In the Hope of the Spirit
Series: WE BELIEVE
Speaker: James Barnett
Date: 4th April 2020
Passages:
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Hello, it is good to be with you today.
00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 Have you adjusted to self-isolation yet?
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 Have you changed your routine?
00:00:08 --> 00:00:14 Are you now working at home, exercising on the floor of the lounge room in front of a workout video?
00:00:15 --> 00:00:20 Have you started doing homeschooling and maybe spending more time gardening?
00:00:21 --> 00:00:25 Are you used to not being allowed to go outside yet?
00:00:25 --> 00:00:30 And this past week I celebrated my 35th birthday.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 And it was a bit strange because I couldn't see anyone.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 And I kept speaking to people and people kept saying,
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 I really look forward to when life goes back to normal.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 And I can come give you a hug and say happy birthday.
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 And I love that idea.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 But have you found yourself saying similar things?
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 Similar things like when it goes back to normal.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:57 When life goes back to how it was.
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 I wonder if this is a problem for us.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:07 I wonder if we idolise how things were a couple of months ago.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:12 It's as if that time when we could go outside was perfect.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:14 Now it was definitely better.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 But there were still plenty of problems.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:22 Today we are coming to the end of our series, We Believe,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:26 as we look at what Christians believe from the Apostles' Creed.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:30 And today we're looking at the last two lines.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:34 That we believe in the resurrection of the dead.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 And that we believe in everlasting life.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:44 And today we're going to be challenged to not just look forward to life going back to normal.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 Back to how it was.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 Back to something better.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 For some of us, I'm sure we're loving hanging out at home.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:57 But for many others, surviving each day of the week is really tough.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:05 But we have something to look forward to that is better than life going back to normal.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:11 We're looking forward to something that won't break apart, that won't fade or be destroyed.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:19 We are looking forward to what God has prepared for us after death and for our life everlasting.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 So as we look at God's work today, let me pray.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:32 Dear Heavenly Father, as we hide at home to protect loved ones and those we don't know,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 Father, please be with us in isolation.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:41 Help us to look forward to what you have prepared for us in the future.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:42 Amen.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:49 The first thing we're going to look at today is that we believe in the resurrection of the dead.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:55 The New Testament shows that the hope that we have a full life after death.
00:02:56 --> 00:03:01 It is not a spiritual life or a life without a body.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:02 It's not a metaphor.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:07 But there's a future hope of life with a body.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:13 Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4 that Jesus died and rose.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 And God will do the same for those who die.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:21 And Romans says that we have been united with him in his death.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:25 And we will certainly be raised with Jesus, just like he was.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:33 And Jesus says in John 11 that whoever believes in him, even though they die, will live.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:42 Jesus and the other New Testament writers fully believe that just as Jesus died and came back to life,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:48 so will those who believe in him die and come back to a physical life.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:57 Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 shows how central believing in the resurrection of the dead is.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:05 He says in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 3 that it is of first importance that Jesus died for our sins,
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 that he was buried and that he was raised.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:13 Because if Jesus wasn't raised, there is no hope for us.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:15 Verse 18,
00:04:15 --> 00:04:19 Then those who have also fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:23 And we are to be pitied for thinking that we will come back to life from the dead.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 But, Paul says,
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 But, that is not how it is, but,
00:04:28 --> 00:04:28 verse 20,
00:04:29 --> 00:04:33 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:36 The first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 For since death came through a man,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:43 the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 Adam, along with Eve, sinned,
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 and death was the result.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 Jesus did not sin.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 And he was placed on a cross instead of us.
00:04:56 --> 00:05:00 And his resurrection means that eternal life is the result.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:04 We are going to celebrate this, this coming Sunday on Easter Day,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:08 where we remember that it is not just a story, but it is history.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:13 That God came himself and died for us on the cross.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 And three days later was raised to life everlasting.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 He was raised.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 People, hundreds of people saw him
00:05:20 --> 00:05:24 before he ascended to the right hand of the Father.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 He is the first fruit.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 He is the prototype of the resurrection for us.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 Because, as Paul says in Christ,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 all will be made alive.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:43 I think 1 Corinthians 15 is a really helpful reflection for us on the resurrection.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 Now, I've only touched on it briefly.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:49 Let me encourage you to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 15 after church today.
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 But it is good for us in all seasons
00:05:52 --> 00:05:56 because it enters into the drama of our lives.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:00 We live and start with families
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 and go to work
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 and spend time with friends
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 under the dread of death.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 It steadily walks towards us
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 and to our loved ones.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 At the moment,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 our whole world is either in lockdown
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 or heading to lockdown
00:06:19 --> 00:06:23 because we fear death.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 We are weak to it.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 Whilst not all who get coronavirus will die,
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 it's spread,
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 spreads fear,
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 fear of death.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 Because we are weak,
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 fleshly bodies,
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 fearful of taking our last breath.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 And we've seen the response
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 of plenty of people
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 to go on a horde,
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 trying to protect themselves
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 for another day.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 But even when life does go back to normal,
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 whether it's in a day
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 or six months,
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 we will still
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 all fear
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 and face death.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 Our hope for the future
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 has to be bigger
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 than death.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 The Apostle Peter
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 wrote a letter to a church
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 who was
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 in a somewhat similar position.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 They were facing
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 persecution and death
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 and they were fearful
00:07:12 --> 00:07:12 of what was to come.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 And he encouraged them
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 in this time of uncertainty.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 From 1 Peter 1, verse 3,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:20 it says,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:23 Praise be to the God and Father
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 of our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 In his great mercy
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 he has given us new birth
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 into a living hope
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 through the resurrection
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 of Jesus Christ
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 from the dead.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 And into an inheritance
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 that can never perish,
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 spoil or fade.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 This inheritance
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 is kept in heaven for you.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 God, in his great mercy,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 has given us hope
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 in uncertain times.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 Resurrection from the dead
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 like Jesus.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 And we have an inheritance
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 that can never spoil
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 like too much
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 stocked food.
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 It can't fade
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 like our patients
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 with our family
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 and friends
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 and housemates.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 It can't be stolen
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 like toilet paper
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 from an unguarded
00:08:08 --> 00:08:08 shopping trot.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 This is what Christians
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 put their hope in.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 A resurrection
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 that cannot spoil
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 or fade or perish.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 after we die
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 we will all be raised
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 to the life
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 of a physical body
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 just like Jesus's.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 This is the hope
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 that we have.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 We don't wait
00:08:29 --> 00:08:30 for a spiritual future
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 but we are waiting
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 for future bodies
00:08:33 --> 00:08:33 to be raised.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 But other than
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 just having a body
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 in this everlasting future,
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 what does it actually
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 look like
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 to be in this future
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 that God has prepared
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 for us?
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 Well, we come to
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 the final part
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 of the creed.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 The final line
00:08:50 --> 00:08:50 of the creed
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 says that we believe
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 in the everlasting life.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 And the New Testament
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 paints a picture
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 for us
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 of what this
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 everlasting life
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 looks like.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 Jesus in John
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 chapter 14
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 tells his disciples
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 that he's going
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 to God
00:09:08 --> 00:09:08 to prepare
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 a house,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:10 to prepare
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 a place
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 for us.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 Jesus is preparing
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 God's house
00:09:15 --> 00:09:15 for us
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 for eternity.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 And in this chapter
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 Jesus is potentially
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 alluding
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 to the types
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 of houses
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 that rich
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 Roman rulers
00:09:24 --> 00:09:24 would have.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:25 They would have
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 houses that had
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 a central atrium
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 and all around
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 the atrium
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 would be rooms.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:32 You know,
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 a central space
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 and then around
00:09:34 --> 00:09:34 the atrium
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 would be different rooms.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 And so
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 all of the bedrooms
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 would connect
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 into a central
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 gathering area.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 So you could
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 connect and gather
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 with people
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 very easily.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 And this is a picture
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 of God
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 that he doesn't
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 just have a place
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 for us
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 but it's a place
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 that is connected
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 to everyone else.
00:09:57 --> 00:09:57 A place
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 where there is
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 community forever.
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 A place
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 where God
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 is with us.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 And I am
00:10:05 --> 00:10:05 yearning for that.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:06 It is good
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 to be standing
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 with you today
00:10:08 --> 00:10:08 looking down
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 a camera
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 into your living
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 room
00:10:11 --> 00:10:11 starting to
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 wherever you
00:10:12 --> 00:10:12 are right now.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:13 It is good
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 to be with you
00:10:14 --> 00:10:14 but I am
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 yearning
00:10:15 --> 00:10:15 to be
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 gathering with
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 you in church
00:10:17 --> 00:10:17 together.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:19 This building
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 is empty
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 and I miss you.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 I miss
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 gathering
00:10:24 --> 00:10:24 and singing
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 loudly
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 as a church
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 and I am
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 looking forward
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 to that day
00:10:29 --> 00:10:29 again.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 But how much
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 greater will it
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 be
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 when there will
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 be nothing
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 that can stop
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 us from
00:10:36 --> 00:10:36 gathering
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 together
00:10:37 --> 00:10:37 and praising
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 God.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 Two passages
00:10:41 --> 00:10:41 from Revelation
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 continue to
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 paint what
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 this everlasting
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 life will look
00:10:45 --> 00:10:45 like.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 Revelation
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 21 shows us
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 John's vision
00:10:49 --> 00:10:49 of heaven
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 and God
00:10:50 --> 00:10:50 shows him
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 and from
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 verse 3
00:10:52 --> 00:10:52 it says
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 I heard a loud
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 voice from
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 the throne
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 saying
00:10:56 --> 00:10:56 look
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 God's dwelling
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 place is now
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 among the people
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 and he will
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 dwell with them
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 they will be
00:11:03 --> 00:11:03 his people
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 and God
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 himself will be
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 with them
00:11:06 --> 00:11:06 and be their
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 God.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 He will wipe
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 every tear
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 from their
00:11:10 --> 00:11:10 lives
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 for there will
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 be no more
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 death
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 or mourning
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 or crying
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 or pain.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 The old
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 order of things
00:11:18 --> 00:11:18 has passed
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 away.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 God himself
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 will dwell
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 with us
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 in heaven.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:24 God has
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 destroyed
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 the old
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 order of
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 things.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:27 There will
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 be no more
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 pain or tears
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 but God
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 himself will
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 be with us.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 John continues
00:11:34 --> 00:11:34 painting his
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 picture of
00:11:35 --> 00:11:35 heaven in
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 verse 18
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 the wall
00:11:38 --> 00:11:38 was made
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 of jasper
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 and the
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 city of
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 pure gold
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 as pure
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 as glass.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 The foundation
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 of the city
00:11:46 --> 00:11:46 walls were
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 decorated with
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 every kind
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 of precious
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 stone.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 The first
00:11:51 --> 00:11:51 foundation
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 was jasper
00:11:52 --> 00:11:52 the second
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 sapphire
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 the third
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 agate
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 the fourth
00:11:56 --> 00:11:56 emerald
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 the fifth
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 onyx
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 the sixth
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 ruby
00:11:59 --> 00:11:59 the seventh
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 chrysolite
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 the eighth
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 beryl
00:12:02 --> 00:12:02 the ninth
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 topaz
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 the tenth
00:12:04 --> 00:12:04 turquoise
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 the eleventh
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 jesson
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 and the twelfth
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 amethyst.
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 The twelve
00:12:09 --> 00:12:09 gates
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 the twelve
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 pearls
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 each gate
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 made
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 of a single
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 pearl.
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 The great
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 streak of the
00:12:16 --> 00:12:16 city was
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 of pure
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 gold
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 as pure
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 as translucent
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 glass.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:21 This is just
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 an amazing
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 picture of
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 luxury and
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 decadence of
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 what the city
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 of God is
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 going to look
00:12:28 --> 00:12:28 like.
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 I love the
00:12:30 --> 00:12:30 picture of the
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 street of gold
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 it's like it's
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 polished so
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 much that it's
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 translucent and
00:12:36 --> 00:12:36 see-through.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 This is a
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 picture of the
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 greatest city
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 ever where you
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 can even put
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 precious stones
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 in the wall
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 without fear of
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 them being
00:12:46 --> 00:12:46 stolen.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 It's a
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 wonderful picture
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 of our
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 everlasting
00:12:51 --> 00:12:51 future.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 God has
00:12:53 --> 00:12:55 spared no
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 expense to
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 prepare it for
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 us by
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 sacrificing his
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 own son so
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 that we can go
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 to a city
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 covered in
00:13:02 --> 00:13:02 jewels and
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 riches that
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 is not filled
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 with fear and
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 uncertainty and
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 tiredness and
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 fatigue from
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 trying to figure
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 out how to
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 work from home,
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 how to do
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 homeschool,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 how to try
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 and get enough
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 food that you
00:13:14 --> 00:13:14 need with
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 restrictions on
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 food all at
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 the same time.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 Revelation lifts
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 our eyes to a
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 picture of a
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 better city.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 A city that is
00:13:24 --> 00:13:24 better than
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 Sydney, better
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 than any in
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 the world.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 Hebrews 13
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 calls us to
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 look to this
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 city because it
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 is better than
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 the one living
00:13:35 --> 00:13:35 in.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 I don't think
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 we do this
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 nearly enough.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 I don't think
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 we look to our
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 future hope, to
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 this city that
00:13:42 --> 00:13:42 we will be in
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 enough.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 We don't look
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 to this
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 heavenly city
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 and spend
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 enough time
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 thinking about
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 what everlasting
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 life will look
00:13:50 --> 00:13:50 like.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 Colossians
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 chapter 3
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 that was read
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 for us says
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 since then
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 you have been
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 raised with
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 Christ.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 Set your
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 hearts on
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 things above
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 where Christ
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 is, seated
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 at the right
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 hand of God.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 Set your mind
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 on things above,
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 not on earthly
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 things.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 for you
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 died and
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 your life
00:14:13 --> 00:14:13 is now
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 hidden with
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 Christ
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 your God.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 That is
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 where our
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 life is.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 We have
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 been raised
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 with Christ
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 and now
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 our life
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 is hidden
00:14:22 --> 00:14:22 with God.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 It is not
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 this temporary
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 life.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 We are here
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 but for a
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 moment.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 We will be
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 there with
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 God for
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 eternity.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 And so
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 we should fix
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 our minds
00:14:36 --> 00:14:36 on it.
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 as Paul
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 has said.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 Fix our
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 minds on it.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:39 We should
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 get excited
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 for it.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 We should
00:14:41 --> 00:14:41 long for it
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 and not
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 hold too
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 tightly to
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 this life
00:14:45 --> 00:14:45 here.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 The
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 Barnett family,
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 we have been
00:14:50 --> 00:14:50 here in St.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:50 Paul's for
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 nearly two
00:14:51 --> 00:14:51 years.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 We are
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 coming up
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 to our
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 second
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 anniversary.
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 And I
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 remember once
00:14:56 --> 00:14:56 it was
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 announced that
00:14:57 --> 00:14:57 we were
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 rejoining
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 St.
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 Paul's
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 family and
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 leaving
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 our
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 family.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 I
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 remember
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 getting
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 very excited.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 I was
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 looking forward
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 to working
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 with the
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 team here
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 of St.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 Paul's,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 looking forward
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 to rejoining
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 family.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 I was
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 looking forward
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 to working
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 with Steve
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 again.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 And I
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 remember
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 doing so much
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 planning and
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 preparation.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 One of the
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 things I
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 really love
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 to do
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 is I
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 would draw
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 the shape
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 of the
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 house and
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 then I
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 would draw
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 where the
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 furniture is
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 going to
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 fit in and
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 I would
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 plan how
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 the house
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 is going
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 to look.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 When we
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 had a
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 day off
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 we'd
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 measure up
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 things in
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 the house
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 we'd
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 call in
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 on the
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 team and
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 see how
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 everything
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 was going.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 My
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 future
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 was never
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 far from
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 my mind.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 I was
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 living and
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 planning for
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 that future
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 day to
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 come when
00:15:47 --> 00:15:47 we would
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 come to
00:15:48 --> 00:15:48 our new
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 home.
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 This is
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 what we
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 are meant
00:15:52 --> 00:15:52 to be
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 doing.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 To be
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 looking forward
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 to the
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 day when
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 we come
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 to our
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 home.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 For us
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 we need to
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 be setting
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 our mind
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 on what
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 is to
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 come.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 What is
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 above.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 I can't
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 wait to
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 see my
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 grandmother
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 again.
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 To see
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 many loved
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 ones.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 To never
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 be in
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 pain.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 To be in
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 a city of
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 such wonder
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 and security
00:16:16 --> 00:16:16 that God
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 has placed
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 precious stones
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 in the
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 walls.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 I am
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 excited to
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 see all
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 that God
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 has prepared
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 for us.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 Because our
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 everlasting life,
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 our future
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 will be
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 a place
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 of more.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 It is
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 more than
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 we can
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 imagine.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 It is
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 more joy,
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 more goodness,
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 more purity.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 Everything we
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 think is good
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 will either be
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 amplified or
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 it will be
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 replaced with
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 something even
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 better,
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 something
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 transcendent.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 It will be a
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 place of the
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 highest joys
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 and the
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 deepest and
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 most satisfying
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 pleasures.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:58 so we
00:16:58 --> 00:16:58 should set
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 our minds
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 on.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 And then
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 there is
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 our God.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 We will
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 know God
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 for eternity.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 We will
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 get to speak
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 with him and
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 ask him our
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 questions.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 We will
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 get to praise
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 him for his
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 grace and
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 kindness and
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 love to us.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 We will be
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 there with our
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 brother and
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 saviour Jesus
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 and we can
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 thank him and
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 praise him for
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 all that he
00:17:21 --> 00:17:21 has done for
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 us.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 As I
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 mentioned,
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 it was my
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 birthday on
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 Wednesday.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 Today,
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 April 5th,
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 is Micah's
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 birthday.
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 He turned
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 three today.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:34 And one of
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 his grandmothers
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 sent him some
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 birthday presents
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 in the mail.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 And he was
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 really excited to
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 open those up.
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 He opened those
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 up while his
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 grandmother was
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 on FaceTime.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 So she could
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 see his
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 excitement for
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 those presents.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 And those
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 presents were
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 great.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 But how much
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 better will it
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 be when Micah
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 and his
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 grandmother are
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 reunited?
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 And they
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 can hug.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 He can hug
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 his grandmother
00:17:58 --> 00:17:58 and say,
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 thank you.
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 God has
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 so many good
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 things waiting
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 for us in
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 heaven.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 But how much
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 better will it
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 be that we
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 get God
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 himself?
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 As we come
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 to the end
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 of the Apostles
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 Creed, it
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 ends with an
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 absolute bang.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 We have
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 declared what
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 we have
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 believed,
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 what we
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 continue to
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 believe about
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 God, our
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 Father, that
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 he is almighty
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 and he created
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 the heavens and
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 the earth.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 We declare what
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 we believe about
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 Jesus, his
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 son, our
00:18:32 --> 00:18:32 Lord, who was
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 conceived by the
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 Holy Spirit, born
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 of the Virgin
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 Mary, that he
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 suffered even
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 though he was
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 innocent and
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 was crucified,
00:18:42 --> 00:18:42 died and was
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 buried.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 He suffered
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 hell for us.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 Yet he was
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 raised from the
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 dead, he
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 ascended into
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 heaven and
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 now he sits
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 at the right
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 hand of God
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 on the throne
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 above all
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 thrones with
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 the name of
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 all names.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 And we
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 believe that
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 he is coming
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 back to judge
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 the living and
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 the dead.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 And we
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 believe in the
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 Holy Spirit
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 who has made
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 us a church,
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 who has united
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 us together,
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 even though we
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 are divided,
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 united us
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 together to
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 treasure Jesus
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 together.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 He has brought
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 forgiveness from
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 our sins and
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 he will one
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 day raise
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 us from the
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 dead, just
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 like Jesus.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 And we
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 will live our
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 life with God
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 for eternity.
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 This creed
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 doesn't exhaust
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 all that there
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 is to say
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 about the
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 Christian faith.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 But Christians
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 have declared
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 this boldly for
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 centuries, in
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 the face of
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 opposition, in
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 the face of
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 death and
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 plague.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 We take our
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 place with all
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 of our brothers
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 and sisters
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 declaring what
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 we believe
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 about our
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 God as we
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 follow him.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 The creed
00:19:55 --> 00:19:58 starts with
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 our God who
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 has created
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 and ends
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 with the hope
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 that we have
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 in what God
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 has created
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 for us, the
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 new heavens.
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 So right
00:20:08 --> 00:20:10 now, it is
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 easy for us
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 to have our
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 eyes set on
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 when the lockdown
00:20:13 --> 00:20:15 ends, whether
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 that's July 1st
00:20:16 --> 00:20:16 or some other
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 time, when
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 this is all
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 over and
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 life can feel
00:20:20 --> 00:20:20 like it goes
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 back to normal,
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 we can go back
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 to work and
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 school and go
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 outside and go
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 to shops and
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 restaurants again,
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 but it won't
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 be satisfied.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 It will be
00:20:31 --> 00:20:34 better, but a
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 normal life here
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 is not all that
00:20:36 --> 00:20:38 God has for us.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 And if we are
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 just yearning for
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 life to go back
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 to normal, we
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 will be let
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 down.
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 God has
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 something far
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 better in
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 store for us
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 that we can
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 be setting our
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 eyes on.
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 A day that is
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 worth yearning
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 for and looking
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 to.
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 A day that
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 will satisfy.
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 A life lived
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 for eternity,
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 in God.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 Let me pray
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 for us.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 Heavenly Father,
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 we thank you so
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 much for the
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 Apostles' Creed
00:21:08 --> 00:21:10 that we can
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 declare what we
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 believe about
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 what you have
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 done for us
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 and who you
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 are.
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 Heavenly Father,
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 help us to
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 set our eyes
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 on things
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 above.
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 Help us to
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 set our eyes
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 on the
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 resurrection hope
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 that we have,
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 that we get to
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 be with you
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 forever.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 Lord, as we
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 live our lives
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 waiting for that
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 day, unsure of
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 what tomorrow
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 will look like,
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 Father, help us
00:21:38 --> 00:21:40 to place our
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 anxieties and
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 worries before
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 you and help
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 grow our trust
00:21:45 --> 00:21:47 in you as the
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 God who is
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 sovereign over
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 all things,
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 all plagues and
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 disease.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 And help us to
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 know and to
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 long for the
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 day that we
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 will see you
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 face to face
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 and be with you
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 for eternity.
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 And we pray
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 this in your
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 Son's name,
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 for your
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 glory.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 Amen.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 Amen.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 Amen.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 Amen.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 Amen.