WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 So please turn to Hebrews 10, verse 19. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:15.919 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:20.820 by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us 00:00:20.820 --> 00:00:22.940 through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:26.460 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:30.679 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, 00:00:31.339 --> 00:00:34.439 with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:36.740 and our bodies washed with pure water. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:41.460 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:44.500 for he who promised is faithful. 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:49.859 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:54.260 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, 00:00:54.259 --> 00:00:58.960 but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 00:01:05.259 --> 00:01:06.539 Well, good afternoon, everyone. 00:01:06.759 --> 00:01:07.539 My name is Dave. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:09.700 If I haven't met you before, I'm one of the pastors here. 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:18.180 Well, what can draw you away from God? 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:25.600 Let me start by asking, do you feel close to God? 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:31.460 Even framing the question like that, do you feel close to God, 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:37.200 I think makes us all look inside ourselves and see whether we feel it or not. 00:01:37.380 --> 00:01:39.200 And what are we looking for? 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:41.540 I wonder if you're like me, 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:48.620 and you assume that feeling close to God must be something like just that excitement 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:50.820 of falling in love. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:54.540 That kind of feeling, is it that white hot passion for God? 00:01:54.600 --> 00:01:55.920 Is that what we should be looking for? 00:01:58.540 --> 00:02:02.340 If we assume that, and then if you're like me, 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:06.980 you know that you don't desire to know God as much as you should desire it. 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:11.740 You don't desire to live for God as much as you should desire to live. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:17.340 Then we can convince ourselves, I mustn't be close to God. 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:18.560 I don't feel that way. 00:02:23.319 --> 00:02:29.120 I think another barrier to drawing close to God is a troubled conscience. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:35.840 As we heard last week, if God is so pure, so holy, 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.500 the author of Hebrews describes God as a consuming fire, 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:45.379 no wonder we don't want to get too close. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:53.980 If he is that holy, how can I pray to him if I know I've committed the same sin today 00:02:53.980 --> 00:02:55.240 as I did yesterday? 00:02:55.240 --> 00:03:05.860 When I'm so angry, so lustful, so impatient, so self-centered, 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:12.820 how can I with integrity then consider myself to be worthy to come near to God? 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:22.000 When we have a good week, we haven't committed that particular sin 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:27.740 and we read our Bible, we come to church, we might feel confident in approaching God, 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:30.780 but then when we have a bad week, we do commit that sin, 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:36.979 we neglect meeting with God's people, then we can just feel really discouraged, 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:41.020 unworthy to be in God's presence. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:46.139 Our troubled conscience can drive us away from God. 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:55.759 So one last thing I'll mention that can draw us away from God is when we face suffering and hardship, 00:03:56.279 --> 00:04:00.459 when it's so intensely painful, we can either conclude, 00:04:01.239 --> 00:04:06.679 God is punishing me for my sin or God's not as good as he claims to be. 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:17.120 So there's just a few things that can keep us from drawing near to God. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:21.340 But this afternoon, let's hear from Hebrews chapter 10, 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:30.960 how we can draw near to God no matter what our personal experience is. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:32.719 We can draw near to him. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:40.659 So have a look with me, Hebrews 10, starting at verse 19. 00:04:42.719 --> 00:04:49.379 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places, 00:04:49.579 --> 00:04:52.319 God's immediate presence, his heavenly presence, 00:04:52.419 --> 00:04:57.500 we have confidence to enter, then let us draw near. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:03.459 Now, our immediate gut reaction might be, well, I don't feel confident. 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:07.259 I don't have that confidence you're talking about. 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:13.480 But the author isn't talking about what's going on inside you. 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:19.579 He's talking about something outside of us, something objective. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:25.959 Notice that the whole section hinges on that first word, therefore. 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:32.879 The author says, remember what I've just said in chapters 7 to 10. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:35.419 And I know we've only looked at the first part of chapter 10. 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:41.419 But remember what I've said in chapters 7 to 10 about Christ being our great high priest, 00:05:41.799 --> 00:05:48.319 who by his once for all sacrifice for sin has abolished the old religious way of coming to God 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:52.099 and has brought a new way, an open way to come to God. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:52.919 Remember that. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:06:00.439 Therefore, we have confidence to draw near. 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:03.840 We're not told to become confident. 00:06:04.140 --> 00:06:05.420 We're told we have it. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:13.400 The word confidence can mean something like authorization. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:21.419 Since you are authorized to enter the holy places, then let us draw near. 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:28.259 So that begs the question, what is the basis of our authorization? 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:34.759 And it's clear that it's not our moral or religious efforts. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:39.819 It's not our subjective sense of feeling close to God. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:49.639 Nothing you do or feel today for the rest of the day can make you more or any less authorized. 00:06:52.839 --> 00:07:02.159 The good news in God's word to us this afternoon is it's not about us and what we have or haven't done. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:11.780 So sticking with the image of the Jewish temple that we looked at last week, 00:07:12.880 --> 00:07:20.460 the author reminds us of the three critical aspects of what Christ has already accomplished on our behalf. 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:22.659 How can we draw near to God? 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:31.959 It's by his blood, through the curtain, his body and belonging to the forever priest. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.719 The blood, the curtain, the priest. 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:38.819 So let's have a quick look at each of those things. 00:07:39.299 --> 00:07:41.279 So by his blood, as we saw last week, 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:44.019 where a person sins against God, 00:07:44.739 --> 00:07:46.819 for God to be just, there must be punishment. 00:07:48.539 --> 00:07:50.000 But in God's mercy, 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:52.699 he provides a substitute. 00:07:54.179 --> 00:07:57.579 He transfers my sin away from me 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:59.939 and puts it on the head of another. 00:08:01.719 --> 00:08:03.359 It's no longer on me. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:09.679 And the priest takes the blood behind the curtain into God's presence 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:13.620 and sprinkles it to atone for sin. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:19.379 So in John's gospel, 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:22.319 when Jesus is hanging on the cross, 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:27.199 the Roman soldier pierces Jesus' side 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:29.199 and as the spear comes out, 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:31.480 John notices something. 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:36.440 And he tells us that he saw a sudden flow of blood, 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.620 which is to be expected, 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:39.399 blood and water. 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:44.840 Blood and water came out of Jesus when he died. 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:48.820 Now, more than just proving that he was actually dead, 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:51.120 John has, he's a Jew, 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:55.340 he understands the theological significance of that. 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:59.259 Instead of the priest washing in the basin with water 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:01.960 and the blood of animals to approach God, 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:07.420 true cleansing has now come through the death of Jesus, 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:08.080 his blood. 00:09:10.900 --> 00:09:13.460 And this cleansing isn't just external, 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:15.800 it's internal cleansing. 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:20.000 Have a look at verse 21. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:28.479 It is our hearts that are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience 00:09:28.479 --> 00:09:33.579 and our bodies washed with pure water. 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:36.859 It is by his blood, 00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:38.079 verse 19, 00:09:38.479 --> 00:09:39.319 that is the means, 00:09:39.459 --> 00:09:40.339 by his blood, 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:42.040 that we are clean 00:09:42.040 --> 00:09:43.660 and that we have confidence 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:45.780 to enter God's presence. 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:49.160 We are clean. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:52.019 This doesn't mean that we are instantly perfect 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:52.879 or sinless, 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:57.360 but it does mean the basis of our guilt and shame 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:00.160 has actually been dealt with. 00:10:00.280 --> 00:10:01.160 It's taken away. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:02.779 We may not feel that way, 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:04.000 but it has happened. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:08.559 It is an objective reality 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:10.399 that happened 2,000 years ago. 00:10:10.539 --> 00:10:12.199 It is done. 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:13.579 The blood has been shed. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.819 So there is one means 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:21.779 by which you and I can enter God's presence 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:24.519 and that is by Jesus' atoning blood, 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.059 his cleansing blood. 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:31.899 And the picture of the temple continues 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:35.459 with the author saying that the curtain 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:37.899 into the most holy place, 00:10:37.939 --> 00:10:38.739 so in the temple, 00:10:39.079 --> 00:10:40.039 in God's presence, 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.279 pictured in the temple, 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.779 you've got the holy place 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:44.279 and then the most holy place, 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.659 there was one way to enter. 00:10:45.839 --> 00:10:46.579 That's the curtain. 00:10:48.199 --> 00:10:50.279 But the curtain isn't a literal curtain anymore. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.979 That was just a picture of the real thing. 00:10:52.239 --> 00:10:55.439 The real thing is Jesus' flesh, 00:10:55.439 --> 00:10:56.059 his body. 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:58.619 which he gave up 00:10:58.619 --> 00:10:59.879 when he died on the cross. 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:03.259 Now don't try and picture this literally. 00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:05.119 It's obviously a metaphor. 00:11:07.359 --> 00:11:10.579 The curtain was the only way 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:12.479 to come in to God's presence. 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.759 The only way. 00:11:15.739 --> 00:11:18.059 The old way of approaching God 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:20.119 under the old covenant law 00:11:20.119 --> 00:11:21.859 with the animal sacrifices 00:11:21.859 --> 00:11:22.979 and the human priests, 00:11:23.359 --> 00:11:24.159 that is done. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.239 That was just a picture. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:27.299 The new way. 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:32.560 The real entrance into God's heavenly presence 00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:36.379 is now here through Jesus' death. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:39.019 There is one way. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:44.179 Buddhist meditation, 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:48.059 Muslim submission and prayer, 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.699 Catholic tradition and ritual, 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:55.379 being considered by others as a good person. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:59.699 You cannot have peace with God through these means. 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.120 There is one way. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.779 Through the curtain, 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:05.579 which is his body given for us on the cross. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.840 There is one way. 00:12:07.920 --> 00:12:09.420 All people are invited 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:12.000 all over the world, 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:12.960 but there is one way in 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.160 to God's presence. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:19.799 So it's by his blood shed for us 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:21.039 through the curtain, 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.600 his body, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:25.659 and the final basis of our authorization 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.919 to enter God's presence 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:30.819 is belonging to our forever priest. 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:35.719 We're not represented by a sinful priest, 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:38.740 one whose service must end when they die. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:44.419 We are represented by the only obedient son, 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:47.840 the only person who has the right 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:49.500 to enter the father's presence 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:51.940 whenever he wants. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.700 That is who represents us. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:56.820 And he has conquered death 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:58.360 and lives forever 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:00.700 seated at God's right hand. 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:03.980 And because he lives forever, 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:07.940 it means his priesthood is forever. 00:13:09.020 --> 00:13:11.879 His sacrifice is constantly applied. 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.560 It will never fail. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.340 Hebrews 7.25 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:23.520 tells us the significance of Jesus 00:13:23.520 --> 00:13:25.660 being our forever priest. 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:28.080 The verse says this, 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.800 Consequently, 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:32.000 he is able to save 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.120 to the uttermost 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:35.259 those who draw near to God 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:35.860 through him 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.820 since he always lives 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:40.360 to make intercession for them. 00:13:43.520 --> 00:13:45.740 Christ is our forever priest 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.420 sitting at God's right hand. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.080 You can't get any closer to God. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.160 He's applying the promise 00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:53.080 of the new covenant 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.960 always. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:59.080 That promise in verse 18 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.980 is always applied to you and me. 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:04.300 I will remember their sins 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.560 and their lawless deeds 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:06.320 no more. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:14.740 If you look at your own worthiness 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.980 to enter God's presence, 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.480 then you should be afraid. 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:21.039 But if you look 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.000 at the worthiness 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.220 of what Christ has done 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.120 on your behalf, 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.659 then you have every right 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.100 to enter. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.440 We are called 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:32.700 to have peace with God 00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:34.379 through Christ's finished 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:36.060 priestly work 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:36.759 on our behalf. 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.700 So what's our role? 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.519 How do we enter 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.680 by what Christ has done 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.080 for us? 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:46.940 I think at this point 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.520 it's helpful 00:14:47.520 --> 00:14:48.280 to consider 00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:49.860 what we're not 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.759 meant to do. 00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:55.639 And to do that, 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.080 let's consider 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:59.100 the Catholic idea 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.860 of mass. 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.480 I'm going to read 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.300 a section of a book 00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:04.940 by a man 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:05.920 who grew up Catholic. 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:07.040 So I didn't grow up Catholic, 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.180 but this man named 00:15:08.180 --> 00:15:09.000 Ray Gilear, 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:11.919 he's a pastor 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.379 in Sydney, 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:14.419 evangelical pastor now, 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:15.980 but he grew up Catholic 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.559 and he explains 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.200 the significance 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.840 of mass 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.120 and why it doesn't 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.639 add up 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:22.120 to what we're learning 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.019 about here in Hebrews. 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:24.840 So the book 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:25.220 is called 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.620 Nothing in My Hand 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.200 I Bring 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:28.360 to God. 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.399 So he says this, 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:35.279 Even as a young adult, 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.340 I couldn't have told you 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:37.320 exactly what was going 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.360 on during the mass. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.560 I knew that the bread 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:40.320 was somehow 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.639 the body of Christ 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:43.120 and that eating it 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.860 was supposed to be 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.740 good for my soul, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.279 but I couldn't have 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.680 explained very clearly 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.940 what it was all about. 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:49.560 It was just something 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.860 I did three times a week. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.180 If you were to ask 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.560 a Catholic priest 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.779 to explain the mass, 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.039 you would discover 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.899 that the mass 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.399 is essentially 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.480 a sacrifice. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.740 The high point 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.320 is when the priest 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.159 calls down 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.019 the Holy Spirit 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:08.679 on the bread 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.259 and wine, 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.419 turning them 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.919 into the actual 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.719 body and blood 00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:14.360 of Christ. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.319 That's when 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.019 the bells ring. 00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:18.360 The newly present 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.019 body and blood 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.559 of Christ 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.519 are lifted up 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.279 and worshipped 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:21.980 and adored 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.919 by the congregation 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:24.419 as Christ himself. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.459 The priest 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:27.299 then offers 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:27.860 Christ 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.259 as the sacrificial 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.819 victim 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:30.719 or host 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:32.700 to God 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.600 on behalf 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.420 of the people. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.440 In that 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:37.940 bloodless sacrifice, 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:39.519 God's anger 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.580 is turned away 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.399 and forgiveness 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.320 of sins 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.440 is obtained. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.120 So what I read 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.720 in the Bible 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:49.000 about Christ's sacrifice 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.600 didn't seem 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.560 to sit too well 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:51.759 with what was going 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.580 on in the mass. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.620 Without a priest, 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.040 there can be 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:56.680 no mass. 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.319 The bread 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.879 and wine 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.659 cannot change 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.259 into the body 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.859 and blood 00:17:00.859 --> 00:17:01.419 of Christ 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.559 without a priest. 00:17:03.219 --> 00:17:04.319 The sacrifice 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.039 of Christ 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.599 cannot be 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.019 offered 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:08.039 without a priest. 00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:09.919 Sins 00:17:09.919 --> 00:17:10.539 cannot 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.859 be forgiven 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:14.339 without a priest. 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:16.859 That's 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.359 end quote. 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.419 Hebrews 00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:21.179 says, 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:21.779 Jesus 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.619 is our 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.039 priest. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.420 We don't 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.259 need a 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.519 human 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:25.779 priest. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.200 We shouldn't 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.799 have a 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.059 human 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.440 priest. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.059 Jesus 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.700 is our 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.180 human 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:29.940 priest. 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:31.680 His 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.259 sacrifice 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.960 for sin 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.859 was once 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:35.079 and for 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.519 all. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.319 Through 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.319 him alone, 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.000 not through 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.579 any other 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.019 person, 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:41.700 can you 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.240 receive 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.779 forgiveness 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.359 and peace 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:43.779 with God. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.519 So here's 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.819 how we're 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.200 told to 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:48.740 respond in 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.359 verse 22. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.420 Let us 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.099 draw near 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.500 with a 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.079 true 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.240 heart 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:55.359 in 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.000 full 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.779 assurance 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.079 of 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:57.659 faith. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.839 So what 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.079 is a 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.619 true 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.220 heart? 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.659 In 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:05.899 chapter 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.399 three, 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:06.939 the 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.419 opposite 00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.319 of a 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.559 true 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:08.919 heart 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:09.439 is a 00:18:09.439 --> 00:18:09.980 sinful 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:11.299 unbelieving 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.500 heart. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.159 A 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.639 true 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.119 heart 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:16.759 listens 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.500 to God's 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.159 words here 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.659 in Hebrews 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:19.139 and the 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.419 rest of 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:19.839 the Bible. 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:20.500 A 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:20.939 true 00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:21.339 heart 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.000 believes 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.379 God's 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:22.799 promises 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.439 that 00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:24.879 through 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.480 Christ 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.279 we are 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.279 completely 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.839 washed 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.339 inside 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.759 and out. 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:30.619 The 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:30.959 way to 00:18:30.959 --> 00:18:31.319 God is 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.679 fully 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:32.039 open. 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.480 It 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.059 is done. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.740 A 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.059 true 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.379 heart 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:38.159 believes 00:18:38.159 --> 00:18:38.939 what God 00:18:38.939 --> 00:18:39.359 says. 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:41.500 God 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.359 is done. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.740 God 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:42.899 is done. 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.299 God 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:43.519 is done. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.439 God 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:44.500 is done. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:44.859 God 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:44.939 is done. 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:45.359 God 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:45.859 is done. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.679 So I've 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.740 been asked 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.019 a few 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.659 times now 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.539 since Samuel 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:51.139 was born. 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.119 What's the 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:53.679 best thing 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:54.539 about being 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:54.939 a dad? 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.940 God 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:57.500 at first 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:57.860 I thought 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.340 it was 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:59.440 that Samuel 00:18:59.440 --> 00:18:59.980 seems to 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.400 have some 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.680 of my 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.019 physical 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.539 features. 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.980 I reckon 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.259 he's got 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.840 a pointy 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.120 chin 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.840 like mine. 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.500 I'm 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.660 probably 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:08.820 just 00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:09.360 vain and 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:09.680 seeing 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.100 things that 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.259 aren't 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.519 there. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.160 But at 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:12.519 first I 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:12.860 thought that's 00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.059 what it 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.400 was. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.320 He's 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:14.600 kind of 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:14.960 in my 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.320 image. 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.640 But then 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.320 I thought 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:17.620 about it 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:17.900 some more. 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:18.700 That doesn't 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.120 even come 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.400 close to the 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.779 best thing 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.340 about being a 00:19:21.340 --> 00:19:22.019 dad so far. 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.859 The best 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.559 thing about 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:24.920 being a 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.339 dad so 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:27.500 far is 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.180 those rare 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.819 moments when 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.480 I'm holding 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.660 Sam against 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.319 my chest 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.599 and his 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.559 entire body 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.139 weight is 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.599 being held 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.200 by me. 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.259 And yet 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.960 here he is 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.359 limp with 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.680 his head 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.139 against my 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.539 chest, 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.960 mouth over, 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.900 fast asleep. 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.779 They're the 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.059 best. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.559 That's the 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:48.879 best thing 00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:49.240 about being 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.460 a dad so 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.759 far. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:54.759 Sam feels 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.440 safe in 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.859 my arm. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.359 That's 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:56.779 safe. 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:57.779 His 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.480 whole body 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.299 weight is 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:00.660 held by 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:00.960 me. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.140 We can 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.640 think God 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.099 wants us 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.960 to perform 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.500 to earn 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:09.920 his love. 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.720 He doesn't. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.519 God wants 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.039 us to feel 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.079 so safe 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.400 in his 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:16.180 arms that 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:16.839 we totally 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.700 rest on 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.059 him, 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.299 mouth open. 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:25.240 having 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.980 faith in 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.440 what Christ 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:26.819 has already 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.180 done, 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.339 God wants 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.700 us to 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.539 live fully 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:31.559 assured as 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:31.740 his 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.039 children. 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.299 So where 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.799 is that in 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.180 the passage? 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.039 It's a 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.759 little word 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.359 in verse 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.019 19. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.000 Don't 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.019 lightly 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.879 skip over 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.259 words. 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.359 Verse 19, 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:47.959 therefore 00:20:47.959 --> 00:20:49.639 brothers. 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:53.740 This isn't 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.379 just a nice 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:54.899 way of 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.199 greeting 00:20:55.199 --> 00:20:55.459 them. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.399 This is a 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:56.939 theological 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.539 statement. 00:20:57.719 --> 00:20:58.199 This is a 00:20:58.199 --> 00:20:58.819 changed 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.419 identity. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.899 Chapter 2 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.379 of Hebrews 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.000 goes into 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.959 great detail 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:03.939 that Christ 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.200 is not 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.180 ashamed to 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.720 call us 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:06.900 his 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:07.299 brothers, 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.220 his 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.600 sisters. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.340 He's not 00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:09.980 ashamed to. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.080 This isn't 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.900 anyone calling 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.420 us brothers 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:12.900 and sisters. 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.640 This is the 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.039 Son of 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.059 God calling 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.519 us brothers, 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.380 sisters. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.340 God wants 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:22.779 us to feel 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.360 safe in 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:23.840 his arms. 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.120 So what 00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:26.360 does that 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:26.840 look like? 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.120 What does 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.680 it look like 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.180 to come 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.759 near him, 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.799 faith in 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.100 Christ? 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.380 What does 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:30.700 that look 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.059 like on 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.519 the outside? 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.099 I just 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.680 want to 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:33.980 spend the 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.180 rest of 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.599 our time 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.160 looking at 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.000 four ways 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.519 that faith 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.420 resting in 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:39.839 Christ, 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.559 what that 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.200 looks like. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.980 The first 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.259 thing that 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.400 that assured 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.019 faith looks 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.460 like is 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:51.639 wanting to 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:52.440 live all 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.079 of life 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.099 in God's 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.480 presence. 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.200 So chapter 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.940 13 of 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.680 Hebrews has 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.400 practical 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.259 instructions for 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.619 those in 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.879 Christ from 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.500 brotherly 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:03.080 love to 00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:03.800 caring for 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:04.180 those who 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.900 are mistreated 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:06.900 to sexual 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.880 expression to 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.900 trusting God 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.420 rather than 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.020 loving money 00:22:11.020 --> 00:22:12.260 to having 00:22:12.260 --> 00:22:13.060 good order 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:13.540 in the 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:14.260 church family. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.720 A child 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.280 of God by 00:22:17.280 --> 00:22:17.980 faith will 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.940 see all of 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.560 life as an 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:20.880 opportunity to 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.860 worship God. 00:22:22.520 --> 00:22:23.440 Whether you're 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.320 peeling potatoes, 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.560 hanging out the 00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:26.920 washing, 00:22:27.260 --> 00:22:28.140 watching Netflix, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.360 taking someone a 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.259 meal or praying 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.859 with a friend, 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.259 you are always 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.839 in the heavenly 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.459 presence of 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:35.719 God. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.179 Always. 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:38.939 It's always an 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.659 opportunity to 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:39.939 worship. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.959 Not that we are 00:22:42.959 --> 00:22:43.819 sinless, we're 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.199 going to come to 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:44.579 that in a 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.299 moment, but we 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.419 see all of 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:49.919 life as in 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.899 God's presence. 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.000 things. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.940 The second way 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.519 that drawing 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.100 near to God 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.740 through Christ 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.400 will be seen 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.400 is in times of 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.160 suffering and 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.540 hardship. 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.200 A child of God 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.420 by faith won't 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:07.320 interpret hardship 00:23:07.320 --> 00:23:08.220 as God's 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.519 punishment for 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.480 sin, since 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.140 Christ has 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.980 already paid 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.420 for it. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:16.259 For me, this 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:18.000 truth hit 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.220 home one 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.940 night when I 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.460 was doing the 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.580 washing up and 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.060 I cut my 00:23:22.060 --> 00:23:23.120 finger on a 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.440 pair of 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.900 tongs. 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.279 I don't know 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.860 how tongs 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.880 cut me, but 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:27.519 I cut my 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:29.519 finger, a 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.019 little bit of 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.120 pain, but I 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:31.640 was bleeding 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.000 and for some 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.580 reason it just 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:34.220 hit home to 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.660 me that I 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.120 will never 00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:37.220 experience pain 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.720 or bleeding 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.279 because God is 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.960 punishing me for 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.360 my sin. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.460 Christ has 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.160 already paid. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.740 It's his 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.259 blood, not 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.620 mine. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.200 I don't know 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.920 why that hit 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.600 home to me, but 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.200 it was just 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.740 that moment. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.539 Hebrews 12, 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.539 10 to 11 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.240 says this, 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.620 Our human 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.779 fathers disciplined 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.600 us for a short 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.420 time as it 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.059 seemed best to 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.480 them, but God 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.440 disciplines us 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.440 for our good 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.480 that we may 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.160 share his 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.400 holiness. 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:12.140 For the 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.060 moment, all 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:13.980 discipline seems 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.980 painful rather 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.560 than pleasant, but 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:19.280 later it yields 00:24:19.280 --> 00:24:20.320 the peaceful 00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:21.420 fruit of 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:23.620 righteousness to 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.240 those who have 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.960 been trained by 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.200 it. 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:28.519 Resting in 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:30.580 Christ changes 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.160 the way you 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.519 look at 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:31.900 hardship. 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.140 It's not 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.000 punishment for 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.780 sins, it's 00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:37.380 discipline. 00:24:37.800 --> 00:24:38.360 God's got a 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.120 good goal in 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.400 mind. 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.400 God's 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:40.440 love. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.960 God's got a 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.060 good goal in 00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.880 life. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.540 So another 00:24:44.540 --> 00:24:45.540 time that this 00:24:45.540 --> 00:24:46.980 hit home for 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.700 me was when I 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:51.820 bought a car, 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.920 which is a 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.800 Subaru Forester, 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:59.160 and I'd taken it 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:00.300 home, and one 00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.680 afternoon I was 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.140 sitting on the 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.820 lounge and I 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:04.800 heard a crash, 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.980 a smash, and I 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.780 jumped out of my 00:25:06.780 --> 00:25:07.600 seat worried that 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.240 the car was 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.680 damaged. 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:10.460 This hadn't 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.039 happened yet. 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.060 And I was 00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:14.279 like, why 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.039 don't I care 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.680 so much? 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.420 Why did I 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.019 react like 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.320 that? 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:18.940 And I 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.380 prayed to 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:21.019 God, God, I 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.779 love this car way 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.240 too much. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.840 Please help me 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.840 not love this 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:25.620 car. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.680 Help me love 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:26.980 you. 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.340 Now that 00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:29.180 very night I 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.700 heard another 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.160 smash. 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.940 And I went 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.680 outside and 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.240 found this, 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:34.799 like someone 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.580 had intentionally 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:36.279 smashed it. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:38.200 Now $400 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:40.059 later, replacing 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:42.099 it, a friend 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.480 who I was 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.940 living with 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.619 asked me, 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.859 aren't you 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.160 annoyed? 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.240 But I 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.799 wasn't annoyed. 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.240 It was too 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.619 much of a 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.039 coincidence. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.720 I saw it as 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.200 an answer to 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:50.500 prayer. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.660 This is how 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:53.420 God helped 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.240 me let go of 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.440 the car so 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.940 that I could 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.379 love him 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.700 more. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.279 He loved me 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.039 by breaking 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.319 it. 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:03.639 And I 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.039 have this 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.579 sitting in 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.139 my office 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:06.059 to remind 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.439 me of it. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:06.879 Emma won't 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.379 let me put 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.740 it in the 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.159 living room 00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:08.519 anymore. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.480 It was so 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:09.799 ugly. 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:15.919 Resting 00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:16.819 assured in 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.339 Christ 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:19.619 just changes 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.240 the way we 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.539 look at 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:20.919 hardship. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.019 Now I 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.399 know that's 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:22.899 a very 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.579 minor thing. 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.599 Secure in 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:26.879 the love 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.319 of God. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.000 Instead of 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.679 suffering pushing 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.379 us away, 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.760 from God, 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.900 we can 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.760 receive it as 00:26:33.760 --> 00:26:34.380 the loving 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.980 discipline from 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.600 our Father in 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.060 Heaven who 00:26:37.060 --> 00:26:37.960 has a good 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:39.140 goal to 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.540 make us 00:26:39.540 --> 00:26:40.000 holy, 00:26:41.060 --> 00:26:41.500 ready for 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.740 Heaven. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.000 So a 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.440 third way 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:46.980 that drawing 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.460 near to God 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.040 through Christ 00:26:48.040 --> 00:26:48.960 will be seen 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.820 is when we 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:52.080 sin, when 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:53.000 we feel 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.680 ashamed. 00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:57.220 Instead of 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.440 hiding in 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.200 fear from 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.160 God, we 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.200 can pray to 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.640 him for 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.560 mercy and 00:27:02.560 --> 00:27:02.940 help. 00:27:04.800 --> 00:27:05.480 Listen to 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.180 Hebrews 4, 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.740 14 to 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.180 16. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.480 Since 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.960 then we 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.279 have a 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.340 great high 00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:13.080 priest who 00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:13.720 has passed 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.279 through the 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.620 heavens, 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:15.580 Jesus, the 00:27:15.580 --> 00:27:16.120 Son of 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.440 God. 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.480 Let us 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.300 hold fast 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:18.960 our confession. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.240 But we do 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:20.680 not have a 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.320 high priest who 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:22.880 is unable to 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.560 sympathize with 00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:24.100 our weaknesses, 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:27.000 but one who 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:28.380 in every respect 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.820 has been 00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:29.960 tempted as 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.640 we are, 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.320 yet without 00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:32.740 sin. 00:27:34.820 --> 00:27:35.420 Let us 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:35.860 then with 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.880 confidence draw 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.940 near to the 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.800 throne of 00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:40.960 grace, that 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.740 we may receive 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:44.900 mercy and 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.080 find grace to 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:48.160 help in 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.980 time of need. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.019 God. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.980 Your 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:51.799 constant struggle 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.360 with sin 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.259 isn't proof 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.900 that you're 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.460 not near to 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.779 God. 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.559 But knowing 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.400 our temptation 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:00.099 firsthand, our 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.099 priest Christ 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.420 calls us to 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.559 make use of 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.220 that permanent 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.180 access that we 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.519 have. 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.360 Come to him 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.140 when we're 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.839 struggling, when 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:10.120 we are just so 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.160 low in our 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.099 guilt and shame. 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:12.940 Come to him. 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:16.880 his throne of 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:19.700 grace to 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.820 find mercy and 00:28:20.820 --> 00:28:21.299 to receive 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.740 help. 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.559 So one last 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.240 way that we 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.059 can express our 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.880 nearness to God 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.559 through Christ 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:31.519 is not counting 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.799 Newcastle as our 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.820 home, but we're 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:35.220 longing for our 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.019 true home with 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.320 God. 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.380 In chapter 11, 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.519 there is a 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.400 mirage of 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.460 people characterized 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.519 by faith in the 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.099 Old Testament 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:44.440 from Abel to 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.420 Abraham to 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.039 Moses. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.839 Have a 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.660 listen of 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.480 verses 13 to 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:49.900 16. 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.920 These all died 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:55.660 in faith, not 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.539 having received 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:56.960 the things 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:58.619 promised, but 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.480 having seen 00:28:59.480 --> 00:28:59.900 them and 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.420 greeted them 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:02.779 from afar, and 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.559 having acknowledged 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.319 that they were 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.299 strangers and 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.279 exiles on the 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.579 earth. 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.920 For people who 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.400 speak thus make 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.440 it clear that 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.240 they are seeking 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.120 a homeland. 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:14.980 If they had 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.680 been thinking of 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.400 that land from 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.000 which they had 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.579 gone out, they 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.000 would have had 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.079 opportunity to 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.380 return, but as 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.339 it is, they 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.519 desire a better 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:24.079 country that is 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.940 a heavenly one. 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.000 Therefore God is 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.240 not ashamed to 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.839 be called their 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:30.519 God, for he 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.839 has prepared for 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.660 them a city. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.319 And Newcastle is a 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.240 really lovely place, 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.500 Lonely Planet in 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:41.279 2011 rated it in 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.619 the top ten places 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.799 to live and 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.059 visit. 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.039 It's not bad. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:50.880 But it's 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.759 nothing on the 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.740 heavenly city God 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.400 has prepared for 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:53.640 us. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.619 So are you 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.420 willing to not 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.519 fit in here and 00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:01.500 now to endure 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:04.500 hardship for the 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.359 sake of waiting 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.799 for that 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.359 promised heavenly 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.819 city? 00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:10.139 That city 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:12.459 where we are 00:30:12.459 --> 00:30:13.539 with God, with 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.000 one another 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.039 permanently in 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.459 peace. 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.719 The grounds of 00:30:22.719 --> 00:30:23.559 our confidence to 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.319 draw near to God 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.279 has nothing to do 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.719 with us. 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.439 It's all of 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:27.839 Christ. 00:30:29.199 --> 00:30:30.099 It's all by 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.519 grace. 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:30.599 grace. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.539 We come by his 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.539 blood through his 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.740 body given for 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.839 us, belonging to 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.379 our forever 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:37.940 priest. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.519 Our God wants us 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.500 to feel safe in 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.859 his arms, to 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.440 come to him with 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.319 nothing in our 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:48.220 hands, only faith 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.940 in Christ's 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.680 finished work. 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.480 And if we do, 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.460 then Christ is not 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.680 ashamed to call us 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.660 brothers, sisters. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.859 We are God's 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:57.180 children. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:31:02.700 Now this isn't 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.840 easy to come to 00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:04.600 God in faith. 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.120 To persevere in 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.160 faith is not 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.519 easy. 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.640 We need to hold 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.820 fast to the hope 00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:11.440 we have and we 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.500 desperately need 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.580 each other to 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.460 spur one another 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.160 on in the faith. 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.600 And we're going to 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.340 look at those two 00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:17.640 aspects the next 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.220 two Sundays. 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:20.980 But for now, let 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.120 me finish by asking 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.799 you to consider, 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:25.539 have you fully 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.920 rested in what 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.759 Christ has done 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.240 for you? 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.820 In the 00:31:31.820 --> 00:31:32.759 Father's arms, 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:34.120 mouth open, 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:36.980 rest in God. 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.180 And as we rest 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.740 in him more and 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.900 more and we learn 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.680 to rest in him 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.440 more and more, 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.500 let's see all of 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.440 life as belonging 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.580 to him, lived in 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:52.180 his presence. 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.380 Let's receive 00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:56.500 hardship as the 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.559 loving discipline 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.460 of our Father 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.839 who treats us 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.440 as his children. 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.759 Let's come to 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.619 the throne of 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:05.579 grace to keep 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.259 fighting sin. 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.299 And let's not 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.579 settle down here 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.099 and now. 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.380 Let's keep 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:13.279 looking forward 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.099 ahead to that 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.799 promised city. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:19.819 for he who 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:21.639 promised is 00:32:21.639 --> 00:32:22.099 faithful. 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.759 Will you pray 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.099 with me? 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:26.980 Let's pray. 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.759 Father, we praise you 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.079 for your amazing grace 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.359 in sending your son, 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:43.079 that he would die 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.779 in our place 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.539 is 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:47.559 incredible. 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:50.579 Thank you that we 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.699 have access to you, 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.319 full access, 00:32:53.699 --> 00:32:54.740 permanent access 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.259 through Christ's 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:56.919 finished work. 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.319 Please help us to 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.919 know that. 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.139 Help us to feel so 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:01.479 safe in your arms 00:33:01.479 --> 00:33:02.859 because of what 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.619 Christ has done. 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:07.019 help us to live 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.619 out that 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:09.179 safeness in you 00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:12.259 by living in 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.979 your presence, 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:15.359 enduring hardship 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.359 as your discipline, 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.579 longing for a 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.139 better city, 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.059 and coming to you 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.799 for help when we 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.739 really struggle with 00:33:22.739 --> 00:33:22.979 sin. 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:25.779 Thank you for all 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.699 this grace. 00:33:28.179 --> 00:33:28.759 Help us as a 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:31.079 church to live 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:33.819 boasting in this 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:35.839 grace and living 00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:37.000 in the hope that 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.940 is ours through 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.400 Christ. 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.779 In Jesus' name 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.119 I pray. 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.599 Amen.