1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:02,940 Well, happy Father’s day, everyone. 2 00:00:02,940 –> 00:00:07,640 Please open your Bible at Hebrews chapter 11 and 12, the passage that’s been read for 3 00:00:07,640 –> 00:00:14,560 us as we come to the last message in our series from this wonderful chapter of scripture. 4 00:00:14,560 –> 00:00:21,760 I have so enjoyed every step of the journey as we have looked together at Hebrews and 5 00:00:21,760 –> 00:00:23,420 chapter 11. 6 00:00:23,420 –> 00:00:25,040 We’ve seen what faith is. 7 00:00:25,740 –> 00:00:32,939 Hebrews chapter 11, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things 8 00:00:32,939 –> 00:00:33,939 not seen. 9 00:00:33,939 –> 00:00:39,340 So faith is an assurance and faith is a conviction. 10 00:00:39,340 –> 00:00:47,259 Faith is sure of the things that we hope for because they have been promised by God. 11 00:00:47,259 –> 00:00:53,040 And faith is convinced about things that we have not seen, because they have been revealed 12 00:00:53,040 –> 00:00:54,560 by God. 13 00:00:54,580 –> 00:01:01,680 So from that we said that faith believes what God has revealed and faith trusts what God 14 00:01:01,680 –> 00:01:04,000 has promised. 15 00:01:04,000 –> 00:01:09,199 And from that definition in the very first verse of the chapter, Hebrews 11 shows us 16 00:01:09,199 –> 00:01:14,900 what a life of faith looks like through a series of examples. 17 00:01:14,900 –> 00:01:19,160 And we’ve seen over these weeks that each one of these models or examples of faith 18 00:01:19,279 –> 00:01:25,739 Really highlights one aspect of the faith to which we are called. 19 00:01:25,739 –> 00:01:28,220 Faith listens to God. 20 00:01:28,220 –> 00:01:30,680 Faith walks with God. 21 00:01:30,680 –> 00:01:33,260 Faith fears God. 22 00:01:33,260 –> 00:01:35,720 Faith obeys God. 23 00:01:35,720 –> 00:01:38,800 Faith receives from God. 24 00:01:38,800 –> 00:01:41,260 Faith submits to God. 25 00:01:41,260 –> 00:01:43,720 Faith worships God. 26 00:01:43,720 –> 00:01:45,480 Faith hopes in God. 27 00:01:45,480 –> 00:01:48,019 Faith depends on God. 28 00:01:48,019 –> 00:01:50,580 And faith commits to God. 29 00:01:50,580 –> 00:01:55,720 So faith is like a living tree that is just bursting with fruit. 30 00:01:55,720 –> 00:02:01,760 When you have real faith, all kinds of good things follow. 31 00:02:01,760 –> 00:02:09,479 Now we’ve looked at 10 models or examples of faith that are named in Hebrews and Chapter 32 00:02:09,479 –> 00:02:15,179 11, and clearly from verse 32, we see that the writer to the Hebrews could have called 33 00:02:15,179 –> 00:02:16,919 on many more. 34 00:02:16,919 –> 00:02:20,960 Verse 32, And what more shall I say? 35 00:02:20,960 –> 00:02:30,399 For time would fail me, to tell of Gideon, Berech, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and 36 00:02:30,399 –> 00:02:31,660 all the prophets. 37 00:02:31,660 –> 00:02:36,600 Now you will be very glad this morning to know that I am not, in one message, going 38 00:02:36,600 –> 00:02:43,100 to attempt to tell the stories of Gideon, Berech, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and 39 00:02:43,399 –> 00:02:48,360 of the prophets, for the very simple reason that time would fail me too. 40 00:02:48,360 –> 00:02:58,119 The point here is that the examples of faith are not a few, they are many. 41 00:02:58,119 –> 00:03:08,039 And the writer goes on to describe the achievements and the agonies of the heroes of faith. 42 00:03:08,339 –> 00:03:09,779 Verse 33 lists some of the achievements. 43 00:03:09,800 –> 00:03:13,899 They conquered kingdoms, they enforced justice. 44 00:03:13,899 –> 00:03:17,220 They stopped the mouths of lions. 45 00:03:17,220 –> 00:03:25,199 Verse 35 lists some of the agonies, some of them were tortured, some of them were flogged, 46 00:03:25,199 –> 00:03:26,199 stoned to death. 47 00:03:26,199 –> 00:03:32,899 And verse 38, the world was not worthy of them. 48 00:03:32,960 –> 00:03:37,759 And now today we come to the close of the chapter. 49 00:03:37,759 –> 00:03:40,179 And we all know how it’s going to end. 50 00:03:40,179 –> 00:03:47,919 It’s going to say, some of these heroes of faith achieved great triumphs. 51 00:03:47,919 –> 00:03:55,360 Some of these heroes of faith endured great suffering, but all of them received what God 52 00:03:55,360 –> 00:04:01,940 had promised and have entered into their glorious reward. 53 00:04:01,960 –> 00:04:08,520 Except that that is not how the chapter ends. 54 00:04:08,520 –> 00:04:13,460 Just when we were expecting that our heroes and our heroines were all going to receive 55 00:04:13,460 –> 00:04:22,040 their crowns, we read verse 39, And all these, though commended through their faith, did 56 00:04:22,040 –> 00:04:28,700 not receive what was promised. 57 00:04:28,700 –> 00:04:31,820 You read that and you say, really? 58 00:04:31,859 –> 00:04:37,739 These people, who all these weeks have been held up to us as the models of faith? 59 00:04:37,739 –> 00:04:43,679 And now you’re telling us that none of them, none of them have received what was promised. 60 00:04:43,679 –> 00:04:47,100 That’s what it says. 61 00:04:47,100 –> 00:04:51,279 Abraham did not receive what was promised. 62 00:04:51,279 –> 00:04:55,000 Moses did not receive what was promised. 63 00:04:55,820 –> 00:04:59,880 David did not receive what was promised. 64 00:05:01,760 –> 00:05:11,380 Now, clearly, these Old Testament believers have received many wonderful gifts from God. 65 00:05:11,380 –> 00:05:13,559 Let’s be clear about this. 66 00:05:13,559 –> 00:05:17,760 These Old Testament believers were wonderfully forgiven. 67 00:05:17,760 –> 00:05:23,140 And they were forgiven in precisely the same way as we are today. 68 00:05:23,799 –> 00:05:31,279 We are forgiven as our faith looks back to Jesus and all that he accomplished on the cross. 69 00:05:31,279 –> 00:05:36,660 And in the same way, they were forgiven as their faith looked forward to Jesus 70 00:05:36,660 –> 00:05:40,160 and all that he would accomplish on the cross. 71 00:05:40,160 –> 00:05:45,160 That of course is the whole point of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. 72 00:05:45,160 –> 00:05:48,619 It was really a way of these people, before the time of Jesus, 73 00:05:48,779 –> 00:05:55,660 expressing trust in the sacrifice that God himself one day would provide. 74 00:05:55,660 –> 00:05:59,200 And you see, it’s on that basis, therefore, that in the Old Testament, 75 00:05:59,200 –> 00:06:00,559 David was able to say, 76 00:06:12,779 –> 00:06:17,179 Yes, these Old Testament believers were wonderfully forgiven, just as we are, 77 00:06:17,779 –> 00:06:22,040 these Old Testament believers received the Holy Spirit, as we do. 78 00:06:23,459 –> 00:06:30,579 Now, for sure the Holy Spirit has been poured out in greater abundance in the New Testament. 79 00:06:31,579 –> 00:06:33,000 But, you read the Book of Judges, 80 00:06:33,000 –> 00:06:38,660 it is very clear that the Spirit of God came rushing upon each of these judges. 81 00:06:39,559 –> 00:06:44,040 And David’s prayer was wonderfully answered by God when he said, 82 00:06:48,059 –> 00:06:53,899 David was anointed with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, for sure. 83 00:06:54,500 –> 00:06:59,299 So, these Old Testament believers received many wonderful gifts from God. 84 00:06:59,299 –> 00:07:01,160 They’re forgiven in the same way as we are. 85 00:07:01,299 –> 00:07:03,640 They received the gift of the Holy Spirit, 86 00:07:03,640 –> 00:07:08,760 and when they died, they went without question into the glorious presence of the Lord in heaven. 87 00:07:09,200 –> 00:07:11,519 Psalm 73 in verse 24 88 00:07:11,660 –> 00:07:15,619 Esau describes the experience of an Old Testament believer. 89 00:07:16,579 –> 00:07:18,100 This is what he says. 90 00:07:28,440 –> 00:07:32,779 That was the experience of Old Testament believers. 91 00:07:46,279 –> 00:07:49,459 And yet Hebrews tells us in verse 39 92 00:07:49,459 –> 00:07:52,600 that they still did not receive what was promised, 93 00:07:52,600 –> 00:07:53,779 which raises the question, 94 00:07:53,779 –> 00:07:55,799 what part of the promise then 95 00:07:55,799 –> 00:07:57,779 have they still not received? 96 00:07:58,959 –> 00:08:00,839 Well, look at what it says, 97 00:08:11,399 –> 00:08:14,600 So now we’re going to be told why, 98 00:08:14,600 –> 00:08:19,600 God had provided something better for us 99 00:08:20,480 –> 00:08:25,480 that apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 100 00:08:27,760 –> 00:08:29,079 Now, by any standards, 101 00:08:29,079 –> 00:08:33,799 Hebrews 11 and verse 40 is a difficult verse to understand. 102 00:08:35,039 –> 00:08:39,239 But the keywords are clearly something better. 103 00:08:40,099 –> 00:08:45,099 What is this something better that God has planned? 104 00:08:46,419 –> 00:08:47,320 Now, it could be, 105 00:08:47,320 –> 00:08:50,440 and there are many who suggest this, 106 00:08:50,440 –> 00:08:53,159 that the writer is making a contrast 107 00:08:53,159 –> 00:08:54,679 between the blessings 108 00:08:54,679 –> 00:08:57,039 that the Old Testament believers enjoyed 109 00:08:57,039 –> 00:08:57,979 and the blessings 110 00:08:57,979 –> 00:09:01,479 that we, as New Testament believers, enjoy today. 111 00:09:01,479 –> 00:09:03,640 But I don’t think that that’s the contrast, 112 00:09:03,640 –> 00:09:04,859 and here’s why. 113 00:09:04,859 –> 00:09:08,239 He speaks here about being made perfect. 114 00:09:09,460 –> 00:09:10,580 Made perfect. 115 00:09:11,580 –> 00:09:12,820 And being made perfect 116 00:09:12,820 –> 00:09:15,239 is not something that happens in this life. 117 00:09:16,179 –> 00:09:17,859 Not for the Old Testament believers, 118 00:09:17,859 –> 00:09:20,080 and certainly not for us today, either. 119 00:09:21,979 –> 00:09:23,859 So the contrast, it seems here, 120 00:09:23,859 –> 00:09:27,260 is not between what they had in this life 121 00:09:27,260 –> 00:09:29,580 and what we have in this life. 122 00:09:30,440 –> 00:09:33,000 The contrast is between the experience 123 00:09:33,000 –> 00:09:37,159 that they and we have on Earth 124 00:09:37,859 –> 00:09:42,179 and the experience that they and we will have 125 00:09:42,179 –> 00:09:44,200 when we are made perfect. 126 00:09:45,239 –> 00:09:47,140 God promised something better 127 00:09:47,140 –> 00:09:49,260 for the Old Testament believers 128 00:09:49,260 –> 00:09:51,099 than anything they ever experienced 129 00:09:51,099 –> 00:09:53,020 in their entire lives in this world. 130 00:09:53,940 –> 00:09:54,960 And in the same way, 131 00:09:54,960 –> 00:09:57,900 God has promised something better for us 132 00:09:57,900 –> 00:10:00,299 than anything we will ever experience 133 00:10:00,299 –> 00:10:02,940 in our lives in this world. 134 00:10:03,799 –> 00:10:05,900 So the point here is not 135 00:10:05,919 –> 00:10:09,500 that our position is different from theirs. 136 00:10:09,500 –> 00:10:11,299 The point is that our position 137 00:10:11,299 –> 00:10:13,239 is exactly the same as theirs. 138 00:10:13,239 –> 00:10:15,500 And that’s why they are such good models 139 00:10:15,500 –> 00:10:17,919 and examples for us. 140 00:10:17,919 –> 00:10:20,080 They lived and died 141 00:10:20,080 –> 00:10:22,760 looking forward to what God had promised 142 00:10:22,760 –> 00:10:24,700 and we will live and die doing the same. 143 00:10:25,599 –> 00:10:27,039 They did not receive 144 00:10:27,039 –> 00:10:29,159 what God had promised in this life 145 00:10:29,159 –> 00:10:31,020 and we will not receive the fullness 146 00:10:31,020 –> 00:10:33,619 of what God has promised in this life either. 147 00:10:34,500 –> 00:10:38,219 Remember of course it was the same with Jesus. 148 00:10:38,219 –> 00:10:41,159 He came preaching the kingdom of God 149 00:10:41,159 –> 00:10:44,239 and he lived and died 150 00:10:44,239 –> 00:10:46,099 in a world that rejected him. 151 00:10:47,020 –> 00:10:49,700 But that was not the end of the story. 152 00:10:49,700 –> 00:10:52,500 God had something better planned for Jesus 153 00:10:52,500 –> 00:10:54,419 than the cross and the grave. 154 00:10:54,419 –> 00:10:55,820 He rose from the dead 155 00:10:55,820 –> 00:10:56,979 and right now, 156 00:10:56,979 –> 00:10:59,340 he is seated at the right hand 157 00:10:59,340 –> 00:11:01,219 of the throne of God. 158 00:11:01,219 –> 00:11:02,659 And in the same way 159 00:11:02,700 –> 00:11:04,299 God has something better 160 00:11:04,299 –> 00:11:06,059 for the Old Testament believers 161 00:11:06,059 –> 00:11:09,780 and something better for us. 162 00:11:09,780 –> 00:11:11,700 And these Old Testament believers 163 00:11:11,700 –> 00:11:13,619 have gone ahead of us 164 00:11:13,619 –> 00:11:15,859 into the presence of the Lord 165 00:11:15,859 –> 00:11:18,739 and there they are waiting. 166 00:11:18,739 –> 00:11:19,880 They’re waiting for us 167 00:11:19,880 –> 00:11:21,039 to finish our race 168 00:11:21,039 –> 00:11:22,780 because this verse tells us 169 00:11:22,780 –> 00:11:25,340 that apart from us, 170 00:11:25,340 –> 00:11:27,299 they will not be made perfect. 171 00:11:28,239 –> 00:11:30,840 Now this makes me think 172 00:11:30,859 –> 00:11:33,500 of Christmas morning 173 00:11:33,500 –> 00:11:35,960 growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland 174 00:11:35,960 –> 00:11:37,739 as a child 175 00:11:37,739 –> 00:11:39,400 and in our families 176 00:11:39,400 –> 00:11:40,520 with so many families 177 00:11:40,520 –> 00:11:41,679 we opened presents 178 00:11:41,679 –> 00:11:43,000 on Christmas morning. 179 00:11:43,000 –> 00:11:44,080 We hung out the stockings 180 00:11:44,080 –> 00:11:45,299 on Christmas Eve 181 00:11:45,299 –> 00:11:46,299 and then we had to wait 182 00:11:46,299 –> 00:11:47,200 until the following morning 183 00:11:47,200 –> 00:11:49,380 to see what wonderful things 184 00:11:49,380 –> 00:11:53,340 had miraculously arrived overnight. 185 00:11:53,340 –> 00:11:57,039 And we had one strict rule 186 00:11:57,039 –> 00:11:59,940 in our family 187 00:11:59,940 –> 00:12:02,219 and it was this 188 00:12:02,219 –> 00:12:03,799 that no one goes into 189 00:12:03,799 –> 00:12:06,239 the living room 190 00:12:06,239 –> 00:12:09,359 until all of us are ready. 191 00:12:09,359 –> 00:12:13,359 We go in together. 192 00:12:13,359 –> 00:12:15,320 And I remember as a little boy 193 00:12:15,320 –> 00:12:17,960 standing outside the living room 194 00:12:17,960 –> 00:12:18,960 waiting for my mother 195 00:12:18,960 –> 00:12:19,960 and my father 196 00:12:19,960 –> 00:12:20,960 to get themselves organised. 197 00:12:20,960 –> 00:12:21,960 It seemed to take forever 198 00:12:21,960 –> 00:12:23,460 for them to get themselves organised 199 00:12:23,460 –> 00:12:24,260 and, when was my 200 00:12:24,260 –> 00:12:25,580 little brother going to come? 201 00:12:25,580 –> 00:12:27,419 No one goes in until we’re all ready 202 00:12:27,419 –> 00:12:29,979 and then we go in 203 00:12:29,979 –> 00:12:30,979 together. 204 00:12:30,979 –> 00:12:32,479 Now, you see, 205 00:12:32,479 –> 00:12:33,479 that is how it is 206 00:12:33,479 –> 00:12:34,840 for the family of God. 207 00:12:34,840 –> 00:12:35,859 The family of faith. 208 00:12:35,859 –> 00:12:38,239 The there are gifts 209 00:12:38,239 –> 00:12:39,400 that God has reserved 210 00:12:39,400 –> 00:12:41,419 for the end time 211 00:12:41,419 –> 00:12:45,340 that we will all receive together 212 00:12:45,340 –> 00:12:47,340 and so for Old Testament believers 213 00:12:47,340 –> 00:12:50,280 and also for our believing loved ones 214 00:12:50,280 –> 00:12:51,099 who have died 215 00:12:51,099 –> 00:12:53,919 and gone into the presence of the Lord, 216 00:12:53,919 –> 00:12:56,479 they are waiting for us 217 00:12:56,479 –> 00:12:59,280 to finish our race 218 00:12:59,280 –> 00:13:00,059 and to join them 219 00:13:00,059 –> 00:13:01,140 and then for all of us 220 00:13:01,140 –> 00:13:02,919 to receive the wonderful things 221 00:13:02,919 –> 00:13:05,559 that God yet has in store together. 222 00:13:05,559 –> 00:13:07,119 So understand this very clearly, 223 00:13:07,119 –> 00:13:10,119 it’s helpful, encouraging and important. 224 00:13:10,119 –> 00:13:12,080 Believers who have died 225 00:13:12,080 –> 00:13:14,099 are with Christ. 226 00:13:14,099 –> 00:13:16,880 They are away from the body. 227 00:13:16,880 –> 00:13:19,359 They are at home with the Lord, 228 00:13:19,359 –> 00:13:22,000 they have the conscious enjoyment 229 00:13:22,000 –> 00:13:24,200 of the presence of the Lord 230 00:13:24,200 –> 00:13:25,539 which is better by far 231 00:13:25,539 –> 00:13:27,080 than anything they have ever known 232 00:13:27,080 –> 00:13:27,919 or could have known 233 00:13:27,919 –> 00:13:30,320 in this life. 234 00:13:30,320 –> 00:13:32,619 But while these believers, 235 00:13:32,619 –> 00:13:33,960 Old Testament believers 236 00:13:33,960 –> 00:13:35,159 and our believing loved ones 237 00:13:35,159 –> 00:13:35,760 who have died 238 00:13:35,760 –> 00:13:37,080 while they are with Christ 239 00:13:37,080 –> 00:13:37,940 it is also true 240 00:13:37,940 –> 00:13:39,140 that they are waiting. 241 00:13:39,140 –> 00:13:41,719 What are they waiting for? 242 00:13:41,719 –> 00:13:42,400 They don’t yet have 243 00:13:42,400 –> 00:13:44,599 the resurrection body. 244 00:13:44,599 –> 00:13:45,239 They don’t yet have 245 00:13:45,239 –> 00:13:46,320 the whole family 246 00:13:46,320 –> 00:13:48,640 gathered together as one. 247 00:13:48,640 –> 00:13:50,039 They don’t yet inhabit 248 00:13:50,039 –> 00:13:50,619 the new heaven 249 00:13:50,619 –> 00:13:51,539 and the new earth 250 00:13:51,599 –> 00:13:52,479 that will be the home 251 00:13:52,479 –> 00:13:55,000 of righteousness. 252 00:13:55,000 –> 00:13:56,619 So, they’re waiting. 253 00:13:56,619 –> 00:13:57,219 They’re waiting on 254 00:13:57,219 –> 00:13:58,320 the glorious return 255 00:13:58,320 –> 00:13:59,960 of our Lord Jesus Christ 256 00:13:59,960 –> 00:14:01,559 because only then 257 00:14:01,559 –> 00:14:03,799 will the whole family be gathered. 258 00:14:03,799 –> 00:14:06,679 Only then will we receive 259 00:14:06,679 –> 00:14:07,900 the resurrection body. 260 00:14:07,900 –> 00:14:09,080 Only then 261 00:14:09,080 –> 00:14:11,179 will we enter into the fullness 262 00:14:11,179 –> 00:14:13,640 of all that God has promised. 263 00:14:13,640 –> 00:14:14,200 So do you see 264 00:14:14,200 –> 00:14:16,179 there is something glorious 265 00:14:16,179 –> 00:14:18,419 that lies ahead 266 00:14:18,419 –> 00:14:20,760 that even those in heaven 267 00:14:20,760 –> 00:14:24,780 have not yet experienced 268 00:14:24,780 –> 00:14:25,659 and in the book 269 00:14:25,659 –> 00:14:27,460 of Revelation 270 00:14:27,460 –> 00:14:30,140 when God gave to the apostle John 271 00:14:30,140 –> 00:14:31,539 a wonderful glimpse 272 00:14:31,539 –> 00:14:32,580 into heaven 273 00:14:32,580 –> 00:14:34,979 he tells us what he saw 274 00:14:34,979 –> 00:14:35,580 And he says this 275 00:14:35,580 –> 00:14:37,260 Revelation six, nine 276 00:14:37,260 –> 00:14:39,419 I saw under the altar 277 00:14:39,419 –> 00:14:41,599 the souls 278 00:14:41,599 –> 00:14:42,500 of those who had been 279 00:14:42,500 –> 00:14:43,780 slain for the word of God 280 00:14:43,780 –> 00:14:45,320 and for the witness 281 00:14:45,320 –> 00:14:46,099 they had born 282 00:14:46,099 –> 00:14:47,940 So he’s seeing the souls 283 00:14:47,940 –> 00:14:50,200 of those who are with Christ 284 00:14:50,200 –> 00:14:51,619 and then notice what he hears 285 00:14:51,619 –> 00:14:54,599 They cried out with a loud voice 286 00:14:54,599 –> 00:14:57,340 O sovereign Lord, holy and true 287 00:14:57,340 –> 00:14:59,299 How long 288 00:14:59,299 –> 00:15:01,119 How long 289 00:15:01,119 –> 00:15:02,260 before you will judge 290 00:15:02,260 –> 00:15:04,200 and avenge our blood 291 00:15:04,200 –> 00:15:05,359 on those who dwell 292 00:15:05,359 –> 00:15:06,599 on the earth 293 00:15:06,599 –> 00:15:07,299 Now notice their question 294 00:15:07,299 –> 00:15:09,080 How long 295 00:15:09,080 –> 00:15:10,719 See they’re waiting 296 00:15:10,719 –> 00:15:11,979 They’re in heaven 297 00:15:11,979 –> 00:15:14,080 They’re with the Lord 298 00:15:14,080 –> 00:15:16,340 but they’re waiting 299 00:15:16,380 –> 00:15:18,719 What are they waiting for? 300 00:15:18,719 –> 00:15:20,919 Well I like to remember it this way 301 00:15:20,919 –> 00:15:22,659 The three Rs 302 00:15:22,659 –> 00:15:25,539 They’re waiting for the resurrection body 303 00:15:25,539 –> 00:15:29,080 They’re waiting for the redeemed family 304 00:15:29,080 –> 00:15:30,159 to be gathered 305 00:15:30,159 –> 00:15:31,900 and they’re waiting 306 00:15:31,900 –> 00:15:34,119 for the restored universe 307 00:15:34,119 –> 00:15:35,460 The new heaven 308 00:15:35,460 –> 00:15:37,359 The new earth 309 00:15:37,359 –> 00:15:40,280 that will be the home of righteousness 310 00:15:40,280 –> 00:15:42,460 forever and forever 311 00:15:42,460 –> 00:15:44,219 Now do you see then 312 00:15:44,400 –> 00:15:46,979 that this is the position right now 313 00:15:46,979 –> 00:15:49,919 of the old testament believers 314 00:15:49,919 –> 00:15:53,539 and of our believing loved ones 315 00:15:53,539 –> 00:15:55,119 who have died 316 00:15:55,119 –> 00:15:57,799 they are with Christ 317 00:15:57,799 –> 00:16:01,539 They’re consciously enjoying the presence of the Lord 318 00:16:01,539 –> 00:16:03,659 but they’re also waiting 319 00:16:03,659 –> 00:16:06,299 they’re waiting for the resurrection 320 00:16:06,299 –> 00:16:07,539 they’re waiting for the reunion 321 00:16:07,539 –> 00:16:08,659 of the redeemed family 322 00:16:08,659 –> 00:16:11,359 they’re waiting for the restoration of all things 323 00:16:11,359 –> 00:16:13,539 restored universe 324 00:16:13,700 –> 00:16:18,719 when the glory of the Lord is revealed 325 00:16:19,460 –> 00:16:20,820 Now here’s the question 326 00:16:20,820 –> 00:16:24,539 what does all of this have to do with us? 327 00:16:24,900 –> 00:16:27,460 These heroes of faith 328 00:16:27,479 –> 00:16:30,559 have run their race 329 00:16:30,559 –> 00:16:32,979 and now we’re told 330 00:16:32,979 –> 00:16:36,280 that we must run ours 331 00:16:36,280 –> 00:16:38,400 And so as Chapter 12 opens 332 00:16:38,400 –> 00:16:41,640 you have this marvelous picture 333 00:16:41,640 –> 00:16:45,719 of the Olympic athlete running a race 334 00:16:45,719 –> 00:16:48,039 in a vast stadium 335 00:16:48,719 –> 00:16:52,559 and the stands are packed with people who are cheering 336 00:16:52,559 –> 00:16:54,219 They’re cheering us 337 00:16:54,219 –> 00:16:57,280 as we run our race 338 00:16:57,280 –> 00:16:59,580 and Hebrews Chapter 12 in verse 1 339 00:16:59,580 –> 00:17:01,260 In the same way 340 00:17:01,260 –> 00:17:06,219 we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses 341 00:17:07,060 –> 00:17:08,599 Abel 342 00:17:08,599 –> 00:17:10,280 Enoch 343 00:17:10,280 –> 00:17:11,619 Noah 344 00:17:11,619 –> 00:17:12,439 Abraham 345 00:17:12,439 –> 00:17:12,979 Sarah 346 00:17:13,000 –> 00:17:13,599 Isaac 347 00:17:13,599 –> 00:17:14,439 Jacob 348 00:17:14,439 –> 00:17:15,800 Joseph 349 00:17:15,800 –> 00:17:16,339 Moses 350 00:17:16,339 –> 00:17:16,939 Rahab 351 00:17:16,939 –> 00:17:21,060 and many many many more beside 352 00:17:21,060 –> 00:17:24,180 They’ve run their race 353 00:17:24,180 –> 00:17:28,099 and now they’re waiting for us to finish ours 354 00:17:28,380 –> 00:17:30,719 So you see how it’s applied to us 355 00:17:30,719 –> 00:17:32,060 Chapter 12 in verse 1 356 00:17:32,060 –> 00:17:39,939 So let us also lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely 357 00:17:39,939 –> 00:17:47,479 And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us 358 00:17:47,479 –> 00:17:50,420 Let us therefore run the race that is set before us 359 00:17:50,420 –> 00:17:53,219 You see the application 360 00:17:53,219 –> 00:17:57,640 They’re done, we’re not done yet 361 00:17:57,640 –> 00:18:00,380 Now the question that follows from this is very clear 362 00:18:00,560 –> 00:18:02,400 Then how are we going to do this? 363 00:18:02,400 –> 00:18:04,300 How are we going to run our race? 364 00:18:04,300 –> 00:18:06,319 We spend all these weeks looking at these heroes 365 00:18:06,319 –> 00:18:07,699 Learning from their examples 366 00:18:07,699 –> 00:18:10,300 But here is the question that becomes so practical for us 367 00:18:10,300 –> 00:18:11,699 How are we going to do this? 368 00:18:11,699 –> 00:18:13,540 How are we going to run our race? 369 00:18:13,540 –> 00:18:16,760 How are we going to do it with endurance? 370 00:18:16,760 –> 00:18:20,180 How are we going to withstand the relentless pressures 371 00:18:20,180 –> 00:18:23,859 That just keep coming to us in the course of our lives? 372 00:18:23,859 –> 00:18:27,140 And the answer is in these three wonderful words 373 00:18:27,140 –> 00:18:29,280 In Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 2 374 00:18:29,400 –> 00:18:33,800 we do it looking to Jesus 375 00:18:35,459 –> 00:18:38,760 Let me make four very simple observations 376 00:18:38,760 –> 00:18:42,199 As we bring this series to a close 377 00:18:42,199 –> 00:18:43,199 The first is this 378 00:18:43,199 –> 00:18:47,420 Faith looks to Jesus 379 00:18:48,260 –> 00:18:53,680 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us 380 00:18:54,560 –> 00:18:55,959 How? 381 00:18:56,479 –> 00:18:57,560 How are you going to do that? 382 00:18:57,560 –> 00:19:00,540 How are you going to run the race that is set before you 383 00:19:00,540 –> 00:19:01,760 Do you see? 384 00:19:01,760 –> 00:19:05,359 You do it looking to Jesus 385 00:19:07,280 –> 00:19:10,060 So here is the most important thing to know about faith 386 00:19:10,060 –> 00:19:13,640 Christian faith is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ 387 00:19:15,560 –> 00:19:21,119 We have learned about faith from all of these wonderful models and examples in the old testament 388 00:19:21,119 –> 00:19:26,160 But faith is not looking to Abraham or Noah or Moses or Rahab 389 00:19:26,180 –> 00:19:29,479 Faith is looking to Jesus 390 00:19:29,479 –> 00:19:33,520 And we have seen in this series that in fact that is what these old testament heroes were 391 00:19:33,520 –> 00:19:34,520 actually doing 392 00:19:34,520 –> 00:19:40,099 Remember, Jesus said Abraham saw my day 393 00:19:40,099 –> 00:19:43,180 So Abraham was looking to Jesus 394 00:19:43,180 –> 00:19:50,739 We saw in Hebrews chapter 11 that Moses chose the reproach of Christ over all his treasures 395 00:19:50,739 –> 00:19:51,739 of Egypt 396 00:19:51,739 –> 00:19:54,380 So he was looking to Christ 397 00:19:54,380 –> 00:20:00,959 The whole point of Hebrews chapter 11 is that we are in the same position as these old testament 398 00:20:00,959 –> 00:20:01,959 believers 399 00:20:01,959 –> 00:20:05,359 we believe as they believed 400 00:20:05,359 –> 00:20:09,560 we must endure as they endured 401 00:20:09,560 –> 00:20:16,239 we look to Jesus as they looked to Jesus 402 00:20:16,239 –> 00:20:22,079 And we started the series with this very simple definition, from Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 403 00:20:22,079 –> 00:20:23,500 one of what faith is 404 00:20:23,500 –> 00:20:25,959 we said faith believes what God has revealed 405 00:20:25,959 –> 00:20:29,859 and trust what God has promised 406 00:20:29,859 –> 00:20:36,180 but you see it is in Jesus that God has revealed himself 407 00:20:36,180 –> 00:20:38,520 and it is through Jesus 408 00:20:38,520 –> 00:20:41,479 that all that God has promised will be ours 409 00:20:41,479 –> 00:20:45,719 so, faith looks to Jesus 410 00:20:45,719 –> 00:20:48,020 that’s the first thing 411 00:20:48,119 –> 00:20:50,040 here’s the second 412 00:20:50,040 –> 00:20:56,719 Jesus, wonderfully, is more than our example 413 00:20:56,719 –> 00:20:59,000 he’s more than our example 414 00:20:59,000 –> 00:21:00,880 now Jesus is our example 415 00:21:00,880 –> 00:21:03,260 and scripture makes that very clear many times 416 00:21:03,260 –> 00:21:08,359 but thank God he is more than our example 417 00:21:08,359 –> 00:21:09,760 look at how that’s put here 418 00:21:09,760 –> 00:21:14,140 let us run with endurance 419 00:21:14,140 –> 00:21:16,319 the race that is set before us 420 00:21:16,939 –> 00:21:26,420 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith 421 00:21:26,420 –> 00:21:31,180 now this is telling us after a whole chapter of examples 422 00:21:31,180 –> 00:21:35,900 that Jesus is more than our example 423 00:21:35,900 –> 00:21:38,640 thank God for that 424 00:21:38,640 –> 00:21:40,959 think of it this way 425 00:21:40,959 –> 00:21:42,739 you can admire 426 00:21:42,800 –> 00:21:47,619 Michael Jordan defying gravity on a basketball court 427 00:21:47,619 –> 00:21:48,819 but that does not give you 428 00:21:48,819 –> 00:21:52,079 the ability to do what he did 429 00:21:52,079 –> 00:21:53,319 if all you have is an example 430 00:21:53,319 –> 00:21:54,300 if all you have is a model 431 00:21:54,300 –> 00:21:56,260 if all you have look this man can do this 432 00:21:56,260 –> 00:21:57,260 go try 433 00:21:57,260 –> 00:22:00,439 you’re not going to get very far 434 00:22:00,439 –> 00:22:02,839 if all we have is examples 435 00:22:02,839 –> 00:22:05,760 we end up utterly crushed 436 00:22:05,760 –> 00:22:07,579 think about it 437 00:22:07,579 –> 00:22:10,560 if the message of Hebrews chapter 11 438 00:22:10,560 –> 00:22:12,739 was simply this 439 00:22:12,739 –> 00:22:14,920 Enoch walked with God 440 00:22:14,920 –> 00:22:16,599 Noah feared God 441 00:22:16,599 –> 00:22:18,339 Abraham obeyed God 442 00:22:18,339 –> 00:22:20,079 Rahab committed to God 443 00:22:20,079 –> 00:22:21,540 now you get your act together 444 00:22:21,540 –> 00:22:23,119 and follow their example 445 00:22:23,119 –> 00:22:24,459 well if that was the message 446 00:22:24,459 –> 00:22:25,459 we’d all be saying 447 00:22:25,459 –> 00:22:28,760 how can we match up to them? 448 00:22:28,760 –> 00:22:32,420 how can I do better than Abraham? 449 00:22:32,420 –> 00:22:34,199 Moses? 450 00:22:34,199 –> 00:22:36,199 or even more poignantly 451 00:22:36,199 –> 00:22:38,959 if we were simply told 452 00:22:39,160 –> 00:22:41,359 if the message of the bible was 453 00:22:41,359 –> 00:22:43,479 Jesus is our example 454 00:22:43,479 –> 00:22:46,040 and now we must all step up 455 00:22:46,040 –> 00:22:48,160 and live a life like his 456 00:22:48,160 –> 00:22:49,359 well then we would all be saying 457 00:22:49,359 –> 00:22:50,359 well how in the world 458 00:22:50,359 –> 00:22:54,180 can we possibly do that? 459 00:22:54,180 –> 00:22:56,199 so thank god that the message 460 00:22:56,199 –> 00:22:59,040 of this chapter is not 461 00:22:59,040 –> 00:23:01,079 these heroes of faith were great 462 00:23:01,079 –> 00:23:04,119 and so you’d better go and do better 463 00:23:04,119 –> 00:23:05,439 that is not the message 464 00:23:05,439 –> 00:23:07,439 if it was we’d all be completely crushed 465 00:23:09,280 –> 00:23:11,359 here’s the message 466 00:23:11,359 –> 00:23:13,060 the message of this chapter is 467 00:23:13,060 –> 00:23:17,420 that the same faith that was formed in them 468 00:23:17,420 –> 00:23:19,959 has also been formed in you 469 00:23:19,959 –> 00:23:22,239 and Jesus is the one 470 00:23:22,239 –> 00:23:24,939 who has formed that faith 471 00:23:24,939 –> 00:23:26,439 Jesus is more than 472 00:23:26,439 –> 00:23:29,660 an example of faith 473 00:23:29,660 –> 00:23:32,300 Jesus is, notice the word in this verse 474 00:23:32,300 –> 00:23:37,300 the founder of our faith 475 00:23:37,300 –> 00:23:39,579 now what is a founder? 476 00:23:39,579 –> 00:23:40,959 well a founder, very simply 477 00:23:40,959 –> 00:23:44,959 is someone who brings something into being 478 00:23:44,959 –> 00:23:49,140 and Jesus is the founder of our faith 479 00:23:49,140 –> 00:23:50,300 so here you are this morning 480 00:23:50,300 –> 00:23:52,199 and you believe, you have faith 481 00:23:52,199 –> 00:23:55,079 how did this come about? 482 00:23:55,079 –> 00:23:58,439 well, Jesus formed this faith in you 483 00:23:58,439 –> 00:24:00,939 he’s the founder of your faith 484 00:24:00,939 –> 00:24:03,140 he laid hold of you 485 00:24:03,140 –> 00:24:05,479 he opened your eyes 486 00:24:05,760 –> 00:24:06,760 he sent his spirit 487 00:24:06,760 –> 00:24:08,719 and put his spirit within 488 00:24:08,719 –> 00:24:11,760 he brought your faith into being 489 00:24:11,760 –> 00:24:15,520 he’s the founder of your faith 490 00:24:15,520 –> 00:24:17,760 not only is he the founder of your faith 491 00:24:17,760 –> 00:24:20,199 he’s the perfecter of your faith 492 00:24:20,199 –> 00:24:23,140 a founder is someone who brings something into being 493 00:24:23,140 –> 00:24:28,920 a perfecter is someone who brings something to completion 494 00:24:28,920 –> 00:24:31,420 so, notice and remember of course 495 00:24:31,420 –> 00:24:35,219 faith does not make any of us perfect 496 00:24:35,219 –> 00:24:37,640 and we’ve seen throughout this series that 497 00:24:37,640 –> 00:24:39,819 the old testament believers 498 00:24:39,819 –> 00:24:44,219 at their best, are far from perfect 499 00:24:44,219 –> 00:24:46,839 Noah got drunk 500 00:24:46,839 –> 00:24:51,020 Abraham lied about his wife 501 00:24:51,020 –> 00:24:54,479 Moses lost his temper 502 00:24:54,479 –> 00:25:00,040 and Jacob for years was a miserable old man 503 00:25:00,040 –> 00:25:04,000 they were very flawed people as we are 504 00:25:04,000 –> 00:25:06,439 But what we’re being told here is that Jesus will 505 00:25:06,439 –> 00:25:09,599 make them perfect 506 00:25:09,599 –> 00:25:12,500 and he’ll do the same for us 507 00:25:12,500 –> 00:25:15,020 right now our faith is far from perfect 508 00:25:15,020 –> 00:25:16,420 we often feel don’t we 509 00:25:16,420 –> 00:25:18,760 like the man in the New Testament who said 510 00:25:18,760 –> 00:25:20,839 to Jesus, Lord I believe 511 00:25:20,839 –> 00:25:24,180 but please help me with my unbelief 512 00:25:24,180 –> 00:25:25,619 here’s the good news 513 00:25:25,619 –> 00:25:27,819 that prayer is going to be answered for you 514 00:25:27,819 –> 00:25:29,520 and for every one of us 515 00:25:29,520 –> 00:25:31,680 Jesus will perfect your faith 516 00:25:31,699 –> 00:25:34,000 he’s going to bring it to completion 517 00:25:34,000 –> 00:25:36,500 he is going to vindicate your faith 518 00:25:36,500 –> 00:25:38,780 by bringing him into everything 519 00:25:38,780 –> 00:25:40,160 that he has ever promised 520 00:25:40,160 –> 00:25:41,640 and he’s going to do this 521 00:25:41,640 –> 00:25:43,280 when all of the family of God 522 00:25:43,280 –> 00:25:46,719 are wonderfully gathered together 523 00:25:46,719 –> 00:25:50,699 see Jesus is more than an example 524 00:25:50,699 –> 00:25:53,160 he’s the founder and the perfecter of your faith 525 00:25:53,160 –> 00:25:54,560 he’s brought it into being 526 00:25:54,560 –> 00:25:57,000 and he will bring it to completion 527 00:25:58,000 –> 00:26:01,000 Third 528 00:26:01,000 –> 00:26:06,119 Jesus therefore will enable you to endure 529 00:26:07,500 –> 00:26:09,000 now this word endurance 530 00:26:09,000 –> 00:26:12,520 really runs right throughout 531 00:26:12,520 –> 00:26:14,699 the whole passage as a theme 532 00:26:14,699 –> 00:26:17,439 it begins in Hebrews chapter 10 in verse 36 533 00:26:17,439 –> 00:26:19,239 it runs all the way through 534 00:26:19,239 –> 00:26:21,920 to Hebrews chapter 12 in verses 1 and 2 535 00:26:21,920 –> 00:26:23,640 Remember that the book of Hebrews 536 00:26:23,640 –> 00:26:25,560 was first given to Jewish believers 537 00:26:25,880 –> 00:26:28,839 when the Jews were facing really difficult days 538 00:26:28,839 –> 00:26:31,599 we saw right at the beginning of this series 539 00:26:31,599 –> 00:26:32,680 back in chapter 10 that 540 00:26:32,680 –> 00:26:35,920 they were enduring a long hard struggle 541 00:26:35,920 –> 00:26:37,739 with suffering they’d been publicly 542 00:26:37,739 –> 00:26:41,660 exposed to reproach and to affliction 543 00:26:41,660 –> 00:26:44,959 Their property had been plundered 544 00:26:44,959 –> 00:26:47,380 and the strain of the relentless 545 00:26:47,380 –> 00:26:49,459 pressure of being believers 546 00:26:49,459 –> 00:26:51,780 in a hostile culture was just 547 00:26:51,780 –> 00:26:54,199 beginning to tell on them all 548 00:26:54,420 –> 00:26:56,180 and Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 36 549 00:26:56,180 –> 00:26:57,780 therefore the writer says 550 00:26:57,780 –> 00:27:01,699 you have need of endurance 551 00:27:02,300 –> 00:27:03,939 and we read that verse 552 00:27:03,939 –> 00:27:06,540 you have need of endurance 553 00:27:06,540 –> 00:27:09,319 and we say that’s right 554 00:27:09,319 –> 00:27:11,199 that’s me 555 00:27:11,219 –> 00:27:13,920 that’s what I need 556 00:27:13,920 –> 00:27:17,079 I need endurance 557 00:27:17,079 –> 00:27:20,060 but how am I going to get it 558 00:27:20,060 –> 00:27:21,839 and you see Hebrews 11 559 00:27:21,859 –> 00:27:26,160 what’s the answer to that question 560 00:27:26,160 –> 00:27:30,280 endurance comes by faith 561 00:27:30,280 –> 00:27:32,199 but you see that leads us to another question 562 00:27:32,199 –> 00:27:33,199 leads us to thinking 563 00:27:33,199 –> 00:27:34,400 yeah, I hear that 564 00:27:34,400 –> 00:27:35,900 but here’s my question 565 00:27:35,900 –> 00:27:39,920 how does faith enable us to endure? 566 00:27:39,920 –> 00:27:42,160 see, we’ve seen throughout 567 00:27:42,160 –> 00:27:45,699 Hebrews 11 that faith listens to god 568 00:27:45,699 –> 00:27:46,959 and it walks with god 569 00:27:46,959 –> 00:27:47,939 and fears god 570 00:27:47,939 –> 00:27:49,859 and obeys god 571 00:27:49,859 –> 00:27:51,099 and receives from god 572 00:27:51,099 –> 00:27:52,119 and submits to god 573 00:27:52,119 –> 00:27:53,300 and worships god 574 00:27:53,300 –> 00:27:55,099 and hopes in god 575 00:27:55,099 –> 00:27:56,099 and depends on god 576 00:27:56,099 –> 00:27:57,319 and commits to god 577 00:27:57,319 –> 00:28:01,859 but how does faith do these things? 578 00:28:01,859 –> 00:28:04,180 That’s the question 579 00:28:04,180 –> 00:28:07,020 And here’s the answer 580 00:28:07,020 –> 00:28:08,119 Faith does these things 581 00:28:08,119 –> 00:28:14,219 because faith joins us to Jesus 582 00:28:14,219 –> 00:28:15,939 in a spiritual union 583 00:28:16,819 –> 00:28:21,579 in which what is his actually becomes ours 584 00:28:21,579 –> 00:28:24,699 And do you remember how Jesus wonderfully explained this 585 00:28:24,699 –> 00:28:26,020 with an illustration 586 00:28:26,020 –> 00:28:27,680 a beautiful picture that he gave 587 00:28:27,680 –> 00:28:32,079 He said I am the vine 588 00:28:32,079 –> 00:28:34,979 and you are the branches 589 00:28:34,979 –> 00:28:36,040 and you see what that conveys 590 00:28:36,040 –> 00:28:37,619 that the life that is in the vine 591 00:28:37,619 –> 00:28:42,500 actually flows into the branches 592 00:28:42,520 –> 00:28:45,219 Faith joins us in such a living union 593 00:28:45,219 –> 00:28:46,780 with the Lord Jesus Christ 594 00:28:46,780 –> 00:28:48,900 that the life that is in Jesus 595 00:28:48,900 –> 00:28:50,859 actually flows into us 596 00:28:50,859 –> 00:28:54,900 by the power and presence of his Holy Spirit 597 00:28:54,900 –> 00:28:57,739 That’s why the Apostle Paul puts it this way 598 00:28:57,739 –> 00:29:04,500 Christ lives in me 599 00:29:04,500 –> 00:29:08,380 Now when Christ lives in you 600 00:29:08,380 –> 00:29:10,099 he gives you a righteousness 601 00:29:10,099 –> 00:29:13,280 that you would never have on your own 602 00:29:13,280 –> 00:29:16,160 When Christ lives in you 603 00:29:16,160 –> 00:29:17,459 he gives you a strength 604 00:29:17,459 –> 00:29:20,479 that you would never have on your own 605 00:29:20,479 –> 00:29:22,979 When Christ lives in you 606 00:29:22,979 –> 00:29:25,040 he gives you a peace 607 00:29:25,040 –> 00:29:27,660 that you would never have on your own 608 00:29:27,660 –> 00:29:30,400 and when Christ lives in you 609 00:29:30,400 –> 00:29:34,439 he will give you an endurance 610 00:29:34,439 –> 00:29:38,060 that you would never have on your own 611 00:29:38,060 –> 00:29:39,060 And you see that’s the point 612 00:29:39,060 –> 00:29:40,300 the writer is making here 613 00:29:40,300 –> 00:29:41,400 he’s saying now look at 614 00:29:41,400 –> 00:29:45,280 the endurance of Jesus 615 00:29:45,280 –> 00:29:48,959 He endured the cross 616 00:29:48,959 –> 00:29:50,900 and the Saviour who endured the cross 617 00:29:50,900 –> 00:29:53,719 lives in you by his Holy Spirit 618 00:29:53,719 –> 00:29:55,680 and because he lives in you 619 00:29:55,680 –> 00:29:57,800 you’re going to be able to endure 620 00:29:57,800 –> 00:30:02,920 as you run the race that is set before you 621 00:30:02,920 –> 00:30:06,819 Jesus will enable you to endure 622 00:30:06,819 –> 00:30:07,819 And here’s the last thing 623 00:30:08,160 –> 00:30:10,260 Jesus will bring you into 624 00:30:10,260 –> 00:30:12,839 his glorious reward 625 00:30:12,839 –> 00:30:16,199 Looking to Jesus 626 00:30:16,199 –> 00:30:19,479 the founder and perfector of our faith 627 00:30:19,479 –> 00:30:22,979 who for the joy that was set before him 628 00:30:22,979 –> 00:30:24,260 endured the cross 629 00:30:24,260 –> 00:30:27,339 and is seated at the right hand 630 00:30:27,339 –> 00:30:29,719 of the throne of God 631 00:30:29,719 –> 00:30:32,500 So Jesus endured the cross 632 00:30:32,500 –> 00:30:33,839 He’s not there now 633 00:30:33,839 –> 00:30:36,180 he is seated at the right hand 634 00:30:36,380 –> 00:30:38,859 of the throne of God 635 00:30:38,859 –> 00:30:42,359 and notice how he got through the cross 636 00:30:42,359 –> 00:30:44,819 He got through it and he endured 637 00:30:44,819 –> 00:30:50,400 for the joy that was set before him 638 00:30:50,400 –> 00:30:52,099 and I believe that the joy 639 00:30:52,099 –> 00:30:53,439 that was set before him 640 00:30:53,439 –> 00:30:54,599 is another way 641 00:30:54,599 –> 00:30:56,959 of speaking of the something better 642 00:30:56,959 –> 00:30:58,699 of verse 40 643 00:30:58,699 –> 00:30:59,880 that God has planned 644 00:30:59,880 –> 00:31:02,060 for all of his people 645 00:31:02,060 –> 00:31:03,500 or, to put it in a way 646 00:31:03,500 –> 00:31:04,699 that I hope is memorable 647 00:31:05,180 –> 00:31:07,939 what was the joy that was set 648 00:31:07,939 –> 00:31:09,040 before Jesus? 649 00:31:09,040 –> 00:31:11,599 The joy of the redeemed family 650 00:31:11,599 –> 00:31:15,660 bringing together the whole family of God 651 00:31:15,660 –> 00:31:17,260 Jesus will do this 652 00:31:17,260 –> 00:31:18,099 and when he does 653 00:31:18,099 –> 00:31:20,060 not one of his own will be missing 654 00:31:20,060 –> 00:31:23,300 you’re going to be reunited 655 00:31:23,300 –> 00:31:25,880 with loved ones who are already 656 00:31:25,880 –> 00:31:27,099 with the Lord 657 00:31:27,099 –> 00:31:29,099 and what a day of rejoicing 658 00:31:29,099 –> 00:31:30,359 that’s going to be 659 00:31:30,359 –> 00:31:32,540 Jesus said I tell you 660 00:31:32,540 –> 00:31:33,640 there’s going to be many 661 00:31:33,819 –> 00:31:34,920 they’ll come from the east 662 00:31:34,920 –> 00:31:35,959 and from the west 663 00:31:35,959 –> 00:31:36,979 and they’re going to recline 664 00:31:36,979 –> 00:31:38,739 at the table with Abraham 665 00:31:38,739 –> 00:31:40,540 and Isaac and Jacob 666 00:31:40,540 –> 00:31:42,400 in the kingdom of Heaven 667 00:31:43,619 –> 00:31:44,680 brothers and sisters 668 00:31:44,680 –> 00:31:46,920 when that day comes 669 00:31:46,920 –> 00:31:48,099 there will be no divisions 670 00:31:48,099 –> 00:31:49,099 no disputes 671 00:31:49,099 –> 00:31:50,859 no arguments in the 672 00:31:50,859 –> 00:31:52,000 Believing Family 673 00:31:52,000 –> 00:31:54,060 every effect of sin 674 00:31:54,060 –> 00:31:54,979 will be removed 675 00:31:54,979 –> 00:31:56,420 from us all forever 676 00:31:56,420 –> 00:31:59,459 will be made perfect 677 00:31:59,459 –> 00:32:01,160 and the bride of Christ 678 00:32:01,160 –> 00:32:03,420 will be without blemish 679 00:32:04,459 –> 00:32:06,579 and then there’s not only 680 00:32:06,579 –> 00:32:08,140 ahead of us 681 00:32:08,140 –> 00:32:10,060 the joy of the redeemed family 682 00:32:10,060 –> 00:32:10,880 but the joy of 683 00:32:10,880 –> 00:32:12,900 resurrected bodies 684 00:32:13,979 –> 00:32:15,800 your redeemed spirit 685 00:32:15,800 –> 00:32:18,140 is going to be made perfect 686 00:32:18,140 –> 00:32:18,939 in this way 687 00:32:18,939 –> 00:32:20,500 that it will be clothed 688 00:32:20,500 –> 00:32:22,479 with a resurrected body 689 00:32:22,479 –> 00:32:25,400 that will never ache 690 00:32:25,400 –> 00:32:28,280 never tire 691 00:32:28,280 –> 00:32:30,420 and never ever tempt you to sin 692 00:32:30,420 –> 00:32:31,859 isn’t that good news 693 00:32:32,800 –> 00:32:34,699 a body in which you will be able 694 00:32:34,699 –> 00:32:36,199 to serve the Lord 695 00:32:36,199 –> 00:32:38,260 a body in which you will be able 696 00:32:38,260 –> 00:32:41,400 to enjoy the pleasures of the new creation 697 00:32:41,400 –> 00:32:43,380 forever and forever 698 00:32:43,380 –> 00:32:44,479 the redeemed family 699 00:32:44,479 –> 00:32:47,000 the resurrected body 700 00:32:47,000 –> 00:32:49,859 and the joy of the restored universe 701 00:32:49,859 –> 00:32:52,859 we were seeing in Hebrews in chapter 11 702 00:32:52,859 –> 00:32:56,500 that Abraham was looking for a heavenly city 703 00:32:56,500 –> 00:32:58,380 a heavenly city 704 00:32:58,380 –> 00:33:01,400 whose builder and designer is God 705 00:33:01,599 –> 00:33:03,359 and right at the end of the New Testament 706 00:33:03,359 –> 00:33:06,040 the Apostle John in Revelation 21 says 707 00:33:06,040 –> 00:33:09,739 I saw the holy city 708 00:33:09,739 –> 00:33:15,640 coming down out of heaven from God 709 00:33:15,640 –> 00:33:16,939 and he tells us what it is 710 00:33:16,939 –> 00:33:20,800 that makes the city holy 711 00:33:20,800 –> 00:33:26,380 and of course it’s that God himself is there 712 00:33:26,380 –> 00:33:27,380 and so, he writes 713 00:33:27,380 –> 00:33:30,319 I heard a loud voice from the throne 714 00:33:30,439 –> 00:33:35,560 saying, behold, the dwelling place of God 715 00:33:35,560 –> 00:33:37,719 is with man 716 00:33:37,739 –> 00:33:40,719 he shall dwell with them 717 00:33:40,719 –> 00:33:43,119 they shall be his people 718 00:33:43,119 –> 00:33:48,719 and God himself will be with them as their God 719 00:33:48,739 –> 00:33:53,939 and he will wipe away every tear from their eyes 720 00:33:53,959 –> 00:33:57,780 and death shall be no more 721 00:33:58,140 –> 00:34:00,819 neither shall there be mourning 722 00:34:00,819 –> 00:34:02,719 nor crying 723 00:34:02,739 –> 00:34:05,599 nor pain 724 00:34:05,619 –> 00:34:08,820 for the former things have passed away 725 00:34:08,820 –> 00:34:11,719 and he who is seated on the throne 726 00:34:11,739 –> 00:34:17,959 said, behold, I am making everything new 727 00:34:17,979 –> 00:34:19,120 brothers and sisters 728 00:34:19,139 –> 00:34:19,719 in Christ 729 00:34:19,739 –> 00:34:27,239 Jesus is going to bring us into a glorious reward 730 00:34:27,560 –> 00:34:30,060 and therefore 731 00:34:30,080 –> 00:34:34,340 let us run with endurance the race that is 732 00:34:34,360 –> 00:34:37,179 set before us 733 00:34:37,199 –> 00:34:39,739 looking to Jesus 734 00:34:39,760 –> 00:34:41,419 the founder 735 00:34:41,439 –> 00:34:42,979 and perfecter 736 00:34:43,000 –> 00:34:45,219 of our faith 737 00:34:45,239 –> 00:34:47,780 who for the joy that was set before him 738 00:34:47,800 –> 00:34:50,620 endured the cross 739 00:34:50,639 –> 00:34:52,459 and is seated 740 00:34:52,479 –> 00:34:55,159 at the right hand 741 00:34:55,159 –> 00:34:56,899 of the throne 742 00:34:56,919 –> 00:34:58,679 of God 743 00:34:58,719 –> 00:35:01,979 Let’s pray together 744 00:35:02,000 –> 00:35:07,939 Our Father, thank you for the joy you have set before us 745 00:35:07,959 –> 00:35:11,459 The redeemed family 746 00:35:11,479 –> 00:35:14,899 resurrected bodies 747 00:35:14,919 –> 00:35:18,699 a restored universe 748 00:35:18,719 –> 00:35:20,620 Now help us 749 00:35:20,639 –> 00:35:23,739 to lay aside every weight 750 00:35:23,739 –> 00:35:27,639 and the sin that clings so closely 751 00:35:27,659 –> 00:35:30,439 and looking to Jesus 752 00:35:30,459 –> 00:35:36,520 to run with endurance the race that is set before us 753 00:35:36,540 –> 00:35:40,639 Through Jesus Christ, our Lord 754 00:35:40,659 –> 00:35:42,659 Amen