1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,140 Well, please open your Bibles at 1 Corinthians 1 2 00:00:04,140 –> 00:00:06,220 as we come to the last of our series today, 3 00:00:06,220 –> 00:00:10,720 entitled What Can God Do With a Cross. 4 00:00:10,720 –> 00:00:13,220 Here we are surrounded by the pressures of business, 5 00:00:13,220 –> 00:00:16,879 tensions in the home, conflict all around. 6 00:00:16,879 –> 00:00:18,480 Sometimes, it’s hard for us to see 7 00:00:18,480 –> 00:00:21,600 what does the cross have to do 8 00:00:21,600 –> 00:00:23,799 with the practicalities of my life? 9 00:00:23,799 –> 00:00:26,639 How can it really be relevant? 10 00:00:26,639 –> 00:00:28,080 Well, we’ve been looking at this letter 11 00:00:28,100 –> 00:00:30,480 of 1 Corinthians for some answers. 12 00:00:30,480 –> 00:00:33,660 Paul is writing here to an early group of believers 13 00:00:33,660 –> 00:00:35,860 who are facing all kinds of practical problems, 14 00:00:35,860 –> 00:00:38,740 financial, sexual, marital, and so forth, 15 00:00:38,740 –> 00:00:41,360 problems over legalism, license, litigation. 16 00:00:41,360 –> 00:00:43,520 It’s all here in 1 Corinthians, 17 00:00:43,520 –> 00:00:46,360 and here, we’re discovering the fascinating thing 18 00:00:46,360 –> 00:00:50,160 that the apostle says the place you have to begin 19 00:00:50,160 –> 00:00:52,639 with all of these problems 20 00:00:52,639 –> 00:00:56,080 is in the cross of Jesus Christ. 21 00:00:56,400 –> 00:00:58,720 Over these last weeks, we’ve been discovering together 22 00:00:58,720 –> 00:01:01,139 why that is the case. 23 00:01:01,139 –> 00:01:03,139 We started by looking at what God can do 24 00:01:03,139 –> 00:01:06,099 with a cross in the realm of relationships. 25 00:01:06,099 –> 00:01:10,000 This is how God builds community through the cross. 26 00:01:10,000 –> 00:01:12,160 We saw that the world has a dream 27 00:01:12,160 –> 00:01:15,019 of people living in harmony and unity together, 28 00:01:15,019 –> 00:01:17,800 but the world cannot achieve this dream. 29 00:01:17,800 –> 00:01:20,839 We want to see the walls that divide people brought down, 30 00:01:20,839 –> 00:01:23,260 but over history, it simply doesn’t happen. 31 00:01:23,260 –> 00:01:24,559 We make some progress, 32 00:01:24,599 –> 00:01:26,839 and then we’re back where we started again. 33 00:01:28,160 –> 00:01:30,919 But we’re discovering that what the world cannot do 34 00:01:30,919 –> 00:01:34,320 by its own effort, God does by a cross. 35 00:01:34,320 –> 00:01:37,519 This is how He reconciles men and women to Himself, 36 00:01:37,519 –> 00:01:40,760 this is how He reconciles men and women to one another, 37 00:01:40,760 –> 00:01:44,919 and this is how He does it for all eternity. 38 00:01:44,919 –> 00:01:46,599 Then last week we saw what God can do 39 00:01:46,599 –> 00:01:48,500 in the realm of behavior. 40 00:01:48,500 –> 00:01:51,879 Through the cross, God empowers us 41 00:01:51,900 –> 00:01:53,940 to move in a new direction 42 00:01:53,940 –> 00:01:57,180 that will lead us to a new destiny. 43 00:01:57,180 –> 00:01:59,620 To us who are being saved, 44 00:01:59,620 –> 00:02:03,279 the cross is the power of God, being saved. 45 00:02:04,300 –> 00:02:07,459 So we are on the way of salvation, 46 00:02:07,459 –> 00:02:11,500 we are not there, we have not arrived yet. 47 00:02:11,500 –> 00:02:15,580 That is why our motivations are not yet completely pure, 48 00:02:15,580 –> 00:02:17,820 our love is not yet completely selfless, 49 00:02:17,820 –> 00:02:21,380 we do not have complete integrity, purity or contentment, 50 00:02:21,380 –> 00:02:23,220 we do not have complete peace, 51 00:02:23,220 –> 00:02:26,179 we do not have total victory over sin. 52 00:02:26,179 –> 00:02:28,580 None of these things are complete in us, 53 00:02:28,580 –> 00:02:30,979 but all of them are begun. 54 00:02:30,979 –> 00:02:33,899 We bear the scars of the old life still, 55 00:02:33,899 –> 00:02:35,660 but we have begun to produce 56 00:02:35,660 –> 00:02:37,259 the fruit of the new life already, 57 00:02:37,259 –> 00:02:40,460 we are being saved as we follow Christ 58 00:02:40,460 –> 00:02:43,220 on the path of obedience. 59 00:02:43,220 –> 00:02:44,779 Now, this is very important, 60 00:02:46,259 –> 00:02:49,380 the cross is more than a means 61 00:02:49,380 –> 00:02:51,639 to a safe eternity in the future, 62 00:02:52,679 –> 00:02:57,300 it is the power for a changed life for you and me now, 63 00:02:58,179 –> 00:02:59,860 that’s the relevance of the cross. 64 00:03:01,139 –> 00:03:04,020 If you think, as many among us I fear, 65 00:03:04,020 –> 00:03:08,520 have got the idea that the cross is simply the way 66 00:03:08,520 –> 00:03:11,300 in which God opens a future home in heaven, 67 00:03:11,300 –> 00:03:13,100 if that’s all you’ve grasped 68 00:03:14,059 –> 00:03:15,539 then you will think of the cross 69 00:03:15,539 –> 00:03:18,259 in much the same way as I think of my pension 70 00:03:19,580 –> 00:03:24,139 I’m not yet 50 years old, I’m glad I have a pension, 71 00:03:25,440 –> 00:03:29,600 I don’t need it now, I know I’ll need it one day 72 00:03:30,979 –> 00:03:32,940 and that’s how I look at my pension, 73 00:03:33,820 –> 00:03:37,580 great for the future, not much relevance now 74 00:03:39,059 –> 00:03:41,380 From time to time I do think I should put more 75 00:03:41,380 –> 00:03:45,580 into my pension but if I do, I do it with a sense 76 00:03:45,660 –> 00:03:49,559 of duty rather than joy, I think to myself 77 00:03:49,559 –> 00:03:51,580 I have kids in college, I have other demands 78 00:03:51,580 –> 00:03:53,539 that are more interesting things to do 79 00:03:54,539 –> 00:03:57,339 but I do these things out of a sense of responsibility 80 00:03:57,339 –> 00:04:01,199 you see and I say to myself, I guess one day 81 00:04:01,199 –> 00:04:03,179 I’ll be glad that I did this 82 00:04:03,179 –> 00:04:05,479 but I really wish I didn’t have to do it now. 83 00:04:06,860 –> 00:04:08,699 I see some of you are nodding and saying yes, 84 00:04:08,699 –> 00:04:13,380 one day you will but you see that’s how many people 85 00:04:13,380 –> 00:04:15,399 see their faith in Christ, 86 00:04:15,940 –> 00:04:16,940 I’m glad it’s here, 87 00:04:18,380 –> 00:04:20,179 I know I need it, 88 00:04:20,179 –> 00:04:23,179 I know one day I’ll see I need it more than I do now 89 00:04:23,179 –> 00:04:26,260 but right now there’s plenty else going on in my life 90 00:04:26,260 –> 00:04:28,179 so let’s keep it in proportion 91 00:04:31,100 –> 00:04:35,339 but the cross is more than a future entrance into life 92 00:04:35,339 –> 00:04:39,959 Paul says the cross is the dynamic of a changed life now 93 00:04:40,799 –> 00:04:44,320 to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 94 00:04:45,160 –> 00:04:48,320 Now now some of us have not yet grasp this, 95 00:04:49,339 –> 00:04:53,480 we think of the cross as a past decision 96 00:04:53,480 –> 00:04:55,839 that determines a future destiny, 97 00:04:55,839 –> 00:04:58,339 we have not seen its present relevance 98 00:04:58,339 –> 00:04:59,980 which is why we spend most of our lives 99 00:04:59,980 –> 00:05:03,440 running around looking for solutions someplace else. 100 00:05:05,720 –> 00:05:08,600 Christian faith is about our risen Christ 101 00:05:08,600 –> 00:05:11,420 who walks with you and lives in you 102 00:05:11,420 –> 00:05:14,079 so that by the power of his spirit 103 00:05:14,079 –> 00:05:17,320 you may be able to face the great struggles 104 00:05:17,320 –> 00:05:18,820 and tensions of your life. 105 00:05:18,820 –> 00:05:22,200 To us who are being saved, present tense, 106 00:05:22,200 –> 00:05:26,040 the cross is the power of God. 107 00:05:27,619 –> 00:05:30,100 So we’re seeing the relevance of the cross to daily life. 108 00:05:30,100 –> 00:05:31,459 What can God do with a cross? 109 00:05:31,459 –> 00:05:32,940 He can build a community, 110 00:05:32,940 –> 00:05:34,540 he can change direction 111 00:05:34,540 –> 00:05:37,359 that will lead to a different destiny. 112 00:05:37,359 –> 00:05:39,320 And now today we’re going to see the third thing 113 00:05:39,320 –> 00:05:42,640 that, through the cross God creates opportunity. 114 00:05:42,640 –> 00:05:44,420 This is absolutely marvelous. 115 00:05:44,420 –> 00:05:46,119 Through the cross, 116 00:05:46,119 –> 00:05:51,119 God opens the door of hope for every person. 117 00:05:52,700 –> 00:05:54,100 Now I hope you have your Bibles open 118 00:05:54,100 –> 00:05:56,459 at 1 Corinthians in chapter one. 119 00:05:56,459 –> 00:05:57,619 Now I want us to see here 120 00:05:57,619 –> 00:06:01,700 how the Apostle Paul gives us three profiles. 121 00:06:01,700 –> 00:06:03,420 You can grasp the three profiles, 122 00:06:03,420 –> 00:06:07,540 you’ve got the heart of this message today. 123 00:06:07,540 –> 00:06:09,820 First, a profile of ourselves. 124 00:06:09,820 –> 00:06:12,619 Second, a profile of Christ. 125 00:06:12,820 –> 00:06:17,359 And third, a profile of a person who is in Christ. 126 00:06:18,420 –> 00:06:19,619 Hopefully you’ll have your Bible open 127 00:06:19,619 –> 00:06:21,579 so you can see it for yourselves. 128 00:06:23,480 –> 00:06:25,459 First then, a profile of ourselves, 129 00:06:25,459 –> 00:06:27,339 verses 26 to 28. 130 00:06:27,339 –> 00:06:30,679 Paul begins with some honest profiling 131 00:06:30,679 –> 00:06:33,739 of the believers in Corinth. 132 00:06:33,739 –> 00:06:34,579 Look at what he says. 133 00:06:34,579 –> 00:06:38,859 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. 134 00:06:38,859 –> 00:06:42,200 Not many of you were wise by human standards. 135 00:06:42,200 –> 00:06:44,440 Not many were influential. 136 00:06:44,440 –> 00:06:47,980 Not many were of noble birth. 137 00:06:47,980 –> 00:06:50,399 Now this is not a very flattering description. 138 00:06:50,399 –> 00:06:52,040 But I like the honesty of it. 139 00:06:52,880 –> 00:06:55,239 Paul, by the way, would not have done well, would he, 140 00:06:55,239 –> 00:07:00,220 with the kind of preaching that affirms the greatness in you? 141 00:07:00,220 –> 00:07:03,059 He doesn’t seem to go very much down that line, does he? 142 00:07:04,440 –> 00:07:06,440 Notice, by the way, that Paul says, 143 00:07:06,440 –> 00:07:10,040 not many were wise by human standards 144 00:07:10,079 –> 00:07:12,540 or influential of noble birth, 145 00:07:12,540 –> 00:07:16,399 which is not the same as saying not any, he says not many. 146 00:07:16,399 –> 00:07:17,720 Remember, Paul, in a sense, 147 00:07:17,720 –> 00:07:19,920 was an exception to this description. 148 00:07:19,920 –> 00:07:22,459 He was a man of great education himself, 149 00:07:22,459 –> 00:07:27,140 a man of outstanding leadership ability by any criteria. 150 00:07:29,320 –> 00:07:31,559 Reminded, whenever I read this verse, 151 00:07:31,559 –> 00:07:35,019 our family spent many happy vacations 152 00:07:35,019 –> 00:07:38,100 on the grounds of a stately home in Britain 153 00:07:38,100 –> 00:07:42,000 owned by a certain Lady Rose, a baroness, 154 00:07:42,000 –> 00:07:44,320 who is a wonderful Christian lady. 155 00:07:44,320 –> 00:07:46,359 She, of course, was drawn to this verse 156 00:07:46,359 –> 00:07:49,059 that not many were of noble birth. 157 00:07:49,059 –> 00:07:51,059 I remember her saying on more than one occasion, 158 00:07:51,059 –> 00:07:55,059 she says it does say not many. 159 00:07:55,059 –> 00:07:57,660 It doesn’t say not any. 160 00:07:57,660 –> 00:08:00,600 And I’m very thankful for the M. 161 00:08:01,579 –> 00:08:02,420 That’s rather good. 162 00:08:02,420 –> 00:08:03,239 She actually got that, I think, 163 00:08:03,239 –> 00:08:06,880 from the Countess of Huntingdon in the 18th century, 164 00:08:06,899 –> 00:08:08,220 but there we go. 165 00:08:08,220 –> 00:08:12,359 Throughout history, the church has had many people 166 00:08:12,359 –> 00:08:15,920 of great intellect, great power, and great distinction. 167 00:08:15,920 –> 00:08:16,880 They have followed Christ. 168 00:08:16,880 –> 00:08:18,179 They are not excluded. 169 00:08:19,220 –> 00:08:21,920 But Paul’s point is simply that looking at the profile 170 00:08:21,920 –> 00:08:24,079 of these early Christians in Corinth, 171 00:08:24,079 –> 00:08:25,720 you would not find much position, 172 00:08:25,720 –> 00:08:27,000 you would not find much power, 173 00:08:27,000 –> 00:08:29,119 you would not find much privilege. 174 00:08:29,119 –> 00:08:31,079 And the same would be largely true 175 00:08:31,079 –> 00:08:33,880 across the church throughout its history. 176 00:08:34,760 –> 00:08:39,760 Paul then fills out this profile with five descriptions. 177 00:08:40,679 –> 00:08:45,099 God chose the foolish things of this world 178 00:08:45,099 –> 00:08:47,059 to shame the wise. 179 00:08:47,059 –> 00:08:49,719 God chose the weak things of this world 180 00:08:49,719 –> 00:08:51,080 to shame the strong. 181 00:08:52,020 –> 00:08:54,739 God chose the lonely things of this world, 182 00:08:54,739 –> 00:08:59,159 the despised things, the things that are not, 183 00:08:59,159 –> 00:09:02,280 to nullify the things that are. 184 00:09:03,119 –> 00:09:05,359 Now, we’re down to just about 185 00:09:05,359 –> 00:09:08,599 the most unflattering description you can imagine. 186 00:09:09,820 –> 00:09:12,039 Look at these five words. 187 00:09:12,039 –> 00:09:17,039 Foolish, weak, low, despised, nobodies, 188 00:09:22,479 –> 00:09:23,820 things that are not. 189 00:09:25,880 –> 00:09:27,059 It’s quite something for the apostle 190 00:09:27,059 –> 00:09:29,200 to write to a congregation, don’t you think? 191 00:09:30,200 –> 00:09:32,719 Quite for a pastor who’s feeling insecure 192 00:09:32,719 –> 00:09:33,840 about his position. 193 00:09:35,039 –> 00:09:37,179 I want you to think about yourselves. 194 00:09:38,580 –> 00:09:43,580 We’re a group of foolish, weak, low, despised, nobodies. 195 00:09:48,080 –> 00:09:49,400 Don’t wanna have a congregational meeting 196 00:09:49,400 –> 00:09:51,179 the week after that sermon, right? 197 00:09:53,280 –> 00:09:54,479 But that’s what he says. 198 00:09:55,159 –> 00:09:59,200 Can you identify with this profile? 199 00:10:01,119 –> 00:10:02,659 In fact, let me suggest this, 200 00:10:02,659 –> 00:10:05,900 that your reaction to this profile 201 00:10:05,900 –> 00:10:09,380 may be one of the spiritually most revealing things 202 00:10:09,380 –> 00:10:10,200 about you. 203 00:10:12,419 –> 00:10:13,700 Think about its truth. 204 00:10:15,000 –> 00:10:17,719 The most brilliant person in this congregation, 205 00:10:17,719 –> 00:10:19,679 or indeed the most brilliant person in the world 206 00:10:19,679 –> 00:10:21,400 cannot begin to fathom the mysteries 207 00:10:21,400 –> 00:10:22,880 of life or of the universe. 208 00:10:24,840 –> 00:10:27,799 The most able athlete in high school 209 00:10:27,799 –> 00:10:29,159 or in college right now 210 00:10:29,159 –> 00:10:32,000 will within a few years be hobbling around with arthritis 211 00:10:32,000 –> 00:10:33,859 or some other similar kind of ailment. 212 00:10:35,440 –> 00:10:37,440 The most prominent person among us 213 00:10:37,440 –> 00:10:40,460 will be completely forgotten within three generations, 214 00:10:41,880 –> 00:10:43,280 less than a hundred years. 215 00:10:44,280 –> 00:10:45,340 Nobody will know you. 216 00:10:47,099 –> 00:10:49,359 Listen to these words of Isaiah, the Prophet. 217 00:10:49,960 –> 00:10:54,000 All men are like grass. 218 00:10:54,000 –> 00:10:57,159 That’s another pretty unflattering description, isn’t it? 219 00:10:58,119 –> 00:11:00,760 All their glory is like the flowers of the field, 220 00:11:00,760 –> 00:11:03,000 the grass withers and the flowers fall 221 00:11:03,000 –> 00:11:06,580 because the breath of the Lord blows upon them. 222 00:11:06,580 –> 00:11:09,239 No, I don’t think Isaiah would have done too well 223 00:11:09,239 –> 00:11:10,580 with the kind of preaching 224 00:11:10,580 –> 00:11:13,479 that affirms the greatness in you either. 225 00:11:14,760 –> 00:11:15,599 Foolish, 226 00:11:16,599 –> 00:11:19,000 weak, low despised, nobody. 227 00:11:20,359 –> 00:11:23,679 The world would certainly agree 228 00:11:23,679 –> 00:11:26,239 with this description of you and me. 229 00:11:26,239 –> 00:11:28,679 Let’s think about it, foolish. 230 00:11:28,679 –> 00:11:29,619 If you’re a Christian, 231 00:11:29,619 –> 00:11:32,599 the world will certainly see you as foolish. 232 00:11:32,599 –> 00:11:35,859 How can you possibly believe in a creator 233 00:11:35,859 –> 00:11:38,440 when everybody knows that we all came to be here 234 00:11:38,440 –> 00:11:40,239 by a process of random selection? 235 00:11:41,679 –> 00:11:44,080 How can you possibly believe that the Bible 236 00:11:44,080 –> 00:11:46,239 is the uniquely inspired word of God 237 00:11:46,239 –> 00:11:48,280 when everyone knows that these are just the writings 238 00:11:48,380 –> 00:11:50,460 of religious men who were conditioned 239 00:11:50,460 –> 00:11:52,020 by their own time and culture? 240 00:11:53,280 –> 00:11:55,440 How can you really believe that Jesus Christ 241 00:11:55,440 –> 00:11:56,679 is the way, the truth and the life 242 00:11:56,679 –> 00:11:59,359 when everyone knows that we live in a pluralistic world 243 00:11:59,359 –> 00:12:00,739 where everyone has some of the truth 244 00:12:00,739 –> 00:12:02,080 and nobody has all of it? 245 00:12:03,119 –> 00:12:05,299 It’s foolish is what the world would say. 246 00:12:06,719 –> 00:12:07,700 What about weak? 247 00:12:09,340 –> 00:12:10,820 How often have you heard the world pity 248 00:12:10,820 –> 00:12:14,359 a Christian believer as weak with a jibe like this? 249 00:12:14,419 –> 00:12:17,739 Well religion, yes, it’s a crutch for weak people. 250 00:12:19,460 –> 00:12:21,599 That’s how the world perceives it. 251 00:12:21,599 –> 00:12:22,440 Low. 252 00:12:23,880 –> 00:12:26,200 You’re Christian in high school, 253 00:12:26,200 –> 00:12:28,539 how uncool is that? 254 00:12:31,440 –> 00:12:32,479 Despised. 255 00:12:33,919 –> 00:12:37,119 If you are a Christian in America today, 256 00:12:37,119 –> 00:12:39,359 there will be many who will assume 257 00:12:40,460 –> 00:12:43,500 that you are a hate filled bigot. 258 00:12:44,619 –> 00:12:46,719 Just from the fact that you are a Christian. 259 00:12:46,719 –> 00:12:47,559 Despised. 260 00:12:48,679 –> 00:12:52,039 And nobody, the message that you represent 261 00:12:52,039 –> 00:12:55,719 may be very good as an expression of personal faith, 262 00:12:55,719 –> 00:12:57,599 and of course in this country we’re very glad 263 00:12:57,599 –> 00:12:59,280 that you should be able to express this 264 00:12:59,280 –> 00:13:01,440 in whatever way you feel appropriate in private, 265 00:13:01,440 –> 00:13:02,780 but there is no place for what you 266 00:13:02,780 –> 00:13:04,539 have to say in the public square. 267 00:13:06,200 –> 00:13:07,400 Your message is nothing. 268 00:13:09,599 –> 00:13:11,400 Sometimes, of course, it’s not just the world, 269 00:13:11,400 –> 00:13:14,159 sometimes we catch a glimpse of it ourselves. 270 00:13:14,159 –> 00:13:15,580 You ever felt foolish? 271 00:13:17,299 –> 00:13:20,200 Surrounded by more questions than answers? 272 00:13:22,479 –> 00:13:25,599 Not really knowing the way to navigate through life. 273 00:13:25,599 –> 00:13:27,000 Where to turn from here? 274 00:13:29,200 –> 00:13:31,260 Feeling embarrassed, even outclassed 275 00:13:31,260 –> 00:13:33,340 by the gifts of other people around you? 276 00:13:34,599 –> 00:13:35,739 Ever felt weak? 277 00:13:37,359 –> 00:13:39,140 Don’t know how to handle what I’m being asked 278 00:13:39,140 –> 00:13:41,520 to do right now, I feel absolutely overwhelmed. 279 00:13:41,520 –> 00:13:44,039 I am facing temptations that I just do not know 280 00:13:44,039 –> 00:13:45,840 how to overcome. 281 00:13:45,840 –> 00:13:47,400 Been like that for some years. 282 00:13:49,640 –> 00:13:51,239 You know what it is to feel low? 283 00:13:53,020 –> 00:13:54,479 Do I really matter to anybody? 284 00:13:56,020 –> 00:13:58,200 Will anybody really miss me when I’m gone? 285 00:13:58,200 –> 00:14:01,460 Nothing I do really seems to make much difference. 286 00:14:02,780 –> 00:14:04,159 Ever felt despised? 287 00:14:05,559 –> 00:14:06,799 Why don’t people like me? 288 00:14:07,859 –> 00:14:09,700 Feels like the whole world’s against me. 289 00:14:09,700 –> 00:14:11,559 I wish I wasn’t the way I am. 290 00:14:12,559 –> 00:14:15,340 Maybe you know what it is to feel like a nobody. 291 00:14:16,340 –> 00:14:17,820 What difference do I make in the world? 292 00:14:17,820 –> 00:14:18,820 What have I ever achieved 293 00:14:18,820 –> 00:14:20,419 that will have lasting significance? 294 00:14:20,419 –> 00:14:21,619 Nobody listens to what I say, 295 00:14:21,619 –> 00:14:22,940 nobody cares what I do. 296 00:14:24,940 –> 00:14:27,960 Now, these are very, very real questions. 297 00:14:29,219 –> 00:14:31,099 They’re the questions of life. 298 00:14:32,820 –> 00:14:35,619 Counselor’s offices are full of them 299 00:14:35,619 –> 00:14:38,340 and pastor’s offices are full of these questions too. 300 00:14:39,320 –> 00:14:42,559 Now how are you gonna answer them? 301 00:14:44,619 –> 00:14:47,840 There are two very distinct ways 302 00:14:47,840 –> 00:14:50,479 of answering these kinds of questions. 303 00:14:51,940 –> 00:14:55,219 One is to deny the profile, 304 00:14:56,900 –> 00:15:00,039 that is to say hey, you’re not a nobody, 305 00:15:00,039 –> 00:15:01,419 you’re a wonderful person. 306 00:15:02,659 –> 00:15:05,919 You have all kinds of hidden, untapped potential within you 307 00:15:06,859 –> 00:15:08,880 and that’s okay. 308 00:15:10,239 –> 00:15:12,359 We all need the ministry of encouragement, 309 00:15:14,159 –> 00:15:15,799 but what I want you to notice today 310 00:15:15,799 –> 00:15:18,960 is that that is precisely what the Apostle Paul 311 00:15:18,960 –> 00:15:21,200 does not do. 312 00:15:21,200 –> 00:15:22,419 He doesn’t go there. 313 00:15:23,500 –> 00:15:25,059 It’s not his chosen path. 314 00:15:27,380 –> 00:15:30,960 The Christian answer to these kinds of questions 315 00:15:30,960 –> 00:15:34,080 is not to deny the profile. 316 00:15:34,979 –> 00:15:37,739 It is to bring in another profile. 317 00:15:38,659 –> 00:15:43,080 And that is the profile of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 318 00:15:43,080 –> 00:15:44,119 Now, follow me with this. 319 00:15:44,119 –> 00:15:45,400 As we go through the Scriptures, 320 00:15:45,400 –> 00:15:47,419 we’re going to something very important here 321 00:15:47,419 –> 00:15:48,679 that goes to the very heart 322 00:15:48,679 –> 00:15:51,059 of how the gospel engages our culture. 323 00:15:51,059 –> 00:15:53,880 What Paul does here is not to deny the profile 324 00:15:53,880 –> 00:15:55,719 that gives rise to these questions. 325 00:15:56,580 –> 00:15:58,340 What he does is to bring in the profile 326 00:15:58,340 –> 00:15:59,419 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 327 00:15:59,419 –> 00:16:01,820 So, look with me what he says in verse 30. 328 00:16:01,979 –> 00:16:05,219 Jesus Christ has become for us wisdom from God, 329 00:16:05,219 –> 00:16:09,380 that is our righteousness, holiness, and our redemption. 330 00:16:10,760 –> 00:16:12,580 Now, what does he mean? 331 00:16:12,580 –> 00:16:16,580 Well, wisdom is what it takes to put your life together. 332 00:16:16,580 –> 00:16:19,340 And he says Jesus Christ is full of it. 333 00:16:19,340 –> 00:16:22,159 In fact, in verse 24, he has already told us 334 00:16:22,159 –> 00:16:26,080 that Christ is the wisdom of God. 335 00:16:26,080 –> 00:16:27,739 So he’s saying, if you want to know 336 00:16:27,739 –> 00:16:30,520 how to put your life together in this confusing world, 337 00:16:30,520 –> 00:16:32,440 you look to Jesus, 338 00:16:32,440 –> 00:16:34,719 and he unpacks what this wisdom of Jesus 339 00:16:34,719 –> 00:16:37,119 is really all about in three ways. 340 00:16:37,119 –> 00:16:39,679 First, he says it’s all about righteousness, 341 00:16:39,679 –> 00:16:41,000 that is, fulfilling everything 342 00:16:41,000 –> 00:16:43,059 that God has called you to do. 343 00:16:43,059 –> 00:16:44,280 That’s what Jesus did. 344 00:16:44,280 –> 00:16:47,059 He completed everything the Father called him to do, 345 00:16:47,059 –> 00:16:48,320 and the Father said of him, 346 00:16:48,320 –> 00:16:51,440 I am well pleased with my son. 347 00:16:52,520 –> 00:16:57,119 Holiness, to be so different from the world 348 00:16:57,119 –> 00:16:59,760 that you make a difference in the world. 349 00:16:59,760 –> 00:17:01,539 That’s what holiness is. 350 00:17:01,539 –> 00:17:03,679 In many ways our lack of holiness 351 00:17:03,679 –> 00:17:04,719 as Christian believers 352 00:17:04,719 –> 00:17:05,560 is one of the reasons 353 00:17:05,560 –> 00:17:07,579 why we don’t make more impact on the world. 354 00:17:07,579 –> 00:17:09,000 The world sees us as pretty much 355 00:17:09,000 –> 00:17:11,839 the same, and too often there is evidence 356 00:17:11,839 –> 00:17:13,319 that that is the case. 357 00:17:13,319 –> 00:17:15,979 But Jesus was never the same. 358 00:17:15,979 –> 00:17:17,719 There was a poise, there was a beauty, 359 00:17:17,719 –> 00:17:19,959 there was a purity about his life 360 00:17:19,959 –> 00:17:21,839 that marked him as distinctively different 361 00:17:21,839 –> 00:17:23,160 from the world around him. 362 00:17:23,160 –> 00:17:25,000 There was a compassion in him 363 00:17:25,000 –> 00:17:27,619 that was not seen in those who were around him. 364 00:17:28,619 –> 00:17:31,459 And so his presence lifts the world 365 00:17:31,459 –> 00:17:33,380 because he’s different from the world. 366 00:17:34,900 –> 00:17:37,979 Righteousness, holiness, redemption. 367 00:17:37,979 –> 00:17:40,099 That is he faced the full force 368 00:17:40,099 –> 00:17:42,619 of Satan’s temptation and power. 369 00:17:42,619 –> 00:17:45,459 He overcame it and therefore he is the one 370 00:17:45,459 –> 00:17:46,660 who is able to help 371 00:17:46,660 –> 00:17:49,359 those who struggle and are tempted. 372 00:17:49,359 –> 00:17:50,699 He is the redeemer. 373 00:17:50,699 –> 00:17:52,140 That is he is the one who is able 374 00:17:52,140 –> 00:17:53,660 to set prisoners free, 375 00:17:53,660 –> 00:17:55,839 enabling us to overcome the pool 376 00:17:55,880 –> 00:17:59,959 of sins and habits that have held us in their grip. 377 00:17:59,959 –> 00:18:01,680 That is the teaching of Paul here. 378 00:18:02,599 –> 00:18:03,439 Now, what happened? 379 00:18:03,439 –> 00:18:05,719 This Jesus, this Jesus, 380 00:18:05,719 –> 00:18:07,819 who is wisdom and righteousness 381 00:18:07,819 –> 00:18:09,739 and holiness and redemption. 382 00:18:09,739 –> 00:18:11,300 He came into the world 383 00:18:12,239 –> 00:18:14,199 and the world did not receive him. 384 00:18:14,199 –> 00:18:16,719 In fact, the world regarded him 385 00:18:16,719 –> 00:18:21,719 as foolish, weak, low, despised, a nobody. 386 00:18:21,800 –> 00:18:24,400 A nobody, they decided that he was worthy 387 00:18:24,400 –> 00:18:26,640 of death on a cross. 388 00:18:26,640 –> 00:18:28,880 That is why they scourged him, spat on him, 389 00:18:28,880 –> 00:18:31,560 mocked him, placed a crown of thorns upon his head, 390 00:18:31,560 –> 00:18:35,719 crucified him, took his body and laid him in a tomb. 391 00:18:35,719 –> 00:18:37,140 And what happened next? 392 00:18:38,959 –> 00:18:42,319 On the third day, the tomb is empty. 393 00:18:43,599 –> 00:18:46,160 He is appearing to people all over Jerusalem 394 00:18:46,160 –> 00:18:48,359 inviting a man who doubts to touch the place 395 00:18:48,359 –> 00:18:50,520 where the nails pierced his hands. 396 00:18:50,520 –> 00:18:53,199 He is then later walking on a beach in Galilee, 397 00:18:53,199 –> 00:18:55,099 he is having breakfast with his friends. 398 00:18:55,099 –> 00:18:55,939 Why? 399 00:18:55,939 –> 00:18:59,880 Because you cannot kill the life of God. 400 00:19:01,719 –> 00:19:04,319 He lives in the power of an eternal life 401 00:19:04,319 –> 00:19:07,219 and no one can take that life from him. 402 00:19:07,219 –> 00:19:12,219 Now, what if that life were to be imparted to you? 403 00:19:15,199 –> 00:19:16,300 See what he’s doing? 404 00:19:17,300 –> 00:19:20,839 He paints the profile of the human condition, 405 00:19:22,380 –> 00:19:24,339 and when you face the problems 406 00:19:24,339 –> 00:19:26,300 that come from the human condition, 407 00:19:26,300 –> 00:19:29,300 the answer is not to deny the profile, 408 00:19:29,300 –> 00:19:30,660 it’s not to do a U-turn and say, 409 00:19:30,660 –> 00:19:32,160 well, we don’t believe all these things 410 00:19:32,160 –> 00:19:33,140 that we just said anyway, 411 00:19:33,140 –> 00:19:35,260 and really, you’re a very, very wonderful person 412 00:19:35,260 –> 00:19:36,239 and all of that. 413 00:19:37,739 –> 00:19:40,420 No, what he does is he brings the profile 414 00:19:40,420 –> 00:19:42,859 of Jesus Christ alongside and he says, 415 00:19:42,859 –> 00:19:45,699 now, what if there could be an intersection 416 00:19:45,780 –> 00:19:46,760 of these two? 417 00:19:48,140 –> 00:19:49,900 So let’s move to the third profile, 418 00:19:51,160 –> 00:19:53,479 the profile of ourselves, 419 00:19:53,479 –> 00:19:56,319 the profile of Jesus Christ. 420 00:19:56,319 –> 00:20:00,060 Thirdly, at the very heart of Paul’s message here, 421 00:20:00,060 –> 00:20:03,819 a profile of a person in Christ. 422 00:20:03,819 –> 00:20:05,619 Look at what he says in verse 30. 423 00:20:05,619 –> 00:20:08,300 It is because of him, that is, God the Father, 424 00:20:08,300 –> 00:20:11,880 that you are in Christ Jesus. 425 00:20:11,880 –> 00:20:12,819 Think of that. 426 00:20:12,819 –> 00:20:16,219 You, in Christ Jesus. 427 00:20:16,219 –> 00:20:17,319 It’s staggering. 428 00:20:18,260 –> 00:20:22,640 You, foolish, weak, low-despised nobody, 429 00:20:22,640 –> 00:20:25,020 in Christ Jesus. 430 00:20:25,020 –> 00:20:27,739 The wisdom from God, righteousness, holiness, 431 00:20:27,739 –> 00:20:28,819 and Redemption. 432 00:20:30,439 –> 00:20:31,739 What would it be like 433 00:20:34,260 –> 00:20:35,959 if you, and little old me, 434 00:20:37,380 –> 00:20:40,959 were in Christ Jesus? 435 00:20:41,560 –> 00:20:43,859 This is the staggering thing 436 00:20:43,859 –> 00:20:45,939 that is made possible by the cross. 437 00:20:47,560 –> 00:20:48,599 Or to put it another way, 438 00:20:48,599 –> 00:20:53,599 what would it be like if the spirit of Jesus lived in you? 439 00:20:56,199 –> 00:21:00,459 See, this is precisely what is promised in the gospel. 440 00:21:02,199 –> 00:21:04,979 Some of us have the idea that it’s ticket to Heaven, 441 00:21:04,979 –> 00:21:06,420 a sign off on a creed. 442 00:21:06,420 –> 00:21:07,900 We’ve not grasped this, 443 00:21:07,900 –> 00:21:09,520 so we don’t know the life of it. 444 00:21:11,500 –> 00:21:13,420 That the risen Lord Jesus Christ 445 00:21:13,420 –> 00:21:14,719 will come by His spirit 446 00:21:14,719 –> 00:21:18,140 into the life of a foolish, weak, low-despised nobody 447 00:21:18,140 –> 00:21:19,760 like me. 448 00:21:21,839 –> 00:21:22,979 What would it be like? 449 00:21:25,180 –> 00:21:26,479 It be like this. 450 00:21:28,420 –> 00:21:31,819 That despite all the foolish mistakes of my life, 451 00:21:31,819 –> 00:21:32,920 and there are many, 452 00:21:34,260 –> 00:21:37,939 Jesus Christ would enable me to put a life together. 453 00:21:38,920 –> 00:21:41,540 It would mean that despite all the weaknesses 454 00:21:41,540 –> 00:21:44,219 that I know in me and there are many, 455 00:21:45,839 –> 00:21:47,699 Jesus Christ would enable me 456 00:21:47,699 –> 00:21:49,800 to stand and to prevail 457 00:21:51,260 –> 00:21:53,060 in the greatest struggles of my life. 458 00:21:56,199 –> 00:21:57,599 It would mean that at times 459 00:21:57,599 –> 00:22:00,660 when I or you feel desperately low, 460 00:22:00,660 –> 00:22:02,579 you will know that Jesus Christ 461 00:22:02,579 –> 00:22:05,000 has given you an exalted position 462 00:22:05,719 –> 00:22:09,459 and that you are a son or a daughter 463 00:22:09,459 –> 00:22:11,839 of God through his cross. 464 00:22:14,819 –> 00:22:16,819 It will mean that when you are despised 465 00:22:16,819 –> 00:22:18,939 and perhaps when you suffer in this world 466 00:22:18,939 –> 00:22:20,420 on account of the gospel, 467 00:22:20,420 –> 00:22:22,119 you will find strength and hope 468 00:22:22,119 –> 00:22:26,119 in the fact that you share the honor of Jesus 469 00:22:27,880 –> 00:22:31,959 and when you feel insignificant, 470 00:22:31,959 –> 00:22:33,699 forgotten in this world 471 00:22:35,900 –> 00:22:38,540 you will know that you have been bought 472 00:22:38,540 –> 00:22:40,880 by the precious blood of Jesus, 473 00:22:41,959 –> 00:22:45,640 that he has placed a value on you 474 00:22:45,640 –> 00:22:47,900 that you would never have placed on yourself 475 00:22:49,079 –> 00:22:51,119 and the far from being a passing blip 476 00:22:51,119 –> 00:22:52,760 on the screen of eternity, 477 00:22:52,760 –> 00:22:55,280 you are a child of God who is known 478 00:22:55,280 –> 00:22:59,640 and loved by him forever, forever. 479 00:23:01,859 –> 00:23:03,500 You look at this written large 480 00:23:03,500 –> 00:23:05,400 over the history of the whole church. 481 00:23:07,579 –> 00:23:08,599 You read church history. 482 00:23:08,599 –> 00:23:09,699 I love church history. 483 00:23:11,599 –> 00:23:14,640 But boy, is it a story of foolish mistakes, 484 00:23:14,640 –> 00:23:17,040 chronic weakness, setbacks, humiliations, 485 00:23:17,040 –> 00:23:19,420 persecutions, embarrassments. 486 00:23:21,359 –> 00:23:24,219 How come the church has survived? 487 00:23:26,359 –> 00:23:27,900 Because the life of God is inner 488 00:23:27,900 –> 00:23:29,760 and you cannot kill the life of God. 489 00:23:31,560 –> 00:23:33,319 Now focus it down small. 490 00:23:34,439 –> 00:23:37,140 To your life as a Christian believer 491 00:23:37,140 –> 00:23:38,260 look at your own life. 492 00:23:40,040 –> 00:23:41,680 Look at your own foolish mistakes. 493 00:23:41,680 –> 00:23:43,300 Look at your own areas of weakness. 494 00:23:43,300 –> 00:23:45,199 Look at the pressures you have faced 495 00:23:46,680 –> 00:23:49,140 from the world, the flesh and the devil. 496 00:23:49,140 –> 00:23:52,380 How come you have survived as a Christian? 497 00:23:54,560 –> 00:23:56,420 Because the life of God is within you 498 00:23:58,160 –> 00:24:01,619 and you cannot kill the life of God. 499 00:24:04,140 –> 00:24:05,339 What’s going to be the result 500 00:24:05,339 –> 00:24:07,640 of bringing these two profiles together? 501 00:24:08,599 –> 00:24:11,400 That a person like me could find himself 502 00:24:11,400 –> 00:24:14,699 incredibly in Christ Jesus. 503 00:24:16,739 –> 00:24:18,939 Here’s the outcome, look at it in verse 29. 504 00:24:20,099 –> 00:24:25,099 So that no one may boast before him. 505 00:24:25,579 –> 00:24:28,280 Or verse 31, therefore as it is written, 506 00:24:28,280 –> 00:24:33,280 let him who boasts boast in the Lord. 507 00:24:34,479 –> 00:24:36,579 Now you see, here is the distinguishing 508 00:24:36,579 –> 00:24:39,219 mark of a person who is in Christ 509 00:24:39,219 –> 00:24:42,040 and has discovered the reality of the Gospel. 510 00:24:42,040 –> 00:24:46,000 You know that you don’t have anything to boast about. 511 00:24:48,020 –> 00:24:49,579 This is a good litmus test by the way 512 00:24:49,579 –> 00:24:51,540 that you can apply to preaching, 513 00:24:52,479 –> 00:24:57,479 to discern whether it is truly Christian. 514 00:24:57,520 –> 00:24:59,420 And that is something we need to discern today. 515 00:24:59,579 –> 00:25:02,260 There is a great deal of preaching around 516 00:25:02,260 –> 00:25:04,660 that is barely Christian. 517 00:25:05,939 –> 00:25:07,979 Here’s a litmus test that you can use 518 00:25:07,979 –> 00:25:12,819 to discern if preaching that you are hearing is Christian. 519 00:25:12,819 –> 00:25:14,780 Ask this question. 520 00:25:14,780 –> 00:25:19,780 Does it exalt the individual or does it exalt the Savior? 521 00:25:22,099 –> 00:25:25,979 Is the emphasis on what you can do 522 00:25:26,099 –> 00:25:29,640 or is the emphasis on what Christ can do in you? 523 00:25:31,079 –> 00:25:34,260 You see, a great deal of preaching today, 524 00:25:34,260 –> 00:25:37,560 what passes for Christian teaching today in the churches 525 00:25:37,560 –> 00:25:40,819 is little more than the power of positive thinking 526 00:25:40,819 –> 00:25:43,800 sprinkled with occasional references to God. 527 00:25:44,699 –> 00:25:45,640 It’s what it is. 528 00:25:46,699 –> 00:25:48,459 And the problem with this kind of teaching 529 00:25:48,459 –> 00:25:50,900 is that it sounds Christian, 530 00:25:50,900 –> 00:25:55,520 and of course it is immensely attractive to our pride, 531 00:25:55,560 –> 00:25:57,800 but the fruit that it produces 532 00:25:57,800 –> 00:26:00,640 is precisely the opposite of the Gospel. 533 00:26:00,640 –> 00:26:03,060 The result of preaching the greatness in you, 534 00:26:03,060 –> 00:26:06,280 the potential in you is that 535 00:26:06,280 –> 00:26:08,880 many will boast before the Lord. 536 00:26:08,880 –> 00:26:11,560 Many will find new confidence in themselves 537 00:26:11,560 –> 00:26:12,520 and their abilities. 538 00:26:12,520 –> 00:26:14,800 They will speak and think much about themselves 539 00:26:14,800 –> 00:26:15,800 and their achievements, 540 00:26:15,800 –> 00:26:18,839 but think and speak little about Christ. 541 00:26:20,239 –> 00:26:21,439 Now, look at what Paul’s saying. 542 00:26:21,439 –> 00:26:25,560 The preaching of the Gospel does not lead men to boast. 543 00:26:25,560 –> 00:26:28,000 In fact it excludes boasting. 544 00:26:28,000 –> 00:26:30,239 If you’ve understood the profile of yourself 545 00:26:30,239 –> 00:26:32,239 and you’ve understood the profile of Jesus 546 00:26:32,239 –> 00:26:33,719 and the miracle of grace 547 00:26:33,719 –> 00:26:35,459 in which these two have been brought together, 548 00:26:35,459 –> 00:26:37,319 there is no place for boasting 549 00:26:37,319 –> 00:26:40,579 except the praise and worship of His name, 550 00:26:40,579 –> 00:26:42,060 which is what Paul’s talking about 551 00:26:42,060 –> 00:26:44,739 when he says let those who boast, boast in the Lord. 552 00:26:45,719 –> 00:26:48,880 The Gospel humbles sinners 553 00:26:48,880 –> 00:26:51,300 and it exalts the Savior. 554 00:26:51,800 –> 00:26:56,119 God saves us in such a way that no one may boast before Him. 555 00:26:57,979 –> 00:27:01,859 Now, the message that is heard so often today, 556 00:27:03,219 –> 00:27:05,359 struck by thisagain and again. 557 00:27:06,400 –> 00:27:08,540 Watching different brands of religious television. 558 00:27:08,540 –> 00:27:10,880 The message that is heard so often 559 00:27:12,640 –> 00:27:13,979 boils down to this. 560 00:27:15,040 –> 00:27:18,260 In you lies the hope of glory. 561 00:27:19,239 –> 00:27:22,979 In you is the hope of glory. 562 00:27:23,979 –> 00:27:26,219 But that is not the message of the Bible. 563 00:27:27,800 –> 00:27:29,760 The message of the Bible is not 564 00:27:29,760 –> 00:27:32,219 in you lies the hope of glory. 565 00:27:32,219 –> 00:27:33,739 The message of the Bible is what? 566 00:27:33,739 –> 00:27:35,680 It has one word first. 567 00:27:35,680 –> 00:27:39,280 Christ in you is the hope of glory. 568 00:27:40,300 –> 00:27:41,540 You know what we’ve done? 569 00:27:42,839 –> 00:27:44,339 We’ve taken out Christ. 570 00:27:45,300 –> 00:27:50,300 And in taking out Christ, we’ve exalted ourselves. 571 00:27:52,040 –> 00:27:54,439 We end up with a form of Christianity 572 00:27:54,439 –> 00:27:57,099 that rather than being worship before the cross, 573 00:27:57,099 –> 00:27:59,719 the empty tomb of our lord Jesus is marked 574 00:27:59,719 –> 00:28:04,780 by the worst kind of arrogance that the world sees 575 00:28:04,780 –> 00:28:07,239 and says, you’re just like us. 576 00:28:08,579 –> 00:28:09,579 You’re just like us. 577 00:28:11,199 –> 00:28:13,040 Paul has Christ to the very center. 578 00:28:14,979 –> 00:28:16,780 You think that’s just about the most important thing 579 00:28:16,780 –> 00:28:17,819 for the church today? 580 00:28:20,260 –> 00:28:22,859 Our calling is not to flatter the human ego, 581 00:28:22,859 –> 00:28:25,020 but to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. 582 00:28:26,660 –> 00:28:29,060 Our mission is not to repeat the world’s mantra 583 00:28:29,060 –> 00:28:30,359 of flattery and lies. 584 00:28:30,359 –> 00:28:32,900 It is to proclaim the unique glory of Jesus 585 00:28:32,900 –> 00:28:36,300 so that he is lifted up, and as he is lifted up, 586 00:28:36,300 –> 00:28:39,280 men and women in all our weakness and need 587 00:28:39,280 –> 00:28:41,520 may be drawn to him and find in him 588 00:28:41,520 –> 00:28:43,920 what we do not have in ourselves. 589 00:28:45,219 –> 00:28:48,579 And when that happens, there will be humility, 590 00:28:50,239 –> 00:28:51,880 and there will be worship, 591 00:28:53,619 –> 00:28:55,979 and it will not be the worship of ourselves. 592 00:28:55,979 –> 00:28:59,140 It will be the worship of Jesus. 593 00:29:00,680 –> 00:29:01,859 This is the last thing. 594 00:29:02,819 –> 00:29:05,060 The opportunity of being in Christ. 595 00:29:05,060 –> 00:29:06,880 Bring these profiles together. 596 00:29:06,880 –> 00:29:08,979 Think what that experience will be. 597 00:29:08,979 –> 00:29:11,020 Think what the outcome will be. 598 00:29:11,020 –> 00:29:14,099 Think finally with me of the opportunity 599 00:29:14,099 –> 00:29:16,300 of being in Christ. 600 00:29:17,619 –> 00:29:21,060 Paul tells us that God chose 601 00:29:21,060 –> 00:29:25,380 the foolish, weak, low, despised nobodies. 602 00:29:25,380 –> 00:29:26,420 God chose. 603 00:29:27,979 –> 00:29:30,819 Now, of course, some people nearly fall off the pew 604 00:29:30,819 –> 00:29:34,699 with discomfort at the very idea of God choosing anybody. 605 00:29:34,699 –> 00:29:36,959 But Paul states it three times in these verses, 606 00:29:36,959 –> 00:29:38,800 so obviously, we have to take it seriously. 607 00:29:38,800 –> 00:29:40,219 Look at verse 27. 608 00:29:40,339 –> 00:29:42,939 God chose the foolish things of the world 609 00:29:42,939 –> 00:29:45,219 to shame the strong, the wise. 610 00:29:45,219 –> 00:29:47,380 Chose the weak things to shame the strong. 611 00:29:47,380 –> 00:29:48,979 Chose the lowly things of the world, 612 00:29:48,979 –> 00:29:52,140 the despised things to nullify the things that are. 613 00:29:53,060 –> 00:29:55,680 Now, of course, there is great debate among Christians 614 00:29:55,680 –> 00:29:58,359 about this whole matter of God choosing. 615 00:29:58,359 –> 00:30:01,319 Do people come to Christ because they are chosen, 616 00:30:01,319 –> 00:30:03,979 or are they chosen because they come to Christ? 617 00:30:03,979 –> 00:30:06,000 And Christians have looked at the Bible honestly 618 00:30:06,000 –> 00:30:08,180 and have come to different conclusions. 619 00:30:08,199 –> 00:30:10,380 And in the last three minutes, 620 00:30:10,380 –> 00:30:12,400 we’re certainly not going to have 621 00:30:12,400 –> 00:30:15,560 a resolution to that one this morning. 622 00:30:15,560 –> 00:30:17,959 The practical question that obviously arises 623 00:30:17,959 –> 00:30:19,140 here though is this. 624 00:30:20,079 –> 00:30:22,160 If God is choosing people, 625 00:30:23,280 –> 00:30:25,119 how do I know that he’s chosen me? 626 00:30:25,119 –> 00:30:26,119 That’s the question. 627 00:30:28,359 –> 00:30:31,640 And the best answer I’ve ever found and the most helpful 628 00:30:31,640 –> 00:30:34,119 to that question is an illustration 629 00:30:34,119 –> 00:30:37,199 that goes all the way back to Augustine, 630 00:30:37,219 –> 00:30:39,739 a great saint in the fourth, fifth century. 631 00:30:41,040 –> 00:30:46,040 Augustine spoke of Jesus Christ as the mirror of election. 632 00:30:47,180 –> 00:30:50,760 The mirror of election, that was his phrase. 633 00:30:50,760 –> 00:30:53,300 And I find that very helpful, a little mirror here. 634 00:30:54,739 –> 00:30:56,180 If I’m looking in the mirror, 635 00:30:56,180 –> 00:30:57,660 I’m looking in that mirror, right now, 636 00:30:57,660 –> 00:30:59,359 I can see my own face. 637 00:31:00,959 –> 00:31:02,160 I look away from the mirror, 638 00:31:02,160 –> 00:31:04,040 I can no longer see my own face. 639 00:31:04,640 –> 00:31:08,160 I look in the mirror, I see my own face, 640 00:31:09,479 –> 00:31:13,060 I look away from the mirror, I do not see my own face. 641 00:31:13,060 –> 00:31:14,540 Is this simple? 642 00:31:14,540 –> 00:31:17,119 Okay, most common experience? 643 00:31:18,420 –> 00:31:20,900 Now, think of what Augustine is saying. 644 00:31:20,900 –> 00:31:24,599 Christ is the mirror. 645 00:31:26,680 –> 00:31:28,280 If I’m trying to answer the question, 646 00:31:28,280 –> 00:31:31,520 how do I know if I’m chosen by God, scratch my brain, 647 00:31:32,479 –> 00:31:36,939 do a Bible study, I will never in all the world 648 00:31:36,939 –> 00:31:39,020 be able to answer that question. 649 00:31:40,300 –> 00:31:42,199 Because the only way that I can answer it 650 00:31:42,199 –> 00:31:43,780 is to look in the mirror. 651 00:31:44,920 –> 00:31:49,920 When I look to Christ, when I believe 652 00:31:50,280 –> 00:31:55,280 in the Lord Jesus Christ, when I turn towards Jesus Christ, 653 00:31:56,000 –> 00:32:01,000 there I discover that I am, thank God, a child of God. 654 00:32:02,400 –> 00:32:06,900 I look away from Christ, I have no 655 00:32:06,900 –> 00:32:08,699 way in the world of knowing anything. 656 00:32:11,199 –> 00:32:12,859 Now I know that there are a thousand questions 657 00:32:12,859 –> 00:32:14,560 still to be answered beyond that, 658 00:32:16,119 –> 00:32:18,180 but here’s the thing that really matters. 659 00:32:19,359 –> 00:32:22,680 You can look to Jesus Christ who is the mirror today. 660 00:32:24,880 –> 00:32:28,180 You can put your trust in Jesus Christ today. 661 00:32:28,800 –> 00:32:32,020 Some of us will, some of us won’t. 662 00:32:33,119 –> 00:32:35,119 That’s a mystery, I can’t explain to you. 663 00:32:37,380 –> 00:32:39,500 But you can look to Jesus Christ today. 664 00:32:39,500 –> 00:32:42,020 You can put your trust in him today. 665 00:32:42,900 –> 00:32:45,640 You can come to him today and the profiles 666 00:32:45,640 –> 00:32:48,599 will be brought together for you today. 667 00:32:51,380 –> 00:32:53,920 You will not do that, it will not happen of course. 668 00:32:54,880 –> 00:32:57,160 You’ll remain you and Jesus will remain Jesus 669 00:32:57,199 –> 00:32:59,959 and you will not be in Christ and he will not be in you. 670 00:33:02,540 –> 00:33:05,140 But this invitation is open to every person. 671 00:33:05,140 –> 00:33:06,260 Here’s the marvellous thing 672 00:33:06,260 –> 00:33:07,520 that the apostle Paul is saying, 673 00:33:07,520 –> 00:33:10,380 you don’t need to be a genius to come to him. 674 00:33:10,380 –> 00:33:12,000 You don’t need to be strong. 675 00:33:12,839 –> 00:33:14,839 You don’t need to have a great record of achievement. 676 00:33:14,839 –> 00:33:16,640 You don’t have to have got your act together. 677 00:33:16,640 –> 00:33:18,000 You don’t have to be popular. 678 00:33:18,000 –> 00:33:19,920 You don’t have to have made a success of your life 679 00:33:19,920 –> 00:33:21,800 in order to come to Jesus Christ. 680 00:33:23,359 –> 00:33:25,260 By the way, does this mean that the super gifted, 681 00:33:26,020 –> 00:33:28,380 the prominent king and queen are excluded? 682 00:33:28,380 –> 00:33:29,339 No, of course not. 683 00:33:30,260 –> 00:33:32,420 But they must humble themselves, 684 00:33:33,420 –> 00:33:35,020 which is what Jesus meant when he said, 685 00:33:35,020 –> 00:33:36,699 except you come as a little child, 686 00:33:36,699 –> 00:33:38,880 you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. 687 00:33:40,959 –> 00:33:42,760 But think of how marvelous this is. 688 00:33:44,420 –> 00:33:47,040 What if in these last moments it was the other way round? 689 00:33:47,040 –> 00:33:51,979 What if God had said I will choose the people who are wise? 690 00:33:52,959 –> 00:33:55,420 I will choose those who are strong. 691 00:33:56,599 –> 00:33:58,800 I will choose those who are achievers. 692 00:33:58,800 –> 00:34:02,040 I’ll choose and look for those who are something. 693 00:34:03,819 –> 00:34:06,280 I have to say that would be terribly unfair, wouldn’t it? 694 00:34:08,239 –> 00:34:10,600 Two little girls are born in a hospital, 695 00:34:10,600 –> 00:34:13,399 side by side, as it were, on the same day. 696 00:34:13,399 –> 00:34:15,860 One will be raised in a comfortable home. 697 00:34:15,860 –> 00:34:17,419 She will be surrounded by love. 698 00:34:17,419 –> 00:34:18,500 She will ride horses. 699 00:34:18,500 –> 00:34:20,040 She will learn to skate on ice 700 00:34:20,040 –> 00:34:21,879 and she will see the sea in Florida. 701 00:34:22,000 –> 00:34:25,719 But the other is a crack baby 702 00:34:27,820 –> 00:34:31,179 and already has within her propensities 703 00:34:31,179 –> 00:34:33,780 that the other girl may never experience in her life. 704 00:34:36,679 –> 00:34:39,060 Some of us have greater opportunity than others. 705 00:34:39,060 –> 00:34:41,760 Some of us were born with great, great 706 00:34:41,760 –> 00:34:43,580 inner struggles and battles. 707 00:34:43,580 –> 00:34:46,379 Some of us have temperaments that are more difficult 708 00:34:46,379 –> 00:34:47,659 to live with than others. 709 00:34:47,659 –> 00:34:49,520 Some of us face intense struggles 710 00:34:49,520 –> 00:34:51,860 that others could hardly imagine. 711 00:34:51,879 –> 00:34:53,840 And if God were to choose just the wise 712 00:34:53,840 –> 00:34:56,040 and the strong and the successful in this world, 713 00:34:56,040 –> 00:34:58,020 it would be terribly unfair. 714 00:35:00,300 –> 00:35:03,699 But you see, this is precisely what he does not do. 715 00:35:05,500 –> 00:35:07,360 He has opened the door of hope 716 00:35:07,360 –> 00:35:11,179 for every person in Jesus Christ. 717 00:35:13,500 –> 00:35:17,020 The world is not a level playing field, 718 00:35:17,020 –> 00:35:21,419 but God has created level ground for us all at the cross. 719 00:35:22,699 –> 00:35:25,520 He’s done it through Jesus. 720 00:35:25,520 –> 00:35:27,780 What can God do through a cross? 721 00:35:29,300 –> 00:35:31,419 He has opened the door of opportunity. 722 00:35:32,780 –> 00:35:34,120 If you will come to the cross, 723 00:35:34,120 –> 00:35:36,939 if you will trust your whole self to this Jesus 724 00:35:36,939 –> 00:35:38,719 crucified and risen for you, 725 00:35:38,719 –> 00:35:41,459 if you will come not on the basis of your strength, 726 00:35:41,459 –> 00:35:43,379 not on the basis of your achievement, 727 00:35:43,379 –> 00:35:45,979 but with an empty hand that is open to receive, 728 00:35:45,979 –> 00:35:48,399 saying I have nothing to offer you, 729 00:35:48,399 –> 00:35:50,479 but you have everything to offer me, 730 00:35:51,879 –> 00:35:54,000 then He will take you as you are, 731 00:35:55,179 –> 00:35:58,679 and He will make you what He wants you to be. 732 00:36:00,560 –> 00:36:03,120 There is hope for every person in Jesus Christ, 733 00:36:03,120 –> 00:36:05,560 and it does not rest on what is in you, 734 00:36:07,540 –> 00:36:11,260 but on what is in Him and in God 735 00:36:11,260 –> 00:36:15,739 bringing the two profiles wonderfully together. 736 00:36:17,500 –> 00:36:18,340 Let’s pray. 737 00:36:19,300 –> 00:36:24,300 Father, we bow before the glory 738 00:36:25,959 –> 00:36:28,479 of your accomplishment through your Son, 739 00:36:28,479 –> 00:36:30,760 Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. 740 00:36:32,699 –> 00:36:34,800 I ask that these things may seep 741 00:36:34,800 –> 00:36:37,399 into the deepest places of our soul, 742 00:36:38,760 –> 00:36:43,639 producing faith, humility, hope, 743 00:36:44,139 –> 00:36:46,360 and life that is not of ourselves 744 00:36:47,580 –> 00:36:51,919 but comes from you through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 745 00:36:53,280 –> 00:36:54,100 Amen.