Hope and Joy
Series: SummerCamp Session 6
Speaker: Sam Low
Date: 24th January 2015
Passage: Romans 5:1-12
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Let me add my hello to everyone else who said hello.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:07 It is really great to see some parents of campers
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 and also our regular 5pm family
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 and of course all of the slightly weary and smelly summer campers.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 We have had a fantastic week soaking in God's Word
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 and we are not done yet.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 So I'm going to pray and ask that the tiredness
00:00:21 --> 00:00:26 and the stickiness and anything else that might distract us
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 would be taken away so that we can hear what God has to say.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:31 So let's pray.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 Father God, we want to thank you for your Word
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 and we want to thank you for this time right now
00:00:37 --> 00:00:42 where we get to sit and reflect on the hope that is held out in the Gospel
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 and the joy that you have designed for us in this life
00:00:45 --> 00:00:49 and we pray that you would give us alertness and eagerness
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 and that we would hear you speak and that our hearts would be captured.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:54 Amen.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 So as we've kind of hinted over this week since Wednesday,
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 we've been walking through Romans 1 to 4.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 So it's a bit hard for you if you've just walked in
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 to kind of catch this series.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:08 But the good news is,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 and this might disappoint all the people who are on summer camp,
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 Romans 1 to 4 can pretty much be summarised in chapter 5 verse 1.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 So we might have been able to be a little more economical
00:01:17 --> 00:01:18 if I'd planned to head further,
00:01:19 --> 00:01:20 but that's good news for everyone else
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 and a refresher for those of us who are feeling tired.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 So let's have a look at chapter 5 verse 1.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:32 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:36 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:01:36 --> 00:01:40 So far, this letter to the Romans has been all about the Gospel.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:43 Paul's just been teaching what the Gospel is,
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 how the Gospel works,
00:01:45 --> 00:01:46 why the Gospel matters,
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 and then he sums it up in this incredibly action-packed sentence.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 We have been justified through faith.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:59 We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:01 The message of the Gospel
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 is not simply a message
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 that God will not punish us if we trust Jesus.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 It's actually more than that.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:10 The message of the Gospel
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 that comes out in Romans 1 to 4
00:02:12 --> 00:02:13 and that comes out in all of Scripture
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 is God's message to say,
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 you don't deserve to be in heaven.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 You don't deserve to know me,
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 a God who is righteous and perfect and holy,
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 but I choose to justify you.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:28 I choose to declare you innocent,
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 not just so that you can avoid punishment,
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 but I choose to justify you.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 I choose to declare you innocent
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 so that you might know me.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 One of the verses that we have bounced around a lot this week
00:02:43 --> 00:02:44 is back in chapter 1.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 If you want to turn there really quickly,
00:02:46 --> 00:02:47 chapter 1, verse 16,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:48 says,
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 I am not ashamed of the Gospel
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 because it is the power of God
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 for the salvation of everyone who believes,
00:02:55 --> 00:02:56 first for the Jew,
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 then for the Gentile.
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 For in the Gospel,
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 a righteousness from God is revealed.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 The Gospel message is not just a way
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 to get out of the discipline
00:03:07 --> 00:03:08 or the punishment that you deserve.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 The Gospel message is God revealing who he is
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 so that we can know him,
00:03:14 --> 00:03:18 so that we can actually have a relationship with him.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:19 Back in chapter 5,
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 he continues on having explained
00:03:21 --> 00:03:22 that we have peace with God,
00:03:22 --> 00:03:23 and he says,
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 through whom we have gained access by faith
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 into the grace in which we now stand.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 The message of the Gospel in Romans 1 to 4
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 is that God gives us something that we do not deserve,
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 and that if we place our faith in Jesus,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 if we accept the forgiveness that God offers,
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 having sent his Son to die in our place,
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 that we now stand in grace,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:51 that we now stand confident
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 that we will be able to continue to stand,
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 that we now stand confident
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 that one day we will stand for all eternity
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 at peace with God,
00:04:01 --> 00:04:02 because it's by grace,
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 and it has nothing to do with what we have done,
00:04:04 --> 00:04:05 or haven't done,
00:04:05 --> 00:04:06 or will do,
00:04:06 --> 00:04:07 or won't do.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:10 It has everything to do with what God did
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 in sending Jesus to die in our place.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:17 The peace with God might be a little bit bigger
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 than we first grab when we read a verse like this.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 Yes, God deals with the fact
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 that we've been rejecting him,
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 and he brings peace there.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 But he also deals with the fact
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 that God, who is perfect and righteous and holy,
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 and has to punish those who reject him,
00:04:37 --> 00:04:41 so instead of standing under judgment,
00:04:41 --> 00:04:42 we have peace.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 Romans 1-4 makes it really clear
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 that although God loves us,
00:04:48 --> 00:04:49 although God is gracious,
00:04:49 --> 00:04:50 he will not tolerate sin.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 He will not tolerate people
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 who treat him like he's not important,
00:04:55 --> 00:04:58 and so this first verse of chapter 5
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 holds a lot of incredible encouragement.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 It says,
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 we have been declared innocent,
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 and we have peace with a God
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 who should actually punish us
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 because that same God
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 provided his son
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 to take our punishment on the cross.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 It's an action-packed four chapters.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 And we are encouraged
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 since we have been justified,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 because we are justified,
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 because we have peace with God,
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 because we now stand in grace.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 In Acts 2-2,
00:05:37 --> 00:05:41 we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 Because of what God has done in Jesus,
00:05:47 --> 00:05:48 we are joyful people.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 The Christian faith is not a stoic
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 and sad and serious faith.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 It is a joyful faith.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 Because we no longer have to fear
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 any possibility of judgment,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 because God has welcomed us back
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 into his family
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 and has restored us
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 so that we might have a relationship with him,
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 we are now people who rejoice
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 in the hope of the glory of God.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 The hope of the glory of God
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 is the hope of his glory
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 and his character being fully revealed.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 It's another way of saying
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 we rejoice in the hope of heaven.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 We rejoice in the hope
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 that one day God will come back to the earth
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 and he will bring justice
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 where there is injustice.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 He will remove pain and suffering.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 He will deal out the punishment
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 that he's rightly deserved.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 We rejoice in that hope
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 because we know that we stand
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 on the right side of the ledger.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 We rejoice in that hope
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 because we have peace with the one
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 who will come back
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 and establish his rule and authority
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 finally and completely.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 We have an anchor
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 that is bigger and greater
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 than the circumstances
00:06:53 --> 00:06:53 that we face
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 in our day-to-day life.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 With the hope of the glory of God
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 as an inevitable destination,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:04 if we believe in the hope of the gospel,
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 if we believe we are forgiven,
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 if we believe we have peace with God,
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 it is inevitable
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 and immovable
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 and unchangeable
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 that our final destination
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 is heaven with God.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 And because of that,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 because we know how the story ends,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 because we know
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 where we're going to end up,
00:07:22 --> 00:07:22 because we know
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 what the finish line is,
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 verse 3,
00:07:27 --> 00:07:30 we also rejoice
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 in our sufferings
00:07:31 --> 00:07:34 because we know
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 that suffering
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 produces perseverance.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 Perseverance, character,
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 and character, hope.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 And hope does not disappoint us
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 because God has poured out
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 his love into our hearts
00:07:46 --> 00:07:47 by the Holy Spirit
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 whom he has given us.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 Hope is our anchor.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 Hope means that
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 as you deal with pain
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 in your life now,
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 you know that it's temporary.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 Hope means that
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 as you miss out on things
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 that you deeply desire
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 and maybe even as you wonder
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 whether or not
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 God is withholding things from you,
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 you know that one day,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 completely and finally,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 he will pour out
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 every blessing
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 that you have asked for
00:08:13 --> 00:08:13 and more.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 Hope is our anchor
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 because hope
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 gives us confidence
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 that God loves us
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 even when the world
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 around us says
00:08:25 --> 00:08:25 that can't be true.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 As we deal with
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 sickness and death
00:08:29 --> 00:08:30 and the world says
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 just give up on the God
00:08:31 --> 00:08:31 who's clearly not
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 looking after you,
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 our hope for the future
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 enables us to trust
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 that God is loving
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 and good
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 in the present.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 our faith
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 that he has done
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 what needs to be done
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 to guarantee
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 our eternal inheritance
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 means that we can trust
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 that even right now
00:08:49 --> 00:08:49 he is doing
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 what is good
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 and beneficial
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 for us
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 even when it's painful.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:55 We are confident
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 in the love of God
00:08:57 --> 00:08:57 in verse 5
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 because he has poured out
00:08:59 --> 00:08:59 his love
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 into our hearts
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 by the Holy Spirit
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 whom he has given us.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 We're confident
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 because his spirit
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 reminds us
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 of God's love.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:07 In those moments
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 of darkness
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 when we pray
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 and we cry out
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 he reminds us
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 that he is with us
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 but not just
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 by his Holy Spirit.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 We are confident
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 of God's love
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 because of verse 6.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 You see
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 at just the right time
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 when we were still powerless
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 Christ died
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 for the ungodly.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 Very rarely
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 will anyone die
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 for a righteous man
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 though for a good man
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 someone might possibly
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 dare to die
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 but God demonstrates
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 his own love
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 for us in this.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 While we were still
00:09:39 --> 00:09:39 sinners
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 Christ died
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 for us.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 When we were
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 rebelling against God
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 when we were there
00:09:47 --> 00:09:47 cheering
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 that God
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 would be crucified
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 when we were
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 choosing that
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 he is not important
00:09:52 --> 00:09:52 when we were
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 making the decision
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 that he has no claim
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 on our life
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 that we can live
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 however we want
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 at that moment
00:09:58 --> 00:10:01 he sent Jesus
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 to die
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 so that you would
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 know that he loved you.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 not just
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 so that you would
00:10:08 --> 00:10:08 know
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 but so that it
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 would be possible
00:10:10 --> 00:10:10 for you to be
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 forgiven
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 and have the
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 hope of heaven
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 if he did that
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 when you were
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 still a sinner
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 if he did that
00:10:20 --> 00:10:20 when you were
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 still rejecting him
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 if he did that
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 while we were
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 still the ungodly
00:10:26 --> 00:10:30 you can be sure
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 that as one
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 who is trusting
00:10:33 --> 00:10:33 in his love
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 as one
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 who is calling
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 him king
00:10:36 --> 00:10:36 as one
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 who is
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 leaning on
00:10:38 --> 00:10:38 the hope
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 that he has
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 provided
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 that he still
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 loves you
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 and that he's
00:10:43 --> 00:10:43 still working
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 for your good
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 if he gave you
00:10:46 --> 00:10:46 Jesus
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 what would he
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 possibly withhold
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 from you?
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 Paul says
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 effectively that
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 in Romans 8
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 how could he
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 who did not
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 spare his own
00:10:57 --> 00:10:57 son but gave
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 him up for us
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 all not
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 eagerly along
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 with him
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 also give us
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 all things?
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 If God has
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 delivered his
00:11:05 --> 00:11:05 son
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 while we were
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 rejecting him
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 now that we
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 call him our
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 heavenly father
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 now that we
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 call Jesus
00:11:14 --> 00:11:14 our savior
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 how much more
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 confident we are
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 even in the
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 depths of despair
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 and pain and
00:11:20 --> 00:11:20 suffering
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 that God
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 is good
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 and loving
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 and that he
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 is using our
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 circumstance for
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 his glory
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 and our
00:11:27 --> 00:11:27 benefit and
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 so we
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 rejoice
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 in our
00:11:31 --> 00:11:31 sufferings
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 we are
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 anchored to
00:11:34 --> 00:11:34 the goodness
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 of God
00:11:35 --> 00:11:35 because of
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 the hope
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 of a savior
00:11:37 --> 00:11:37 who died
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 in our
00:11:38 --> 00:11:38 place and
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 who is
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 now risen
00:11:40 --> 00:11:43 he spells
00:11:43 --> 00:11:43 it out in
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 verse 9
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 since we
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 have now
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 been justified
00:11:47 --> 00:11:47 by his
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 blood
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 how much
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 more shall
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 we be saved
00:11:50 --> 00:11:50 from God's
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 wrath through
00:11:51 --> 00:11:51 him
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 for if when
00:11:53 --> 00:11:53 we were
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 God's enemies
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 we were
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 reconciled to
00:11:56 --> 00:11:56 him through
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 the death
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 of his
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 son
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 how much
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 more having
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 been reconciled
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 shall we be
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 saved through
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 his life
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 the gospel
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 gives us the
00:12:06 --> 00:12:06 benefit right
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 now of knowing
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 for certain
00:12:08 --> 00:12:08 that we are
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 forgiven
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 knowing for
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 certain that the
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 slate has been
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 wiped clean
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 we are justified
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 we are declared
00:12:15 --> 00:12:15 innocent
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 our punishment
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 has already been
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 absorbed and
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 exhausted in the
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 person of Jesus
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 when he went to
00:12:21 --> 00:12:21 the cross
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 because we know
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 that and we have
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 future hope
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 we rejoice in our
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 sufferings because
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 we know that
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 even as beneficial
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 as that certain
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 hope is that
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 there is more to
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 come
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 having been
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 forgiven that
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 there is even
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 more as we
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 approach the day
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 when God returns
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 or calls us home
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 to be in heaven
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 having been
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 justified by
00:12:45 --> 00:12:45 his blood
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 we will now
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 be saved
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 through his
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 life
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 not the life
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 he had before
00:12:50 --> 00:12:50 the cross
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 but the life
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 he lives now
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 and for all
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 eternity
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 having been
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 raised
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 having defeated
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 death
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 Jesus life
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 now
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 sitting on the
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 throne in
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 heaven
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 is the life
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 that guarantees
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 our future
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 salvation
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 so we rejoice
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 in suffering
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 because even
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 as we hurt
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 we stand
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 and we say
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 with confidence
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 I'm loved
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 by God
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 I'm forgiven
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 by God
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 and I know
00:13:12 --> 00:13:12 where I am
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 going
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 we rejoice
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 in the hope
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 of the glory
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 of God
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 in the future
00:13:18 --> 00:13:18 that is to
00:13:18 --> 00:13:18 come
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 we rejoice
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 even in
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 our sufferings
00:13:21 --> 00:13:25 but there is
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 something even
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 better
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 have a look
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 at verse 5
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 let's read
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 from verse
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 verse 3
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 we also rejoice
00:13:35 --> 00:13:35 in our sufferings
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 because we know
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 that suffering
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 produces perseverance
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 perseverance
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 character
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 and character
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 hope
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 and hope
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 does not
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 disappoint us
00:13:44 --> 00:13:47 I remember
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 when it was
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 almost time
00:13:49 --> 00:13:49 for Bailey
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 to be born
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 I'm sure
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 that some of you
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 would remember
00:13:53 --> 00:13:53 it as well
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 because I was
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 fairly annoying
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 around this
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 particular point
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 I was busting
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 to become a dad
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 I was counting
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 down the days
00:14:01 --> 00:14:01 I had decided
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 very early
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 in the pregnancy
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 that Bailey
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 was going to be
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 born at least
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 two weeks early
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 I had no basis
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 for that hope
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 but I was
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 absolutely committed
00:14:11 --> 00:14:11 to it
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 and convinced
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 of it
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 and so I was
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 telling everyone
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 I was in
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 preparation
00:14:15 --> 00:14:15 I even took
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 holidays from
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 work two weeks
00:14:17 --> 00:14:17 before the due
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 date because I
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 was sure that
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 he was going
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 to be born
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 the result was
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 he managed to
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 come ten days
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 late
00:14:24 --> 00:14:27 so not only
00:14:27 --> 00:14:27 did hope
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 disappoint
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 but it also
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 probably seriously
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 annoyed poor
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 Sal as I was
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 wandering around
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 the house
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 and you know
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 hurry up
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 come on
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 what's going
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 on
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 I was
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 absolutely
00:14:36 --> 00:14:36 convinced
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 it was
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 going to
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 work out
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 this way
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 that I was
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 going to
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 become a dad
00:14:39 --> 00:14:39 on this day
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 that my life
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 was going to
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 be changed
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 and that hope
00:14:41 --> 00:14:41 was absolutely
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 shattered
00:14:42 --> 00:14:42 because by the
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 time he was
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 born I was
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 so exhausted
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 from disappointment
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 that I could
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 barely enjoy the
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 moment until
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 about two weeks
00:14:49 --> 00:14:49 afterwards when I
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 somehow found
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 what normal was
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 again
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 hope is dangerous
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 if it's not
00:14:57 --> 00:14:57 sure
00:14:57 --> 00:15:00 hope creates
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 the possibility
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 of disappointment
00:15:02 --> 00:15:05 hope that is
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 not met
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 breeds sadness
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 and grief
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 but that is
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 not a possibility
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 for our hope
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 in God
00:15:14 --> 00:15:17 we can rejoice
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 in suffering
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 because it is
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 feeding our
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 perseverance
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 and our
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 character
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 and our
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 hope
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 and our
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 hope is
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 sure
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 our hope
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 is not
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 something that
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 we have
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 invented
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 it's not
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 some desire
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 that we have
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 that we have
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 elevated to the
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 position of our
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 eternal destiny
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 our hope is
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 specific
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 our hope is
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 that having
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 been justified
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 by the blood
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 of Jesus
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 having been
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 forgiven by the
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 blood of Jesus
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 we will one day
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 spend eternity
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 in God's
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 perfect new
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 creation
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 completely
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 restored
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 free from
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 pain and
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 sickness and
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 death and
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 most importantly
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 in the presence
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 of God
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 himself
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 we rejoice
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 in the hope
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 that one day
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 God's name
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 will be
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 vindicated
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 he will be
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 known as
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 glorious
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 throughout all
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 of his
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 creation
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 we rejoice
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 in our
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 sufferings
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 because we
00:16:08 --> 00:16:08 know that
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 they are
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 merely part
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 of our
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 journey
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 towards that
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 hope
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 but we
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 rejoice
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 in verse
00:16:15 --> 00:16:15 11
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 in God
00:16:17 --> 00:16:20 we rejoice
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 in him
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 through Jesus
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 that's why
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 our joy
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 as Christians
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 is both
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 something that
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 is overwhelming
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 in our
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 circumstance
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 now but
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 also something
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 that we
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 anticipate
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 something that
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 that spurs us
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 forward in our
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 life
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 because we do
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 know our
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 heavenly father
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 now having
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 been justified
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 and having been
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 drawn into a
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 relationship with
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 him but we
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 know that now
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 we know
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 only partially
00:16:45 --> 00:16:49 all we know
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 of God is
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 amazing and
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 glorious and
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 joy giving
00:16:52 --> 00:16:54 but imagine
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 what it will
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 be like
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 when you get
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 to know him
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 face to face
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 imagine what
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 it will be
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 like when
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 you come
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 face to face
00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 with the
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 one who
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 when you
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 were still
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 his enemy
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 gave his
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 son so
00:17:10 --> 00:17:10 that you
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 could be
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 forgiven
00:17:11 --> 00:17:16 we rejoice
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 because that
00:17:18 --> 00:17:18 is the only
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 response
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 to the
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 glorious God
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 who has
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 revealed himself
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 to us in
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 the gospel
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 of Jesus
00:17:24 --> 00:17:27 we rejoice
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 and we look
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 forward to
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 the day
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 we rejoice
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 in our
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 circumstance
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 now
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 we rejoice
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 in anticipation
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 of that
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 unhindered
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 relationship
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 Christians should
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 be the most
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 joyful people
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 there are
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 I always
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 find it
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 slightly
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 amusing
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 when people
00:17:47 --> 00:17:47 talk about
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 how serious
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 we are
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 or how
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 focused
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 or stoic
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 we are
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 when we
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 gather
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 together
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 for church
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 sometimes
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 they're
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 right
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 sadly
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 but really
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 we should
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 be overflowing
00:17:58 --> 00:17:58 with joy
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 we should
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 be exploding
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 with joy
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 we had a
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 conversation
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 with the
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 kids this
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 morning on
00:18:03 --> 00:18:03 camp
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 and we
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 said
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 don't let
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 this joy
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 stay on
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 camp
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 bottle it
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 up as a
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 grenade
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 and release
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 it when we
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 get to
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 church
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 and I
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 think they
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 did a
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 good job
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 if you're
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 a parent
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 they're
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 saving a
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 second
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 grenade of
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 joy
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 for the
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 trip home
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 to share
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 with you
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 how amazing
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 the week
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 was
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 but really
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 as Christians
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 we should
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 have more
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 joy than
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 anyone else
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 because we
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 have nothing
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 to fear
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 because our
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 eternal destiny
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 is guaranteed
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 because we
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 live in
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 absolute
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 certainty
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 that God
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 loves us
00:18:30 --> 00:18:30 and is
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 working for
00:18:31 --> 00:18:31 our good
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 and expressing
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 his love
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 for us
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 in any
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 and every
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 circumstance
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 and situation
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 what else
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 could give you
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 more joy
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 than that
00:18:39 --> 00:18:43 but what
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 if you're
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 sitting here
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 now
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 or what
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 if you're
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 sitting here
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 in a
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 week's
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 time
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 or a
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 month's
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 time
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 or a
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 year's
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 time
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 and you
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 don't
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 feel
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 joyful
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 it's
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 great for
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 me to
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 say we
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 should be
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 joyful
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 but what
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 about when
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 we're
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 not
00:18:54 --> 00:18:57 then we
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 need to
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 go back
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 to the
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 beginning
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 we need
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 to go back
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 to verse
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 one
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 since we
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 have been
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 justified
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 through faith
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 we have
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 peace with
00:19:07 --> 00:19:07 God
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 through our
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 Lord Jesus
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 Christ
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 through whom
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 we have
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 gained access
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 by faith
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 into the
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 grace
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 in which
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 we now
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 stand
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 we have
00:19:16 --> 00:19:16 to go
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 back
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 and remember
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 that we're
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 innocent
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 before God
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 that we're
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 forgiven
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 that our
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 debt has
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 been paid
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 that there
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 is no
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 possibility
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 of God's
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 wrath for
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 us
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 because
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 Jesus has
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 taken it
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 we have
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 to look
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 back and
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 understand
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 that we
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 have peace
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 with God
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 which doesn't
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 just mean
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 the absence
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 of fighting
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 peace means
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 that we have
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 been drawn
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 into an
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 intimate
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 and loving
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 relationship
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 with a
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 heavenly
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 father
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 when we
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 struggle for
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 joy we
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 need to
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 come back
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 to the
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 hope of
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 that final
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 day when
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 the pain
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 that you're
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 experiencing
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 now will
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 be a
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 distant
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 memory
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 when we
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 struggle for
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 joy we
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 need to
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 reflect on
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 the limitless
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 love of
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 God shown
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 in the
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 sacrifice of
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 his son
00:20:03 --> 00:20:07 when you
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 struggle for
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 joy you
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 need to
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 bask in
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 the encouragement
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 you need to
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 soak in the
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 adrenaline that
00:20:15 --> 00:20:17 comes from
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 the hope of
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 the gospel
00:20:18 --> 00:20:21 doesn't mean
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 that we'll walk
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 around with
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 goofy smiles all
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 the time and
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 we'll never get
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 sad and we'll
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 never cry
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 I'm sure
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 there's a lot
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 of people
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 from camp
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 that can
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 testify that
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 tears are
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 part of
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 the joy
00:20:30 --> 00:20:34 but what
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 it means is
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 you have an
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 anchor and a
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 foundation
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 you have a
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 joy that's
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 bigger than
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 how you're
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 feeling today
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 that's bigger
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 than how you're
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 going this
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 year that's
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 bigger than
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 how much
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 energy you
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 have
00:20:46 --> 00:20:48 you have a
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 joy because
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 your eternity
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 is certain
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 because your
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 God loves
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 you and
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 because no
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 one and
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 nothing can
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 take that
00:20:55 --> 00:20:59 away since
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 we have been
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 justified through
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 faith we have
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 peace with God
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 and we have
00:21:04 --> 00:21:07 joy let's
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 pray
00:21:08 --> 00:21:14 father God
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 we want to
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 we want to
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 thank you for
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 Jesus we
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 want to admit
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 that often we
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 let our
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 circumstance and
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 our situation
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 and our
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 relationships and
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 our anxieties and
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 whatever else
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 speak louder than
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 the gospel we
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 want to admit
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 that we get
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 distracted by
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 right here and
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 right now and
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 we forget what
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 you have done to
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 prove to us that
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 you love us
00:21:35 --> 00:21:38 that we forget
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 about the
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 amazing eternal
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 home that you
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 are preparing for
00:21:42 --> 00:21:45 us that we
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 forget that you
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 have promised
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 that even right
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 now in the midst
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 of our pain you
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 are working for
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 our good you
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 are expressing
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 your love for
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 us but father
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 we ask that you
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 would open our
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 eyes to the hope
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 of the gospel
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 that we would
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 wake every morning
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 with a new sense
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 of awe that
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 when we were
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 enemies Christ
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 died and brought
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 us back in a
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 relationship with
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 you I pray that
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 we would know the
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 joy of a
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 relationship with
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 you today and
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 the anticipation of
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 the joy that will
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 come when we get
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 to see you face
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 face to face I
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 pray that the
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 world around us
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 will see us and
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 want the joy that
00:22:22 --> 00:22:25 we have I pray
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 that you would use
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 us to represent
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 you and to draw
00:22:28 --> 00:22:30 other people into
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 the hope of the
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 gospel the hope of
00:22:32 --> 00:22:34 Jesus amen
00:22:34 --> 00:22:36 amen
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 for
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 us and
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 let's
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 we feed on
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 life