WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.040 Good morning. I'll be reading from Hebrews chapter 8 from the beginning. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:10.000 So now the point in what we are saying is this. 00:00:10.519 --> 00:00:17.019 We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven, 00:00:17.980 --> 00:00:24.199 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:30.280 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:36.460 Thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:41.460 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:45.239 since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:50.960 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:57.820 For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, 00:00:58.620 --> 00:01:04.740 See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain. 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:14.719 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:23.319 As the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:32.319 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:36.560 For he finds fault with them when he says, 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:40.519 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:45.960 when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 00:01:47.020 --> 00:01:56.140 Not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. 00:01:56.140 --> 00:01:59.560 For they did not continue in my covenant. 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:04.120 And so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:08.439 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:12.240 After those days, declares the Lord, 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:17.879 I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:22.759 And I will be their God and they shall be my people. 00:02:23.359 --> 00:02:29.439 And they shall not teach each other his neighbor and each other, each one his brother, saying, 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:35.859 Know the Lord, for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest. 00:02:36.419 --> 00:02:44.099 For I will be merciful towards their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:49.479 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. 00:02:50.359 --> 00:02:55.819 And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:04.620 To be human is to be made for relationships. 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:05.919 That's very obvious. 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:12.299 But we're made for personal, intimate relationships. 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:15.280 In which we're loved unconditionally. 00:03:17.480 --> 00:03:21.580 I guess every relationship really begins on that basis, doesn't it? 00:03:22.040 --> 00:03:28.760 Whether we're talking about friendships or marriage or the relationship between parents and children. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:34.620 That unconditional love is what we long for and crave. 00:03:34.620 --> 00:03:51.140 But the harsh reality is that even the best and closest of our relationships very easily and often quickly sort of sink back into being transactional. 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:53.620 Not unconditional. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:57.939 And by transactional I mean the relationship goes something like this. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:06.680 I will only do for you certain things when I'm sure that you will respond to me by doing certain things that I want. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:09.259 That's a transaction. 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:15.560 And when we get to that point we find ourselves in a real tangle. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:27.379 Because I still want and even demand that others, this other significant person, love me unconditionally. 00:04:30.340 --> 00:04:33.840 While I'm heavily transactional towards them. 00:04:38.340 --> 00:04:41.819 It's a very unsatisfying form of love. 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:44.680 I would actually argue that it's a destructive form of love. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:49.259 Now, take another step with me. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:52.000 Because I think the same process can easily happen. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:57.160 Can easily shape our desire for a personal relationship with God. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:01.280 So, it goes like this. 00:05:01.540 --> 00:05:03.300 We know our imperfections. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:04.480 We know our own failure. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:10.139 So, when we think of a relationship with God, we actually want and need God to love us unconditionally. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:20.279 But in response, we so easily become transactional. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:29.939 That is, we do things for God and to God that we think will secure the things we want from God. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:39.120 And in the end, we don't actually love God for who he is. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:40.259 For his own beauty. 00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:44.879 We love him for what we think we can get from him. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:48.040 And we do acts of love. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.379 In inverted commas. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:52.659 To secure those things that we think we need and want. 00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:57.939 We can actually read God's word. 00:05:59.100 --> 00:06:03.240 We can form strong beliefs and emotional commitments 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:09.960 about the things we think we need to do to please God and keep him happy. 00:06:12.460 --> 00:06:16.519 Even though those things may be completely wrong. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:24.460 And then we get in a tangle with our relationship with God. 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:32.500 If all we do is respond or relate to God according to how we interpret what God says, 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:36.459 how we interpret what God says, 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:39.299 then we become religious. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:44.879 And we'll give expression to our religion 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:49.439 either through formal religious rituals 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:52.199 like might happen at a church like this on Sunday morning. 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:54.099 going to church, 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:55.699 maybe observing Lent, 00:06:56.659 --> 00:06:58.860 taking the sacraments, 00:06:58.920 --> 00:06:59.599 whatever it is. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.699 Or we might do it through a private system 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:04.039 of beliefs and practices. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:07.039 Oftentimes, something picked up as a child. 00:07:09.599 --> 00:07:10.899 So we try to be good, 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:13.019 believing that we can be good. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.639 Good enough for God. 00:07:16.039 --> 00:07:17.740 Or when life gets tough, 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:18.680 we say our prayers. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:20.659 As if that's the key 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:22.460 that will unlock God's blessing for us. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:24.840 And so on and so forth. 00:07:29.140 --> 00:07:31.860 Once a person is on the religious pathway, 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:36.140 then I think meaningful personal relationship with God 00:07:36.140 --> 00:07:37.340 is lost. 00:07:38.660 --> 00:07:40.280 Or at the very least, 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:42.440 is substituted for transactions. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:47.259 As I said before, 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:49.899 it's a very unsatisfying form of love. 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:52.540 Dare I even say destructive. 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:55.879 Now, 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:58.060 hopefully that introduction will help us 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:59.720 come into the notions 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:01.939 that are in Hebrews chapter 8 this morning, 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.180 especially the word covenant. 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:09.360 because as we move into the Bible generally, 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:10.620 and Hebrews in particular, 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.280 then I need to say 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:15.280 that God hates religion. 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:21.160 His salvation plan 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:23.300 has only ever been 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:25.280 to have personal, 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:27.879 intimate, rich relationship 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:28.759 with his people. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:31.639 I'm going to just give you 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:33.679 a very potted summary 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:34.519 of the Old Testament 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.480 in the next couple of minutes. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.799 From the very start, 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:41.100 from God's creation, 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:43.539 the end point of God's creative work 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:44.639 was rest. 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:46.019 Now, 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:47.659 when you dig into what the word rest is, 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:48.860 we see it in Genesis chapter 2, 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:50.360 it is God's people 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:52.279 in God's place 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:53.299 enjoying 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:54.899 God's special blessing. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:55.759 The place? 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:56.519 Garden of Eden. 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.620 enjoying 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:00.500 personal relationships 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:01.179 with God. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:02.319 Enjoying 00:09:02.319 --> 00:09:03.100 God himself. 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:03.579 Remember, 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.379 Adam walked with God 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.340 in the cool of the afternoon 00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:07.240 or the evening, 00:09:07.319 --> 00:09:07.779 whatever it was. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:09.899 That's a statement 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:11.399 of personal relationship. 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:15.659 Then Genesis 3, 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:17.379 God's people chose 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:18.720 to despise that relationship 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:19.220 with God 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.519 and do their own thing. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:24.379 This fall 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.059 into sin, 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:25.579 as it's called, 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.299 or rebellion, 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:28.519 just messed up everything 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:31.179 and destroyed 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:33.559 personal relationship 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:34.100 with God. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:38.340 But even as God 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:39.699 distanced himself 00:09:39.699 --> 00:09:41.539 from his rebellious people 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:42.439 by removing them 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:43.379 from the Garden of Eden, 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.759 his special place of blessing, 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.759 even as he was doing that, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.039 he promises 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:50.240 or covenants. 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.340 There's the first mention 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:51.819 of that word. 00:09:52.199 --> 00:09:52.759 He promises 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.419 or covenants. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.779 And that's what a covenant is 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:55.659 in the simplest form. 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:56.720 It's just a promise. 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:00.120 God covenants 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:02.459 to do what was needed 00:10:02.459 --> 00:10:03.659 to restore 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:06.439 personal relationship 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:07.059 with his people. 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:10.360 And we pick up then 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:11.199 the first phrase 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:12.679 that said repeatedly 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:13.699 throughout the Old Testament, 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.360 once again, 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:17.579 I will be your God 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:19.720 and you will be my people 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.800 and I will deal 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:21.720 gently with you 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.820 and bless you. 00:10:23.400 --> 00:10:24.660 That's a statement 00:10:24.660 --> 00:10:26.600 of unconditional love. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.759 Personal relationship. 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:34.740 And ultimately, 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.120 Genesis chapter 3, 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:36.860 verse 15, 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:37.440 tells us that 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:39.240 God's covenant promise 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.400 would be delivered 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:41.980 by a special descendant 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:42.700 of Adam and Eve 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:43.900 who would crush 00:10:43.900 --> 00:10:44.740 Satan 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.019 and restore 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:46.580 God's people 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.060 to rest. 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:48.360 The crusher 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.720 would be the one 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.320 who would come 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.039 and restore 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:54.620 the personal relationship 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.240 with God 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:55.879 that they were created 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.519 to enjoy. 00:10:58.500 --> 00:11:00.139 That promised crusher 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:00.860 we know 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:01.580 as Jesus. 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:04.740 And the single story 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.139 of the Bible 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:06.039 from Genesis 3 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:07.560 to the time of Jesus 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:09.519 is built around 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:10.720 how God uses 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.840 nation Israel 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:13.039 to deliver 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.519 his covenant promise. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:16.960 of renewed relationship 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:18.579 in and through Jesus. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.620 Every aspect 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:21.340 of God's, 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:22.860 the life of God's people 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:23.659 in the Old Testament 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:24.899 was built around 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:26.100 God's covenant promise. 00:11:28.439 --> 00:11:29.799 And the extent 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.939 of God's commitment 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:32.600 to restoring relationship 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.159 and fellowship 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:33.759 with his people 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.960 is seen after the Exodus 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:35.419 particularly. 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:36.319 That becomes, 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:36.620 as it were, 00:11:36.699 --> 00:11:37.840 the touchstone 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:39.600 or the go-to passage 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.539 to understand 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.579 what it means 00:11:41.579 --> 00:11:42.059 to say 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:44.019 God wants to be back 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:44.719 in relationship 00:11:44.719 --> 00:11:45.419 with his people. 00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:49.579 And the story there 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.479 is having brought 00:11:50.479 --> 00:11:51.059 his people 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:51.959 to himself, 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:53.039 there's the movement, 00:11:53.719 --> 00:11:55.339 bringing his alienated people 00:11:55.339 --> 00:11:56.419 to himself 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:57.259 from Egypt, 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:58.799 he restates 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:00.000 his covenant promise 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.559 in the terms, 00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:03.419 I will be your God 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:04.500 and you will be my people. 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:08.279 loved despite 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:09.159 your rebellion, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.100 enjoying the good life 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:12.759 of fellowship 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:14.259 and blessing 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:14.879 with him 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.399 despite your rebellion. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:19.779 And from there 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.139 in Exodus 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.779 and Leviticus, 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:24.120 God puts in place 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.039 all the infrastructure, 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.120 if you want to call it that, 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:28.519 to make sure 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.679 that that relationship 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:30.600 is a reality. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:37.200 He sends prophets 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:39.420 to remind 00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:40.639 God's people 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.820 of the promise 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.519 on offer, 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:44.019 the beautiful relationship 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:45.040 that he was offering. 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:47.580 He sends leaders, 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:48.580 eventually the kings, 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.040 to model 00:12:50.040 --> 00:12:52.080 what that good life 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:52.540 of blessing 00:12:52.540 --> 00:12:53.120 looked like 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.120 and to lead them 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.779 into it. 00:12:57.840 --> 00:12:58.940 He said that he would 00:12:58.940 --> 00:12:59.920 come to his people 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.539 and live among them 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:02.819 and that's the idea 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:03.379 of the tent 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.319 or the tabernacle 00:13:04.319 --> 00:13:04.879 and then later 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.379 the temple 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:07.519 where God expresses 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.079 his commitment 00:13:08.079 --> 00:13:08.500 to his people. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.740 He comes to them 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:11.360 and lives among 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:11.899 his dirty, 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:12.719 sinful people. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:16.219 A demonstration 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:17.719 of personal commitment, 00:13:17.979 --> 00:13:18.519 sorry, 00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:19.099 a demonstration 00:13:19.099 --> 00:13:19.579 of commitment 00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.799 to personal relationship. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.199 And then he said 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:23.839 he would set up 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:25.000 the sacrificial system 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.559 and the sacrificial system 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:28.019 is my special provision 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.139 for my dirty people 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:31.220 so I can keep on 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:32.639 fellowshipping with them 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.559 as a clean God. 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.860 It will remind them 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.399 of my grace 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.460 and mercy towards them 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.799 and remind them 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:43.259 that this relationship 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.740 cannot function 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:46.879 until sin has been 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:48.139 addressed and dealt with. 00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:52.840 And I'll appoint priests, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.439 says the Lord, 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:53.480 God. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.160 And they will 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:58.100 bring two alienated 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.160 parties together, 00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:00.960 the clean God 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:02.000 and his dirty people, 00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:04.660 highlighting God's 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:05.400 grace and mercy 00:14:05.400 --> 00:14:05.720 to them 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.580 and allowing animal 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.340 sacrifices 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.820 for their sin. 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.580 He would spell out 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:12.100 in detail, 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:12.480 he said, 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.840 what we call 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.320 the law. 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:16.200 He would spell out 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:16.540 in detail 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:17.440 how the relationship 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:19.360 can thrive. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.720 Now we think of law 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.460 as restrictive 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.519 and negative 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.539 but not so. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:24.700 God's law 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.159 was really 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:26.700 positive parameters 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:27.560 spelled around 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:28.440 the relationship. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.340 You know, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.060 if the relationship 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:30.680 is going to continue 00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:31.519 this is how you 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.399 need to be acting. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.379 This is how 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.180 I want you to act 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:36.379 so that we might 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.480 continue to enjoy 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.279 relationship 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.200 and fellowship together. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.919 I'm your God 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.740 and you're my people. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.139 But, 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.960 despite all 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.840 God's wonderful 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.360 provision 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.320 to make real 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.120 his promise 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:57.159 or covenant 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.220 of relationship, 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:02.060 there was a massive 00:15:02.060 --> 00:15:04.360 and ongoing problem 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.240 that just kept 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.080 making the whole thing 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.700 fall over. 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:10.399 The heart of the problem? 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.720 The problem of the heart. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:19.440 God's people 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.519 repeatedly 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.300 forgot 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:23.980 what God's 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:24.420 provision 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.500 symbolized 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.580 or pointed to. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.460 They pointed 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.019 to God's 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:30.580 gracious 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.800 and merciful 00:15:31.800 --> 00:15:32.740 efforts 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.879 to be in 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.160 personal fellowship 00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:35.820 with his 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.779 sinful people. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.460 And so, 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.200 repeatedly 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.120 through the Old Testament, 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.620 meaningful relationship 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.240 with God 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.039 was lost 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:47.279 as they settled 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.580 into a legalistic 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:50.779 or transactional 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.600 way of responding 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.120 to God. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.019 In other words, 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.700 they forgot 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.659 all of 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:58.019 God's commitment, 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:58.940 all of God's promise 00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.320 to be in 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.480 personal relationship 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:00.759 with them, 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.500 all the things 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:01.840 that God 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.519 had put in place 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:02.960 to make sure 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.480 that happened, 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.379 and they just 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:04.860 went back 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.300 to ticking 00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:05.759 boxes. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.800 We need 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.139 to do 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.560 this 00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.720 and this 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.300 and this 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:11.840 to unlock 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.259 the things 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:12.720 we want 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.259 from God. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.519 And repeatedly 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.560 through the Old Testament, 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.379 God's 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.420 pinged his people 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.200 and his priests 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:21.560 saying, 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.080 yeah, 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:22.820 there's no doubt 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.600 you guys are doing 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.639 all the right things, 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.159 but it's making me sick 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.200 because you're doing 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.279 all the right things 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:31.679 with bad attitudes, 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.519 bad thinking, 00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:33.740 bad motives. 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:39.600 And in fact, 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.399 this is my words, 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.000 not God's words. 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:41.419 In effect, 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:41.819 God said, 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.639 I don't do 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.439 transactional 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:44.559 relationship. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:51.720 Now, 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.779 it's into that 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:56.000 massive problem 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.019 that Hebrews 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.220 steps 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:01.360 and shows us 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:01.960 the perfection 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.600 of Jesus. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.579 And as we see 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.139 the perfection 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:07.759 of Jesus, 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.039 we have exposed 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.500 ever so clearly 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:13.559 the weakness 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.039 and, 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:14.799 using the language 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.259 of Hebrews, 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.599 the shadowy 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.500 nature 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:19.279 of everything 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.160 that went before him. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:23.619 See, 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.960 God sent 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.579 prophet 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.720 after prophet 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.720 prophet 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.660 with the same 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.380 promise 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.400 of relationship. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.120 But none 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:34.640 of the prophets 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.319 were able 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.160 to make God's 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.039 word penetrate 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.700 through the minds 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.620 and into the hearts 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.339 of God's people. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.759 At times, 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.319 they chose 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.079 not to listen. 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.539 At times, 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.620 they preferred 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:49.279 to protect 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.559 their own idea, 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.779 their own belief 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.259 about what God 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.600 wanted 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.539 and act 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:54.919 in the light 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.319 of that. 00:17:58.679 --> 00:17:59.619 The prophets 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.719 were weak 00:18:00.719 --> 00:18:03.219 in that sense. 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.079 God sent 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:04.500 leader 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.240 after leader, 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:06.639 king 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.399 after king, 00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:09.019 but each 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.740 king showed 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.099 that they were 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.319 unable 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.519 to subdue 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.699 God's 00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:14.679 unruly people 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:18.619 because their 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.659 unruly hearts 00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:21.980 were just 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.599 too tough 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.160 to crack. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.140 They were 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:27.720 unable, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.079 therefore, 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.839 to lead them 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.480 into God's 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.279 place of rest 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.079 or relationship. 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.400 Endless 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.039 priests 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.920 offered 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.480 endless 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.400 sacrifices 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.240 in a 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.799 physically 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.380 impressive 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:38.920 temple, 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:42.740 but it only 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.259 made God 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.759 angry 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:47.140 because in 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.839 God's eyes, 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.599 their religious 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.240 practices 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:49.819 were just 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.519 a performance. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:53.500 a pretense. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.379 Jeremiah 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:56.799 and other 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.119 prophets 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:57.379 actually 00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:57.839 called them 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.019 that, 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.879 a pretense 00:18:58.879 --> 00:19:01.160 of valuing 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:01.799 relationship 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.500 with God 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:04.819 while their 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.299 hearts 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.559 were far 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.059 from loving 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.299 him. 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.119 In other 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.220 words, 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.099 they loved 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.420 what they 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:10.720 thought they 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.139 would get 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.779 from God, 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.480 but they 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.339 didn't love 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.180 God himself. 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.240 That's 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.000 transactional. 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.099 And it's 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.440 horrible. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:22.200 Now, 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.940 listen carefully 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.400 here because 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.680 the problem 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.700 was not 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.079 in the 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:26.859 things God 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:27.319 put in 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:27.799 place. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.579 The problem 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:30.960 was the 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.379 heart, 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.779 in the 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.099 hearts, 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.579 of God's 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:33.859 people 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:35.519 who were 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.160 unable 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.480 and unwilling 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.940 to engage 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:40.720 with those 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.700 structures that 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.400 God put in 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:42.799 place that 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.279 was meant 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.259 to point 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.579 them to 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:44.980 Jesus, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.539 point them 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:45.779 to the 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:45.960 Lord, 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.359 and point 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:46.619 them to 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.059 grace and 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.339 mercy. 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:51.519 they 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.099 couldn't 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.119 use those 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.859 structures as 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.059 they were 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:54.539 intended, 00:19:55.199 --> 00:19:56.199 as reminders 00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:56.799 of God's 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:58.119 commitment to 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:58.720 do for his 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.220 people what 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.519 they could 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.480 never do 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.199 for themselves. 00:20:04.199 --> 00:20:04.819 And 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.720 against that 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.699 is the 00:20:07.699 --> 00:20:08.419 perfection of 00:20:08.419 --> 00:20:08.759 Jesus. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:08.899 Jesus. 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:14.540 he is 00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:16.880 what all 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:17.500 the Old 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:17.960 Testament 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.880 structures 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:20.720 were shadows 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.140 of. 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.460 In a 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:23.700 sense, 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.080 the law 00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:25.940 was the 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:28.800 shadow which 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.500 Jesus was the 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.040 reality of. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.759 The temple 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.140 was the 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.800 shadow Jesus 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:32.140 was the 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:32.900 reality of. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.840 The 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.180 prophets, 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.640 priests, 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.600 and kings, 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.139 they were 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.639 the shadow 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:38.959 of which 00:20:38.959 --> 00:20:39.459 Jesus was 00:20:39.459 --> 00:20:39.919 the reality. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.019 He is the 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.559 reality that 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.139 all those 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.740 things pointed 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.019 to. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.219 He is 00:20:45.219 --> 00:20:45.519 God's 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:45.939 perfect 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:46.639 prophet, 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.819 perfect king, 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:48.359 and perfect 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.740 priest. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.299 He is 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.980 God's 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.299 temple. 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:52.939 He is 00:20:52.939 --> 00:20:53.519 the place 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:53.959 we meet 00:20:53.959 --> 00:20:54.359 God. 00:20:58.219 --> 00:20:59.019 He is 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.579 the perfect 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.539 sacrifice that 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.659 covers all 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.039 sins. 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:02.359 We saw 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:02.799 that last 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.099 week in 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.639 chapter 7. 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:05.759 He is 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.039 the one 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.199 who, 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:06.500 therefore, 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.579 by covering 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.019 all our 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:08.240 sins, 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.879 allows 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:10.240 personal 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.939 relationship 00:21:10.939 --> 00:21:11.740 with God 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.539 to thrive. 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.139 He is 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:17.879 the perfect 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.619 forever 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.720 priest. 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:20.500 We saw 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.799 that in 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.019 earlier 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.439 chapters. 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.819 Unique, 00:21:23.199 --> 00:21:23.980 purpose-built 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.460 to bring 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.199 us close 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:26.759 to God 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.559 in relationship. 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.619 The one 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.279 who prays 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:29.599 for us 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.199 constantly 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.960 as we 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.599 struggle to 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.039 serve the 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.220 Lord 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.779 faithfully 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.259 with glad 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.659 hearts. 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:35.660 God's 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.220 He is 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.720 God's 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.060 perfect 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:38.500 king 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.680 who 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.400 rescues 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.000 us, 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.380 subdues 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:45.900 our unruly 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.460 hearts, 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.800 and delivers 00:21:47.800 --> 00:21:48.560 us into 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.560 rest or 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.000 perfect 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.600 relationship 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:51.060 with God. 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.600 The good 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.160 life of 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.540 restored 00:21:52.540 --> 00:21:53.160 relationship, 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.660 life of 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.259 blessing and 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.860 security, 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.300 and forever 00:21:57.300 --> 00:21:57.800 fellowship 00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:58.460 with God. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:04.960 the 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.539 perfection 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.400 of Jesus 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.000 exposes 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.299 the 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.940 weakness 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.100 of 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:10.519 everything 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:10.799 that went 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.240 before Him, 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.680 and by 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.299 definition, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:12.860 therefore, 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.539 supersedes 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.360 it or 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:17.019 renders it 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.519 obsolete. 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.240 I was 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.420 going to 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:23.700 bring in 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:23.980 my 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.700 electric 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:26.019 typewriter 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.460 this morning 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:26.680 that I 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.180 purchased 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.559 when I 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:27.759 first 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.000 started 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.259 work 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.599 back in 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.099 1986, 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:30.460 and it 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.059 was state 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.240 of the 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.460 art. 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.299 I was 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.839 so impressed 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.119 with it 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.379 because it 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:34.660 could 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.460 memorize, 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.119 it could 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.500 hold in 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:36.859 its memory 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:38.559 28 letter 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.160 characters, 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.480 which doesn't 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:41.879 sound much, 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.140 but it was 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.559 good for me 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.759 because my 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.180 speed of 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.680 typing was 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.339 slower than 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.539 that. 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.039 Now, 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.299 that was 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:47.599 state of 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:47.680 the 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:47.920 art. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.480 Last 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:50.619 year, 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.420 the end 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:51.700 of last 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:51.839 year, 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.379 the church 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:52.700 bought me 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:52.940 a new 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.400 laptop. 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.039 Now, 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.440 they both 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:56.740 do the 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.240 same job, 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.359 especially, 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:58.880 I mean, 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.180 I just 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.519 use my 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.160 laptop almost 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:00.799 like a glorified 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.279 typewriter. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:01.819 It's word 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.240 processing. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:03.920 So, 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.380 I've been 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:05.859 thinking about 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.299 just going 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.759 back to my 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.359 old typewriter. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.620 Both do 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.319 words processing. 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:13.960 You type 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.380 the same 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:14.819 keyboard. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.500 It's more 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:17.819 like that 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.120 for me. 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.319 End up 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.539 with a 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.000 document at 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.240 the end. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:23.400 It's 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:23.740 absurd, 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.120 isn't it? 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.180 The 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.440 modern 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.259 laptop in 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.599 just a 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:27.920 few, 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:28.339 well, 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:28.839 I don't 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:28.940 know, 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.599 probably 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.000 years, 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:30.500 I suppose, 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.160 the modern 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.640 laptop 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.859 computer just 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:34.019 made electric 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.660 typewriters 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.440 obsolete. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.579 You'd be 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.200 crazy to go 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.620 back to a 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.019 typewriter, 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:42.240 wouldn't 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.380 you? 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.720 By the way, 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:43.940 if anybody 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.299 wants to 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.680 buy one, 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:44.940 I still 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.240 have it in 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.579 my room. 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:47.299 I can 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.960 negotiate a 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.379 really good 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:48.819 price. 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:49.379 It's only 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.720 had one 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:49.980 owner. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.179 Very, 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.599 very good, 00:23:51.699 --> 00:23:52.299 very fast. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.659 Hands down, 00:23:54.699 --> 00:23:54.939 it'll beat 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.399 your laptop, 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:55.919 so come 00:23:55.919 --> 00:23:56.159 and talk 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:56.339 to me 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.579 afterwards. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.259 It's 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.579 absurd, 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:58.859 isn't 00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.039 it? 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:04.919 The 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.399 perfection 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.139 of Jesus 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:07.439 exposes 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:08.000 the weakness 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.439 of everything 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:08.759 that comes 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.119 before him, 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:09.439 but more 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:09.759 than that, 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.139 in chapter 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:10.439 eight, 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.279 the son's 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.159 perfect work 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:13.879 in an 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.299 ongoing 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:14.899 sense, 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:16.040 in heaven, 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:18.660 is everything 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.540 needed to 00:24:19.540 --> 00:24:20.259 maintain 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.019 vibrant 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.660 relationship 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.800 with God. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.740 See, 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.380 all those 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:26.840 former 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.220 things, 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:27.640 those 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:28.580 shadowy 00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:29.000 things, 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:32.040 really 00:24:32.040 --> 00:24:32.960 needed and 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.800 demanded the 00:24:33.800 --> 00:24:34.519 perfection of 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:34.780 Jesus, 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:36.019 because in 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.320 a sense, 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:36.820 they knew 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.100 within 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.720 themselves 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.280 their 00:24:38.280 --> 00:24:39.019 imperfection, 00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:39.160 their 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.580 weakness. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.320 So those 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.100 things all 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:44.840 looked forward 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.519 to the 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.879 perfection 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.459 of Jesus. 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:49.899 And in 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.720 verse one 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.099 of chapter 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.379 eight, 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.179 we get this 00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:52.879 summary statement 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.240 which is 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.240 summarizing the 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.539 argument, 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.319 how far back 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.899 probably the 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.359 whole argument 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.379 of Hebrews, 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.319 essentially the 00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.799 writer saying 00:24:59.799 --> 00:24:59.939 this, 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:00.500 look, 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:00.819 okay, 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.319 all that's 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.799 been said 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.500 thus far 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.079 amounts to 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.279 this. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.579 Let me 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.079 summarize it 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.419 in one 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:06.119 pithy little 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.480 statement. 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.899 We have 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:12.700 the high 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:12.920 priest, 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.360 we have 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:13.920 the one 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.540 who has 00:25:15.540 --> 00:25:16.680 created and 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.519 will sustain 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.880 forever 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:20.580 relationship 00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.160 with God, 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.900 unconditional 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.740 loving 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.460 relationship 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.280 with God. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:32.639 Jesus is 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.359 everything 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.299 needed 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:36.579 and Jesus 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.180 does 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.160 everything 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.899 required 00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.960 to maintain 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.180 that 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.660 relationship. 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.359 And we're 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.420 introduced to 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.940 him again 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:46.200 in the 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.500 early 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.160 verses of 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.639 chapter eight 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.759 with another 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.859 extravagant 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.799 description 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.619 of who 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.879 Jesus is. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.419 And then 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:55.819 it goes on 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.559 to tell us 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.159 what Jesus 00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:58.119 has done 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.559 and is 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:58.980 doing. 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:00.799 Who Jesus 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.200 is as 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.899 God's 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.200 son is 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.059 the 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.680 ultimate, 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.539 unique, 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.240 purpose-built 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.879 prophet, 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:10.680 priest, 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.240 and king. 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.279 All the 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.839 knowledge of 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.460 God's word, 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.419 all the 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:15.039 power and 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.500 authority 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.119 needed to 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.559 guarantee 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.399 the delivery 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:18.519 of God's 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.480 promise or 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:19.859 covenant. 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:22.279 to restore 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.759 forever 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.299 fellowship 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.819 with his 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.059 sinful 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.440 people. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.220 That's his 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.639 qualification. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.259 That's his 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.700 credential. 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.819 He's now 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.279 in heaven, 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.319 which is 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.919 described here 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.139 as the 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.779 true temple. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.000 If the 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.379 temple was 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:38.940 the place 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.960 where you 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.419 meet with 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:40.859 God or 00:26:40.859 --> 00:26:41.180 where God 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.539 met with 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:41.919 his people, 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.240 then obviously 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.099 heaven is 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.639 the reality 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.079 of that. 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.720 The 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.259 ultimate 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.180 forever 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.700 sanctification 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.200 sanctuary, 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.000 called here 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.039 in Hebrews 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.139 8 verse 2 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:55.379 as a 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:55.659 tent, 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.399 to make 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:57.899 the connection 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.299 back to 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.500 the Old 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:58.859 Testament. 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.720 But it's 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.059 got that 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.200 personal touch 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.500 to it, 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:02.940 hasn't it? 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:04.659 When you're 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.220 camping with 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.619 somebody and 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:05.919 you're in a 00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:06.319 two-man 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.619 tent, 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.619 you think, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.220 I don't know 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.919 what size 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.399 these men 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:09.720 were that 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:09.980 this was 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.419 built for, 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.779 but this 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.259 is very 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.680 cozy. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:21.400 heaven is 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.019 cozy 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.000 because of 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.100 the 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.460 perfection 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.000 of Jesus. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.720 Jesus 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:37.640 is always 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:37.980 on the 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.360 job, 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:39.920 thinking now 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.480 what Jesus 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.300 does and 00:27:41.300 --> 00:27:41.720 has done. 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:42.420 He's always 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.120 on the job 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:43.820 doing his 00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:44.680 priestly work, 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.340 described here 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:45.680 in Hebrews 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.560 8 as 00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:47.180 ministry. 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.220 That is the 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.279 actual activity 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.580 of what a 00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:52.060 priest does. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.100 He ministers 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:54.400 to and 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:56.080 for God's 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.680 needy people. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.900 We saw that 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.580 in chapter 7 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.200 verse 27. 00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:00.120 He presents 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:00.920 himself as the 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.700 perfect sacrifice. 00:28:01.860 --> 00:28:02.220 That's what a 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.700 priest did. 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.600 He needed to 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.200 deal with the 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.640 sins of his 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:04.940 people. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.000 people. 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:09.279 Jesus said, 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:09.860 well, here I 00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:10.059 am. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.200 I'll deal 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.019 with them in 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.340 my own 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:13.720 person. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.299 And in 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.740 doing that, 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.600 he completely 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:20.480 removed the 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.539 barrier of 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.960 sin, the 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.220 barrier to 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.140 relationship and 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.840 fellowship with 00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.559 God, and 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.160 opened up that 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:31.320 reality of 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:31.740 forever 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.420 relationship 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.039 with God. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.240 God 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:39.460 verse 4 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.259 and 5. 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.080 I pondered a 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.620 lot over what 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.059 these verses 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.559 actually meant, 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.019 but I think it 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.680 goes like this. 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.420 Here on earth, 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.200 Jesus wouldn't 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.559 have been a 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:47.779 priest. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.400 I think what 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:48.880 that means is 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.360 that there's a 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.039 contrast there. 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.799 I think, look, 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.480 while on earth, 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.460 the Jewish 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.460 religious authorities 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.100 wouldn't have 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.860 looked twice at 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:57.380 Jesus except 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.799 when they wanted 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.320 to kill him. 00:28:59.100 --> 00:28:59.759 They didn't 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.279 value him. 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.059 They couldn't 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:02.039 see past their 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.279 legalistic thinking 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.500 of, well, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.140 Jesus couldn't 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.579 be a priest. 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:05.880 He couldn't 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.240 be a king 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.619 because he 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.039 doesn't fit 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.559 the criteria. 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.700 He doesn't 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.380 fit what we 00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:10.220 expect God 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.759 would do and 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.420 how we expect 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:11.819 God would 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.019 act. 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.819 So he was 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.559 just sidelined. 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.740 But here, 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.380 the writer's 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:19.140 saying, Jesus 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.920 is highly 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.759 valued in 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.000 heaven. 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.259 The Father 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.119 sees Jesus 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.359 for all he's 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:25.980 worth and all 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:27.359 he's done. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.359 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:29.140 all he's 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.359 done. 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:35.379 he's 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.979 honored by 00:29:35.979 --> 00:29:36.339 the Father 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.699 as the 00:29:36.699 --> 00:29:37.179 perfect 00:29:37.179 --> 00:29:38.539 mediator 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.039 or 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.959 guarantor 00:29:39.959 --> 00:29:41.199 of God's 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:41.479 covenant 00:29:41.479 --> 00:29:41.939 promise 00:29:41.939 --> 00:29:43.359 because he's 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.339 brought the 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.539 two disconnected 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.539 parties together. 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:47.939 He's brought 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:50.299 sinful people 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:52.359 close to 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:52.699 the holy 00:29:52.699 --> 00:29:53.039 God. 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.439 But he's a 00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:55.159 perfect mediator 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:55.599 because he's 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.079 been able to 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.679 do that 00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:58.000 while preserving 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.680 the interests 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.180 of both 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.720 parties. 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:09.079 Jesus was 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:10.039 totally committed 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.660 to ensuring 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:13.180 God's holiness 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.980 and justice 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.839 and righteousness 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.400 is not 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.019 tarnished 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.539 or minimized 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.240 in any way. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:23.119 That required 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:25.140 a person 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.720 to die 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.279 for the 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.660 sins 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.619 of people. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:32.019 Jesus 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.400 stepped 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:32.880 into that 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.240 breach. 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.019 God's 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.380 justice 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:36.640 was 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.180 satisfied 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:39.200 and the 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.700 door opened 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.339 for God 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:40.640 to show 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.099 mercy. 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.339 But at 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:44.660 the same 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.099 time 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:47.380 he was 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:47.720 totally 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.059 committed 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.960 to redeeming 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.940 or making 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.920 safe 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:52.700 his dirty 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.099 people 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:53.799 and bringing 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.220 them close 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.700 to God 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.440 in perfect 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:55.980 relationship. 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.519 And that 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.839 meant 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.539 a work 00:30:59.539 --> 00:30:59.960 on their 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.500 behalf. 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.039 The perfect 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.660 mediator. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.539 In the 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.019 second half 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.400 of chapter 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:09.700 eight 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:11.480 the father 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.140 promises 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.559 our 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.039 covenant 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.839 everything 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.500 needed 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.700 for perfect 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.259 forever 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.859 relationship 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.380 with him. 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:19.380 God's 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:19.900 God's 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.020 God's 00:31:21.020 --> 00:31:22.780 God's 00:31:22.780 --> 00:31:23.240 words 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.100 spoken 00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:24.400 through 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:24.840 the prophet 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:25.440 Jeremiah. 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:26.880 And he 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.620 uses that 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:28.540 to prove 00:31:28.540 --> 00:31:29.580 God's 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.160 commitment 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:30.560 to his 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:30.940 promise 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.580 to restore 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:31.980 forever 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.600 relationship 00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.000 with his 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.240 sinful 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.660 people 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:35.000 despite 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.280 their 00:31:35.280 --> 00:31:35.680 ongoing 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.040 sin. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:38.039 God's 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.039 word 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:43.460 and all 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:43.680 that he 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:43.980 promises 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.399 here 00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:46.159 would be 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:46.619 delivered 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:47.539 again 00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:48.440 through 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:48.899 Jesus 00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:49.339 the 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.720 perfection 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:49.940 of 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.259 Jesus. 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:53.000 But there's 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.440 another thing 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:53.940 that happens 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.460 here 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.259 through these 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.659 words. 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:56.159 It's not 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.519 to the 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.839 forefront 00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:57.240 but I'm 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.460 going to 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:57.740 mention 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.059 anyway 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.319 at least 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.599 I think 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:58.779 that's 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.019 happening 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.299 here. 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.599 God's 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:00.799 word 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.079 as he 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.839 quotes 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.440 God's 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.680 word 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:02.899 through 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.059 the 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.279 prophet 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.759 Isaiah 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.140 God's 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.299 word 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.039 also 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.279 did I 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.420 say 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:07.759 Isaiah? 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.619 Well that's 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:09.879 obviously 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.220 wrong 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.720 isn't it? 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:11.660 Jeremiah 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.119 is the 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.319 one I 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.440 should 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:12.539 have 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:12.720 said. 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.879 God's 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:15.119 word 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.000 also 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.859 exposes 00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:17.879 the 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.980 misguided 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.660 Jewish 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.579 mindset 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:23.940 held 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.440 with a 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:24.920 passionate 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.460 emotional 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.099 commitment 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:29.039 to the 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.519 belief 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.980 that the 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.319 Jews 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:31.559 could 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.440 secure 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.220 relationship 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.839 and fellowship 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.400 with God 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:35.500 by going 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:35.900 through the 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.440 motions 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.940 of religious 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.519 rituals. 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:42.860 Jeremiah 00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:43.120 and the 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.279 other 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.600 prophets 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:43.799 are 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.279 scathing. 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.200 You guys 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:46.120 just every 00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:46.579 day you're 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:46.839 offering 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.539 sacrifices 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:47.819 you're 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.160 saying 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:48.680 your prayers 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:48.920 and you're 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.299 doing this 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.500 and you're 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:49.819 doing that 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.600 and it's 00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.400 all wasted 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:52.299 because it's 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.819 just 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:54.299 transactional. 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:55.960 You don't 00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.339 love the 00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:56.559 Lord. 00:32:56.559 --> 00:33:02.460 God's 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:02.899 promise 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.500 through 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.220 Jeremiah 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.619 is used 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.039 here as 00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.339 proof 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:08.119 of God's 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:08.679 commitment 00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:10.200 to dealing 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.919 with the 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:11.359 problem 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.039 of the 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.399 heart 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.839 which as I 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.379 said earlier 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:15.179 was the 00:33:15.179 --> 00:33:15.700 heart of 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:15.819 the 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.119 problem. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.220 Only 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.679 then 00:33:18.679 --> 00:33:20.319 could 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:20.919 God 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.419 be their 00:33:21.419 --> 00:33:21.799 God 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:23.720 and enjoy 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.419 them as 00:33:24.419 --> 00:33:24.839 his people. 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.519 Verse 10 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:26.940 I'm going to 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.839 run through 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.399 this very 00:33:28.399 --> 00:33:28.919 quickly because 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:29.180 we'll be 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.700 saying more 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.180 about each 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.480 of these 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.000 things next 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.399 week in 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:31.960 chapter 9. 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.000 God 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.599 would deliver 00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.500 new hearts. 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.200 In other 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.819 words if 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.240 the problem 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.500 was the 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.319 heart God's 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.859 commitment 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:47.700 to relationship 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:49.200 said okay 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.720 I will 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.740 reformat 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.059 you from 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.220 the 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.559 inside 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:52.940 out. 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.079 I'll 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.339 give you 00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:56.599 new 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.200 desires 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.180 new 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:58.640 thinking 00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.319 new 00:33:59.319 --> 00:33:59.819 attitudes 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:01.680 so you'll 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.319 see me 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:02.660 for who 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.140 I am 00:34:03.140 --> 00:34:04.519 and love 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.200 me for 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:05.500 what I 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.480 am 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.900 unconditionally. 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.420 Verse 11 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:16.119 God 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.320 would 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:16.780 deliver 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.480 new 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:19.559 transformational 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.400 understanding 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:23.680 the 00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:24.320 prophets of 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:24.559 old 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.360 constantly 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:26.300 chastised 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:26.700 God's 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:26.980 people 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:28.000 for not 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.559 knowing 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:28.860 him 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.760 even 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.119 though 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:30.300 they 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:30.639 had a 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.099 lifetime 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.619 of 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.139 observing 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.460 his 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:32.940 character. 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.740 That was 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.160 picked up 00:34:34.160 --> 00:34:34.480 in chapter 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.300 3 of 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:35.740 Hebrews. 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.720 40 years 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:37.900 in the 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.220 wilderness 00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:38.760 and yet 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.680 you didn't 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:40.240 even know 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:40.420 me. 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:40.880 You'd seen 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.240 all my 00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:41.660 works 00:34:41.660 --> 00:34:43.599 yet you 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.139 didn't 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.840 even know 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.059 me. 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:46.059 In other 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.380 words 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:48.480 they knew 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.219 of God 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.719 but it 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.219 wasn't a 00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.539 knowledge 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:50.799 that 00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:51.619 transformed 00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:51.960 them 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.940 and 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.360 transformed 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:53.579 their 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.079 actions. 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.519 They 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:56.840 just 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.360 interpreted 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:57.779 God's 00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:58.279 activity 00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:59.179 to suit 00:34:59.179 --> 00:34:59.599 their own 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.000 convenient 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.500 beliefs. 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:02.719 And the 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.019 same 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:04.119 prophets 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:04.880 pursued 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.380 God's 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:05.759 people to 00:35:05.759 --> 00:35:06.119 see that 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:06.759 true 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:07.400 understanding 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:07.920 of God 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.980 recognises 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.619 his holiness 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:11.239 and then 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:12.340 overflows 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:13.139 in response 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.819 of obedience 00:35:13.819 --> 00:35:14.659 love and 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:15.000 delight. 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:15.699 God says 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:15.960 I'm going 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.179 to give 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:16.420 you that 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:16.679 sort of 00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:17.039 knowledge 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:18.199 to produce 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:18.619 that sort 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.440 of response. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.079 It's the 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.359 only way 00:35:21.359 --> 00:35:21.599 it's going 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:21.900 to happen. 00:35:24.379 --> 00:35:25.039 So the 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.619 ultimate 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.359 blessing 00:35:26.359 --> 00:35:27.779 built into 00:35:27.779 --> 00:35:28.239 God's 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:28.539 covenant 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.119 promise 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:30.839 is that 00:35:30.839 --> 00:35:31.539 God's 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.199 people would 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.900 know and 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.679 love him 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:35.299 as he 00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:35.859 knows 00:35:35.859 --> 00:35:36.559 and loves 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:36.879 them. 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:43.360 third 00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:44.519 verse 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:44.920 12 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.119 God 00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:46.360 would 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:46.820 deliver 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.539 perfection. 00:35:48.140 --> 00:35:48.760 I said 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.260 last week 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:49.720 that Jesus 00:35:49.720 --> 00:35:50.340 is perfection. 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.380 Well God's 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:51.780 ultimate 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.320 promise 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:53.780 is that 00:35:53.780 --> 00:35:54.059 he would 00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.579 deliver 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.579 perfection 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.280 because only 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:56.860 the perfection 00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:57.380 of Jesus 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.740 applied to 00:35:58.740 --> 00:35:59.200 his dirty 00:35:59.200 --> 00:35:59.579 sinful 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.019 people 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:01.440 would enable 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.400 that fellowship 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.980 for every 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.559 relationship 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:06.519 to go 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:08.500 by definition 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:08.920 forever. 00:36:12.279 --> 00:36:13.039 God's 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.519 promise 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.860 to engage 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.199 with his 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:15.699 people in 00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.320 grace and 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:16.679 mercy 00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:18.159 acting to 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.179 remove the 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.639 guilt of 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.059 their sin 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:23.119 and nothing 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.179 shows God's 00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.320 heart more 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:25.860 clearly 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:28.019 than this 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.679 promise to 00:36:28.679 --> 00:36:29.119 his people. 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:30.599 It shows 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.199 his desire 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:31.900 to pardon. 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:32.820 It shows 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.699 his unwillingness 00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.320 to pour out 00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:34.820 his anger. 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.660 It shows 00:36:35.660 --> 00:36:36.260 his delight 00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:36.940 and loving 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.700 kindness. 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.660 And the 00:36:38.660 --> 00:36:39.140 prophets 00:36:39.140 --> 00:36:39.820 Micah and 00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.160 the rest 00:36:40.160 --> 00:36:40.360 of them 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.820 they're full 00:36:41.820 --> 00:36:42.140 of that 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:42.420 sort of 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:42.740 stuff. 00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:43.460 It's just 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.019 that God's 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.519 people couldn't 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.039 hear it 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.539 or didn't 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:45.880 want to 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:46.300 hear it. 00:36:47.200 --> 00:36:47.760 They preferred 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:48.780 being transactional. 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.559 All of that 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.100 is God's 00:36:53.100 --> 00:36:53.640 commitment to 00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:54.120 freeing his 00:36:54.120 --> 00:36:54.559 people to 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.220 true worship. 00:36:56.620 --> 00:36:57.120 As Jesus 00:36:57.120 --> 00:36:57.500 said 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:59.780 recorded in 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:00.080 John's 00:37:00.080 --> 00:37:00.380 gospel 00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.440 worship in 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.120 spirit and 00:37:02.120 --> 00:37:02.620 in truth. 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:06.140 God's 00:37:06.140 --> 00:37:09.019 God's 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.380 covenant 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:10.400 promise has 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.220 always been 00:37:11.220 --> 00:37:11.700 the same. 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:13.000 I get a 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.240 little bit 00:37:13.240 --> 00:37:13.700 uncomfortable 00:37:13.700 --> 00:37:14.980 with the 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:16.300 discontinuity 00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:16.820 between the 00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:17.320 idea of 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:17.760 old and 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.039 new. 00:37:19.100 --> 00:37:19.860 There is a 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.340 continuity. 00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:21.200 In one sense 00:37:21.200 --> 00:37:21.740 God's covenant 00:37:21.740 --> 00:37:22.340 has always been 00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:22.740 the same. 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.620 But when you 00:37:24.620 --> 00:37:25.360 look at how 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:27.059 it failed 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:28.059 because of the 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.500 weakness of the 00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:28.940 human heart 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.539 and how it was 00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.580 then achieved 00:37:30.580 --> 00:37:30.960 through the 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.460 perfection of 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.220 Jesus, yeah 00:37:32.220 --> 00:37:32.720 it can 00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:33.280 probably be 00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:34.019 described as 00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.820 something brand 00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.240 new. 00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:43.079 So what's the 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.400 takeaway from 00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:44.980 all of this? 00:37:46.280 --> 00:37:47.079 Well I want to 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.659 push you in two 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.139 directions. 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:53.800 Be careful 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:55.500 not to 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:57.440 prefer or be 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.420 satisfied with 00:37:58.420 --> 00:38:01.099 a copy, a 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:01.920 shadow, an 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:03.240 imitation of 00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:04.300 real relationship 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:06.159 and blessing 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:06.659 with God. 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:12.380 We sort of 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:12.900 read Hebrews 00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.400 and think well 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.000 we would never 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.619 do what those 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.960 Hebrew Christians 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.340 were doing. 00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:17.740 I think I'm 00:38:17.740 --> 00:38:18.260 going back to 00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:18.800 the old way of 00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:19.240 doing things. 00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:20.800 Well you're in a 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.559 dangerous position 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:22.220 my friend if you 00:38:22.220 --> 00:38:23.039 think you can't 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.900 do that in some 00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:24.639 shape or form. 00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:29.839 could be a 00:38:29.839 --> 00:38:30.219 matter of 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:30.559 putting your 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.619 confidence for 00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:32.699 acceptance with 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:34.400 God in 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:36.099 institutional 00:38:36.099 --> 00:38:36.980 religion if I 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.440 can put it like 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:37.679 that. 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:38.420 In other words 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:39.480 the things that 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:41.179 go with being 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:42.079 part of a church 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.980 family like this. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:44.199 Rituals. 00:38:45.799 --> 00:38:46.599 In some 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:47.579 situations it 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:48.179 could be bells 00:38:48.179 --> 00:38:48.799 and smells. 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.559 Doing religious 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.579 things as though 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.420 somehow or other 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:53.900 it will make you 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:54.559 more secure. 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.519 more acceptable 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.219 to God and 00:38:56.219 --> 00:38:56.420 that will 00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:56.879 somehow or 00:38:56.879 --> 00:38:57.400 other please 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:57.980 God in and 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:58.639 of itself. 00:39:03.319 --> 00:39:04.059 It could be 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:04.559 through backing 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.059 your own 00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.480 emotional 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:07.179 commitment to 00:39:07.179 --> 00:39:08.019 the belief 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.440 that well 00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:10.199 I'm a 00:39:10.199 --> 00:39:11.139 basic 00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:11.819 basically I'm 00:39:11.819 --> 00:39:12.099 a good 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:13.879 person and 00:39:13.879 --> 00:39:14.199 that my 00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:15.400 good intentions 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:15.900 and good 00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:17.219 living will 00:39:17.219 --> 00:39:18.500 win acceptance 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:20.199 with God. 00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:22.539 And especially 00:39:22.539 --> 00:39:23.019 when I add 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.920 into that I 00:39:23.920 --> 00:39:24.539 go to church 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.079 and I say 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:25.599 my prayers 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.079 daily and 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:26.539 I read my 00:39:26.539 --> 00:39:26.980 Bible and 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:27.179 do my 00:39:27.179 --> 00:39:27.639 little daily 00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.159 devotional 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:29.500 and we 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:29.960 start to 00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:31.179 pile up a 00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:31.599 series of 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:32.259 transactions 00:39:32.259 --> 00:39:34.679 that expect 00:39:34.679 --> 00:39:35.159 God to 00:39:35.159 --> 00:39:35.779 deliver his 00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.139 part. 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:39.820 So common. 00:39:42.460 --> 00:39:43.159 Even as 00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:43.699 Christians 00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:44.340 Tim Keller 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:44.800 says we can 00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.619 slide into 00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.639 that and 00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:47.079 slide away 00:39:47.079 --> 00:39:47.360 from the 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:47.659 gospel. 00:39:47.659 --> 00:39:57.519 don't be 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.139 happily 00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.500 transactional 00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:00.619 in your 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.219 relationship 00:40:01.219 --> 00:40:01.859 with God. 00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:10.239 Jesus is 00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:10.639 God's 00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:11.119 perfection. 00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:12.139 perfection is 00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:12.900 everything 00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:13.500 needed, 00:40:15.299 --> 00:40:15.500 is 00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:16.179 established 00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:17.719 and 00:40:17.719 --> 00:40:18.339 maintained 00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:19.219 forever 00:40:19.219 --> 00:40:20.139 relationship 00:40:20.139 --> 00:40:20.699 with God. 00:40:20.699 --> 00:40:21.699 God's 00:40:21.699 --> 00:40:20.839 love. 00:40:23.239 --> 00:40:24.019 And it's 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.639 very logical 00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:24.939 then. 00:40:25.239 --> 00:40:25.859 If he is 00:40:25.859 --> 00:40:26.419 perfection 00:40:26.419 --> 00:40:28.239 then there 00:40:28.239 --> 00:40:28.919 is no 00:40:28.919 --> 00:40:29.980 better place 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:30.759 to rest 00:40:30.759 --> 00:40:32.279 that is to 00:40:32.279 --> 00:40:33.059 find assurance 00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:33.960 of salvation 00:40:33.960 --> 00:40:36.879 than in 00:40:36.879 --> 00:40:37.339 perfection. 00:40:38.339 --> 00:40:39.239 It doesn't 00:40:39.239 --> 00:40:39.579 need to be 00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:40.739 updated like 00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:41.179 Gareth's 00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:42.279 passport or 00:40:42.279 --> 00:40:42.779 his hairstyle. 00:40:42.780 --> 00:40:46.060 It can't 00:40:46.060 --> 00:40:46.660 be improved. 00:40:48.740 --> 00:40:49.500 You'll never 00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:50.080 get an email 00:40:50.080 --> 00:40:51.560 saying this 00:40:51.560 --> 00:40:52.040 ran out of 00:40:52.040 --> 00:40:52.940 debts two 00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:53.500 years ago and 00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:53.780 you weren't 00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:54.360 even aware of 00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:54.480 it. 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:55.060 Sorry. 00:40:55.900 --> 00:40:56.440 Passport to 00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:57.000 heaven cancelled. 00:41:01.660 --> 00:41:02.500 Love him. 00:41:05.019 --> 00:41:05.920 Enjoy him. 00:41:07.820 --> 00:41:08.420 Trust him. 00:41:10.640 --> 00:41:11.440 Love him 00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:12.600 unconditionally. 00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:15.360 as he loves 00:41:15.360 --> 00:41:16.340 you unconditionally. 00:41:20.060 --> 00:41:21.040 Then we start 00:41:21.040 --> 00:41:21.880 to show the 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:22.600 perfection of 00:41:22.600 --> 00:41:22.900 Jesus. 00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:25.920 Thank you for 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.660 listening.