WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:02.780 Good morning. Good morning. 00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:09.439 To anyone who happens to be watching our live cast on the Pacific Islands, Happy New Year. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:14.019 To the rest of you, Happy New Year soon. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:19.000 In his email to us this week, Pastor Matt put some New Year's thoughts. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:23.900 One of the verses he quoted was in Psalm 40. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:28.800 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:36.460 And so as we think about ways in which we look forward to the new year and also look back on 2023, 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:44.500 when I look back on 2023, one of the first things that comes to my mind is the Thanksgiving service we had about six weeks ago. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:53.159 And just how within this church community, we have seen prayers answered in miraculous ways. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:56.040 And we've also seen a lot of heartbreaking losses. 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:02.439 And there are things about this year, memories that we want to take forward with us. 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:07.340 And there are losses that we are forced to take forward with us. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:11.260 And we stand here celebrating God's goodness. 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:16.039 When in some ways it is very palpable and we're excited to do so. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:20.900 And in some ways we're still mystified and don't exactly see it ourselves. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:24.060 But in faith we've gathered together. 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:27.680 And we want to rise now and praise his name. 00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:30.660 Encouraging those of us who are struggling to do so. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:34.260 And overflowing with joy if that is the blessing you have felt. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:36.900 So would you please rise and let's begin singing. 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:52.060 Joy to the world the Lord is known. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:57.340 Let earth receive her King. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:03.000 Let every heart prepare in room. 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:05.460 And heaven and nature sing. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:08.060 And heaven and nature sing. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:14.300 And heaven and hands and nature sing. 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:20.039 Joy to the earth the Savior brings. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:24.159 Let men their songs employ. 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:30.959 Wild fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains. 00:02:31.239 --> 00:02:33.399 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:35.979 Repeat the sounding joy. 00:02:36.459 --> 00:02:41.319 Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:47.939 No more the sins and sorrows flow. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:53.219 Nor thorns invest the ground. 00:02:53.620 --> 00:02:58.620 He comes to make his blessings flow. 00:02:58.959 --> 00:03:01.099 Far as the curse is found. 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:03.699 Far as the curse is found. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:09.099 Far as, far as the curse is found. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:39.079 Far as, far as the curse is found. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:43.080 Found him with many crowns. 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:48.500 The lamb upon his throne. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:54.460 Hark how the heavenly anthem drowns. 00:03:54.640 --> 00:03:59.420 A music but its own. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:04.780 Awake my soul and sing. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:09.780 Of him who died for thee. 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:15.939 And hail him as thy matchless King. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:19.800 Through all eternity. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:26.879 Crown him the Son of God. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:31.120 Before the world began. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:37.120 And he who tread where he has trod. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:37.800 And he who tread where he has trod. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:37.819 And he who tread where he has trod. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:42.920 And him the Son of heaven. 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:48.459 Who every grief and all. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:54.040 That rips the human breast. 00:04:54.040 --> 00:05:00.040 And takes and bears them for his own. 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:05.040 And all in him they best. 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:35.040 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:38.180 has died for me. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:41.580 Thy praise and glory 00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:43.960 shall not fail 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:47.820 throughout eternity. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:55.000 Crown him the Lord of life 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:00.500 who triumphed for the grave 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:06.220 and rose victorious in the strife 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:11.459 for those he came to save. 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:16.819 His glory shall we sing 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:22.459 who died and rose on high 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:28.259 who died eternal life to bring 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:33.939 and lips that deathly died. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:39.259 Crown him the Lord of life 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:44.839 one with the Father, Lord 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:49.980 one with the Spirit, Lord. 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:51.899 Amen. 00:06:51.899 --> 00:07:02.039 His reign shall not go back 00:07:02.039 --> 00:07:07.539 and round his fears in me. 00:07:08.219 --> 00:07:13.579 Their lords of paradise extend 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:18.259 and regret is ever sweet. 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:22.560 You may be seated. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:38.000 Good morning, church. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:39.860 This morning's scripture reading 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:44.899 is 2 Corinthians 4, verses 7-15, 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.100 found on page 907 in your pew Bibles. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:55.980 But we have this treasure in jars of clay 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.439 to show that the surpassing power 00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:00.480 belongs to God and not to us. 00:08:00.960 --> 00:08:02.740 We are afflicted in every way 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:03.700 but not crushed, 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:06.640 perplexed but not driven to despair, 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:09.900 persecuted but not forsaken, 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:12.460 struck down but not destroyed, 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:14.640 always carrying in the body 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:16.139 the death of Jesus 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.959 so that the life of Jesus 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:20.779 may also be manifested in our bodies. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.779 For we who live 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:26.240 are always being given over to death 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.279 for Jesus' sake 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:30.539 so that the life that Jesus also, 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:33.419 so that the life of Jesus 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.879 also may be manifested 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.080 in our mortal flesh 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:38.539 so death is at work in us 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.899 but life in you. 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:43.480 Since we have the same spirit of faith 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:45.300 according to what has been written, 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:48.039 I believe and so I spoke. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:49.580 We also believe 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:51.600 and so we also speak. 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:54.759 Knowing that we who raise the Lord Jesus 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.720 will raise us also 00:08:56.720 --> 00:09:00.000 will raise us also with Jesus 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.220 and bring us with you 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:03.300 into his presence. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:07.659 For it is all for your sake 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:11.299 so that as grace extends more and more 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:13.679 to more and more people 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:15.319 it may increase thanksgiving 00:09:15.319 --> 00:09:16.899 to the glory of God. 00:09:18.319 --> 00:09:19.419 Let us pray. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.779 Lord, in so many ways 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.600 we can resonate with these verses 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:30.219 afflicted in every way, 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:32.439 perplexed, persecuted, 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:34.720 struck down. 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.840 In so many ways 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:40.600 we have these struggles internally 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:43.779 as we go about our day, 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.840 as we go about our lives, 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:52.180 trying to figure out 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:56.200 what it all means, Lord. 00:09:56.879 --> 00:10:00.160 As we seek to follow you, 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:02.779 as we seek to gather 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.399 in community, Lord. 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:06.459 We so many times 00:10:06.459 --> 00:10:07.719 deal with these things 00:10:07.719 --> 00:10:09.100 in secret. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.240 We are afflicted 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.240 and beset by 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:14.519 the many sins 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:17.879 that we hold on to 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:20.559 as we fear change 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:21.179 in our lives, 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.740 as we fear the ways 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:24.819 in which you are 00:10:24.819 --> 00:10:26.159 sanctifying us 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:28.879 and trying to call us 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.939 back to yourself, Lord. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.779 That we may 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:32.379 see 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:34.120 and savor 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.179 your son, 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.419 the life of Jesus, 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.199 that it may 00:10:37.199 --> 00:10:39.039 be 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:41.279 sweet to us, 00:10:41.339 --> 00:10:41.959 that it may 00:10:41.959 --> 00:10:43.740 appeal to us, 00:10:43.959 --> 00:10:44.100 and 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:46.399 that through calling us 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.519 back to yourself, Lord, 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.199 may we 00:10:48.199 --> 00:10:50.659 feel the triumph 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.439 of these verses 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:52.740 of not being crushed, 00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:54.100 of not being driven 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.220 into this affair, 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:56.320 not being forsaken, 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:56.680 Lord. 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:59.259 That in all these things 00:10:59.259 --> 00:10:59.940 we'd be 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:01.800 looking back to you, 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.500 that we'd be 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.779 reflecting on these verses 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:05.120 in the many ways 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.720 in which it shows 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:08.480 how to rest in you 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:10.720 is the better choice, 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:11.060 Lord, 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.980 and that we'd be able 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:13.800 to believe that 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:14.779 in our own hearts 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:17.379 and come back to you. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:19.019 It's in Christ's name. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:19.639 Amen. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:19.740 Amen. 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:28.560 If you, 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:29.600 in praying along 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.340 with Antoine, 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:31.920 were confessing 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:32.700 your sins 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.180 in the hope 00:11:34.180 --> 00:11:35.120 that God 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:36.540 would forgive you 00:11:36.540 --> 00:11:37.019 because of what 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:37.720 Jesus did, 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.500 I want to offer you 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.440 this word of assurance 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:41.139 from the passage 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:41.620 of the title 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.120 we'll be sharing 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:43.259 with us later, 00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:45.259 that that hope 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.340 does not put us 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:46.860 to shame 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.720 because God's love 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.540 has been poured out 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:50.279 into our hearts 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.759 through the Holy Spirit 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.460 who has been given 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.040 to us. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:55.280 So, 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.780 we will continue 00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:57.620 worshiping now 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.620 through giving 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.160 if the ushers 00:11:59.160 --> 00:11:59.960 would come forward. 00:12:02.180 --> 00:12:04.759 We give as part 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.500 of our worship 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:08.320 first 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:10.100 because if we have 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:10.940 food and clothing, 00:12:12.040 --> 00:12:12.900 the Bible teaches us 00:12:12.900 --> 00:12:13.960 to be content with that 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:15.420 and so we want 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:16.600 to recognize 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.500 God's faithfulness 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.560 in providing for us 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:20.019 and tell him 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.220 that it is more 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:21.680 than enough 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:22.299 what he has given 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:22.939 to us. 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:24.620 Second, 00:12:24.739 --> 00:12:25.559 because we recognize 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:26.259 that even in our 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:26.859 congregation 00:12:26.859 --> 00:12:28.239 that is not true 00:12:28.239 --> 00:12:28.899 for everyone 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:30.439 and we want to share 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:30.899 the blessings 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.659 God's given us 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.299 with others. 00:12:33.359 --> 00:12:33.879 And third, 00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:35.379 because we know 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.919 that after those 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.079 very urgent 00:12:38.079 --> 00:12:39.399 physical needs, 00:12:39.979 --> 00:12:40.799 our greatest need 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:41.620 is the wisdom 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:43.199 that God gives us 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:44.079 through his word 00:12:44.079 --> 00:12:45.519 and through the teaching 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.539 that we receive 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.759 each week here in church. 00:12:48.219 --> 00:12:48.659 And so we want 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.819 to support the pastors 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.480 and staff 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.820 that are meeting 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:53.180 our deep spiritual needs. 00:12:53.660 --> 00:12:54.640 So let's come together, 00:12:54.760 --> 00:12:55.680 let's sing together 00:12:55.680 --> 00:12:56.780 in worship 00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.920 and also give together 00:12:57.920 --> 00:12:59.320 through the offering plates. 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.220 If you are not 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.420 a regular member here, 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.660 please feel no obligation 00:13:02.660 --> 00:13:03.160 to give. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.220 We want you to be 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:04.920 a guest here 00:13:04.920 --> 00:13:06.360 and we are so thrilled 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:06.900 that you've come. 00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:07.500 Thank you. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:21.279 There is a hill I cherish 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:26.139 Where stood a precious tree 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:38.799 The gift of glory 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:46.339 How is it I should profit 00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:51.899 While he is crucified 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:59.240 Yet as his life was taken 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:05.639 So I was granted love 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:12.299 My wealth is in the cross 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:15.480 There's nothing more I want 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:18.899 Than just to know his love 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:21.980 My heart is set on cross 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:25.620 And I will count all else as loss 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:29.080 The greatest of my crowns 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:32.159 Means nothing to me now 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:35.360 For I counted up the cost 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:39.819 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:48.819 I will not boast in riches 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:55.480 I have no pride in hope 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:01.980 But I will boast in Jesus 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:07.020 And in his name 00:15:07.020 --> 00:15:09.480 I will only stand well 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:14.139 But I will not boast in the cross 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:17.139 There's nothing more I want 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.139 Than just to know his love 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:21.220 Then just to know his love 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:23.799 My heart is set on cross 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:27.740 And I will count all else as loss 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:31.019 The greatest of my crowns 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:33.980 Means nothing to me now 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:37.080 For I counted up the cost 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:41.139 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:47.799 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:57.059 And when I said in glory 00:15:57.059 --> 00:16:03.799 My crowns before the Lord 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:09.959 Let this be my confession 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:16.459 My wealth is in the cross 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:22.779 My wealth is in the cross 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:25.459 There's nothing more I want 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.460 Than just to know his love 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:29.200 Than just to know his love 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:32.060 My heart is set on cross 00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:35.460 And I will count all else as loss 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:38.460 The greatest of my crowns 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:41.639 Means nothing to me now 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:44.560 For I counted up the cost 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:48.200 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:51.340 There's nothing more I want 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:54.560 Than just to know his love 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:57.459 My heart is set on cross 00:16:57.459 --> 00:17:00.939 And I will count all else as loss 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:03.559 The greatest of my crowns 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:06.559 Means nothing to me now 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:10.200 For I counted up the cost 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:14.559 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:29.099 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.339 And all my wealth is in the cross 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:35.559 My wealth is in the cross 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:42.440 And all my wealth is in the cross. 00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:45.159 You may be seated. 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:59.740 If you are visiting with us, or if you have a prayer request 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:02.700 that you would like our pastors and staff to be praying for you, 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:06.740 you'll find in the pew in front of you a white card like this, 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.660 though hopefully yours is not scribbled all over 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:11.700 because my twins got a hold of the pen. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:14.240 But you can fill that out. 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.960 That will let us reach out to you. 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:19.319 We would love to welcome you to hear where you're coming from, 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.920 to answer your questions about the church, 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:24.660 or just to share with you in the struggles you're going through 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.539 and pray with you there. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:29.559 I have just a very few announcements. 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:34.700 January 4th this week we will have a members' meeting. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:39.919 There is, if you did not get the agenda or minutes through your email, 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.119 you can find hard copies in the back of the church. 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:45.019 But this will be a special time for us just to come together 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:47.859 as a congregation, particularly to pray for the year ahead. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:51.940 So we would welcome anyone, certainly all members, 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.240 to join us for that time. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:58.920 There are art exhibits that have been going on. 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.400 I believe they're on pause today, 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.599 but they will continue next Sunday after the service. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:06.500 You can enjoy the way that the artists in our congregation 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:09.160 can bless us with their different interpretations 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.259 of different biblical themes. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:14.759 And there is a new exhibit that will be starting in February, I believe. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:19.240 And so particularly in the last art exhibit, 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:21.200 we were a little late in encouraging parents 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.240 to have their children submit. 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:25.000 So this is a reminder for any parents. 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:28.579 This is a good time to have your children submit artwork for that exhibit. 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:31.819 You'll find more details of that in the weekly email. 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.859 And if you don't know about the weekly email, 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:36.619 that is our best way for staying in touch together. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.480 So again, you can just put in the weekly, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:42.339 on this white card that you'd like to sign up for that weekly email, 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:44.419 and we'll make sure that that happens, 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.959 what to do with the white card. 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:49.159 There are boxes, both the front and back entrances, 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.240 that you can put those in, 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:53.419 or you can give them to any of the pastors or staff. 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.939 Finally, in that weekly email, 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.399 if you're looking for ways to serve, 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:59.759 there are a number of opportunities, 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:01.839 ranging from clearing the snow, 00:20:01.939 --> 00:20:03.319 should we have any snow this winter, 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:05.939 to mentorship opportunities 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:08.059 and serving with Bridges of Hope. 00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:10.159 So we'd love for you to know about those, 00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:11.579 to pray for those who are participating, 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:13.639 and to see where the Lord is calling you 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.039 to share the gifts he's given you. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:18.339 With that, I would like to move on 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:20.359 to some time praying for our congregation. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.319 If you would bow your heads with me. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:36.759 Lord, I think more about the verse I read earlier, 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:41.279 that hope in you does not put us to shame. 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:45.759 Lord, I thank you so much for that promise. 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:51.759 One of the primary ways in which you save us, 00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:53.899 and reasons for which you save us, 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:57.059 is to save us from our shame. 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:03.419 And you know very well what our shame is like. 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:08.420 Lord, when you came to earth, 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.759 you saw people with all different types of shame. 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:16.420 You saw people sick with leprosy, 00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:18.320 or the woman who is bleeding, 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:20.560 who had done nothing wrong, 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:23.180 but were outcast by society, 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:28.300 and knew the shame of being considered and treated 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:30.500 like they were unworthy to be around other people. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:34.960 And you came to save them from that shame. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:41.640 And you knew the shame that John the Baptist felt 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:43.440 when he was unjustly imprisoned, 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:47.099 and was slandered and accused of things 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:49.039 that he had done that were not wrong, 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:51.559 and yet he was treated as if he were guilty. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:58.179 And the doubts he had about you yourself, 00:21:59.179 --> 00:22:01.859 when you didn't save him in the ways he expected you to. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:06.359 And you publicly stood up 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:08.539 and defended him 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:12.599 to all those who doubted whether he was doing right. 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:16.179 You know that sort of shame 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:20.759 when we feel like we're being treated 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.339 for doing things we have not done. 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:26.339 And very deeply, Lord, 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:27.439 you know the shame 00:22:27.439 --> 00:22:31.719 we feel when we have done wrong. 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:36.919 Your word says that on the cross 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:38.879 you became sin for us. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:42.160 You embodied all of our shame 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:46.600 so that we would not have to bear it any longer. 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:51.960 And as we think back on the year that has passed, 00:22:53.340 --> 00:23:02.320 the different struggles we've had, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:04.020 the different successes we've had, 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.900 the prayers that were answered, 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:08.259 and the prayers that we have not seen answered 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.120 as we expected. 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.400 There are so many things 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.960 that we carry forward with us 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:15.340 into 2024. 00:23:17.560 --> 00:23:20.300 But I pray that nobody in this congregation 00:23:20.300 --> 00:23:22.259 would carry forward with them any shame. 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:29.220 Whether it is perceived and societal, 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:32.860 whether it is unjust accusations, 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:35.600 or whether it is well-founded guilt 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.940 for things they have done, 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.240 that I have done, 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:41.140 we look to you 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:43.400 for forgiveness and healing 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:47.420 because that is who you are, 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:50.539 the God who died 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:52.700 in order to forgive us, 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:56.460 the God who is so full of healing 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:59.140 that we cannot draw close to you 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.279 and not feel that. 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:05.059 So for all the believers here this morning, 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:07.539 I pray that they would rest 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.700 on your promises. 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:11.180 For all those who have come 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:13.279 to this church service 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.600 seeking you, 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:16.600 not knowing what they believe 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:18.000 and just investigating, 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:21.799 I pray that they would find here, 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.539 not in us, 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:25.360 but in you, Jesus Christ, 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:28.839 the comfort that they long for, 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.839 the freedom from shame, 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:33.719 not the lies they can find 00:24:33.719 --> 00:24:35.519 in so many other places in this city 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.339 that tell them that their shame 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.139 is not real 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:40.240 or tell them that if they just 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.379 do enough good works, 00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:43.299 that will counteract their shame, 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:45.679 but the real forgiveness 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:48.119 from the just and holy God 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:51.939 who is abounding in mercy nonetheless. 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:55.259 We thank you that you love us 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.019 in these ways 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:58.740 and pray that in the coming year 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:00.519 our hearts will be filled 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.200 day after day 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.880 with new songs of worship. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.720 In Jesus' name, 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:06.580 amen. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:06.720 Amen. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.460 At this time, 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.740 children age two and under 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.659 can be dismissed. 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:14.279 The other children 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.199 will stay in the pews 00:25:15.199 --> 00:25:15.879 as this is another, 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.740 three and under, 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:18.139 will be dismissed. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.019 Other children will stay 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.399 in the pews 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.519 as this is a family Sunday. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:26.399 And if you would rise 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.559 and we'll continue singing 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.399 to worship the Lord. 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:42.080 Out of the depths 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:44.560 I cry to you 00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:47.600 In darkest places 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:50.360 I will call 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:52.680 Incline your ear 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.900 to me anew 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:57.840 And hear my cry 00:25:57.840 --> 00:26:00.220 for mercy, Lord 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:03.240 Were you to count 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:06.220 my sinful ways 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:08.519 How could I come 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:10.759 before your throne 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:13.820 Yet full forgiveness 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:16.480 meets my gaze 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:18.800 I stand redeemed 00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:20.620 by grace alone 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:24.239 I will wait for you 00:26:24.239 --> 00:26:27.000 I will wait for you 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:29.299 On your words 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:31.000 I will rely 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:34.879 I will wait for you 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:37.500 Surely wait for you 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:39.799 Till my soul 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:41.500 is satisfied 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:53.160 So put your hope 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:55.759 in God alone 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:57.920 Take courage 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.259 in His power 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.819 to save 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:05.819 Completely and forever won 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.879 By Christ 00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:07.899 By Christ 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.819 emerging 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:10.879 to all be raised 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:16.399 I will wait for you 00:27:16.399 --> 00:27:19.139 I will wait for you 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:21.399 On your words 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:23.059 I will rely 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:26.740 I will wait for you 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:29.279 Surely wait for you 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:31.379 Till my soul 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:33.200 is satisfied 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:44.420 His steadfast love 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.779 has made a way 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:49.259 And God Himself 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:52.500 has made a price 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:54.779 That all who trust 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.640 in Him today 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:59.180 Find healing 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:01.740 in His sacrifice 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:05.180 I will wait for you 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:07.359 I will wait for you 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:09.859 On your words 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.460 I will rely 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.960 I will rely 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:15.079 I will wait for you 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:17.740 Surely wait for you 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.980 Till my soul 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.960 is satisfied 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:24.960 I will wait for you 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.960 I will wait for you 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.960 I will wait for you 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:30.259 Through the storm 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:32.940 and through the night 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:35.579 I will wait for you 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:38.180 Surely wait for you 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:40.620 For your love 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:42.579 is my delight 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:51.960 I will wait for you 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.059 I will wait for you 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.779 I will wait for you 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:56.399 I will wait for you 00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:58.839 On your word 00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:00.319 I will rely 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.059 I will rely 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.980 will 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.099 I will wait for you 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.339 I will wait for you 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:06.759 Surely wait for you 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:13.759 you for your love is my delight. 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.759 Be seated. 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.759 Well, good morning. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:41.759 Parents, feel free to get up and move around. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:46.759 It is fitting that we come to God's Word on the eve of a new year. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:50.759 And as I reflected and prayed about an appropriate text, 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:54.759 Romans 5 continually came to mind. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:57.759 We will be looking at this great text this morning. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:01.759 And Lord willing, we will continue our series in Revelation next week. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:05.759 Let's go to the Lord in prayer asking Him for help. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:09.759 Father, as we approach your Word, 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:13.759 by your Spirit would our boast be in Christ alone, 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:16.759 because of His great love for us. 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:21.759 To discuss your great love in this chapter is to gaze into your very heart, Lord. 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:26.759 Your love is infinite, limitless, boundless, eternal. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:30.759 Oh Lord, would Christ be exalted by your Holy Spirit. 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:34.759 Would you give us a fresh sense of this great love this morning. 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:36.759 In Christ's name we pray. 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.759 Amen. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:44.759 Almost 25 years ago, Christopher Wallace, 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:49.759 also known as the notorious B.I.G., 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:54.759 was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in L.A. 00:30:54.759 --> 00:31:01.759 He was a well-known rapper who was involved with a notoriously violent gang. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:06.759 Two months after his death, with close friends and family grieving, 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:12.759 a well-known tribute song came out by Puff Daddy. 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:14.759 It had these words. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:18.759 Reminisce some time, the night they took my friend. 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:21.759 Try to black it out, but it plays again. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.759 And the song ends this way. 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:27.759 One glad morning, when this life is over, 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:30.759 I know I'll see your face. 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:34.759 An expression of every grieving heart. 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:37.759 For pain and sorrow to flee away forever, 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:41.759 and the sun rising on one glad morning. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:45.759 The question I want to ask you is, 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.759 how did he know with certainty? 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:53.759 Can you and I ever be certain about these things? 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:56.759 If so, on what basis? 00:31:56.759 --> 00:32:00.759 Well, the text before us will answer this question. 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:03.759 Let me invite you to turn to Romans 5, verses 1 to 11. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:08.759 That can be found on page 886 of the Pew Bibles in front of you. 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:11.759 Now let's read God's word together. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:14.759 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:19.759 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:23.759 Through him we have also obtained access by faith 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:26.759 into this grace in which we stand. 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:29.759 And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:34.759 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings. 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:37.759 Knowing that suffering produces endurance. 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:40.759 And endurance produces character. 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.759 And character produces hope. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:44.759 And hope does not put us to shame. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:49.759 Because God's love has been poured into our hearts 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:52.759 through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:57.759 For while we were still weak, at the right time, 00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:01.759 Christ died for the ungodly. 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:04.759 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:07.759 though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:13.759 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:16.759 Christ died for us. 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:20.759 Since therefore we have now been justified by his blood, 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:24.759 much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:26.759 For if while we were still enemies, 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:28.759 we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:31.759 much more, now that we are reconciled, 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:34.759 shall we be saved by his life. 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:38.759 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:41.759 through whom we have now received reconciliation. 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:45.759 This is God's word. 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:49.759 Now these are some of the greatest verses in the Bible. 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:54.759 Romans is the greatest letter ever written. 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:59.759 It rises as a Mount Everest across the terrain of the New Testament. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:03.759 As all roads lead to Rome, in my experience, 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:06.759 every Bible study at Trinity inevitably leads to the book of Romans. 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:11.760 And to understand the New Testament, you must understand this book. 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:17.760 Paul wants to set before the church in Rome the great truths of the gospel of free grace. 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:23.760 And this glorious grace flows from the heart of the great God of the universe. 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:27.760 And Paul has gotten so caught up teaching about this glorious good news 00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:32.760 that he can't help but take a detour to explain how it bears fruit in our lives. 00:34:32.760 --> 00:34:38.760 And the fruit is assurance and a certain hope of future glory. 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:42.760 The main theme of this soaring text is found in verse 2. 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:46.760 We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:50.760 Now when we use the word hope, it means maybe. 00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:52.760 Wishful thinking. 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:54.760 For Paul, this is a certainty. 00:34:54.760 --> 00:35:02.760 Paul wants you to see that in Christ you have a certain hope that is unwavering. 00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:06.760 A rock solid assurance of salvation. 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:10.760 And we look at this text in three parts. 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:20.760 Point number two. 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:24.760 Assurance is the fruit of the furnace of suffering in verses 3 to 5. 00:35:24.760 --> 00:35:32.760 And finally, assurance is firmly fixed because of God's great love for you, Christian, in verses 6 to 11. 00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:41.760 The foundation of justification by faith alone, the fruit of suffering and fixed because of God's love for you. 00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:45.760 And verse 1 is the fountain from which every blessing flows. 00:35:45.760 --> 00:35:47.760 Paul declares, 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:55.760 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:55.760 --> 00:36:00.760 To have a strong assurance, this is the foundation. 00:36:00.760 --> 00:36:03.760 To be justified by faith. 00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:07.760 This is the theme and center of this great book. 00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:10.760 This is the solid ground to build your house upon. 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:14.760 And from this foundation, Paul begins to construct a skyscraper. 00:36:14.760 --> 00:36:19.760 A Mount Everest of confidence and assurance that reaches its height in Romans 8. 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:26.760 In that great chapter, Paul declares that in Christ there is no condemnation, no separation, and no defeat. 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:30.760 And this all begins with justification by faith. 00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:33.760 This is the ground of our acceptance before God. 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:41.760 Before we dive in to understand what Paul means by this phrase, we should pause and realize, 00:36:41.760 --> 00:36:45.760 it's not whether you seek justification, but where. 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:48.760 It's either something or someone. 00:36:48.760 --> 00:36:53.760 This is the basis by which you think others will accept you. 00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:57.760 You and I seek to justify our existence somehow. 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:59.760 To feel your life has meaning. 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:05.760 And depending on how you answer this question, it shapes your identity in the world. 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:09.760 Where are you seeking justification this morning? 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:14.760 Well, I'm going to ask you a question to help you answer that. 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:17.760 The first thing that comes to mind, are you ready? 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:19.760 What's the first thing that comes to mind when I ask you this question? 00:37:19.760 --> 00:37:20.760 Here it is. 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:23.760 To me, to live is what? 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:26.760 Amen. 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:30.760 The first thing that pops into your mind is your answer. 00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:34.760 Paul defined his life by saying, to me, to live is Christ. 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:35.760 Can you say the same? 00:37:35.760 --> 00:37:40.760 Are you so satisfied in Christ that you would define your life in this way? 00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:44.760 Now, the scripture says there are really only two answers. 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:46.760 Two options. 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:49.760 In God, or what the scripture calls idolatry. 00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:52.760 Idolatry takes a thousand forms. 00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:55.760 Career, convenience, treasures, or titles. 00:37:55.760 --> 00:38:02.760 In our therapeutic culture, we are constantly told the true ground of our acceptance is self-acceptance. 00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:04.760 Authenticity to live out your feelings. 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:11.760 But no one ever tells you which part of yourself, at what stage of your life, you're supposed to be authentic to. 00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:17.760 But we in the church know idolatry doesn't always come through the front door, but it sneaks in the back door. 00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:20.760 Have I read the Bible enough? 00:38:20.760 --> 00:38:22.760 Have I prayed enough? 00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:23.760 Am I generous enough? 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:25.760 How's my ministry going? 00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:29.760 Paul says true peace comes not from inside of us, but outside. 00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:35.760 Paul declares at the end of verse one, it is through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:40.760 The Prince of Peace is the foundation and fountain of this peace with God. 00:38:40.760 --> 00:38:44.760 And this peace flows from justification by faith. 00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:49.760 Paul has spent the first four chapters explaining these great truths. 00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:54.760 To understand justification, you must first know that there is one that rises above you. 00:38:54.760 --> 00:39:01.760 Paul wants to bring you into the courtroom of heaven where the divine judge is presiding. 00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:07.760 Justification is related to God's role as judge over all the earth. 00:39:07.760 --> 00:39:11.760 And God demands righteousness. 00:39:11.760 --> 00:39:16.760 As the creator, you and I will ultimately give an account to him. 00:39:16.760 --> 00:39:19.760 The judge is omniscient. 00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:24.760 He is the perfect, impartial fact-finder in a court of law. 00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:30.760 And the bad news is there is indisputable video evidence of our crimes. 00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:34.760 All things will be exposed to the eyes of whom we must give an account. 00:39:34.760 --> 00:39:37.760 There is worse news. 00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:40.760 God is good and you and I are not. 00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:44.760 Paul began the letter with a divine bill of indictment. 00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:49.760 Criminal charges have been brought against you and I in the heavenly tribunal. 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:54.760 Paul proclaims in Romans 3, none is righteous, no, not one. 00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:59.760 You and I have committed treason against a good God. 00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:01.760 Falling short of the glory of God. 00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:04.760 And we are dead in our trespasses. 00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:06.760 Slaves to sin. 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:09.760 Powerless to save ourselves. 00:40:09.760 --> 00:40:11.760 Our best works are about filthy rags. 00:40:11.760 --> 00:40:20.760 In our natural state, we are like those who climb onto a lightning rod in a thunderstorm, cursing God to his face. 00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:23.760 We deserve God's good and right condemnation. 00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:30.760 And it would be good and right for God, for the divine judges gavel to come down with a guilty verdict. 00:40:30.760 --> 00:40:32.760 Condemned forever. 00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:38.760 The greatest question is how can sinners like us be declared righteous before a holy God? 00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:41.760 But the good news is this, friends. 00:40:41.760 --> 00:40:45.760 That what God demands, Christ supplies. 00:40:45.760 --> 00:40:50.760 The Father sends his own Son, the Lord Jesus. 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:53.760 What God demands, Christ fulfills. 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:59.760 Christ not only lives the perfect life of perfect obedience, 00:40:59.760 --> 00:41:05.760 but on the cross, he experiences the horrors of hell and damnation in our place. 00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:07.760 Verse 8 puts it best. 00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:13.760 But God shows his love for us in that while we're still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:41:13.760 --> 00:41:19.760 He voluntarily lays his life down, taking the sentence of judgment in our place, 00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:24.760 in the place for all who would have returned from their sin and put their trust in him alone. 00:41:24.760 --> 00:41:31.760 And on the third day, he rises from the dead for our justification and ascends to glory. 00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:39.760 And now, justification is an unexpected declaration from a gracious God. 00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:44.760 If you trust in the risen Christ, the divine gavel comes down. 00:41:44.760 --> 00:41:47.760 It is a once-for-all verdict over your life. 00:41:47.760 --> 00:41:53.760 The divine judge of the earth has declared the guilty sinner to be righteous. 00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:59.760 A full, free, and eternal pardon for past, present, and future sins. 00:41:59.760 --> 00:42:05.760 There is no appellate court to overturn this judge's ruling. 00:42:05.760 --> 00:42:08.760 The court in heaven is of the highest jurisdiction. 00:42:08.760 --> 00:42:11.760 And this is no probation sentence. 00:42:11.760 --> 00:42:15.760 No waiting period to get your record expunged. 00:42:15.760 --> 00:42:21.760 The charges are dropped with extreme prejudice never to be brought up again. 00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:23.760 Case closed. 00:42:23.760 --> 00:42:26.760 Your sins he remembers no more. 00:42:26.760 --> 00:42:31.760 And Christ's righteousness is reckoned to you. 00:42:31.760 --> 00:42:37.760 Your very worst transferred to Christ and his very best transferred to you. 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:43.760 We have an all-sufficient advocate who pleads his own righteousness in our place, 00:42:43.760 --> 00:42:45.760 in the divine tribunal. 00:42:45.760 --> 00:42:49.760 A champion who has fought the battle for us. 00:42:49.760 --> 00:42:54.760 And this ruling leads to peace with God. 00:42:54.760 --> 00:42:57.760 And this is not a peace of God. 00:42:57.760 --> 00:42:59.760 This is a peace with God. 00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:03.760 When you are justified by faith, you and God have been at war, 00:43:03.760 --> 00:43:06.760 but now in Christ you are at peace. 00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:11.760 Not a mere tranquility of mind, but the end of hostility. 00:43:11.760 --> 00:43:16.760 It's an objective reality for every person in Christ. 00:43:16.760 --> 00:43:20.760 And this is all done by faith. 00:43:20.760 --> 00:43:24.760 Now, faith is not only an intellectual assent. 00:43:24.760 --> 00:43:31.760 It is not the ability to define justification by faith with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. 00:43:31.760 --> 00:43:35.760 No, faith is a wholehearted trust. 00:43:35.760 --> 00:43:40.760 Faith is the empty hand receiving the fullness of Christ. 00:43:40.760 --> 00:43:44.760 Faith is resting upon Christ. 00:43:44.760 --> 00:43:48.760 It is not the power of your faith that saves. 00:43:48.760 --> 00:43:52.760 A weak faith can still rest on the perfect sacrifice. 00:43:52.760 --> 00:43:54.760 It's all of God. 00:43:54.760 --> 00:43:56.760 It's all of grace. 00:43:56.760 --> 00:44:01.760 You'll remember how Paul describes his own salvation in Philippians 3. 00:44:01.760 --> 00:44:04.760 Paul's confidence used to be in his religious credentials. 00:44:04.760 --> 00:44:08.760 Before he met Christ on the balance sheet of his soul, 00:44:08.760 --> 00:44:11.760 he thought he had more assets than liabilities. 00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:15.760 He sought to establish his own righteousness. 00:44:15.760 --> 00:44:21.760 But after he met Christ on the asset column, he writes, Christ alone. 00:44:21.760 --> 00:44:24.760 Everything else he considered his loss. 00:44:24.760 --> 00:44:29.760 He learned that one is justified by faith, by grace. 00:44:29.760 --> 00:44:32.760 In fact, we need the same attitude that Paul had. 00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:36.760 That we would stand upon Christ alone as our righteousness. 00:44:36.760 --> 00:44:40.760 And note the verb tense of the word justify in verse 1. 00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:45.760 This legal declaration doesn't happen in the future. 00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:49.760 It is something that God has already declared for every single Christian. 00:44:49.760 --> 00:44:55.760 God is no longer a judge who condemns us, but a loving Father who adopts us. 00:44:55.760 --> 00:45:04.760 Now, some of you may have been taught that this is a novelty invented during the Reformation. 00:45:04.760 --> 00:45:06.760 A theological innovation. 00:45:06.760 --> 00:45:11.760 Well, friend, if that were true, that would be a devastating criticism. 00:45:11.760 --> 00:45:16.760 But that misunderstands the stream of church history. 00:45:16.760 --> 00:45:22.760 Understand, at the time of the Reformation, the church was more medieval than it was patristic. 00:45:22.760 --> 00:45:30.760 The Reformers were recovering the apostolic teaching and that of the early church fathers. 00:45:30.760 --> 00:45:35.760 Listen to John Chrysostom, an important early church father in the fourth century. 00:45:35.760 --> 00:45:38.760 Commenting on Ephesians 2.11, he writes, 00:45:38.760 --> 00:45:41.760 For by faith alone he saved us. 00:45:41.760 --> 00:45:44.760 Elsewhere, his commentary on the book of Romans, he writes this, 00:45:44.760 --> 00:45:49.760 For when a man is once a believer, he is straight away justified. 00:45:49.760 --> 00:45:55.760 For you do not achieve it by toilings and labors, but you receive it by a gift from above. 00:45:55.760 --> 00:45:59.760 Every Christian throughout history would say, yes, amen. 00:45:59.760 --> 00:46:03.760 Not our merits, not our works, not our efforts. 00:46:03.760 --> 00:46:06.760 Christ alone secures our salvation. 00:46:06.760 --> 00:46:09.760 Jeremiah said, the Lord will be our righteousness. 00:46:09.760 --> 00:46:12.760 Isaiah uses the image of white garments. 00:46:12.760 --> 00:46:17.760 In chapter 62, he declares, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. 00:46:17.760 --> 00:46:19.760 That's justification. 00:46:19.760 --> 00:46:25.760 He covers us in a robe of Christ's righteousness. 00:46:25.760 --> 00:46:32.760 But we understand that not all who profess Christ outwardly truly possess Christ inwardly. 00:46:32.760 --> 00:46:34.760 We know that. 00:46:34.760 --> 00:46:40.760 The scripture repeatedly warns of counterfeit Christians walking in a presumption of salvation. 00:46:40.760 --> 00:46:44.760 If justification is the fire, then sanctification is the heat. 00:46:44.760 --> 00:46:47.760 If there's no heat, there's no fire. 00:46:47.760 --> 00:46:52.760 One who is declared righteous will inevitably walk in righteousness. 00:46:52.760 --> 00:46:55.760 Not perfectly, but sincerely. 00:46:55.760 --> 00:47:02.760 The Holy Spirit takes out your heart of stone and puts in a heart of flesh to walk in newness of life. 00:47:02.760 --> 00:47:05.760 The good tree will bear good fruit, Jesus said. 00:47:05.760 --> 00:47:08.760 And that's what the book of James is all about. 00:47:08.760 --> 00:47:14.760 But wonderfully, we not only are justified and have peace with God, there's more. 00:47:14.760 --> 00:47:17.760 Christian, you are at the center of God's grace. 00:47:17.760 --> 00:47:26.760 Paul in verse 2 says, we obtain access by faith into this grace in which we stand. 00:47:26.760 --> 00:47:31.760 Now some say the word access here is referring to Christians being introduced by another. 00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:34.760 To a king in his royal chambers. 00:47:34.760 --> 00:47:39.760 Others say Paul is drawing upon the imagery from the day of atonement. 00:47:39.760 --> 00:47:43.760 You now have access to the holy of holies. 00:47:43.760 --> 00:47:45.760 The place where God dwells. 00:47:45.760 --> 00:47:54.760 Either way, in Christ, you now have the privilege of full access to God as your loving Father. 00:47:54.760 --> 00:47:58.760 This turns the world upside down. 00:47:58.760 --> 00:48:05.760 By a simple trust in Christ, those who sweep the floors have the same access to God as a seminary president. 00:48:05.760 --> 00:48:07.760 And it's all by faith. 00:48:07.760 --> 00:48:12.760 Pause and think about the effect this truth had during the Reformation. 00:48:12.760 --> 00:48:14.760 Purgatory and indulgences? 00:48:14.760 --> 00:48:15.760 Gone. 00:48:15.760 --> 00:48:20.760 A class of priests mediating access to God? 00:48:20.760 --> 00:48:21.760 Gone. 00:48:21.760 --> 00:48:24.760 Tears of saints and super saints? 00:48:24.760 --> 00:48:25.760 Gone. 00:48:25.760 --> 00:48:29.760 And this gives dignity to our work. 00:48:29.760 --> 00:48:32.760 Now we can affirm each other's callings in life. 00:48:32.760 --> 00:48:36.760 From carpenters to cashiers to cardiologists. 00:48:36.760 --> 00:48:40.760 Every Christian has the same access to God. 00:48:40.760 --> 00:48:43.760 Oh, this is good news, friends. 00:48:43.760 --> 00:48:44.760 For the world. 00:48:44.760 --> 00:48:47.760 We live in a world drowning in guilt. 00:48:49.760 --> 00:48:50.760 Inundated. 00:48:50.760 --> 00:48:53.760 The world doesn't know what to do with feelings of guilt. 00:48:53.760 --> 00:48:56.760 Some resort to self-help books. 00:48:56.760 --> 00:48:59.760 Others drown their guilt through addictions. 00:48:59.760 --> 00:49:04.760 Others drown guilt by deflecting it and blaming someone else. 00:49:04.760 --> 00:49:08.760 Friends, we live in a world inundated with guilt. 00:49:08.760 --> 00:49:14.760 Instead of the notion of getting right with an impersonal universe, we turn to a personal God. 00:49:14.760 --> 00:49:22.760 When the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to the dazzling reality of Christ's love, you begin to boast in Christ. 00:49:22.760 --> 00:49:29.760 In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul says, let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 00:49:29.760 --> 00:49:33.760 And here in verse 2, that word rejoice is the same word for boast. 00:49:33.760 --> 00:49:39.760 To rejoice in the glory of God is to boast in the Lord. 00:49:39.760 --> 00:49:43.760 A triumphant confidence that Christ is your all in all. 00:49:43.760 --> 00:49:46.760 And you will be with him in glory. 00:49:46.760 --> 00:49:49.760 Here's a true test of your spirituality, friend. 00:49:49.760 --> 00:49:53.760 Are you amazed at the grace of God? 00:49:53.760 --> 00:49:55.760 Paul never got over it. 00:49:55.760 --> 00:49:57.760 He says in Galatians 2, 00:49:57.760 --> 00:50:04.760 The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. 00:50:04.760 --> 00:50:06.760 He has loved me. 00:50:06.760 --> 00:50:08.760 He gave himself up for me. 00:50:08.760 --> 00:50:09.760 He loved me. 00:50:09.760 --> 00:50:14.760 He never got over God's grace in his life. 00:50:14.760 --> 00:50:18.760 You can imagine someone saying, but Paul, how can you be so certain? 00:50:18.760 --> 00:50:19.760 I can't be so certain. 00:50:19.760 --> 00:50:22.760 Sin always seems to be close at hand. 00:50:22.760 --> 00:50:23.760 I struggle. 00:50:23.760 --> 00:50:28.760 There are monsters and ogres that lurk in the shadow of my heart. 00:50:28.760 --> 00:50:30.760 I cry for freedom from sin. 00:50:30.760 --> 00:50:34.760 I don't think I'm going to make it. 00:50:34.760 --> 00:50:37.760 You know, Paul knows our wayward hearts. 00:50:37.760 --> 00:50:42.760 He's saying, look, if you sincerely trust in Christ, God has done everything needed. 00:50:42.760 --> 00:50:44.760 You have been justified by faith. 00:50:44.760 --> 00:50:50.760 You are at peace with God and you are at the center of his grace with full access to the Father. 00:50:50.760 --> 00:50:55.760 We go from the grave to glory by the sovereign grace of God in Christ. 00:50:55.760 --> 00:51:01.760 You cannot have assurance of salvation without first understanding these great truths. 00:51:01.760 --> 00:51:04.760 This is the foundation. 00:51:04.760 --> 00:51:06.760 But Paul doesn't stop there. 00:51:06.760 --> 00:51:12.760 He says, not only that, but assurance is produced as a fruit of the furnace of suffering in verses 3 to 5. 00:51:12.760 --> 00:51:17.760 Verse 3 says, not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings. 00:51:17.760 --> 00:51:22.760 Suffering is distress, pressure, affliction. 00:51:22.760 --> 00:51:27.760 Do you feel a tension between the word suffering and the word rejoice? 00:51:27.760 --> 00:51:33.760 Was Paul a lover of being in pain, preferring to walk around with rocks in his shoe? 00:51:33.760 --> 00:51:34.760 No, I don't think so. 00:51:34.760 --> 00:51:35.760 I don't think so. 00:51:35.760 --> 00:51:37.760 James echoed the same thing. 00:51:37.760 --> 00:51:41.760 Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds. 00:51:41.760 --> 00:51:46.760 Paul wasn't rejoicing because of the suffering, but he rejoiced in it. 00:51:46.760 --> 00:51:50.760 He understood that Jesus was not exempt from suffering and neither are you and I. 00:51:50.760 --> 00:51:54.760 Now, church, I don't know what the new year holds for us. 00:51:54.760 --> 00:51:57.760 But I know two things are for certain. 00:51:57.760 --> 00:51:59.760 One, God will be faithful. 00:51:59.760 --> 00:52:04.760 And two, you have a 100% chance of suffering. 00:52:04.760 --> 00:52:05.760 Real trouble. 00:52:05.760 --> 00:52:07.760 Real anguish. 00:52:07.760 --> 00:52:11.760 Dark clouds of discouragement for some of you. 00:52:11.760 --> 00:52:14.760 Your life may be played in the minor key. 00:52:14.760 --> 00:52:17.760 The boxer Mike Tyson said it eloquently. 00:52:17.760 --> 00:52:22.760 Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. 00:52:22.760 --> 00:52:26.760 Life has a way of throwing left hooks and uppercuts when we least expect it. 00:52:26.760 --> 00:52:32.760 Losing your job, sickness, death, a close friend betraying you. 00:52:32.760 --> 00:52:38.760 God no word promises that you would be free from suffering, but he promises to sustain you. 00:52:38.760 --> 00:52:43.760 Paul puts his hand on your shoulder and says, look, you can live within suffering with certainties. 00:52:43.760 --> 00:52:47.760 Every single ounce of suffering has been designed for your good. 00:52:47.760 --> 00:52:53.760 In verse 3, he says suffering produces endurance and character. 00:52:53.760 --> 00:52:56.760 We learn endurance. 00:52:56.760 --> 00:52:59.760 We don't throw in the towel, wave the white flag. 00:52:59.760 --> 00:53:04.760 We continually pick up our cross and every day finding our treasure in heaven. 00:53:04.760 --> 00:53:08.760 The Christian life is sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. 00:53:08.760 --> 00:53:11.760 Not only endurance, but character. 00:53:11.760 --> 00:53:17.760 This is the idea to be tested, to be proven, to be tried, to be given the Job treatment. 00:53:17.760 --> 00:53:24.760 You recall that Satan approached God and said, you know Job only worships you because you have given him all these things. 00:53:24.760 --> 00:53:27.760 Take it away and he will curse you. 00:53:27.760 --> 00:53:31.760 Job was tested, so he had this character about him. 00:53:31.760 --> 00:53:35.760 Job would say, though he slay me, I will hope in him. 00:53:35.760 --> 00:53:40.760 In chapter 23, he said, when he has tried me, I will come out as gold. 00:53:40.760 --> 00:53:45.760 By the end, Job worshiped God because God was God. 00:53:45.760 --> 00:53:50.760 And you notice this type of character in older, more mature Christians. 00:53:50.760 --> 00:53:52.760 This unshakable trust. 00:53:52.760 --> 00:53:57.760 These older saints are like trees with deep roots in the character of God. 00:53:57.760 --> 00:54:00.760 A tree that isn't blown away when the storm is raging. 00:54:00.760 --> 00:54:05.760 They have learned to stake their claim on trusting in God's character, 00:54:05.760 --> 00:54:08.760 even when the circumstances in their life argue they should do otherwise. 00:54:08.760 --> 00:54:14.760 You know, younger Christian, you look around and say, you know, I want to grow. 00:54:14.760 --> 00:54:19.760 I want to have faith and love for God like these older saints. 00:54:19.760 --> 00:54:22.760 That is a wonderful desire. 00:54:22.760 --> 00:54:24.760 God will answer your prayer. 00:54:24.760 --> 00:54:27.760 But don't be surprised if you start suffering. 00:54:27.760 --> 00:54:33.760 Suffering is God's way of separating you from the love of the world. 00:54:33.760 --> 00:54:37.760 Suffering is like God stripping away layers of an onion to refine you. 00:54:37.760 --> 00:54:42.760 Every layer, everything you are tempted to lean on for support, he takes away. 00:54:42.760 --> 00:54:47.760 God is sending you trials because he is driving you to himself. 00:54:47.760 --> 00:54:50.760 He wants you to learn to lean on him. 00:54:50.760 --> 00:54:54.760 Until all you have is Christ himself holding you up. 00:54:54.760 --> 00:54:58.760 And the everlasting love of God becomes your only hope. 00:54:58.760 --> 00:55:05.760 It is here when God drives you low that you learn that God's grace is sufficient for you. 00:55:05.760 --> 00:55:09.760 And this character produces hope. 00:55:09.760 --> 00:55:14.760 God allows suffering and darkness so your hope can shine brighter. 00:55:14.760 --> 00:55:20.760 You know, the jeweler might take out a jewel in the sunlight and you shrug your shoulders and yawn. 00:55:20.760 --> 00:55:21.760 It's a big deal. 00:55:21.760 --> 00:55:26.760 But then he puts the jewel on the black velvet and the jewel starts to come alive. 00:55:26.760 --> 00:55:29.760 God does the same thing. 00:55:29.760 --> 00:55:32.760 He puts suffering in darkness so your hope can shine brighter. 00:55:32.760 --> 00:55:36.760 And this hope will never disappoint you, friend. 00:55:36.760 --> 00:55:39.760 Paul says it does not put you to shame. 00:55:39.760 --> 00:55:43.760 God is not taking you for a ride to be deceived. 00:55:43.760 --> 00:55:45.760 He will never deceive you. 00:55:45.760 --> 00:55:47.760 God's word is always true. 00:55:47.760 --> 00:55:52.760 And in these moments the sovereign spirit will help you in your suffering. 00:55:52.760 --> 00:55:54.760 Paul puts it this way. 00:55:54.760 --> 00:55:59.760 God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:55:59.760 --> 00:56:02.760 This is not a small trickle. 00:56:02.760 --> 00:56:03.760 A small sprinkling. 00:56:03.760 --> 00:56:07.760 The spirit pours out this love into your heart. 00:56:07.760 --> 00:56:12.760 God's love is complete and perfect for every Christian. 00:56:12.760 --> 00:56:17.760 But God sometimes grants greater measures of this sense of his great love. 00:56:17.760 --> 00:56:22.760 The Holy Spirit awakens your heart to these glorious realities. 00:56:22.760 --> 00:56:25.760 You are in a dark place. 00:56:25.760 --> 00:56:27.760 And the sun starts to shine in your soul. 00:56:27.760 --> 00:56:33.760 You feel dry and then you taste the rivers of living water. 00:56:33.760 --> 00:56:38.760 You are given a joyous song to sing at midnight. 00:56:38.760 --> 00:56:41.760 You are given rest. 00:56:41.760 --> 00:56:45.760 Do you know of any of this? 00:56:45.760 --> 00:56:48.760 The spirit pouring out his love. 00:56:48.760 --> 00:56:50.760 Have you been moved by the spirit? 00:56:50.760 --> 00:56:54.760 Your icy heart melted by the great love of God. 00:56:54.760 --> 00:56:57.760 Thomas Brooks said, 00:56:57.760 --> 00:57:00.760 Assurance is the experience of divine bliss this side of heaven. 00:57:00.760 --> 00:57:03.760 Assurance, he wrote, yields the soul to two heavens. 00:57:03.760 --> 00:57:05.760 One here and one there. 00:57:05.760 --> 00:57:07.760 One now and one later. 00:57:07.760 --> 00:57:12.760 A young girl in New Haven became blind at six weeks old. 00:57:12.760 --> 00:57:16.760 People often told her, what a pity you can't see. 00:57:16.760 --> 00:57:20.760 She would reply, the first thing my eyes will ever see would be the face of Jesus in heaven. 00:57:20.760 --> 00:57:23.760 And this filled her with joy. 00:57:23.760 --> 00:57:26.760 Her name was Fanny Crosby. 00:57:26.760 --> 00:57:29.760 And she would write in her famous hymn, 00:57:29.760 --> 00:57:32.760 Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine. 00:57:32.760 --> 00:57:35.760 Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine. 00:57:35.760 --> 00:57:38.760 God poured out his love into her heart. 00:57:38.760 --> 00:57:44.760 Friend, if nothing in your life is going well, but you know Christ, the spirit can do the same for you. 00:57:44.760 --> 00:57:48.760 This is a mark of true assurance. 00:57:48.760 --> 00:57:50.760 But Paul doesn't stop there. 00:57:50.760 --> 00:57:52.760 To nail down assurance. 00:57:52.760 --> 00:58:01.760 Point number three, your assurance is firmly fixed because of God's great love for you in verses six to eleven. 00:58:02.760 --> 00:58:05.760 These verses are meant to strengthen our assurance. 00:58:05.760 --> 00:58:11.760 You notice the word for at the beginning of verses six, seven and ten are important. 00:58:11.760 --> 00:58:14.760 Paul is giving a reason for something. 00:58:14.760 --> 00:58:18.760 Here, Paul takes out his magnifying glass. 00:58:18.760 --> 00:58:22.760 And it's as if he double clicks on the word love in verse five. 00:58:23.760 --> 00:58:32.760 Verses six to eleven are an explanation of this great love that has been poured into our hearts by the spirit. 00:58:32.760 --> 00:58:37.760 Paul says, let me tell you about this extraordinary love that sustains you. 00:58:37.760 --> 00:58:46.760 In these verses, he is explaining the riches of the height, depth, length, and width of the love of God. 00:58:46.760 --> 00:58:53.760 But friend, if you are here and you are not a Christian, we are glad you are here. 00:58:53.760 --> 00:59:02.760 But know that if verse one does not apply to you, if you have not been justified by faith in Christ, nothing past verse one applies to you. 00:59:02.760 --> 00:59:04.760 You don't have peace with God. 00:59:04.760 --> 00:59:08.760 You will not find God to be loving, but only a God of wrath. 00:59:08.760 --> 00:59:11.760 You don't have any hope in suffering. 00:59:11.760 --> 00:59:19.760 The sufferings of this present time are just small tremors of a greater earthquake of suffering the Bible calls the second death. 00:59:19.760 --> 00:59:26.760 It is plain in verse nine, if you have not been justified by his blood, you are subject to the wrath of God. 00:59:26.760 --> 00:59:37.760 In the 1980s, geologists picked up warnings about the volcano Mount St. Helens would erupt. 00:59:37.760 --> 00:59:44.760 For two months, the radio broadcast the warning to the people. 00:59:44.760 --> 00:59:48.760 And heeding the warning, people fled for their lives. 00:59:48.760 --> 00:59:51.760 Police herded people to safety. 00:59:51.760 --> 00:59:54.760 But there was one man who refused to leave. 00:59:54.760 --> 00:59:57.760 He ignored the warnings. 00:59:57.760 --> 00:59:59.760 He appeared on national television. 00:59:59.760 --> 01:00:04.760 He laughed, nobody knows more about this mountain than me, and it don't dare blow up on him. 01:00:04.760 --> 01:00:07.760 But it did. 01:00:07.760 --> 01:00:17.760 The mountain erupted, sending intensely hot ash a hundred stories high, sending concussive waves faster than the speed of sound in every direction. 01:00:17.760 --> 01:00:22.760 The man and everything around him was crushed by the explosion. 01:00:22.760 --> 01:00:25.760 The man refused to listen to the warning, so he perished. 01:00:25.760 --> 01:00:34.760 This volcano would be like a child playing with a jack-in-the-box compared to the wrath of God on the horizon that Paul warns us of. 01:00:34.760 --> 01:00:37.760 God is a consuming fire. 01:00:37.760 --> 01:00:42.760 But see this great offer to be reconciled to God. 01:00:42.760 --> 01:00:49.760 You no longer need to be an enemy, but Jesus can make you God's friend and the lover of your soul. 01:00:49.760 --> 01:00:54.760 Leave everything behind you and run into his arms. 01:00:54.760 --> 01:00:57.760 And trust your all to him. 01:00:57.760 --> 01:01:00.760 As it has been said, there is no refuge from him. 01:01:00.760 --> 01:01:03.760 There is only refuge to be found in him. 01:01:03.760 --> 01:01:06.760 You must come to God acknowledging your helplessness. 01:01:06.760 --> 01:01:09.760 And see this great love that he has shown. 01:01:09.760 --> 01:01:13.760 This is the highest form of love that has ever existed. 01:01:13.760 --> 01:01:16.760 Paul in verse 6 says, 01:01:16.760 --> 01:01:20.760 The death of Christ did not happen for good people, but for sinners. 01:01:20.760 --> 01:01:26.760 For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 01:01:26.760 --> 01:01:34.760 Paul wants you to see that Christ did not die for the heroes, but for villains. 01:01:34.760 --> 01:01:38.760 God loved those who are unlovely. 01:01:38.760 --> 01:01:43.760 But Paul, surely a holy and righteous God would come for the godly. 01:01:43.760 --> 01:01:47.760 No, wonderfully Paul says, he came for the ungodly. 01:01:47.760 --> 01:01:51.760 The wicked, the vile, the unclean, the helpless. 01:01:51.760 --> 01:01:55.760 Christ died for the worst people in the world. 01:01:55.760 --> 01:01:59.760 Do you come here with feelings that you are ungodly? 01:01:59.760 --> 01:02:01.760 Be encouraged, he has come for you. 01:02:01.760 --> 01:02:06.760 God doesn't say, you need to bring yourself to hate sin before you can come to me. 01:02:06.760 --> 01:02:12.760 No, out of God's great love, Paul says, Christ died for us while we were weak. 01:02:12.760 --> 01:02:16.760 That word weak means we couldn't do anything for ourselves. 01:02:16.760 --> 01:02:19.760 We were the paralyzed man on the side of the road. 01:02:19.760 --> 01:02:24.760 We had no strength to escape the final judgment. 01:02:24.760 --> 01:02:28.760 There was no reason for God to set his love on us. 01:02:28.760 --> 01:02:29.760 We were blind to the truth. 01:02:29.760 --> 01:02:33.760 We couldn't even lift a finger to save ourselves. 01:02:33.760 --> 01:02:39.760 But while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ came to die. 01:02:39.760 --> 01:02:42.760 This is the glory of God's love for us. 01:02:42.760 --> 01:02:51.760 While we were helpless, God the Son, the one whom angels worshipped, the glorious and faithful one, appeared in the form of a servant. 01:02:51.760 --> 01:03:01.760 He was spat upon, laughed at, mocked, had a crown of thorns twisted onto his head. 01:03:01.760 --> 01:03:07.760 If that were enough, he was lifted high upon a blood-stained cross. 01:03:07.760 --> 01:03:12.760 Not for good people, but for guilty, hell-deserving enemies of God. 01:03:12.760 --> 01:03:18.760 The Father crushes his own Son, bearing the full weight of wrath. 01:03:18.760 --> 01:03:19.760 Why? 01:03:19.760 --> 01:03:21.760 Why would he do that? 01:03:21.760 --> 01:03:24.760 Verse 8, because God loves you. 01:03:24.760 --> 01:03:28.760 This love is an infinite, never-ending love. 01:03:28.760 --> 01:03:31.760 This love is measureless. 01:03:31.760 --> 01:03:37.760 This is a love that existed between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from eternity past. 01:03:37.760 --> 01:03:39.760 And the love of God is beyond comprehension. 01:03:39.760 --> 01:03:45.760 Look around, Paul says, this love is greater than anywhere you can find in any human relationship. 01:03:45.760 --> 01:03:47.760 Paul in verse 7 says, 01:03:47.760 --> 01:03:53.760 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die. 01:03:53.760 --> 01:03:57.760 Now, what's the difference between this righteous person and the good person? 01:03:57.760 --> 01:04:00.760 You can think of it in terms of a chef. 01:04:00.760 --> 01:04:05.760 Some chefs can follow the recipe, while others just have a little something extra. 01:04:05.760 --> 01:04:07.760 The righteous person follows the law. 01:04:07.760 --> 01:04:10.760 The good person has the right motivations. 01:04:10.760 --> 01:04:16.760 Paul is saying, take the best person, and you still won't find people lining the door to die for them. 01:04:16.760 --> 01:04:18.760 Look at the beginning of verse 8. 01:04:18.760 --> 01:04:21.760 The two greatest words in the Bible. 01:04:21.760 --> 01:04:23.760 But God. 01:04:23.760 --> 01:04:29.760 But God shows his love for us, and that while we're still sinners, Christ dies for us. 01:04:29.760 --> 01:04:31.760 There is no greater love than this. 01:04:31.760 --> 01:04:35.760 The King of Grace died for the worst people in the world. 01:04:35.760 --> 01:04:38.760 You know, it's hard to bear a grudge against your brother and sister 01:04:38.760 --> 01:04:40.760 when you're sitting at the foot of the cross, 01:04:40.760 --> 01:04:43.760 surveying the Prince of Glory being crucified for you. 01:04:43.760 --> 01:04:47.760 It's hard not to forgive your brothers and sisters. 01:04:47.760 --> 01:04:51.760 What does this love have to do with assurance? 01:04:51.760 --> 01:04:55.760 The key is in the words, in the words, much more. 01:04:55.760 --> 01:04:57.760 I would underline those words in this chapter. 01:04:57.760 --> 01:05:04.760 Verse 9, much more, Paul says, having been justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God. 01:05:04.760 --> 01:05:10.760 Again in verse 10, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 01:05:10.760 --> 01:05:14.760 Do you see how the much more works in this chapter? 01:05:14.760 --> 01:05:21.760 Paul's point is, look, if God has done the hard part, he will do the easy part. 01:05:21.760 --> 01:05:30.760 As someone said, he that was willing to expend his son's blood to gain them will not deny his power to keep them. 01:05:30.760 --> 01:05:33.760 Let me illustrate this for you. 01:05:33.760 --> 01:05:39.760 Parents, use your discretion on this one, but there's a recent movie called Guy Ritchie's The Covenant. 01:05:39.760 --> 01:05:43.760 And the movie takes place in the war zone in Afghanistan, 01:05:43.760 --> 01:05:48.760 about an American soldier and his companion, an Afghan interpreter. 01:05:48.760 --> 01:05:54.760 While in hostile territory, the soldier landed on the Taliban's most wanted list. 01:05:54.760 --> 01:05:59.760 Ambushed, the soldier found himself wounded, helpless, and weak. 01:05:59.760 --> 01:06:02.760 Unable to get back to safety. 01:06:02.760 --> 01:06:09.760 But at great cost, his companion, the Afghan interpreter, took extraordinary steps to save the soldier's life. 01:06:09.760 --> 01:06:13.760 Not only did he risk his own life by hiding the man from the Taliban, 01:06:13.760 --> 01:06:23.760 but in tears and dehydration, the interpreter dragged the concussed and bleeding soldier over endless miles under the desert sun. 01:06:23.760 --> 01:06:28.760 Giving what little water he had in the desert to keep the soldier alive. 01:06:28.760 --> 01:06:32.760 Now suppose that the soldier is now back in safety. 01:06:32.760 --> 01:06:37.760 The soldier turns to his friend and says, look, I am weak. 01:06:37.760 --> 01:06:40.760 Would you help me get on the plane so I can safely get home? 01:06:42.760 --> 01:06:44.760 Will the interpreter now say no? 01:06:44.760 --> 01:06:46.760 Look at what he's already done! 01:06:46.760 --> 01:06:49.760 Of course he's going to say yes! 01:06:49.760 --> 01:06:52.760 Look at what God has already done for you. 01:06:52.760 --> 01:06:58.760 He's done the hardest thing in sacrificing his son to reconcile his enemies. 01:06:58.760 --> 01:07:02.760 How much more shall he save us now that we're his friends? 01:07:02.760 --> 01:07:03.760 Much more! 01:07:03.760 --> 01:07:05.760 Yes, he will! 01:07:05.760 --> 01:07:08.760 In love, the Father sent the Son. 01:07:08.760 --> 01:07:12.760 In love, the Son died for you while you were still an enemy. 01:07:12.760 --> 01:07:14.760 In love, he justified you. 01:07:14.760 --> 01:07:18.760 And the Father now loves you with the very love he has for his own Son. 01:07:18.760 --> 01:07:20.760 You are at peace. 01:07:20.760 --> 01:07:22.760 You are at the center of God's grace. 01:07:22.760 --> 01:07:24.760 In love, he is sanctifying you. 01:07:24.760 --> 01:07:26.760 In love, he will keep you. 01:07:26.760 --> 01:07:28.760 Jude 24 says, 01:07:28.760 --> 01:07:35.760 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. 01:07:35.760 --> 01:07:39.760 Paul in Romans 8 circles back around and says, 01:07:39.760 --> 01:07:45.760 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 01:07:45.760 --> 01:07:47.760 In Philippians 1, he says, 01:07:47.760 --> 01:07:49.760 I am sure of this. 01:07:49.760 --> 01:07:51.760 I am sure of this. 01:07:51.760 --> 01:07:56.760 That he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 01:07:56.760 --> 01:08:04.760 Not everyone who professes Christ truly possesses Christ, but everyone who truly possesses him will persevere in him. 01:08:04.760 --> 01:08:09.760 He is able to keep you in the race until you reach the finish line. 01:08:09.760 --> 01:08:17.760 So Christian, your assurance does not depend on your love for God, but his love for you. 01:08:17.760 --> 01:08:20.760 Those whom he receives, he always keeps. 01:08:20.760 --> 01:08:25.760 He has never lost a single person and he is not about to start now. 01:08:25.760 --> 01:08:32.760 Your hope is secure because God's love for you is secure. 01:08:32.760 --> 01:08:37.760 Paul and saying we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 01:08:37.760 --> 01:08:41.760 Loved so perfectly, we rejoice in God. 01:08:41.760 --> 01:08:43.760 This is our boast. 01:08:43.760 --> 01:08:46.760 The anthem of the redeemed in heaven. 01:08:46.760 --> 01:08:48.760 In our new year, this is our anchor. 01:08:48.760 --> 01:08:51.760 This will be the song on your deathbed. 01:08:51.760 --> 01:08:56.760 Death is an open door where we will be given a greater song to sing. 01:08:56.760 --> 01:08:59.760 Christian, he is not weary of you. 01:08:59.760 --> 01:09:03.760 From the grave to glory, he will love you until the end. 01:09:03.760 --> 01:09:08.760 We've tasted this love in part and we'll drink it more fully in glory. 01:09:08.760 --> 01:09:12.760 Infinitely better than any pleasure on earth. 01:09:12.760 --> 01:09:15.760 This love will not fail. 01:09:15.760 --> 01:09:21.760 When God takes hold of you by grace, he will never let you go. 01:09:21.760 --> 01:09:22.760 Let's pray. 01:09:22.760 --> 01:09:32.760 Father, the great love for us in Christ, let that be our strength, our boast, our anthem. 01:09:32.760 --> 01:09:38.760 That you have loved us while we were weak and helpless and you will love us until the end. 01:09:38.760 --> 01:09:42.760 Well, Father, fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit, this love that you have shown us. 01:09:42.760 --> 01:09:44.760 Would our hearts be poured out. 01:09:44.760 --> 01:09:47.760 Would your love be poured out into our hearts, Father. 01:09:47.760 --> 01:09:50.760 For your great, by your grace, for your glory. 01:09:50.760 --> 01:09:52.760 In Jesus name, amen. 01:09:52.760 --> 01:09:53.760 Amen. 01:09:53.760 --> 01:10:11.760 Well, with the music team come up, we are going to sing It Is Well With Our Soul. 01:10:11.760 --> 01:10:13.760 Please stand if you're able. 01:10:13.760 --> 01:10:27.760 Or If Our Children's Morもし Madness 01:10:27.760 --> 01:10:40.699 When peace like a river attendeth my way, 01:10:40.699 --> 01:10:48.940 When sorrows like sea billows grow, 01:10:48.939 --> 01:11:04.199 Whatever my heart thou hast taught me to say, 01:11:04.199 --> 01:11:13.699 It is well, it is well in my soul. 01:11:13.699 --> 01:11:24.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:11:24.699 --> 01:11:38.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:11:38.699 --> 01:11:51.699 No season should not be, no trials should come, 01:11:51.699 --> 01:12:03.699 Let this earth's assurance control. 01:12:03.699 --> 01:12:12.699 That Christ has rewarded my heart, 01:12:12.699 --> 01:12:17.699 That's a state that hath shed, 01:12:17.699 --> 01:12:24.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:12:24.699 --> 01:12:38.699 It is well, it is well, it is well with my soul. 01:12:38.699 --> 01:12:51.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:12:51.699 --> 01:13:03.699 My sin, O the bliss of this glory has stopped, 01:13:03.699 --> 01:13:16.699 My sin, O the bliss of this glory has stopped, 01:13:16.699 --> 01:13:29.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:13:29.699 --> 01:13:36.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:13:36.699 --> 01:13:50.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:13:50.699 --> 01:14:03.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:14:03.699 --> 01:14:08.699 And Lord, peace of this glory, 01:14:08.699 --> 01:14:15.699 When the day shall be signed, 01:14:15.699 --> 01:14:26.699 The clouds be rolled back as a storm. 01:14:26.699 --> 01:14:32.699 Our trump shall be signed, 01:14:32.699 --> 01:14:38.699 And the Lord shall be signed, 01:14:38.699 --> 01:14:41.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:14:41.699 --> 01:14:47.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:14:47.699 --> 01:15:02.699 It is well, it is well, it is well with my soul. 01:15:02.699 --> 01:15:14.699 It is well, it is well with my soul. 01:15:14.699 --> 01:15:41.699 It is well, it is well, it is well with my soul. 01:15:44.699 --> 01:15:47.699 Amen, church. 01:15:47.699 --> 01:15:50.699 Well, let me send you off with this benediction 01:15:50.699 --> 01:15:52.699 As we look forward into the new year. 01:15:52.699 --> 01:15:55.699 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 01:15:55.699 --> 01:15:58.699 And to present you blameless before the presence of his glory 01:15:58.699 --> 01:16:00.699 With great joy. 01:16:00.699 --> 01:16:03.699 To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 01:16:03.699 --> 01:16:06.699 Be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority 01:16:06.699 --> 01:16:08.699 Before all time and now and forever. 01:16:08.699 --> 01:16:10.699 And all of God's people said, 01:16:10.699 --> 01:16:11.699 Amen! 01:16:11.699 --> 01:16:13.699 Go in peace, brothers and sisters. 01:16:13.699 --> 01:16:18.699 Good y пом 대� how amazing Jesus. 01:16:18.699 --> 01:16:48.679 Thank you. 01:16:48.699 --> 01:17:18.679 Thank you.