --> 00:15:43.940 on the cross. 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.040 And I love this quote 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.740 from Hudson Taylor. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.420 He was a missionary 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:48.300 that went to Africa 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:49.540 and he went 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.600 without asking anyone 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.180 to give him money. 00:15:51.260 --> 00:15:51.640 He just said, 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.400 God will take care 00:15:52.400 --> 00:15:52.860 of my money. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.080 And he had a couple 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:54.580 of kids. 00:15:54.880 --> 00:15:55.440 And people are saying, 00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.240 don't do that. 00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.360 That's foolish. 00:15:57.520 --> 00:15:58.140 Don't do it. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.519 And Hudson Taylor 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.120 looked at them 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.600 and said, 00:16:01.319 --> 00:16:02.039 I am a father 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:03.460 and I know my kids 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.899 need three meals a day. 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.279 Don't you think 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.360 my heavenly father 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.100 will care more for me 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.759 than I do for my children? 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.220 And he was pulling back 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:14.080 this idea 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.480 that we can trust 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.379 our father 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.559 who loves us 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:19.139 to care for us. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.080 Not always in the ways 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:21.720 we'd expect, 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.939 but he really does 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:24.799 care for us. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.979 And the third reality 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:27.479 he mentions 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.500 is in verse 33. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.019 He says, 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.579 who shall bring 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.399 any charge 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.419 against God's elect? 00:16:32.979 --> 00:16:33.319 So he's saying, 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:33.539 look, 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.279 the scene he's painting 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.819 is imagine 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:36.819 it's God's courtroom 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.719 at the end of time. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.159 And he's saying, 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.059 who can stand 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.719 before God 00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:41.219 and say, 00:16:41.579 --> 00:16:42.120 see that person 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.620 right over there, 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:42.919 God? 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:43.959 Did you know 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.799 the terrible things 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:45.179 they did? 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.240 Let me pull out 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.719 their file. 00:16:47.719 --> 00:16:48.559 They don't deserve 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.159 to be here. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.679 And God says, 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.399 it is God 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.240 who justifies. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.139 That's what Paul says. 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:56.379 It's God who justifies. 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.179 And what Paul's saying 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.519 is, look, 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.779 if that were to happen, 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.639 if someone was to come 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.519 into God's courtroom 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.039 and say, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.100 you don't deserve 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.759 to be there, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.559 God would say, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.720 I know that. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.559 But I also know 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.680 that Jesus died 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.079 for them 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:10.059 and they've trusted 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.539 in Him. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:12.099 And their file 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.420 is now Jesus' file. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.240 And I am the judge 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.359 and I have declared 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.700 them innocent 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.639 and guiltless, 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.119 worthy to be here. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.139 Who are you 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.600 to challenge my ruling? 00:17:25.520 --> 00:17:26.440 Isn't that beautiful? 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.120 It reminds me of 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:30.600 the scene 00:17:30.600 --> 00:17:31.560 in A Knight's Tale. 00:17:31.840 --> 00:17:32.440 It's in a little 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:32.880 older movie, 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.700 but if you've seen it, 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:35.240 Heath Ledger's character 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.240 plays this peasant 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.240 who pretends 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.000 to be a noble 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.860 so he can joust 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.580 and make money 00:17:39.580 --> 00:17:40.360 so he can eat. 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:42.320 And he gets caught 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:43.200 and so he gets 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.100 put in the stocks 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:45.660 and people are mocking him 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.520 and throwing tomatoes 00:17:46.520 --> 00:17:47.020 at him. 00:17:48.060 --> 00:17:48.940 But Prince Edward 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.440 of England 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.259 comes up 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.380 from the crowd 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.759 and he says, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.420 my royal historians 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.160 have discovered 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.019 that actually 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.700 he is from 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.440 an ancient 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:59.340 royal line. 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.860 And this is 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.740 my word 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.759 and as such 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.420 it is beyond 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:07.180 contestation. 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.840 No one's going 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:10.460 to challenge 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.320 the word 00:18:11.320 --> 00:18:12.120 of Prince Edward 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:12.600 on that. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:14.159 How much more 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:15.059 when the King 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.099 of Kings 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:16.759 declares 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.679 you are not 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:19.699 guilty. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:22.219 That is my word 00:18:22.219 --> 00:18:23.519 and it is beyond 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.179 contestation. 00:18:27.959 --> 00:18:29.159 And then fourth, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.819 just he keeps 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.819 piling up the goodness 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.179 here. 00:18:32.459 --> 00:18:33.379 It says in verse 34, 00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:34.599 who is to condemn? 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:37.819 Who can come 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.659 and again in this 00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:39.019 courtroom 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.579 bring more accusations 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.980 and bring condemnation? 00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:43.599 And what does Paul say? 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.039 He says, 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.480 Christ Jesus 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.500 is the one who died. 00:18:47.419 --> 00:18:48.279 More than that, 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.919 who is raised, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.679 who is at the right 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.379 hand of God, 00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:51.019 who indeed 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.559 is interceding 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.059 for us. 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:54.259 See what Paul's saying? 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:54.859 Is he saying, 00:18:54.939 --> 00:18:55.079 look, 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.079 Jesus already 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.319 took the condemnation. 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.139 He already 00:18:59.139 --> 00:19:00.220 took the condemnation 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.279 so you don't have 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.220 to bear it. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.220 And more than that, 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.199 he was raised, 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.419 showing that 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.319 the check 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.720 to save you 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.279 cleared. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:11.119 And even now, 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.960 he stands 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:13.359 as your great 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.299 defense attorney. 00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:15.079 See, 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.500 if anyone had the right 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.160 to charge you in court, 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:18.879 it would be Jesus. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.559 He's God. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.960 You've sinned against him. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:21.879 And not only that, 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.819 but your sin 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:24.039 put him up on the cross. 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:26.539 If anyone has the right 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.940 to bring a condemnation 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.599 against you, 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.420 it's Jesus. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.700 And yet, 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:31.759 instead, 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.160 he acts 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.779 as your 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.399 defense attorney. 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:39.280 the only one 00:19:39.280 --> 00:19:39.840 who has a right 00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:40.600 to charge you 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.400 instead 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.460 defends you, 00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:43.620 though you don't 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.320 deserve it. 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.880 And these two 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.580 truths together, 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:46.940 I think, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.100 really touch on 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:49.460 one of these 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.240 deep things 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.820 in our hearts. 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:52.600 As human beings, 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.680 we want 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.560 to be loved 00:19:54.560 --> 00:19:55.280 by others 00:19:55.280 --> 00:19:56.700 and to be 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.820 deeply known. 00:19:58.300 --> 00:19:58.680 And yet, 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.380 we're afraid 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:00.040 that if people 00:20:00.040 --> 00:20:01.040 really knew us 00:20:01.040 --> 00:20:01.940 all the way down, 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.580 they would 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.280 condemn us. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.619 they would judge us 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.819 instead of loving us. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.059 And yet, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.420 here, 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.039 Paul says, 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.359 look, 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.839 the only person 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.859 that knows you 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.599 all the way down 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.059 to the bottom 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:16.299 that could condemn you, 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.779 that could judge you, 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.819 instead, 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.579 has chosen 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.460 to love you 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.660 in Jesus. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.720 You don't need 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.279 to be afraid. 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.319 In Jesus, 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.399 God is for you. 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.059 And so, 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.440 fifth, 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.480 the last reality 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.440 he talks about here 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.480 is that nothing 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.339 can separate us 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.039 from God's love. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.079 All right, 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.779 verse 35, 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.880 who shall separate us 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.559 from the love 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.799 of Christ? 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.319 And then Paul says, 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.200 shall tribulation 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.680 or distress 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.920 or persecution 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.759 or famine 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.539 or nakedness 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.059 or danger 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.680 or sword? 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.500 Because Paul 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.120 wants to do something 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.200 really careful here. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.819 He wants to say, 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.059 I'm not just throwing out 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.779 some slogan. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.360 I'm not just putting up 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.920 some random Facebook meme 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.980 to help you feel good. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.200 Nothing can separate us 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.000 from the love of Jesus. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.359 Well, 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.140 I don't know, 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.339 Paul. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:03.960 There's a lot of hard 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.779 things in my life. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:05.759 Paul says, 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:05.920 okay, 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.700 let's tackle that. 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:07.339 We're not just 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:07.920 going to throw this 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.680 out as some random 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.839 phrase to feel good. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.319 Let's talk about this. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.859 Can nothing actually 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.400 separate you 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.220 from the love of Jesus? 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.839 What about hard things? 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.039 And everything 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.660 Paul names 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.559 in verse 35, 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.740 he went through. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.240 Paul's the guy 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.920 that got beaten 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.819 several times 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.619 for being a believer 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.140 of Jesus. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.000 Stoned, 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:25.980 nearly to death 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.859 or maybe to death. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.740 Shipwrecked several times, 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.519 often in want of food. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:30.980 He said, 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.680 I've been there. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.299 I've been there. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:34.980 I can testify. 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.640 These things 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.700 don't separate you 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.620 from the love of Jesus. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.339 And so then he says 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.839 in verse 36, 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.240 he says, 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:42.440 okay, 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.480 let me even remind you 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.480 that this is not 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.460 a question that's new. 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.539 I'm going to quote 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.400 from the Old Testament 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.579 from Psalm 44. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.180 For your sake, 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.000 we are being killed 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:52.039 all the day long. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.400 We are regarded 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.620 as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.360 And Paul's saying, 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:55.620 look, 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.759 God's people 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:58.279 have often felt this way. 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.799 You're not alone. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.879 If you're sitting there 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.259 thinking, 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.680 I know it sounds good 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.539 that God's for me, 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:05.160 but it sure doesn't feel 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.180 that way right now. 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.579 Paul's saying, 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.299 it's okay. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.839 I've been there. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.980 God's people of Israel 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.180 back in Psalm 44 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.680 were there. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.940 They were wondering, 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.399 it sure, 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.379 what it feels like, 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:16.779 God, 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:18.740 is that we're being killed 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.220 for you. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.579 That we're like sheep 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.599 just being led out 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.559 to be slaughtered. 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.700 Where's our Father 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.500 caring for us? 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.200 Where's our Father 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.259 protecting us? 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.799 Where's your love, God? 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.839 It just feels hard. 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:34.799 And Paul says, 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.920 verse 37, 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.099 no. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:41.920 In all these things, 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.400 not just the good times, 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.539 in these things, 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.980 in the days when you're being 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.960 like a lamb 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.920 being led out to slaughter, 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:50.200 in those very things, 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.519 the good things, 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.759 the hard things, 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:54.740 the day when you find out 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.720 that someone you love 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.460 has cancer, 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:58.880 the day you lose your job, 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.359 the day you have 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:02.180 relational breaks, 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:04.019 in those things, 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:07.079 we are more than conquerors 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.359 through Him 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.779 who loved us. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:10.740 See, 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.620 we often think, 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:11.839 well, 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.839 we're going to be conquerors 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.640 if we conquer over suffering. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.940 But Paul doesn't say that. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:16.900 Paul says, 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.240 no, 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.400 we are conquerors 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:20.839 in these things. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.359 You're not conquerors 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.319 when Jesus takes you 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.379 out of the suffering. 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:26.119 You're conquerors in Jesus 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:28.119 in the day of suffering. 00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:31.819 Just like Jesus was. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.099 What day did He 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:35.279 win the victory for us? 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:37.159 Was it not the day of suffering? 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.500 The day when He was whipped 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:41.179 and a crown of thorns 00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:42.219 was placed on His head 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:43.899 and He carried a cross 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:45.719 and He hung on Calvary 00:23:45.719 --> 00:23:46.740 and He experienced 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.479 the wrath of God. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.180 in that thing, 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:51.400 on that day of suffering 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.220 is when Jesus 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.519 was the conqueror. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.380 And so, 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.120 Paul says, 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:57.940 yes, 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.539 even in those things 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.360 we're conquerors. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:02.680 And it's through Him. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.120 Paul's saying, 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.279 look, 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.360 I know it's going to be hard. 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.740 I know it's going to be hard things. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.579 Adoption to God's family 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:10.339 does not fix everything. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.759 It doesn't just get rid 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.900 of all the hard things. 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:14.200 But, 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.480 through Him, 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.460 through Him, 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.460 through Him walking with you 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:21.019 and also 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.960 through our older brother Jesus 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:25.080 who on the cross 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:26.680 actually was 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.860 cut off 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:29.300 from God's love 00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:31.019 so that 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.480 anyone who trusts in Him 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.500 would never 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:35.340 have to be cut off. 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.580 That's how you can be 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:38.380 conquerors in suffering 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.140 because there was 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.140 one man, 00:24:40.540 --> 00:24:41.440 the God-man Jesus, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.200 who really did suffer 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.559 and who really did 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:46.039 get cut off 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.799 from God's love. 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.160 Father, 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:52.860 why have you forsaken me? 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.960 So that 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.880 I would never have to forsake 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.580 your other brothers and sisters. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.080 That's why. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.299 Yes, 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.100 He's for us. 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.000 And that's why 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.380 Paul can go on to say, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.240 death can't separate you 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.000 from God's love. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.359 Jesus already died 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.640 and He defeated death. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.220 So death can't separate you 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.059 from God's love anymore. 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.720 Nothing in this life 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.440 can separate you. 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.400 Not angels 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.059 or powers 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.859 or principalities 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.640 because Jesus 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:21.160 conquered all of them 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.779 at the cross. 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.420 He showed His power 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:25.099 over all the political powers 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.619 in Rome, 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.980 the spiritual forces. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.359 He showed Himself 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.319 to be the victor. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.759 And if your connection 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.140 to God 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.019 is through Jesus, 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.220 then you have 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.880 a firm, 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:37.000 stable connection. 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:39.240 nothing can separate you 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.420 from the love of God 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:42.720 in Jesus. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.240 If you're not in Jesus, 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.220 you don't have that connection. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.539 But if you're in Jesus, 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:49.240 you will never be separated 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.099 from God's love. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.700 So what's then the result 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:55.319 of God being for us? 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.299 Well, it's verse 28. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.000 We skipped it earlier, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.940 but let's come back to it. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.960 We know, 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.320 this is the results 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.519 of God being for us, 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.680 we know 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:06.120 that for those 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:07.059 who love God, 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.380 all things 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.559 work together 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.559 for good. 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:12.539 For those who are called 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.519 according to His purpose. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.259 All things. 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.160 All the hard things 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.900 we just talked about. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.200 All those things 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.980 work together 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.539 for good. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:23.620 That's the end result. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.500 And this isn't 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:26.140 some general promise. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.480 You know, 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.360 sometimes I hang out 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:28.080 with people at work, 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.679 and you're like, 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.240 yeah, don't worry, 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.939 life will work out 00:26:29.939 --> 00:26:30.399 for good. 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.019 No, it doesn't always 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.720 work out for good. 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.299 If you just look 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:34.939 at this life, 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.980 things do not always 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.720 work out for good. 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:38.740 This is not a general proverb 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.379 that applies to all people 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.240 all over the world. 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.779 This is a promise 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.799 from God the Father 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:45.179 to His children. 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.299 For those, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.139 what does He say? 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.720 For those who love God. 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.579 For those who love God, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.059 all things work together 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.399 for good. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.559 If you're His child, 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:56.059 you can claim this promise 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.619 that all things 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.219 will work together 00:26:58.219 --> 00:26:58.739 for good. 00:26:59.119 --> 00:26:59.899 And it's a good 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:01.459 defined by God. 00:27:01.979 --> 00:27:02.559 It's not the good 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.099 you want. 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.459 It's the good 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:05.379 defined by God, 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.879 which in verse 29 00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.719 He explains. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.599 It's to be conformed 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.739 to the image 00:27:10.739 --> 00:27:12.179 of His Son. 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.839 That's what God wants. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.619 God wants you 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.599 to become more 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:18.299 like Jesus. 00:27:19.459 --> 00:27:20.379 And He will work 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.459 everything else 00:27:21.459 --> 00:27:22.939 out for that purpose. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.439 Now do you see 00:27:24.439 --> 00:27:25.419 why God can actually 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.379 love us in the midst 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:26.880 of suffering? 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:28.540 Because what if 00:27:28.540 --> 00:27:30.840 suffering is His chisel 00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:32.700 on you, 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.900 the block of marble? 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.360 What if suffering 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:35.980 is the chisel 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.780 He is using 00:27:36.780 --> 00:27:38.200 to sharpen away 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.680 and create in you 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.120 the likeness of Jesus? 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.500 Suddenly suffering 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.560 isn't the evidence 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:46.040 of a lack of God's love. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.900 But what if suffering 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:49.140 might be the very evidence 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.240 He does love you? 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.760 That He loves you enough 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.480 to chisel away 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.640 at all the junk 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.279 in your life 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.960 and make you more 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.119 like Jesus. 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:01.519 To keep working on you. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.700 To keep refining you. 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.339 So you will be more 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:06.779 like Jesus. 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.980 And that's why Paul 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.559 can say 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:11.480 that not only 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.500 will you be conformed 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.019 to His image, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.920 but verse 30, 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.099 that those whom 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.859 He predestined, 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.779 He calls. 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.220 And those He calls, 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:18.980 He justifies. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.000 And those He justifies, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.900 He glorifies. 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.900 What Paul's saying is 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:23.340 He doesn't just call you 00:28:23.340 --> 00:28:23.759 on the phone 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.040 and say, 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.980 I'm adopting you. 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.860 He doesn't just justify you, 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.640 which is declaring 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.759 that you're innocent 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.580 and worthy to be 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.160 in His family. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.080 But He also says, 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.620 I'm going to bring you home. 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.640 That's glorified. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.420 And I'm going to bring you home 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:38.400 in the perfect image 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.940 of Jesus. 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.600 And I'm not going to stop 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.700 until that process is done. 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.460 I love you too much 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.860 to leave you where you're at. 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.220 And yes, 00:28:47.280 --> 00:28:48.400 I might even use 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.640 all things 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.540 and some of the things 00:28:50.540 --> 00:28:51.259 you don't want 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.840 to do just that. 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:55.060 Because if I've called you, 00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:56.920 I will justify you. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.840 And if I justify you, 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.860 I will glorify you. 00:28:59.100 --> 00:28:59.980 You see that chain? 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:01.300 There's no break 00:29:01.300 --> 00:29:01.980 in the chains. 00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:02.880 If He calls you, 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.780 He will lead you 00:29:03.780 --> 00:29:04.480 all the way 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.540 to glorification. 00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:07.300 He's powerful enough 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:07.820 to do that. 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:10.080 And He's good enough. 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.840 He's good enough 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.780 that the good thing 00:29:12.780 --> 00:29:13.500 He'll work in you 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:16.140 is actually really good. 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.980 And we can trust Him 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.340 with that. 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:21.680 And we know that 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.759 because when we look 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.300 at the pattern 00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:24.300 of Jesus' life, 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:24.880 who we're supposed 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:26.000 to be modeled after, 00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:28.320 His life was one 00:29:28.320 --> 00:29:29.440 of suffering first 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.160 and glory later. 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.040 And that's the path 00:29:33.040 --> 00:29:33.600 of the Christian. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.860 Suffer first, 00:29:36.540 --> 00:29:37.140 glory later. 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:38.900 And the suffering 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:40.800 is often God's 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:42.060 loving hand 00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:43.220 to make you more 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.200 like Jesus. 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.180 It doesn't mean 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.720 the suffering 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:47.340 is good always, 00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:48.620 but He uses it 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:48.979 for good. 00:29:49.739 --> 00:29:50.379 He uses it 00:29:50.379 --> 00:29:50.759 for good. 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.579 And He will keep 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.159 His promise 00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:55.359 that He will glorify you 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.519 because a good Father 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.479 keeps His promises. 00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.399 And that's why Paul 00:29:59.399 --> 00:30:00.019 can say earlier 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.919 in verse 18, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:03.799 I consider the sufferings 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.019 of this present time 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:07.679 not worth comparing 00:30:07.679 --> 00:30:09.159 with the glory 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:10.219 that is to be revealed 00:30:10.219 --> 00:30:10.599 to us. 00:30:10.979 --> 00:30:11.419 It's not because 00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:11.879 the sufferings 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.419 aren't real. 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.019 It's not because 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.819 they're not hard. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.659 but the sufferings 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.819 compared to the glory 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:18.099 don't add up. 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:19.579 And when He can 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.859 keep His eyes on that, 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.119 Paul says, 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.559 I can rejoice 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.960 even in those moments 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.579 of suffering. 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:28.399 So this morning, 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.700 I want to close 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.679 by asking really 00:30:30.679 --> 00:30:31.480 two questions. 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:34.119 Is God 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:35.379 your Father? 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:38.440 Do you know Him 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.940 as Father? 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.180 Because you're not 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.760 born a child of God. 00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:44.160 You need to be 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.620 reborn a child of God. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:48.500 But in the Gospel of John, 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.700 there's this wonderful promise. 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.800 Anyone who believes 00:30:51.800 --> 00:30:53.520 that His trust in Jesus 00:30:53.520 --> 00:30:55.300 is given the right 00:30:55.300 --> 00:30:56.620 to be called 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:58.260 children of God. 00:30:58.259 --> 00:31:00.680 So this morning, 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:03.019 have you recognized 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:04.099 that you don't deserve 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.839 to be a child? 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.500 Have you recognized 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.299 that you've only 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.940 been a rebel 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.339 and yet 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:12.099 Jesus died 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.420 to make it possible 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.519 for you to be adopted? 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.160 Have you trusted 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.980 in Jesus for that? 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.500 Have you given up 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.279 trying to pretend 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.019 that you could earn 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.000 your way into the family 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.680 and just said, 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.259 God, I want in, 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.640 but I know the only way 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.500 in is through Jesus. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:28.000 So help me to believe. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.839 Trust in Him. 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:31.000 If you do this morning, 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.180 you're in. 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.519 You're part of the family. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.379 And all these wonderful things 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.039 we talk about this morning 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.400 are for you, 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.579 promises from your Father. 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.220 Maybe some of you 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.700 this morning, 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.579 you feel like, 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:44.220 no, I know God's my Father. 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.879 But maybe this morning, 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.819 you've come off a hard week 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.839 or a hard month 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:50.259 or a hard year. 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:52.240 Or maybe the hard week 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.000 is about to come 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.000 and you don't even know it yet. 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:56.279 Will you this morning 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:58.660 sit in this kind of truth 00:31:58.660 --> 00:32:00.720 so you can remember, 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.220 no, God is for me. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.440 All this suffering 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.680 is for my good 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.399 and His glory. 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.700 And if in those moments 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.819 when I'm really struggling 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.740 with doubting it, 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:13.740 Father, give me the eyes 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.819 to look to the cross 00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:16.519 and see Your Son 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.859 hanging there for me 00:32:17.859 --> 00:32:20.319 and remind me again 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.519 that You're for me. 00:32:22.179 --> 00:32:23.199 Help me to trust You. 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:24.659 Not when You take me 00:32:24.659 --> 00:32:25.279 out of suffering, 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:27.179 but exactly in the middle of it. 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:29.019 Give me the confidence 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:31.019 that You are for me. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:34.699 And only when You know 00:32:34.699 --> 00:32:36.819 that someone like God the Father 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:38.059 and Your older brother Jesus 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:39.000 has Your back 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:42.419 can You walk day by day 00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:44.579 in often a very hard world 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:46.179 and still say 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:48.699 the sufferings are not worth comparing 00:32:48.699 --> 00:32:51.299 to the glory that is to come. 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.419 Let me pray. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.339 Father, thank You so much 00:32:57.339 --> 00:33:00.939 that Your Word is just, 00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:02.759 it's like honey, 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.599 sweeter than honey 00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.480 from the honeycomb. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:10.240 That in the midst of hard things, 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:12.199 we don't come to Your Word 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:16.500 and just find mere positive thinking, 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:20.980 but we find substance and truth 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.160 to sink our teeth into 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:24.600 that feeds our souls, 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:27.880 that strengthens our spiritual muscles 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.759 and builds us up 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.799 and encourages us 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:32.279 through sometimes the very long 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:34.900 and very hard and difficult journey 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.700 that can lie ahead. 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:39.019 And yet, You have promised 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.900 that for those who have trusted in Jesus, 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:42.340 You will never leave us. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.500 You will never forsake us. 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.720 You are with us. 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.580 And You're with us, Father, 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.880 because Your Son, Jesus, 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:53.920 died and was abandoned by You 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:55.240 2,000 years ago 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:57.440 so that when He was raised again 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:57.940 from the dead, 00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:00.100 He could offer the hope 00:34:00.100 --> 00:34:01.560 that no one would ever have 00:34:01.560 --> 00:34:02.920 to be abandoned again 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:04.440 who are in Jesus 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:05.660 and loved by the Father. 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.440 So I pray this morning 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.700 that You would, 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.519 by Your Holy Spirit, 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:10.679 help us to know 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:12.400 Your love 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:15.139 and to know 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.920 that You are with us 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.800 and to know 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:19.219 You're using all things for good 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.500 and that even this morning 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.500 maybe some here 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.739 would for the first time 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:24.360 believe in Jesus 00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:26.239 and be welcomed in 00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:27.860 to a family of love 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:29.280 for their good 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.960 and Your glory. 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:30.599 Amen. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:30.739 Amen. 00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:30.800 Amen. 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:30.820 Amen. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:30.880 Amen. 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:30.900 Amen. 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.380 Amen. 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.820 Amen. 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:32.880 Amen. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:34.780 Amen. 00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:34.820 Amen. 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:34.880 Amen. 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.820 Amen. 00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:35.880 Amen. 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.820 Amen. 00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:36.880 Amen. 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.880 Amen. 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:38.820 Amen. 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:38.880 Amen. 00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:39.500 Amen.