WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:28.440 Amen. I wonder who it is that you most envy in the world. If you were to press the reset button on your life and start again, what sort of a person would you create for yourself? How would you do it? Well, at the beginning of probably what is the most famous sermon ever preached, it's called the Sermon on the Mount. It's this section in Matthew's Gospel from chapter 5 to the end of chapter 7. 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:52.859 Then Jesus deals out the definitive answer, the definitive reality on who it is that we should envy in the world. They are the blessed people, he says. They are the people who've got life right. You look at them and you think, how I envy them. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:01:08.299 It is a hard word to translate in the English, the word blessed. I quite like the Welsh paraphrase, forgive me on the pronunciation on this. Gwynny big I think it is. I'm sorry about that. But that means white is their world. 00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:20.920 White is their world. Everything is in its right place. Everything is where it should be. Happy, blessed, enviable. White is their world. That is the kind of feel of this passage. 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:36.079 So we imagine, don't we, perhaps the kind of people who end up on the front of magazines. They work hard, they play hard, they retire early, they've got money in the bank, they've got holiday homes, maybe in a couple of other places around the world. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:54.739 They've got great family life, they've got great social standing, maybe they give to charity. And you look at them and you think, they have done it. They have made it in life. Look at him, look at her. How I envy them. How white is their world. 00:01:54.739 --> 00:02:16.120 So who do you envy? So who do you envy? I don't know what it is for you. Maybe you envy someone at the end of the summer who gets straight A's. Maybe you look at somebody with a freehold of a detached London property. How I envy them. How I would like to be them. They have made it in life. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:23.800 That's the kind of feel to what Jesus is saying here. The blessed people. The people that we envy. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:39.939 And you'll notice the audience that Jesus speaks to here. If you look at verse 1, seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain and as he sat down his disciples came to him. That's interesting, isn't it? 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:57.819 You've got a gathering of the disciples with Jesus, but then the crowds are there as well, aren't they? This is a double-barrelled sermon that Jesus preaches here. One barrel is for the Christians, isn't it? For the disciples, those who belong to Jesus. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:05.099 These eight or nine blessed statements at the beginning of the sermon are meant for them, for the disciples. 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:15.379 And the whole content of this scintillating sermon, with all of its captivating ethical teaching, is meant for the disciples. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:24.280 So don't mistake Jesus. This isn't a sermon on rules, on how to get into the kingdom of God. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:34.920 No, it's the behaviour that the citizens of Jesus' kingdom, the disciples, who've already trusted in him, are to live by. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:43.400 But then, if you flick to the end of this great sermon in chapter 7, verse 28, we read, 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:49.960 When Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching. 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:57.180 You see, there is the second barrel of the sermon. It is for those who are listening in, isn't it? 00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:03.620 For those who are outsiders. It's as if he's saying to the world outside, 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:11.760 If you want to know who is truly blessed, who is truly happy, who you should envy in the world, 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:20.959 Just look at my disciples. Just listen to what I tell them, and how they are going to live. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:25.279 Now maybe you're here this morning, and that describes you a little bit. 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:29.819 You're here, you're surrounded with Jesus' disciples in church, 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:35.759 But actually, if you're honest, you're not one of those disciples, and you're looking in from the outside. 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:44.099 You're one of the people in the crowds. You're eavesdropping on what Jesus is saying to his disciples. 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:48.180 I want to say to you, that that is exactly what church is for, for you. 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:55.560 It is for the crowds to come in and eavesdrop on Jesus' teaching to his church. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:57.519 Eavesdropping is allowed in church. 00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:02.959 This is not a private members' club, or a private members' meeting. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:08.539 It is for the crowds of the world to come in and hear Jesus teaching to his disciples. 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:11.120 And this is absolutely golden here, isn't it? 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:19.399 Because I don't know about you, but the search for happiness and blessing is so elusive. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:21.240 Isn't it? 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:27.819 One person said, the search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.599 So true, isn't it? 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:38.540 Happiness and blessing is such a slippery thing, but here Jesus claims to be able to end that search. 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:40.800 It's absolute gold dust. 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:47.720 So what we've got at the beginning of this great sermon on the map is in these blessed statements. 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:49.480 It's a kind of prologue, really. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:55.439 It's the essence of the sermon up front, before he gets into the real content. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:59.860 This is the pocket guide to what it is to be blessed. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:02.399 Who do I envy? 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:04.680 Who do I crave to be? 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:09.800 Well, Jesus says you've got to be careful who you envy in this world. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:18.459 And actually when we come to Jesus, it is as if he steps into the shop window at night, 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:26.180 and he switches around all of the price tags, and all of the labels, and all of the items. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:35.299 All of our categories of happiness and good fortune are switched around, aren't they? 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:40.679 And he presents a completely radical view on what it is to be blessed. 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:53.199 Blessed are the poor in spirit. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:56.560 Blessed are the meek, verse 5. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:02.100 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:06.620 If you flick over to verse 10, blessed are the persecuted. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:08.319 Are you when you're persecuted? 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:11.439 It's just ludicrous, this, isn't it? 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:17.040 It's just completely upside down to the teaching of our world. 00:07:18.780 --> 00:07:25.060 On a couple more Sunday mornings, I want to look at some of these blessed statements a bit more closely. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:31.199 And perhaps one of the most striking is in verse 4, if you look there. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:35.840 Blessed are those who mourn. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.620 For they shall be comforted. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:47.199 Could you have two words in the same sentence that are more opposite than that? 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:48.620 Blessed. 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:50.560 Mourn. 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:53.019 Who do I envy? 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:56.019 Jesus says, envy those who mourn. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:59.840 For they will be comforted, he says. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:03.259 He says that the mourning people are blessed. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:08.560 Because somehow the comfort they receive will be far better. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:12.519 It will outweigh their grief. 00:08:13.159 --> 00:08:15.060 There is something worth it. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:21.560 In the kingdom of Jesus, it is not the grief that is the blessing in and of itself. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:21.980 Is it? 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:27.340 He's saying, no, they are blessed because of the comfort they will feel. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.620 They will feel Jesus' comfort. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:30.980 They will feel his welcome. 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:33.419 And his special help. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:38.819 So I want us to see a few things about this particular verse. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:39.899 Number one. 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:44.479 These blessed people are spiritually mourning. 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:47.339 Not generally mourning. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:52.340 These blessed people are spiritually mourning. 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:55.019 Not generally mourning. 00:08:56.800 --> 00:09:00.680 You know, as we look at the world today, it is a cliche, isn't it? 00:09:00.680 --> 00:09:07.240 But every time you turn the radio on, every time you click the TV on or you look at the front pages, 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:11.200 there is a new reason to mourn. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.360 Have you heard about Munich? 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.279 Have you heard about Nice? 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.299 Have you heard about Kabul? 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:24.919 Have you heard about this person that we love? 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:27.340 Who is going through this? 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:32.100 This is a world that mourns daily. 00:09:33.780 --> 00:09:42.320 And the word Jesus uses here is the same word that is described of the disciples when they are bereaved of Jesus later in the Gospels. 00:09:42.780 --> 00:09:45.040 It is a deep grief. 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:53.160 It is a hollow, empty, dark hole of emotion and of grief and of pain. 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:58.559 And so this is the kind of promise that you might hear at a funeral. 00:09:59.719 --> 00:10:04.539 It is maybe a good verse to memorise and share with folk who are grieving, isn't it? 00:10:04.719 --> 00:10:12.480 But I want to say that actually this promise does not cover all grief as a blanket rule. 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:17.679 Now of course, God does comfort people, doesn't he? 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:27.959 God wants to comfort people in various trials of course, but there is no promise in the Bible of blessing every time suffering strikes. 00:10:29.599 --> 00:10:35.439 There is no universal human right of comfort whenever death strikes. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:42.019 There is no automatic blessing whenever anyone anywhere mourns about anything. 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:44.879 And that just makes sense, doesn't it? 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.320 Death. Death is not a blessing. 00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:49.639 Death is a curse. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:51.679 It is a curse on life. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:11:01.139 This is not just about any situation, however awful it may be, regardless of the person's relationship to God. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:05.939 No, this is spiritual mourning. 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:11.200 Let me read a few other verses from the Bible to help us on this. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:15.160 Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, he says, 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:21.900 Godly sorrow leads to salvation and no regret. 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:24.879 He's talking about sin there. 00:11:26.160 --> 00:11:31.540 In the famous psalm, Psalm 51, where David, he confesses his sins, doesn't he? 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:35.659 After adultery and murder, he says, 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:42.059 The broken and contrite heart, O God, you won't despise. 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:47.159 God says to the people of God through Joel, 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.719 Joel chapter 2, 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:52.439 Tear your heart and not your garments. 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:53.940 It's like a Jewish phrase. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:57.800 It means, be broken hearted about your sin. 00:11:57.900 --> 00:11:59.420 Don't just put on a show. 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:03.120 Be broken hearted about your behaviour. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:07.020 He says, for he is gracious and compassionate. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:10.800 It's a theme that runs throughout the whole Bible. 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:14.440 Jesus is speaking about the mourning of a person who grieves. 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:19.980 Not about their situation necessarily, but about their sin. 00:12:21.520 --> 00:12:22.480 Their sin. 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:24.300 The way that they've offended God. 00:12:24.380 --> 00:12:25.920 They've turned their backs on him. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:28.060 That is what upsets them. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.660 That's what frustrates them in life. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.540 That's what disturbs them. 00:12:35.140 --> 00:12:37.480 It is knowing how awful sin is. 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:41.400 It's a spiritual mourning, not a natural, general mourning. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:45.879 This comfort promise is not going to come to anyone 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:49.439 who suffers with anything for any reason. 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:53.759 Please, please, don't use this verse for friends who are grieving 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:57.139 and yet they couldn't care less about their relationship with God. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.340 If sin is a light thing to them. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:05.120 Jesus is not saying here, anyone who's unhappy, you want to envy him. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.740 It's not it, is it? 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:12.220 I wonder, Christians, we can often be like that, can't we? 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:14.919 We can think, you know, the more miserable we are, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.919 the more God blesses us, kind of thing. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:20.659 The more miserable I am about life, the more God loves me. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.879 That's not what he's saying here. 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:26.100 This is a grief over our spiritual state. 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:28.899 Without Jesus' help. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.360 This is a grief over sin. 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:33.060 As the Puritan Thomas Watson said, 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.299 sin must have tears. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:40.840 Maybe you know the story of the woman in Luke chapter 7, 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.440 one of the other Gospels. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.720 She's a sinful woman, we're told. 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.340 Everyone knows it. 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:49.639 She goes to a house party at the Pharisees. 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:51.419 The Pharisees knows. 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.680 She's called the woman of the street. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:55.200 I'll leave you to fill in the gaps. 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:56.720 The Pharisees know it. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.779 Jesus knows it. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.700 She certainly knows it. 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:02.799 And she comes into this party weeping. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.680 She's distraught. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.460 She's so shamed. 00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:09.500 Her sin is right in front of her face. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.399 And she feels it. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:14.539 She comes to Jesus and washes his feet with ointment. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:17.840 Jesus says to them, 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:20.460 she loved much because she was forgiven much. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.879 She turns around and says to her, 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.840 you are forgiven. 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:25.320 Your sins are forgiven. 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:35.500 And that is the kind of brokenness and hopelessness and grief at your own wayful inability to please God by yourself. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:39.379 It is knowing how much God will have to forgive you. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:41.840 When he does. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:47.659 And the feeling you get when he looks at you like he did with a woman and he says, 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:49.139 your sins are forgiven. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:51.980 It is all gone. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.080 It is all clean. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.939 Your guilt is wiped away. 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:58.659 All of your regrets, they are gone. 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:02.279 That is what it is to be blessed. 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.959 Jesus says. 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:06.559 And Psalm 34 says, 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:09.860 the Lord is close to those who are humble, 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:14.259 who are broken hearted and crushed in spirits. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:16.360 And it is the best feeling in the world. 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:18.080 Let me tell you, 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:20.759 what a comfort God says to me in Jesus. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.340 Your sins are forgiven. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.439 And I belong to him. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:29.220 You know, the word comfort that Jesus uses, 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:33.439 you could use it for an invitation to a party actually. 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:37.700 It is a statement of acceptance and of welcome. 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.200 Jesus says to us, 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.600 I will forgive you this once, 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:42.480 but I don't know if I can trust you in the future. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.659 It isn't that. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:46.899 He says, no, you're an honoured guest now. 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.679 We're allies. 00:15:48.839 --> 00:15:49.559 We're friends. 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.759 You're forgiven. 00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:52.100 And then in that moment, 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:52.980 when we hear that, 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:54.600 the whole world is white. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.259 Isn't it? 00:15:57.259 --> 00:16:00.659 Things are right between me and the God of the universe. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.939 What more do I need? 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.120 What a burden lifted. 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.459 The world is white. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.860 So these are the blessed people. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:13.419 They are the people who've mourned about their relationship with God. 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.019 It's been catchy at best. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.620 It's been non-existent, 00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:17.679 actually, 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.919 most of the time. 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.399 They've ignored him. 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.939 They've quietly hated him 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:25.459 and treated him like some sort of spiritual butler. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:28.379 It is people who mourn over that. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.839 And they are blessed because 00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:32.199 they will be comforted. 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.120 You are forgiven. 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.980 Jesus says, 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.440 you want to envy them 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:38.040 in this world. 00:16:39.280 --> 00:16:41.080 So it's not just a general mourning, 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:43.500 but it's a spiritual mourning. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:45.059 Secondly, 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:45.379 though, 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.580 it's not just tears, 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:48.879 but it's trust. 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:53.100 It's not just tears, 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:55.019 but it's trust. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:58.419 There is a mourning for your situation, 00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.600 your circumstances, 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:00.259 isn't there? 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.980 And there is a mourning for sin. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.160 We've seen that difference. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.960 But actually, 00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:07.040 you can mourn 00:17:07.040 --> 00:17:08.600 and you can grieve about 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:10.860 your sin and your guilt 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:12.960 in a godly way 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.680 or in a godless way, 00:17:15.840 --> 00:17:16.580 can't you? 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:20.240 Sometimes when we're sorry for things, 00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:20.560 actually, 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.860 it's because we've been caught, 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.920 if we're honest, 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.540 isn't it? 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:26.039 And it is possible 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.440 to mourn over things 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.839 that you've done wrong 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:30.940 and actually to be sorry, 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:33.399 to grieve about the consequences 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:36.019 or about the punishment 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.180 that is going to head you away. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.059 That feeling of guilt and regret, 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:41.500 actually, 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.099 sometimes, 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.720 rather than mourning 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:45.720 about the personal aspect 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:47.579 of offending God, 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:49.720 it leaves us away from God, 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.279 doesn't it? 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.440 That kind of mourning, 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:53.519 it turns you away from him. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:55.339 And into yourself. 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:57.680 So you kind of feel sorry 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.079 for yourself for a while. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.619 I'm sure we all know 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:03.279 the story of Judas Iscariot. 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:05.000 He was one of the disciples, 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.639 wasn't he? 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.940 He was a missionary 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.059 with the disciples. 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.579 He evangelised. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.259 And he joined Jesus. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.119 But famously, 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.279 he betrayed Jesus 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.079 for some money. 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.539 Later in Matthew, 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:18.019 in chapter 27, 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:20.159 he realises what he's done 00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:21.460 as Jesus is carried off 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.039 to be killed. 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.619 And he says, 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.899 I've sinned 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:26.259 by betraying innocent blood. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.839 So he throws his payment, 00:18:28.979 --> 00:18:29.459 his silver, 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.259 into the temple. 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:30.979 But then, 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.579 he leaves 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:34.219 and he hangs himself. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:36.619 You see, 00:18:36.699 --> 00:18:38.199 the problem for Judas was 00:18:38.199 --> 00:18:40.119 his tears weren't enough, 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.479 were they, 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.819 to wash away his sin. 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.239 However much he mourned 00:18:45.239 --> 00:18:46.319 about what he'd done, 00:18:46.959 --> 00:18:48.239 his sorrow could not 00:18:48.239 --> 00:18:49.319 take away his guilt. 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:51.519 One writer said, 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:53.200 his self-reproach 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.960 led to despair, 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:57.079 which left no room 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.700 for God's forgiving grace. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.980 That just hit the nail 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.460 on the head, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:00.799 hasn't it? 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.919 He could have swam 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.700 in a river of his own tears, 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.839 and it wouldn't have 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.539 washed the guilt 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.740 of what he'd done away. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.859 It wouldn't have washed 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.599 the memory 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.939 of the things 00:19:10.939 --> 00:19:11.700 that he'd done 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.559 to Jesus. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.179 What he'd done was, 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.500 actually, 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:16.619 he'd stayed with his tears, 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.759 and trusted in his tears 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.980 to deal with his guilt, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.099 when he should have gone 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.359 to Jesus' blood. 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:26.079 But it's not just tears, 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.279 it is trust 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:30.159 in God's grace 00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:32.059 through Jesus' death. 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.139 Because there would have been 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:35.599 another one who hung 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:37.940 in his stead, 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.659 wouldn't there? 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:41.000 But his grief 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.920 led him from Jesus, 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.720 away from Jesus. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.779 I don't know if you remember, 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:48.040 just after Jesus 00:19:48.040 --> 00:19:49.600 rises from the dead, 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:52.120 and in Acts chapter 2, 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.740 it's a glorious new age, 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.040 isn't it, 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:54.940 when the Holy Spirit 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.180 comes down. 00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:56.960 And the people 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.680 that crucified Jesus 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:00.100 a few days earlier, 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.540 they are cut to the heart. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.420 They are grieved 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.740 over what they've done. 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.440 They say, 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.660 what should we do? 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.900 And Peter says, 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.900 repent and be baptised 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.160 in the name of Jesus, 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.900 every one of you, 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.980 for the forgiveness 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.320 of your sins. 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.680 And you'll receive 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.779 the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.779 And that's what they do, 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.320 isn't it? 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.559 You see, 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:25.140 that is godly grief. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.360 It leads them back 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.660 to the Lord Jesus, 00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:30.000 to trust in him. 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.320 So don't let tears 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:32.220 over your guilt 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.720 fill your eyes 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.860 so much that you can't 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:37.599 see Jesus on the cross 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.939 there for you instead. 00:20:40.459 --> 00:20:41.539 It is there 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.419 that your guilt 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.000 is taken, 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.439 that all of the regrets 00:20:44.439 --> 00:20:46.819 are nailed to the cross 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.859 and killed off 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:49.019 once and for all. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:51.019 Don't trust your tears 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.059 to sort it out. 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:54.039 Go to Jesus' blood 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:56.319 to wash away your guilt. 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:58.359 You know, 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:59.200 the scary thing 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.919 about godless grief 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:02.099 is that actually 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:04.460 it leads to eternal grief. 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.359 Later on, 00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:08.839 after the Sermon on the Mount, 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.799 Jesus is in a conversation 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.039 with a centurion 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.899 and some others 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.579 about faith. 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.359 He's amazed at the faith 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:18.319 of this Gentile centurion. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.759 And he says, 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.079 listen, 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.899 the ones with no faith, 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:23.000 even if you look 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.900 really religious, 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.660 if you have no faith, 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.440 if you have no trust 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.960 in Jesus, 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:32.079 you will be thrown 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.720 into the outer darkness. 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.299 It's staggering, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:36.900 isn't it? 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.599 He goes on, 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.519 in that place 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.259 there will be 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.720 weak and gnashing 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.400 of teeth. 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.599 This is a place 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.579 where mourning, 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.519 where grief 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.720 never ends. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.079 The Bible calls it 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.559 hell. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:53.279 it's a place 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.200 where the rivers 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.299 of regret 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.440 flow freely 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:58.819 and there is no blood 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.839 to wash away 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.759 your guilt. 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.359 And blessedness, 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.799 though, 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.619 is given to those 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.359 who have tears 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.119 in their eyes, 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.480 yes, 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.220 about their sin, 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.319 but they go to Jesus' 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.000 blood 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.539 for cleansing 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.339 and forgiveness. 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.460 They go to Jesus. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.679 You are forgiven, 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.399 he says 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:16.539 to them. 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.740 It's a godly grief. 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:19.359 It's not a natural grief, 00:22:19.419 --> 00:22:19.919 this promise. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.360 And it's not just 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.360 swimming in tears, 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.120 that would be the 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:24.320 hellish thing to do, 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.140 like Judas did. 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.420 But it's trust, 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.019 trusting in Jesus. 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.019 Thirdly and lastly, 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.279 though, 00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:34.560 this is an ongoing 00:22:34.560 --> 00:22:35.300 grief, 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:36.560 and not just a 00:22:36.560 --> 00:22:38.240 one-off grief. 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.019 It's an ongoing 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.420 grief, 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.400 not just a one-off 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.840 grief. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.080 And you may want 00:22:43.080 --> 00:22:43.340 to know, 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.480 how often do I have 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.380 to do this mourning 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.160 thing? 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.279 How often do I 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.320 have to grieve 00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:50.060 about my sin? 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.640 Maybe when I 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.420 become a Christian, 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.580 I do it then. 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.980 Maybe once a year 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.580 at Easter. 00:22:57.540 --> 00:22:58.759 Maybe once a week 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.400 on a Sunday 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.220 as we do the 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.100 confession of sin. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.960 That is right, 00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:02.300 isn't it? 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.080 All of those things 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:03.940 are appropriate. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.180 But if you look 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.120 at verse 4, 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.540 if I read that, 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.440 blessed are those 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.560 who mourn, 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:13.300 literally that reads, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.500 blessed are the 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.779 mourning ones. 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.279 Blessed are the 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.660 grieving ones. 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:21.080 There is a sense 00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:22.259 here of a sort of 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.820 continual state 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:25.600 of grief. 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.100 It's not just a 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.960 one-off conversion 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.120 experience. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.580 It's a continual 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:33.860 state. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.600 You wouldn't be 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.420 blamed here for 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:35.940 thinking, well, 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:37.000 Jesus, he's a bit 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.779 of a killjoy, 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.279 isn't he? 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:40.420 Is he advocating 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.519 a kind of life 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:43.259 of grief, 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:43.980 of sort of 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.940 hitting myself 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.620 with metals? 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.060 And eating 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.019 bread and water? 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.000 That sort of thing. 00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.140 Is he saying 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.880 that Christians 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.680 should just be 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:53.160 perpetually sad 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:54.779 all of the time? 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.360 Well, I don't 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:56.800 think so. 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.300 If you look at 00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:58.220 verse 12, 00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.259 a few verses 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.060 later, he says, 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:02.279 rejoice and be 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.759 glad. 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.640 So he's not 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.220 saying you've 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.759 got to be sad 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.320 all the time. 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.019 That's not what 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.500 it is. 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.140 It's not about 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.960 being negative 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.680 or always looking 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.279 on the dark 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.220 side of life. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.700 Always having 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.839 a sense of 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.799 loathing of 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.339 yourself. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.680 But there is a 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.559 sense here that 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.059 the disciples of 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.399 Jesus are having 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.519 an ongoing state 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.200 of sadness 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.819 about their 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.740 sins. 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.180 Something specific. 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.899 One person said 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.639 it's as if their 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.559 hearts have been 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.859 tenderised. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.500 It's really 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.940 helpful. 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:37.620 Whenever sin 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.660 rears its head, 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:40.059 they grieve, 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.880 they wince, 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.200 their hearts are 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.799 tenderised. 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:44.320 It's having a 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.140 conscience, 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.740 isn't it, 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.880 to how God 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.759 sees us, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.900 how we behave. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.160 The opposite 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:52.920 is to treat 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:54.059 guilt lightly, 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.120 to not really 00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:56.700 care, 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.259 to remember 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.100 our guilt 00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.660 and our sin 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.460 cheerfully. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.039 This is to 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.880 have an ongoing 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:05.300 tenderness and 00:25:05.300 --> 00:25:06.640 sensitivity to 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.180 our wrongdoing, 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.320 to grieve when 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:10.640 we grieve God. 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:11.520 There's always 00:25:11.520 --> 00:25:12.400 having that sense 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.240 of, but for 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.120 the grace of 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.180 God go I. 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.480 If it wasn't 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.240 for the grace of 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.740 God, where 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.480 would I be? 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.120 As Martin 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.980 Luther says, 00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:21.180 always a 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.420 justified man, 00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:23.240 always a 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.540 sinner. 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.640 It seems so 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.380 odd in our 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.000 world that 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.540 though, doesn't 00:25:28.540 --> 00:25:28.780 it? 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.700 Bertrand 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.440 Russell, the 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.440 famous atheist, 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.420 wrote in his 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:33.760 book, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.359 Why I'm Not 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.920 a Christian, 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.019 when you 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.740 hear people 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.339 in church 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.000 debasing 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.879 themselves, 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.240 and saying 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.700 that they're 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.240 miserable 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.839 sinners, 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.279 it seems 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.279 contemptible, 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.099 unworthy of 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.019 self-respecting 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.039 human beings. 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.720 You know, 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.279 maybe he's 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.640 right. 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.420 There is no 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.259 blessing in 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.900 knowing you're 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.319 a sinner, 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.619 actually. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.359 The devil 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.119 knows that. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.900 Judas knew 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.480 that, didn't 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.259 he knew that 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.980 he had 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.980 offended God, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.259 that he 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.759 turned his 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.599 back on God. 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:07.799 But it's 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.259 not just 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.720 about the 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.059 tears. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.079 It's about 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.740 trust. 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.380 And Bertrand 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.000 Russell, he's 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.440 missed the 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.240 second half, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.759 hasn't he? 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.559 Of this 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.599 great promise. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.039 They are 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.360 blessed because 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.079 they will be 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.860 comforted. 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:26.819 Comforted, 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.899 it's how 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:29.119 Jesus describes 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.720 the Holy 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.960 Spirit, as 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.000 a comforter, 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.519 as somebody 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.679 who comes 00:26:33.679 --> 00:26:35.119 alongside you, 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:36.679 somebody who 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.399 puts their 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:38.339 arm around 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.859 you. 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:39.859 It is to 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:41.000 have God 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.379 come to you 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:42.839 and say, 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.519 you are 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.079 forgiven, 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.740 to welcome 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.759 you, to 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.500 say, I am 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.240 with you. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.659 And all of 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.359 that regret 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.179 is dealt 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.619 with. 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.220 It means 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.399 turning over a 00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:55.159 new leaf, 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.720 doesn't it? 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.140 It means 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.720 getting a 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.480 new courage 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.100 and a new 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:59.380 stimulation for 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.120 life, a 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.640 new sense 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.279 of adventure 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.860 of what 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.660 could be. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.460 The past 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.799 and the 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.319 present and 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:05.779 the future 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.160 are all 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.900 dealt with. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.660 And it's 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.059 when no 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.720 matter what 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.799 your situation 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.600 is, the 00:27:11.600 --> 00:27:12.460 world is 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:14.740 right, because 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.220 you are 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.200 comforted. 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.880 So who 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.339 is it that 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.819 you envy 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.140 in the 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.480 world? 00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:23.579 I hope 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.460 you, in 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:24.779 the sense 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.059 of your 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.419 luck in 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:25.779 the end, I 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.299 hope you 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:28.279 envy us, 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:28.980 if I can 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.399 put it that 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:31.059 way, Jesus' 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:33.960 disciples, those 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.559 who have 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:36.200 grieved over 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.259 sin and who 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.279 are comforted. 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.399 As you saw 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.019 the baptism 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.859 earlier, I 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.359 hope you 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:44.019 envied Nina. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.119 Some of 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:47.879 us mourn 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:48.519 about many 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.379 things, don't 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:49.659 we? 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.119 But all of 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.679 us actually 00:27:52.679 --> 00:27:53.819 should mourn 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.500 for our 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.079 sin. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.200 And we 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.559 should be 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.319 comforted. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.259 If we 00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.839 don't mourn 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.399 about our 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:00.759 sin, we 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.220 should mourn 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.919 about that. 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.559 And truly, 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.359 Jesus says, 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.240 you will be 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.759 blessed. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.419 You are 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:08.819 forgiven. 00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.179 Let's 00:28:11.179 --> 00:28:11.519 pray. 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:11.960 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:41.940 Thank you.