WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.679 Good morning, Watermark. This morning, a scripture reading comes from Hebrews chapter 11, verses 23 onwards to chapter 12, verse 2. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:09.679 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:43.799 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:50.700 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:58.700 By faith, he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:06.719 By faith, he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:15.379 By faith, the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:20.980 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 00:01:20.980 --> 00:01:28.960 By faith, Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:31.400 And what more shall I say? 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:39.280 For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel, and the prophets, 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:49.120 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mounts of lions, quenched the power of fire, 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:56.439 escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 00:01:56.439 --> 00:01:59.420 But women received back their dead by resurrection. 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:06.039 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:11.579 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:13.060 They were stoned. 00:02:13.639 --> 00:02:14.599 They were sawn in two. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:16.379 They were killed with a sword. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:25.000 They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy, 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.519 wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:35.560 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:41.199 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:46.519 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:51.079 let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.819 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 00:02:55.259 --> 00:02:58.039 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:01.299 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:05.959 despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:07.599 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:14.739 Thank you, Celeste. 00:03:15.579 --> 00:03:18.280 Well, as we obviously know, it's New Year. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:21.239 I trust you had a good Christmas and a good New Year. 00:03:21.959 --> 00:03:23.579 I wonder how you feel about New Year. 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:30.439 Are you someone who likes New Year, likes the new start, new dreams, new expectations, 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:33.079 new hopes, resolutions for the year? 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:37.579 Or are you someone for whom the change of the year doesn't really mean too much, 00:03:38.019 --> 00:03:40.659 just kind of same old, same old, keep on going? 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.400 I'm someone who I love New Year's. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:49.519 I love the idea of a fresh start, new hopes, new plans, new thinking, new dreams. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:51.840 It's one of the reasons why I love living in Asia, 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:56.060 because if your first New Year's doesn't go so well, we get another one in about six weeks' time. 00:03:56.979 --> 00:03:59.759 But New Year's is, I love New Year's. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.719 I wonder how you're feeling about 2026. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:07.500 If you had to pick one word for 2026, what is your word? 00:04:08.219 --> 00:04:08.979 What are your hopes? 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:10.479 What are your expectations? 00:04:13.679 --> 00:04:17.920 And yet, one of the things that, as I've gotten older, one of the things I've realized is that 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:22.199 despite all my hopeful expectations for the new year ahead, 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:28.079 one of the things I've realized is that a new year doesn't necessarily mean a new me. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:38.659 The same challenges, the same struggles, the same obstacles that existed in 2025 are going to continue into 2026. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:44.159 Just because the calendar changes over doesn't mean everything is put right. 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:48.599 And despite what Instagram tells you, the challenges and the struggles will remain. 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:55.400 This next year ahead is not going to suddenly be perfect just because the calendar changes over. 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:59.480 And so what that means, friends, is that for those of us that are people of faith, 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:01.860 those of us that are followers of Jesus, Christ followers, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:10.240 this year you and I are going to need to live by faith all over again, just like we have in years gone by. 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:16.540 That turning of the page of the calendar won't take all our problems away, won't change all our circumstances, 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:22.939 won't heal all our relationships, won't necessarily bring the perfect job or the perfect spouse into our life. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:27.319 And that means that this year you and I are going to need to live by faith, 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:34.339 trusting in the goodness of the God who we believe is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:41.180 trusting in the goodness of the God who we cannot see but we hold on to in the good times and the tough times. 00:05:41.779 --> 00:05:48.740 Now, today as Celeste read to us, we are reading from or looking at this passage in Hebrews chapter 11. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:54.300 And the background to the book of Hebrews is that there are a bunch of Jewish Christians, 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:57.939 Hebrew Christians that have become followers of Jesus. 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:03.840 But after a while, they were wondering, is this Jesus guy all that he's made out to be? 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:07.139 I mean, maybe we were sold a fake. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:09.000 Maybe Jesus is not really God. 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:14.360 And so they're wondering maybe they should abandon their Christian faith and go back to their Jewish faith 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.680 and just become regular Jews and not hold on to Jesus. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:19.720 Maybe Jesus is not the Messiah. 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:25.199 And so here are a bunch of people that are wondering whether they should continue with their faith 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:27.840 or whether they should abandon their faith and go back. 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:31.460 And the author of the book of Hebrews, we don't know exactly who it is, 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:35.019 but the author is writing to them saying, don't do that. 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:37.360 Don't abandon your faith in Jesus. 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:39.439 Keep on going. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:40.579 Keep on enduring. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:42.540 Keep on persevering to the end. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:48.160 And the whole book of Hebrews is kind of a sermon to encourage these people whose faith is struggling 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:51.680 because of the hardships of life to keep on going to the end. 00:06:52.100 --> 00:06:56.900 And so the main point of the passage and the main point of the sermon today is that we, 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:02.460 as followers of Jesus, get to take courage and confidence from those that have gone before us 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:10.480 to keep on going in our faith despite the challenges in the ups and downs that 2026 is going to hold. 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:14.060 Let us keep on going and persevering with our faith. 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:16.660 And so there's two main points that we'll look at today. 00:07:17.020 --> 00:07:20.840 The life of faith and the substance or the object of our faith. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:22.819 Okay, so let's look at this passage together. 00:07:22.900 --> 00:07:24.259 I hope you've got it open with you. 00:07:24.840 --> 00:07:26.740 Firstly, the life of faith. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:33.460 Now, Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes known as the hall of fame of faith. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:34.560 Faith's hall of fame. 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:35.759 You know what a hall of fame is? 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:39.819 A hall of fame is in an industry or a sports team. 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:41.839 Maybe you get people that have excelled in something. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:44.259 And they are inducted in the hall of fame. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:46.980 It's like they are the very best of the very best. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:52.719 And their names are put on a list of people that are on it as being those that excel in their sport. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:57.759 So, for instance, every year the NBA will have a list of people that are inducted 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:03.439 and then named or named and then inducted in the NBA hall of fame. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:05.360 These are the very best of the best. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.639 The people that we all look up to and remember. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:12.539 Hebrews chapter 11 is known as faith's hall of fame. 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:19.539 It's a list of people in the Old Testament that had remarkable faith and trusted God 00:08:19.539 --> 00:08:23.459 despite very challenging and difficult circumstances. 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:23.579 Moses. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:27.959 And so look at some of the things that the writer says here. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.879 Look at some of the names he mentions. 00:08:29.979 --> 00:08:30.919 He talks about Moses. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.039 He says Moses had this choice. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:36.480 Moses was a Hebrew, but he also grew up as a son of Pharaoh. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:38.460 He grew up as a prince of Egypt in the palace. 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.539 And at one point Moses had a choice. 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:43.159 Do I identify with the Hebrews, the people of Israel? 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:49.620 Or do I kind of hide my identity and keep my identity as a son of Pharaoh, as a prince? 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:51.240 And Moses had this choice. 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:56.159 But because of his faith in God's word, what God had said, God had spoken that, 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:59.100 trust me and I will deliver your people from Egypt. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:06.279 Moses identified with the slaves and the servants of Egypt, the outcasts, the Hebrews, 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:09.019 those that were the bottom of society. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:13.720 Moses identified with them rather than living as a prince of Pharaoh 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:16.180 because of his faith and his trust in God's word. 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:19.519 The writer here speaks about Rahab. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.959 Rahab was a Canaanite woman. 00:09:21.099 --> 00:09:22.779 She was actually a sex worker, a prostitute. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:27.879 And at one point she's living in a city, and some Israelite spies come to her and say, 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:30.120 God is going to overthrow the city. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:36.159 But if you will trust us and the God that we believe in, God will spare you and save you. 00:09:36.599 --> 00:09:37.559 So now she's got a choice. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:38.739 Where will she go? 00:09:38.839 --> 00:09:42.279 Will she believe the word of God, the word of the Israelites, the word of Yahweh, 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:44.120 or will she believe her own people? 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:45.379 She has this choice. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:49.039 And because of her faith in God, she trusts God, and she is spared and saved, 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:51.340 even though her whole city is destroyed. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:55.279 The writer thinks about the Israelites when they leave Egypt. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:56.519 They leave Egypt. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:59.139 They come to the Red Sea, but now they're cornered. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:00.399 The sea is in front of them. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:02.700 The Egyptians are chasing behind them. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:03.960 Which way are they going to go? 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:04.939 They're stuck. 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:08.360 And they cry out to God, and they trust God, and they believe God. 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:11.399 God says, put your feet on the water, and I will open up the way for you. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:14.539 And they trust God, and God delivers them and rescues them. 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:18.480 And on and on the writer goes with all these stories that Celestia read to us. 00:10:18.579 --> 00:10:23.299 People, men and women of faith who trusted God despite difficult circumstances. 00:10:23.439 --> 00:10:27.279 And so he says here, and what is it, verse 32? 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:34.199 He says, and I don't have time to elaborate on other people, Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah and David and Samuel, 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:39.020 or the prophets, all of whom trusted God despite their demanding situations. 00:10:39.020 --> 00:10:40.820 All of those who live by faith. 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:47.060 And the point that the writer is making is that those of us who have come to believe in the God of the Bible, 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:50.660 Jesus Christ, this is the life of faith. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:53.360 This is going to be your story and my story. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:56.120 We, too, are going to have to be people who trust God. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:11:00.039 Now, when you read this, at first, it might feel like the writer is saying, 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:02.700 listen, just have faith and life's going to be easy. 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:04.600 What could possibly go wrong, right? 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.740 Jesus on your side? 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.960 Well, what could go wrong? 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.419 Because look at verse 33. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:15.100 He talks about how people conquered kingdoms and enforced justice and stopped the mouths of lions. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:17.440 Talking about Daniel there, escaped the edge of the sword. 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:20.560 He's almost sounding like faith is this lamp. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:23.500 You just throw a prayer in the air and everything's going to go well. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:30.179 But verse 35 dislodges that disbelief because verse 35 tells us that actually, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:34.139 faith is not a superpower that makes life easy. 00:11:34.979 --> 00:11:40.239 Faith is holding on to God in the midst of hardship, even when life isn't easy. 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:44.979 And not all of these people, for them, did life end happily ever after. 00:11:45.719 --> 00:11:47.619 Look at verse 35 onwards. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:54.200 Friends, some people were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to better life. 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:58.600 Others suffered mocking and flogging, even chains and imprisonment. 00:11:59.019 --> 00:11:59.879 They were stoned. 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:01.320 They were sawn in two. 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.060 Imagine that. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.820 A saw cutting you in two. 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:04.740 That's how some of them died. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.860 They were killed with the sword. 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:11.440 They went about destitute, afflicted, mistreated, wandering about in deserts and mountains, 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:14.259 in dens and caves of the earth. 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:19.620 Now, friends, why is the right of Hebrews telling us about these men and women of faith? 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.379 What's his point? 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.059 His point is this. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.799 This is the life of faith. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:29.080 This is what it means to be a Christian, to be a follower of God. 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:35.159 That these people, though they faced significant trials and life-threatening situations and challenges, 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:37.700 for none of them was life a walk in the park. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:44.080 And yet they faced these trials by faith in the God that they'd come to believe in and hope and trust. 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:52.580 The God that they could not see, but the God that they believed was faithful to his word and trustworthy and worthy of worship. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:57.800 And despite the circumstance that they found themselves in, they held on to him. 00:12:57.799 --> 00:13:04.359 And the right of Hebrews is reminding these Christians of this because no doubt they're going to face challenges themselves. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:10.559 He's wanting to stir their faith and encourage them and remind them this is the life of faith. 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:13.519 Friends, some of us here are not followers of Jesus. 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:17.019 You're on a spiritual journey, and that's great, great to have you here. 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:21.740 You need to know that if you do become a follower of Jesus, this is the life of faith. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:25.919 Becoming a follower of Jesus does not make everything easy or rosy. 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:31.599 What it is, is saying I'm going to hold on to God and trust him despite my circumstances, 00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:34.519 trusting that he's good and he's worthy of worship. 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:39.299 Friends, some of us I know have had very difficult 2025s. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:44.019 Some of us have faced great challenges, and some of us are still facing immense challenges. 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:48.919 Friends, for some of us, 2026 will be a very difficult year. 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:51.939 Some of us will receive bad medical reports. 00:13:52.839 --> 00:13:54.579 Some will have deep work challenges. 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:56.120 Some of us will lose our jobs. 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:59.400 Friends, some of us, relationships are going to be difficult. 00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:02.500 All of us are going to have our faith tested. 00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:07.160 And there will be mountaintop moments, and there will be deep, dark valleys. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:12.440 There will be exciting and rewarding times, and there will be challenging and difficult times. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:15.280 Friends, there will be times when we feel on top of the world, 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:20.440 and there will be times when we feel disappointed, misunderstood, anxious, and worried. 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:22.600 This is real life. 00:14:23.400 --> 00:14:24.880 This is the life of faith. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:29.200 And for those of us who have come to know and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:33.880 from now until the day we die, this will be our story. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.180 Learning to trust in God. 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:38.759 You know, we are a relatively young church, 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:41.599 and one of the things that when you're kind of under 30, 00:14:41.859 --> 00:14:46.179 is you feel like life is hard, but I've just got to push through the next few years, 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:49.459 and then when I get to like 45, 50, everything will be fine. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.519 I can just coast, right? 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:54.359 All my problems will be done away with, and then I can just relax. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:59.159 Friends, if you are 95 years old, you're still going to need to live by faith, 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:02.439 trusting in the goodness of the God that you cannot see, 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:04.700 but who promises to be good for us. 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:10.440 From now until the day we pass away, this is the story of the Christian life. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:12.800 And of course, it's not automatic, is it? 00:15:13.380 --> 00:15:16.060 And part of the point of this passage is that there's an alternative, 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:20.740 because it's entirely possible to not live by faith, 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:25.260 but rather to live by what we can see, by what we can hold on to, 00:15:25.780 --> 00:15:31.820 by what we can touch, by what we can control, ultimately in ourselves. 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:36.540 And yet the storyline of the Bible from Genesis in the Garden of Eden, 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:40.860 right throughout the whole storyline of the Bible, right to Babylon, right at the end, 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:45.860 the narrative of the whole Bible is that living, trusting in ourselves, 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:49.240 confidence in our own flesh, what we can control and handle, 00:15:49.760 --> 00:15:55.760 is utterly disastrous, and only ends in pain and misery. 00:15:57.060 --> 00:16:00.420 Martin Lloyd-Jones was a wonderful, wonderful preacher many years ago, 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.519 and he used to say this, 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:05.620 the very essence of the entire Christian life is to realize two things. 00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:11.959 I must have complete, absolute confidence in God and no confidence in myself. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:19.919 To live by faith is the story that those of us that are followers of Jesus have dived into and inhabited. 00:16:20.719 --> 00:16:23.179 And this is what the author of Hebrews is wanting for us to. 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.360 Look at the final sentence. 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:26.339 If you've got your Bible, we didn't read it, 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:29.920 but the very final sentence of chapter 10, the author says this, 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:34.300 he's talking about the temptation to fall away and to give up on faith. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.680 And he says, 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:37.700 But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:41.300 We are those who have faith and preserve our souls. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:43.100 Friends, this is the story. 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:44.160 This is the Christian life. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.280 This is the life of faith. 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:47.280 For those of us who are followers of Jesus, 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:49.879 this is what 2026 will consist of. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:56.639 Living by faith in the goodness of God and the faithfulness of the God who promises to be there with us. 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.079 Now, what are the implications of this? 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:00.279 There's many implications. 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:01.860 Let me give you one very simple one. 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:03.079 First is this. 00:17:03.439 --> 00:17:06.420 Do not believe the lie of the prosperity gospel. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.180 Do you know what I mean by prosperity gospel? 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.720 There's some churches, some Christians who will say, 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:14.120 Well, if you do the right thing, if you behave the right way, 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:17.000 do the right things, say the right things, pray the right prayers, 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:18.900 maybe even give enough money to the church, 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.940 God will promise to bless you. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.140 You'll be healthy. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.920 You'll be wealthy. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:23.860 You'll be prosperous. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.079 Your business will succeed. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.420 You'll have many children. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.000 You'll find the right relationships. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.720 Just do the right things. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:32.519 Give money to church and God's blessing will follow you. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:34.200 Friends, that's not true. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:37.339 Sometimes you can be the most devout, faithful Christian 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:39.660 and hardship and suffering can still come your way. 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:41.920 And so just ask these people. 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:44.740 Ask those people in Hebrews 11. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.320 How did it work out for them? 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.920 Tortured for their faith. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.820 Stoned, sawn in two. 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:51.340 Killed with the sword. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:54.620 The prosperity gospel didn't work out very well for them. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.460 Friends, for some of us who are not Christians, 00:17:57.580 --> 00:18:00.600 if you do become a Christian, your life will become more difficult. 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:03.220 You'll have more people misunderstanding you, 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:05.820 mistreating you, rejecting you because of your faith. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.259 Don't believe the lie of the prosperity gospel. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:13.779 So one of my prayers for 2026, for myself, for my family, 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:16.859 and for us as a church, is God grow our faith. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.400 Increase our faith. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:22.259 Help us to become men and women of deep, deep abiding faith. 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.019 Faith that endures the hardship. 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:26.500 Faith that perseveres in the midst of difficulty. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.940 Help us to be like these men and women of old 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:31.640 who knew how to trust you and hold on to you. 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.839 The life of faith. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:35.319 Secondly, the substance of faith. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.680 Now the question is this, 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:38.560 okay, but what does that actually mean? 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.720 What does that look like? 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:41.960 Okay, so this year we're going to have to live by faith. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:44.120 What does that actually consist of? 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.080 What does that look like? 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:49.700 Well, look at what the writer says in chapter 12, verse 1 and 2. 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:56.380 Here he describes what the object or the substance or the essence of our faith is. 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.180 Look what he says here. 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:57.920 He says, 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:05.779 In other words, our Christian faith is not just an individual thing. 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.880 It's not just me and Jesus. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.360 We have this crowd of witnesses. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:13.539 The saints of old, the men and women that have followed God 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:16.160 through hundreds of years, thousands of years, 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:18.560 even before Christ came, the Old Testament saints. 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:21.100 We're part of the story, this trajectory. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:23.519 Our faith is part of the story that God has been written. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:26.920 And these believers that have gone before us, 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:29.660 that the writer writes about here in chapter 11, 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:32.019 and all the Christians for the last 2,000 years 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:34.160 are like these cloud of witnesses. 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:36.200 They're encouraging us and they're stirring us on. 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.259 And he says, 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:39.579 Since you're surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:45.980 let us lay aside every weight or every hindrance or every obstacle and sin, 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:48.500 which tends to cling so closely, 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:52.900 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:56.519 Okay, so the author here, he's picturing a running race. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:56.840 He says, 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:58.680 The life of faith is like a marathon. 00:19:59.120 --> 00:19:59.920 It's not a sprint. 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:03.240 It's not 100 yards, 10 seconds. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.880 It's a lifelong marathon. 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.740 And you're running this marathon. 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:10.720 And on the sidelines are all the other believers throughout the ages 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.980 who have lived by faith and trusted God, 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:15.220 and now they're on the side cheering you on. 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.560 And they're shouting, 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:18.980 Go for it! 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:20.120 And keep going! 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:20.980 Don't give up! 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.460 Okay? 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.279 I don't know if my pronunciation is at all accurate, 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.799 but you know what I'm trying to say, right? 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.740 Soda's laughing at me. 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:30.299 Okay, I apologize, Soda. 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.620 Add oil! 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.339 Okay, they're going. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:32.640 They're going. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:32.960 They say, 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:34.019 Run with endurance! 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.980 Keep on going! 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.319 We don't give up! 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.740 They're on the sidelines. 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:40.519 There's this great cloud of witnesses. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:43.539 They're cheering us on in this marathon of faith. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:44.860 Except, 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.579 What are they shouting? 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.980 They're actually not saying, 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.679 Add oil! 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:50.480 Okay? 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.980 They're not saying, 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.079 Keep on going! 00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:53.819 You can do it! 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.399 They're not saying, 00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:57.299 What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:59.079 What are they saying? 00:20:59.179 --> 00:21:00.279 Well, look what he says. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:04.740 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.539 looking to Jesus, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:10.480 the founder and the perfecter of our faith. 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.079 Friends, 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:14.099 there is the Christian life in a nutshell. 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.059 Many people want to know, 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.940 What is my calling? 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.660 How do I know what God's will for my life is? 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.500 There it is. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:23.759 Run with endurance the race that is set before you, 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.120 looking to Jesus, 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:28.400 the founder and the perfecter of our faith. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.900 What does that mean? 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:32.720 It means Jesus is the sum and the substance of our faith. 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:36.360 Jesus is the essence and the totality of our faith. 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:42.959 Jesus is the one upon whom our entire faith depends from beginning to end. 00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:45.959 Run with endurance the race that is set before you, 00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:47.979 looking to Christ Jesus, 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:51.500 the founder and the perfecter of our faith. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.079 Friends, 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.219 there's a very subtle difference, 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.719 but a huge difference 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:56.679 between, 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.279 as a follower of Jesus, 00:21:58.419 --> 00:22:01.019 looking to Christ and looking to myself. 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:04.799 It's easy as a Christian to actually look to myself 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.619 and put my confidence in myself, 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.119 in what I'm doing, 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:11.359 and think that that gains me credibility with God. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:14.139 Versus coming to Jesus empty-handed and saying, 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:14.839 God, 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.539 I look to you. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:16.919 I need you. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.799 Robert Murray McShane, 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:20.879 he's reminded us of this phrase many, 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.579 many times. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.500 He says, 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.059 For everyone, 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.879 look at yourself, 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.859 take ten looks at Christ. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.579 And then he goes on, 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:26.879 he says, 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:30.319 Let your soul be filled with the heart-ravishing sense 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:32.440 of the excellency of Christ 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.899 and all that is in him. 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.100 Friends, 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.259 that's our goal this year. 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.300 For everyone, 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:37.940 look at yourself, 00:22:38.040 --> 00:22:39.220 take ten looks at Christ. 00:22:39.820 --> 00:22:40.720 During these holidays, 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:43.460 I've been reading a biography on John Newton. 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:43.980 You remember, 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:47.360 John Newton was the captain of a slave ship 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.340 in the 18th century, 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.900 the transatlantic slave trade, 00:22:50.280 --> 00:22:53.080 taking slaves from Africa across to America. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.420 He used to captain a ship. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.060 He was a very, 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:58.920 very terrible and evil and wicked man. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.259 And then one day, 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:01.460 he encounters Christ. 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.660 The ship is in a storm. 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:05.140 He cries out to the God that he doesn't believe in. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.500 He says, 00:23:05.560 --> 00:23:05.700 God, 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.880 I don't know if I believe in you, 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.880 but if you are real, 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.500 save me. 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.540 And the storm subsides, 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:12.040 and he gets back to land, 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:13.580 and that starts a spiritual journey. 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.560 And for the next few years, 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.720 he's on a spiritual journey. 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.880 And then one day, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.460 back in London, 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:18.600 he comes to faith, 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.360 and he comes to know the wonder of Jesus. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.800 And he writes that amazing hymn, 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.019 Amazing Grace. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.040 Amazing Grace, 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:24.960 how sweet the sound, 00:23:25.040 --> 00:23:26.800 that saved a wretch like me. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:30.480 But I've been reading this amazing biography on his life. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:34.240 And listen to how the author describes John Newton's life once he came to faith. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.000 He says this, 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.940 For John Newton, 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:40.019 the Christian life boils down largely to this question. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:42.339 How do I maintain constant, 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.480 undistracted, 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.240 unmixed, 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:46.619 single-hearted devotion to Christ? 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.419 This life of faith, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:50.200 looking to Christ and treasuring him, 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:53.740 is the great duty that simplifies the Christian life. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.859 I love that. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:58.579 This is what simplifies the Christian life. 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.740 Look to Jesus, 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:02.519 the founder and the perfecter of our faith. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.099 But of course, 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:06.319 it's not just look to Jesus generally. 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.539 There's a particularity to it. 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:10.220 There's a specificity to it. 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.180 In other words, 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.480 it's easy as Christians to say, 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.299 Yes, yes, okay, 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.079 I look to Jesus. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:14.740 Okay, 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.680 I'll trust Jesus this year. 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:17.960 But actually, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.359 what Christ wants us to do, 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.559 is to look to Christ, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.920 in the particular areas of life, 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:24.000 that we find it hardest. 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:25.120 In other words, 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:26.500 you may have 10 areas of your life. 00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:27.360 You've got your work life. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.300 You've got your social life. 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.380 You've got your financial life. 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.180 You've got your relationships. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.720 You've got leisure. 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.840 You've got hobbies. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.000 You've got all these things. 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:35.340 And one of them is church life. 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.680 And it's easy to, 00:24:36.800 --> 00:24:37.660 I look to Jesus, 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:39.340 and eight out of these nine areas, 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.480 but this area, 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.380 I just want to hold control. 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:44.259 I want to take control. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.240 And the life of a Christian 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.420 is to live by faith, 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.500 in the particular area, 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:51.019 that we find it hardest. 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.460 Friends, 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.519 where is it hard for you, 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.359 to live by faith? 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.660 What is the one area of life, 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:58.139 that you want to keep control? 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.599 Where is the one area of life, 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:02.019 that you want to do it your way? 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.599 Jesus says, 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.559 look to Jesus, 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.139 the founder, 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.180 and the perfecter of our faith, 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.579 in that area of life. 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.879 And the author of Hebrews here, 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.119 gives us one more reason, 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.180 one more motivation, 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.160 to keep on going, 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.960 this life of faith. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.000 Because look at what he says here. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.139 He says, 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:33.160 Jesus Christ, 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.860 was the most fully human, 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.020 that's ever lived. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:40.259 The most fully human person. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.960 The most alive, 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.300 the most perfect, 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:45.079 the most sinless human being, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.759 who ever lived. 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:47.579 Utterly pleasing to God the Father, 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.339 in every sense. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.899 And he's now seated, 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.079 at the right hand, 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.940 of the throne of God, 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.399 in glory. 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.819 And yet, 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.740 Christ's road to glory, 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.960 passed through, 00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:57.819 the horrors, 00:25:57.919 --> 00:25:58.619 and the suffering, 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.419 of Calvary. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.980 Jesus didn't bypass Calvary, 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.720 he went through Calvary, 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.339 to glory. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.700 And what the writer of Hebrews, 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.240 is saying, 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.220 is that, 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.399 Jesus is like, 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.200 on this marathon, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.899 that we're running, 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:12.380 Jesus is ahead of us. 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.680 He's leading the pack. 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:15.680 And our job is to keep our eyes, 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.480 fixed on Jesus, 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.620 and to follow him. 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.259 And what that means, 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:20.100 is that one day, 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.080 if we follow him, 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.660 and hold on to him, 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:23.100 we too will get to glory. 00:26:23.540 --> 00:26:25.080 But our road to glory, 00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:26.060 like Jesus, 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.740 will also pass, 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.720 through Calvary. 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:30.560 Will pass through suffering. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:31.740 Friends, 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.280 the one who, 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.440 carried the cross, 00:26:33.540 --> 00:26:34.620 and endured hostility, 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.000 hardship on chain, 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.660 and shame, 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.580 on the road to glory, 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.460 calls us to follow him. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.380 To keep looking to him. 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.960 To trusting him, 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:44.299 on our own road. 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.100 Friends, 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.559 those of us, 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.440 who are followers of Jesus, 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.660 as we live by faith, 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.319 our journey, 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.480 will not be very different, 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.440 from Christ's journey. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.759 We follow a suffering servant, 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.900 and we will suffer too. 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:56.360 We follow a despised savior, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.480 and we may be despised too. 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.980 We follow a rejected savior, 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.000 and we may be rejected too. 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:03.980 Friends, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.940 we follow a savior, 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.299 who endured hardship, 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.220 and came through, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.600 suffering to glory. 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.740 We too, 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.299 will come through, 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:11.240 suffering to glory, 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.899 if we hold on to him, 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.959 and endure. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.899 And that's why verse 3 says, 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.099 Celeste didn't read it, 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.819 but verse 3 says, 00:27:18.179 --> 00:27:19.399 therefore consider him, 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.740 consider Jesus, 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.839 who endured such, 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.519 from sin, 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.399 and such hostility, 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.179 gains himself, 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.459 that you too, 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.740 may not grow weary, 00:27:26.899 --> 00:27:27.799 and faint hearted. 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.559 Friends, 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.599 Christ is our leader, 00:27:29.699 --> 00:27:30.819 he's running ahead of us, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.639 and he says, 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.299 look to me, 00:27:32.719 --> 00:27:33.299 trust me, 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.779 I will take you through. 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.579 Friends, 00:27:35.679 --> 00:27:36.299 Christ went through, 00:27:36.459 --> 00:27:37.240 the ultimate suffering, 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.940 through the horror, 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.700 of the cross, 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.500 of Calvary, 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.779 so that we too, 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.339 can go through, 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.640 our minor sufferings, 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.519 knowing that we too, 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.180 will come through, 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.359 on the other side, 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.099 as we hold on to. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.400 Listen to how, 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.759 Tony Ranke puts it, 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.299 in his book, 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:49.680 he says, 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.299 rejoicing in Christ, 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.660 is a daily pursuit, 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.160 on the mountaintops, 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.319 and in the valley, 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.620 as we conquer, 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.519 and while we keep on fighting, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.559 when the Lord is shining on us, 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.019 and when he seems to be, 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.160 hiding his face from us, 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.700 nothing undercuts, 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.640 the Christian life, 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:07.060 like Christ amnesia, 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.460 it means forgetting about Jesus, 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:10.200 thinking we can live safely, 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.480 for a moment without Christ, 00:28:11.820 --> 00:28:13.040 without his atoning grace, 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:14.880 without renewed communion with him, 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.700 keeping Christ in view, 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.360 at all times, 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.800 is by far the hardest, 00:28:19.540 --> 00:28:20.620 and the most essential, 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:22.240 part of our calling, 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:22.900 as Christians. 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.300 So friends, 00:28:24.340 --> 00:28:25.460 what should we do about this? 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:27.080 How does this affect our year? 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.019 Let's think about this briefly, 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.759 if this life of faith, 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.700 is pursuing Christ, 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.539 and holding on to him, 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.079 daily, 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.859 rejoicing in Christ, 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.059 looking to Christ, 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.400 trusting in Christ, 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.660 delighting in Christ, 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.279 keeping constant communion, 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.839 with Christ, 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.920 and living by faith, 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.139 in the faithfulness of the God, 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.859 that we cannot see, 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:46.660 how might this shape your hopes, 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.160 your dreams, 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.460 your ambitions, 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.220 your priorities, 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.240 for 2026? 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.500 Friends, 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.220 what might this mean, 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.879 for your diary, 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.700 your calendar, 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.400 your scheduling? 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:56.900 Maybe it means, 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.079 getting up a little bit earlier, 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.799 each day, 00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.379 and starting your day, 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.960 by feasting your soul on Jesus, 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.680 on his word, 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.240 and reading, 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.139 praying, 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.259 confessing sins, 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.599 and reminding yourself, 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.339 of where your hope, 00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:08.119 and life lies. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:08.940 Friends, 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.700 what might it mean, 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.119 for your social media use? 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.879 How much are you on your phone? 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.839 Are your digital devices, 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.700 distracting you, 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.519 from Christ, 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.180 and keeping you, 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.139 from focusing on him? 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.639 How might it, 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.779 fixing your eyes on Christ, 00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:21.480 and living by faith, 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.579 affect the way you budget, 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.000 the way you save, 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.200 the way you spend? 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:27.059 How you think about your home, 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.160 and how you use your home, 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.140 whether you can open it up, 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.220 invite other people in? 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:31.320 Friends, 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.560 how might the life of faith, 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.720 change the way you think, 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.640 about your career, 00:29:34.820 --> 00:29:35.620 in 2026? 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.860 Have you been idolizing work, 00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:38.600 in your career? 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:40.720 Maybe you've been neglecting work, 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.460 and following Jesus, 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:42.460 means taking your work, 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.100 more seriously. 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.420 Friends, 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.140 how might this, 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.519 shape the way you handle, 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.740 disappointments at work, 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.920 being overlooked, 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.680 for a promotion, 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.500 a gain, 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.840 being misunderstood, 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.100 by those around you? 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.160 Friends, 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.539 how might holding on to Jesus, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.640 and living by faith, 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.100 this year, 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:58.700 affect your relationships, 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.320 relationships, 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.039 to your family, 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.120 relationships, 00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:02.920 with friends, 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:03.960 relationships, 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.800 with colleagues, 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:05.920 relationships, 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.620 with church? 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:08.340 Are there any relationships, 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.220 that need to be healed, 00:30:09.320 --> 00:30:09.759 or mended? 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.680 Anyone you need to forgive, 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.820 or anyone you need to ask, 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:14.139 for forgiveness from them? 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.500 Our passage started off saying, 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.559 since we are surrounded, 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.779 by such a great cloud, 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.279 of witnesses, 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.299 let's lay aside, 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:20.879 every weight, 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.599 every hindrance, 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.139 every sin, 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:24.220 that tends to clog our feet, 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.779 and stop us from running. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.700 Friends, 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.799 I wonder what obstacles, 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.379 or hindrances, 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.519 we need to cut off. 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:31.379 Are there any sinful habits, 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:32.039 or patterns, 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.119 that we need to get rid of, 00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:34.079 as we look to Jesus, 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.379 and trust in him? 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.419 Friends, 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.059 maybe some of us, 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.980 need to make some decisions, 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.659 before the service even ends, 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:41.599 to reorientate our hearts, 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.240 our lives, 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.920 to Christ, 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.539 and to trust in him. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:45.579 Friends, 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.140 for those of us, 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.640 who are not Christians at all, 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.299 maybe you're here, 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.440 and you're not a follower of Jesus, 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.720 maybe you're here, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.339 because you're trying to make sense of life, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.059 maybe you feel lost, 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.759 and you feel like, 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.940 I don't know where I'm going, 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.700 in 2026, 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:58.039 maybe let me try religion. 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.099 Friends, 00:30:59.099 --> 00:31:00.099 I want you to know, 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.620 let me tell you as plainly, 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.680 and simply as I can, 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.279 you were made, 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.259 to know, 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.940 the God of the universe, 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.859 the God who made you, 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:10.120 and brought you into existence, 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.379 knows you the best, 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.979 and loves you the most, 00:31:13.219 --> 00:31:14.119 and he says, 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.899 that peace, 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:15.879 and rest, 00:31:15.979 --> 00:31:18.139 will only ever be found, 00:31:18.479 --> 00:31:19.479 in knowing him, 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.819 and coming to him. 00:31:22.219 --> 00:31:22.459 Friends, 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.059 the Bible says, 00:31:23.179 --> 00:31:24.279 that because of our wrongdoing, 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.619 our sin, 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.759 we've been cut off from God, 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.699 it's like this relationship, 00:31:26.699 --> 00:31:27.279 is broken, 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:28.039 is fractured, 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:29.480 and you know what it's like, 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.519 in a fractured relationship, 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.960 have you ever been distant, 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.519 from someone, 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.139 a loved one, 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.000 someone you're close to, 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.259 it's horrible, 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.680 it's terrible, 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.420 you're meant to be, 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.220 in a close relationship, 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.079 and enjoy each other, 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.119 but there's a fracturing, 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.279 the relationship is, 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.200 there's a distance, 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.500 it's the worst feeling, 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.059 in the world, 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.059 friends, 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.799 you were made, 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:47.480 to be in a relationship, 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.720 with the God of the universe, 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.139 and there's a distance, 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:52.220 and life will never, 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.279 never, 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.440 be peaceful, 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.200 or restful, 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.399 until you're reconciled, 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.940 but did you see, 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.080 what our passage said today, 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.880 our passage said, 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.160 that the God of the universe, 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:02.980 Jesus Christ, 00:32:03.040 --> 00:32:04.600 loves you so much, 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.820 that he was willing, 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.640 to go to the cross, 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.160 for you, 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.740 Jesus Christ, 00:32:08.800 --> 00:32:09.860 went to pay the penalty, 00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:10.820 for the fracturing, 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:11.759 paid to, 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:13.280 went to die, 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.360 to reconcile, 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:15.700 to restore the relationship, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.480 friends, 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.240 Jesus Christ, 00:32:17.280 --> 00:32:18.160 loves you so much, 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:18.700 that he was willing, 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.900 to go to that extent, 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.700 those lengths, 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:22.140 to bring you peace, 00:32:22.580 --> 00:32:23.580 to bring you rest, 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.519 you'll never know, 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:26.240 rest and peace, 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.279 until you know Jesus, 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.640 friends can I ask you today, 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.339 choose to follow him, 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.160 choose to know him, 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.819 come to trust in him, 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.220 come to be part, 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.099 of the people of faith, 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.000 let your year, 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:37.819 2026, 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.819 be marked, 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.779 by living a life, 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.299 of faith, 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:42.000 Robert Murray McShane, 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.440 used to say, 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.000 for everyone, 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:43.640 look at yourself, 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.920 take 10 looks at Christ, 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:45.819 why, 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.700 such infinite majesty, 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:49.140 and yet such gentleness, 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:49.720 and grace, 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.039 and awful sinners, 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.660 like me, 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.279 and you, 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:54.000 rest in his grace, 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.880 see his all seeing eye, 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.340 settle on you in love, 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.640 and take rest, 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.680 in his almighty arms, 00:32:59.760 --> 00:32:59.960 friends, 00:33:00.020 --> 00:33:00.640 that's what Jesus, 00:33:00.820 --> 00:33:01.440 has done for you, 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.840 but for all of us, 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.660 for this year ahead, 00:33:04.320 --> 00:33:05.120 don't try and do it, 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:05.620 on your own, 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.160 don't try and make, 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.500 2026 a better year, 00:33:08.580 --> 00:33:09.280 in your own strength, 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.000 in your own power, 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.140 friends, 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.860 don't try and be, 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.100 a busy body at church, 00:33:13.780 --> 00:33:14.280 be someone, 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.320 who lives by faith, 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.860 trusting the God, 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.860 that you cannot see, 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.380 but who went to the cross, 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:19.560 for you, 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.700 who died and rose again, 00:33:21.280 --> 00:33:22.140 that you might live, 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.700 by faith, 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:24.019 and experience life, 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.680 let's come to him in prayer, 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.759 and do that now, 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:28.019 let me pray for us, 00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:30.640 father God, 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.779 as we come to, 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.319 the start of this year, 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.059 2026, 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.680 my prayer for us, 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.480 my prayer for myself, 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.299 my prayer for us, 00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:37.819 as a church, 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.840 God increase our faith, 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.420 grow our faith, 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:43.160 help us as a church, 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.620 help us individually, 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.759 help us to believe in you, 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.660 and to trust in you, 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.039 God not just generally, 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.940 or generically, 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:52.059 but God specifically, 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.920 in the areas of life, 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.960 where we find it hard, 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.819 to trust you, 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.220 Jesus I pray, 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.680 come and be big in our hearts, 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:01.119 come and be big in our lives, 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:04.319 God for those of us, 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.059 that are parents, 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.399 for those of us, 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:06.859 that are married, 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.319 those of us, 00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:07.819 that are single, 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.559 help us God, 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.380 with our relationships, 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.320 help us at home, 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.960 help us to trust you God, 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:16.219 God for our work lives, 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:19.480 for family life, 00:34:20.919 --> 00:34:21.739 for our hobbies, 00:34:21.859 --> 00:34:22.939 and our desires God, 00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:24.079 for our dreams, 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:25.079 and hope for the future, 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.859 and Jesus help us, 00:34:26.899 --> 00:34:27.559 to trust you, 00:34:27.959 --> 00:34:29.759 God when life is hard, 00:34:29.879 --> 00:34:30.199 this year, 00:34:30.419 --> 00:34:31.579 and the storms, 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.480 come our way, 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:34.739 help us to hold on to you, 00:34:35.799 --> 00:34:36.899 to live lives of faith, 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.599 to trust you, 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:40.899 Jesus for those of us, 00:34:40.939 --> 00:34:42.159 that are not yet followers, 00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:43.419 of Jesus open our eyes, 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.039 to see you, 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:45.919 reveal yourself to us, 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:47.559 and help us to know you, 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:49.359 we pray this in your great, 00:34:49.919 --> 00:34:50.879 and wonderful name, 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:52.000 Amen, 00:34:52.959 --> 00:34:53.319 Amen.