WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:24.260 Well, what is the biggest problem facing human beings? People have all sorts of different answers to that, don't they? It could be the environmental trouble that seems to be out there. Hence the UN climate change summit before Christmas. For some it's a religion is the problem, causing fights and conflicts in the world. It might point to the bomb attacks in Istanbul today as evidence of that. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:50.680 But actually if we stop and think for any length of time, we'll see the problem facing all of us, the problem we cannot escape, is the problem of death. So yesterday morning when I put the news on, the news was all about David Bowie dying. Today I look on the website and it's all about 10 or however many people dying in Istanbul. And actually none of us will ever escape death. We live in lifelong slavery to death as the writer here puts it. 00:00:50.679 --> 00:01:14.840 Now we may not feel that, but actually if we stop for a minute and consider, so much of what we do is influenced by the fact we're going to die one day. Let's take a few trivial examples. If you look at the news, look at what people spend money on, look at what all the crises are often about. It's often about postponing death, raising money for cancer research, ploughing money into the NHS. It's all about staving off death. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:29.380 What is the taboo left in our society? What's the one thing you can't talk about? Well, it's death, isn't it? We don't even say people die. We talk about people passing on or passing away. We don't use the word death at all. 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:44.959 And as for our slavery to the fear of death, well either we just avoid the whole topic of death, hence it's a taboo we can't talk about it, or we do things because actually our hearts, we feel one day we're going to die. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:02:08.319 So why do people walk out on relationships? It's because they think this is the only life they have and they want to make the most of it now. I read a fascinating statistic this morning that I think it's 11% of men and 6% of women in long-term relationships in this country all have private reserves of cash of up to 7,500 pounds they can use if they want to get out of this relationship. 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:13.799 That's not a great way to invest in a relationship, is it? Here, I've got my get out, I've got my escape route here. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:20.919 And yet that kind of mode of operating is driven by fear of death. This life is all I have, I need to make the most of it now. 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:24.979 Why do we lie? Why are we economic with the truth? 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:28.639 It's because we don't want people to think worse of us. 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:36.519 Because actually we think this is all we have in this life and people's view of us now is all important. 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:42.520 So in many ways we are slaves to the fear of death even if we don't see it firsthand. 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:45.140 That's what you might want to think about later. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:49.020 So who can rescue us from this big problem? 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:52.100 From this ultimate statistic that one in one people die? 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:55.560 Who can rescue us from this slavery to the fear of death? 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:59.120 This constantly being slave to thinking this life is all there is. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:04.439 Who can free us so we can live as true human beings and not as slaves? 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:09.319 Well the answer in Hebrews 2, the answer throughout the Bible is one person can. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.819 And that is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:19.479 And here in these verses of Hebrews 2, the writer gives us two overlapping pictures of what Jesus has come to do for us. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:21.560 And how he can rescue us. 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:23.259 How he is our conqueror. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:25.919 In two back images. 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:28.800 First of all he's the captain who rescues us. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:31.079 Verse 10 and verses 14 to 16. 00:03:31.080 --> 00:03:34.820 But in the middle he's also the brother who identifies with us. 00:03:35.660 --> 00:03:36.320 So let's look at this. 00:03:36.380 --> 00:03:38.300 First of all he's the captain who rescues us. 00:03:38.460 --> 00:03:39.260 Look at verse 10. 00:03:39.760 --> 00:03:47.360 It was fitting that he, that is God, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, 00:03:47.820 --> 00:03:51.880 should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:56.100 Now that word translated founder is a word with a range of meanings. 00:03:56.220 --> 00:03:58.760 It's translated captain and leader in other places. 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:02.620 So Jesus is in a sense the captain of our salvation. 00:04:02.739 --> 00:04:04.439 The one who leads us to glory. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:07.039 And the one who liberates us from slavery. 00:04:07.179 --> 00:04:09.199 The two points he makes under this picture. 00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:11.759 So first of all he leads us to glory. 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:13.259 That's what verse 10 tells us. 00:04:14.459 --> 00:04:17.420 That glory is the glory of restored humanity. 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:20.079 Of being fully functional human beings. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:24.360 For being all that God intended us to be in the original creation. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:27.120 All that was lost through our rebellion against God. 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:30.920 All the writer has described in verses 5 through to 9. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:35.319 And when Jesus returns we all get to share in that glory. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:38.139 Everyone who's trusted in him will be made new. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.800 Will be the glorious beings we were meant to be. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:43.220 No longer plagued by depression. 00:04:44.019 --> 00:04:44.500 Disease. 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:47.240 Sorrows we can't get rid of. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.340 No longer frail and weak and falling into sin. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:52.560 We'll be glorious as he is. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:57.579 But here the writer says a couple of interesting things that confront us with questions. 00:04:57.660 --> 00:04:58.060 Doesn't he? 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:00.379 He says it was fitting. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:04.500 That in bringing many sons to glory. 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:09.279 He should make the founder perfect through suffering. 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:12.500 Now how can Jesus be made perfect? 00:05:12.919 --> 00:05:14.299 And in what sense is that fitting? 00:05:15.059 --> 00:05:16.579 That he should have to suffer? 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:19.959 Well let me tell you first of all what being perfect doesn't mean. 00:05:20.419 --> 00:05:23.500 The writer doesn't mean Jesus became morally perfect through suffering. 00:05:23.979 --> 00:05:27.859 In fact he'll tell us over in chapter 4 verses 14 to 16 that he never sinned. 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:29.439 He resisted all temptation. 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:32.199 So it doesn't mean morally perfect. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:35.719 It rather means complete in his qualifications. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:38.140 You know it's like when you're applying for a job. 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:41.120 Especially for school leaders or graduates applying for jobs. 00:05:41.380 --> 00:05:44.040 They might have all the grades that are perfect. 00:05:44.820 --> 00:05:47.380 But they've got no experience to do the task. 00:05:48.200 --> 00:05:49.300 And so they can't get the job. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:51.640 They need practical experience. 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:55.240 To be able to prove that they are the complete candidate for the job. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:56.940 And so it is here. 00:05:57.960 --> 00:05:59.840 Jesus was made the complete saviour. 00:06:00.260 --> 00:06:02.340 The perfect rescuer for us. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:04.900 Through his practical experience if you like. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:08.679 Over in chapter 5 verses 8 and 9 the writer tells us a bit more. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:11.560 He says although he, Jesus, was a son. 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:15.679 He learned obedience through what he suffered. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:18.599 And being made perfect, being made complete. 00:06:19.099 --> 00:06:22.459 He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey. 00:06:23.739 --> 00:06:26.639 Now the eternal son of God always obeyed the father. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:30.019 His coming into the world was in obedience to the father. 00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:33.379 But he then had to learn what that obedience felt like. 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:34.419 In practice. 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:35.799 As a human being. 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:38.519 Now think about why we disobey God. 00:06:38.599 --> 00:06:40.279 What are some of the reasons we disobey God? 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:41.979 Those who want to obey. 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:44.620 Well partly it can be weakness, can't it? 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:47.719 I get tired and frustrated so I get angry with the kids. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:51.220 Sometimes we find it hard to obey when it's costly. 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:53.760 When to admit we're a Christian. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:56.160 Or to admit that we hold to biblical views on things. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:06:59.000 Will mean others ostracise us. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:01.200 Or we miss out on promotions at work. 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:04.600 And sometimes it's hard to obey when it requires faith. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:09.560 When it requires faith to give money away to God's mission in the world. 00:07:09.640 --> 00:07:10.700 Rather than to hold on to it. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:12.080 To believe that does something. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:17.000 Well Jesus learned obedience in the weakness of being human. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:19.099 He learned it when it was costly. 00:07:19.539 --> 00:07:20.740 When it meant going to the cross. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.959 He learned it when it required faith. 00:07:23.479 --> 00:07:26.240 When in the garden of Gethsemane he knelt and prayed. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:29.459 Trusting that the father would indeed restore him. 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:32.339 So that's what it means for Jesus to be the perfect. 00:07:33.419 --> 00:07:35.120 He became the complete saviour. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:37.519 Perfectly equipped to rescue us. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.000 Because he shared in our humanity. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:41.139 Not only that. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.459 How is it fitting then. 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:45.680 For God to make Jesus the complete captain of salvation. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:46.740 Through suffering. 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:50.139 I mean some people say it's not fitting at all. 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.360 Richard Dawkins our favourite arch atheist. 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:55.399 Wrote that the Christian teaching on Christ's death. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:58.699 Was vicious sadomasochistic and repellent. 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:00.939 Even some Christians. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:02.560 Some who claim to be Christians. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:05.100 Claim the idea of Jesus dying on the cross. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:06.540 To pay for sins. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:07.819 Cosmic child abuse. 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:11.199 So how could this writer claim it was fitting. 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:12.879 Maybe you think. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:14.579 I can't believe in a God. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:18.120 Who demands a sacrifice for forgiveness of sins. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:19.920 Surely if God is God. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:21.600 He can just click his fingers and forgive. 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:22.079 Can't he? 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.199 If he's that loving. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.120 Let's think about that for a moment. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:29.100 If God just forgave you. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:31.139 Just without any cost at all. 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:33.799 Then how would you know he was loving. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:36.960 How could you tell he was loving. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:39.600 See forgiveness always costs doesn't it. 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:41.519 Always costs to forgive someone. 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:42.879 For a wrong they've done to you. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:45.299 And you can tell they love you. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:46.019 When they forgive you. 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.939 Even when it's costing. 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:49.240 And so it is here. 00:08:49.319 --> 00:08:50.740 It's because God is loving. 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:52.539 Because he is love. 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:53.860 It costs to forgive. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:56.940 Back in the Old Testament. 00:08:57.060 --> 00:08:58.240 In Exodus chapter 34. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:08:59.620 God described himself. 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:01.720 As keeping steadfast love for thousands. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:04.379 Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:07.000 But he will by no means clear the guilty. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.080 Because God is loving. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:09.899 He wants to forgive. 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:11.159 Because God is loving. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:13.440 He can't just let the guilty off. 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:15.200 How would it be loving. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:18.220 If God just welcomed Adolf Hitler into heaven. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:19.860 Without any kind of. 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:21.820 Punitive payment. 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:24.100 For those six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:26.640 And because God is loving. 00:09:26.780 --> 00:09:27.540 Because he cares. 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.879 Because forgiveness is costly. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:30.760 Because justice needs to be done. 00:09:31.180 --> 00:09:32.000 It was fitting. 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:33.160 It was appropriate. 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:35.460 That the captain of our salvation. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:36.500 The great rescuer. 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:37.560 Should suffer. 00:09:38.780 --> 00:09:40.080 It's only through his suffering. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:42.400 That God's justice can be satisfied. 00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:44.840 And God's love can be gratified. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:47.380 And so Jesus. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:48.700 As the captain of our salvation. 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:49.940 Leads us to glory. 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:49.980 Glory. 00:09:50.680 --> 00:09:51.860 It's what the father wanted. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.400 Through his suffering. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.200 That's what he's doing. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:56.900 But not only does he lead us to glory. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.080 As verse 10 tells us. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.680 But verses 14 to 16. 00:09:59.800 --> 00:10:00.000 It shows. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:01.200 He liberates us. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.100 From slavery. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.200 He leads us to glory. 00:10:03.280 --> 00:10:04.440 He liberates us from slavery. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.300 Look at verse 14. 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:07.620 Since therefore the children. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:09.419 Share in flesh and blood. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:10.819 He himself likewise. 00:10:10.939 --> 00:10:12.199 Partook of the same things. 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:13.699 That through death. 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:16.639 He might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:17.779 That is the devil. 00:10:18.359 --> 00:10:20.719 And deliver all those who through fear of death. 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:23.019 Were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:27.319 You see why the eternal son of God took on human flesh. 00:10:28.859 --> 00:10:30.139 So he could die. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:31.359 To set us free. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:35.680 But do you notice that the surprising way the writer describes the devil. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.700 Describes the devil as the one who has the power of death. 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:43.240 Now in what sense does the devil have the power of death? 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:45.120 Well let me be clear. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:47.659 He does not naturally hold the power of death. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:51.100 God gave death as a punishment for our rebellion. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:53.899 However death is the basis. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:56.159 For the devil's power over us. 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:59.180 It's not his own authority. 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.399 But it's our sin. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.700 That leads us. 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:03.019 Into death. 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.840 And that gives Satan this power over us. 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:06.000 Let me use this illustration. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.519 Imagine for a moment. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.060 A celebrity or a politician. 00:11:09.540 --> 00:11:10.500 Who's been caught having. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.740 An adulterous affair or something. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.300 And someone gets hold of this information. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.840 And starts to blackmail that person. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:21.220 At that point. 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.920 This celebrity or politician. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:24.460 Is a slave. 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.680 Held in fear. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.000 To the blackmailer. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:29.940 But does the blackmailer have an authority. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.139 And a right to that? 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.440 No. 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:35.360 It's the celebrity or politician's. 00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:36.680 Sin. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:37.920 And wrongdoing. 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.519 That has meant their slaves. 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.820 It's their moral failing that's led them into that position. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.480 And so it is with the devil. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:46.320 He's able to accuse every human being. 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.360 Of being a sinner. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:49.759 You can accuse me of that every day. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:50.800 And he'd be right to do so. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.440 Because every day I sin. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.539 And so in that sense. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.639 He holds the fear of death. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.580 Holds us in death. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:01.039 Because we deserve to die as sinners. 00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:03.639 He uses that fear of death. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.500 To enslave people. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:07.840 But. 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.220 But. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:12.080 Jesus has come to set us free. 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:13.360 To deliver us from that power. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.660 Imagine for a moment. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.519 That we are all in this room. 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:17.879 And someone comes. 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:18.860 With a gun. 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:19.879 To take us hostage. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.420 Now sadly that's been a. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.460 Real experience. 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:23.160 Not far from here. 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:23.379 Isn't it? 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:23.779 In Paris. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:24.980 But imagine that. 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:25.940 Imagine this guy comes in. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:27.019 Holds us all at gunpoint. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.779 How could we be set free? 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:31.440 Well someone would have to come in here. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:33.360 Disarm the man. 00:12:33.880 --> 00:12:34.620 I've seen he is a man. 00:12:35.280 --> 00:12:36.200 Get rid of his weapon. 00:12:37.160 --> 00:12:38.420 Take him out and defeat him. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.420 And then lead us out of here to safety. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.860 That's what needs to happen. 00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:44.040 And that is what Jesus has done. 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.420 That's what's described here. 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:47.040 In verse 14. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.760 In his death. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.160 Jesus took away. 00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:51.640 The power of death. 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:53.000 So through death. 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.040 It says verse 14. 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:56.480 He might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.160 That is the devil. 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.400 The apostle Paul in Colossians. 00:12:59.540 --> 00:13:01.060 Says that through the cross. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.480 Christ defeated. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.420 All his enemies. 00:13:05.020 --> 00:13:05.980 That's through dying. 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:08.540 Through taking that punishment of death for himself. 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:10.920 It means Satan is disarmed and defeated. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:13.440 He can no longer hold death over us. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.240 As a just punishment for our sin. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:15.640 Why? 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:17.900 Because Jesus has taken that death. 00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:20.280 Satan is disarmed and destroyed. 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:23.060 When Jesus rose to new life. 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.760 He broke the power of death completely. 00:13:25.420 --> 00:13:27.380 We cannot be enslaved by that anymore. 00:13:28.140 --> 00:13:30.360 And so now he's able to lead us to freedom. 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.019 As verse 16 puts it. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.899 For those of us who are offspring of Abraham. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:36.240 That's those who believe God's promises. 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:38.419 Jesus takes hold of us. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:38.960 Helps us. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.100 Literally takes hold of us. 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.419 And leads us. 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.039 To freedom. 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:45.820 And so what? 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:47.480 Why is that important? 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:51.740 Why is it important that Jesus can lead us to glory? 00:13:52.140 --> 00:13:53.260 As verse 10 tells us. 00:13:55.540 --> 00:14:00.860 Or isn't it true that actually everyone is looking for glory in one sense? 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:04.360 Some of us look for glory in having a career. 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:06.139 That makes us feel good. 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:08.879 That establishes us in the eyes of other people. 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:12.700 Some people look for glory in their possessions. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:14.399 If I have the right lifestyle. 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.180 The right products. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:16.180 That will be freedom. 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:19.879 Some of us look for glory in belonging to the right social group. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.240 I know someone at school. 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:24.480 Who is frustrated in the social group she's in. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.820 And wants to be in a smarter group. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:29.879 Those kind of dynamics don't just affect teenage girls. 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.900 They affect all of us, don't they? 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.540 We want to think we're in with the right people. 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:37.860 We all long for glory and be free from suffering as well, don't we? 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:41.760 Free from a world where there is so much pain. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.160 The message here. 00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:46.260 Is the only one who can lead us to glory. 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:48.560 Is the one who has defeated the devil. 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:50.860 And suffering in our place. 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.340 Jesus Christ. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.180 The God-man. 00:14:53.760 --> 00:14:55.240 We cannot free ourselves. 00:14:55.520 --> 00:14:56.300 By our work. 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:57.639 By our education. 00:14:57.979 --> 00:14:58.719 By our meditation. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.500 By our spiritual disciplines. 00:15:00.719 --> 00:15:01.599 By our going to church. 00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:04.539 So only Jesus can free us. 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:05.539 He is the captain. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.740 He leads us to glory. 00:15:07.099 --> 00:15:08.979 He liberates us from slavery. 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.159 But having said that. 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:12.759 That can seem very distant. 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.000 Very far off, can't it? 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.659 I don't know about you. 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:16.859 But I've not met that many heroes in my life. 00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:19.120 Although I know many people who want to claim. 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.339 Even I do this. 00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:24.019 I can claim I was at school with one of Scotland's greatest rugby players. 00:15:24.099 --> 00:15:25.879 That's as close as I come to heroism. 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:29.579 And sometimes heroes can feel very distant, can't they? 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:35.000 Yet the writer goes on to say that not only is Jesus the captain of our salvation. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.799 Who leads us and liberates us. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:39.740 He is the brother who identifies with us. 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:43.200 You see that there in verse 11. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:48.659 For he who sanctifies, that is Jesus, who sets us apart for God's. 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:52.220 And those who are sanctified, that is those of us who are believers. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.500 Doesn't mean we're perfect. 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.680 That means we're set apart, belong to God. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:58.739 All have one source. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:01.199 That probably means God the Father. 00:16:01.979 --> 00:16:03.259 In whose family we're adopted. 00:16:03.359 --> 00:16:05.559 Or it could mean we all share flesh and blood. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.139 Because Jesus came to share flesh and blood. 00:16:07.479 --> 00:16:08.919 So we can be part of his family. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:15.859 By the way, it's pointing at the close identity between Jesus and his people. 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:19.079 What he came to share as he stood alongside us. 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:24.300 Now when you think about Jesus, what words come into your head to describe him? 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:27.000 Assuming you're a Christian at least. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.800 There are all sorts of words, aren't there? 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:33.580 Lord, Saviour, Master, Prophet, Priest, Shepherd, King. 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.580 All those are true. 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:40.100 But do you see what word this chapter tells us to use? 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:41.639 Brother. 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.520 Brother, verse 11. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:43.559 Brother. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:46.679 That is why he's not ashamed to call us brothers. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.199 Now I have two brothers. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.740 And they're both very respectful people in various ways. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.720 And I'm not ashamed to call them brothers. 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:54.679 But they're both much older than me. 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:56.779 So when I turned up at school, they'd already left. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:00.319 And in some ways I had to deal with some of the flack of what they'd been like. 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.600 At least with one of my brothers. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.119 However, I can imagine it's really useful going to school. 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:07.099 If you've got an elder brother up to school. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.619 It could be really useful, couldn't it? 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:10.240 I don't know if you had that situation. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.240 But if you've got a good elder brother, 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.960 He might show you the ropes. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.160 He might help you out with things when you're stuck. 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:18.640 If there are bullies causing trouble, 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:22.279 to have a much bigger elder brother to stand there next to you 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.140 and put them in their place, 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.120 it would be quite handy, wouldn't it? 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:25.980 However, 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:29.720 if your elder brother was ashamed of you, 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:31.079 little sister, little brother, 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.920 it might be awful, mightn't it? 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.240 You might feel very much on your own. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.539 And yet look at Jesus. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:40.480 He is not ashamed to call us brothers. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:45.819 I give Jesus a reason to be ashamed of me every day. 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:47.799 Every day. 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.680 Every moment of every day, pretty much. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:52.319 Jesus isn't ashamed to call us brothers. 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:54.259 He says we're all part of the family. 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.700 I'm with you. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:56.839 You're mine. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.019 I love you. 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:00.019 I am not ashamed of you. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.420 And in verses that are quoted here, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:04.420 in verses 12 and 13, 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:07.120 it shows us what it means for Jesus to be our brother. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:09.019 It shows us he sings with us, 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.200 and he stands with us. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.200 We'll go through that very quickly. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.559 First of all, he sings with us. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.139 Verse 12. 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.900 He's not ashamed to call them brothers, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.259 saying, 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.740 I will tell of your name, 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.960 that's God the Father's name, 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.000 to my brothers. 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.220 In the midst of the congregation, 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.960 I will sing your praise. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.319 There's a football match. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.839 I was at Brentford versus Huddersfield 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.480 before Christmas, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.460 and at the point at which it was 3-0. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:31.519 I think you just about hear the Brentford supporters 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.599 singing to the Huddersfield supporters 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:32.799 about, 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:34.440 why aren't you singing anymore? 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.539 And often we feel like we don't have a reason to sing. 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:39.539 Like Huddersfield supporters when they're 3-0 down. 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.779 And sometimes as Christians, 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:43.379 we don't feel like we've got reason for singing, 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:43.720 do we? 00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:47.480 Sometimes we can feel like life is against us. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.299 Like God has abandoned us. 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.539 And that's where this verse comes in. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:54.500 It's taken from Psalm 22 in the Old Testament. 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.920 That psalm is the psalm that Jesus quoted 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:58.079 as he was dying on the cross. 00:18:58.399 --> 00:18:58.899 It begins, 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.579 My God, my God, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.259 why have you forsaken me? 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:05.319 And yet it ends with praise and rejoicing. 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:08.599 So as Jesus sings this psalm with us, 00:19:08.679 --> 00:19:09.279 to us, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.439 he says, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.299 I will proclaim, 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:13.399 I will tell of your name to my brothers. 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.759 God's name is his character. 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:19.220 So what it means is Jesus is kind of coming alongside us, 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.439 singing with us, 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.519 encouraging us to sing. 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.500 It's as if he's saying, 00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:25.279 I know you don't feel like singing right now. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:28.639 I know you feel like God has abandoned you 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:30.579 with the struggles you face in life. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:33.259 I know you feel like you're overwhelmed. 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.500 But trust me, 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:37.119 I know his name, 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:40.240 I know he is faithful and full of steadfast love to you 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.359 and will keep his promises. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.660 I know that 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:45.379 because I was abandoned so that you don't have to be. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.440 I was abandoned on the cross 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:50.039 and yet he was faithful and raised me to life again. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.240 Come, sing his praise with me. 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:54.779 So he sings with us. 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.099 He's leading our singing. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.220 As we go to church on Sunday, 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.240 whatever we feel like, 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:02.180 Jesus is in that congregation singing with us, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.059 singing for us. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.220 He sings with us. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.259 Not only that, 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:05.779 as a brother, 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.720 he stands with us. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.460 Verse 13. 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.039 And again, 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.740 I will put my trust in him. 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.299 And again, 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.000 behold, 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.980 I and the children God has given me. 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:17.099 Now those verses are taken from Isaiah chapter 8 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.880 in the Old Testament. 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.559 The context at the time 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:22.039 is most people were fearful, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:24.819 they were scared of Syria invading from the north 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:27.059 and they abandoned hope in God really. 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.900 Apart from Isaiah 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:32.019 and a few with him. 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.680 And Isaiah says, 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:35.039 I will put my trust in God. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:35.720 Behold, 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.839 I and the children, 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.559 not just his physical children, 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.460 but the other believers 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.620 whom God has given me. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.980 In uncertain times, 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.779 there were the faithful few 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.120 who were still trusting God. 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:49.419 We may feel 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:51.199 completely outnumbered. 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.679 The Christian life 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.379 can be daunting, 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:53.959 can't it? 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.719 There's so many uncertainties around, 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.339 we can feel like 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:57.079 we're the only Christian 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.199 in our office, 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.879 or the only Christian 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.759 in our family. 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:01.379 You can sometimes wonder 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.379 if it's worth holding on 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.000 to this faith. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.459 And at that moment, 00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:07.139 Jesus stands with us 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.739 as our brother. 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.219 Even when we feel like 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:11.600 the faithful few 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:13.319 facing an uncertain future. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:14.640 He says, 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.299 I will tell, 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.740 I will put my trust in God. 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.079 Behold, 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.039 I and the children 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.740 you have given me. 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.240 So when our faith feels fragile, 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.900 when we find it hard 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.799 to praise God, 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:27.079 we can keep leaning on Jesus, 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:29.120 our complete Saviour. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.240 Because he was God in the flesh. 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.779 He is God in the flesh. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.120 He came to be 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.200 the complete conqueror 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.700 we needed. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.660 And to be the big brother 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.420 we need. 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:40.300 He has defeated death, 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.400 defeated Satan, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:43.019 delivered us from death, 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.560 delivered us from slavery. 00:21:45.300 --> 00:21:45.980 He's the captain 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.100 who leads us to glory 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.340 and liberates us 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:49.539 from bondage to fear. 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.860 He's the brother 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:52.180 who identifies with us. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.580 What else could we want? 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:56.640 What else could we need? 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.840 Where else could we go 00:21:58.840 --> 00:22:00.680 to find such a Saviour? 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.380 Let me pray.