1 00:00:00,719 --> 00:00:02,799 Please remain standing now for the reading of 2 00:00:02,799 --> 00:00:04,580 God's word. We're looking at Romans 3 00:00:05,919 --> 00:00:08,419 chapter 8 and we're finishing chapter 8 today. 4 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:09,939 We're looking at verses 5 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:14,000 31 to 39. Again, Romans chapter 8 verses 6 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:14,500 31 7 00:00:15,255 --> 00:00:16,234 to 39. 8 00:00:16,855 --> 00:00:19,035 Hear now the reading of God's word. 9 00:00:23,255 --> 00:00:25,595 What then shall we say to these things? 10 00:00:26,774 --> 00:00:29,095 If God is for us, who can be 11 00:00:29,095 --> 00:00:29,994 against us? 12 00:00:30,859 --> 00:00:32,719 He who did not spare his own son, 13 00:00:33,259 --> 00:00:35,520 but gave him up for us all, 14 00:00:35,979 --> 00:00:38,079 how will he not also with him 15 00:00:38,460 --> 00:00:40,479 graciously give us all things? 16 00:00:41,579 --> 00:00:44,239 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 17 00:00:44,744 --> 00:00:46,204 It is God who justifies, 18 00:00:47,545 --> 00:00:48,524 who is to condemn. 19 00:00:49,545 --> 00:00:51,625 Christ Jesus is the one who died. More 20 00:00:51,625 --> 00:00:52,284 than that 21 00:00:52,744 --> 00:00:53,644 who was raised, 22 00:00:54,104 --> 00:00:55,884 who is at the right hand of God, 23 00:00:56,104 --> 00:00:58,045 who indeed is interceding 24 00:00:58,905 --> 00:00:59,725 for us. 25 00:01:00,570 --> 00:01:02,250 Who shall separate us from the love of 26 00:01:02,250 --> 00:01:03,789 Christ? Shall tribulation 27 00:01:04,490 --> 00:01:05,310 or distress 28 00:01:06,090 --> 00:01:06,909 or persecution 29 00:01:08,010 --> 00:01:08,670 or famine 30 00:01:09,530 --> 00:01:10,349 or nakedness 31 00:01:11,130 --> 00:01:12,030 or danger 32 00:01:12,890 --> 00:01:13,709 or sword? 33 00:01:14,795 --> 00:01:17,114 As it is written, for your sake we 34 00:01:17,114 --> 00:01:19,435 are being killed all the day long. We 35 00:01:19,435 --> 00:01:20,894 are regarded as sheep 36 00:01:21,194 --> 00:01:22,094 to be slaughtered. 37 00:01:23,274 --> 00:01:23,774 No. 38 00:01:24,234 --> 00:01:26,554 In all these things we are more than 39 00:01:26,554 --> 00:01:28,494 conquerors through him who loved us. 40 00:01:28,799 --> 00:01:30,719 For I am sure that neither death nor 41 00:01:30,719 --> 00:01:31,219 life, 42 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:33,459 nor angels nor rulers, 43 00:01:34,159 --> 00:01:37,439 nor things present, nor things to come, nor 44 00:01:37,439 --> 00:01:37,939 powers, 45 00:01:38,479 --> 00:01:39,299 nor height, 46 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:40,579 nor depth, 47 00:01:41,084 --> 00:01:43,484 nor anything else in all creation will be 48 00:01:43,484 --> 00:01:45,805 able to separate us from the love of 49 00:01:45,805 --> 00:01:47,424 God in Christ Jesus 50 00:01:47,885 --> 00:01:48,704 our Lord. 51 00:01:49,325 --> 00:01:50,864 This is the word of the Lord. 52 00:01:51,645 --> 00:01:53,825 Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 53 00:01:57,780 --> 00:01:58,760 About 2 years 54 00:01:59,459 --> 00:02:00,519 after the resurrection 55 00:02:01,060 --> 00:02:01,719 of Jesus, 56 00:02:02,420 --> 00:02:03,719 there's great consternation 57 00:02:04,659 --> 00:02:06,599 on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 58 00:02:07,540 --> 00:02:09,539 The Sanhedrin, which served as a kind of 59 00:02:09,539 --> 00:02:11,240 Supreme Court for Israel, 60 00:02:12,455 --> 00:02:14,955 especially on religious matters, is in session 61 00:02:15,495 --> 00:02:17,514 listening to accusations of blasphemy 62 00:02:17,974 --> 00:02:19,514 against a man named Stephen. 63 00:02:20,534 --> 00:02:22,935 Stephen is a committed follower of Jesus, who 64 00:02:22,935 --> 00:02:25,599 is in his service as a deacon by 65 00:02:25,599 --> 00:02:27,139 the power of the Holy Spirit, 66 00:02:27,439 --> 00:02:30,979 is performing wonders and signs causing many Jews 67 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:32,659 and even many priests 68 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:34,260 to become Christians. 69 00:02:35,439 --> 00:02:36,659 But now representatives 70 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:38,740 of several synagogues 71 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:41,139 have brought charges against Stephen, 72 00:02:41,574 --> 00:02:43,754 accusing him of speaking blasphemous words 73 00:02:44,055 --> 00:02:44,954 against God 74 00:02:45,254 --> 00:02:46,314 and against Moses. 75 00:02:47,334 --> 00:02:50,234 They also accused Stephen of repeating Jesus' threat 76 00:02:50,454 --> 00:02:52,155 to one day destroy the temple 77 00:02:52,694 --> 00:02:53,514 and abolish 78 00:02:54,055 --> 00:02:54,794 the law. 79 00:02:56,250 --> 00:02:57,789 As the slanderous accusations 80 00:02:58,489 --> 00:03:02,189 rung in Stephen's ears, he understood the gravity 81 00:03:02,650 --> 00:03:03,549 of his circumstances. 82 00:03:04,569 --> 00:03:07,469 The Roman law forbade the Sanhedrin from executing 83 00:03:07,610 --> 00:03:08,110 anyone. 84 00:03:08,444 --> 00:03:11,085 The penalty for blasphemy under the Mosaic law 85 00:03:11,085 --> 00:03:12,465 was death by stoning, 86 00:03:12,925 --> 00:03:15,025 and illegal executions of the guilty 87 00:03:15,325 --> 00:03:17,745 could be carried out by a spontaneous 88 00:03:18,125 --> 00:03:18,625 act 89 00:03:18,925 --> 00:03:19,985 of a mob. 90 00:03:21,530 --> 00:03:22,349 Stephen knew 91 00:03:23,289 --> 00:03:26,090 that the angry crowd surrounding him was certainly 92 00:03:26,090 --> 00:03:26,590 capable 93 00:03:27,049 --> 00:03:29,769 and definitely willing to pick up stones and 94 00:03:29,769 --> 00:03:32,189 make sure that divine justice was carried out. 95 00:03:32,985 --> 00:03:34,924 So as the high priest turned to Stephen 96 00:03:35,064 --> 00:03:36,985 and asked him if the accusations against him 97 00:03:36,985 --> 00:03:37,724 were true, 98 00:03:38,264 --> 00:03:40,985 one might have expected Stephen to be paralyzed 99 00:03:40,985 --> 00:03:41,644 by fear 100 00:03:42,344 --> 00:03:44,604 and to take the opportunity perhaps to plead 101 00:03:44,824 --> 00:03:47,465 for his life, to plead for the court's 102 00:03:47,465 --> 00:03:47,965 mercy. 103 00:03:49,229 --> 00:03:51,229 But at the end of acts 6, Luke 104 00:03:51,229 --> 00:03:52,689 paints a very different picture. 105 00:03:53,389 --> 00:03:55,709 He writes that those who gazed at Stephen's 106 00:03:55,709 --> 00:03:56,209 face 107 00:03:56,829 --> 00:03:58,530 saw the countenance of an angel. 108 00:03:59,549 --> 00:04:01,969 So despite the looming threat of death, 109 00:04:02,590 --> 00:04:03,969 Stephen didn't flinch. 110 00:04:04,805 --> 00:04:05,305 Instead, 111 00:04:05,764 --> 00:04:08,344 he boldly recounted the history of Israel 112 00:04:08,645 --> 00:04:09,145 arguing 113 00:04:09,844 --> 00:04:12,504 that by rejecting and crucifying Jesus, 114 00:04:13,365 --> 00:04:14,344 they had betrayed 115 00:04:15,044 --> 00:04:16,745 the long expected Messiah, 116 00:04:17,204 --> 00:04:19,464 putting to death the righteous one of God. 117 00:04:20,569 --> 00:04:24,029 Stephen's piercing words caused indignation in the Sanhedrin 118 00:04:24,810 --> 00:04:26,349 and rage among the crowd. 119 00:04:26,649 --> 00:04:29,069 Yet Stephen did not become consumed by fear 120 00:04:29,129 --> 00:04:31,310 of what might happen to him. Instead, 121 00:04:31,769 --> 00:04:34,464 he lifted his gaze to heaven and he 122 00:04:34,464 --> 00:04:35,605 witnessed a scene 123 00:04:35,985 --> 00:04:37,444 that steadied his heartbeat 124 00:04:37,824 --> 00:04:39,285 and filled him with peace. 125 00:04:40,064 --> 00:04:42,705 Today, we're considering the final 9 verses in 126 00:04:42,705 --> 00:04:43,685 Romans 8. 127 00:04:44,064 --> 00:04:46,085 In this text, Paul rends the heavens 128 00:04:46,449 --> 00:04:48,930 and allows us to set our eyes upon 129 00:04:48,930 --> 00:04:52,129 the very same courtroom scene that Steven that 130 00:04:52,129 --> 00:04:54,389 that put Steven's heart at ease. 131 00:04:55,410 --> 00:04:57,569 And I believe this scene will have the 132 00:04:57,569 --> 00:04:59,730 same effect on us that it did on 133 00:04:59,730 --> 00:05:00,230 Steven 134 00:05:00,644 --> 00:05:02,904 when he faced a severe trial. 135 00:05:03,285 --> 00:05:05,524 In fact, my sermon proposition this morning is 136 00:05:05,524 --> 00:05:06,024 this. 137 00:05:06,805 --> 00:05:08,185 If God is for you, 138 00:05:08,725 --> 00:05:11,384 no attack against you will ultimately prevail. 139 00:05:12,610 --> 00:05:14,610 If God is for you, no attack against 140 00:05:14,610 --> 00:05:15,110 you 141 00:05:15,490 --> 00:05:16,949 will ultimately prevail. 142 00:05:17,410 --> 00:05:20,850 So let's consider Romans 8:31 to 39 under 143 00:05:20,850 --> 00:05:22,310 3 headings. 1st, 144 00:05:22,770 --> 00:05:23,509 the courtroom. 145 00:05:24,944 --> 00:05:25,444 2nd, 146 00:05:25,985 --> 00:05:26,485 the 147 00:05:27,665 --> 00:05:28,964 trial. And 3rd, 148 00:05:29,345 --> 00:05:31,584 the verdict. And we're gonna spend most of 149 00:05:31,584 --> 00:05:33,584 our time in the first of these, the 150 00:05:33,584 --> 00:05:34,084 courtroom, 151 00:05:34,464 --> 00:05:37,604 because it's really the most significant part of 152 00:05:38,029 --> 00:05:39,709 this text that we have before us. So 153 00:05:39,709 --> 00:05:42,370 let's begin by looking at this first heading, 154 00:05:42,430 --> 00:05:43,169 the courtroom. 155 00:05:43,709 --> 00:05:45,089 Verse 31 reads, 156 00:05:46,029 --> 00:05:47,569 what then shall we say 157 00:05:48,110 --> 00:05:49,250 to these things? 158 00:05:50,104 --> 00:05:52,384 If God is for us, who can be 159 00:05:52,384 --> 00:05:54,425 against us? The first thing we need to 160 00:05:54,425 --> 00:05:56,985 do is understand what Paul means by these 161 00:05:56,985 --> 00:05:57,485 things. 162 00:05:58,024 --> 00:06:00,904 In the immediate context of Romans 8, Paul 163 00:06:00,904 --> 00:06:02,285 has asserted the following. 164 00:06:02,910 --> 00:06:05,470 First, in verses 2 to 4, Paul asserts 165 00:06:05,470 --> 00:06:06,129 that those 166 00:06:06,430 --> 00:06:08,830 who are in Christ are no longer under 167 00:06:08,830 --> 00:06:09,330 condemnation, 168 00:06:09,949 --> 00:06:11,650 but are considered righteous 169 00:06:12,110 --> 00:06:12,930 before God. 170 00:06:14,189 --> 00:06:16,370 2nd, in verses 9 to 11, 171 00:06:16,805 --> 00:06:19,784 Paul asserts that Christians can pursue holy living 172 00:06:20,324 --> 00:06:23,125 since the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables 173 00:06:23,125 --> 00:06:25,384 them to walk in newness of life. 174 00:06:26,724 --> 00:06:27,224 3rd, 175 00:06:27,524 --> 00:06:30,245 in verses 12 to 17, Paul asserts that 176 00:06:30,245 --> 00:06:33,439 Christians have the privilege of calling God father, 177 00:06:33,979 --> 00:06:36,860 and that they bear the responsibility of honoring 178 00:06:36,860 --> 00:06:39,740 God with their lives, and if necessary even 179 00:06:39,740 --> 00:06:40,720 with their deaths. 180 00:06:41,660 --> 00:06:42,399 And 4th, 181 00:06:42,779 --> 00:06:44,399 in verses 18 to 30, 182 00:06:44,904 --> 00:06:47,725 Paul asserts that the Christian salvation and inheritance 183 00:06:48,264 --> 00:06:49,404 are always secure, 184 00:06:50,104 --> 00:06:53,485 being bound to him by an unbreakable chain 185 00:06:53,944 --> 00:06:55,884 designed and forged by God 186 00:06:56,425 --> 00:06:56,925 himself. 187 00:06:58,110 --> 00:07:00,910 These are some pretty amazing assertions by Paul, 188 00:07:00,910 --> 00:07:01,649 aren't they? 189 00:07:02,589 --> 00:07:04,509 This is especially true if one considers the 190 00:07:04,509 --> 00:07:06,290 context in which Paul writes 191 00:07:06,750 --> 00:07:09,310 these assertions, the context in which Romans is 192 00:07:09,310 --> 00:07:09,810 written. 193 00:07:11,384 --> 00:07:13,544 When Paul writes his letter to the Romans 194 00:07:13,544 --> 00:07:14,845 around AD 57, 195 00:07:15,785 --> 00:07:17,004 the Christian population 196 00:07:17,625 --> 00:07:20,764 in the Roman Empire constituted less than 0.01%. 197 00:07:23,430 --> 00:07:25,350 This means that if you randomly met a 198 00:07:25,350 --> 00:07:25,850 Christian 199 00:07:26,470 --> 00:07:27,930 somewhere in the Roman Empire, 200 00:07:28,310 --> 00:07:30,470 you'd have to meet more than 10,000 more 201 00:07:30,470 --> 00:07:32,970 people before meeting another Christian. 202 00:07:34,069 --> 00:07:35,689 So based on numbers alone, 203 00:07:36,375 --> 00:07:39,814 Christianity wasn't exactly a success story. Christianity at 204 00:07:39,814 --> 00:07:41,514 that time wasn't really flourishing, 205 00:07:42,055 --> 00:07:42,795 not yet. 206 00:07:43,895 --> 00:07:46,134 And to add to this the fact that 207 00:07:46,134 --> 00:07:47,754 by the middle of the 1st century, 208 00:07:48,134 --> 00:07:51,415 Christians are already being shunned by family and 209 00:07:51,415 --> 00:07:51,915 friend. 210 00:07:52,959 --> 00:07:54,659 They're being expelled from synagogues. 211 00:07:55,519 --> 00:07:57,379 They are exiled from their hometowns. 212 00:07:58,159 --> 00:08:00,319 They are being jailed and beaten because of 213 00:08:00,319 --> 00:08:01,060 their beliefs. 214 00:08:01,599 --> 00:08:02,500 And sometimes, 215 00:08:03,439 --> 00:08:04,899 they are even being martyred 216 00:08:05,599 --> 00:08:06,659 for their faith. 217 00:08:07,925 --> 00:08:10,564 If you followed Christ, clearly, this did not 218 00:08:10,564 --> 00:08:12,805 mean that your life would suddenly become a 219 00:08:12,805 --> 00:08:13,785 bed of roses. 220 00:08:15,125 --> 00:08:16,745 And the Christian life today 221 00:08:17,285 --> 00:08:18,025 is also 222 00:08:18,485 --> 00:08:19,705 not a bed of roses. 223 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:23,879 Since not only Christians still suffer 224 00:08:24,579 --> 00:08:26,500 all the miseries of this fallen world, as 225 00:08:26,500 --> 00:08:28,980 we all know, but also Christians are being 226 00:08:28,980 --> 00:08:30,680 harassed more and more 227 00:08:31,060 --> 00:08:31,560 because 228 00:08:32,100 --> 00:08:33,000 of our faith. 229 00:08:33,674 --> 00:08:35,375 And around the world, of course, 230 00:08:35,995 --> 00:08:38,335 no group of people is more persecuted 231 00:08:38,955 --> 00:08:39,695 and martyred 232 00:08:40,315 --> 00:08:41,774 than Christians are. 233 00:08:43,034 --> 00:08:45,034 And yet by the end of Romans 8, 234 00:08:45,034 --> 00:08:47,674 Paul reminds us that Christians are free from 235 00:08:47,674 --> 00:08:48,174 condemnation, 236 00:08:49,620 --> 00:08:51,720 clothed in the righteousness of Christ, 237 00:08:52,340 --> 00:08:52,840 indwelled 238 00:08:53,379 --> 00:08:54,679 by the Holy Spirit, 239 00:08:55,540 --> 00:08:59,139 adopted as God's children and heirs, and bound 240 00:08:59,139 --> 00:09:01,960 to God's blessing by an unbreakable chain. 241 00:09:02,914 --> 00:09:03,814 All of which 242 00:09:04,115 --> 00:09:06,534 is a spectacular way of telling Christians, 243 00:09:07,154 --> 00:09:08,454 God is for you. 244 00:09:09,314 --> 00:09:10,995 In the midst of all those troubles, of 245 00:09:10,995 --> 00:09:12,914 all that suffering, of all that pain, of 246 00:09:12,914 --> 00:09:13,814 all those tears, 247 00:09:14,194 --> 00:09:15,814 God is for you. 248 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:17,860 That's what Paul means 249 00:09:18,399 --> 00:09:20,639 by these things when he asked in verse 250 00:09:20,639 --> 00:09:23,059 31, what shall we say to these things? 251 00:09:23,279 --> 00:09:26,080 All this suffering, all this misery, what shall 252 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:27,139 we say to this? 253 00:09:27,759 --> 00:09:29,840 If God is for you, who can be 254 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:30,740 against you? 255 00:09:32,774 --> 00:09:34,475 In the second part of verse 31, 256 00:09:35,014 --> 00:09:37,355 perhaps you hear echoes here of 257 00:09:38,054 --> 00:09:40,615 young David's bold words to Goliath in this 258 00:09:40,615 --> 00:09:42,214 part where he says, if God is for 259 00:09:42,214 --> 00:09:43,894 you, who can be against you? In 1 260 00:09:43,894 --> 00:09:45,595 Samuel 17 verse 45, 261 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,660 where David fearlessly walks up to the giant 262 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:50,960 and tells him, you come to me with 263 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:51,460 sword 264 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,100 and with spear and with javelin, 265 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,160 but I come to you in the name 266 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,259 of the Lord, the Lord of hosts, 267 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:01,300 the God of the armies of Israel. 268 00:10:02,375 --> 00:10:05,335 Beloved Christian, when the challenges in your life 269 00:10:05,335 --> 00:10:07,674 loom large and appear insurmountable, 270 00:10:08,534 --> 00:10:10,715 when adversity befalls you 271 00:10:11,095 --> 00:10:12,235 like sharp spears, 272 00:10:13,014 --> 00:10:14,475 like deadly javelins, 273 00:10:15,490 --> 00:10:17,090 How good it is to know that you 274 00:10:17,090 --> 00:10:17,590 bear 275 00:10:17,970 --> 00:10:18,870 God's name, 276 00:10:19,250 --> 00:10:21,730 that you enjoy the protection of the Lord 277 00:10:21,730 --> 00:10:23,809 of hosts, of the God of the armies 278 00:10:23,809 --> 00:10:24,470 of Israel. 279 00:10:25,970 --> 00:10:27,809 For you know that in that day of 280 00:10:27,809 --> 00:10:28,309 trouble 281 00:10:29,034 --> 00:10:30,554 you can run into the shelter you can 282 00:10:30,554 --> 00:10:32,495 run into the shelter of the most high. 283 00:10:33,195 --> 00:10:35,274 That you can abide in the shadow of 284 00:10:35,274 --> 00:10:35,934 the almighty. 285 00:10:37,195 --> 00:10:38,955 You know that he holds you fast in 286 00:10:38,955 --> 00:10:39,615 his love. 287 00:10:40,554 --> 00:10:41,934 That he knows your name. 288 00:10:42,590 --> 00:10:44,429 That he will deliver you, and that he 289 00:10:44,429 --> 00:10:46,429 will protect you, and that he will show 290 00:10:46,429 --> 00:10:47,410 you his salvation. 291 00:10:49,070 --> 00:10:51,570 God does not promise to remove your suffering, 292 00:10:51,870 --> 00:10:54,290 but he does promise to remove your sin. 293 00:10:55,574 --> 00:10:57,414 God does not promise to make your troubles 294 00:10:57,414 --> 00:10:58,074 go away, 295 00:10:58,774 --> 00:11:00,875 but he does promise to make you holy. 296 00:11:02,134 --> 00:11:02,954 From predestination 297 00:11:03,814 --> 00:11:04,714 to glorification, 298 00:11:05,495 --> 00:11:07,574 God has you in his mind, and in 299 00:11:07,574 --> 00:11:09,595 his hand, and in his heart. 300 00:11:11,529 --> 00:11:13,470 How do you know that you 301 00:11:13,930 --> 00:11:16,250 as a Christian are the object of God's 302 00:11:16,250 --> 00:11:16,750 love? 303 00:11:17,290 --> 00:11:19,070 That you are the apple of his eye? 304 00:11:19,610 --> 00:11:22,430 That you can rest in the eternal security 305 00:11:22,490 --> 00:11:25,129 of his unending grace? How can you know 306 00:11:25,129 --> 00:11:25,629 that? 307 00:11:26,625 --> 00:11:28,404 Well, Paul tells you in verse 32 308 00:11:28,945 --> 00:11:29,845 where he writes, 309 00:11:30,465 --> 00:11:32,485 He who did not spare his own Son, 310 00:11:33,985 --> 00:11:36,705 but gave him up for us all, how 311 00:11:36,705 --> 00:11:38,725 will he not also with him 312 00:11:39,024 --> 00:11:39,524 graciously 313 00:11:40,304 --> 00:11:41,605 give us all 314 00:11:42,029 --> 00:11:42,529 things. 315 00:11:44,110 --> 00:11:45,629 One of the ways that we express our 316 00:11:45,629 --> 00:11:47,389 love for others is through the giving of 317 00:11:47,389 --> 00:11:47,889 gifts. 318 00:11:49,070 --> 00:11:50,690 For example, with great joy, 319 00:11:51,149 --> 00:11:53,629 a man will save money and buy his 320 00:11:53,629 --> 00:11:56,205 beloved an engagement ring as he hopes and 321 00:11:56,205 --> 00:11:58,205 prays that she will like it and that 322 00:11:58,205 --> 00:11:59,264 she will say yes. 323 00:11:59,964 --> 00:12:02,044 Parents love to give good gifts to their 324 00:12:02,044 --> 00:12:02,544 children, 325 00:12:03,004 --> 00:12:05,504 even more so than getting anything for themselves. 326 00:12:06,764 --> 00:12:08,764 And the greater the relationship that you have 327 00:12:08,764 --> 00:12:10,065 with somebody, the greater 328 00:12:10,549 --> 00:12:11,209 the intimacy, 329 00:12:11,509 --> 00:12:14,070 the greater the love, then the more thought 330 00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:16,809 and planning, the more attention, the more resources 331 00:12:16,870 --> 00:12:17,690 that you dedicate 332 00:12:18,470 --> 00:12:20,250 to finding the right gift. 333 00:12:21,429 --> 00:12:23,370 Well, consider God's gift 334 00:12:23,855 --> 00:12:24,675 to Christians 335 00:12:25,055 --> 00:12:26,514 and think about the thought, 336 00:12:27,455 --> 00:12:28,195 the attention, 337 00:12:28,975 --> 00:12:29,875 and the cost 338 00:12:30,654 --> 00:12:31,795 behind his gift. 339 00:12:32,495 --> 00:12:34,575 With respect to the thought behind the gift, 340 00:12:34,575 --> 00:12:36,514 remember that God planned the gift 341 00:12:36,975 --> 00:12:38,274 before the world began, 342 00:12:39,049 --> 00:12:40,750 even as he chose us in Christ 343 00:12:41,209 --> 00:12:43,209 before the foundation of the world as Paul 344 00:12:43,209 --> 00:12:44,269 reveals in Ephesians 345 00:12:44,649 --> 00:12:45,149 1:4. 346 00:12:46,889 --> 00:12:48,589 Your existence is not an accident. 347 00:12:49,529 --> 00:12:51,949 Your life is not a random occurrence 348 00:12:53,004 --> 00:12:55,164 and your membership in God's family is not 349 00:12:55,164 --> 00:12:55,664 happenstance. 350 00:12:57,164 --> 00:12:59,504 God thought of you before the world began, 351 00:13:00,924 --> 00:13:03,264 and he made you to be his. 352 00:13:04,684 --> 00:13:06,684 And he also thought of what he would 353 00:13:06,684 --> 00:13:08,384 have to give to you. 354 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,259 What he would have to give for you. 355 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:13,080 He thought of what he would have to 356 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:13,580 pay 357 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:15,660 in order to redeem 358 00:13:17,399 --> 00:13:19,240 you. With respect to the attention behind the 359 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:19,740 gift, 360 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:22,059 remember that last week we learned 361 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:24,220 that God planned every detail 362 00:13:24,575 --> 00:13:26,434 of his gift, from predestination 363 00:13:27,534 --> 00:13:30,034 all the way to glory. Every last detail 364 00:13:30,495 --> 00:13:31,394 he has planned. 365 00:13:32,495 --> 00:13:34,355 He has paid attention to these things. 366 00:13:35,534 --> 00:13:38,220 The gift he gives you not only guarantees 367 00:13:38,279 --> 00:13:40,920 your salvation, but also your ongoing growth in 368 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:41,420 grace 369 00:13:41,879 --> 00:13:43,340 and maturity in holiness 370 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:45,820 until you are perfected in glory. 371 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:48,620 God leaves no detail 372 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:52,059 outside of his perfect plan for you. 373 00:13:53,335 --> 00:13:54,715 With respect to the cost 374 00:13:55,975 --> 00:13:58,294 of this gift that God gives you. Paul 375 00:13:58,294 --> 00:14:00,154 writes that God did not spare 376 00:14:00,615 --> 00:14:01,514 his own 377 00:14:02,215 --> 00:14:02,715 son. 378 00:14:04,215 --> 00:14:05,355 God gives you 379 00:14:05,879 --> 00:14:06,940 his own son. 380 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,639 That is the gift, and there is no 381 00:14:09,639 --> 00:14:10,700 greater gift possible. 382 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:12,940 There is no gift that is more costly. 383 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:14,940 God the father gives 384 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:16,379 his own son. 385 00:14:16,759 --> 00:14:18,920 In Romans 8, Paul writes that God's children 386 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:21,514 that we are God's children how? Through adoption, 387 00:14:21,514 --> 00:14:22,175 he says. 388 00:14:23,195 --> 00:14:25,295 But here in stark contrast to adoption, 389 00:14:25,995 --> 00:14:28,735 Paul emphasizes that God gives his own son 390 00:14:29,434 --> 00:14:32,475 to redeem us. Not his adopted son, but 391 00:14:32,475 --> 00:14:35,134 his only begotten son. That's 392 00:14:35,669 --> 00:14:37,289 what he gives, that's the cost. 393 00:14:39,269 --> 00:14:40,409 So whenever Satan 394 00:14:41,110 --> 00:14:43,190 or any of his earthly minions attempt to 395 00:14:43,190 --> 00:14:44,009 convince you 396 00:14:44,950 --> 00:14:47,289 that your past makes you damaged goods, 397 00:14:48,955 --> 00:14:50,815 that your present makes you a fraud, 398 00:14:52,235 --> 00:14:54,254 that your future offers no hope, 399 00:14:54,955 --> 00:14:55,855 that your life 400 00:14:56,394 --> 00:14:57,134 is worthless. 401 00:14:57,915 --> 00:15:00,254 Remind them and remind yourself 402 00:15:00,634 --> 00:15:02,415 that you've been in God's thoughts 403 00:15:03,149 --> 00:15:04,370 before the world began. 404 00:15:05,709 --> 00:15:07,970 That he planned every last detail 405 00:15:08,509 --> 00:15:09,970 of this precious gift 406 00:15:10,750 --> 00:15:11,809 to secure you. 407 00:15:12,829 --> 00:15:14,990 That he stopped at no expense to redeem 408 00:15:14,990 --> 00:15:15,490 you. 409 00:15:16,605 --> 00:15:18,445 That God the Father did not spare his 410 00:15:18,445 --> 00:15:19,184 own Son, 411 00:15:19,965 --> 00:15:21,485 and that God the Son did not hold 412 00:15:21,485 --> 00:15:22,785 back his own life. 413 00:15:23,965 --> 00:15:27,245 To paraphrase the great Christian Holocaust survivor, Corrie 414 00:15:27,245 --> 00:15:27,985 10 Boom, 415 00:15:28,445 --> 00:15:30,764 Yes, the depth of our sin may be 416 00:15:30,764 --> 00:15:31,264 deep, 417 00:15:31,709 --> 00:15:34,209 but the power of God's love reaches 418 00:15:34,669 --> 00:15:35,169 deeper 419 00:15:35,629 --> 00:15:36,129 still. 420 00:15:38,029 --> 00:15:40,029 And if you are loved with this kind 421 00:15:40,029 --> 00:15:40,689 of love, 422 00:15:42,110 --> 00:15:44,049 if God did not spare his own son, 423 00:15:44,589 --> 00:15:47,250 how will he withhold anything from you? 424 00:15:48,855 --> 00:15:51,334 The reason these words matter is that the 425 00:15:51,334 --> 00:15:53,735 in the courtroom scene that Paul is about 426 00:15:53,735 --> 00:15:54,475 to describe, 427 00:15:54,855 --> 00:15:57,095 the Christian is the one who is under 428 00:15:57,095 --> 00:15:57,595 duress. 429 00:15:59,254 --> 00:16:00,554 The Christian is the defendant, 430 00:16:01,490 --> 00:16:02,629 the one being accused, 431 00:16:03,250 --> 00:16:04,470 the one under attack. 432 00:16:05,730 --> 00:16:06,470 The accusation 433 00:16:06,850 --> 00:16:08,069 is that we are sinners, 434 00:16:09,250 --> 00:16:11,089 that our love for God is fickle and 435 00:16:11,089 --> 00:16:11,589 adulterous, 436 00:16:12,610 --> 00:16:14,529 that we worship the creature instead of the 437 00:16:14,529 --> 00:16:15,029 creator. 438 00:16:16,304 --> 00:16:17,825 Now I wanna ask for a show of 439 00:16:17,825 --> 00:16:19,764 hands to see who feels the sting 440 00:16:20,225 --> 00:16:23,184 of these accusations, because the truth is that 441 00:16:23,184 --> 00:16:23,924 these accusations 442 00:16:24,625 --> 00:16:26,485 are not entirely without merit. 443 00:16:27,665 --> 00:16:29,125 That's why we have time 444 00:16:29,660 --> 00:16:31,899 for corporate and private confession of sin in 445 00:16:31,899 --> 00:16:34,320 our own liturgy, because we of all people 446 00:16:34,700 --> 00:16:35,200 understand 447 00:16:35,660 --> 00:16:36,399 and bemoan 448 00:16:36,940 --> 00:16:38,879 the reality of our sin. 449 00:16:40,299 --> 00:16:41,040 We confess 450 00:16:41,820 --> 00:16:42,960 that sin is terrible, 451 00:16:43,455 --> 00:16:44,674 that it wrecks lives, 452 00:16:45,134 --> 00:16:46,115 that it is deadly. 453 00:16:46,894 --> 00:16:49,455 Not only does sin damage our relationship with 454 00:16:49,455 --> 00:16:49,955 others, 455 00:16:50,575 --> 00:16:53,535 hindering our disposition to witness even, because we 456 00:16:53,535 --> 00:16:54,355 feel like hypocrites, 457 00:16:55,134 --> 00:16:58,115 but it also hurts our relationship with God, 458 00:16:59,070 --> 00:17:00,610 causing us to doubt his love, 459 00:17:01,710 --> 00:17:03,410 deceiving us into seeing him 460 00:17:04,430 --> 00:17:05,809 more as a judge 461 00:17:06,750 --> 00:17:07,970 than as our father. 462 00:17:09,549 --> 00:17:12,049 This is devastating to our ability to grow 463 00:17:12,190 --> 00:17:14,029 in our knowledge of God and our love 464 00:17:14,029 --> 00:17:16,325 for God because our sin makes us run 465 00:17:16,325 --> 00:17:17,545 away from his presence. 466 00:17:18,884 --> 00:17:21,045 Or that we would instead run away from 467 00:17:21,045 --> 00:17:22,265 the presence of sin, 468 00:17:23,045 --> 00:17:25,225 deadly sin, and that we will run into 469 00:17:25,605 --> 00:17:28,424 the life giving arms of our heavenly Father. 470 00:17:28,859 --> 00:17:30,619 That ought to be our disposition. That's what 471 00:17:30,619 --> 00:17:32,700 we do when we confess our sin. We're 472 00:17:32,700 --> 00:17:34,299 not running away from God, we're running to 473 00:17:34,299 --> 00:17:34,799 him. 474 00:17:37,099 --> 00:17:38,880 Yes. These accusations have merit. 475 00:17:39,740 --> 00:17:41,920 And it is the merit behind these accusations 476 00:17:42,059 --> 00:17:44,319 that makes the attacks against us so effective. 477 00:17:45,554 --> 00:17:48,034 These attacks include all the hardships that we 478 00:17:48,034 --> 00:17:49,255 suffer in this life, 479 00:17:50,034 --> 00:17:51,634 resulting from the misery of living in a 480 00:17:51,634 --> 00:17:53,714 fallen world, in a world in rebellion against 481 00:17:53,714 --> 00:17:55,654 God, and which our accuser 482 00:17:56,115 --> 00:17:57,095 and our adversary 483 00:17:57,394 --> 00:17:58,534 wants us to interpret 484 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,380 as evidence of God's judgment against us. 485 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:03,380 If you are sick, 486 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:05,940 it's because God is punishing you. 487 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:08,500 If you're struggling in school, 488 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:10,500 it's because you've been 489 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:12,880 a naughty boy or naughty girl and God 490 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:14,259 is punishing you. 491 00:18:15,144 --> 00:18:16,684 If you're struggling at work, 492 00:18:17,065 --> 00:18:18,744 it's because God is punishing you. You're not 493 00:18:18,744 --> 00:18:19,244 faithful. 494 00:18:20,424 --> 00:18:21,964 If you're struggling in your marriage, 495 00:18:22,904 --> 00:18:24,684 it's because God is punishing you. 496 00:18:25,785 --> 00:18:28,605 You don't honor your husband. You don't serve 497 00:18:28,904 --> 00:18:30,125 and honor your wife, 498 00:18:31,910 --> 00:18:34,630 and so on. And again, these accusations carry 499 00:18:34,630 --> 00:18:37,289 weight because our sin does wreak havoc 500 00:18:37,670 --> 00:18:38,490 in our lives 501 00:18:39,190 --> 00:18:41,210 and brings devastating consequences. 502 00:18:42,070 --> 00:18:44,890 So Paul begins his description of this courtroom 503 00:18:45,029 --> 00:18:45,529 scene 504 00:18:47,585 --> 00:18:48,404 by reminding 505 00:18:49,105 --> 00:18:51,605 you, the one sitting on the defendant's chair, 506 00:18:52,065 --> 00:18:53,524 who you really are. 507 00:18:55,184 --> 00:18:58,404 Your adversary is accusing you and his accusation 508 00:18:58,464 --> 00:18:59,764 appears to have merit, 509 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,339 but if you are a Christian, 510 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:04,819 you are no ordinary defendant. 511 00:19:06,319 --> 00:19:07,700 God has already given 512 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,140 his son for you 513 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:11,299 and given you his spirit. 514 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,400 So will he not also give you everything 515 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:15,539 you need to withstand 516 00:19:15,955 --> 00:19:17,095 this present trouble? 517 00:19:17,715 --> 00:19:18,855 That's Paul's point. 518 00:19:20,115 --> 00:19:21,414 Now look at verse 33, 519 00:19:22,115 --> 00:19:24,295 where Paul gives us more insight 520 00:19:24,674 --> 00:19:27,335 into this courtroom scene that he is depicting. 521 00:19:28,140 --> 00:19:28,640 He 522 00:19:29,099 --> 00:19:31,039 writes, who shall bring any charge 523 00:19:31,740 --> 00:19:34,000 against God's elect? It is God 524 00:19:34,700 --> 00:19:35,599 who justifies. 525 00:19:37,339 --> 00:19:38,000 The charges 526 00:19:39,259 --> 00:19:42,160 are being are being brought against God's elect. 527 00:19:43,644 --> 00:19:46,204 The defendants, that is to say, Christians are 528 00:19:46,204 --> 00:19:46,704 God's 529 00:19:47,404 --> 00:19:47,904 elect. 530 00:19:49,325 --> 00:19:50,944 In the Bible, the elect 531 00:19:51,404 --> 00:19:53,585 are the people whom God chooses. 532 00:19:54,365 --> 00:19:56,224 They are not the electors. 533 00:19:57,440 --> 00:19:58,579 They are the elect. 534 00:19:59,519 --> 00:20:00,819 God chooses them 535 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,359 to set His love upon them and He 536 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:05,940 chooses them that they might receive His name. 537 00:20:06,799 --> 00:20:08,559 They are the ones who are bound to 538 00:20:08,559 --> 00:20:11,484 God by the golden chain of salvation, which 539 00:20:11,484 --> 00:20:14,785 is forged in God's eternal purpose and secured 540 00:20:14,845 --> 00:20:15,664 around Christians 541 00:20:16,125 --> 00:20:17,664 by his unfailing love. 542 00:20:18,924 --> 00:20:21,585 Their good standing before God does not depend 543 00:20:21,884 --> 00:20:23,424 on their record of obedience, 544 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:25,619 nor on the strength 545 00:20:26,079 --> 00:20:27,859 and constancy of their own faith, 546 00:20:28,559 --> 00:20:30,819 but on the magnitude and immutability 547 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:33,859 of God's divine love. 548 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:37,920 That's why Paul asked, who can bring a 549 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:39,220 charge against them? 550 00:20:40,664 --> 00:20:43,304 Furthermore, Paul makes clear that God is the 551 00:20:43,304 --> 00:20:43,804 judge, 552 00:20:44,265 --> 00:20:46,444 writing, it is God who justifies. 553 00:20:47,865 --> 00:20:49,964 Now God does not lie, 554 00:20:50,585 --> 00:20:52,904 and he is most certainly a good judge, 555 00:20:52,904 --> 00:20:54,285 a righteous judge. 556 00:20:54,919 --> 00:20:56,220 So if he justifies, 557 00:20:56,839 --> 00:20:58,779 that is if he declares the defendant 558 00:20:59,160 --> 00:20:59,900 not guilty, 559 00:21:00,599 --> 00:21:02,679 it is because he has legal grounds to 560 00:21:02,679 --> 00:21:03,419 do so. 561 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:07,259 You might ask, how can this be? 562 00:21:07,974 --> 00:21:09,674 Since you and I are the defendants, 563 00:21:10,134 --> 00:21:13,174 and as we admitted earlier, the accusations against 564 00:21:13,174 --> 00:21:14,394 us are not unfounded. 565 00:21:15,894 --> 00:21:18,534 In verse 34, Paul answers our question and 566 00:21:18,534 --> 00:21:20,069 completes the courtroom scene. 567 00:21:20,869 --> 00:21:21,529 It says, 568 00:21:21,909 --> 00:21:22,970 who is to condemn? 569 00:21:24,149 --> 00:21:26,009 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 570 00:21:26,549 --> 00:21:28,730 More than that, the one who was raised, 571 00:21:29,029 --> 00:21:30,730 who is at the right hand of God, 572 00:21:30,789 --> 00:21:32,250 who indeed is interceding 573 00:21:33,029 --> 00:21:33,849 for us. 574 00:21:36,105 --> 00:21:36,845 This verse 575 00:21:37,225 --> 00:21:38,285 is the hinge 576 00:21:38,985 --> 00:21:41,805 around which our entire passage turns. 577 00:21:42,985 --> 00:21:45,545 The reason why the accusations against Christians are 578 00:21:45,545 --> 00:21:46,045 toothless, 579 00:21:46,950 --> 00:21:49,210 the reason why the defendant can rest 580 00:21:49,589 --> 00:21:50,890 when he faces trial, 581 00:21:51,269 --> 00:21:53,049 the reason why the judge is right 582 00:21:53,349 --> 00:21:54,890 in absolving the accused 583 00:21:55,429 --> 00:21:56,970 is not because the transgression 584 00:21:57,589 --> 00:21:59,450 of the defendant is non existent, 585 00:22:00,965 --> 00:22:03,384 nor because the judge looks the other way. 586 00:22:04,325 --> 00:22:04,825 Rather, 587 00:22:05,285 --> 00:22:07,384 it is because the defendant's sin 588 00:22:07,845 --> 00:22:09,545 has already been adjudicated, 589 00:22:10,805 --> 00:22:11,305 condemned 590 00:22:11,924 --> 00:22:12,744 and punished, 591 00:22:13,210 --> 00:22:15,789 and therefore it cannot be adjudicated again. 592 00:22:16,330 --> 00:22:17,390 That would be illegal. 593 00:22:18,970 --> 00:22:20,269 Nor condemned again. 594 00:22:20,650 --> 00:22:21,710 That would be unjust. 595 00:22:23,049 --> 00:22:24,430 Nor punished again. 596 00:22:25,049 --> 00:22:26,110 That would be cruel. 597 00:22:27,224 --> 00:22:29,304 You see in verse 34, Paul tells us 598 00:22:29,304 --> 00:22:29,804 first 599 00:22:30,184 --> 00:22:32,605 that Jesus has already died in our place. 600 00:22:32,825 --> 00:22:33,884 That is to say, 601 00:22:34,345 --> 00:22:37,404 he has already been punished for our sins, 602 00:22:37,865 --> 00:22:39,325 satisfying divine justice 603 00:22:39,859 --> 00:22:41,480 and removing all grounds 604 00:22:41,859 --> 00:22:43,320 for our own condemnation. 605 00:22:45,059 --> 00:22:47,940 2nd, he tells us that Jesus has already 606 00:22:47,940 --> 00:22:48,680 been raised. 607 00:22:49,299 --> 00:22:51,080 That is to say he has been vindicated, 608 00:22:52,204 --> 00:22:55,164 Meaning that the father has already accepted Christ 609 00:22:55,164 --> 00:22:55,664 payment 610 00:22:56,125 --> 00:22:56,945 on our behalf, 611 00:22:57,404 --> 00:23:00,045 and therefore he will not require further payment 612 00:23:00,045 --> 00:23:00,785 from us. 613 00:23:01,724 --> 00:23:03,105 The debt has been satisfied. 614 00:23:04,525 --> 00:23:05,025 3rd, 615 00:23:05,769 --> 00:23:08,250 Paul writes that Jesus is already at God's 616 00:23:08,250 --> 00:23:08,990 right hand. 617 00:23:09,609 --> 00:23:11,390 That is to say Jesus now has 618 00:23:11,929 --> 00:23:15,450 authority and dominion over all things, meaning that 619 00:23:15,450 --> 00:23:17,150 his will cannot be thwarted. 620 00:23:18,445 --> 00:23:20,545 And 4th, Paul writes that Jesus 621 00:23:21,005 --> 00:23:21,505 intercedes 622 00:23:21,884 --> 00:23:22,625 for us. 623 00:23:23,085 --> 00:23:24,525 That is to say, he is our High 624 00:23:24,525 --> 00:23:25,025 Priest, 625 00:23:25,965 --> 00:23:26,705 our Advocate, 626 00:23:27,884 --> 00:23:29,025 our Defense Attorney. 627 00:23:29,565 --> 00:23:30,384 He undertakes 628 00:23:30,684 --> 00:23:33,005 our case and he secures for us a 629 00:23:33,005 --> 00:23:35,660 favorable verdict. That's his will and his will 630 00:23:35,660 --> 00:23:36,559 will not be forwarded. 631 00:23:37,579 --> 00:23:39,579 Please understand the significance of what Paul is 632 00:23:39,579 --> 00:23:40,400 saying here. 633 00:23:41,099 --> 00:23:42,640 In this courtroom scene, 634 00:23:43,259 --> 00:23:44,480 Satan is the prosecutor, 635 00:23:44,779 --> 00:23:46,799 the one who argues for our condemnation. 636 00:23:48,005 --> 00:23:48,505 Christians, 637 00:23:49,125 --> 00:23:51,284 the elect are the defendants. They are the 638 00:23:51,284 --> 00:23:52,345 ones who are accused. 639 00:23:52,964 --> 00:23:54,424 The father is the judge 640 00:23:54,724 --> 00:23:57,365 who will adjudicate the case, and Jesus is 641 00:23:57,365 --> 00:23:58,264 the defense attorney. 642 00:23:58,724 --> 00:24:01,065 He is the one who defends us. 643 00:24:01,990 --> 00:24:03,769 But here is the detail 644 00:24:04,309 --> 00:24:07,269 that rightly secures the not guilty verdict for 645 00:24:07,269 --> 00:24:07,769 Christians. 646 00:24:08,869 --> 00:24:10,089 Our defense attorney 647 00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:13,609 who happens to be the judge's beloved son 648 00:24:14,414 --> 00:24:15,235 has already 649 00:24:15,934 --> 00:24:16,434 personally 650 00:24:17,055 --> 00:24:17,955 been tried 651 00:24:18,335 --> 00:24:21,394 for the very transgressions for which the defendant 652 00:24:21,455 --> 00:24:22,595 is standing trial. 653 00:24:24,654 --> 00:24:25,475 Dear Christian, 654 00:24:26,410 --> 00:24:28,190 Jesus has taken your place. 655 00:24:29,049 --> 00:24:31,789 He has already been condemned for your transgression 656 00:24:32,730 --> 00:24:33,869 and he has already 657 00:24:34,250 --> 00:24:35,230 paid the penalty 658 00:24:35,609 --> 00:24:37,630 for your sins in full. 659 00:24:39,065 --> 00:24:41,164 And now he stands in that courtroom 660 00:24:42,025 --> 00:24:43,484 as your defense attorney 661 00:24:43,944 --> 00:24:45,484 and he brings the receipts 662 00:24:46,265 --> 00:24:47,005 that show 663 00:24:47,384 --> 00:24:48,605 that your transgressions 664 00:24:49,065 --> 00:24:51,005 have been paid in full. 665 00:24:52,670 --> 00:24:53,329 The receipts 666 00:24:53,710 --> 00:24:55,869 are evident for everyone to see in the 667 00:24:55,869 --> 00:24:56,369 court. 668 00:24:57,309 --> 00:24:58,369 They are marked 669 00:24:58,670 --> 00:25:00,849 by the thorns on his forehead, 670 00:25:01,470 --> 00:25:02,369 by the nails 671 00:25:02,750 --> 00:25:05,025 in his hands and in his feet, and 672 00:25:05,025 --> 00:25:06,465 by the tip of the spear on his 673 00:25:06,465 --> 00:25:08,144 side, the marks that they leave, those are 674 00:25:08,144 --> 00:25:10,005 the receipts there exhibit a 675 00:25:10,384 --> 00:25:11,285 in your innocence. 676 00:25:13,105 --> 00:25:15,285 And because he has already been declared guilty, 677 00:25:15,664 --> 00:25:17,045 you will not be. 678 00:25:18,859 --> 00:25:20,000 Who is to condemn? 679 00:25:20,779 --> 00:25:22,559 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 680 00:25:23,340 --> 00:25:24,960 More than that, who was raised? 681 00:25:25,420 --> 00:25:27,100 Who is at the right hand of God, 682 00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:29,840 who indeed is interceding for us? 683 00:25:31,644 --> 00:25:33,025 That is the very heart 684 00:25:33,404 --> 00:25:34,224 of the gospel. 685 00:25:35,005 --> 00:25:36,444 That is the good news that changed the 686 00:25:36,444 --> 00:25:38,865 world. That is what has the power 687 00:25:39,244 --> 00:25:40,384 to change your life. 688 00:25:41,404 --> 00:25:43,724 The blessing of this courtroom scene is not 689 00:25:43,724 --> 00:25:45,025 that Satan is the accuser. 690 00:25:45,329 --> 00:25:47,509 That would be a curse. He's a formidable 691 00:25:47,569 --> 00:25:48,069 opponent. 692 00:25:48,849 --> 00:25:50,450 The blessing of this courtroom scene is not 693 00:25:50,450 --> 00:25:51,509 that God is the judge. 694 00:25:51,890 --> 00:25:53,890 That would be a curse. His justice is 695 00:25:53,890 --> 00:25:54,390 inescapable, 696 00:25:54,849 --> 00:25:56,450 and he will by no means clear the 697 00:25:56,450 --> 00:25:56,950 guilty. 698 00:25:57,914 --> 00:25:59,515 The blessing of the courtroom scene is not 699 00:25:59,515 --> 00:26:00,815 that Jesus is your defendant. 700 00:26:01,275 --> 00:26:02,955 That would be a curse for he does 701 00:26:02,955 --> 00:26:03,695 not lie 702 00:26:03,995 --> 00:26:05,695 and you're a sinner like me. 703 00:26:06,475 --> 00:26:08,095 Now the blessing, dear Christian, 704 00:26:08,955 --> 00:26:10,255 is that Calvary 705 00:26:11,035 --> 00:26:12,335 was your courtroom 706 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:16,480 And on that hill, Jesus took your place 707 00:26:17,339 --> 00:26:18,160 as the defendant 708 00:26:18,940 --> 00:26:21,420 and received the punishment for your sin. It 709 00:26:21,420 --> 00:26:22,640 is finished, he cried. 710 00:26:24,220 --> 00:26:24,720 Therefore, 711 00:26:25,525 --> 00:26:27,765 let us no longer live as slaves to 712 00:26:27,765 --> 00:26:29,785 sin because we are not. 713 00:26:31,125 --> 00:26:33,304 Let us instead live to honor our gracious 714 00:26:33,365 --> 00:26:36,005 God, our loving God, who stopped at nothing 715 00:26:36,005 --> 00:26:37,684 to deliver us from sin and to give 716 00:26:37,684 --> 00:26:38,904 us eternal life. 717 00:26:40,309 --> 00:26:41,769 So having considered the courtroom, 718 00:26:42,070 --> 00:26:43,670 let us now look at the second heading, 719 00:26:43,670 --> 00:26:44,329 the trial. 720 00:26:44,950 --> 00:26:47,450 Look at verses 35 and 36 with me. 721 00:26:48,390 --> 00:26:50,070 Who shall separate us from the love of 722 00:26:50,070 --> 00:26:50,570 Christ? 723 00:26:50,950 --> 00:26:51,769 Shall tribulation 724 00:26:52,390 --> 00:26:53,130 or distress 725 00:26:53,894 --> 00:26:54,875 or persecution 726 00:26:55,255 --> 00:26:56,075 or famine 727 00:26:56,455 --> 00:26:57,115 or nakedness 728 00:26:57,414 --> 00:26:58,154 or danger 729 00:26:58,535 --> 00:27:00,474 or sword? As it is written, 730 00:27:00,775 --> 00:27:01,914 for your sake 731 00:27:02,295 --> 00:27:04,455 we are being killed all the day long. 732 00:27:04,455 --> 00:27:06,955 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 733 00:27:08,619 --> 00:27:10,859 In these verses, the Apostle Paul lists all 734 00:27:10,859 --> 00:27:11,839 sorts of trials 735 00:27:12,299 --> 00:27:14,400 that Christians experience in this life. 736 00:27:15,019 --> 00:27:17,259 Things like tribulation, that is to say things 737 00:27:17,259 --> 00:27:18,880 that causes direct suffering. 738 00:27:20,059 --> 00:27:20,559 Distress, 739 00:27:22,154 --> 00:27:24,555 this word literally means narrow space, a narrow 740 00:27:24,555 --> 00:27:26,634 space and refers to something that squeezes us, 741 00:27:26,634 --> 00:27:28,734 something that causes us to feel great pressure. 742 00:27:30,555 --> 00:27:31,055 Persecution, 743 00:27:31,994 --> 00:27:32,974 that is to say 744 00:27:33,914 --> 00:27:34,654 things that 745 00:27:35,195 --> 00:27:36,815 cause others to attack us, 746 00:27:37,170 --> 00:27:38,630 especially because of our faith. 747 00:27:39,490 --> 00:27:39,990 Famine, 748 00:27:40,769 --> 00:27:42,529 that is to say circumstances that make it 749 00:27:42,529 --> 00:27:43,970 difficult for us to put food on the 750 00:27:43,970 --> 00:27:44,470 table. 751 00:27:45,410 --> 00:27:45,910 Nakedness, 752 00:27:46,769 --> 00:27:49,009 that is to say circumstances that cause us 753 00:27:49,009 --> 00:27:50,875 and our loved ones to lack the most 754 00:27:50,875 --> 00:27:53,375 essential things, things like clothing, things like shelter. 755 00:27:54,554 --> 00:27:55,054 Danger, 756 00:27:55,994 --> 00:27:57,835 that is to say anything that threatens our 757 00:27:57,835 --> 00:27:58,335 well-being. 758 00:27:59,194 --> 00:27:59,694 Sword, 759 00:28:00,634 --> 00:28:02,474 that is to say threats to our health 760 00:28:02,474 --> 00:28:03,454 and to our life, 761 00:28:04,589 --> 00:28:05,650 and even death 762 00:28:06,190 --> 00:28:07,650 being regarded as sheep 763 00:28:08,029 --> 00:28:08,849 to be slaughtered. 764 00:28:09,309 --> 00:28:12,210 Paul writes that these are the trials. 765 00:28:13,069 --> 00:28:14,769 These are the adversities. 766 00:28:15,630 --> 00:28:16,929 These are the adversaries 767 00:28:17,755 --> 00:28:20,575 that we Christians must face in this life. 768 00:28:22,154 --> 00:28:24,234 But the hope that these verses offer is 769 00:28:24,234 --> 00:28:26,414 that although we face these trials, 770 00:28:26,875 --> 00:28:29,134 we will not be conquered by them. 771 00:28:30,130 --> 00:28:32,309 In fact, verse 34 starts with the words, 772 00:28:32,690 --> 00:28:34,470 who shall separate us 773 00:28:34,929 --> 00:28:35,990 from the love 774 00:28:36,289 --> 00:28:37,029 of Christ? 775 00:28:38,369 --> 00:28:39,910 None of these trials will. 776 00:28:41,250 --> 00:28:41,750 Tribulation, 777 00:28:42,130 --> 00:28:43,109 no. Distress, 778 00:28:43,569 --> 00:28:44,069 no. 779 00:28:44,515 --> 00:28:45,015 Persecution, 780 00:28:45,394 --> 00:28:49,815 no. Famine, no. Nakedness, no. Danger, no. 781 00:28:50,115 --> 00:28:53,154 Sword, no. Death, no. None of these things 782 00:28:53,154 --> 00:28:55,335 will because none of these things can. 783 00:28:57,170 --> 00:28:59,829 None of these things, none of these trials 784 00:29:00,289 --> 00:29:01,109 can overcome 785 00:29:01,410 --> 00:29:03,269 God's love for his people. 786 00:29:05,170 --> 00:29:08,069 19th century Princeton theologian Charles Hodge comments, 787 00:29:08,450 --> 00:29:10,630 this is the last step in the climax 788 00:29:11,075 --> 00:29:12,454 of the Apostle's argument, 789 00:29:12,835 --> 00:29:15,255 the very summit of the Mount of Confidence. 790 00:29:16,115 --> 00:29:17,174 No one can accuse, 791 00:29:17,714 --> 00:29:18,855 no one can condemn, 792 00:29:19,315 --> 00:29:21,894 no one can separate us from the love 793 00:29:22,035 --> 00:29:22,775 of Christ. 794 00:29:23,154 --> 00:29:24,295 This last assurance 795 00:29:24,779 --> 00:29:27,340 gives permanency to the value of the other 796 00:29:27,340 --> 00:29:29,820 2. It is God's love that grounds our 797 00:29:29,820 --> 00:29:30,320 confidence. 798 00:29:31,980 --> 00:29:32,880 Beloved Christian, 799 00:29:33,340 --> 00:29:35,119 I know that several of you are facing 800 00:29:35,500 --> 00:29:37,759 very real and difficult trials. 801 00:29:38,795 --> 00:29:39,694 They are inevitable 802 00:29:40,154 --> 00:29:42,474 in this fallen world. But our text this 803 00:29:42,474 --> 00:29:44,815 morning ought to fill you with great confidence 804 00:29:45,515 --> 00:29:47,855 because the courtroom is in your favor. 805 00:29:49,674 --> 00:29:50,494 And these 806 00:29:51,009 --> 00:29:51,509 trials 807 00:29:52,289 --> 00:29:54,609 will not be able to separate you from 808 00:29:54,609 --> 00:29:56,630 God's love because there is no trial 809 00:29:57,329 --> 00:29:59,990 that can separate you from God's love. 810 00:30:01,089 --> 00:30:03,349 Perhaps this does not remove your present suffering, 811 00:30:04,855 --> 00:30:06,634 but it does give you the right perspective, 812 00:30:07,174 --> 00:30:09,355 and it provides for you an abiding hope. 813 00:30:09,894 --> 00:30:12,554 Whether you face tribulation, or distress, or persecution, 814 00:30:12,694 --> 00:30:15,194 or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword, 815 00:30:15,494 --> 00:30:16,794 or even death itself, 816 00:30:17,579 --> 00:30:19,740 Nothing will be able to separate you from 817 00:30:19,740 --> 00:30:20,240 God's 818 00:30:21,019 --> 00:30:22,319 unchanging love. 819 00:30:23,339 --> 00:30:25,839 So having considered the courtroom and the trial, 820 00:30:26,220 --> 00:30:28,299 let us look at the final heading, the 821 00:30:28,299 --> 00:30:28,799 verdict. 822 00:30:29,339 --> 00:30:31,839 In verses 37 to 39 we read, 823 00:30:32,785 --> 00:30:35,825 no, in all these things we are more 824 00:30:35,825 --> 00:30:38,005 than conquerors through him who loved us. 825 00:30:38,384 --> 00:30:40,305 For I am sure that neither death nor 826 00:30:40,305 --> 00:30:43,424 life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, 827 00:30:43,424 --> 00:30:44,644 nor things to come, 828 00:30:44,945 --> 00:30:48,750 nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything 829 00:30:48,750 --> 00:30:50,450 else in all creation 830 00:30:50,750 --> 00:30:52,509 will be able to separate us from the 831 00:30:52,509 --> 00:30:55,169 love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 832 00:30:56,669 --> 00:30:57,569 For the Christian, 833 00:30:58,269 --> 00:31:00,049 the final verdict has been secured 834 00:31:00,429 --> 00:31:01,490 and it is favorable. 835 00:31:02,414 --> 00:31:04,115 A resounding not guilty 836 00:31:04,575 --> 00:31:06,595 shall be heard on that solemn day. 837 00:31:07,215 --> 00:31:10,275 The courtroom scene that Paul describes guarantees it. 838 00:31:10,575 --> 00:31:11,875 There is no other way. 839 00:31:12,255 --> 00:31:14,595 He tells Christians that in all these things, 840 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:17,200 that is in all these trials that we 841 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:20,319 face, we are more than conquerors through him 842 00:31:20,319 --> 00:31:21,299 who loved us. 843 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:23,839 Not only are all these trials that we 844 00:31:23,839 --> 00:31:24,339 face 845 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:28,000 incapable of condemning us, not only will all 846 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:29,859 the charges against us be dismissed, 847 00:31:30,454 --> 00:31:32,934 not only will all these things fail to 848 00:31:32,934 --> 00:31:35,654 separate us from God's love, but we are 849 00:31:35,654 --> 00:31:36,714 more than conquerors 850 00:31:37,015 --> 00:31:38,795 in the midst of these trials. 851 00:31:39,894 --> 00:31:40,634 In Greek, 852 00:31:41,494 --> 00:31:43,994 it states that we are hyper conquerors, 853 00:31:45,150 --> 00:31:46,049 that we are victors 854 00:31:46,990 --> 00:31:47,809 to the uttermost. 855 00:31:48,990 --> 00:31:50,670 It is a word that would sometimes be 856 00:31:50,670 --> 00:31:53,390 used to describe someone who was declared to 857 00:31:53,390 --> 00:31:53,890 be 858 00:31:54,190 --> 00:31:55,490 irreproachably victorious 859 00:31:56,029 --> 00:31:58,450 over his accusers in a court of law. 860 00:31:59,714 --> 00:32:00,375 The verdict 861 00:32:00,994 --> 00:32:03,654 that awaits all of us Christians is that 862 00:32:04,115 --> 00:32:06,835 you are more than conqueror because it has 863 00:32:06,835 --> 00:32:07,494 been secured 864 00:32:08,115 --> 00:32:10,054 by him who loved us. 865 00:32:11,234 --> 00:32:12,835 And because it is the power of Christ's 866 00:32:12,835 --> 00:32:14,694 love that secures our victory, 867 00:32:15,210 --> 00:32:17,769 there is no other power that can put 868 00:32:17,769 --> 00:32:19,950 our blessed future state in jeopardy. 869 00:32:21,210 --> 00:32:22,269 If you're a Christian, 870 00:32:22,650 --> 00:32:23,549 you can trust 871 00:32:23,929 --> 00:32:26,909 in the sure triumph of Christ's love 872 00:32:27,304 --> 00:32:30,184 and confidently declare with Paul that neither death, 873 00:32:30,184 --> 00:32:33,005 nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor rulers, 874 00:32:33,144 --> 00:32:35,304 nor things present, nor things to come, nor 875 00:32:35,304 --> 00:32:37,704 height, nor depth, nor anything in all creation 876 00:32:37,704 --> 00:32:39,944 will be able to separate you from the 877 00:32:39,944 --> 00:32:42,605 love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 878 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:45,179 Christ holds you in his hand. 879 00:32:45,640 --> 00:32:47,640 The Father holds you in his hand and 880 00:32:47,640 --> 00:32:48,859 the Holy Spirit seals 881 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:51,339 that impenetrable grip. 882 00:32:52,519 --> 00:32:54,940 Who can separate you from God's love? Nothing. 883 00:32:56,694 --> 00:32:57,434 No one, 884 00:32:57,815 --> 00:32:58,554 not even 885 00:32:59,974 --> 00:33:02,694 you. Nothing in all creation, not even you 886 00:33:02,694 --> 00:33:04,855 can separate you from the love of God. 887 00:33:04,855 --> 00:33:06,154 He will not allow it. 888 00:33:07,815 --> 00:33:08,954 If you're in Christ, 889 00:33:10,910 --> 00:33:12,450 your suffering will go away. 890 00:33:13,630 --> 00:33:14,929 Your pain will pass. 891 00:33:15,789 --> 00:33:17,009 He will wipe away 892 00:33:17,390 --> 00:33:18,289 all your tears 893 00:33:18,829 --> 00:33:21,170 and you will enjoy all the pleasures 894 00:33:21,710 --> 00:33:23,630 at his right hand. We're all heading in 895 00:33:23,630 --> 00:33:24,289 that direction. 896 00:33:24,615 --> 00:33:25,835 There's a day coming 897 00:33:26,454 --> 00:33:28,375 when everything that I promise here will be 898 00:33:28,375 --> 00:33:29,355 a yes and amen. 899 00:33:30,375 --> 00:33:31,595 If you're not in Christ, 900 00:33:32,295 --> 00:33:34,295 if you're not taking refuge in him, then 901 00:33:34,295 --> 00:33:36,554 how would you stand on that terrible day? 902 00:33:38,539 --> 00:33:41,099 This is not a hypothetical day. The first 903 00:33:41,099 --> 00:33:42,960 part of that day already happened on Calvary. 904 00:33:44,220 --> 00:33:45,839 The second part is gonna come. 905 00:33:46,299 --> 00:33:47,900 How will you stand on that day if 906 00:33:47,900 --> 00:33:49,599 you're not taking refuge in Christ? 907 00:33:50,585 --> 00:33:53,244 Your accuser is powerful and without mercy. 908 00:33:54,984 --> 00:33:56,924 Your signed defendant will not lie. 909 00:33:57,945 --> 00:33:58,765 Your judge 910 00:33:59,945 --> 00:34:01,085 sees your sin 911 00:34:01,785 --> 00:34:03,244 and he will not be bribed. 912 00:34:04,890 --> 00:34:06,990 Do not delay any longer. Turn to him. 913 00:34:07,690 --> 00:34:08,989 Let him take your place. 914 00:34:09,449 --> 00:34:10,909 Let Christ take your place. 915 00:34:12,090 --> 00:34:13,469 Let him change your heart. 916 00:34:15,289 --> 00:34:16,510 After Stephen spoke 917 00:34:16,969 --> 00:34:18,909 before the Sanhedrin on Temple Mount, 918 00:34:19,494 --> 00:34:20,474 the heavens opened 919 00:34:20,775 --> 00:34:22,295 and he lifted his gaze to heaven and 920 00:34:22,295 --> 00:34:23,034 said, behold, 921 00:34:23,655 --> 00:34:25,335 I see the heavens open and the Son 922 00:34:25,335 --> 00:34:26,315 of Man standing 923 00:34:26,614 --> 00:34:28,155 at the right hand of God. 924 00:34:29,094 --> 00:34:31,910 Stephen saw the same courtroom scene that Paul 925 00:34:31,910 --> 00:34:32,809 here describes 926 00:34:33,110 --> 00:34:35,130 and that gave him a peace that surpasses 927 00:34:35,190 --> 00:34:35,690 understanding. 928 00:34:37,030 --> 00:34:38,489 The crowd became enraged 929 00:34:39,030 --> 00:34:41,190 and they dragged him outside the city walls 930 00:34:41,190 --> 00:34:43,670 and they picked up stones and began hurling 931 00:34:43,670 --> 00:34:45,210 them at him with deadly force. 932 00:34:45,855 --> 00:34:47,795 And as the stones pummeled Stephen 933 00:34:48,414 --> 00:34:50,195 and his body crumbled to the ground 934 00:34:51,135 --> 00:34:52,994 and his life began to slip away, 935 00:34:53,614 --> 00:34:56,675 Stephen cried out not for justice against them, 936 00:34:57,375 --> 00:34:58,355 but for mercy, 937 00:34:59,300 --> 00:35:01,639 saying, Lord, do not hold their sin 938 00:35:02,179 --> 00:35:03,000 against them. 939 00:35:04,260 --> 00:35:05,400 And in that moment, 940 00:35:06,420 --> 00:35:07,480 he was received 941 00:35:08,019 --> 00:35:09,480 in the loving arms 942 00:35:10,420 --> 00:35:11,320 of his advocate. 943 00:35:12,525 --> 00:35:13,664 Because no stone 944 00:35:14,444 --> 00:35:15,425 and no hatred 945 00:35:15,804 --> 00:35:18,045 and no power in this world and no 946 00:35:18,045 --> 00:35:20,525 power in the world to come could separate 947 00:35:20,525 --> 00:35:22,364 him from the love of God in Jesus 948 00:35:22,364 --> 00:35:22,864 Christ. 949 00:35:24,489 --> 00:35:26,030 This is the triumph of love 950 00:35:26,570 --> 00:35:28,910 that Paul speaks of in Romans 8. 951 00:35:29,530 --> 00:35:30,590 So dear Christian, 952 00:35:31,130 --> 00:35:33,469 since God is for you, no attack, 953 00:35:34,010 --> 00:35:36,809 no matter how fierce will ultimately prevail against 954 00:35:36,809 --> 00:35:39,456 you because if God is for you, who 955 00:35:39,456 --> 00:35:40,757 can be against you? 956 00:35:41,217 --> 00:35:42,036 Let's pray.