1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,520 Our scripture reading this morning is from Romans 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:07,120 chapter 5 verses 1 to 11. Romans 5 3 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:09,519 verses 1 to 11. Please listen now to 4 00:00:09,519 --> 00:00:10,980 the reading of God's word. 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:12,980 Therefore, 6 00:00:13,894 --> 00:00:15,275 since we have been justified 7 00:00:15,574 --> 00:00:16,234 by faith, 8 00:00:16,855 --> 00:00:19,335 we have peace with God through our Lord 9 00:00:19,335 --> 00:00:20,234 Jesus Christ. 10 00:00:20,855 --> 00:00:23,414 Through him we have also obtained access by 11 00:00:23,414 --> 00:00:25,835 faith into this grace in which we stand, 12 00:00:26,134 --> 00:00:28,214 and we rejoice in hope of the glory 13 00:00:28,214 --> 00:00:28,875 of God. 14 00:00:29,539 --> 00:00:30,279 Not only 15 00:00:30,579 --> 00:00:33,140 that, but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing 16 00:00:33,140 --> 00:00:35,000 that suffering produces endurance, 17 00:00:35,379 --> 00:00:37,239 and endurance produces character, 18 00:00:37,619 --> 00:00:40,979 and character produces hope. And hope does not 19 00:00:40,979 --> 00:00:43,559 put us to shame because God's love 20 00:00:43,884 --> 00:00:46,524 has been poured into our hearts through the 21 00:00:46,524 --> 00:00:49,024 Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 22 00:00:49,725 --> 00:00:51,884 For while we were still weak, at the 23 00:00:51,884 --> 00:00:54,144 right time Christ died for the ungodly. 24 00:00:54,684 --> 00:00:57,004 For one will scarcely die for a righteous 25 00:00:57,004 --> 00:00:59,920 person, though perhaps for a good person one 26 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:01,539 would dare even to die. 27 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:03,920 But God shows His love for us in 28 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:05,780 that while we were still sinners, 29 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:07,780 Christ died for us. 30 00:01:08,079 --> 00:01:09,060 Since therefore 31 00:01:09,359 --> 00:01:11,840 we have been now been justified by His 32 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:12,340 blood, 33 00:01:12,795 --> 00:01:15,135 much more shall we be saved by him 34 00:01:15,194 --> 00:01:17,515 from the wrath of God. For if while 35 00:01:17,515 --> 00:01:20,075 we were enemies we were reconciled to God 36 00:01:20,075 --> 00:01:21,454 by the death of his son, 37 00:01:21,915 --> 00:01:22,734 much more, 38 00:01:23,114 --> 00:01:24,415 now that we are reconciled, 39 00:01:24,954 --> 00:01:27,055 shall we be saved by his life. 40 00:01:27,549 --> 00:01:30,270 More than that, we also rejoice in God 41 00:01:30,270 --> 00:01:31,890 through our Lord Jesus Christ, 42 00:01:32,430 --> 00:01:34,930 through whom we have now received 43 00:01:35,630 --> 00:01:36,130 reconciliation. 44 00:01:36,909 --> 00:01:38,370 This is the word of the Lord. 45 00:01:38,990 --> 00:01:41,170 Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 46 00:01:46,715 --> 00:01:48,255 Do you ever stop to think 47 00:01:49,275 --> 00:01:51,454 about what a wonderful commodity, 48 00:01:52,155 --> 00:01:53,614 what a wonderful benefit, 49 00:01:54,239 --> 00:01:55,700 what a wonderful blessing 50 00:01:56,239 --> 00:01:57,219 peace is. 51 00:01:58,239 --> 00:02:00,400 It's not something that you think much about 52 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:01,459 when you're a child, 53 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,560 but the older you get, the more that 54 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:05,379 you understand 55 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:07,379 the value of peace. 56 00:02:08,155 --> 00:02:09,534 Of course the term peace 57 00:02:09,914 --> 00:02:12,175 can refer to an absence of hostility, 58 00:02:13,034 --> 00:02:14,574 between nations for example, 59 00:02:14,875 --> 00:02:17,935 or to harmonious relationships with family members, 60 00:02:18,235 --> 00:02:19,215 or with friends, 61 00:02:19,834 --> 00:02:21,614 or with lack of conflict 62 00:02:21,939 --> 00:02:24,520 at work, or, in your neighborhood, 63 00:02:25,459 --> 00:02:27,300 is the sort of thing that you may 64 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:28,120 not appreciate 65 00:02:28,740 --> 00:02:30,280 until you don't have it. 66 00:02:30,659 --> 00:02:32,500 And unless you're the kind of person who 67 00:02:32,500 --> 00:02:33,560 enjoys conflict, 68 00:02:34,020 --> 00:02:36,120 and there are some people who really do 69 00:02:36,180 --> 00:02:37,159 enjoy conflict, 70 00:02:37,895 --> 00:02:39,194 you will find yourself 71 00:02:39,735 --> 00:02:40,235 longing 72 00:02:40,614 --> 00:02:41,435 to experience 73 00:02:41,814 --> 00:02:42,555 the tranquility, 74 00:02:43,414 --> 00:02:44,555 the lack of drama, 75 00:02:45,175 --> 00:02:46,155 and the sanity 76 00:02:46,534 --> 00:02:47,834 that peace brings. 77 00:02:48,614 --> 00:02:50,854 You may catch yourself thinking, oh, what I 78 00:02:50,854 --> 00:02:54,209 wouldn't give to enjoy some peace and quiet. 79 00:02:55,069 --> 00:02:57,169 Well, we live in one of the wealthiest 80 00:02:57,870 --> 00:02:59,090 metropolitan areas 81 00:02:59,469 --> 00:03:00,689 of one of the wealthiest 82 00:03:01,150 --> 00:03:01,650 states 83 00:03:02,269 --> 00:03:03,889 in the wealthiest country 84 00:03:04,645 --> 00:03:07,305 at the most prosperous time in human history, 85 00:03:07,444 --> 00:03:08,585 and yet peace 86 00:03:09,044 --> 00:03:11,604 seems as elusive to us as it has 87 00:03:11,604 --> 00:03:13,064 ever been for anyone. 88 00:03:14,004 --> 00:03:16,405 Conflicts in the Middle East, and in the 89 00:03:16,405 --> 00:03:18,259 Far East, and in 90 00:03:18,719 --> 00:03:21,139 Europe, conflicts in which America is involved, 91 00:03:21,599 --> 00:03:24,099 have the whole world on edge right now. 92 00:03:25,199 --> 00:03:26,419 Within our own borders, 93 00:03:27,039 --> 00:03:27,539 society 94 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:29,939 has not been this divided 95 00:03:30,794 --> 00:03:31,694 along political, 96 00:03:32,474 --> 00:03:32,974 ideological, 97 00:03:33,674 --> 00:03:35,614 and religious lines, perhaps, 98 00:03:35,995 --> 00:03:37,215 since the civil war. 99 00:03:37,995 --> 00:03:40,634 And more people than ever before in their 100 00:03:40,634 --> 00:03:41,375 own lives 101 00:03:41,995 --> 00:03:44,550 and in their in in the lives of, 102 00:03:44,870 --> 00:03:46,889 of their churches that they belong to, 103 00:03:47,590 --> 00:03:48,090 are, 104 00:03:48,710 --> 00:03:51,610 can can feel more isolated from one another. 105 00:03:52,069 --> 00:03:53,530 They can feel discouraged. 106 00:03:54,229 --> 00:03:55,210 They can feel, 107 00:03:55,990 --> 00:03:57,449 desperate, even anxious, 108 00:03:58,104 --> 00:03:58,844 and alone 109 00:03:59,305 --> 00:04:02,264 than people in previous generations did. There's this 110 00:04:02,264 --> 00:04:03,324 lack of cohesiveness 111 00:04:03,944 --> 00:04:06,504 in the ways that we live in our 112 00:04:06,504 --> 00:04:07,004 society. 113 00:04:08,504 --> 00:04:09,724 And according to scripture, 114 00:04:10,379 --> 00:04:12,080 the reason we feel this way, 115 00:04:12,379 --> 00:04:15,020 the reason we are experiencing this lack of 116 00:04:15,020 --> 00:04:15,520 peace 117 00:04:15,979 --> 00:04:16,720 is because, 118 00:04:17,660 --> 00:04:19,759 this is a world that is in rebellion 119 00:04:19,980 --> 00:04:20,879 against God. 120 00:04:21,740 --> 00:04:23,120 A world that has embraced 121 00:04:23,884 --> 00:04:25,725 the lie that the serpent told in the 122 00:04:25,725 --> 00:04:26,225 garden, 123 00:04:27,004 --> 00:04:29,324 a world that has inherited the spirit of 124 00:04:29,324 --> 00:04:29,824 Babel, 125 00:04:30,524 --> 00:04:31,664 a world infected 126 00:04:32,285 --> 00:04:33,264 by the devastating 127 00:04:33,725 --> 00:04:34,944 effects of sin, 128 00:04:35,564 --> 00:04:38,064 a world that worships and serves the creature 129 00:04:38,899 --> 00:04:40,120 rather than the creator. 130 00:04:41,220 --> 00:04:41,959 In short, 131 00:04:42,419 --> 00:04:44,360 the reason for our lack of peace 132 00:04:44,979 --> 00:04:46,279 is that this world 133 00:04:46,899 --> 00:04:48,439 and our families 134 00:04:49,139 --> 00:04:50,120 and we ourselves 135 00:04:51,060 --> 00:04:52,759 are often being led 136 00:04:53,139 --> 00:04:54,039 by weak, 137 00:04:54,714 --> 00:04:57,354 ungodly sinners at enmity with God or at 138 00:04:57,354 --> 00:04:58,495 least with the ideas 139 00:04:59,115 --> 00:05:00,735 that these people, 140 00:05:01,435 --> 00:05:02,334 have allowed 141 00:05:02,794 --> 00:05:04,894 to come into the world and have triumphed 142 00:05:04,954 --> 00:05:05,454 in, 143 00:05:05,914 --> 00:05:08,495 in in the worldview that now governs us. 144 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:10,420 And 145 00:05:10,879 --> 00:05:13,439 yet, the Bible tells us that we have 146 00:05:13,439 --> 00:05:14,500 reason for hope. 147 00:05:15,439 --> 00:05:18,240 The Bible tells us that the mercies of 148 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:21,060 our Heavenly Father are new every morning. 149 00:05:22,394 --> 00:05:23,995 The Bible tells us that the Son of 150 00:05:23,995 --> 00:05:26,014 God is the Prince of Peace. 151 00:05:26,714 --> 00:05:28,475 The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit 152 00:05:28,475 --> 00:05:30,555 is our helper, and that He is our 153 00:05:30,555 --> 00:05:31,055 comforter. 154 00:05:31,915 --> 00:05:33,675 And as we will see this morning, Romans 155 00:05:33,675 --> 00:05:36,814 chapter 5 verses 1 to 11 tells us 156 00:05:37,089 --> 00:05:40,709 that despite all the craziness that surrounds us, 157 00:05:40,850 --> 00:05:43,649 and despite all the conflict that exists in 158 00:05:43,649 --> 00:05:44,949 every sphere of life, 159 00:05:45,810 --> 00:05:46,550 the Christian 160 00:05:46,930 --> 00:05:48,229 can enjoy peace 161 00:05:48,769 --> 00:05:49,990 in this life. 162 00:05:51,125 --> 00:05:52,725 In fact, the main point that I want 163 00:05:52,725 --> 00:05:54,584 you to remember this morning is this, 164 00:05:55,365 --> 00:05:56,745 since in the past 165 00:05:57,365 --> 00:05:59,144 Christ secured your future, 166 00:06:00,004 --> 00:06:02,024 you can enjoy peace in the present. 167 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:04,580 Since in the past 168 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:06,899 Christ secured your future, 169 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:09,860 you can enjoy peace in the present. 170 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:11,699 So let's consider 171 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,060 our text under these three headings. Number 1, 172 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:15,779 rewards, 173 00:06:17,154 --> 00:06:18,615 Number 2, redemption. 174 00:06:19,395 --> 00:06:21,014 And number 3, rest. 175 00:06:21,795 --> 00:06:24,834 Rewards, redemption, and rest. And we're going to 176 00:06:24,834 --> 00:06:27,235 be looking at these 3 headings. We're gonna 177 00:06:27,235 --> 00:06:28,675 spend a lot more time in the first 178 00:06:28,675 --> 00:06:30,319 one. Okay? And then we'll do the second 179 00:06:30,319 --> 00:06:32,080 and third one. Let's look at the first 180 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:33,460 one now, rewards. 181 00:06:34,399 --> 00:06:36,319 Under this heading, we're looking at verses 1 182 00:06:36,319 --> 00:06:38,500 to 5 especially, where Paul describes 183 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:40,899 6 benefits or rewards 184 00:06:41,439 --> 00:06:43,860 that believers enjoy because of Christ's work. 185 00:06:44,435 --> 00:06:45,975 Look at verses 1 and 2. 186 00:06:48,035 --> 00:06:50,694 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 187 00:06:51,235 --> 00:06:52,694 we have peace with God 188 00:06:53,074 --> 00:06:54,775 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 189 00:06:55,314 --> 00:06:58,035 Through Him we also have obtained access by 190 00:06:58,035 --> 00:07:00,399 faith into this grace in which we stand, 191 00:07:00,779 --> 00:07:03,600 and we rejoice in hope of the glory 192 00:07:03,899 --> 00:07:04,639 of God. 193 00:07:05,980 --> 00:07:08,300 So in these verses, we find the first 194 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:09,040 four rewards 195 00:07:09,899 --> 00:07:12,080 that the first five verses give us. 196 00:07:12,435 --> 00:07:14,535 1st, justification by faith. 197 00:07:15,314 --> 00:07:15,814 2nd, 198 00:07:16,435 --> 00:07:17,495 peace with God. 199 00:07:18,514 --> 00:07:19,014 3rd, 200 00:07:19,634 --> 00:07:21,654 access into God's grace. 201 00:07:22,274 --> 00:07:23,095 And 4th, 202 00:07:23,555 --> 00:07:24,055 rejoicing 203 00:07:24,754 --> 00:07:25,495 in hope. 204 00:07:26,519 --> 00:07:29,079 The last verse of chapter 4, which we 205 00:07:29,079 --> 00:07:31,879 looked at last week, told us that it 206 00:07:31,879 --> 00:07:34,220 was the life, death, and resurrection 207 00:07:35,079 --> 00:07:37,019 of Jesus Christ that secured 208 00:07:37,319 --> 00:07:38,060 our justification. 209 00:07:39,314 --> 00:07:40,455 It's already happened. 210 00:07:40,915 --> 00:07:43,314 It's been secured. This is why Paul writes 211 00:07:43,314 --> 00:07:45,975 in verse 1 that we have already 212 00:07:46,595 --> 00:07:47,095 been 213 00:07:47,395 --> 00:07:50,995 justified by faith, because Jesus has already in 214 00:07:50,995 --> 00:07:51,495 history 215 00:07:52,275 --> 00:07:52,775 lived, 216 00:07:53,509 --> 00:07:54,009 died, 217 00:07:54,389 --> 00:07:55,290 and resurrected. 218 00:07:56,550 --> 00:07:59,689 Jesus has already, in history, atoned 219 00:08:00,149 --> 00:08:01,209 for our sin. 220 00:08:02,149 --> 00:08:04,490 He has already paid our debt. 221 00:08:04,949 --> 00:08:06,330 He has already satisfied 222 00:08:07,145 --> 00:08:10,345 the holy wrath of God that our sin 223 00:08:10,345 --> 00:08:10,845 incurred. 224 00:08:11,785 --> 00:08:13,004 It's already happened. 225 00:08:13,465 --> 00:08:14,444 It is finished. 226 00:08:15,225 --> 00:08:16,685 Jesus has done it. 227 00:08:16,985 --> 00:08:20,285 He has already redeemed us by His blood. 228 00:08:21,620 --> 00:08:23,160 The father has accepted 229 00:08:23,779 --> 00:08:25,639 the payment that Jesus has given. 230 00:08:26,020 --> 00:08:27,560 Our debt has been satisfied. 231 00:08:28,740 --> 00:08:31,560 This is why Paul writes in verse 1 232 00:08:31,860 --> 00:08:33,639 concerning our second benefit 233 00:08:34,404 --> 00:08:37,044 or reward, which is that we have peace 234 00:08:37,044 --> 00:08:39,784 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 235 00:08:40,325 --> 00:08:41,684 So the first thing is that we have 236 00:08:41,684 --> 00:08:42,345 been justified, 237 00:08:42,964 --> 00:08:44,725 and the second is that we have peace 238 00:08:44,725 --> 00:08:47,065 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 239 00:08:47,370 --> 00:08:48,910 Now, one cannot overemphasize 240 00:08:49,850 --> 00:08:51,389 the immeasurable value 241 00:08:52,250 --> 00:08:53,149 of this benefit. 242 00:08:54,649 --> 00:08:56,750 If you have faith in Christ, 243 00:08:57,370 --> 00:08:58,590 if you trust Him, 244 00:08:59,129 --> 00:09:01,710 if you rest on His finished work 245 00:09:02,045 --> 00:09:02,705 to atone 246 00:09:03,085 --> 00:09:04,065 for your sin, 247 00:09:04,684 --> 00:09:07,745 the Bible tells us that you have peace 248 00:09:07,884 --> 00:09:08,705 with God. 249 00:09:10,445 --> 00:09:12,384 You have peace with God. 250 00:09:13,565 --> 00:09:15,425 This peace does not simply refer 251 00:09:15,990 --> 00:09:17,850 to a feeling of satisfaction 252 00:09:18,389 --> 00:09:19,210 or tranquility. 253 00:09:20,629 --> 00:09:23,190 It's much more than that. It refers to 254 00:09:23,190 --> 00:09:25,610 a status of goodwill and harmony 255 00:09:25,990 --> 00:09:26,730 with God. 256 00:09:28,565 --> 00:09:30,345 It means that you are no longer 257 00:09:30,965 --> 00:09:31,785 at enmity 258 00:09:32,565 --> 00:09:33,304 with God. 259 00:09:34,644 --> 00:09:37,144 It means that His wrath and His fury 260 00:09:37,764 --> 00:09:39,625 are no longer fixed on you. 261 00:09:40,820 --> 00:09:42,740 It means that you don't have to dread 262 00:09:42,740 --> 00:09:43,480 His justice. 263 00:09:44,820 --> 00:09:47,639 It means that He is for you 264 00:09:48,259 --> 00:09:49,000 and not 265 00:09:49,460 --> 00:09:50,440 against you. 266 00:09:50,980 --> 00:09:52,759 Think about what amazing benefit 267 00:09:53,379 --> 00:09:54,200 this is. 268 00:09:54,914 --> 00:09:57,235 This is why the cross is so glorious 269 00:09:57,235 --> 00:09:58,054 to the Christian. 270 00:09:58,434 --> 00:09:59,815 Because at the cross, 271 00:10:00,274 --> 00:10:02,455 divine justice and mercy 272 00:10:03,235 --> 00:10:03,735 intertwine. 273 00:10:04,995 --> 00:10:06,054 They come together 274 00:10:06,514 --> 00:10:08,455 at the cross to simultaneously 275 00:10:09,750 --> 00:10:11,370 satisfy the wrath of God 276 00:10:12,470 --> 00:10:14,250 and to appease the conscience 277 00:10:14,629 --> 00:10:16,009 of repentant sinners. 278 00:10:16,870 --> 00:10:18,950 When we look to the cross, we can 279 00:10:18,950 --> 00:10:21,190 know for sure that the wrath of God 280 00:10:21,190 --> 00:10:22,090 has been satisfied. 281 00:10:23,575 --> 00:10:26,134 And we can also be at peace in 282 00:10:26,134 --> 00:10:27,835 our conscience even though we're sinners. 283 00:10:28,455 --> 00:10:30,875 We know that our sin is dealt with 284 00:10:30,934 --> 00:10:33,335 and has been dealt with already at the 285 00:10:33,335 --> 00:10:35,674 cross. That's an amazing gift to us. 286 00:10:36,919 --> 00:10:39,080 Thus, when we look to the cross, we 287 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:40,220 can say amen 288 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,240 to the words of James in chapter 2 289 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,419 13 of his epistle, which state 290 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:46,220 mercy 291 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,220 triumphs over judgment. 292 00:10:49,264 --> 00:10:50,165 At the cross, 293 00:10:50,545 --> 00:10:51,045 mercy 294 00:10:51,745 --> 00:10:54,565 triumphs over judgment. When my kids were younger, 295 00:10:54,865 --> 00:10:56,725 I would tell them that when they pray, 296 00:10:57,105 --> 00:10:59,424 they ought to put their hands together and 297 00:10:59,424 --> 00:11:01,769 when and and then they should have their 298 00:11:01,769 --> 00:11:02,509 left thumb, 299 00:11:03,370 --> 00:11:04,970 I mean their right thumb go over their 300 00:11:04,970 --> 00:11:07,209 left thumb. And that every time they would 301 00:11:07,209 --> 00:11:09,610 form that cross with their right thumb over 302 00:11:09,610 --> 00:11:11,309 their left, they could remember 303 00:11:11,769 --> 00:11:14,429 that mercy triumphs over judgment 304 00:11:14,889 --> 00:11:15,709 at the cross. 305 00:11:16,325 --> 00:11:18,644 It's just it's a reminder to us that 306 00:11:18,644 --> 00:11:21,365 mercy really does triumph over judgment, that when 307 00:11:21,365 --> 00:11:24,245 we approach God's throne of grace, we look 308 00:11:24,245 --> 00:11:26,485 to the cross, and we have peace of 309 00:11:26,485 --> 00:11:26,985 conscience 310 00:11:27,285 --> 00:11:29,285 because the wrath of God has been satisfied. 311 00:11:29,285 --> 00:11:30,745 We are His children now. 312 00:11:31,850 --> 00:11:32,830 In verse 2, 313 00:11:33,210 --> 00:11:35,690 Paul writes of our 3rd benefit or reward, 314 00:11:35,690 --> 00:11:38,190 which is that in Christ, we have obtained 315 00:11:38,570 --> 00:11:39,070 access 316 00:11:39,690 --> 00:11:42,170 by faith into this grace in which we 317 00:11:42,170 --> 00:11:42,670 stand. 318 00:11:44,254 --> 00:11:46,355 When you have a problem with some kind, 319 00:11:46,654 --> 00:11:47,554 of some kind, 320 00:11:48,254 --> 00:11:50,335 and you have access to someone who has 321 00:11:50,335 --> 00:11:52,815 in a position of authority to help you 322 00:11:52,815 --> 00:11:53,875 solve that problem, 323 00:11:54,254 --> 00:11:56,674 you value that contact, don't you? 324 00:11:57,215 --> 00:11:57,955 For example, 325 00:11:58,539 --> 00:12:00,539 if someone were to steal your golf clubs 326 00:12:00,539 --> 00:12:01,519 from your garage, 327 00:12:02,379 --> 00:12:04,080 imagine how good it would be 328 00:12:04,539 --> 00:12:08,559 if you had the friendship of Constant Gable, 329 00:12:09,019 --> 00:12:10,399 of Constable Gable. 330 00:12:11,019 --> 00:12:13,334 Some of us have experienced that, haven't we? 331 00:12:13,714 --> 00:12:15,714 It's it's a great gift to know someone 332 00:12:15,714 --> 00:12:17,174 who knows what to do, 333 00:12:17,714 --> 00:12:19,714 who knows how to help you, who knows 334 00:12:19,714 --> 00:12:21,815 what to do in that circumstance. That thief, 335 00:12:22,274 --> 00:12:23,875 soon discovered that he had messed with the 336 00:12:23,875 --> 00:12:24,615 wrong person. 337 00:12:26,399 --> 00:12:27,460 Paul writes here, 338 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:30,659 that we Christians have access by faith 339 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,299 into this grace in which we stand. 340 00:12:33,919 --> 00:12:34,740 This grace 341 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:37,220 that we have access because of Christ 342 00:12:37,964 --> 00:12:39,184 is the state 343 00:12:39,644 --> 00:12:39,964 of, 344 00:12:40,845 --> 00:12:42,625 is the state of peace with God. 345 00:12:43,084 --> 00:12:45,504 That's the grace that we have access to. 346 00:12:45,565 --> 00:12:48,204 The state of peace with God. Because through 347 00:12:48,204 --> 00:12:48,704 Christ, 348 00:12:49,324 --> 00:12:51,584 God has declared us righteous already. 349 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:55,100 He's a holy God, but we are righteous 350 00:12:55,799 --> 00:12:56,779 because of Jesus. 351 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,120 We can stand before Him. We can enter 352 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,379 into His throne of grace. In other words, 353 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,100 through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, 354 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:06,299 we have 355 00:13:06,674 --> 00:13:07,654 peace with God, 356 00:13:07,955 --> 00:13:09,174 therefore in Jesus 357 00:13:09,715 --> 00:13:12,695 we have obtained access to a loving God. 358 00:13:14,034 --> 00:13:16,054 And this access is not a precarious 359 00:13:16,835 --> 00:13:19,254 benefit that can be lost at any moment. 360 00:13:20,090 --> 00:13:21,850 That the next time that you don't measure 361 00:13:21,850 --> 00:13:24,009 up, that the next time that you mess 362 00:13:24,009 --> 00:13:26,090 up, that the next time that you sin, 363 00:13:26,090 --> 00:13:27,850 now you're in enmity with God again, and 364 00:13:27,850 --> 00:13:29,769 now you don't have access anymore. It's not 365 00:13:29,769 --> 00:13:30,830 that kind of benefit. 366 00:13:31,370 --> 00:13:32,590 It is a permanent 367 00:13:32,970 --> 00:13:34,830 benefit that God has given you. 368 00:13:36,205 --> 00:13:37,985 Paul writes that we stand 369 00:13:38,764 --> 00:13:40,304 in that state of grace. 370 00:13:40,605 --> 00:13:43,504 That we are firmly rooted in that state 371 00:13:43,565 --> 00:13:44,225 of grace. 372 00:13:44,684 --> 00:13:48,065 Fully secure in that state of peace. Enjoying 373 00:13:48,605 --> 00:13:49,105 favored 374 00:13:49,485 --> 00:13:49,985 status 375 00:13:50,700 --> 00:13:53,920 with the Holy God because Christ introduced 376 00:13:54,620 --> 00:13:57,040 us into the Father's throne room. 377 00:13:57,820 --> 00:14:00,460 We didn't just come in trampling into His 378 00:14:00,460 --> 00:14:00,960 courts. 379 00:14:01,500 --> 00:14:03,980 Christ Himself led us, and He said, and 380 00:14:03,980 --> 00:14:05,679 He said, They are Mine. 381 00:14:06,554 --> 00:14:07,534 We have access. 382 00:14:10,315 --> 00:14:11,855 Talk about having access 383 00:14:12,235 --> 00:14:14,815 to someone in a position of authority 384 00:14:15,274 --> 00:14:16,975 to help solve our problems. 385 00:14:18,315 --> 00:14:18,975 It is 386 00:14:19,274 --> 00:14:20,174 God's Son 387 00:14:21,250 --> 00:14:22,629 who intercedes for you. 388 00:14:23,250 --> 00:14:24,710 You have access. Jesus 389 00:14:25,970 --> 00:14:28,629 has given you access with his pass. 390 00:14:30,210 --> 00:14:32,389 You can enter with his ID badge. 391 00:14:33,490 --> 00:14:34,230 His identity 392 00:14:34,610 --> 00:14:35,830 never fails you. 393 00:14:36,434 --> 00:14:39,154 Every time you swipe His ID into the 394 00:14:39,154 --> 00:14:41,014 throne of grace, the door opens. 395 00:14:41,875 --> 00:14:44,274 Because it is His ID. It is His 396 00:14:44,274 --> 00:14:47,254 identity. You are united to Him by faith. 397 00:14:47,955 --> 00:14:48,855 How amazing 398 00:14:49,315 --> 00:14:50,295 is that benefit? 399 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:51,919 In Christ, 400 00:14:52,220 --> 00:14:52,720 therefore, 401 00:14:53,259 --> 00:14:54,480 you have justification, 402 00:14:55,899 --> 00:14:57,440 you have peace with God, 403 00:14:57,899 --> 00:14:59,360 and you have access 404 00:14:59,820 --> 00:15:03,120 into His throne of grace. This is why 405 00:15:03,419 --> 00:15:05,324 you have a 4th benefit, and that is 406 00:15:05,324 --> 00:15:07,884 that in Christ, you want to rejoice in 407 00:15:07,884 --> 00:15:08,384 hope. 408 00:15:10,044 --> 00:15:12,365 Paul writes in verse 2 that you can 409 00:15:12,365 --> 00:15:15,084 rejoice in the hope of the glory of 410 00:15:15,084 --> 00:15:15,584 God. 411 00:15:16,524 --> 00:15:18,365 The sense in the original Greek is that 412 00:15:18,365 --> 00:15:19,504 you can exalt, 413 00:15:20,450 --> 00:15:21,269 even boast 414 00:15:21,970 --> 00:15:24,370 in, the hope that Christ has secured for 415 00:15:24,370 --> 00:15:24,870 you. 416 00:15:25,649 --> 00:15:27,669 In other words, because this justification, 417 00:15:29,169 --> 00:15:30,470 peace and access 418 00:15:30,929 --> 00:15:32,789 are the result of Christ's work 419 00:15:33,264 --> 00:15:35,745 and they don't depend on your work, you 420 00:15:35,745 --> 00:15:37,845 can have a joyful confidence 421 00:15:38,304 --> 00:15:41,745 that your inheritance in Jesus Christ is fully 422 00:15:41,745 --> 00:15:42,245 secure. 423 00:15:43,264 --> 00:15:44,725 That it cannot be lost. 424 00:15:45,345 --> 00:15:47,445 You can boast in that inheritance. 425 00:15:48,590 --> 00:15:50,350 Not because it's anything you've done, but because 426 00:15:50,350 --> 00:15:51,870 it's a gift that has been given to 427 00:15:51,870 --> 00:15:52,370 you. 428 00:15:53,389 --> 00:15:55,950 This kind of assurance, this boast in the 429 00:15:55,950 --> 00:15:57,330 certainty of your salvation 430 00:15:57,710 --> 00:15:59,950 that Christ has secured for you is not 431 00:15:59,950 --> 00:16:00,450 presumptuous 432 00:16:00,910 --> 00:16:02,050 and is not unseemly. 433 00:16:03,154 --> 00:16:03,654 Precisely 434 00:16:04,195 --> 00:16:06,375 because it is not your doing. 435 00:16:07,475 --> 00:16:08,615 It's not your doing. 436 00:16:09,315 --> 00:16:12,215 It's God's gift to you in Jesus Christ 437 00:16:12,434 --> 00:16:13,495 through a spirit 438 00:16:13,955 --> 00:16:15,175 wrought faith. 439 00:16:16,835 --> 00:16:18,215 We boast in God. 440 00:16:19,370 --> 00:16:22,409 The triune God gets all the glory because 441 00:16:22,409 --> 00:16:24,190 salvation belongs to Him. 442 00:16:25,289 --> 00:16:28,009 In verses 3 and 4, Paul explains that 443 00:16:28,009 --> 00:16:30,269 because of Christ's work, the believer 444 00:16:30,809 --> 00:16:33,870 is right to rejoice in every circumstance, 445 00:16:34,565 --> 00:16:36,664 even in adverse circumstances. 446 00:16:40,565 --> 00:16:41,625 He writes this, 447 00:16:42,804 --> 00:16:43,865 Not only that, 448 00:16:44,804 --> 00:16:46,664 but we rejoice in our sufferings, 449 00:16:47,490 --> 00:16:49,590 knowing that suffering produces endurance, 450 00:16:49,970 --> 00:16:53,590 and endurance produces character, and character produces 451 00:16:54,289 --> 00:16:54,789 hope. 452 00:16:56,610 --> 00:16:59,409 According to Paul, Christians can and ought to 453 00:16:59,409 --> 00:17:02,789 rejoice in their sufferings, rejoice in their hardships, 454 00:17:03,115 --> 00:17:04,494 rejoice in their trials, 455 00:17:04,875 --> 00:17:06,174 rejoice in their tribulations. 456 00:17:07,835 --> 00:17:09,855 Now, at first glance, this seems 457 00:17:10,154 --> 00:17:12,494 to be either the epitome of irrationality 458 00:17:13,275 --> 00:17:14,654 or perhaps evidence 459 00:17:14,955 --> 00:17:18,414 of a psychiatric deficiency that manifests in masochism. 460 00:17:19,730 --> 00:17:22,710 However, the context allows for no such conclusion. 461 00:17:24,289 --> 00:17:25,910 Paul is nothing, 462 00:17:26,289 --> 00:17:27,750 if not resolutely 463 00:17:28,130 --> 00:17:30,309 logical in the force of his argumentation. 464 00:17:32,015 --> 00:17:34,674 Just like he never argues for blind faith, 465 00:17:35,294 --> 00:17:37,954 Paul never exalts meaningless suffering. 466 00:17:38,654 --> 00:17:40,355 That's not what he's talking about. 467 00:17:41,134 --> 00:17:43,714 Instead, he argues in a very rational, 468 00:17:44,630 --> 00:17:48,490 logical, and persuasive manner that God is sovereign 469 00:17:48,549 --> 00:17:49,289 over creation. 470 00:17:50,150 --> 00:17:52,150 That long ago He promised to save His 471 00:17:52,150 --> 00:17:52,650 people 472 00:17:53,190 --> 00:17:55,769 from their sin, and that He has already 473 00:17:55,990 --> 00:17:57,850 accomplished that rescue mission 474 00:17:58,285 --> 00:18:00,045 through the life, death, and resurrection of His 475 00:18:00,045 --> 00:18:00,545 Son. 476 00:18:02,204 --> 00:18:05,484 Therefore, because this Sovereign God, who has complete 477 00:18:05,484 --> 00:18:06,625 control over creation 478 00:18:07,164 --> 00:18:09,265 and over the events that unfold in history, 479 00:18:09,644 --> 00:18:11,105 loves His people, 480 00:18:12,089 --> 00:18:13,549 it logically follows 481 00:18:14,009 --> 00:18:15,710 that all the circumstances 482 00:18:16,009 --> 00:18:17,230 in the lives of Christians 483 00:18:17,929 --> 00:18:19,789 work together for their good 484 00:18:20,329 --> 00:18:21,630 because they are planned 485 00:18:22,009 --> 00:18:23,390 by their loving God. 486 00:18:24,744 --> 00:18:25,884 They are foreordained 487 00:18:26,664 --> 00:18:29,164 by their loving God. They are decreed 488 00:18:29,785 --> 00:18:32,444 by their loving God. They are executed 489 00:18:32,744 --> 00:18:35,724 in accordance with their loving God's perfect 490 00:18:36,265 --> 00:18:37,085 and good 491 00:18:37,384 --> 00:18:37,884 will. 492 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:40,339 Paul will explicitly 493 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,680 make this point in Romans 8 verses 28 494 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:46,640 to 30, the well known and glorious passage 495 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,680 which reads like this, and we know that 496 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:51,299 for those who love God, 497 00:18:51,759 --> 00:18:54,775 all things work together for good, for those 498 00:18:54,775 --> 00:18:57,035 who are called according to His purpose. 499 00:18:57,815 --> 00:18:59,355 For those whom He foreknew, 500 00:18:59,974 --> 00:19:01,035 He also predestined 501 00:19:01,654 --> 00:19:03,255 to be conformed to the image of His 502 00:19:03,255 --> 00:19:05,575 Son, in order that He might be the 503 00:19:05,575 --> 00:19:07,194 firstborn among many brothers. 504 00:19:07,980 --> 00:19:09,440 And those whom He predestined, 505 00:19:10,059 --> 00:19:11,200 He also called, 506 00:19:11,740 --> 00:19:14,480 and those whom He called, He also justified, 507 00:19:15,019 --> 00:19:16,640 and those whom He justified, 508 00:19:17,420 --> 00:19:18,799 He also glorified. 509 00:19:20,595 --> 00:19:21,494 As a result, 510 00:19:22,434 --> 00:19:23,974 because all of this is true, 511 00:19:24,515 --> 00:19:27,394 because salvation belongs to the Lord, because He 512 00:19:27,394 --> 00:19:30,454 is the author and perfecter of our faith, 513 00:19:30,835 --> 00:19:33,154 because He holds you in the palm of 514 00:19:33,154 --> 00:19:34,934 His hand and protects you, 515 00:19:35,259 --> 00:19:37,019 Because no one can snatch you away from 516 00:19:37,019 --> 00:19:40,140 Him. Because nothing can separate you from His 517 00:19:40,140 --> 00:19:42,480 love, you can logically rejoice 518 00:19:42,859 --> 00:19:43,759 in all circumstances, 519 00:19:44,619 --> 00:19:46,480 even in your suffering. 520 00:19:48,855 --> 00:19:51,494 Listen, Paul is not saying that suffering is 521 00:19:51,494 --> 00:19:53,595 something that we are supposed to seek out, 522 00:19:54,454 --> 00:19:56,075 or that we are supposed to pretend 523 00:19:56,535 --> 00:19:59,275 like suffering is a pleasant experience to us. 524 00:20:00,214 --> 00:20:01,835 But he's also not saying 525 00:20:02,569 --> 00:20:05,049 that we are merely called to endure without 526 00:20:05,049 --> 00:20:05,549 complaining. 527 00:20:07,049 --> 00:20:09,390 He's not simply calling us to contentment. 528 00:20:10,569 --> 00:20:11,069 Rather, 529 00:20:11,929 --> 00:20:13,769 because through the blood of Christ we are 530 00:20:13,769 --> 00:20:15,150 no longer God's enemies, 531 00:20:15,784 --> 00:20:18,664 instead of understanding suffering as a sign of 532 00:20:18,664 --> 00:20:19,724 God's displeasure 533 00:20:20,585 --> 00:20:23,464 or as our punitive recompense due to our 534 00:20:23,464 --> 00:20:23,964 sin, 535 00:20:24,744 --> 00:20:27,005 we are to understand that our trials 536 00:20:27,464 --> 00:20:28,605 have now become 537 00:20:29,369 --> 00:20:30,109 an instrument 538 00:20:30,410 --> 00:20:31,390 for our own 539 00:20:31,849 --> 00:20:32,349 sanctification, 540 00:20:33,609 --> 00:20:36,029 an instrument for our own spiritual growth, 541 00:20:36,569 --> 00:20:38,910 an instrument to make us more like Jesus, 542 00:20:39,289 --> 00:20:40,029 and therefore, 543 00:20:40,650 --> 00:20:41,789 legitimate grounds 544 00:20:42,375 --> 00:20:45,195 for our glorying and rejoicing in God. 545 00:20:46,055 --> 00:20:48,454 Think about that. When we are suffering, when 546 00:20:48,454 --> 00:20:50,154 we are going through difficult circumstances, 547 00:20:51,015 --> 00:20:53,015 we are not to think that God is 548 00:20:53,015 --> 00:20:54,634 punishing us for our sin. 549 00:20:56,109 --> 00:20:58,589 Christ took our punishment. He really did. That's 550 00:20:58,589 --> 00:20:59,730 not what's going on. 551 00:21:00,269 --> 00:21:02,429 But He is changing us through it. He 552 00:21:02,429 --> 00:21:04,349 is working in us through it. He is 553 00:21:04,349 --> 00:21:06,750 going to make us more like Christ through 554 00:21:06,750 --> 00:21:07,250 it. 555 00:21:08,394 --> 00:21:09,375 It is an amazing 556 00:21:09,835 --> 00:21:10,734 gift to us 557 00:21:11,434 --> 00:21:13,054 when you are in Jesus Christ. 558 00:21:13,914 --> 00:21:15,535 This is why when we have, 559 00:21:16,154 --> 00:21:17,934 undergone trials as Christians, 560 00:21:18,875 --> 00:21:21,454 we we have seen His faithfulness to us 561 00:21:21,649 --> 00:21:23,190 and we can repeat with joy 562 00:21:23,569 --> 00:21:26,230 the end of Paul's words in Romans 8, 563 00:21:26,769 --> 00:21:28,069 where he boldly states, 564 00:21:28,769 --> 00:21:31,409 Who shall separate us from the love of 565 00:21:31,409 --> 00:21:31,909 Christ? 566 00:21:32,769 --> 00:21:33,509 Shall tribulation, 567 00:21:33,809 --> 00:21:34,549 or distress, 568 00:21:35,169 --> 00:21:35,990 or persecution, 569 00:21:36,784 --> 00:21:37,684 or famine, 570 00:21:38,144 --> 00:21:38,884 or nakedness, 571 00:21:39,345 --> 00:21:40,244 or danger, 572 00:21:40,784 --> 00:21:41,684 or sword? 573 00:21:43,265 --> 00:21:43,765 No. 574 00:21:44,384 --> 00:21:46,944 In all these things we are more than 575 00:21:46,944 --> 00:21:49,684 conquerors through Him who loved us. 576 00:21:50,384 --> 00:21:51,524 For I am sure 577 00:21:52,269 --> 00:21:53,890 that neither death nor life, 578 00:21:54,750 --> 00:21:56,210 nor angels nor rulers, 579 00:21:56,670 --> 00:21:58,769 nor things present nor things to come, 580 00:21:59,470 --> 00:22:00,289 nor powers, 581 00:22:00,750 --> 00:22:04,190 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in 582 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:05,970 all creation will be able 583 00:22:06,505 --> 00:22:09,224 to separate us from the love of God 584 00:22:09,224 --> 00:22:11,325 in Christ Jesus our Lord. 585 00:22:11,625 --> 00:22:13,785 What an amazing thing to say, and it's 586 00:22:13,785 --> 00:22:16,605 all true. Talk about being fully justified. 587 00:22:17,544 --> 00:22:19,404 Talk about having peace with God. 588 00:22:20,039 --> 00:22:22,920 Talk about having access to His throne of 589 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:26,279 grace. Talk about having reason to rejoice in 590 00:22:26,279 --> 00:22:27,019 all circumstances. 591 00:22:28,759 --> 00:22:30,299 It's God's love 592 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:31,660 that governs 593 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:32,940 every 594 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:35,019 aspect of your life. 595 00:22:36,224 --> 00:22:38,484 It is the love of your Heavenly Father 596 00:22:38,865 --> 00:22:41,924 that governs every aspect of your life. 597 00:22:43,345 --> 00:22:46,565 So, without minimizing its significance or pain, 598 00:22:47,585 --> 00:22:48,085 nevertheless, 599 00:22:48,820 --> 00:22:49,799 you can rejoice 600 00:22:50,340 --> 00:22:51,320 in your suffering, 601 00:22:51,779 --> 00:22:52,920 knowing that instead 602 00:22:53,299 --> 00:22:55,539 of separating you from God, it will be 603 00:22:55,539 --> 00:22:58,200 an occasion for you to depend on Him, 604 00:22:58,820 --> 00:23:00,920 for you to recognize your own limitations, 605 00:23:01,845 --> 00:23:03,924 for you to appeal to His power through 606 00:23:03,924 --> 00:23:04,424 prayer, 607 00:23:05,125 --> 00:23:06,984 and for you to learn to trust 608 00:23:07,444 --> 00:23:10,664 and obey Him, expecting to see Him sustain 609 00:23:10,724 --> 00:23:11,224 you 610 00:23:11,525 --> 00:23:13,384 in and through suffering. 611 00:23:14,005 --> 00:23:15,144 It's God's plan. 612 00:23:16,519 --> 00:23:18,539 We were hoping to come before presbytery 613 00:23:19,079 --> 00:23:19,480 this, 614 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:22,440 January 19th. We've been praying for that day, 615 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:24,679 we've been looking forward to that day, we're 616 00:23:24,679 --> 00:23:26,059 gonna have to wait till April. 617 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:27,500 It's God's plan. 618 00:23:29,904 --> 00:23:31,205 It teaches us patience. 619 00:23:31,984 --> 00:23:33,285 It teaches us humility. 620 00:23:33,744 --> 00:23:35,424 It gives us time to prepare for what's 621 00:23:35,424 --> 00:23:37,904 coming. Praise the Lord. It gives us more 622 00:23:37,904 --> 00:23:40,404 time to pray. Praise the Lord for that. 623 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:42,460 He's in control. 624 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:44,220 He's in control. 625 00:23:45,559 --> 00:23:46,299 This is why, 626 00:23:48,039 --> 00:23:49,500 suffering produces endurance. 627 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:52,460 Because you learn experientially 628 00:23:53,424 --> 00:23:55,204 then God will carry you through. 629 00:23:56,065 --> 00:23:57,765 He will not let go of you. 630 00:23:58,144 --> 00:23:59,984 He is the good shepherd who is with 631 00:23:59,984 --> 00:24:02,085 you, who goes before you 632 00:24:02,785 --> 00:24:03,765 when you walk 633 00:24:04,065 --> 00:24:06,164 through the valley of the shadow of death. 634 00:24:07,159 --> 00:24:09,900 In verse 4, Paul writes that endurance produces 635 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:10,460 character. 636 00:24:10,839 --> 00:24:12,919 The word character carries with it a sense 637 00:24:12,919 --> 00:24:14,700 of being tested and approved. 638 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:17,339 It is a tried integrity. 639 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:19,339 In other words, 640 00:24:19,734 --> 00:24:21,894 because God sustains his people in and through 641 00:24:21,894 --> 00:24:25,494 trials, Christians who undergo trials learn to trust 642 00:24:25,494 --> 00:24:26,954 in the fidelity of God. 643 00:24:27,654 --> 00:24:29,274 We learn to not be shaken. 644 00:24:29,894 --> 00:24:32,315 We become more firm in our conviction. 645 00:24:33,599 --> 00:24:35,940 The heat of the oven of tribulation 646 00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:38,339 solidifies your faith 647 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:42,079 because it removes the impurities of doubt as 648 00:24:42,079 --> 00:24:42,819 you test 649 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,920 that God will always be with you and 650 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:47,779 that he never will abandon you. 651 00:24:49,234 --> 00:24:51,095 The unbiblical doctrine of purgatory 652 00:24:51,875 --> 00:24:54,835 teaches that after death, Christians need to suffer 653 00:24:54,835 --> 00:24:57,154 for an undisclosed amount of time so they 654 00:24:57,154 --> 00:25:00,194 can pay for the remaining guilt of their 655 00:25:00,194 --> 00:25:00,694 sin, 656 00:25:01,319 --> 00:25:04,299 and become worthy to stand before God forever. 657 00:25:04,919 --> 00:25:06,839 Think about everything that we've read so far 658 00:25:06,839 --> 00:25:09,019 in Romans. Does that make any sense? 659 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:10,839 Do you have to do it so that 660 00:25:10,839 --> 00:25:12,359 you're worthy? Is there anything that you need 661 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:13,500 to add? No. 662 00:25:14,404 --> 00:25:16,984 Paul's letter to the to the Romans disabuses 663 00:25:17,125 --> 00:25:20,024 us from such notion, making it abundantly clear 664 00:25:20,085 --> 00:25:22,244 that the blood of Christ has already atoned 665 00:25:22,244 --> 00:25:23,065 for our sin, 666 00:25:23,684 --> 00:25:26,424 that it is His holiness and righteousness 667 00:25:26,964 --> 00:25:28,264 imputed to us 668 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:30,880 that gives us access to God both now 669 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:31,620 and forevermore. 670 00:25:33,279 --> 00:25:34,500 His blood is sufficient. 671 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:37,140 His work is finished. 672 00:25:37,840 --> 00:25:38,900 You are forgiven. 673 00:25:39,759 --> 00:25:40,820 You have access. 674 00:25:41,914 --> 00:25:44,734 Yet, there is a purgatory that is real. 675 00:25:45,674 --> 00:25:47,674 It is a purgatory that takes place in 676 00:25:47,674 --> 00:25:48,335 this life, 677 00:25:49,034 --> 00:25:52,075 as suffering purges you, not from the guilt 678 00:25:52,075 --> 00:25:52,894 of your sin, 679 00:25:53,355 --> 00:25:55,454 the blood of Christ has already done that, 680 00:25:56,029 --> 00:25:59,970 But, from any remaining doubt in God's love, 681 00:26:00,509 --> 00:26:01,730 in God's goodness, 682 00:26:02,190 --> 00:26:04,690 and in God's power to preserve you 683 00:26:05,470 --> 00:26:07,809 through trial, to preserve your faith. 684 00:26:09,095 --> 00:26:11,734 You see, trials are the testing ground for 685 00:26:11,734 --> 00:26:13,275 God's steadfast love, 686 00:26:14,535 --> 00:26:17,174 enabling you to develop a faith that has 687 00:26:17,174 --> 00:26:18,795 been tested and approved. 688 00:26:20,055 --> 00:26:22,075 Therefore, suffering produces endurance, 689 00:26:22,455 --> 00:26:23,755 and endurance produces 690 00:26:24,089 --> 00:26:24,589 character, 691 00:26:24,890 --> 00:26:26,190 and character produces 692 00:26:26,730 --> 00:26:27,230 hope. 693 00:26:27,609 --> 00:26:30,109 And in verse 5, Paul writes, 694 00:26:31,049 --> 00:26:33,769 that Paul writes the following, and hope does 695 00:26:33,769 --> 00:26:36,569 not put put us to shame because God's 696 00:26:36,569 --> 00:26:39,049 love has been poured out in the in 697 00:26:39,049 --> 00:26:41,605 our hearts through the Lord, I'm sorry, through 698 00:26:41,605 --> 00:26:43,924 the Holy Spirit who has been given to 699 00:26:43,924 --> 00:26:44,424 us. 700 00:26:45,765 --> 00:26:47,384 So in verses 1 to 4, 701 00:26:47,765 --> 00:26:50,085 we have seen 4 rewards that the believer 702 00:26:50,085 --> 00:26:52,805 can enjoy because of Christ's work. Justification by 703 00:26:52,805 --> 00:26:53,305 faith, 704 00:26:53,890 --> 00:26:54,630 peace with 705 00:26:55,009 --> 00:26:57,970 God, access into God's grace, and rejoicing in 706 00:26:57,970 --> 00:27:00,069 hope. In verse 5, we find 707 00:27:00,529 --> 00:27:02,369 the the other two benefits, numbers 5 and 708 00:27:02,369 --> 00:27:04,369 6, the other two rewards given to the 709 00:27:04,369 --> 00:27:07,490 believer. Number 5, God pours His love into 710 00:27:07,490 --> 00:27:10,484 the believer's heart. And finally, number 6, we 711 00:27:10,484 --> 00:27:12,724 get the gift that makes every other gift 712 00:27:12,724 --> 00:27:13,224 possible. 713 00:27:13,924 --> 00:27:16,024 God gives the believer the Holy Spirit. 714 00:27:17,125 --> 00:27:19,444 The gift of the Holy Spirit was predicted 715 00:27:19,444 --> 00:27:21,710 by the prophet Joel in Joel 2, but 716 00:27:21,710 --> 00:27:24,509 also by the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36 717 00:27:24,509 --> 00:27:26,210 verses 26 and 27 718 00:27:26,590 --> 00:27:27,650 where God says, 719 00:27:28,349 --> 00:27:30,049 And I will give you a new heart, 720 00:27:30,509 --> 00:27:32,269 and a new spirit I will put within 721 00:27:32,269 --> 00:27:32,769 you. 722 00:27:33,335 --> 00:27:35,255 And I will remove the heart of stone 723 00:27:35,255 --> 00:27:37,174 from your heart of flesh and give you 724 00:27:37,174 --> 00:27:39,255 your heart of flesh. And I will put 725 00:27:39,255 --> 00:27:41,974 My spirit within you, and cause you to 726 00:27:41,974 --> 00:27:43,115 walk in My statutes 727 00:27:43,894 --> 00:27:46,075 and be careful to obey My rules. 728 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:50,200 In Romans 118 all the way through Romans 729 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:50,940 3 20, 730 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,640 Paul made it clear that fallen man is 731 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:54,140 incapable 732 00:27:54,759 --> 00:27:55,420 and in 733 00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:56,619 and of himself 734 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:00,680 to obey God, to please God, because fallen 735 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:02,299 human beings are corrupt. 736 00:28:03,505 --> 00:28:06,005 So God graciously provides a substitute, 737 00:28:06,625 --> 00:28:07,605 His own son, 738 00:28:07,984 --> 00:28:10,944 to perfectly keep the law in our place 739 00:28:10,944 --> 00:28:12,785 and to atone for our sin on the 740 00:28:12,785 --> 00:28:13,285 cross. 741 00:28:14,305 --> 00:28:14,805 Furthermore, 742 00:28:15,609 --> 00:28:17,529 we now see that God also gives us 743 00:28:17,529 --> 00:28:18,589 the Holy Spirit, 744 00:28:19,210 --> 00:28:20,829 who as we have seen in Ezekiel, 745 00:28:21,289 --> 00:28:22,829 changes our heart of stone 746 00:28:23,369 --> 00:28:24,750 into a heart of flesh, 747 00:28:25,210 --> 00:28:26,829 enabling us to love, 748 00:28:27,289 --> 00:28:28,990 trust, and obey God. 749 00:28:29,369 --> 00:28:30,269 In other words, 750 00:28:30,734 --> 00:28:31,714 the Holy Spirit 751 00:28:32,174 --> 00:28:33,555 regenerates our hearts 752 00:28:34,015 --> 00:28:35,555 so we can see our sin, 753 00:28:36,575 --> 00:28:37,075 repent, 754 00:28:38,015 --> 00:28:40,035 turn away from sin, and turn to Christ, 755 00:28:40,335 --> 00:28:41,315 and be saved. 756 00:28:42,015 --> 00:28:43,694 It is the Holy Spirit who enables us 757 00:28:43,694 --> 00:28:46,000 to do those things. That is what Jesus 758 00:28:47,179 --> 00:28:49,579 refers to in John 3 verse 5, where 759 00:28:49,579 --> 00:28:52,299 He tells Nicodemus that unless one is born 760 00:28:52,299 --> 00:28:53,919 of water and the spirit, 761 00:28:54,380 --> 00:28:56,240 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 762 00:28:56,700 --> 00:28:59,115 We cannot repent of our sin. We cannot 763 00:28:59,115 --> 00:29:01,275 hate our sin. We cannot turn to Christ 764 00:29:01,275 --> 00:29:03,434 and trust in Him. We cannot love God 765 00:29:03,434 --> 00:29:05,934 unless the Holy Spirit regenerates us. 766 00:29:07,035 --> 00:29:09,515 There can be therefore no greater gift than 767 00:29:09,515 --> 00:29:10,494 the Holy Spirit. 768 00:29:10,799 --> 00:29:12,400 It is the Holy Spirit that causes us 769 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:13,539 to be born again. 770 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,080 It is also the Holy Spirit who pours 771 00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:18,019 God's love into our hearts, 772 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:20,900 changing our heart of stone through that love 773 00:29:21,039 --> 00:29:23,294 into a heart of flesh. A heart that 774 00:29:23,294 --> 00:29:25,454 is capable of loving God, a heart that 775 00:29:25,454 --> 00:29:27,855 is capable of loving His law, a heart 776 00:29:27,855 --> 00:29:30,194 that is capable of loving 777 00:29:30,894 --> 00:29:31,634 our neighbors. 778 00:29:32,174 --> 00:29:33,934 In other words, if we have the Holy 779 00:29:33,934 --> 00:29:35,075 Spirit within us, 780 00:29:35,650 --> 00:29:38,150 He will produce His fruit in our lives. 781 00:29:39,490 --> 00:29:41,589 Saying you believe in Jesus is not enough. 782 00:29:42,369 --> 00:29:45,170 In fact, in Matthew 7 verses 21 to 783 00:29:45,170 --> 00:29:47,990 23, Jesus gives this sobering warning. He says, 784 00:29:48,184 --> 00:29:50,345 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' 785 00:29:50,345 --> 00:29:52,424 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the 786 00:29:52,424 --> 00:29:54,125 one who does the will of my father 787 00:29:54,265 --> 00:29:55,244 who is in heaven. 788 00:29:55,625 --> 00:29:57,384 On that day many will say to me, 789 00:29:57,384 --> 00:29:59,865 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your 790 00:29:59,865 --> 00:30:00,365 name 791 00:30:00,859 --> 00:30:03,119 and cast out demons in Your name, 792 00:30:03,420 --> 00:30:05,680 and do many mighty works in Your name?' 793 00:30:06,299 --> 00:30:08,940 And then will I declare to them, 'I 794 00:30:08,940 --> 00:30:10,000 never knew you 795 00:30:10,539 --> 00:30:13,119 depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' 796 00:30:14,755 --> 00:30:16,375 This warning is not meant to 797 00:30:17,075 --> 00:30:19,015 make you doubt your salvation, 798 00:30:19,474 --> 00:30:21,474 rather it's supposed to do the opposite if 799 00:30:21,474 --> 00:30:22,375 you're in Christ. 800 00:30:22,755 --> 00:30:25,075 Even though on the one hand, Jesus makes 801 00:30:25,075 --> 00:30:27,255 it clear that you cannot fool God, 802 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:30,759 on the other hand, He shows that God 803 00:30:30,759 --> 00:30:32,619 knows those who belong to Him. 804 00:30:33,559 --> 00:30:36,220 And Jesus says that you can also know, 805 00:30:37,079 --> 00:30:39,319 you can distinguish between a false teacher and 806 00:30:39,319 --> 00:30:41,579 someone who truly is His disciple. 807 00:30:43,204 --> 00:30:45,924 In Matthew 7 17, Jesus says this, you 808 00:30:45,924 --> 00:30:47,944 will recognize them by their fruits. 809 00:30:48,805 --> 00:30:50,805 You will recognize them by their fruits. In 810 00:30:50,805 --> 00:30:53,045 other words, if you belong to Christ, you 811 00:30:53,045 --> 00:30:54,904 will have the gift of the Holy Spirit, 812 00:30:54,964 --> 00:30:56,984 and your life will manifest 813 00:30:57,444 --> 00:30:59,889 the fruit of the Spirit. If you don't, 814 00:31:00,029 --> 00:31:01,230 then the fruit of the spirit will not 815 00:31:01,230 --> 00:31:03,549 be there. So you will recognize a false 816 00:31:03,549 --> 00:31:04,049 teacher, 817 00:31:04,589 --> 00:31:06,589 you will also recognize somebody who's truly a 818 00:31:06,589 --> 00:31:07,089 disciple. 819 00:31:07,710 --> 00:31:09,789 If you have the fruit of the spirit, 820 00:31:09,789 --> 00:31:11,490 because it means you have the spirit. 821 00:31:11,865 --> 00:31:12,845 Well, what is that 822 00:31:13,384 --> 00:31:15,625 fruit? Paul tells us in Galatians 5 verses 823 00:31:15,625 --> 00:31:18,825 22 to 23. It's a great text to 824 00:31:18,825 --> 00:31:21,325 memorize, Galatians 5 22 23. 825 00:31:21,944 --> 00:31:23,704 There, Paul tells us that the fruit of 826 00:31:23,704 --> 00:31:25,325 the Spirit is love, 827 00:31:27,650 --> 00:31:28,549 joy, peace, 828 00:31:29,570 --> 00:31:30,070 patience, 829 00:31:30,930 --> 00:31:31,430 kindness, 830 00:31:32,450 --> 00:31:32,950 goodness, 831 00:31:34,049 --> 00:31:34,549 faithfulness, 832 00:31:35,570 --> 00:31:36,070 gentleness, 833 00:31:36,609 --> 00:31:37,750 and self control. 834 00:31:39,605 --> 00:31:41,365 If you have the gift of the Holy 835 00:31:41,365 --> 00:31:43,705 Spirit, you will also manifest 836 00:31:44,484 --> 00:31:46,424 the gift of God's love. 837 00:31:47,205 --> 00:31:49,924 So if you have God's love, that is 838 00:31:49,924 --> 00:31:51,865 to say, if you love God 839 00:31:52,619 --> 00:31:53,119 and, 840 00:31:53,660 --> 00:31:55,839 you will also love His word, 841 00:31:57,019 --> 00:31:58,640 and you will also love your neighbor. 842 00:31:59,420 --> 00:32:01,099 Because the whole law is contained in this, 843 00:32:01,099 --> 00:32:03,180 Jesus says. In loving God with all your 844 00:32:03,180 --> 00:32:05,019 heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving your 845 00:32:05,019 --> 00:32:06,000 neighbor as yourself, 846 00:32:07,964 --> 00:32:09,105 Even if not perfectly. 847 00:32:10,045 --> 00:32:11,505 Even if not always. 848 00:32:12,444 --> 00:32:14,684 If you love God, His word and your 849 00:32:14,684 --> 00:32:15,184 neighbor, 850 00:32:15,964 --> 00:32:17,404 that's a clear sign that you have the 851 00:32:17,404 --> 00:32:19,484 Holy Spirit within you because He is the 852 00:32:19,484 --> 00:32:21,345 one who produces the gift of love. 853 00:32:22,460 --> 00:32:25,200 And from this gift of love, every other 854 00:32:25,340 --> 00:32:27,039 fruit of the Spirit follows. 855 00:32:28,059 --> 00:32:30,779 Perhaps not immediately, and perhaps not perfectly, but 856 00:32:30,779 --> 00:32:32,880 you will grow in your joy. 857 00:32:33,914 --> 00:32:34,815 You will grow 858 00:32:35,515 --> 00:32:36,494 in your peace. 859 00:32:37,434 --> 00:32:39,455 You will grow in patience. 860 00:32:40,235 --> 00:32:42,015 You will grow in kindness. 861 00:32:43,035 --> 00:32:44,335 You will grow in goodness. 862 00:32:45,035 --> 00:32:46,575 You will grow in faithfulness. 863 00:32:47,329 --> 00:32:48,789 You will grow in gentleness, 864 00:32:49,490 --> 00:32:50,390 you will grow 865 00:32:50,769 --> 00:32:51,829 in self control. 866 00:32:52,849 --> 00:32:55,490 It's a wonderful way whenever you feel like 867 00:32:55,490 --> 00:32:58,289 maybe God doesn't love you, whenever you have 868 00:32:58,289 --> 00:33:00,049 doubts about your salvation, you can go to 869 00:33:00,049 --> 00:33:02,369 this list. And far from being crushed by 870 00:33:02,369 --> 00:33:02,869 it, 871 00:33:03,304 --> 00:33:04,744 there there are ways in which you can 872 00:33:04,744 --> 00:33:06,744 see you can pray, Lord, help me grow 873 00:33:06,744 --> 00:33:07,565 in these areas. 874 00:33:08,265 --> 00:33:09,625 Help me be the kind of person who 875 00:33:09,625 --> 00:33:11,164 pursues peace and not conflict. 876 00:33:11,704 --> 00:33:13,304 Help me be the kind of person who 877 00:33:13,304 --> 00:33:14,044 is patient. 878 00:33:14,585 --> 00:33:16,845 Help me be the kind of person who 879 00:33:16,984 --> 00:33:18,285 exhibits self control. 880 00:33:18,900 --> 00:33:20,340 And as you grow, as the as the 881 00:33:20,340 --> 00:33:22,039 Spirit helps you, that will, 882 00:33:22,660 --> 00:33:24,900 give give you even more assurance of your 883 00:33:24,900 --> 00:33:27,320 salvation. It's a wonderful blessing to the believer 884 00:33:27,460 --> 00:33:29,240 to have the fruit of the Spirit. 885 00:33:29,619 --> 00:33:32,019 Therefore, your assurance of salvation is not a 886 00:33:32,019 --> 00:33:34,205 boast in your goodness, rather, it is rooted 887 00:33:34,205 --> 00:33:35,265 in the manifestation 888 00:33:35,565 --> 00:33:37,585 of God's love in your life. 889 00:33:38,845 --> 00:33:41,244 The Christian glory is in God's love because 890 00:33:41,244 --> 00:33:43,105 He owes everything to God's love. 891 00:33:43,484 --> 00:33:45,325 This brings us to our second heading this 892 00:33:45,325 --> 00:33:47,404 morning, I'm a shorter heading, and that is 893 00:33:47,404 --> 00:33:48,384 the one of redemption. 894 00:33:49,119 --> 00:33:51,599 In verses 6 to 8, Paul focuses on 895 00:33:51,599 --> 00:33:54,019 the role of love in securing our redemption. 896 00:33:54,240 --> 00:33:56,900 He writes, for while we were still weak, 897 00:33:57,039 --> 00:33:59,039 at the right time Christ died for the 898 00:33:59,039 --> 00:33:59,539 ungodly. 899 00:34:00,079 --> 00:34:02,720 For one will scarcely die for a righteous 900 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:05,694 person, though perhaps for a good person one 901 00:34:05,694 --> 00:34:07,154 would dare even to die. 902 00:34:07,694 --> 00:34:09,715 But God shows His love for us, 903 00:34:10,094 --> 00:34:12,275 in that while we were still sinners, 904 00:34:13,054 --> 00:34:13,554 Christ 905 00:34:14,094 --> 00:34:15,155 died for us. 906 00:34:16,014 --> 00:34:17,934 Let us settle this point once and for 907 00:34:17,934 --> 00:34:18,434 all. 908 00:34:19,430 --> 00:34:21,289 Your obedience to God's law 909 00:34:21,670 --> 00:34:22,809 is not the reason 910 00:34:23,269 --> 00:34:25,050 God placed His love on you. 911 00:34:25,670 --> 00:34:26,730 Your good works 912 00:34:27,349 --> 00:34:28,650 are not the reason. 913 00:34:29,269 --> 00:34:30,410 They're not the grounds 914 00:34:30,710 --> 00:34:33,289 on which God deemed you worthy 915 00:34:33,750 --> 00:34:34,570 to be saved. 916 00:34:35,405 --> 00:34:38,125 Your turning away from sin from sin is 917 00:34:38,125 --> 00:34:39,585 not what caused Jesus 918 00:34:39,965 --> 00:34:41,585 to choose to die for you. 919 00:34:42,684 --> 00:34:43,184 Therefore, 920 00:34:43,885 --> 00:34:45,664 your status as saved 921 00:34:47,324 --> 00:34:48,465 will neither depend 922 00:34:49,420 --> 00:34:51,900 on your obedience to God's law, nor on 923 00:34:51,900 --> 00:34:54,940 your good works, nor on you turning away 924 00:34:54,940 --> 00:34:55,679 from sin 925 00:34:56,139 --> 00:34:56,639 perfectly, 926 00:34:57,019 --> 00:34:59,119 because these were never the reasons 927 00:34:59,659 --> 00:35:01,920 why you were saved to begin with. 928 00:35:02,744 --> 00:35:05,224 In fact, in verses 6 to 8, Paul 929 00:35:05,224 --> 00:35:07,404 writes that Christ died for weak, 930 00:35:07,944 --> 00:35:08,444 ungodly 931 00:35:08,824 --> 00:35:09,324 sinners. 932 00:35:11,385 --> 00:35:12,284 This is why, 933 00:35:14,344 --> 00:35:15,404 in verse 10, 934 00:35:15,704 --> 00:35:18,239 Paul says that we were enemies of God. 935 00:35:19,360 --> 00:35:22,079 Now, please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm 936 00:35:22,079 --> 00:35:24,480 not saying that God does not care about 937 00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:25,139 our piety. 938 00:35:26,960 --> 00:35:29,059 That God does not care about our godliness. 939 00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:31,920 That God does not care about our doing 940 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:32,363 good works. He does, and He does very 941 00:35:32,363 --> 00:35:33,230 much, and we ought to care. 942 00:35:34,235 --> 00:35:35,135 We ought to care. 943 00:35:38,315 --> 00:35:38,815 Remember, 944 00:35:39,675 --> 00:35:42,394 that Jesus says that a good tree produces 945 00:35:42,394 --> 00:35:43,135 good fruit. 946 00:35:44,315 --> 00:35:45,695 But that is my point. 947 00:35:46,155 --> 00:35:48,414 Good works are the fruit of your salvation, 948 00:35:49,059 --> 00:35:49,880 not the root. 949 00:35:51,299 --> 00:35:53,400 The root of your salvation is God's 950 00:35:53,779 --> 00:35:55,480 unconditional love for you. 951 00:35:56,420 --> 00:35:57,559 While you were weak, 952 00:35:58,260 --> 00:35:59,480 while you were ungodly, 953 00:35:59,940 --> 00:36:02,175 while you were a sinner, while you were 954 00:36:02,175 --> 00:36:04,255 His enemy. In other words, the reason your 955 00:36:04,255 --> 00:36:05,155 hope is secure, 956 00:36:05,775 --> 00:36:08,114 the reason you can enjoy assurance of salvation, 957 00:36:08,255 --> 00:36:11,555 is that it rests entirely on God's unconditional 958 00:36:11,934 --> 00:36:13,075 love for you. 959 00:36:14,630 --> 00:36:16,390 It is an unconditional love that He has 960 00:36:16,390 --> 00:36:18,570 demonstrated already in Jesus Christ. 961 00:36:19,110 --> 00:36:20,250 Imagine the implications 962 00:36:20,949 --> 00:36:22,809 of Jesus' words in John 13, 963 00:36:23,110 --> 00:36:24,710 when He gives us a new commandment. He 964 00:36:24,710 --> 00:36:27,074 says, a new commandment I give you, that 965 00:36:27,074 --> 00:36:30,034 you love one another as I have loved 966 00:36:30,034 --> 00:36:30,534 you. 967 00:36:32,355 --> 00:36:33,795 How has God loved us? How does Christ 968 00:36:33,795 --> 00:36:35,255 love? He loves us in this way. 969 00:36:36,594 --> 00:36:38,835 We were talking about this text yesterday, and 970 00:36:38,835 --> 00:36:39,795 Julio told me, 971 00:36:40,849 --> 00:36:42,210 that one of the ways in which he 972 00:36:42,210 --> 00:36:44,949 remembers application for this text, he said, 973 00:36:45,250 --> 00:36:47,650 God loved us when we didn't meet his 974 00:36:47,650 --> 00:36:48,150 demands. 975 00:36:49,329 --> 00:36:51,670 And so he calls us to love people 976 00:36:53,655 --> 00:36:55,114 when they don't meet our demands. 977 00:36:55,414 --> 00:36:56,394 Imagine that. 978 00:36:56,695 --> 00:36:57,195 Husbands. 979 00:36:59,175 --> 00:36:59,994 Where's Samara? 980 00:37:00,454 --> 00:37:02,795 Oh, man. She's not here to hear this. 981 00:37:02,855 --> 00:37:04,394 I'll tell her. Believe me. 982 00:37:07,369 --> 00:37:08,890 We're to love people when they don't meet 983 00:37:08,890 --> 00:37:10,570 our demands. Why? Because this is how God 984 00:37:10,570 --> 00:37:11,390 loves us. 985 00:37:12,010 --> 00:37:13,769 What kind of love is this? I can't 986 00:37:13,769 --> 00:37:14,750 love that way. 987 00:37:15,449 --> 00:37:17,050 We can in Jesus Christ. We have to 988 00:37:17,050 --> 00:37:19,150 depend on Him. It's a humbling thing. 989 00:37:19,805 --> 00:37:21,724 We rely on God's power to do this. 990 00:37:21,724 --> 00:37:23,265 God loves you unconditionally. 991 00:37:23,805 --> 00:37:25,644 And the reason you can know that He 992 00:37:25,644 --> 00:37:26,465 loves you unconditionally 993 00:37:26,765 --> 00:37:29,005 is precisely because while you were weak, and 994 00:37:29,005 --> 00:37:31,325 ungodly, and a sinner, and an enemy of 995 00:37:31,325 --> 00:37:33,025 God, Christ died for you. 996 00:37:34,590 --> 00:37:37,070 Paul knows that one would scarcely die for 997 00:37:37,070 --> 00:37:38,990 a righteous person, though perhaps for a good 998 00:37:38,990 --> 00:37:41,150 person, one would dare even to die. But 999 00:37:41,150 --> 00:37:43,490 you and I were neither righteous nor good, 1000 00:37:43,789 --> 00:37:46,750 we were neither morally upright, nor kind, nor 1001 00:37:46,750 --> 00:37:47,250 gracious, 1002 00:37:47,565 --> 00:37:49,644 We were not worthy of anyone's love, and 1003 00:37:49,644 --> 00:37:52,764 certainly not worthy of anyone sacrificing His life 1004 00:37:52,764 --> 00:37:53,425 for us. 1005 00:37:54,045 --> 00:37:55,264 Yet it was precisely 1006 00:37:55,724 --> 00:37:58,385 when we were in such an unworthy state, 1007 00:37:58,525 --> 00:38:00,944 when in the fullness of time, Christ 1008 00:38:01,324 --> 00:38:03,505 loved us and died for us. 1009 00:38:04,789 --> 00:38:06,170 Note first the irony 1010 00:38:06,469 --> 00:38:08,949 this entails. It is the righteousness, it is 1011 00:38:08,949 --> 00:38:09,530 the righteous 1012 00:38:09,909 --> 00:38:12,969 good man who dies for the weak ungodly 1013 00:38:13,110 --> 00:38:13,610 center. 1014 00:38:14,469 --> 00:38:15,369 Higher body. 1015 00:38:16,114 --> 00:38:18,295 Secondly, notice the security that this brings. 1016 00:38:18,675 --> 00:38:21,335 Since he took our weakness and ungodliness 1017 00:38:21,714 --> 00:38:22,534 and sin, 1018 00:38:23,474 --> 00:38:25,175 and paid for their consequences, 1019 00:38:25,635 --> 00:38:27,795 these attributes are no longer part of our 1020 00:38:27,795 --> 00:38:28,295 record. 1021 00:38:29,010 --> 00:38:31,909 Instead, we have His record of righteousness 1022 00:38:32,210 --> 00:38:32,949 and goodness 1023 00:38:33,250 --> 00:38:34,390 credited to us. 1024 00:38:35,730 --> 00:38:36,550 It's amazing. 1025 00:38:37,329 --> 00:38:39,909 This is the amazing nature of God's love. 1026 00:38:40,690 --> 00:38:43,190 The saving love that anchors our redemption. 1027 00:38:44,655 --> 00:38:47,295 As if commenting on our text, the Apostle 1028 00:38:47,295 --> 00:38:50,335 John writes in 1st John 4, verses 9 1029 00:38:50,335 --> 00:38:50,914 and 10, 1030 00:38:52,094 --> 00:38:54,815 In this, the love of God was made 1031 00:38:54,815 --> 00:38:58,019 manifested was made manifest among us, that God 1032 00:38:58,019 --> 00:39:00,340 sent His only Son into the world so 1033 00:39:00,340 --> 00:39:02,280 that we might live through Him. 1034 00:39:02,660 --> 00:39:03,800 In this love, 1035 00:39:04,260 --> 00:39:05,960 I'm sorry, in this is love, 1036 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:08,039 not that we love God 1037 00:39:08,579 --> 00:39:10,119 but that He loved us 1038 00:39:10,514 --> 00:39:13,414 and sent His son to be a propitiation 1039 00:39:14,514 --> 00:39:15,734 for our sins. 1040 00:39:16,755 --> 00:39:18,295 His love is a propitiating 1041 00:39:18,674 --> 00:39:22,454 love, a love that transforms curse into blessing 1042 00:39:23,340 --> 00:39:23,840 because 1043 00:39:24,300 --> 00:39:26,320 wretched sinners are its object 1044 00:39:26,619 --> 00:39:27,599 and justified 1045 00:39:27,900 --> 00:39:29,360 saints are its result. 1046 00:39:31,739 --> 00:39:33,660 So we have seen that through Christ's work 1047 00:39:33,660 --> 00:39:36,045 we have received great rewards, and that through 1048 00:39:36,045 --> 00:39:38,385 Christ's love, we have a sure redemption. 1049 00:39:38,844 --> 00:39:40,304 This brings us to our final 1050 00:39:40,605 --> 00:39:42,224 heading this morning, rest. 1051 00:39:42,684 --> 00:39:44,625 In verses 9 and 10, Paul writes, 1052 00:39:45,164 --> 00:39:48,125 since therefore we have now been justified by 1053 00:39:48,125 --> 00:39:48,864 his blood, 1054 00:39:49,260 --> 00:39:51,579 much more shall we shall we be saved 1055 00:39:51,579 --> 00:39:53,739 by him from the wrath of God. For 1056 00:39:53,739 --> 00:39:56,239 if while we were enemies, we were reconciled 1057 00:39:56,300 --> 00:39:58,079 to God by the death of his son, 1058 00:39:58,219 --> 00:39:58,960 much more 1059 00:39:59,260 --> 00:40:02,140 so sorry. Much more now that we are 1060 00:40:02,140 --> 00:40:02,640 reconciled, 1061 00:40:03,099 --> 00:40:05,375 shall we be saved by His 1062 00:40:05,914 --> 00:40:06,414 life? 1063 00:40:06,954 --> 00:40:09,454 Paul, continuing with his relentless logic, 1064 00:40:09,835 --> 00:40:12,235 here argues that if God sent His Son 1065 00:40:12,235 --> 00:40:14,235 to shed His blood and to die for 1066 00:40:14,235 --> 00:40:16,494 us while we were His enemies, 1067 00:40:16,954 --> 00:40:19,114 now that we are His sons and we 1068 00:40:19,114 --> 00:40:20,015 are His daughters, 1069 00:40:20,450 --> 00:40:22,690 we can be sure that he will save 1070 00:40:22,690 --> 00:40:23,590 us to the uttermost. 1071 00:40:25,410 --> 00:40:27,170 He writes that, and while we were God's 1072 00:40:27,170 --> 00:40:30,289 enemies, we were reconciled to him through the 1073 00:40:30,289 --> 00:40:31,269 death of Jesus. 1074 00:40:32,050 --> 00:40:33,750 Now that Christ lives 1075 00:40:34,125 --> 00:40:37,264 to intercede for us, our assurance of salvation 1076 00:40:37,405 --> 00:40:38,385 must be unshakable. 1077 00:40:39,565 --> 00:40:41,824 In other words, if God loved you 1078 00:40:42,284 --> 00:40:43,585 while you were His enemy, 1079 00:40:44,364 --> 00:40:45,425 you can be sure 1080 00:40:45,965 --> 00:40:47,744 He loves you now, 1081 00:40:48,670 --> 00:40:49,329 and therefore, 1082 00:40:50,030 --> 00:40:51,309 that he loves you now, sorry, that you 1083 00:40:51,309 --> 00:40:52,849 are his son and daughter. 1084 00:40:53,550 --> 00:40:55,070 Think about it. He loved you while you 1085 00:40:55,070 --> 00:40:56,510 were his enemy, so much so much so 1086 00:40:56,510 --> 00:40:58,590 much so that he died for you. Now 1087 00:40:58,590 --> 00:40:59,489 that he lives, 1088 00:40:59,869 --> 00:41:01,514 you can be sure that he loves you, 1089 00:41:01,755 --> 00:41:04,174 that you are His son and daughter. 1090 00:41:04,714 --> 00:41:06,734 And if while you were God's enemy, 1091 00:41:07,034 --> 00:41:08,894 Christ's death brought you reconciliation, 1092 00:41:09,914 --> 00:41:13,054 the resurrected Jesus will certainly preserve 1093 00:41:13,355 --> 00:41:14,174 your salvation. 1094 00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:17,320 You see, through Christ, you are not merely 1095 00:41:17,320 --> 00:41:20,519 pardoned. God doesn't merely say, go, get out 1096 00:41:20,519 --> 00:41:21,739 of here, I forgive you. 1097 00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:25,019 No. Through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, 1098 00:41:25,559 --> 00:41:27,500 you become God's beloved child. 1099 00:41:29,079 --> 00:41:30,219 God says, come. 1100 00:41:30,864 --> 00:41:31,605 You have access. 1101 00:41:32,545 --> 00:41:34,305 Inherit the kingdom that I have prepared for 1102 00:41:34,305 --> 00:41:35,605 you. I love you. 1103 00:41:37,585 --> 00:41:39,344 So you don't have to fear God's wrath 1104 00:41:39,344 --> 00:41:41,364 because Christ has already satisfied it. 1105 00:41:41,905 --> 00:41:43,844 You don't have to fear trials and tribulations 1106 00:41:44,144 --> 00:41:47,179 because Christ endured tribulation for you and is 1107 00:41:47,179 --> 00:41:48,880 with you and will sustain you. 1108 00:41:49,980 --> 00:41:51,900 You don't have to fear death because Christ 1109 00:41:51,900 --> 00:41:52,400 died 1110 00:41:53,339 --> 00:41:54,400 and was raised, 1111 00:41:55,019 --> 00:41:57,039 and you will be raised with Him, 1112 00:41:57,420 --> 00:41:59,339 being united to Him by a Spirit wrought 1113 00:41:59,339 --> 00:41:59,839 faith. 1114 00:42:01,765 --> 00:42:03,304 Jesus says in John 1419, 1115 00:42:03,605 --> 00:42:04,664 because I live, 1116 00:42:05,284 --> 00:42:06,585 you also will live. 1117 00:42:07,925 --> 00:42:09,844 If you have placed your faith in Jesus 1118 00:42:09,844 --> 00:42:12,025 Christ, then you can enjoy rest, 1119 00:42:12,530 --> 00:42:15,489 fully confident that if He purchased you with 1120 00:42:15,489 --> 00:42:18,710 His death, He will also bless you forever 1121 00:42:19,329 --> 00:42:20,949 through His resurrection life. 1122 00:42:21,889 --> 00:42:23,109 In verses 12, 1123 00:42:23,809 --> 00:42:26,130 Paul wrote that since believers have been justified 1124 00:42:26,130 --> 00:42:28,054 by faith, they have peace with God through 1125 00:42:28,054 --> 00:42:28,554 Christ, 1126 00:42:29,335 --> 00:42:30,714 enabling them to experience 1127 00:42:31,014 --> 00:42:32,074 joy in all circumstances. 1128 00:42:32,775 --> 00:42:34,074 Now in verse 11, 1129 00:42:34,454 --> 00:42:37,434 Paul circles back to the same thought, saying, 1130 00:42:37,574 --> 00:42:40,054 More than that, we also rejoice in God 1131 00:42:40,054 --> 00:42:42,460 through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we 1132 00:42:42,460 --> 00:42:44,079 now receive reconciliation. 1133 00:42:45,099 --> 00:42:47,900 So don't miss this. The amazing this amazing 1134 00:42:47,900 --> 00:42:51,099 passage, which teaches us about the blessed rewards 1135 00:42:51,099 --> 00:42:53,900 that are ours through Christ's work, and about 1136 00:42:53,900 --> 00:42:55,440 our glorious redemption 1137 00:42:55,739 --> 00:42:58,484 through Christ's love, and that we can certainly 1138 00:42:58,484 --> 00:42:59,944 rest in Christ's resurrection, 1139 00:43:00,484 --> 00:43:01,304 this passage 1140 00:43:01,605 --> 00:43:02,344 is surrounded, 1141 00:43:03,045 --> 00:43:05,545 encompassed, and covered by the declaration 1142 00:43:06,244 --> 00:43:08,184 that in Christ we can rejoice 1143 00:43:08,724 --> 00:43:11,704 because through Christ we have peace with God. 1144 00:43:13,489 --> 00:43:15,030 Paul writes that you were weak, 1145 00:43:15,329 --> 00:43:16,550 that you were ungodly, 1146 00:43:17,010 --> 00:43:18,849 that you were a sinner, and that you 1147 00:43:18,849 --> 00:43:19,989 were God's enemy. 1148 00:43:20,690 --> 00:43:21,190 Yet, 1149 00:43:21,889 --> 00:43:23,969 because of His great love, Christ who is 1150 00:43:23,969 --> 00:43:25,429 strong died for the weak. 1151 00:43:26,224 --> 00:43:27,684 Because of his great love, 1152 00:43:28,144 --> 00:43:30,644 Christ who is holy died for the ungodly. 1153 00:43:31,425 --> 00:43:33,265 Because of his great love, Christ who is 1154 00:43:33,265 --> 00:43:35,204 righteous died for the sinner. 1155 00:43:35,824 --> 00:43:38,224 And because of his great love, Christ who 1156 00:43:38,224 --> 00:43:40,485 is the only begotten son of God, 1157 00:43:40,910 --> 00:43:42,289 died for God's enemy. 1158 00:43:43,550 --> 00:43:47,070 Your great problem is overcome by His great 1159 00:43:47,070 --> 00:43:47,570 love. 1160 00:43:48,750 --> 00:43:51,309 In the past, Christ secured your future so 1161 00:43:51,309 --> 00:43:53,329 you can enjoy peace in the present. 1162 00:43:54,425 --> 00:43:56,684 Thus the great reformer Martin Luther comments. 1163 00:43:57,945 --> 00:43:59,864 So when the devil throws your sin in 1164 00:43:59,864 --> 00:44:00,525 your face 1165 00:44:01,385 --> 00:44:03,885 and declares that you deserve death and hell, 1166 00:44:04,984 --> 00:44:05,965 tell him this, 1167 00:44:06,744 --> 00:44:08,824 I admit that I deserve death and hell 1168 00:44:08,824 --> 00:44:09,804 what of it? 1169 00:44:10,500 --> 00:44:12,440 For I know one who suffered 1170 00:44:12,739 --> 00:44:14,920 and made satisfaction in my behalf. 1171 00:44:15,780 --> 00:44:17,239 His name is Jesus Christ, 1172 00:44:18,019 --> 00:44:18,920 Son of God. 1173 00:44:19,380 --> 00:44:20,760 And where He is, 1174 00:44:21,059 --> 00:44:21,559 there 1175 00:44:22,099 --> 00:44:23,559 I shall be also. 1176 00:44:24,405 --> 00:44:25,304 You have access. 1177 00:44:26,085 --> 00:44:28,425 You have peace with God. Let us pray. 1178 00:44:29,684 --> 00:44:32,105 Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus Christ. 1179 00:44:34,085 --> 00:44:35,304 That while we were weak 1180 00:44:36,244 --> 00:44:37,385 at the right time, 1181 00:44:38,164 --> 00:44:39,465 Christ died for us. 1182 00:44:40,940 --> 00:44:42,239 That while we were sinners, 1183 00:44:44,139 --> 00:44:45,579 He loved us in such a way that 1184 00:44:45,579 --> 00:44:47,420 He gave us His righteousness, and took our 1185 00:44:47,420 --> 00:44:48,960 sin, nailed it to the cross, 1186 00:44:49,819 --> 00:44:50,880 took your wrath, 1187 00:44:51,260 --> 00:44:52,319 being our propitiation, 1188 00:44:53,875 --> 00:44:55,575 removing the guilt of our sin, 1189 00:44:56,275 --> 00:44:57,894 satisfying your holy wrath, 1190 00:44:59,155 --> 00:45:01,175 making us clean by his blood, 1191 00:45:02,595 --> 00:45:04,055 that while we were your enemies, 1192 00:45:05,570 --> 00:45:07,429 He loved us in such a way that 1193 00:45:08,130 --> 00:45:09,969 by His life, death, and resurrection, we have 1194 00:45:09,969 --> 00:45:12,289 been reconciled to You. We have peace with 1195 00:45:12,289 --> 00:45:13,030 You, Lord. 1196 00:45:14,050 --> 00:45:15,650 Father, I pray that we would not forget 1197 00:45:15,650 --> 00:45:16,150 that. 1198 00:45:17,090 --> 00:45:18,630 That whenever we don't meet 1199 00:45:19,614 --> 00:45:21,715 the perfect requirements of the law, 1200 00:45:22,414 --> 00:45:24,195 we would not doubt in your love, 1201 00:45:24,735 --> 00:45:27,375 because while we were your enemies, Christ died 1202 00:45:27,375 --> 00:45:28,035 for us. 1203 00:45:28,655 --> 00:45:30,575 How much more now that we are your 1204 00:45:30,575 --> 00:45:32,515 sons and daughters through His blood, 1205 00:45:33,670 --> 00:45:35,269 that we have been adopted through a spirit 1206 00:45:35,269 --> 00:45:37,349 without faith? How much more now can we 1207 00:45:37,349 --> 00:45:39,269 not be certain of your love, your steadfast 1208 00:45:39,269 --> 00:45:41,670 love that never changes, your steadfast love that 1209 00:45:41,670 --> 00:45:43,929 provides mercies for us every morning? 1210 00:45:44,630 --> 00:45:46,550 And Father, I pray that that love would 1211 00:45:46,550 --> 00:45:47,530 transform us, 1212 00:45:47,964 --> 00:45:49,664 so that we become more like Jesus, 1213 00:45:50,684 --> 00:45:53,244 so that we are the furthest away possible 1214 00:45:53,244 --> 00:45:54,944 from any sense of self righteousness, 1215 00:45:55,565 --> 00:45:57,804 instead being humbled by your grace, and therefore 1216 00:45:57,804 --> 00:45:59,644 being the kind of people who are gracious 1217 00:45:59,644 --> 00:46:00,224 to others, 1218 00:46:00,750 --> 00:46:02,670 who forgive those who sin against us because 1219 00:46:02,670 --> 00:46:04,449 we have been forgiven by you. 1220 00:46:04,750 --> 00:46:07,010 Oh Father, may we be people of peace, 1221 00:46:07,389 --> 00:46:08,929 because we have peace with you. 1222 00:46:09,389 --> 00:46:11,550 Father, we love you, we praise you, and 1223 00:46:11,550 --> 00:46:13,570 we pray all these things in Christ's name. 1224 00:46:13,844 --> 00:46:14,344 Amen. 1225 00:46:15,125 --> 00:46:16,585 Well, let's stand now 1226 00:46:16,965 --> 00:46:19,545 to thank God with this closing hymn 1227 00:46:19,925 --> 00:46:21,864 as we marvel at the deep, 1228 00:46:22,244 --> 00:46:23,784 deep love of Jesus.