1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,940 Let’s turn to Romans chapter eight together. 2 00:00:03,940 –> 00:00:05,340 And this is the third week 3 00:00:05,340 –> 00:00:08,600 in our short series called Rescued. 4 00:00:08,600 –> 00:00:10,440 And if you’ve not been here before 5 00:00:10,440 –> 00:00:12,260 and you want just to pick up on it, 6 00:00:12,260 –> 00:00:14,880 the title comes from chapter seven of Romans, 7 00:00:14,880 –> 00:00:17,320 in verse 24 where Paul is talking 8 00:00:17,320 –> 00:00:19,040 about his own struggle with sin, 9 00:00:19,040 –> 00:00:21,959 the struggle that every human being experiences. 10 00:00:21,959 –> 00:00:22,799 And he says, 11 00:00:22,799 –> 00:00:24,420 Oh, wretched man that I am, 12 00:00:24,420 –> 00:00:26,680 who will rescue me? 13 00:00:26,760 –> 00:00:30,219 And really Romans eight is the answer to that question. 14 00:00:30,219 –> 00:00:31,920 He gives us the headline straight away 15 00:00:31,920 –> 00:00:33,580 at the end of Romans chapter seven. 16 00:00:33,580 –> 00:00:35,779 He says the answer is Jesus Christ, 17 00:00:35,779 –> 00:00:38,660 but Romans eight is really telling us 18 00:00:38,660 –> 00:00:42,500 how Jesus Christ accomplishes this rescue. 19 00:00:42,500 –> 00:00:43,939 What he actually does. 20 00:00:43,939 –> 00:00:45,160 And we’ve been tracing it 21 00:00:45,160 –> 00:00:46,939 and seeing that as we move through 22 00:00:46,939 –> 00:00:48,900 this marvelous chapter of the Bible, 23 00:00:48,900 –> 00:00:51,740 it is just increasingly wonderful. 24 00:00:51,740 –> 00:00:54,340 A quick review of what we’ve seen so far. 25 00:00:54,340 –> 00:00:58,660 First Christ removes the condemnation of sins penalty. 26 00:00:58,660 –> 00:01:01,919 God sent his son into the world. 27 00:01:01,919 –> 00:01:04,160 Christ became the sin offering. 28 00:01:04,160 –> 00:01:05,360 If you’re in Christ, 29 00:01:05,360 –> 00:01:09,300 you can truly say that God has passed the condemnation 30 00:01:09,300 –> 00:01:11,879 for your sin unto his son, 31 00:01:11,879 –> 00:01:14,160 the Lord Jesus Christ. 32 00:01:14,160 –> 00:01:19,160 The Bible calls this wonderful gift justification. 33 00:01:19,239 –> 00:01:20,760 Your sins are forgiven. 34 00:01:20,760 –> 00:01:24,320 Your eternal future is secure. 35 00:01:24,760 –> 00:01:27,580 If justification were everything that God gave to us 36 00:01:27,580 –> 00:01:30,279 in the gospel, it would be marvelous, 37 00:01:30,279 –> 00:01:34,360 but we’ve been seeing that it’s even better, 38 00:01:35,360 –> 00:01:36,839 because not only does Christ remove 39 00:01:36,839 –> 00:01:38,360 the condemnation of sins penalty, 40 00:01:38,360 –> 00:01:42,160 Christ breaks the condemnation of sins power. 41 00:01:42,160 –> 00:01:44,559 We saw that he sends his Spirit, 42 00:01:44,559 –> 00:01:47,400 that the Holy Spirit enters the life of every believer, 43 00:01:47,400 –> 00:01:50,360 bringing you power, new resources, new desire, 44 00:01:50,360 –> 00:01:52,480 new energy, new direction. 45 00:01:52,480 –> 00:01:55,820 God does not leave you when you come to be in Christ 46 00:01:55,820 –> 00:01:59,519 as a slave to their passions of your sinful nature, 47 00:01:59,519 –> 00:02:02,760 sin is still your enemy, but it is no longer your master, 48 00:02:02,760 –> 00:02:05,519 you’re now in a position to act and to fight, 49 00:02:05,519 –> 00:02:09,320 and the power of the Holy Spirit is for you and with you. 50 00:02:09,320 –> 00:02:11,279 In Christ, you are a new creation, 51 00:02:11,279 –> 00:02:13,880 your mind is set on what the Spirit desires, 52 00:02:13,880 –> 00:02:16,679 and the Bible calls this not justification, 53 00:02:16,679 –> 00:02:20,279 but sanctification, and if we were to put 54 00:02:20,320 –> 00:02:24,520 these two together, justification and sanctification, 55 00:02:24,520 –> 00:02:27,619 the gospel would be double marvelous, 56 00:02:27,619 –> 00:02:29,500 but you’re getting the feel of this now, 57 00:02:29,500 –> 00:02:33,800 but it’s even better, okay. 58 00:02:33,800 –> 00:02:37,940 We saw last week that not only does God do these things 59 00:02:37,940 –> 00:02:40,759 in Christ, the Father adopts us, 60 00:02:40,759 –> 00:02:42,919 when you come into faith in Jesus Christ, 61 00:02:42,919 –> 00:02:45,639 you are adopted into the family of God. 62 00:02:45,639 –> 00:02:46,960 We asked the question last week, 63 00:02:46,960 –> 00:02:48,940 why then does Jesus Christ save us? 64 00:02:49,179 –> 00:02:51,259 What does He want to bring us into? 65 00:02:51,259 –> 00:02:55,419 And we saw that the ultimate purpose of God’s great rescue 66 00:02:55,419 –> 00:02:59,899 is that His people should rejoice in his love forever. 67 00:02:59,899 –> 00:03:01,199 Forever. 68 00:03:01,199 –> 00:03:03,059 God wants you to flourish in his love, 69 00:03:03,059 –> 00:03:05,220 to be changed by it 70 00:03:05,220 –> 00:03:08,919 and to become all that He redeemed you to be in it. 71 00:03:08,919 –> 00:03:11,960 And we saw that it is the special work of the Holy Spirit 72 00:03:11,960 –> 00:03:16,460 to convince us that the Father really loves us 73 00:03:16,460 –> 00:03:18,860 because we find that by nature very difficult 74 00:03:18,860 –> 00:03:20,139 to believe. 75 00:03:20,139 –> 00:03:23,699 And so through the Holy Spirit, we cry out abba Father. 76 00:03:23,699 –> 00:03:27,759 We do that in our worship and we do that in our pain, 77 00:03:27,759 –> 00:03:31,740 drawing comfort and strength from His love 78 00:03:31,740 –> 00:03:35,580 knowing that we shall soon enter into our inheritance 79 00:03:35,580 –> 00:03:39,500 which is ours as heirs of God in Jesus Christ. 80 00:03:39,500 –> 00:03:42,139 And if you put these three together, 81 00:03:42,139 –> 00:03:46,380 justification, the removing of sins penalty, 82 00:03:46,500 –> 00:03:48,339 the rectification, the sanctification, 83 00:03:48,339 –> 00:03:50,399 the breaking of sins power, adoption God, 84 00:03:50,399 –> 00:03:55,399 making us his children forever adopting us into his family. 85 00:03:55,639 –> 00:03:57,119 If you put these three together, 86 00:03:57,119 –> 00:04:00,039 the gospel is triple marvelous. 87 00:04:00,039 –> 00:04:02,000 And you know what I’m gonna say next 88 00:04:02,000 –> 00:04:06,720 but it’s even better. 89 00:04:06,720 –> 00:04:09,619 You say, what could top that? 90 00:04:11,919 –> 00:04:14,059 Well, when God completes the work 91 00:04:14,220 –> 00:04:17,980 that He has already begun in your life in Jesus Christ, 92 00:04:19,399 –> 00:04:24,040 a unique reflection of the glory of God 93 00:04:24,040 –> 00:04:28,760 will be seen in you a unique reflection 94 00:04:28,760 –> 00:04:32,019 like light coming off each facet of a diamond 95 00:04:32,019 –> 00:04:33,540 having its own glory. 96 00:04:33,540 –> 00:04:36,540 There will be a unique reflection 97 00:04:36,540 –> 00:04:41,540 of the glory of Jesus Christ in every one of his children, 98 00:04:41,559 –> 00:04:42,619 of His children. 99 00:04:43,839 –> 00:04:47,760 The Bible calls this glorification. 100 00:04:47,760 –> 00:04:49,720 And if you can get this framework in your mind, 101 00:04:49,720 –> 00:04:51,779 you’ll have a picture really 102 00:04:51,779 –> 00:04:53,619 of what God’s rescue really looks like, 103 00:04:53,619 –> 00:04:56,720 what salvation is all about. 104 00:04:56,720 –> 00:05:00,119 And you’ll see this theme of the glory 105 00:05:00,119 –> 00:05:02,640 that God bestows on His children 106 00:05:02,640 –> 00:05:04,320 running right throughout Romans 8. 107 00:05:04,320 –> 00:05:07,160 For example, verse 30, see what it goes. 108 00:05:07,160 –> 00:05:09,359 Those He predestined He also called. 109 00:05:09,359 –> 00:05:11,260 Those He called He also justified, 110 00:05:11,279 –> 00:05:13,420 and those He justified, what did He do? 111 00:05:13,420 –> 00:05:16,220 He also glorified. 112 00:05:16,220 –> 00:05:20,600 Or verse 18 and 19, I consider Paul says 113 00:05:20,600 –> 00:05:24,040 that the present sufferings of this world, 114 00:05:24,040 –> 00:05:26,820 they’re not worth comparing with 115 00:05:26,820 –> 00:05:31,820 the glory that will be revealed in us. 116 00:05:32,179 –> 00:05:34,380 Glory in us. 117 00:05:34,380 –> 00:05:37,859 Or verse 21, the creation itself 118 00:05:37,920 –> 00:05:41,420 will be liberated from its bondage to decay 119 00:05:41,420 –> 00:05:43,559 and the creation is going to be brought 120 00:05:43,559 –> 00:05:48,559 into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 121 00:05:51,500 –> 00:05:54,380 Now, this then, is our marvelous theme today 122 00:05:54,380 –> 00:05:56,959 and I want to make four observations 123 00:05:56,959 –> 00:06:01,959 about the glorious freedom that Paul speaks about here. 124 00:06:03,220 –> 00:06:05,100 First of all, then, let’s think about 125 00:06:05,100 –> 00:06:09,739 that freedom displayed in verse 18, Paul says, 126 00:06:09,739 –> 00:06:14,739 the sons of God will be revealed. 127 00:06:14,760 –> 00:06:16,679 I consider that our present sufferings 128 00:06:16,679 –> 00:06:20,339 are not worth comparing with the glory 129 00:06:20,339 –> 00:06:23,160 that will be revealed in us. 130 00:06:23,160 –> 00:06:28,140 The creation waits in eager expectations for what? 131 00:06:29,000 –> 00:06:34,000 The creation is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed. 132 00:06:34,119 –> 00:06:36,320 Paul’s talking now then about something very specific 133 00:06:36,320 –> 00:06:38,640 that’s going to happen in the future. 134 00:06:38,640 –> 00:06:40,359 And here’s what it is, 135 00:06:40,359 –> 00:06:45,359 the sons of God are going to be revealed. 136 00:06:45,359 –> 00:06:47,679 The sons of God, that’s us. 137 00:06:47,679 –> 00:06:49,760 That is those who have put our faith 138 00:06:49,760 –> 00:06:51,480 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 139 00:06:51,480 –> 00:06:53,959 come to know him as Savior and Lord. 140 00:06:53,959 –> 00:06:56,059 If you look back at verse 14, 141 00:06:56,059 –> 00:06:59,160 sons of God is the way that Paul describes 142 00:06:59,160 –> 00:07:00,600 ordinary Christian believers, 143 00:07:00,600 –> 00:07:03,279 those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. 144 00:07:03,279 –> 00:07:04,119 Why? 145 00:07:04,119 –> 00:07:05,019 Because we are adopted, 146 00:07:05,019 –> 00:07:06,440 as we saw just last week, 147 00:07:06,440 –> 00:07:09,119 into God’s wonderful family. 148 00:07:09,119 –> 00:07:10,880 And on the last day, 149 00:07:10,880 –> 00:07:12,160 the day is coming, 150 00:07:12,160 –> 00:07:17,160 when the sons of God are going to be revealed. 151 00:07:19,260 –> 00:07:20,940 Now let’s pause and ask this question. 152 00:07:20,940 –> 00:07:23,619 How do you feel instinctively, 153 00:07:23,619 –> 00:07:28,619 how do you feel about the thought of you being revealed? 154 00:07:29,100 –> 00:07:33,600 Now, you see, I think that perhaps many of us 155 00:07:33,600 –> 00:07:34,739 as a first reaction, 156 00:07:34,739 –> 00:07:35,579 I’ll think, 157 00:07:35,579 –> 00:07:37,119 whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. 158 00:07:37,119 –> 00:07:39,480 I don’t like the sound of this. 159 00:07:39,480 –> 00:07:41,540 If people knew who I really am, 160 00:07:41,540 –> 00:07:42,720 they wouldn’t like me. 161 00:07:43,720 –> 00:07:46,920 So I don’t want people knowing who I really am. 162 00:07:46,920 –> 00:07:50,519 I don’t really want to be revealed. 163 00:07:52,640 –> 00:07:57,480 Maybe you feel that at the deepest level of your life, 164 00:07:57,839 –> 00:07:59,279 right down at the core, 165 00:07:59,279 –> 00:08:01,440 maybe you feel that at the deepest level, 166 00:08:01,440 –> 00:08:03,119 you are fundamentally rotten 167 00:08:04,339 –> 00:08:06,980 and therefore that you would not want to be revealed. 168 00:08:08,820 –> 00:08:11,980 And that is a very natural reaction 169 00:08:13,339 –> 00:08:15,440 because, of course, the Bible makes it clear 170 00:08:15,440 –> 00:08:19,480 that by nature we are all rotten at the core. 171 00:08:19,480 –> 00:08:21,160 That is why we need a savior. 172 00:08:21,160 –> 00:08:23,839 That is why the rescue had to happen. 173 00:08:23,839 –> 00:08:26,160 That is why God sent His son into the world 174 00:08:28,399 –> 00:08:32,640 but is it true, of a person in Christ, 175 00:08:33,880 –> 00:08:36,739 that you are rotten at the core? 176 00:08:37,940 –> 00:08:39,059 Of course not. 177 00:08:40,119 –> 00:08:44,080 If anyone is in Christ, he is what? 178 00:08:44,080 –> 00:08:45,619 A new creation. 179 00:08:46,719 –> 00:08:49,599 The old has passed away. 180 00:08:49,599 –> 00:08:51,599 Not will pass away, it has passed away, 181 00:08:51,599 –> 00:08:53,500 the new has come. 182 00:08:54,500 –> 00:08:56,200 There may be, and doubtless are, 183 00:08:56,280 –> 00:08:59,820 many things that are rotten in your life, 184 00:08:59,820 –> 00:09:02,979 but if you are in Christ, 185 00:09:02,979 –> 00:09:06,479 you are a new person at the core. 186 00:09:06,479 –> 00:09:08,760 That’s what it means to be born again. 187 00:09:08,760 –> 00:09:13,280 And one day, what you really are will be revealed. 188 00:09:13,280 –> 00:09:16,880 What is at the heart of you will become the whole of you. 189 00:09:16,880 –> 00:09:19,179 That’s what glorification is all about. 190 00:09:19,179 –> 00:09:21,659 That’s why Paul says in verse 18, 191 00:09:21,659 –> 00:09:24,479 I consider that the present sufferings that we have 192 00:09:24,500 –> 00:09:27,739 are not worth comparing with the glory 193 00:09:27,739 –> 00:09:31,820 that will be revealed in us. 194 00:09:32,760 –> 00:09:36,960 Notice that in us, not just to us, in us. 195 00:09:36,960 –> 00:09:39,700 It’s not just that when you arrive in heaven, 196 00:09:39,700 –> 00:09:41,780 you will be in Christ’s glory, 197 00:09:41,780 –> 00:09:43,479 it’s that when you arrive in heaven, 198 00:09:43,479 –> 00:09:46,059 Christ’s glory will be in you. 199 00:09:46,059 –> 00:09:48,580 The glory that will be revealed in us, 200 00:09:48,580 –> 00:09:52,580 when we see him, we will be like him. 201 00:09:54,820 –> 00:09:58,719 Now, of course, you can’t see this glory in yourself, 202 00:09:58,719 –> 00:10:02,700 I can’t see it in myself yet. 203 00:10:02,700 –> 00:10:06,799 Because it is by faith that we know 204 00:10:06,799 –> 00:10:09,299 that we are new creations. 205 00:10:09,299 –> 00:10:10,659 And the world doesn’t see it. 206 00:10:10,659 –> 00:10:12,359 The world looks at you, looks at me, 207 00:10:12,359 –> 00:10:14,640 and all it wants to do is point out our failings 208 00:10:14,640 –> 00:10:16,380 and our faults, and there are many. 209 00:10:17,900 –> 00:10:19,919 My guess is that even the angels 210 00:10:19,919 –> 00:10:22,419 can’t see the glory in you yet, 211 00:10:22,419 –> 00:10:23,859 because they’re trying to puzzle out 212 00:10:23,880 –> 00:10:26,460 how this extraordinary salvation of human beings 213 00:10:26,460 –> 00:10:27,460 can actually work. 214 00:10:27,460 –> 00:10:30,520 They cannot fully comprehend it, the Bible tells us. 215 00:10:30,520 –> 00:10:33,679 But the day is coming, Paul says here, 216 00:10:33,679 –> 00:10:38,679 when who you are in Jesus Christ will be revealed 217 00:10:39,159 –> 00:10:41,619 and you will see it. 218 00:10:41,619 –> 00:10:44,400 You will see the full extent of God’s saving work 219 00:10:44,400 –> 00:10:46,239 in your own life. 220 00:10:46,239 –> 00:10:48,359 And the angels will see it 221 00:10:48,359 –> 00:10:51,260 and all heaven will rejoice in it. 222 00:10:52,020 –> 00:10:55,200 C.S. Lewis had a way of putting things very vividly 223 00:10:55,200 –> 00:10:57,239 and he put it like this. 224 00:10:58,619 –> 00:11:03,380 He said if you could see the glory 225 00:11:04,359 –> 00:11:06,460 that will one day be revealed 226 00:11:06,460 –> 00:11:09,020 in the Christian sitting next to you, 227 00:11:10,200 –> 00:11:12,760 have a look at the Christian sitting next to you. 228 00:11:14,559 –> 00:11:16,820 And if you’re not yet a Christian 229 00:11:16,820 –> 00:11:18,219 by the time this morning’s over, 230 00:11:18,219 –> 00:11:21,179 I hope you will be putting your trust in Christ. 231 00:11:21,179 –> 00:11:24,159 I’m serious, you don’t want to miss out on this. 232 00:11:25,380 –> 00:11:29,900 But Lewis said if you could see the glory 233 00:11:29,900 –> 00:11:32,539 that will one day be revealed 234 00:11:32,539 –> 00:11:34,900 in the Christian sitting next to you, 235 00:11:34,900 –> 00:11:37,919 you would be seriously tempted to fall down 236 00:11:37,919 –> 00:11:40,219 in front of them right now and worship. 237 00:11:42,659 –> 00:11:43,500 Wow. 238 00:11:45,159 –> 00:11:50,059 The glory that will be revealed 239 00:11:50,059 –> 00:11:52,960 in us. 240 00:11:54,440 –> 00:11:55,440 Glorification. 241 00:11:58,020 –> 00:12:00,760 So Paul says, hey, however hard it is 242 00:12:00,760 –> 00:12:02,400 for you to be a Christian, 243 00:12:02,400 –> 00:12:04,739 whatever your sufferings right now in this world, 244 00:12:04,739 –> 00:12:07,840 whatever you’re contending with on this Sunday morning, 245 00:12:07,840 –> 00:12:10,359 however hard it is for you to live with integrity, 246 00:12:10,359 –> 00:12:11,239 whatever it costs you, 247 00:12:11,239 –> 00:12:13,200 however tough your struggle against sin, 248 00:12:13,200 –> 00:12:14,799 whatever the pressure in your life 249 00:12:14,799 –> 00:12:17,359 because of following Jesus Christ, that’s nothing. 250 00:12:18,200 –> 00:12:21,320 In comparison with this glory 251 00:12:22,799 –> 00:12:25,799 that is going to be revealed in you. 252 00:12:27,099 –> 00:12:29,280 Do you know, to live a Christian life wisely, 253 00:12:29,280 –> 00:12:31,460 you really only need to know two things. 254 00:12:33,080 –> 00:12:35,640 One is you need to know who God is 255 00:12:35,640 –> 00:12:38,799 and the other is you need to know who you are. 256 00:12:40,140 –> 00:12:41,760 If we just focus in on the second 257 00:12:41,760 –> 00:12:42,919 because this is very important, 258 00:12:42,919 –> 00:12:45,679 you need to know who you are. 259 00:12:46,539 –> 00:12:49,239 You can boil that, the bible’s teaching 260 00:12:49,239 –> 00:12:50,520 about who you are really down 261 00:12:50,520 –> 00:12:52,299 to two very simple statements. 262 00:12:52,299 –> 00:12:53,320 Let me give them to you. 263 00:12:53,320 –> 00:12:54,679 I find this helpful. 264 00:12:54,679 –> 00:12:58,880 By nature, I was rotten at the core. 265 00:12:58,880 –> 00:13:01,039 I say that is why I came to Christ, 266 00:13:01,039 –> 00:13:03,239 that is why you need to come to Christ 267 00:13:03,239 –> 00:13:05,080 if you have not done so already. 268 00:13:05,080 –> 00:13:10,080 I need a Savior because of who I was by nature. 269 00:13:11,159 –> 00:13:13,260 Who needs a Savior if you’re already good 270 00:13:13,299 –> 00:13:17,239 but when you see that sin is at the very core 271 00:13:17,239 –> 00:13:19,900 of your nature, then you will come to Jesus Christ. 272 00:13:19,900 –> 00:13:21,099 When you see that and of course, 273 00:13:21,099 –> 00:13:24,039 this is why God gave us the law in the Old Testament 274 00:13:24,039 –> 00:13:26,780 because when you look at what God’s holiness 275 00:13:26,780 –> 00:13:29,140 really looks like as it’s reflected in his law, 276 00:13:29,140 –> 00:13:31,440 it’s not long if you’re really taking that seriously 277 00:13:31,440 –> 00:13:33,320 before you say, I’m nowhere near. 278 00:13:33,320 –> 00:13:36,219 I need a Savior, that’s why he gave us the law 279 00:13:37,500 –> 00:13:40,159 and when you see it, you will come to Christ. 280 00:13:40,559 –> 00:13:42,219 By nature, I was rotten at the core. 281 00:13:42,219 –> 00:13:46,919 Number two, in Christ, I am a new creation 282 00:13:46,919 –> 00:13:48,960 and you need to know this. 283 00:13:48,960 –> 00:13:52,020 You are a new creation in Jesus Christ. 284 00:13:52,020 –> 00:13:54,659 The sinful nature is not what you are. 285 00:13:55,559 –> 00:13:59,640 The sinful nature is what you are fighting against. 286 00:14:00,840 –> 00:14:03,200 Now, you need to know that you are a new person in Christ 287 00:14:03,200 –> 00:14:07,260 because if you believe that fundamentally you are a loser, 288 00:14:07,260 –> 00:14:09,659 you will live like a loser. 289 00:14:10,659 –> 00:14:12,719 But if you know and believe by faith 290 00:14:12,719 –> 00:14:15,840 and have come to grasp and to see that in Christ 291 00:14:15,840 –> 00:14:20,299 you are a new creation, you will live like 292 00:14:20,299 –> 00:14:22,099 a new creation. 293 00:14:22,099 –> 00:14:24,260 The very heart of living the Christian life 294 00:14:24,260 –> 00:14:26,179 is not pretending to be something you’re not. 295 00:14:26,179 –> 00:14:28,419 That’s Phariseeism and hypocrisy. 296 00:14:28,419 –> 00:14:32,159 The heart of being a Christian is to be who you are. 297 00:14:33,900 –> 00:14:35,900 When you sin, 298 00:14:35,900 –> 00:14:39,739 you’re doing what’s foreign to a child of God. 299 00:14:40,719 –> 00:14:45,239 Which is what you are, if you are in Christ. 300 00:14:48,320 –> 00:14:51,039 Being who you are in Christ, and one day 301 00:14:51,940 –> 00:14:56,479 his glory will be revealed in you. 302 00:14:56,479 –> 00:14:57,880 Isn’t that a wonderful truth? 303 00:14:59,739 –> 00:15:03,859 Freedom displayed, the sons of God will be revealed. 304 00:15:05,140 –> 00:15:07,419 Here’s the second thing. 305 00:15:07,479 –> 00:15:11,799 Freedom extended, God’s children will come 306 00:15:11,799 –> 00:15:15,840 into glorious freedom. 307 00:15:16,859 –> 00:15:19,000 Now we see this in verse 21. 308 00:15:19,000 –> 00:15:22,880 The creation itself will be liberated 309 00:15:22,880 –> 00:15:27,320 from its bondage to decay and brought into, what? 310 00:15:27,320 –> 00:15:31,919 The glorious freedom of the children of God. 311 00:15:32,919 –> 00:15:34,140 As we celebrate the gift 312 00:15:34,140 –> 00:15:36,840 of freedom and we thank God for it. 313 00:15:36,840 –> 00:15:41,640 And we enjoy the blessings of freedom in so many ways. 314 00:15:42,900 –> 00:15:44,299 But not always. 315 00:15:45,440 –> 00:15:46,479 Not always. 316 00:15:48,599 –> 00:15:52,880 See we experience the frustration of the bondage 317 00:15:52,880 –> 00:15:56,739 to decay in our own flesh. 318 00:15:58,719 –> 00:16:00,520 Anyone here got decaying teeth? 319 00:16:02,799 –> 00:16:04,280 Anyone this morning? 320 00:16:04,280 –> 00:16:05,580 High cholesterol? 321 00:16:07,039 –> 00:16:09,440 Loss of muscle tone? 322 00:16:10,559 –> 00:16:13,440 Aching bones, wrinkling skin? 323 00:16:15,039 –> 00:16:17,380 An old guy once wrote the ditty, 324 00:16:17,380 –> 00:16:19,780 My back is all sore. 325 00:16:19,780 –> 00:16:22,859 And my knees are all bent. 326 00:16:22,859 –> 00:16:26,940 And my get-up-and-go has got up and went. 327 00:16:27,020 –> 00:16:27,859 No. 328 00:16:29,559 –> 00:16:33,340 We are not yet free from sin, 329 00:16:33,340 –> 00:16:37,140 or failure, or sickness, 330 00:16:37,140 –> 00:16:40,099 or disabilities, or accidents, 331 00:16:40,099 –> 00:16:42,979 or suffering, or pain, or sorrow, 332 00:16:42,979 –> 00:16:47,119 or enemies, or danger, or disasters, or death. 333 00:16:49,419 –> 00:16:51,140 And in Romans chapter eight, 334 00:16:51,140 –> 00:16:54,659 Jesus Christ promises a greater freedom 335 00:16:55,640 –> 00:16:59,099 than can ever be known at any time 336 00:16:59,099 –> 00:17:01,700 or in any place in this world. 337 00:17:01,700 –> 00:17:03,919 That’s why he calls it in verse 21 338 00:17:03,919 –> 00:17:05,479 a glorious freedom. 339 00:17:06,380 –> 00:17:08,260 Because all of the freedom that we 340 00:17:08,260 –> 00:17:09,979 taste, and enjoy, and thank God for 341 00:17:09,979 –> 00:17:13,979 today is only a taste of the much greater freedom, 342 00:17:13,979 –> 00:17:16,479 the glorious freedom that is promised 343 00:17:16,479 –> 00:17:17,500 to the children of God. 344 00:17:17,500 –> 00:17:20,819 We’re talking here about freedom 345 00:17:20,819 –> 00:17:23,660 from sin, and sickness, and suffering. 346 00:17:23,699 –> 00:17:27,060 Freedom from fear, and failure, and frustration. 347 00:17:27,060 –> 00:17:30,719 Freedom from dangers, and disasters, and death. 348 00:17:31,719 –> 00:17:34,599 And you will enjoy this freedom, Paul is saying, 349 00:17:34,599 –> 00:17:37,359 not only in your redeemed soul, 350 00:17:37,359 –> 00:17:40,079 but in your resurrected body. 351 00:17:40,079 –> 00:17:42,979 Which is why in verse 23 he says we eagerly 352 00:17:42,979 –> 00:17:44,839 await for our adoption as sons, 353 00:17:44,839 –> 00:17:48,459 the redemption of our bodies. 354 00:17:48,459 –> 00:17:50,339 So, he’s making it clear to us 355 00:17:50,339 –> 00:17:52,959 that in this extended freedom, 356 00:17:53,560 –> 00:17:58,439 God’s rescue is much more than saving your soul. 357 00:17:58,439 –> 00:18:03,439 It is redeeming your life, body, soul, and spirit. 358 00:18:04,380 –> 00:18:06,900 Everything that you are will be redeemed, 359 00:18:06,900 –> 00:18:09,540 and made perfect, and adapted for eternity, 360 00:18:09,540 –> 00:18:12,160 and brought into the glorious freedom 361 00:18:12,160 –> 00:18:15,359 of the children of God. 362 00:18:15,359 –> 00:18:18,119 And, says Paul, verse 24, 363 00:18:18,140 –> 00:18:20,239 it is in this hope 364 00:18:21,319 –> 00:18:23,699 that is the hope of an even greater 365 00:18:23,699 –> 00:18:25,680 and more glorious freedom, 366 00:18:25,680 –> 00:18:30,199 a fuller life, that you were saved. 367 00:18:34,479 –> 00:18:38,319 I turned 50 this year, 368 00:18:38,319 –> 00:18:41,000 and a few friends threw a surprise party. 369 00:18:42,079 –> 00:18:44,239 Was a wonderful occasion. 370 00:18:44,239 –> 00:18:48,060 And I think the first time I’ve ever had a surprise party. 371 00:18:48,400 –> 00:18:49,800 Great evening. 372 00:18:49,800 –> 00:18:52,839 And you know the deal, your friends gather in surprise. 373 00:18:55,079 –> 00:18:59,479 God could have kept the resurrection body as a surprise. 374 00:19:01,000 –> 00:19:02,800 I mean, he’s given us the promise 375 00:19:02,800 –> 00:19:04,959 that to be absent from the body 376 00:19:05,880 –> 00:19:07,920 is to be present with the Lord. 377 00:19:07,920 –> 00:19:10,000 Funeral of a loved one, 378 00:19:10,000 –> 00:19:12,719 the body is buried, 379 00:19:12,719 –> 00:19:14,699 you go and visit the gravesite. 380 00:19:14,699 –> 00:19:16,599 But you say, well, she’s present with the Lord. 381 00:19:16,599 –> 00:19:18,680 He’s present with the Lord. 382 00:19:18,680 –> 00:19:20,119 We could live on that. 383 00:19:21,540 –> 00:19:23,719 And then when the Lord Jesus came, 384 00:19:23,719 –> 00:19:24,880 the sound of the trumpet 385 00:19:24,880 –> 00:19:26,280 and he brings the souls of those 386 00:19:26,280 –> 00:19:28,160 who are ready in his presence with him 387 00:19:28,160 –> 00:19:30,979 and we are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, 388 00:19:32,760 –> 00:19:37,119 he could have said to us, surprise! 389 00:19:37,119 –> 00:19:40,760 Well, I think we’ll be a surprise anyway, wont it? 390 00:19:40,760 –> 00:19:42,359 And we should be ready for it. 391 00:19:43,280 –> 00:19:45,040 And he could have told us then 392 00:19:45,040 –> 00:19:46,540 about the resurrection body. 393 00:19:48,760 –> 00:19:51,579 But he doesn’t keep it as a surprise, 394 00:19:51,579 –> 00:19:56,579 he wants you to know about the resurrection body now. 395 00:19:57,959 –> 00:20:00,839 Why is it so important for you to know 396 00:20:00,839 –> 00:20:04,260 about the resurrection body, now? 397 00:20:05,380 –> 00:20:08,160 There’s a big deal because so many Christians 398 00:20:08,160 –> 00:20:10,719 have this vague view of eternity 399 00:20:10,780 –> 00:20:13,119 and floating around in spirits and all the rest of it. 400 00:20:13,119 –> 00:20:14,880 We don’t quite get the resurrection body, 401 00:20:14,880 –> 00:20:17,359 and Paul says, this is critical. 402 00:20:17,359 –> 00:20:18,719 You have to get this. 403 00:20:20,079 –> 00:20:21,380 Why is it so important? 404 00:20:21,380 –> 00:20:24,400 For this reason, because God wants you to know 405 00:20:24,400 –> 00:20:29,079 that your future life will not be less than your life here. 406 00:20:29,079 –> 00:20:30,900 It will be more. 407 00:20:32,439 –> 00:20:34,680 See, many Christians have the idea 408 00:20:34,680 –> 00:20:37,359 that the future, however wonderful 409 00:20:37,359 –> 00:20:39,680 that the Lord Jesus Christ has prepared for us 410 00:20:39,699 –> 00:20:42,060 is really a kind of half life. 411 00:20:43,719 –> 00:20:46,439 We can’t imagine golf there, you see. 412 00:20:46,439 –> 00:20:48,239 How do spirits play golf, you see. 413 00:20:50,479 –> 00:20:52,359 There is a kind of compensation 414 00:20:52,359 –> 00:20:55,599 for those who grew too old or those who died too young 415 00:20:55,599 –> 00:20:58,040 and did not have the strength to continue in this world 416 00:20:58,040 –> 00:21:00,300 where the real action is. 417 00:21:02,560 –> 00:21:05,040 But the glorious freedom of the children of God 418 00:21:05,040 –> 00:21:08,479 is not a compensation for those who missed out on life here. 419 00:21:08,640 –> 00:21:11,680 It is not a half life, it is not a disembodied life. 420 00:21:13,479 –> 00:21:15,839 It is the fulfillment of the purpose 421 00:21:15,839 –> 00:21:17,500 for which you were created 422 00:21:17,500 –> 00:21:20,199 and you were created a body, soul, unity. 423 00:21:21,599 –> 00:21:24,439 And it is the purpose for which you were redeemed 424 00:21:24,439 –> 00:21:26,579 and it is pointed to by the resurrection 425 00:21:26,579 –> 00:21:27,920 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 426 00:21:27,920 –> 00:21:29,640 And God wants you to know this 427 00:21:29,640 –> 00:21:32,819 and live in this hope now. 428 00:21:35,640 –> 00:21:37,880 Karen and I have a niece. 429 00:21:39,479 –> 00:21:41,900 She’s a great joy to her parents 430 00:21:41,900 –> 00:21:43,479 and to all of us in the family 431 00:21:44,880 –> 00:21:46,839 at our seventh birthday on Friday. 432 00:21:48,439 –> 00:21:50,219 She has cerebral palsy. 433 00:21:51,680 –> 00:21:56,199 Megan lives a full life but she cannot speak. 434 00:21:58,000 –> 00:21:59,959 She’s made amazing progress. 435 00:22:01,119 –> 00:22:02,979 For a long time after she was born 436 00:22:02,979 –> 00:22:04,680 the doctors were not certain 437 00:22:04,680 –> 00:22:07,760 that she would be able to support the weight of her own head 438 00:22:09,459 –> 00:22:14,459 now she can walk and in her own kind of uncoordinated way 439 00:22:14,699 –> 00:22:17,540 she is even able to run. 440 00:22:18,640 –> 00:22:20,640 She can’t skip. 441 00:22:20,640 –> 00:22:23,239 She can’t coordinate her movement 442 00:22:24,880 –> 00:22:27,040 and now that she’s seven years old. 443 00:22:27,040 –> 00:22:31,420 Seven years old she knows she is different. 444 00:22:31,420 –> 00:22:32,260 She knows. 445 00:22:33,219 –> 00:22:38,219 Now here’s what God’s rescue looks like for Meaghan. 446 00:22:43,920 –> 00:22:48,920 One day, Meaghan will walk and skip and dance 447 00:22:51,380 –> 00:22:53,819 beautifully all she wants to. 448 00:22:55,619 –> 00:22:59,260 She will reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 449 00:22:59,400 –> 00:23:03,719 not only in a redeemed soul but in a resurrected body. 450 00:23:06,420 –> 00:23:08,839 And you may have a loved one 451 00:23:08,839 –> 00:23:11,579 who has special challenges in life 452 00:23:11,579 –> 00:23:15,459 and you think oh, they are missing out so much of life. 453 00:23:15,459 –> 00:23:16,939 No, don’t say that. 454 00:23:18,099 –> 00:23:19,800 They just haven’t got there yet. 455 00:23:21,479 –> 00:23:24,420 Or maybe you have in your mind right now 456 00:23:24,420 –> 00:23:27,219 a loved one who died early in life 457 00:23:27,219 –> 00:23:28,800 and you have all kinds of questions, 458 00:23:29,239 –> 00:23:32,579 you feel oh, they missed so much in this world. 459 00:23:33,959 –> 00:23:37,880 And you wonder, questions like what age will he be 460 00:23:37,880 –> 00:23:41,000 or what age will she be in God’s new creation? 461 00:23:41,000 –> 00:23:42,339 And I don’t know that, 462 00:23:44,180 –> 00:23:45,819 but I do know this. 463 00:23:46,920 –> 00:23:50,339 Your son, your daughter, your friend, 464 00:23:50,339 –> 00:23:54,680 your loved one will enjoy the full life, 465 00:23:54,680 –> 00:23:57,160 the glorious freedom of life 466 00:23:58,300 –> 00:24:02,160 that was God’s purpose in creating him or her 467 00:24:02,160 –> 00:24:06,160 and Jesus Christ had in mind in redeeming him or her 468 00:24:07,140 –> 00:24:09,079 and that is the promise of the gospel 469 00:24:09,079 –> 00:24:12,479 to all who are in Jesus Christ. 470 00:24:13,380 –> 00:24:18,319 And God does not want to hold this back as a surprise. 471 00:24:18,319 –> 00:24:20,060 He wants you to know it now 472 00:24:21,040 –> 00:24:26,040 so that through the tears and in the frustration 473 00:24:26,599 –> 00:24:30,619 you may have living hope not looking at life 474 00:24:30,619 –> 00:24:32,420 as if it was sort of passing away 475 00:24:32,420 –> 00:24:34,780 time like sand through your fingers 476 00:24:34,780 –> 00:24:36,660 but rather that you’re drawing nearer 477 00:24:36,660 –> 00:24:38,579 to what it’s really all about 478 00:24:41,160 –> 00:24:44,000 and there will be unspeakable joy 479 00:24:44,000 –> 00:24:47,979 in the fullness of his glory. 480 00:24:48,859 –> 00:24:53,859 So freedom displayed and freedom extended. 481 00:24:56,739 –> 00:24:57,900 Extended. 482 00:24:57,900 –> 00:25:02,900 I love to think of that freedom being extended 483 00:25:02,900 –> 00:25:05,819 in its fullness to Megan 484 00:25:05,819 –> 00:25:10,819 and you will have someone else in your mind 485 00:25:12,260 –> 00:25:16,219 and you’ll have joy as you think of that freedom 486 00:25:16,260 –> 00:25:21,079 in all its fullness being extended to them. 487 00:25:22,939 –> 00:25:26,979 Now, here’s the third thing, freedom shared. 488 00:25:28,020 –> 00:25:31,619 The creation will be brought into the glorious freedom 489 00:25:31,619 –> 00:25:35,040 of the children of God, verse 21. 490 00:25:35,979 –> 00:25:40,459 Now Paul is now telling us that when God’s rescue 491 00:25:40,459 –> 00:25:43,619 is complete, the whole planet’s going to be involved 492 00:25:43,619 –> 00:25:46,099 and it’s very interesting the way that this is put, 493 00:25:46,959 –> 00:25:49,500 that the planet will be brought into the glorious freedom 494 00:25:49,500 –> 00:25:51,540 of God’s children, not the other way around. 495 00:25:51,540 –> 00:25:54,020 It’s not that God will have the marvelous new heaven 496 00:25:54,020 –> 00:25:56,040 and earth and bring you into it. 497 00:25:56,040 –> 00:25:59,239 It is that he will have you fully redeemed 498 00:25:59,239 –> 00:26:00,859 and brought into glorious freedom 499 00:26:00,859 –> 00:26:03,079 and then he will adapt a new heaven and a new world 500 00:26:03,079 –> 00:26:04,780 that will be a fitting place for you 501 00:26:04,780 –> 00:26:06,459 to express this life. 502 00:26:08,099 –> 00:26:09,579 Now, notice the story here. 503 00:26:09,579 –> 00:26:10,660 Condensed right down. 504 00:26:10,660 –> 00:26:12,920 He tells us verse 20 that the creation 505 00:26:12,920 –> 00:26:15,119 was subjected to frustration. 506 00:26:15,979 –> 00:26:19,119 He’s talking of course about Genesis 3.17 507 00:26:19,119 –> 00:26:22,699 where after the first sin by Adam and by Eve, 508 00:26:22,699 –> 00:26:26,300 God subjected the creation to frustration. 509 00:26:26,300 –> 00:26:29,140 He said, cursed Adam is the ground 510 00:26:29,140 –> 00:26:30,780 because of you, 511 00:26:30,780 –> 00:26:33,239 because of your sin. 512 00:26:33,239 –> 00:26:34,839 So when man sinned, 513 00:26:34,839 –> 00:26:37,439 creation comes under a curse. 514 00:26:37,439 –> 00:26:39,540 Now Paul’s telling us when men and women 515 00:26:39,540 –> 00:26:41,800 are fully redeemed and we enter into 516 00:26:41,800 –> 00:26:44,420 the glorious freedom of the children of God 517 00:26:44,520 –> 00:26:47,099 then the curse that has been upon the earth 518 00:26:47,099 –> 00:26:48,540 it will be removed. 519 00:26:48,540 –> 00:26:51,219 The earth will have gone through this final judgement 520 00:26:51,219 –> 00:26:54,180 in which it is melted with fervent heat 521 00:26:54,180 –> 00:26:56,500 but then Revelation Chapter 21 522 00:26:56,500 –> 00:26:58,260 God creates a new heaven 523 00:26:58,260 –> 00:26:59,660 and a new earth 524 00:26:59,660 –> 00:27:02,380 so that the planet itself is now brought into 525 00:27:02,380 –> 00:27:04,640 and adapted for 526 00:27:04,640 –> 00:27:09,219 the life of God’s fully redeemed children 527 00:27:09,219 –> 00:27:11,040 forever and forever 528 00:27:11,040 –> 00:27:13,079 And that’s why Paul says the creation 529 00:27:13,079 –> 00:27:16,280 waits in eager expectation 530 00:27:16,280 –> 00:27:18,280 for the sons of God to be revealed 531 00:27:18,280 –> 00:27:21,219 because when our redemption is complete 532 00:27:22,239 –> 00:27:26,920 then the very creation itself gets free from the curse 533 00:27:26,920 –> 00:27:29,619 and enters into the joy 534 00:27:29,619 –> 00:27:31,619 that is already ours 535 00:27:31,619 –> 00:27:32,640 That’s why in the Old Testament 536 00:27:32,640 –> 00:27:34,339 you have things like the trees of the field 537 00:27:34,339 –> 00:27:36,160 clapping their hands 538 00:27:36,160 –> 00:27:37,199 Wonderful picture 539 00:27:39,599 –> 00:27:41,760 Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones 540 00:27:41,760 –> 00:27:43,459 I think makes this quite vivid 541 00:27:44,839 –> 00:27:48,119 He feels sorry for creation 542 00:27:48,119 –> 00:27:49,819 He says can you imagine how frustrating 543 00:27:49,819 –> 00:27:51,619 it is for the creation? 544 00:27:51,619 –> 00:27:54,079 Every year it tries to renew itself 545 00:27:54,079 –> 00:27:55,640 and every year it fails 546 00:27:57,400 –> 00:27:58,900 Comes out the deadness of winter 547 00:27:58,900 –> 00:28:00,520 and all this sudden blossom 548 00:28:00,520 –> 00:28:02,239 Creation renewing itself 549 00:28:02,239 –> 00:28:03,040 full of hope 550 00:28:04,640 –> 00:28:06,079 We come to church at easter 551 00:28:06,079 –> 00:28:07,319 and we have all the lilies 552 00:28:07,319 –> 00:28:08,479 and the daffodils 553 00:28:08,479 –> 00:28:09,520 and oh, isn’t it wonderful 554 00:28:09,520 –> 00:28:11,079 all this hope there in nature 555 00:28:12,000 –> 00:28:14,599 and where are the daffodils and the lilies 556 00:28:14,599 –> 00:28:16,160 a few weeks later? 557 00:28:16,160 –> 00:28:18,359 The bottom of a brown paper bag in the dumpster 558 00:28:19,520 –> 00:28:21,680 because the hope didn’t last 559 00:28:21,680 –> 00:28:22,719 that sprung up 560 00:2823,680 –> 00:28:25,040 and spring gives way to summer 561 00:28:25,040 –> 00:28:25,900 and summer to fall 562 00:28:25,900 –> 00:28:27,000 and fall to winter 563 00:28:28,219 –> 00:28:30,319 And nature breathes a sigh of relief 564 00:28:30,319 –> 00:28:32,140 and says better try again next year 565 00:28:35,140 –> 00:28:36,380 See that’s how the resurrection 566 00:28:36,380 –> 00:28:37,780 of Jesus Christ is different 567 00:28:37,780 –> 00:28:39,680 because the resurrection of Jesus Christ 568 00:28:39,680 –> 00:28:40,760 is a hope that lifts 569 00:28:40,760 –> 00:28:43,619 He conquers over death never to be defeated by it again 570 00:28:45,060 –> 00:28:47,180 And so the new creation when you read about it 571 00:28:47,180 –> 00:28:49,540 in Revelation Chapter 21 and 22 572 00:28:49,540 –> 00:28:52,219 it is bursting with life without death 573 00:28:53,099 –> 00:28:53,959 The whole planet 574 00:28:55,819 –> 00:28:57,540 When God wraps up human history 575 00:28:57,540 –> 00:28:59,880 He will make a new heaven and a new earth 576 00:28:59,880 –> 00:29:02,780 not a different heaven and a different earth 577 00:29:02,780 –> 00:29:04,300 the same planet made new 578 00:29:04,300 –> 00:29:07,260 perfectly adapted as the home of righteousness 579 00:29:07,260 –> 00:29:08,979 So here’s something that we can say 580 00:29:09,160 –> 00:29:11,380 in conversations about the planet 581 00:29:11,380 –> 00:29:14,239 we can say Christ will rescue the planet 582 00:29:14,239 –> 00:29:17,319 And he’ll rescue it for His children 583 00:29:18,579 –> 00:29:20,199 So the big thing is not the planet 584 00:29:20,199 –> 00:29:22,300 and the children being brought into the planet 585 00:29:22,300 –> 00:29:23,780 The big thing is the children 586 00:29:23,780 –> 00:29:26,000 and the planet gets brought into the glorious freedom 587 00:29:26,000 –> 00:29:27,180 of the children of God 588 00:29:29,060 –> 00:29:31,560 Because it’s God’s children had added to the most 589 00:29:33,280 –> 00:29:35,979 this planet will be rescued from its bondage to decay 590 00:29:35,979 –> 00:29:37,219 It will not be replaced 591 00:29:37,239 –> 00:29:39,579 It will be renewed 592 00:29:39,579 –> 00:29:40,500 and it will be brought into 593 00:29:40,500 –> 00:29:43,079 the glorious freedom of the children of God 594 00:29:43,079 –> 00:29:46,060 and maybe you will find this helpful 595 00:29:47,020 –> 00:29:48,719 you know, when we have such vague notions 596 00:29:48,719 –> 00:29:51,040 of floating spirits in heaven 597 00:29:51,040 –> 00:29:52,599 and all this kind of thing 598 00:29:52,599 –> 00:29:54,199 Well, to be absent from the body 599 00:29:54,199 –> 00:29:55,719 is to be present with the Lord 600 00:29:55,719 –> 00:29:57,380 immediately and consciously 601 00:29:57,380 –> 00:29:59,180 in a spiritual state 602 00:29:59,180 –> 00:30:02,319 Because the body is in the ground after death 603 00:30:02,319 –> 00:30:05,239 But God’s ultimate purpose for you 604 00:30:05,239 –> 00:30:07,699 is best described like this 605 00:30:07,699 –> 00:30:09,199 God’s ultimate purpose for you 606 00:30:09,199 –> 00:30:11,280 is heaven on Earth forever 607 00:30:13,599 –> 00:30:14,939 Resurrection Body 608 00:30:14,939 –> 00:30:16,520 Heaven on Earth 609 00:30:16,520 –> 00:30:18,439 Heaven on Earth forever 610 00:30:20,660 –> 00:30:23,479 That’s Revelation chapter 21 and chapter 22 611 00:30:23,479 –> 00:30:25,300 And that is Romans 8 612 00:30:29,160 –> 00:30:31,760 So if you have this idea 613 00:30:31,760 –> 00:30:33,180 I feel I’m almost fighting against it 614 00:30:33,979 –> 00:30:36,979 so deeply ingrained in many good people’s minds 615 00:30:36,979 –> 00:30:38,599 but if you have this idea that 616 00:30:38,599 –> 00:30:41,219 eternity is a vague floating around there forever 617 00:30:41,219 –> 00:30:42,979 please, will you intentionally today 618 00:30:42,979 –> 00:30:45,500 try and get rid of that 619 00:30:45,500 –> 00:30:47,260 because it will not help you 620 00:30:47,260 –> 00:30:49,380 It will reduce your anticipation of the future 621 00:30:49,380 –> 00:30:50,760 and not increase it 622 00:30:51,640 –> 00:30:54,280 And it is very important that you see 623 00:30:54,280 –> 00:30:57,420 that what God prepares in the new heaven 624 00:30:57,420 –> 00:30:59,319 and the new Earth 625 00:30:59,319 –> 00:31:01,300 is more, not less 626 00:31:01,500 –> 00:31:04,819 than Adam and Eve enjoyed in the garden of Eden 627 00:31:05,660 –> 00:31:07,420 see, if you go back to the beginning of the Bible 628 00:31:07,420 –> 00:31:09,199 what was the state there? 629 00:31:09,199 –> 00:31:13,020 Here is Adam and Eve and they enjoy a perfect life 630 00:31:13,020 –> 00:31:14,660 in this world 631 00:31:16,380 –> 00:31:18,900 unspoiled by sin 632 00:31:18,900 –> 00:31:21,219 walking with the Lord in the cool of the day 633 00:31:21,219 –> 00:31:23,780 seeing him, communing with him 634 00:31:25,040 –> 00:31:26,339 And then what happens? 635 00:31:26,339 –> 00:31:29,119 Well, Satan, who has, before the beginning of time 636 00:31:29,119 –> 00:31:31,060 already, for whatever reason 637 00:31:31,060 –> 00:31:33,859 began this dark rebellion against God 638 00:31:33,859 –> 00:31:37,579 he wants to recruit the human race into his rebellion 639 00:31:37,579 –> 00:31:41,500 he wants to eclipse the glory of God 640 00:31:42,640 –> 00:31:47,439 And if Satan is to be comprehensively defeated 641 00:31:48,300 –> 00:31:51,260 then God must bring us into an experience of life 642 00:31:51,260 –> 00:31:54,640 that is at least as good as the garden of Eden 643 00:31:55,540 –> 00:31:58,599 If it was even 1% less than the garden of Eden 644 00:31:58,599 –> 00:32:00,239 then Satan would have accomplished something 645 00:32:00,239 –> 00:32:02,280 He would have taken something away 646 00:32:02,739 –> 00:32:04,739 That’s why the Resurrection body 647 00:32:04,739 –> 00:32:08,619 At least 1 reason why the Resurrection body is so important 648 00:32:09,939 –> 00:32:13,459 But I want you to think about this because it is glorious 649 00:32:15,199 –> 00:32:17,939 What God has in the new Heaven and the new earth 650 00:32:17,939 –> 00:32:20,239 is not just equal 651 00:32:20,239 –> 00:32:23,280 to the garden of Eden 652 00:32:24,180 –> 00:32:27,040 the reflection of God’s glory 653 00:32:27,160 –> 00:32:28,920 that will be in the new Heaven and the new earth 654 00:32:28,920 –> 00:32:31,500 is not just equal to the garden of Eden 655 00:32:31,500 –> 00:32:34,459 it is much more 656 00:32:36,280 –> 00:32:39,599 God knew what he was doing 657 00:32:40,619 –> 00:32:43,739 when he created a world where men and women 658 00:32:43,739 –> 00:32:44,680 would rebel 659 00:32:45,979 –> 00:32:48,280 and find ourselves hopelessly lost 660 00:32:49,579 –> 00:32:52,400 so that God would send His Son as a sin 661 00:32:52,400 –> 00:32:54,719 offering redeeming us by His blood 662 00:32:55,660 –> 00:32:58,359 so that we being justified, sanctified, 663 00:32:58,359 –> 00:33:01,479 adopted and glorified in Christ 664 00:33:01,520 –> 00:33:04,380 should rejoice in Him and declare His glory 665 00:33:04,380 –> 00:33:06,619 not only as our Creator 666 00:33:06,619 –> 00:33:08,800 but even more as our redeemer 667 00:33:08,800 –> 00:33:11,800 in a perfect world forever 668 00:33:11,800 –> 00:33:14,739 God knew what he was doing in all of that plan 669 00:33:14,739 –> 00:33:17,420 at every step along the process 670 00:33:17,420 –> 00:33:20,640 because God knew that a redeemed creation 671 00:33:21,219 –> 00:33:22,619 would reflect His glory 672 00:35:52,919 –> 00:35:55,899 We groan inwardly as we wait eagerly 673 00:35:55,899 –> 00:35:57,840 eager waiting 674 00:35:58,739 –> 00:36:00,959 for our adoption as sons 675 00:36:01,679 –> 00:36:04,100 the redemption of our 676 00:36:04,679 –> 00:36:05,899 bodies 677 00:36:07,300 –> 00:36:09,959 now it’s interesting that the Bible talks about different kinds of groaning 678 00:36:09,959 –> 00:36:11,979 that Christians experience 679 00:36:11,979 –> 00:36:13,600 when your body wears out 680 00:36:13,600 –> 00:36:15,399 there’s a special kind of groaning 681 00:36:15,399 –> 00:36:19,840 You find that in 2 Corinthians chapter five 682 00:36:19,840 –> 00:36:21,580 the pains and the difficulties 683 00:36:21,580 –> 00:36:24,439 and the burdens of life bring their own kind of groaning 684 00:36:24,439 –> 00:36:27,419 but that is not what Paul is talking about here 685 00:36:27,560 –> 00:36:32,320 Here he’s talking about the groaning of those who know what God has prepared 686 00:36:32,600 –> 00:36:36,739 and we know that it is so good that we can hardly wait to get there 687 00:36:36,739 –> 00:36:39,260 we have the first fruits of the spirit 688 00:36:39,260 –> 00:36:43,879 and what we’ve tasted, you see, makes us groan inwardly harmlessly as we eagerly await 689 00:36:43,879 –> 00:36:47,419 There’s anticipation, freedom anticipated 690 00:36:48,100 –> 00:36:49,959 for all that will be ours 691 00:36:50,159 –> 00:36:53,639 When Christ Wraps Up Human History 692 00:36:55,080 –> 00:36:57,719 Karn was talking to a young lad 693 00:36:57,719 –> 00:37:03,739 just close to our home who this week is on a family vacation in Hilton Head 694 00:37:04,219 –> 00:37:07,239 he’d been looking forward to it so much 695 00:37:07,239 –> 00:37:10,520 he had been there briefly before and so he’d had a little taste 696 00:37:10,520 –> 00:37:14,040 and now he was really excited about going there for this week 697 00:37:14,100 –> 00:37:16,580 and Karn said to him 698 00:37:16,580 –> 00:37:19,300 now are you looking forward to your vacation? 699 00:37:19,399 –> 00:37:23,060 and he said what time is it? 700 00:37:23,060 –> 00:37:27,060 so she said well it’s it’s half past nine 701 00:37:27,060 –> 00:37:32,159 he said it’s 42 hours and 30 minutes until we go 702 00:37:32,860 –> 00:37:35,820 that is eagerly awaiting 703 00:37:35,820 –> 00:37:38,560 that is the groaning of anticipation 704 00:37:38,560 –> 00:37:40,739 that’s what Paul is catching here 705 00:37:40,739 –> 00:37:42,760 that what God has planned for you 706 00:37:42,879 –> 00:37:46,879 see it’s not just better than life at its worst 707 00:37:47,600 –> 00:37:50,080 what God has planned for you in the new heaven in the new earth 708 00:37:50,080 –> 00:37:52,040 is better than life at its best 709 00:37:52,040 –> 00:37:56,780 Better than the best you could ever imagine in this world 710 00:37:56,780 –> 00:37:59,020 better than sports 711 00:37:59,020 –> 00:38:03,419 better than dating or marriage 712 00:38:03,419 –> 00:38:05,280 better than kids 713 00:38:05,280 –> 00:38:09,280 better than a vacation in Hawaii 714 00:38:09,280 –> 00:38:11,419 better than golf 715 00:38:11,419 –> 00:38:14,260 better than retirement 716 00:38:14,260 –> 00:38:16,679 better than travel 717 00:38:16,840 –> 00:38:18,100 better than money 718 00:38:18,100 –> 00:38:19,899 better than sex 719 00:38:19,899 –> 00:38:24,899 better than any joy that you can imagine in this world 720 00:38:24,899 –> 00:38:27,379 David who was the king of Israel 721 00:38:27,379 –> 00:38:31,919 and had the richest experience of life surely that a person could enjoy 722 00:38:31,919 –> 00:38:35,239 you think about all the wealth and all the opportunities 723 00:38:35,239 –> 00:38:36,879 that surround king David 724 00:38:36,879 –> 00:38:39,760 look at his life and everything that he had 725 00:38:39,760 –> 00:38:42,439 and King David says this in psalm 63 726 00:38:42,439 –> 00:38:43,600 he says to God 727 00:38:43,639 –> 00:38:48,639 your love is better than life 728 00:38:50,600 –> 00:38:51,520 better than life 729 00:38:54,540 –> 00:38:56,639 and if you’re a Christian you’ve tasted 730 00:38:56,639 –> 00:38:58,520 just a little bit of that 731 00:39:01,639 –> 00:39:04,040 and Paul says therefore we live in anticipation 732 00:39:04,040 –> 00:39:06,760 not as those who feel that life is running down 733 00:39:06,760 –> 00:39:08,760 and becoming less and less 734 00:39:09,679 –> 00:39:11,040 but that every step of your life’s journey 735 00:39:11,560 –> 00:39:12,540 is getting nearer to that 736 00:39:12,540 –> 00:39:15,020 for which God not only created you 737 00:39:15,020 –> 00:39:18,439 but in Christ has redeemed you. 738 00:39:21,500 –> 00:39:23,340 He said that the series is aimed 739 00:39:26,179 –> 00:39:28,060 to help you savor 740 00:39:29,120 –> 00:39:32,459 all that is yours in Jesus Christ. 741 00:39:32,459 –> 00:39:33,719 I hope you’re doing that. 742 00:39:35,280 –> 00:39:36,120 I hope you’re feeling more and more 743 00:39:36,120 –> 00:39:38,679 on these Sunday mornings, boy to know Jesus Christ 744 00:39:39,100 –> 00:39:40,699 is the richest, most glorious thing 745 00:39:40,699 –> 00:39:43,540 in all of life and will be for all eternity. 746 00:39:44,699 –> 00:39:49,239 And to offer myself to him and to love him 747 00:39:49,239 –> 00:39:51,159 and to worship him and to live for his glory 748 00:39:51,159 –> 00:39:53,840 whatever the cost is just the greatest, 749 00:39:53,840 –> 00:39:57,780 greatest thing I could ever do with my life. 750 00:39:59,899 –> 00:40:01,800 And the second aim was to say this 751 00:40:01,800 –> 00:40:04,659 that if you are not yet a Christian, 752 00:40:04,659 –> 00:40:07,560 if you have not yet come to Jesus Christ, 753 00:40:07,679 –> 00:40:10,260 if you have not yet come to know him as your Savior, 754 00:40:10,260 –> 00:40:14,600 I want you to savor all that can be yours 755 00:40:15,500 –> 00:40:16,600 in Jesus Christ. 756 00:40:16,600 –> 00:40:20,520 I hope you’re seeing, even if you have not yet believed 757 00:40:21,399 –> 00:40:24,840 that this is an amazing rescue. 758 00:40:27,000 –> 00:40:31,239 And here’s what can be yours in Jesus Christ today. 759 00:40:32,159 –> 00:40:35,719 Justification, your sins forgiven 760 00:40:35,719 –> 00:40:38,000 by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross for you, 761 00:40:38,000 –> 00:40:39,580 that can be yours today. 762 00:40:40,939 –> 00:40:45,800 Sanctification, the power of sin broken in your life, 763 00:40:45,800 –> 00:40:47,120 I’m not saying you won’t have a battle. 764 00:40:47,120 –> 00:40:50,360 We all have many battles, all our lives, 765 00:40:50,360 –> 00:40:51,780 but the Holy Spirit within you 766 00:40:51,780 –> 00:40:53,959 putting you in an entirely different position, 767 00:40:53,959 –> 00:40:56,879 positioning you to prevail, to live a new life 768 00:40:56,879 –> 00:40:58,840 because you’re a new person. 769 00:40:58,939 –> 00:41:00,120 You’re a new person. 770 00:41:00,120 –> 00:41:03,560 Adoption, being brought from the awareness 771 00:41:03,560 –> 00:41:05,419 that is at the core of your being 772 00:41:05,419 –> 00:41:07,159 that God is somehow against you 773 00:41:07,159 –> 00:41:11,280 and that you’re outside of a relationship with Him 774 00:41:11,280 –> 00:41:13,699 to know that you are in his family 775 00:41:13,699 –> 00:41:16,399 and that you’re surrounded by his love now and forever. 776 00:41:16,399 –> 00:41:19,020 That is yours and can be yours in Jesus Christ, 777 00:41:19,020 –> 00:41:21,760 and one day, glorification, 778 00:41:21,760 –> 00:41:23,820 for you to be caught up with the people of God 779 00:41:23,820 –> 00:41:27,500 and then when Jesus Christ wraps up human history 780 00:41:27,959 –> 00:41:29,340 to be brought into all the glories 781 00:41:29,340 –> 00:41:30,800 of the new heaven and the new earth, 782 00:41:30,800 –> 00:41:33,500 all this can be yours in Jesus Christ. 783 00:41:33,500 –> 00:41:34,879 That’s some rescue. 784 00:41:36,260 –> 00:41:38,100 And whatever it is that’s holding you back 785 00:41:38,100 –> 00:41:41,600 from making the pledge of your life to Jesus Christ, 786 00:41:41,600 –> 00:41:44,659 I don’t know what it is, but it can’t be bigger than this. 787 00:41:46,580 –> 00:41:49,780 So I want to invite you to bow your head 788 00:41:49,780 –> 00:41:51,179 and your heart before Him today 789 00:41:51,179 –> 00:41:53,379 to be able to say, you know, 790 00:41:53,379 –> 00:41:56,939 by nature I am rotten at the core, 791 00:41:56,939 –> 00:41:59,899 I need you Jesus Christ, I need this rescue. 792 00:42:01,020 –> 00:42:03,979 Now will you come and bring me into all 793 00:42:03,979 –> 00:42:06,139 that Jesus Christ can make mine. 794 00:42:06,139 –> 00:42:10,120 I trust you for that, I turn to you today. 795 00:42:11,040 –> 00:42:12,540 Let’s pray together, shall we. 796 00:42:14,020 –> 00:42:18,820 Father, seal your word 797 00:42:19,939 –> 00:42:22,780 and bear fruit from it by your spirit 798 00:42:22,919 –> 00:42:26,179 in the hearts of your people 799 00:42:27,820 –> 00:42:30,580 and in the hearts of those who are turning 800 00:42:30,580 –> 00:42:35,580 to you right now for Jesus sake, amen.