1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,400 The subject that is before us today is full of joy 2 00:00:03,400 –> 00:00:05,280 for every Christian. 3 00:00:05,280 –> 00:00:06,880 And I want to share with you today, 4 00:00:06,880 –> 00:00:11,040 especially a word of hope and a word of comfort. 5 00:00:11,040 –> 00:00:12,840 I want to speak especially today 6 00:00:12,840 –> 00:00:17,320 to all those who have lost a loved one in Christ. 7 00:00:17,320 –> 00:00:22,000 You are experiencing grief, sorrow, loss, 8 00:00:22,000 –> 00:00:24,139 and there is a word of hope and comfort 9 00:00:24,139 –> 00:00:26,200 from the Bible for you today. 10 00:00:26,200 –> 00:00:29,719 I want also to speak to all who have gone 11 00:00:29,799 –> 00:00:33,520 through the experience of losing a child. 12 00:00:33,520 –> 00:00:36,200 Want to speak as well to everyone who has gone 13 00:00:36,200 –> 00:00:39,200 through the experience of a miscarriage 14 00:00:40,099 –> 00:00:43,919 and a life was formed within you 15 00:00:43,919 –> 00:00:48,139 and yet you never saw his or her little face. 16 00:00:48,139 –> 00:00:51,160 You believe that a human life begins at conception. 17 00:00:51,160 –> 00:00:52,720 You believe that with all your heart. 18 00:00:52,720 –> 00:00:54,520 And so, sometimes you wonder 19 00:00:54,520 –> 00:00:57,639 what came off that little life that was begun? 20 00:00:58,639 –> 00:00:59,880 Well, I have a word of hope 21 00:00:59,880 –> 00:01:02,840 and a word of comfort for you today. 22 00:01:04,080 –> 00:01:06,080 Then I’ve been thinking, as many of us 23 00:01:06,080 –> 00:01:09,599 have over these last weeks and often, 24 00:01:09,599 –> 00:01:14,360 about that awful Holocaust of abortion 25 00:01:14,360 –> 00:01:19,120 that has cast such a dark shadow over our entire land. 26 00:01:20,160 –> 00:01:23,120 Nearly 50 million lives have been snuffed 27 00:01:23,120 –> 00:01:26,919 out through abortion since 1973 in our country, 28 00:01:26,919 –> 00:01:29,500 well over a million a year, 29 00:01:29,500 –> 00:01:34,400 continuing more than one in five of all pregnancies 30 00:01:34,400 –> 00:01:36,480 in our country end in abortion. 31 00:01:37,360 –> 00:01:39,000 And you must have asked the question, 32 00:01:39,000 –> 00:01:44,000 as I have, what comes of these millions 33 00:01:44,739 –> 00:01:48,279 who were given life, but never saw 34 00:01:48,279 –> 00:01:50,440 the light of this world? 35 00:01:50,440 –> 00:01:52,080 You must have thought about that. 36 00:01:52,400 –> 00:01:57,400 And what can we say to the fathers and mothers 37 00:01:57,860 –> 00:02:02,019 some of whom are here, who look back on a choice 38 00:02:02,019 –> 00:02:05,440 that they made to abort a child, 39 00:02:05,440 –> 00:02:07,800 and you look back on it now with bitter regret. 40 00:02:07,800 –> 00:02:10,399 You wish you had made a different choice. 41 00:02:10,399 –> 00:02:13,960 You have brought this to the blood of Christ. 42 00:02:13,960 –> 00:02:17,039 You have turned to your Savior over this, 43 00:02:17,039 –> 00:02:18,300 and yet you live with it, 44 00:02:18,300 –> 00:02:20,960 and there is a sense of guilt 45 00:02:21,000 –> 00:02:24,100 that hangs over and remains with many. 46 00:02:24,100 –> 00:02:29,059 I have a word of hope and comfort for you today, 47 00:02:29,059 –> 00:02:33,100 and with the help of God, I want to bring it to you. 48 00:02:33,100 –> 00:02:35,460 So the message today is called The Gathering. 49 00:02:35,460 –> 00:02:40,259 I’ve taken the title from 2 Thessalonians 2 in verse 1, 50 00:02:40,259 –> 00:02:43,259 where Paul speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ 51 00:02:43,259 –> 00:02:47,639 and our being gathered together to Him. 52 00:02:47,639 –> 00:02:50,380 This wonderful truth is written all across the scripture, 53 00:02:50,860 –> 00:02:52,740 one day the Lord Jesus was born in the manger, 54 00:02:52,740 –> 00:02:54,899 died on the cross and rose from the dead, 55 00:02:54,899 –> 00:02:56,860 who is now at the right hand of the father, 56 00:02:56,860 –> 00:03:00,139 is going to come again, and He is going to gather 57 00:03:00,139 –> 00:03:03,380 all of His children to Himself. 58 00:03:03,380 –> 00:03:05,960 He says, I go to prepare a place for you 59 00:03:05,960 –> 00:03:08,740 and I will come again and I will take you to be with Me 60 00:03:08,740 –> 00:03:12,460 that where I am you may be also. 61 00:03:12,460 –> 00:03:15,080 This word gather is used in many ways in the bible. 62 00:03:15,080 –> 00:03:20,080 Jesus speaks about gathering His wheat into the barn. 63 00:03:20,240 –> 00:03:21,779 Wonderful picture. 64 00:03:21,779 –> 00:03:25,800 And in Matthew and chapter 24, we read these words 65 00:03:25,800 –> 00:03:29,619 that people will see the son of man 66 00:03:29,619 –> 00:03:32,880 and they’ll see Him coming on the clouds of heaven 67 00:03:32,880 –> 00:03:34,479 with power and with glory. 68 00:03:34,479 –> 00:03:37,759 And when He comes in power and glory, what’s He going to do? 69 00:03:37,759 –> 00:03:41,440 He will send out His angels, the scripture says, 70 00:03:41,440 –> 00:03:44,039 with a loud trumpet call. 71 00:03:44,039 –> 00:03:45,520 And what will the angels do? 72 00:03:45,520 –> 00:03:47,820 They will gather the elect, 73 00:03:47,839 –> 00:03:50,940 that’s a word of Matthew 24, 31. 74 00:03:50,940 –> 00:03:53,839 They will gather the elect from the four winds, 75 00:03:53,839 –> 00:03:55,940 from every corner of the Earth, 76 00:03:55,940 –> 00:03:58,039 God’s own people will be gathered 77 00:03:58,039 –> 00:03:59,899 at the return of Jesus Christ. 78 00:03:59,899 –> 00:04:02,940 In fact, this gathering is already happening. 79 00:04:02,940 –> 00:04:07,139 We read in the Old Testament when Abraham died, 80 00:04:07,139 –> 00:04:10,139 he died full of years, the Bible says, 81 00:04:10,139 –> 00:04:13,139 and he was gathered to his people. 82 00:04:13,139 –> 00:04:14,380 That same word, gathered, 83 00:04:14,380 –> 00:04:17,500 is used of the death of Isaac and Jacob. 84 00:04:17,519 –> 00:04:19,980 This is what happens when a believer dies, you see. 85 00:04:19,980 –> 00:04:23,160 He or she is gathered by the Savior 86 00:04:23,160 –> 00:04:27,940 into the company of those who are already in his presence. 87 00:04:27,940 –> 00:04:30,200 It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing. 88 00:04:30,200 –> 00:04:34,119 God gathers you through death 89 00:04:34,119 –> 00:04:36,920 into the company of the people 90 00:04:36,920 –> 00:04:39,540 who are ready already with him in heaven. 91 00:04:39,540 –> 00:04:41,420 And so the gathering has begun, 92 00:04:41,420 –> 00:04:44,380 it is added to every time a believer dies, 93 00:04:44,380 –> 00:04:45,600 and what we’re looking at today 94 00:04:45,799 –> 00:04:49,200 is that one day this gathering will be wonderfully complete, 95 00:04:49,200 –> 00:04:50,700 and it will be complete on the day 96 00:04:50,700 –> 00:04:53,880 that the Lord Jesus returns in power and glory. 97 00:04:53,880 –> 00:04:55,600 And that day is described 98 00:04:55,600 –> 00:04:58,079 in First Thessalonians in chapter four 99 00:04:58,079 –> 00:04:59,779 and I hope you have your Bible open 100 00:04:59,779 –> 00:05:02,160 in front of you there today. 101 00:05:02,160 –> 00:05:03,920 Look at verse 13. 102 00:05:03,920 –> 00:05:06,119 “‘We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, 103 00:05:06,119 –> 00:05:08,320 “‘about those who fall asleep, 104 00:05:08,320 –> 00:05:11,279 “‘that you may not grieve as others do 105 00:05:11,279 –> 00:05:14,559 “‘who have no hope.’” 106 00:05:14,600 –> 00:05:16,519 Now, you’ll see immediately from that verse 107 00:05:16,519 –> 00:05:19,899 that this passage is spoken directly 108 00:05:19,899 –> 00:05:23,679 to Christians who have lost a loved one in Christ. 109 00:05:23,679 –> 00:05:26,619 And Paul, by the way, is not saying Christians don’t grieve. 110 00:05:26,619 –> 00:05:30,320 Of course Christians grieve when we lose a loved one. 111 00:05:30,320 –> 00:05:34,359 But what he’s saying is that our grieving is not hopeless. 112 00:05:34,359 –> 00:05:39,359 It’s different because we have a living hope in Jesus Christ. 113 00:05:40,820 –> 00:05:44,179 Christian grieving has three strands. 114 00:05:44,179 –> 00:05:46,279 We look back with thankfulness 115 00:05:46,279 –> 00:05:48,079 because of what God has given. 116 00:05:49,279 –> 00:05:51,640 We look around with sadness 117 00:05:51,640 –> 00:05:54,000 because of what God has taken away. 118 00:05:54,959 –> 00:05:57,320 But we look forward with hope 119 00:05:57,320 –> 00:05:59,359 because of what God has promised. 120 00:05:59,359 –> 00:06:01,600 These are the three strands of Christian grieving 121 00:06:01,600 –> 00:06:02,660 and it’s different 122 00:06:02,660 –> 00:06:06,339 because there is this forward looking dimension, 123 00:06:06,339 –> 00:06:08,480 the living hope of what lies ahead 124 00:06:08,480 –> 00:06:10,660 for all those who are in Jesus Christ. 125 00:06:10,660 –> 00:06:12,839 Now you say, well, what is it that is promised 126 00:06:12,839 –> 00:06:15,399 for the future for us who are grieving 127 00:06:15,399 –> 00:06:17,399 the loss of a loved one in Christ? 128 00:06:17,399 –> 00:06:18,920 Well look at verse 14. 129 00:06:18,920 –> 00:06:22,059 We believe that Jesus died and He rose again. 130 00:06:22,059 –> 00:06:26,200 Even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him 131 00:06:26,200 –> 00:06:29,019 those who have fallen asleep. 132 00:06:29,019 –> 00:06:31,640 So here’s the great hope for a bereaved Christian 133 00:06:31,640 –> 00:06:33,859 as you grieve the loss of a loved one 134 00:06:33,859 –> 00:06:35,239 who is now with Christ, 135 00:06:35,239 –> 00:06:37,799 your believing loved ones who have died 136 00:06:37,799 –> 00:06:40,959 will be with Jesus when He comes. 137 00:06:40,959 –> 00:06:43,880 That’s the great promise that is given here. 138 00:06:43,880 –> 00:06:46,119 Then something else is said in verse 17 139 00:06:46,119 –> 00:06:48,600 for us who continue in this world. 140 00:06:48,600 –> 00:06:51,260 We who are alive, verse 17, 141 00:06:51,260 –> 00:06:52,459 we who are left, 142 00:06:52,459 –> 00:06:55,519 that’s until the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus. 143 00:06:55,519 –> 00:06:58,739 We will be caught up together with them. 144 00:06:58,739 –> 00:07:00,239 Notice that with them. 145 00:07:00,239 –> 00:07:03,399 That’s with the believers who are already with Christ, 146 00:07:03,399 –> 00:07:06,079 will be caught up with them in the clouds 147 00:07:06,079 –> 00:07:09,720 to meet the Lord in the air. 148 00:07:09,720 –> 00:07:12,059 Now the whole point of this passage, friends, 149 00:07:12,059 –> 00:07:14,059 is to comfort Christians 150 00:07:14,059 –> 00:07:17,200 who have lost believing loved ones. 151 00:07:17,200 –> 00:07:18,700 And here’s the comfort. 152 00:07:18,700 –> 00:07:23,440 You will see them again. 153 00:07:23,440 –> 00:07:24,779 When will you see them? 154 00:07:24,779 –> 00:07:27,459 You will see them on the day when the Lord Jesus comes 155 00:07:27,459 –> 00:07:30,579 if you have not died to go and be with them before. 156 00:07:30,579 –> 00:07:33,660 Jesus will bring your believing loved ones with Him, 157 00:07:33,660 –> 00:07:37,260 and on that day, your first joy will be to see Jesus, 158 00:07:37,279 –> 00:07:41,660 and your next joy will be to see your loved ones 159 00:07:41,660 –> 00:07:45,220 who right now are with Him already. 160 00:07:45,220 –> 00:07:47,660 And that is why Paul says to grieving Christians 161 00:07:47,660 –> 00:07:52,660 in verse 18, encourage one another with these words. 162 00:07:54,179 –> 00:07:58,579 What a marvelous day of reunion this is going to be 163 00:07:58,579 –> 00:08:02,140 when Christ gathers all of His people. 164 00:08:03,140 –> 00:08:06,500 And so it is very, very clear from this 165 00:08:06,500 –> 00:08:11,500 that Christians who knew and loved each other on Earth 166 00:08:11,799 –> 00:08:15,959 will know and love each other in Heaven. 167 00:08:16,799 –> 00:08:18,459 Otherwise, there is no comfort here, 168 00:08:18,459 –> 00:08:20,859 there’s the whole point of the comfort. 169 00:08:20,859 –> 00:08:23,500 They’re not with you now, you don’t see them now. 170 00:08:23,500 –> 00:08:26,500 But you’ll be with them again when Jesus comes, 171 00:08:26,500 –> 00:08:28,660 there’s going to be this great reunion, 172 00:08:28,660 –> 00:08:31,980 Christians who have known and loved each other on Earth 173 00:08:31,980 –> 00:08:34,479 will know and love each other in Heaven. 174 00:08:34,599 –> 00:08:37,359 This is the great comfort for every person 175 00:08:37,359 –> 00:08:40,440 who is bereaved and has lost a loved one 176 00:08:40,440 –> 00:08:42,200 who is now with the Lord. 177 00:08:42,200 –> 00:08:45,679 Now, this is the comfort that is given. 178 00:08:47,080 –> 00:08:49,460 And yet I have to tell you, 179 00:08:49,460 –> 00:08:53,299 looking back over more than 30 years in ministry, 180 00:08:54,840 –> 00:08:57,500 that it seems to me that many, many Christians 181 00:08:57,500 –> 00:08:59,960 are confused at this point. 182 00:09:00,880 –> 00:09:03,520 Many, many Christians do not derive comfort, 183 00:09:03,580 –> 00:09:04,760 do not derive hope 184 00:09:04,760 –> 00:09:08,299 because they have not clearly grasped this truth 185 00:09:08,299 –> 00:09:12,239 that we will know and enjoy relationship 186 00:09:12,239 –> 00:09:15,479 in the presence of Jesus. 187 00:09:15,479 –> 00:09:17,440 And I’ve tried to think why is this, 188 00:09:17,440 –> 00:09:18,979 at least in my experience, 189 00:09:18,979 –> 00:09:19,820 I tell you, 190 00:09:19,820 –> 00:09:22,559 many, many Christians just haven’t got this, 191 00:09:22,559 –> 00:09:23,880 it’s not clear in their minds. 192 00:09:23,880 –> 00:09:25,739 And I, with all my heart, 193 00:09:25,739 –> 00:09:28,299 I want that today this will get clear 194 00:09:28,299 –> 00:09:30,479 and settled in your mind. 195 00:09:31,580 –> 00:09:33,159 We shall know one another in heaven. 196 00:09:33,859 –> 00:09:35,520 There’s a great day of reunion that lies ahead of us. 197 00:09:35,520 –> 00:09:37,179 I want you to have this settled in your mind 198 00:09:37,179 –> 00:09:39,460 because this is a major part of the comfort 199 00:09:39,460 –> 00:09:41,140 that God gives to us 200 00:09:41,140 –> 00:09:43,580 and the anticipation of that great day. 201 00:09:45,020 –> 00:09:46,299 So I’ve asked the question, 202 00:09:46,299 –> 00:09:48,539 why would it be that so many Christians 203 00:09:48,539 –> 00:09:52,179 are confused over this? 204 00:09:52,179 –> 00:09:53,419 Unsettled. 205 00:09:53,419 –> 00:09:54,539 Not clear. 206 00:09:55,820 –> 00:09:59,580 Let me suggest three reasons why that may be. 207 00:09:59,580 –> 00:10:01,340 The first is that I think very simply 208 00:10:01,340 –> 00:10:03,640 many Christians have simply not thought deeply 209 00:10:03,640 –> 00:10:05,299 about the resurrection. 210 00:10:05,299 –> 00:10:07,619 Have you thought deeply about the resurrection? 211 00:10:08,900 –> 00:10:11,599 Many Christians have only a vague belief 212 00:10:11,599 –> 00:10:13,400 in a sort of afterlife. 213 00:10:13,400 –> 00:10:15,099 No more. 214 00:10:15,099 –> 00:10:17,359 They believe in surviving death 215 00:10:17,359 –> 00:10:19,859 in a shadowy world of spirits, 216 00:10:19,859 –> 00:10:21,940 but they’re not clear about the resurrection. 217 00:10:21,940 –> 00:10:24,260 For all the Easter services they’ve been to, 218 00:10:24,260 –> 00:10:27,099 they don’t get that the resurrection is the cornerstone, 219 00:10:27,099 –> 00:10:28,919 the pillar, of the whole Christian faith, 220 00:10:28,919 –> 00:10:30,719 you haven’t thought about it deeply. 221 00:10:32,340 –> 00:10:34,299 And so they feel that whatever good there is 222 00:10:34,299 –> 00:10:38,039 in a vague, shadowy world called Heaven 223 00:10:38,039 –> 00:10:41,260 is going to be less than the real solid joys 224 00:10:41,260 –> 00:10:43,219 of life in this material world. 225 00:10:43,219 –> 00:10:44,739 Is that what you think? 226 00:10:44,739 –> 00:10:46,059 Is that how it is for you? 227 00:10:47,820 –> 00:10:51,119 Heaven seems to them to be like a kind of half life, 228 00:10:51,960 –> 00:10:55,179 a kind of compensation for those who got too old 229 00:10:55,179 –> 00:10:56,419 or else died too young, 230 00:10:56,419 –> 00:10:58,979 and did not have the strength to continue 231 00:10:59,020 –> 00:11:01,219 in this world where all the real action is. 232 00:11:02,659 –> 00:11:03,520 Think about it. 233 00:11:04,780 –> 00:11:07,460 If we did not know one another in Heaven, 234 00:11:07,460 –> 00:11:09,820 life there would be less than it is here, 235 00:11:09,820 –> 00:11:10,960 and that’s impossible. 236 00:11:12,760 –> 00:11:14,979 If we did not know one another in Heaven, 237 00:11:14,979 –> 00:11:16,580 life would be less in Heaven 238 00:11:16,580 –> 00:11:18,239 than it was even in the Garden of Eden, 239 00:11:18,239 –> 00:11:21,140 where Adam and Eve knew and enjoyed relationship together. 240 00:11:23,159 –> 00:11:24,440 And if that was the case, 241 00:11:24,440 –> 00:11:26,299 then Satan would have won something 242 00:11:26,299 –> 00:11:28,299 because what Adam lost 243 00:11:28,340 –> 00:11:30,340 would not have been restored, 244 00:11:31,580 –> 00:11:33,500 and that’s impossible. 245 00:11:33,500 –> 00:11:35,799 Listen, please get this clear. 246 00:11:35,799 –> 00:11:37,099 The Christian hope 247 00:11:37,099 –> 00:11:40,739 is much more than the survival of the soul. 248 00:11:40,739 –> 00:11:45,239 The Christian hope is the resurrection of the body. 249 00:11:45,239 –> 00:11:47,700 That’s an Amen moment, right? 250 00:11:47,700 –> 00:11:50,059 We will know one another in Heaven. 251 00:11:50,059 –> 00:11:51,979 You say, how are you so sure of that? 252 00:11:51,979 –> 00:11:53,340 Think of what Jesus says. 253 00:11:53,340 –> 00:11:56,059 Many will come from east and west 254 00:11:56,059 –> 00:11:57,659 and will recline at the table 255 00:11:57,659 –> 00:12:01,020 with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 256 00:12:01,020 –> 00:12:02,340 in the kingdom of Heaven. 257 00:12:02,340 –> 00:12:04,580 In other words, Abraham is there as Abraham, 258 00:12:04,580 –> 00:12:05,799 Isaac is there as Isaac, 259 00:12:05,799 –> 00:12:07,179 Jacob is there as Jacob. 260 00:12:07,179 –> 00:12:10,299 Real people who lived at times and places in history, 261 00:12:10,299 –> 00:12:13,400 identifiable there in the presence of Jesus. 262 00:12:14,400 –> 00:12:16,140 When Moses and Elijah appear 263 00:12:16,140 –> 00:12:17,840 on the mounts of transfiguration, 264 00:12:17,840 –> 00:12:20,140 Peter, James and John, who have never met them, 265 00:12:20,140 –> 00:12:21,340 know who they are. 266 00:12:22,979 –> 00:12:25,619 And when the risen Lord Jesus appears to His disciples, 267 00:12:25,679 –> 00:12:28,580 they recognize Him in the resurrection body. 268 00:12:30,260 –> 00:12:33,099 So I say to you, Christians who knew each other on earth 269 00:12:33,099 –> 00:12:37,340 will know and enjoy each other in Heaven. 270 00:12:38,760 –> 00:12:42,200 There’s another reason why I think some Christians 271 00:12:42,200 –> 00:12:46,479 are confused over this issue and unsettled about it. 272 00:12:46,479 –> 00:12:49,039 And that is that I think many Christians 273 00:12:49,039 –> 00:12:51,400 have misunderstood or misapplied 274 00:12:51,400 –> 00:12:53,099 the words that Jesus spoke 275 00:12:53,099 –> 00:12:56,260 about there being no marriage in Heaven. 276 00:12:56,260 –> 00:12:58,419 Do you remember Jesus spoke about that? 277 00:12:58,419 –> 00:13:00,159 Let’s look at what he said. 278 00:13:00,159 –> 00:13:02,460 It’s in Mark chapter 12 and verse 25. 279 00:13:02,460 –> 00:13:06,320 Jesus said, when they arise from the dead, 280 00:13:06,320 –> 00:13:11,320 they neither marry, nor are they given in marriage, 281 00:13:11,479 –> 00:13:15,219 but are like the angels in Heaven. 282 00:13:16,039 –> 00:13:20,340 Now, the statement of Jesus that there is no marriage 283 00:13:20,400 –> 00:13:22,880 in Heaven is absolutely clear. 284 00:13:22,880 –> 00:13:25,179 There will be many things that are different, 285 00:13:26,380 –> 00:13:29,539 but some Christians seem to have taken this to mean 286 00:13:30,520 –> 00:13:33,760 that we would no longer be male and female in Heaven. 287 00:13:36,299 –> 00:13:37,960 If we’re no longer male and female, 288 00:13:37,960 –> 00:13:41,919 you are you and I am me, right? 289 00:13:41,919 –> 00:13:46,919 God created us with this wonderful, wonderful gift 290 00:13:47,700 –> 00:13:52,039 and some Christians seem to have got the idea 291 00:13:52,039 –> 00:13:54,280 that because Jesus said there is no marriage in Heaven, 292 00:13:54,280 –> 00:13:55,340 that somehow that would mean 293 00:13:55,340 –> 00:13:56,799 that there was no affection in Heaven 294 00:13:56,799 –> 00:13:58,500 or no relationship in Heaven. 295 00:14:01,299 –> 00:14:05,119 So, we have love here, but no relationship there. 296 00:14:05,119 –> 00:14:07,119 That makes everything in Heaven less? 297 00:14:07,119 –> 00:14:08,479 How could it possibly be? 298 00:14:10,799 –> 00:14:12,700 No, everything that makes us wonderfully different 299 00:14:12,700 –> 00:14:13,539 will remain. 300 00:14:13,539 –> 00:14:14,679 Everything that divides us 301 00:14:14,719 –> 00:14:17,559 will be wonderfully, wonderfully overcome. 302 00:14:17,559 –> 00:14:20,619 The whole purpose of God throughout the entire Bible story 303 00:14:20,619 –> 00:14:25,619 is to redeem a community of people for himself. 304 00:14:25,739 –> 00:14:27,219 That is why in Ephesians, 305 00:14:27,219 –> 00:14:30,179 Paul speaks about the whole family of God 306 00:14:30,179 –> 00:14:32,260 in Earth and in Heaven. 307 00:14:33,380 –> 00:14:37,099 Real people with real faces and real dates of birth 308 00:14:37,099 –> 00:14:39,700 and addresses that you could write on a postcard 309 00:14:39,700 –> 00:14:42,099 in this world identifiably there 310 00:14:42,099 –> 00:14:44,059 in the presence of Jesus in Heaven. 311 00:14:45,119 –> 00:14:46,880 In relationship with the Savior 312 00:14:47,900 –> 00:14:52,200 and in relationship with one another. 313 00:14:52,200 –> 00:14:53,359 You will know yourself. 314 00:14:53,359 –> 00:14:54,340 We will know each other. 315 00:14:54,340 –> 00:14:56,919 We will know Christ, even as he knows us, 316 00:14:56,919 –> 00:15:00,340 and we will have joy in each other. 317 00:15:00,340 –> 00:15:02,419 Let me give you another scripture. 318 00:15:02,419 –> 00:15:05,020 First Thessalonians chapter two and verse nine. 319 00:15:05,979 –> 00:15:10,440 Paul, who loved and served the group of believers there, 320 00:15:10,440 –> 00:15:12,460 the little church in Thessaloniki, 321 00:15:12,500 –> 00:15:15,520 poured his life into them, worked there, served among them, 322 00:15:15,520 –> 00:15:17,260 and there was real relationship. 323 00:15:18,380 –> 00:15:19,679 They were a joy to him. 324 00:15:20,900 –> 00:15:22,619 Paul says as he’s speaking 325 00:15:22,619 –> 00:15:24,179 about being in the presence of Jesus, 326 00:15:24,179 –> 00:15:26,659 this is First Thessalonians 2.19, 327 00:15:26,659 –> 00:15:30,799 he says that these believers will be his joy 328 00:15:30,799 –> 00:15:34,020 and his crown in heaven. 329 00:15:34,020 –> 00:15:35,739 In other words, it is quite clear 330 00:15:35,739 –> 00:15:38,539 from First Thessalonians 2.19 331 00:15:38,539 –> 00:15:41,020 that the special relationship forged 332 00:15:41,119 –> 00:15:45,140 between Paul and the believers in Ephesus on earth 333 00:15:45,140 –> 00:15:47,359 is a relationship that will continue 334 00:15:47,359 –> 00:15:49,359 to give joy to him in heaven. 335 00:15:49,359 –> 00:15:51,140 He says, I look forward to this. 336 00:15:51,140 –> 00:15:53,059 You have been my joy on earth 337 00:15:53,059 –> 00:15:55,419 and you will be my join in heaven. 338 00:15:55,419 –> 00:15:57,559 See, that’s relationship, real people, 339 00:15:58,580 –> 00:16:00,859 redeemed from this world 340 00:16:00,859 –> 00:16:04,020 and brought with great joy into the presence of Jesus. 341 00:16:04,020 –> 00:16:07,059 This is why Jonathan Edwards says 342 00:16:07,059 –> 00:16:10,679 the special affection that the saints have 343 00:16:10,739 –> 00:16:14,960 in this world towards other saints who are their friends 344 00:16:14,960 –> 00:16:19,679 will, in some respect, remain in another world. 345 00:16:19,679 –> 00:16:20,960 That’s Jonathan Edwards. 346 00:16:21,840 –> 00:16:25,719 The special affection that Christians have 347 00:16:25,719 –> 00:16:29,880 in this world towards other believers who are their friends 348 00:16:29,880 –> 00:16:34,840 will, in some respect, remain in another world. 349 00:16:35,760 –> 00:16:37,419 And so, with all that will be different 350 00:16:37,419 –> 00:16:38,940 that we cannot understand 351 00:16:38,940 –> 00:16:41,419 because there is so much mystery related to this. 352 00:16:41,419 –> 00:16:44,179 We’re given what we can understand for our comfort, 353 00:16:44,179 –> 00:16:47,479 our hope and our joy, and what we can understand is this, 354 00:16:47,479 –> 00:16:49,059 that Christians who knew and loved 355 00:16:49,059 –> 00:16:50,979 and enjoyed each other on earth 356 00:16:50,979 –> 00:16:55,020 will know and love and enjoy each other in heaven. 357 00:16:55,020 –> 00:16:56,299 It’s wonderful, wonderful. 358 00:16:58,539 –> 00:17:00,479 Now, I think that there’s a third reason 359 00:17:00,479 –> 00:17:02,840 why many Christians have been confused 360 00:17:02,840 –> 00:17:06,859 and unsettled about this whole business. 361 00:17:06,859 –> 00:17:08,900 One is that many have not thought 362 00:17:08,900 –> 00:17:11,339 seriously about the resurrection. 363 00:17:11,339 –> 00:17:13,739 Another is that some have misunderstood 364 00:17:13,739 –> 00:17:15,099 what Jesus said about there being 365 00:17:15,099 –> 00:17:17,060 no marriage in heaven and so forth. 366 00:17:18,020 –> 00:17:19,479 A third reason, I think, why many 367 00:17:19,479 –> 00:17:21,619 are unsettled and confused about this 368 00:17:21,619 –> 00:17:26,099 is that many Christians are perplexed 369 00:17:26,099 –> 00:17:29,260 by the unsolved problems that plague 370 00:17:29,260 –> 00:17:32,199 the lives of believers in this world. 371 00:17:33,160 –> 00:17:37,079 You think of all the disputes, all the difficulties, 372 00:17:38,000 –> 00:17:40,640 all of the troubles that Christian believers 373 00:17:40,640 –> 00:17:42,859 have experienced at every time and place 374 00:17:42,859 –> 00:17:44,680 across the history of this world. 375 00:17:45,640 –> 00:17:47,920 Every Christian marriage that has become fraught 376 00:17:47,920 –> 00:17:49,599 and has become so, so difficult 377 00:17:49,599 –> 00:17:51,959 and in some cases has broken down completely. 378 00:17:52,880 –> 00:17:55,319 Every situation within the body of Christ 379 00:17:55,319 –> 00:17:57,280 and within Christian missions where, 380 00:17:57,280 –> 00:17:58,760 you know, Paul has gone one way 381 00:17:58,760 –> 00:18:00,739 and a Barnabas has gone another. 382 00:18:01,459 –> 00:18:03,660 And you ask the question, how in the world 383 00:18:03,660 –> 00:18:07,699 does the Lord Jesus sort all of that stuff out in heaven. 384 00:18:07,699 –> 00:18:10,219 Would you agree with me that as Christians, 385 00:18:10,219 –> 00:18:14,239 we all carry some baggage into heaven with us, right? 386 00:18:14,239 –> 00:18:15,219 We wouldn’t be getting there 387 00:18:15,219 –> 00:18:17,780 except for the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 388 00:18:17,780 –> 00:18:20,439 We all carry baggage with us. 389 00:18:21,640 –> 00:18:24,619 So, I think many Christians become confused 390 00:18:24,619 –> 00:18:27,219 because we naturally ask the question, 391 00:18:27,219 –> 00:18:28,780 and you’ve perhaps said this 392 00:18:29,300 –> 00:18:33,020 and I have, how does the Lord sort all this out in heaven? 393 00:18:33,939 –> 00:18:34,900 How does He sort it out? 394 00:18:34,900 –> 00:18:36,760 What we’ve not been able to sort out down here 395 00:18:36,760 –> 00:18:37,959 with our best efforts. 396 00:18:40,079 –> 00:18:44,680 That point was really at the root of the question 397 00:18:44,680 –> 00:18:48,260 that the Sadducees, who you remember didn’t believe 398 00:18:48,260 –> 00:18:52,579 in the resurrection at all, ask Jesus on one occasion. 399 00:18:52,579 –> 00:18:56,180 You see, they had just abandoned any real faith 400 00:18:56,180 –> 00:18:57,060 in the resurrection. 401 00:18:57,060 –> 00:18:58,579 In fact, they denied it completely 402 00:18:58,579 –> 00:19:00,500 because they had come to the conclusion 403 00:19:00,500 –> 00:19:03,420 that taking real identifiable people from here 404 00:19:03,420 –> 00:19:05,660 and having them there in heaven 405 00:19:05,660 –> 00:19:08,260 just posed so many insoluble problems 406 00:19:08,260 –> 00:19:09,660 that would kind of blow your mind 407 00:19:09,660 –> 00:19:11,939 and how could that ever work out? 408 00:19:12,959 –> 00:19:15,479 And so they were trying to bait Jesus of course 409 00:19:15,479 –> 00:19:17,400 but you remember they asked him this question. 410 00:19:17,400 –> 00:19:20,140 You’ll find it in Mark in chapter 12. 411 00:19:20,140 –> 00:19:21,839 They said, well now Jesus, about the resurrection, 412 00:19:21,839 –> 00:19:24,260 you can just imagine the tone of this. 413 00:19:24,260 –> 00:19:25,579 Now, let me ask you a question 414 00:19:25,579 –> 00:19:27,479 about this, Jesus, the resurrection. 415 00:19:27,520 –> 00:19:29,979 Now suppose there’s a woman and she has a husband 416 00:19:29,979 –> 00:19:31,319 and the husband dies 417 00:19:32,199 –> 00:19:35,020 and suppose she then marries another husband. 418 00:19:35,020 –> 00:19:37,619 Well some of us have asked this question 419 00:19:38,479 –> 00:19:39,680 and it’s very real and it’s very personal 420 00:19:39,680 –> 00:19:42,500 and you think how does all that work out, you see? 421 00:19:43,719 –> 00:19:45,439 But they wanted really to make their point 422 00:19:45,439 –> 00:19:47,560 and so they said suppose the second husband dies 423 00:19:47,560 –> 00:19:49,319 and she marries a third and a fourth and a fifth. 424 00:19:49,319 –> 00:19:52,119 Suppose this woman has seven husbands, they say. 425 00:19:52,119 –> 00:19:54,280 They’re really making their point 426 00:19:54,280 –> 00:19:55,400 and all of them die. 427 00:19:55,619 –> 00:19:57,239 It’s like some woman. 428 00:19:57,239 –> 00:20:02,239 And finally the woman dies 429 00:20:03,099 –> 00:20:05,280 and now they’re all in heaven now. 430 00:20:05,280 –> 00:20:07,439 Who’s gonna be her husband, you see? 431 00:20:09,119 –> 00:20:11,199 And it’s kind of a gotcha there, you know. 432 00:20:12,439 –> 00:20:14,239 And remember what Jesus said to them? 433 00:20:15,359 –> 00:20:18,160 He said you know neither the Scriptures 434 00:20:18,160 –> 00:20:19,500 nor the power of God. 435 00:20:21,160 –> 00:20:22,719 And that’s a word we need to hear. 436 00:20:22,719 –> 00:20:24,479 He said you don’t know the Scriptures 437 00:20:24,540 –> 00:20:27,380 because the Scripture makes plain the resurrection. 438 00:20:27,380 –> 00:20:29,119 So you ought to believe in the resurrection 439 00:20:29,119 –> 00:20:30,920 because it’s very clear in the Scriptures. 440 00:20:30,920 –> 00:20:32,000 So if you believe the Scriptures 441 00:20:32,000 –> 00:20:33,760 you do believe in the resurrection. 442 00:20:34,819 –> 00:20:36,699 But your other problem says Jesus 443 00:20:36,699 –> 00:20:38,280 is you don’t know the power of God. 444 00:20:38,280 –> 00:20:40,359 You’re thinking simply in human terms here. 445 00:20:40,359 –> 00:20:43,380 You’re not reckoning on the amazing, 446 00:20:43,380 –> 00:20:45,420 amazing, redeeming power of God. 447 00:20:45,420 –> 00:20:50,300 You’re just not factoring that in and that’s your problem. 448 00:20:50,300 –> 00:20:51,500 That’s your problem. 449 00:20:52,439 –> 00:20:56,839 Now let’s then think of this. 450 00:20:58,040 –> 00:21:02,199 How is God going to sort all the baggage out? 451 00:21:03,880 –> 00:21:06,500 What about these disputes between Christians 452 00:21:06,500 –> 00:21:07,880 that could not be resolved? 453 00:21:07,880 –> 00:21:09,739 These fraught relationships. 454 00:21:10,739 –> 00:21:13,959 Paul goes one way, Barnabas goes another. 455 00:21:15,160 –> 00:21:18,560 How will it be possible for all of God’s people 456 00:21:18,560 –> 00:21:21,319 to be perfectly happy in Heaven 457 00:21:21,339 –> 00:21:23,359 when sometimes we have made each other 458 00:21:23,359 –> 00:21:25,079 quite miserable here on Earth? 459 00:21:27,640 –> 00:21:29,420 Let me read to you a phrase that I found 460 00:21:29,420 –> 00:21:33,260 in Bishop Ryle that I found really helpful this week. 461 00:21:33,260 –> 00:21:35,000 He’s talking about Heaven 462 00:21:35,000 –> 00:21:37,160 and how it will be a company of Christians 463 00:21:37,160 –> 00:21:40,560 in which there will be no squabbling 464 00:21:40,560 –> 00:21:42,040 and no discord. 465 00:21:43,319 –> 00:21:44,260 And he says this, 466 00:21:44,260 –> 00:21:48,359 “‘Every man’s graces will be fully developed 467 00:21:49,140 –> 00:21:52,319 and every man’s besetting sins 468 00:21:52,319 –> 00:21:56,760 dropped off like beech leaves in the spring.’” 469 00:21:56,760 –> 00:21:57,660 That’s beautiful. 470 00:21:59,000 –> 00:22:00,359 So you have to count on this, 471 00:22:00,359 –> 00:22:03,359 the Bible says that when we see Him, 472 00:22:04,359 –> 00:22:06,119 we will be like Him. 473 00:22:07,839 –> 00:22:10,800 And when you are in the presence of Jesus 474 00:22:10,800 –> 00:22:12,219 and his redeeming work in you 475 00:22:12,219 –> 00:22:15,099 as a Christian believer is complete, 476 00:22:15,119 –> 00:22:20,119 you will be so amazed that you are so like Jesus. 477 00:22:22,040 –> 00:22:24,400 You’ll be overcome with joy in regard to this 478 00:22:24,400 –> 00:22:26,459 with regards to yourself. 479 00:22:26,459 –> 00:22:29,420 You’ll say, it’s me, I know it’s me and I’m here. 480 00:22:29,420 –> 00:22:31,920 I could not have imagined 481 00:22:31,920 –> 00:22:34,180 that I’d have ever be so like Jesus. 482 00:22:35,760 –> 00:22:37,560 And all my besetting sins gone 483 00:22:37,560 –> 00:22:39,800 and everything that is the fruit of God’s grace 484 00:22:39,800 –> 00:22:40,900 made perfect in me. 485 00:22:40,900 –> 00:22:44,800 And it’s you made perfect, glorified, 486 00:22:44,800 –> 00:22:45,640 you. 487 00:22:46,900 –> 00:22:49,400 And then being overwhelmed by the amazing grace of God 488 00:22:49,400 –> 00:22:51,959 and this miracle of glorification in yourself, 489 00:22:51,959 –> 00:22:53,660 you’re going to find equal joy 490 00:22:53,660 –> 00:22:56,000 in seeing with absolute amazement 491 00:22:57,180 –> 00:23:01,859 that same glory perfected in the brother, the sister 492 00:23:01,859 –> 00:23:04,020 who caused you so much difficulty 493 00:23:04,020 –> 00:23:06,500 in so many ways here in this life below 494 00:23:06,500 –> 00:23:09,439 and they will be so amazed at what they see in you. 495 00:23:10,359 –> 00:23:15,359 Brothers and sisters who have made life difficult 496 00:23:15,719 –> 00:23:17,920 for each other below will turn out 497 00:23:17,920 –> 00:23:22,260 to be a joy to each other in heaven. 498 00:23:23,560 –> 00:23:27,339 And I’ll tell you this, I don’t think for a minute 499 00:23:27,339 –> 00:23:32,040 that any of us will feel the need to plow over the past 500 00:23:32,939 –> 00:23:37,520 when the present and the future is so full of glory, 501 00:23:39,739 –> 00:23:42,959 and by the way, that is the most powerful incentive 502 00:23:42,959 –> 00:23:45,000 to do everything that we can to live 503 00:23:45,000 –> 00:23:46,660 at peace with each other now, 504 00:23:46,660 –> 00:23:48,380 and to produce the fruit of godliness 505 00:23:48,380 –> 00:23:50,180 in every difficult relationship 506 00:23:50,180 –> 00:23:52,760 that you experience even now. 507 00:23:52,760 –> 00:23:55,739 See, John says when we see him, we’ll be like him, 508 00:23:55,739 –> 00:23:58,040 that’s the hope, that’s what’s gonna happen 509 00:23:58,040 –> 00:24:00,680 for you and for your brother in Christ, 510 00:24:00,680 –> 00:24:02,020 your sister in Christ, 511 00:24:02,020 –> 00:24:04,020 where things are so difficult right now. 512 00:24:04,959 –> 00:24:06,400 But he says in the light of what’s going 513 00:24:06,400 –> 00:24:08,119 to happen, he says now everyone 514 00:24:08,160 –> 00:24:09,800 who has this hope in him 515 00:24:10,859 –> 00:24:14,000 purifies himself even as Christ is pure. 516 00:24:14,920 –> 00:24:16,040 In other words, when you know 517 00:24:16,040 –> 00:24:17,660 that that’s where it’s gonna end, 518 00:24:18,599 –> 00:24:20,319 you have all the incentive in the world 519 00:24:20,319 –> 00:24:23,560 to go after as much of that as possible 520 00:24:23,560 –> 00:24:25,239 here in this world now with the help 521 00:24:25,239 –> 00:24:27,400 of the Holy Spirit, that’s why Paul says 522 00:24:27,400 –> 00:24:29,060 as far as it is possible, 523 00:24:29,060 –> 00:24:30,459 as far as it depends on you, 524 00:24:30,459 –> 00:24:33,079 seek to live at peace with everybody, 525 00:24:33,079 –> 00:24:34,520 because that’s ultimately where God 526 00:24:34,520 –> 00:24:37,359 is going to bring us in Jesus Christ. 527 00:24:37,359 –> 00:24:41,219 And it’s wonderful, and it’s glorious, 528 00:24:41,219 –> 00:24:44,040 and it’s an immense comfort 529 00:24:44,040 –> 00:24:46,140 in the hardest and most difficult 530 00:24:46,140 –> 00:24:49,079 situations that we experience 531 00:24:49,079 –> 00:24:51,300 in life in this world. 532 00:24:52,160 –> 00:24:53,400 So I’m saying to you here 533 00:24:53,400 –> 00:24:55,020 that Christians who have found 534 00:24:55,020 –> 00:24:57,739 each other difficult on earth 535 00:24:57,739 –> 00:24:59,959 will be a blessing and a joy 536 00:24:59,959 –> 00:25:03,420 to each other in heaven. 537 00:25:03,420 –> 00:25:04,599 Thanks be to God. 538 00:25:05,479 –> 00:25:07,859 Now as we think of this great 539 00:25:07,859 –> 00:25:09,180 gathering, which is our theme 540 00:25:09,180 –> 00:25:12,180 here today, one question 541 00:25:12,180 –> 00:25:14,839 that is often raised 542 00:25:14,839 –> 00:25:16,719 is the question of children 543 00:25:16,719 –> 00:25:19,719 who die in infancy. 544 00:25:19,719 –> 00:25:22,319 What comes of them? 545 00:25:22,319 –> 00:25:25,040 What will they be like? 546 00:25:25,040 –> 00:25:26,699 What about these lives, 547 00:25:26,699 –> 00:25:28,420 these millions of lives 548 00:25:28,420 –> 00:25:30,859 that began in the womb 549 0025:30,859 –> 00:25:32,880 and were never brought to birth 550 00:25:32,880 –> 00:25:34,599 in this world? 551 00:25:34,599 –> 00:25:37,160 What about them? 552 00:25:37,160 –> 00:25:38,560 I want to try and answer 553 00:25:38,560 –> 00:25:40,979 that question in two stages. 554 00:25:40,979 –> 00:25:42,099 First, for the children 555 00:25:42,099 –> 00:25:43,699 of believers 556 00:25:43,699 –> 00:25:47,900 and second for others. 557 00:25:47,900 –> 00:25:50,439 The place to begin here 558 00:25:50,439 –> 00:25:53,040 is with the story of David’s son 559 00:25:53,040 –> 00:25:55,780 who died in infancy. 560 00:25:55,780 –> 00:25:57,420 You remember when David 561 00:25:57,420 –> 00:25:59,119 and Bathsheba were together 562 00:25:59,119 –> 00:26:00,479 what came of that was 563 00:26:00,479 –> 00:26:02,060 the birth of a little boy 564 00:26:02,079 –> 00:26:03,140 who early in his life 565 00:26:03,140 –> 00:26:05,680 became very ill. 566 00:26:05,680 –> 00:26:07,199 David pleaded with God 567 00:26:07,199 –> 00:26:08,459 that the life of the little boy 568 00:26:08,459 –> 00:26:10,219 should be spared 569 00:26:10,219 –> 00:26:11,219 but in the end 570 00:26:11,219 –> 00:26:12,780 after a period of time 571 00:26:12,780 –> 00:26:15,099 the child died. 572 00:26:15,099 –> 00:26:16,699 Then David said 573 00:26:16,699 –> 00:26:17,619 and this is recorded 574 00:26:17,619 –> 00:26:19,719 in second Samuel chapter 12 575 00:26:19,719 –> 00:26:21,359 verse 23. 576 00:26:21,359 –> 00:26:22,180 David said, 577 00:26:22,180 –> 00:26:24,939 I shall go to him 578 00:26:24,939 –> 00:26:29,420 but he shall not return to me. 579 00:26:29,420 –> 00:26:30,219 He is talking about 580 00:26:30,420 –> 00:26:32,619 that child who has died 581 00:26:32,619 –> 00:26:33,599 and when David said 582 00:26:33,599 –> 00:26:36,000 I shall go to him 583 00:26:36,000 –> 00:26:37,800 he clearly knew 584 00:26:37,800 –> 00:26:40,180 that his son was already safe 585 00:26:40,180 –> 00:26:41,859 in the presence of God 586 00:26:41,859 –> 00:26:43,300 and that one day 587 00:26:43,300 –> 00:26:45,900 father and son would be reunited. 588 00:26:45,900 –> 00:26:47,500 That’s his hope. 589 00:26:47,500 –> 00:26:48,979 He says this 590 00:26:48,979 –> 00:26:50,020 about the little boy 591 00:26:50,020 –> 00:26:53,099 he says he is not going to come back to me. 592 00:26:53,099 –> 00:26:53,699 He has died. 593 00:26:53,699 –> 00:26:54,859 He is not coming back. 594 00:26:54,859 –> 00:26:57,599 I have to accept that 595 00:26:57,599 –> 00:26:59,800 but here’s my hope. 596 00:26:59,839 –> 00:27:02,880 I will go to him. 597 00:27:04,420 –> 00:27:05,459 And I am saying to you today 598 00:27:05,459 –> 00:27:06,380 from that scripture 599 00:27:06,380 –> 00:27:08,500 that is the assurance 600 00:27:08,500 –> 00:27:12,520 of every Christian parent. 601 00:27:12,520 –> 00:27:15,579 I will go to him. 602 00:27:15,579 –> 00:27:17,979 I am going to see him again. 603 00:27:17,979 –> 00:27:20,060 I am going to know him. 604 00:27:20,060 –> 00:27:22,380 I am going to enjoy him 605 00:27:22,380 –> 00:27:24,900 and he, me. 606 00:27:24,900 –> 00:27:27,060 Now let’s take a step further 607 00:27:27,060 –> 00:27:29,520 and ask this question. 608 00:27:29,599 –> 00:27:31,540 What about 609 00:27:31,540 –> 00:27:33,979 the millions of children 610 00:27:33,979 –> 00:27:35,300 whose fathers and mothers 611 00:27:35,300 –> 00:27:38,619 were not believers? 612 00:27:38,619 –> 00:27:42,140 Can we have the same hope for them? 613 00:27:42,140 –> 00:27:43,479 And I believe that the answer 614 00:27:43,479 –> 00:27:44,699 to that is yes. 615 00:27:44,699 –> 00:27:46,359 Yes, we can. 616 00:27:46,359 –> 00:27:47,339 Let me give you my reason 617 00:27:47,339 –> 00:27:49,119 for saying this. 618 00:27:49,119 –> 00:27:51,020 Think of the words of Jesus. 619 00:27:51,020 –> 00:27:53,520 Mark 10 and verse 14. 620 00:27:53,520 –> 00:27:54,319 Jesus said, 621 00:27:54,319 –> 00:27:57,420 Let the children come to me 622 00:27:57,420 –> 00:27:59,959 and do not hinder them, 623 00:27:59,959 –> 00:28:01,760 for to such belongs 624 00:28:01,760 –> 00:28:04,020 the kingdom of God. 625 00:28:04,020 –> 00:28:05,400 Don’t hinder the children, 626 00:28:05,400 –> 00:28:06,420 Jesus says, 627 00:28:06,420 –> 00:28:08,459 because to such belongs 628 00:28:08,459 –> 00:28:11,060 the kingdom of God. 629 00:28:11,060 –> 00:28:11,660 Now I know 630 00:28:11,660 –> 00:28:12,920 that in other places 631 00:28:12,920 –> 00:28:14,839 Jesus makes the point 632 00:28:14,839 –> 00:28:16,819 that entering the kingdom 633 00:28:16,819 –> 00:28:18,140 involves coming to him 634 00:28:18,140 –> 00:28:21,640 with a childlike faith 635 00:28:21,640 –> 00:28:22,979 but that is not what 636 00:28:22,979 –> 00:28:24,520 Jesus is saying here. 637 00:28:24,520 –> 00:28:25,819 Here, Jesus is talking 638 00:28:25,819 –> 00:28:26,719 about infants. 639 00:28:26,719 –> 00:28:28,920 He’s talking about little children 640 00:28:28,920 –> 00:28:31,660 and he says to such belongs 641 00:28:31,660 –> 00:28:35,439 the kingdom of God. 642 00:28:35,439 –> 00:28:36,400 On another occasion, 643 00:28:36,400 –> 00:28:37,479 Matthew tells us that 644 00:28:37,479 –> 00:28:39,939 Jesus called a child to him. 645 00:28:39,939 –> 00:28:41,020 The child stood 646 00:28:41,020 –> 00:28:42,760 together with the group of disciples 647 00:28:42,760 –> 00:28:44,719 and Jesus taught in Matthew 18 648 00:28:44,719 –> 00:28:46,560 many wonderful things 649 00:28:46,560 –> 00:28:49,400 in relation to children. 650 00:28:49,400 –> 00:28:50,079 At the end, 651 00:28:50,079 –> 00:28:51,040 with a little child 652 00:28:51,040 –> 00:28:52,079 right next to him, 653 00:28:52,079 –> 00:28:53,479 with an infant next to him, 654 00:28:53,479 –> 00:28:54,780 he said, 655 00:28:54,780 –> 00:28:56,079 Matthew 18 14 656 00:28:56,079 –> 00:28:58,780 it is not the will of my Father 657 00:28:58,780 –> 00:28:59,780 who is in heaven 658 00:28:59,780 –> 00:29:02,020 that one of these little ones 659 00:29:02,020 –> 00:29:03,939 should perish. 660 00:29:03,939 –> 00:29:06,060 It is not the will of my Father 661 00:29:06,060 –> 00:29:06,739 in heaven 662 00:29:06,739 –> 00:29:10,400 that one of these little ones 663 00:29:10,400 –> 00:29:11,180 should perish. 664 00:29:11,180 –> 00:29:13,520 And he’s talking about infants. 665 00:29:13,520 –> 00:29:17,520 He’s talking about infants. 666 00:29:17,619 –> 00:29:19,619 Now, friends. 667 00:29:19,660 –> 00:29:22,199 We need to be very careful 668 00:29:22,400 –> 00:29:26,339 and very thoughtful here. 669 00:29:26,479 –> 00:29:29,280 Infants and unborn children 670 00:29:29,280 –> 00:29:31,439 are obviously not guilty 671 00:29:31,439 –> 00:29:35,300 of actual transgressions, 672 00:29:35,300 –> 00:29:37,060 but we cannot pronounce them 673 00:29:37,060 –> 00:29:38,020 innocent 674 00:29:38,020 –> 00:29:41,020 if we take the Bible seriously. 675 00:29:41,760 –> 00:29:43,859 Sin came into the world 676 00:29:43,859 –> 00:29:46,300 through one man 677 00:29:46,300 –> 00:29:48,060 and death 678 00:29:48,060 –> 00:29:50,199 comes through sin 679 00:29:50,199 –> 00:29:52,140 to all. 680 00:29:52,640 –> 00:29:56,699 There is no human person 681 00:29:56,699 –> 00:29:58,040 in the womb 682 00:29:58,040 –> 00:29:59,660 or born into the world 683 00:29:59,660 –> 00:30:01,300 who is not, in some way, 684 00:30:01,300 –> 00:30:02,260 caught up 685 00:30:02,260 –> 00:30:04,920 with the reality of the 686 00:30:04,920 –> 00:30:07,040 sinfulness, fallenness 687 00:30:07,040 –> 00:30:09,400 of the human race. 688 00:30:09,579 –> 00:30:11,400 Morris Roberts says it well. 689 00:30:11,400 –> 00:30:13,459 Infants who die 690 00:30:13,459 –> 00:30:14,599 have not committed 691 00:30:14,599 –> 00:30:16,119 actual transgressions 692 00:30:16,119 –> 00:30:17,420 but 693 00:30:17,439 –> 00:30:19,380 they die because Adam’s 694 00:30:19,380 –> 00:30:22,300 sin is imputed to them. 695 00:30:22,660 –> 00:30:24,180 Death cannot carry away 696 00:30:24,180 –> 00:30:25,780 the sinless 697 00:30:25,780 –> 00:30:26,880 or those to whom sin 698 00:30:26,880 –> 00:30:28,680 is not imputed. 699 00:30:28,979 –> 00:30:30,739 If it were the case 700 00:30:30,739 –> 00:30:32,239 that if a child were innocent 701 00:30:32,239 –> 00:30:33,459 no child would ever die 702 00:30:33,459 –> 00:30:35,079 because 703 00:30:35,079 –> 00:30:36,199 the wages of sin is death. 704 00:30:36,199 –> 00:30:37,520 So there’s some connection, 705 00:30:37,520 –> 00:30:38,800 you see, of sin 706 00:30:38,800 –> 00:30:40,060 in every human life 707 00:30:40,060 –> 00:30:40,979 in the womb 708 00:30:40,979 –> 00:30:42,400 and born into the world 709 00:30:42,400 –> 00:30:43,540 right from the very beginning. 710 00:30:43,540 –> 00:30:44,719 That is why David said, 711 00:30:44,719 –> 00:30:46,239 you remember Psalm 51 712 00:30:46,239 –> 00:30:47,060 and verse 5, 713 00:30:47,060 –> 00:30:48,520 he said, 714 00:30:48,520 –> 00:30:50,339 in sin 715 00:30:50,339 –> 00:30:51,439 did my mother 716 00:30:51,439 –> 00:30:53,119 conceive me 717 00:30:53,119 –> 00:30:55,079 so this is a specific 718 00:30:55,079 –> 00:30:56,800 statement about conception 719 00:30:57,839 –> 00:30:58,780 and he’s saying 720 00:30:58,780 –> 00:31:00,359 sin is involved 721 00:31:00,359 –> 00:31:02,000 right from 722 00:31:02,000 –> 00:31:03,099 the moment of conception 723 00:31:03,099 –> 00:31:04,300 you see, it’s so bound up 724 00:31:04,300 –> 00:31:05,540 with what it means to be human 725 00:31:05,540 –> 00:31:07,020 to be descended from Adam 726 00:31:07,020 –> 00:31:09,859 and he’s not saying 727 00:31:09,859 –> 00:31:11,219 in Psalm 51 728 00:31:11,219 –> 00:31:11,939 when he says, 729 00:31:11,939 –> 00:31:13,099 in sin did my mother conceive me 730 00:31:13,099 –> 00:31:14,319 he’s not saying 731 00:31:14,319 –> 00:31:15,319 that I was conceived 732 00:31:15,420 –> 00:31:17,079 as the result of a sinful act 733 00:31:17,079 –> 00:31:18,140 that was not the case 734 00:31:18,160 –> 00:31:19,920 he was conceived 735 00:31:19,920 –> 00:31:20,599 because of the union 736 00:31:20,599 –> 00:31:21,560 of his father and the mother 737 00:31:21,560 –> 00:31:23,979 what he’s saying is 738 00:31:23,979 –> 00:31:25,300 that every human life 739 00:31:25,300 –> 00:31:26,280 that is conceived 740 00:31:26,280 –> 00:31:27,439 is because it is 741 00:31:27,439 –> 00:31:28,520 a fallen human life 742 00:31:28,520 –> 00:31:29,579 and comes from 743 00:31:29,579 –> 00:31:30,680 fallen human parents 744 00:31:30,680 –> 00:31:32,680 it is the life of a sinner 745 00:31:32,680 –> 00:31:33,760 from conception 746 00:31:35,300 –> 00:31:36,599 so I plead with you 747 00:31:36,599 –> 00:31:38,099 as we try to be 748 00:31:38,099 –> 00:31:39,540 Biblical Christians 749 00:31:39,540 –> 00:31:41,219 let’s try, as you grow 750 00:31:41,219 –> 00:31:41,800 as a Christian 751 00:31:41,800 –> 00:31:42,979 to use language 752 00:31:42,979 –> 00:31:43,920 that reflects the fact 753 00:31:43,920 –> 00:31:44,699 that you’ve thought 754 00:31:44,739 –> 00:31:45,739 about the Bible 755 00:31:46,900 –> 00:31:48,719 never use the word 756 00:31:48,780 –> 00:31:49,520 innocent 757 00:31:50,300 –> 00:31:51,880 in relation to any 758 00:31:51,880 –> 00:31:53,000 descendant of Adam 759 00:31:53,000 –> 00:31:54,280 born or unborn 760 00:31:54,280 –> 00:31:55,640 in related to our 761 00:31:55,640 –> 00:31:56,760 standing before God 762 00:31:56,760 –> 00:31:57,760 it’s not the right word 763 00:31:57,760 –> 00:31:58,699 to use 764 00:31:58,780 –> 00:32:00,760 it doesn’t mean anything 765 00:32:00,760 –> 00:32:02,760 innocent is never 766 00:32:02,760 –> 00:32:04,760 an appropriate 767 00:32:04,760 –> 00:32:06,760 word to use 768 00:32:06,760 –> 00:32:08,760 of any descendant 769 00:32:08,760 –> 00:32:10,000 of Adam 770 00:32:10,000 –> 00:32:11,540 born or unborn 771 00:32:11,540 –> 00:32:13,540 when it comes 772 00:32:13,540 –> 00:32:15,319 to a relationship 773 00:32:15,319 –> 00:32:16,099 with God 774 00:32:16,319 –> 00:32:17,079 not if you’re taking 775 00:32:17,079 –> 00:32:18,140 the Bible seriously 776 00:32:18,140 –> 00:32:18,699 not if 777 00:32:18,780 –> 00:32:19,520 you’ve understood 778 00:32:19,520 –> 00:32:21,520 as in Adam all died 779 00:32:21,520 –> 00:32:22,560 not if you’ve understood 780 00:32:22,560 –> 00:32:23,579 what David says about 781 00:32:23,579 –> 00:32:24,579 in sin did my mother 782 00:32:24,579 –> 00:32:25,079 conceive me 783 00:32:25,079 –> 00:32:25,939 how can you then say 784 00:32:25,939 –> 00:32:26,599 innocent 785 00:32:26,599 –> 00:32:27,319 it’s just 786 00:32:27,579 –> 00:32:28,579 it’s not taking the 787 00:32:28,579 –> 00:32:29,719 Bible seriously 788 00:32:30,739 –> 00:32:31,599 so I’m saying 789 00:32:31,599 –> 00:32:32,119 we have to be more 790 00:32:32,119 –> 00:32:33,239 thoughtful than that 791 00:32:35,239 –> 00:32:36,339 so children 792 00:32:36,339 –> 00:32:37,520 cannot arrive in heaven 793 00:32:37,520 –> 00:32:38,880 because they’re innocent 794 00:32:39,839 –> 00:32:41,780 not of course 795 00:32:42,660 –> 00:32:43,680 could any child 796 00:32:43,680 –> 00:32:44,819 arrive in heaven 797 00:32:44,819 –> 00:32:46,819 because of baptism 798 00:32:46,979 –> 00:32:47,739 that’s another great 799 00:32:47,739 –> 00:32:48,699 error isn’t it 800 00:32:48,699 –> 00:32:49,459 I mean seriously 801 00:32:49,459 –> 00:32:50,359 how could it be 802 00:32:50,359 –> 00:32:51,140 that the eternal 803 00:32:51,140 –> 00:32:52,680 destiny 804 00:32:52,680 –> 00:32:53,640 of a child 805 00:32:53,640 –> 00:32:54,520 hangs on a right 806 00:32:54,520 –> 00:32:55,239 that is performed 807 00:32:55,239 –> 00:32:56,459 by a man 808 00:32:56,459 –> 00:32:57,300 these things are in 809 00:32:57,300 –> 00:32:58,040 the hands of God 810 00:32:58,040 –> 00:33:00,040 not the hands of man 811 00:33:01,180 –> 00:33:01,680 and children 812 00:33:01,680 –> 00:33:03,020 who die in infancy 813 00:33:03,020 –> 00:33:03,520 the unborn 814 00:33:03,520 –> 00:33:04,079 have never heard 815 00:33:04,079 –> 00:33:04,579 the Gospel 816 00:33:06,459 –> 00:33:06,959 they were not in a 817 00:33:06,959 –> 00:33:07,660 position to 818 00:33:07,660 –> 00:33:09,660 exercise faith 819 00:33:10,599 –> 00:33:11,739 so on 820 00:33:11,739 –> 00:33:12,260 what basis 821 00:33:12,260 –> 00:33:12,979 could you 822 00:33:12,979 –> 00:33:13,900 as a serious 823 00:33:13,900 –> 00:33:14,479 Bible believing 824 00:33:14,479 –> 00:33:14,979 thoughtful 825 00:33:14,979 –> 00:33:15,479 Christian 826 00:33:16,560 –> 00:33:17,520 on what basis 827 00:33:17,520 –> 00:33:18,020 could I 828 00:33:18,020 –> 00:33:18,520 as a pastor 829 00:33:19,380 –> 00:33:19,880 believe 830 00:33:20,479 –> 00:33:20,979 or say 831 00:33:21,739 –> 00:33:22,300 that a child 832 00:33:22,300 –> 00:33:22,800 who died in 833 00:33:22,800 –> 00:33:23,859 infancy 834 00:33:23,859 –> 00:33:25,140 or before birth 835 00:33:25,880 –> 00:33:26,380 enjoys 836 00:33:26,380 –> 00:33:27,060 the life of heaven 837 00:33:27,060 –> 00:33:27,560 what basis 838 00:33:27,560 –> 00:33:28,280 would we have 839 00:33:28,280 –> 00:33:28,780 for saying that 840 00:33:28,780 –> 00:33:29,479 or hoping that 841 00:33:31,040 –> 00:33:31,640 now hear me 842 00:33:31,640 –> 00:33:32,140 clearly 843 00:33:32,140 –> 00:33:32,640 and I’m going 844 00:33:32,640 –> 00:33:33,140 to say this twice 845 00:33:35,020 –> 00:33:35,520 we 846 00:33:35,520 –> 00:33:36,020 do not 847 00:33:36,020 –> 00:33:36,520 have 848 00:33:36,520 –> 00:33:37,020 a direct 849 00:33:37,020 –> 00:33:37,520 word 850 00:33:37,520 –> 00:33:38,339 of scripture 851 00:33:38,339 –> 00:33:39,640 on this 852 00:33:40,599 –> 00:33:42,599 I’m going to say it again 853 00:33:43,699 –> 00:33:44,199 we do not 854 00:33:44,199 –> 00:33:45,180 have 855 00:33:45,180 –> 00:33:46,000 a direct 856 00:33:46,000 –> 00:33:46,819 word 857 00:33:46,839 –> 00:33:47,339 of scripture 858 00:33:47,339 –> 00:33:48,760 on this 859 00:33:50,819 –> 00:33:51,319 but 860 00:33:52,800 –> 00:33:53,300 Christians 861 00:33:53,300 –> 00:33:53,920 through the 862 00:33:53,920 –> 00:33:54,420 ages 863 00:33:54,560 –> 00:33:55,540 have reflected 864 00:33:57,540 –> 00:33:58,099 on how what we know 865 00:33:58,099 –> 00:34:00,140 from the bible 866 00:34:00,140 –> 00:34:01,359 applies to this very important 867 00:34:01,359 –> 00:34:01,859 and very personal 868 00:34:01,859 –> 00:34:02,359 question 869 00:34:06,119 –> 00:34:08,120 so with that caveat 870 00:34:08,120 –> 00:34:08,620 let me share 871 00:34:08,620 –> 00:34:09,120 one or two 872 00:34:09,340 –> 00:34:09,840 general expressions 873 00:34:09,840 –> 00:34:10,340 on the scripture 874 00:34:10,340 –> 00:34:11,840 the first 875 00:34:12,939 –> 00:34:13,439 the words of the 876 00:34:13,439 –> 00:34:14,959 Westminster 877 00:34:14,959 –> 00:34:15,459 Confession 878 00:34:15,459 –> 00:34:15,959 a very great 879 00:34:15,959 –> 00:34:16,459 and historic 880 00:34:16,459 –> 00:34:16,959 statement 881 00:34:18,459 –> 00:34:18,959 of biblical faith 882 00:34:18,959 –> 00:34:19,459 that I hasten 883 00:34:19,459 –> 00:34:19,959 that I askin 884 00:34:19,959 –> 00:34:20,459 to add 885 00:34:20,459 –> 00:34:21,120 has no authority 886 00:34:21,120 –> 00:34:21,620 in and of itself 887 00:34:21,620 –> 00:34:23,120 but has value 888 00:34:23,120 –> 00:34:23,620 as the reflection 889 00:34:24,520 –> 00:34:25,159 of mature 890 00:34:25,159 –> 00:34:25,899 Christian 891 00:34:25,899 –> 00:34:26,719 believers 892 00:34:26,719 –> 00:34:27,320 as a 893 00:34:27,320 –> 00:34:27,800 confession 894 00:34:27,800 –> 00:34:28,320 of faith 895 00:34:28,320 –> 00:34:28,800 based on 896 00:34:28,800 –> 00:34:30,820 the scriptures 897 00:34:35,840 –> 00:34:36,479 here’s what the 898 00:34:36,479 –> 00:34:37,520 Westminster 899 00:34:37,520 –> 00:34:38,159 confession 900 00:34:38,159 –> 00:34:38,800 says 901 00:34:38,800 –> 00:34:39,520 which can say 902 00:34:39,520 –> 00:34:40,040 are 903 00:34:40,040 –> 00:34:40,540 regenerated 904 00:34:40,540 –> 00:34:41,040 and 905 00:34:41,040 –> 00:34:41,540 saved 906 00:34:41,540 –> 00:34:42,040 by 907 00:34:42,040 –> 00:34:43,040 Christ 908 00:34:43,040 –> 00:34:44,040 through the 909 00:34:44,040 –> 00:34:45,620 spirit 910 00:34:45,620 –> 00:34:46,239 who works 911 00:34:46,239 –> 00:34:46,760 when 912 00:34:46,760 –> 00:34:48,280 and where 913 00:34:48,280 –> 00:34:48,780 and how 914 00:34:48,780 –> 00:34:50,399 he pleases 915 00:34:51,540 –> 00:34:52,179 so also 916 00:34:52,179 –> 00:34:52,639 are all 917 00:34:52,639 –> 00:34:53,139 other 918 00:34:53,139 –> 00:34:53,860 elected 919 00:34:53,860 –> 00:34:54,500 persons 920 00:34:57,000 –> 00:34:58,919 who are 921 00:34:58,919 –> 00:34:59,540 incapable 922 00:34:59,540 –> 00:35:00,179 of being 923 00:35:00,179 –> 00:35:00,639 outwardly 924 00:35:00,639 –> 00:35:01,139 called 925 00:35:02,379 –> 00:35:02,979 the ministry 926 00:35:02,979 –> 00:35:03,820 of the word 927 00:35:06,959 –> 00:35:07,459 last that 928 00:35:07,459 –> 00:35:07,959 it 929 00:35:07,959 –> 00:35:08,580 remains 930 00:35:08,919 –> 00:35:09,520 to do 931 00:35:09,520 –> 00:35:10,419 is 932 00:35:31,959 –> 00:35:32,540 those 933 00:35:32,540 –> 00:35:33,340 who are 934 00:35:33,340 –> 00:35:33,399 incapable 935 00:35:34,699 –> 00:35:35,199 of 936 00:35:35,500 –> 00:35:36,000 being 937 00:35:36,000 –> 00:35:36,600 outwardly 938 00:35:36,600 –> 00:35:37,260 called 939 00:35:37,780 –> 00:35:38,379 bought 940 00:35:38,379 –> 00:35:38,959 by the ministry 941 00:35:38,959 –> 00:35:39,419 of 942 00:35:39,419 –> 00:35:39,820 the word 943 00:35:39,820 –> 00:35:40,280 what the 944 00:35:40,280 –> 00:35:40,919 confession 945 00:35:40,919 –> 00:35:41,379 is saying 946 00:35:42,919 –> 00:35:43,459 is that God 947 00:35:43,459 –> 00:35:43,919 has his own 948 00:35:43,919 –> 00:35:44,500 way of 949 00:35:44,500 –> 00:35:45,239 bringing new 950 00:35:45,239 –> 00:35:45,800 life to them 951 00:35:45,800 –> 00:35:46,959 and the making 952 00:35:46,959 –> 00:35:46,959 953 00:35:46,959 –> 00:35:48,000 one with 954 00:35:48,000 –> 00:35:49,060 Jesus Christ 955 00:35:50,840 –> 00:35:52,439 God is able to 956 00:35:52,439 –> 00:35:53,060 regenerate 957 00:35:53,060 –> 00:35:53,300 them 958 00:35:53,300 –> 00:35:53,760 Notice that 959 00:35:53,760 –> 00:35:54,060 word 960 00:35:54,060 –> 00:35:54,540 That means 961 00:35:54,540 –> 00:35:55,139 bring new 962 00:35:55,139 –> 00:35:56,100 life to them 963 00:35:56,100 –> 00:35:57,340 God is able 964 00:35:57,340 –> 00:35:57,800 to save 965 00:35:57,800 –> 00:35:57,979 them 966 00:35:57,979 –> 00:35:58,580 by Christ 967 00:35:58,580 –> 00:36:00,300 through the 968 00:36:00,300 –> 00:36:00,840 Holy Spirit 969 00:36:00,840 –> 00:36:01,100 and he 970 00:36:01,100 –> 00:36:01,439 can do 971 00:36:01,439 –> 00:36:01,919 this 972 00:36:01,919 –> 00:36:02,479 the confession 973 00:36:02,479 –> 00:36:03,179 says because 974 00:36:03,179 –> 00:36:03,879 he’s 975 00:36:03,879 –> 00:36:04,379 God 976 00:36:04,379 –> 00:36:05,020 where and 977 00:36:05,020 –> 00:36:05,780 how and 978 00:36:05,780 –> 00:36:07,020 when he 979 00:36:07,020 –> 00:36:08,340 belongs 980 00:36:08,340 –> 00:36:10,080 He takes an 981 00:36:10,080 –> 00:36:11,320 illustration to 982 00:36:11,320 –> 00:36:11,979 try and picture 983 00:36:11,979 –> 00:36:12,719 this for you 984 00:36:12,719 –> 00:36:13,120 You have all heard 985 00:36:13,120 –> 00:36:13,560 stories or 986 00:36:13,560 –> 00:36:14,280 perhaps seen 987 00:36:14,280 –> 00:36:14,879 films 988 00:36:14,879 –> 00:36:15,919 about a 989 00:36:15,919 –> 00:36:16,360 computer 990 00:36:16,360 –> 00:36:16,520 programmer 991 00:36:16,520 –> 00:36:17,560 who 992 00:36:17,560 –> 00:36:18,199 will 993 00:36:18,199 –> 00:36:18,899 generate a 994 00:36:18,899 –> 00:36:20,000 marvellous 995 00:36:20,000 –> 00:36:20,719 and complex 996 00:36:20,719 –> 00:36:21,100 program 997 00:36:21,100 –> 00:36:21,919 and that’s 998 00:36:21,919 –> 00:36:22,300 then delivered 999 00:36:22,300 –> 00:36:23,020 to a huge 1000 00:36:23,020 –> 00:36:23,360 business 1001 00:36:23,360 –> 00:36:24,199 and runs 1002 00:36:24,199 –> 00:36:24,600 these 1003 00:36:24,600 –> 00:36:24,959 marvelous 1004 00:36:24,959 –> 00:36:25,659 systems 1005 00:36:25,659 –> 00:36:26,100 And so 1006 00:36:26,100 –> 00:36:26,659 forth 1007 00:36:26,659 –> 00:36:27,239 and so on 1008 00:36:27,239 –> 00:36:28,939 And sometimes 1009 00:36:28,939 –> 00:36:29,840 a computer 1010 00:36:29,840 –> 00:36:30,600 programmer 1011 00:36:30,600 –> 00:36:31,399 will leave a 1012 00:36:31,399 –> 00:36:31,979 backdoor 1013 00:36:31,979 –> 00:36:32,340 a secret 1014 00:36:32,340 –> 00:36:33,540 backdoor 1015 00:36:33,540 –> 00:36:34,340 known only 1016 00:36:34,340 –> 00:36:35,580 to him 1017 00:36:35,580 –> 00:36:36,100 by which he 1018 00:36:36,100 –> 00:36:36,419 can access 1019 00:36:36,419 –> 00:36:36,840 the 1020 00:36:36,860 –> 00:36:37,919 oration 1021 00:36:37,919 –> 00:36:38,320 if he 1022 00:36:38,320 –> 00:36:38,560 should need 1023 00:36:38,560 –> 00:36:40,540 to 1024 00:36:40,540 –> 00:36:41,939 And 1025 00:36:41,939 –> 00:36:43,139 cute 1026 00:36:43,139 –> 00:36:43,840 is saying 1027 00:36:43,840 –> 00:36:44,340 to us 1028 00:36:44,340 –> 00:36:44,699 here 1029 00:36:44,699 –> 00:36:45,060 can put 1030 00:36:45,060 –> 00:36:45,600 it in 1031 00:36:45,600 –> 00:36:46,340 this 1032 00:36:46,340 –> 00:36:47,300 language 1033 00:36:47,300 –> 00:36:47,760 Is that 1034 00:36:47,760 –> 00:36:48,500 God 1035 00:36:48,500 –> 00:36:49,000 has 1036 00:36:49,000 –> 00:36:49,280 a 1037 00:36:49,280 –> 00:36:49,800 back 1038 00:36:49,800 –> 00:36:50,379 door 1039 00:36:50,379 –> 00:36:50,679 into 1040 00:36:50,679 –> 00:36:50,780 the 1041 00:36:50,780 –> 00:36:51,300 hearts 1042 00:36:51,300 –> 00:36:52,199 of 1043 00:36:52,199 –> 00:36:53,300 infants 1044 00:36:53,300 –> 00:36:53,699 And 1045 00:36:53,699 –> 00:36:54,500 into 1046 00:36:54,500 –> 00:36:54,639 the 1047 00:36:54,639 –> 00:36:55,080 hearts 1048 00:36:55,080 –> 00:36:55,280 of 1049 00:36:55,280 –> 00:36:55,780 those 1050 00:36:55,780 –> 00:36:55,820 who are 1051 00:36:55,820 –> 00:36:56,040 not 1052 00:36:56,040 –> 00:36:57,479 cape 1053 00:36:57,479 –> 00:36:57,979 mel 1054 00:36:57,979 –> 00:36:58,840 of 1055 00:36:58,840 –> 00:36:58,919 being 1056 00:36:58,919 –> 00:36:59,679 called 1057 00:36:59,679 –> 00:37:00,979 by 1058 00:37:00,979 –> 00:37:01,120 the 1059 00:37:01,120 –> 00:37:03,080 gospel 1060 00:37:03,080 –> 00:37:03,340 You 1061 00:37:03,340 –> 00:37:03,360 say 1062 00:37:03,360 –> 00:37:03,540 well 1063 00:37:03,540 –> 00:37:03,620 can 1064 00:37:03,620 –> 00:37:03,739 you 1065 00:37:03,739 –> 00:37:04,020 think 1066 00:37:04,020 –> 00:37:04,080 of 1067 00:37:04,080 –> 00:37:04,439 anything 1068 00:37:04,439 –> 00:37:04,560 in 1069 00:37:04,560 –> 00:37:04,659 the 1070 00:37:04,659 –> 00:37:04,979 bible 1071 00:37:04,979 –> 00:37:05,159 that 1072 00:37:05,159 –> 00:37:05,320 might 1073 00:37:05,320 –> 00:37:05,520 give 1074 00:37:05,520 –> 00:37:05,780 some 1075 00:37:05,780 –> 00:37:05,879 kind 1076 00:37:05,879 –> 00:37:05,959 of 1077 00:37:05,959 –> 00:37:06,159 support 1078 00:37:06,159 –> 00:37:06,320 to 1079 00:37:06,360 –> 00:37:06,780 that 1080 00:37:06,780 –> 00:37:07,300 Let 1081 00:37:07,300 –> 00:37:07,399 me 1082 00:37:07,399 –> 00:37:07,699 give 1083 00:37:07,699 –> 00:37:08,179 you 1084 00:37:08,179 –> 00:37:09,179 this 1085 00:37:09,179 –> 00:37:12,899 When 1086 00:37:12,899 –> 00:37:13,100 was 1087 00:37:13,100 –> 00:37:13,379 the 1088 00:37:13,379 –> 00:37:13,919 baptist 1089 00:37:13,919 –> 00:37:14,419 filled 1090 00:37:14,419 –> 00:37:14,719 with the 1091 00:37:14,719 –> 00:37:16,280 spirit 1092 00:37:16,280 –> 00:37:16,520 When 1093 00:37:16,520 –> 00:37:16,820 was 1094 00:37:16,820 –> 00:37:18,040 john 1095 00:37:18,040 –> 00:37:18,239 the 1096 00:37:18,239 –> 00:37:18,260 baptism 1097 00:37:18,260 –> 00:37:18,780 filled 1098 00:37:18,780 –> 00:37:22,080 with the 1099 00:37:22,100 –> 00:37:30,280 tr 1100 00:37:30,280 –> 00:37:52,120 So 1101 00:37:52,120 –> 00:37:59,639 if 1102 00:37:59,639 –> 00:38:29,000 we 1103 00:38:59,000 –> 00:39:06,580 we believe there shall be found written millions of souls who are only shown on 1104 00:39:06,580 –> 00:39:11,120 earth and then stretch their wings for heaven 1105 00:39:11,120 –> 00:39:15,520 Isn’t that a beautiful phrase? Here’s this little life and it was as if God 1106 00:39:15,520 –> 00:39:19,479 just showed the life on earth for a short time and then that little life 1107 00:39:19,479 –> 00:39:23,159 stretched its wings for heaven and he says that our millions like that there 1108 00:39:23,260 –> 00:39:29,179 millions like that we have great hope for them the great theologian Charles 1109 00:39:29,179 –> 00:39:33,780 Hodge believed the same as well as quoting the verse that I have already 1110 00:39:33,780 –> 00:39:38,939 spoken to you offer reminded you all for Jesus words about the little 1111 00:39:38,939 –> 00:39:41,679 children and to such belongs the kingdom of God 1112 00:39:41,679 –> 00:39:44,760 Charles Hodge the great theologian says we must take 1113 00:39:44,760 –> 00:39:51,159 seriously the statement from Corinthians that as in Adam all die so 1114 00:39:51,159 –> 00:39:57,040 in Christ all will be made alive and particularly that they all there he 1115 00:39:57,040 –> 00:40:03,679 applies to the unborn and to those who die in infancy and he says this I quote 1116 00:40:03,679 –> 00:40:08,959 Christ looked on them as lambs of the flock for which he is the Good Shepherd 1117 00:40:08,959 –> 00:40:13,600 laid down his life and of whom he said they shall never perish and no man shall 1118 00:40:13,600 –> 00:40:19,780 pluck them out of his hands of such Christ says is the kingdom of heaven of 1119 00:40:20,260 –> 00:40:25,659 such is the kingdom of heaven and Hodges says Christ says this as though heaven 1120 00:40:25,659 –> 00:40:33,219 was in Great Measure composed of the souls of redeemed infants in Great 1121 00:40:33,219 –> 00:40:39,560 Measure Spurgeon makes the same point noting how many children die in infancy 1122 00:40:39,560 –> 00:40:45,659 he was speaking in the year 1861 when he said this and he observed not only in 1123 00:40:45,659 –> 00:40:50,419 London but across the world he said probably 19th century he’s saying 1124 00:40:50,419 –> 00:40:57,239 probably between a third and a half of the entire population of the world die 1125 00:40:57,239 –> 00:41:05,739 in infancy and he says then may it not be that infrent souls quote 1126 00:41:05,739 –> 00:41:13,620 constitute the great majority close quote in heaven he adds it is a sweet 1127 00:41:14,159 –> 00:41:19,939 to my own mind that there will be more saved than lost for in all things Christ 1128 00:41:19,939 –> 00:41:26,820 is to have the preeminence and why not in this 1129 00:41:26,820 –> 00:41:29,719 I told you twice and I say third time we have no 1130 00:41:29,719 –> 00:41:37,520 directly addresses this but I have applied two or three scriptures as much 1131 00:41:38,360 –> 00:41:44,560 greater men of God have sought to apply Scriptures to this intensely acute 1132 00:41:44,560 –> 00:41:50,139 pastoral question and I lay that before you for your comfort for your 1133 00:41:50,139 –> 00:41:56,219 encouragement for your consideration and your evaluation. And I hope for your joy 1134 00:41:56,219 –> 00:42:02,679 Now of course as we think about these things folks ask questions like this 1135 00:42:02,760 –> 00:42:05,120 Well now this is wonderful to think about what will these 1136 00:42:05,120 –> 00:42:10,639 children be like. Will they still be children in heaven? No I don’t think so 1137 00:42:11,020 –> 00:42:16,159 If someone lives to the age of over a hundred and runs out of steam and has no 1138 00:42:16,159 –> 00:42:19,040 energy and so forth are they going to be over a hundred for the rest of eternity 1139 00:42:19,040 –> 00:42:24,399 in heaven? No, of course not. Of course not! No, the whole point of the 1140 00:42:24,399 –> 00:42:28,719 resurrection life is that every being created by God and redeemed in Jesus 1141 00:42:28,719 –> 00:42:35,600 Christ reaches their full power and their full potential, becomes everything 1142 00:42:35,600 –> 00:42:41,600 that they can be for Christ reflecting his glory forever and forever. Those who 1143 00:42:41,600 –> 00:42:48,959 died old and those who died young one of the delights of heaven for millions of 1144 00:42:48,959 –> 00:42:54,280 mothers and fathers who conceived a child whose life in this world was ended 1145 00:42:54,280 –> 00:43:00,739 early will be to see with joy what your little boy what your little girl became 1146 00:43:00,739 –> 00:43:10,320 and is for all eternity one more thing our time is nearly gone 1147 00:43:10,320 –> 00:43:21,000 what will it be like for those fathers and mothers who made a choice to end the 1148 00:43:21,100 –> 00:43:29,300 life of an unborn child chose to have an abortion and now have come to bitterly 1149 00:43:29,300 –> 00:43:33,520 regret that choice that was made and have come in repentance and placed that 1150 00:43:33,520 –> 00:43:42,780 under the blood of Jesus and you’re in Christ or today you might come to be in 1151 00:43:42,959 –> 00:43:54,219 Christ what would it be like for you on that day let me give you an analogy for 1152 00:43:54,219 –> 00:44:00,080 your hope and for your comfort as you often perhaps think about this and the 1153 00:44:00,080 –> 00:44:05,280 shadow hangs over you I want you to hold on to this in the Old Testament 1154 00:44:05,280 –> 00:44:11,500 there’s a beautiful story of a man called Joseph and his brothers did great 1155 00:44:11,540 –> 00:44:21,060 evil against him they put him in a pit and their choice was for him to die it 1156 00:44:21,060 –> 00:44:28,340 was a terrible thing to do it was an awful evil but God did not leave Joseph 1157 00:44:28,340 –> 00:44:32,300 in the pit God delivered him and brought him to 1158 00:44:32,300 –> 00:44:38,139 the palace of a king and you remember the story that the day came when Joseph’s 1159 00:44:38,139 –> 00:44:42,979 brothers who had done this great evil to him were also brought to the palace and 1160 00:44:42,979 –> 00:44:49,479 when they arrived there they didn’t know Joseph at first but he certainly knew 1161 00:44:49,479 –> 00:44:53,939 and when he told them who he was of course their first reaction by instinct 1162 00:44:53,939 –> 00:44:59,479 was fear but Joseph said this you can read it in Genesis 45 he said do not be 1163 00:44:59,479 –> 00:45:06,659 distressed or angry with yourselves do not be distressed or angry with 1164 00:45:06,659 –> 00:45:16,939 yourselves he said God sent me before you God sent me before you friends the 1165 00:45:16,939 –> 00:45:22,620 evil that these brothers did to Joseph was very great but the Redeemer who 1166 00:45:22,620 –> 00:45:27,540 saved Joseph and then saved the brothers who had done the evil is even greater 1167 00:45:27,540 –> 00:45:33,560 and I’m suggesting today that that is how it will be for you and for your 1168 00:45:33,820 –> 00:45:39,439 son or daughter in the presence of Jesus if you are truly a person in Christ or 1169 00:45:39,439 –> 00:45:43,780 if you will come to Christ and if he will be your Redeemer and your Savior 1170 00:45:43,780 –> 00:45:57,479 today and God will wipe all tears from our eyes let’s pray together father 1171 00:45:57,479 –> 00:46:02,959 hasten that day when faith will be turned to sight and receive our thanks 1172 00:46:03,040 –> 00:46:09,439 now come around this table and worship the Savior who’s at the center of it all 1173 00:46:09,439 –> 00:46:14,159 in his name we pray