WEBVTT 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:01.600 Hello, friends. 00:00:01.679 --> 00:00:02.879 This is Pastor Creighton. 00:00:02.959 --> 00:00:06.080 Thank you for tuning in to Newsong Church's Sermon Podcast. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:13.359 At Newsong Church, we want to see Jesus lifted high in Port Perry, Ontario, as we worship, grow, and serve. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:18.800 You can learn more about us and find contact info at newsongportperry.ca. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:27.280 The first lesson is from Genesis chapter 22, beginning at the first verse. 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:40.799 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, Abraham, and he said, Here I am. 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:57.359 He said, Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:10.319 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son, Isaac. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:18.879 And he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:26.719 On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:32.959 Then Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey. 00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:38.239 I and the boy will go over there and worship, and come again to you. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:44.799 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son. 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:48.719 And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:52.319 So they went both of them together. 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:58.879 And Isaac said to his father, Abraham, My father. 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:02.799 And he said, Here I am, my son. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:09.039 He said, Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:18.719 Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:22.879 So they went, both of them together. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:40.639 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:50.000 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:58.479 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.039 And he said, Here I am. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:13.680 He said, Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing have you not withheld your son, your only son, from me. 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:19.039 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:26.639 And behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:34.240 And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:41.520 So Abraham called the name of that place, the Lord will provide. 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:48.719 As it is said to this day, on the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:04:15.599 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:21.360 And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:32.160 And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice with the word of the Lord. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:34.079 Thanks be to God. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:53.519 I want to invite you to stay seated for this first part of the Gospel. 00:04:55.839 --> 00:05:03.519 Together we're going to cry out against Jesus with the chief priests and officers, with the bolded text, and with the crowd. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:11.600 I'll invite us to stand at the mention of Golgotha as we behold, as it were, the crucified one. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:21.759 And then with his last breath, I'll invite you to assume a prayerful posture, where our string ensemble will lead us in meditation. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:25.839 And we'll continue the reading. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:36.319 You're welcome to keep this booklet with you and take it with you if it's to your benefit, meditating on this Good Friday. 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:40.160 Otherwise, you can return it to the greeter on your way out. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:47.680 Dear sisters and brothers, this is the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:06:03.120 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kedron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:08.959 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:13.040 For Jesus often met there with his disciples. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:24.800 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and from the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:34.639 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, Whom do you seek? 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:38.720 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:43.439 Jesus said to them, I am he. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:48.560 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:54.079 When Jesus said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:58.959 So he asked them again, Whom do you seek? 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:03.439 And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:08.160 Jesus answered, I told you that I am He. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.560 So if you seek me, let these men go. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:16.560 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken. 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:20.319 Of those whom you gave me, I have lost not one. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:29.120 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:31.360 The servant's name was Malchus. 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:37.360 So Jesus said to Peter, put your sword into its sheath. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:42.319 Shall I not drink the cup that my father has given me? 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:52.240 So the band of soldiers and their captain, and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:59.920 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:07.199 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:13.199 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:23.600 Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:33.519 So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door and brought Peter in. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:40.480 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, You are not one of this man's disciples, are you? 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.399 He said, I am not. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:51.440 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:55.679 Peter also is with them, standing and warming himself. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:01.600 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:06.320 Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:12.320 I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews come together. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:15.279 I have said nothing in secret. 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:17.600 Why do you ask me? 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:22.159 Ask those who have heard me heard me what I said to them. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:23.759 They know what I said. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:32.960 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, Is that how you answer the high priest? 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:40.320 Jesus answered him, If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong. 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:44.240 But if what I have said is right, why do you strike me? 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:49.600 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:54.240 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:59.200 So they said to him, You also are not one of his disciples, are you? 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:01.759 He denied it and said, I am not. 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:11.759 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with him? 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:14.080 Peter again denied it. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:17.279 And at once a rooster crowed. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:23.679 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.000 It was early morning. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:33.200 They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:41.039 So Pile went out Pilate went outside to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this man? 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:48.240 They answered him, If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:55.039 Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves, and judge him by your own law. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:11:00.159 The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:07.440 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken, to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:17.600 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, Are you the king of the Jews? 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:23.200 Jesus answered, Do you say this of your own accord? 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.320 Or did others say it to you about me? 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:30.320 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.559 Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:36.320 What have you done? 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:42.799 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:53.679 If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting that I might not be delivered over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not of this world. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:58.240 Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:02.960 Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:12.159 For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:17.120 Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:21.919 Pilate said to him, What is truth? 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:30.480 After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt in him. 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:37.840 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover, so do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:43.039 They cried out again, Not this man, but Barabbas. 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:45.360 Now Barabbas was a robber. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:58.720 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him, and the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:06.240 They came up to him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews, and struck him with their hands. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:15.600 Pilate went out again and said to them, See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:22.320 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:26.320 Pilate said to them, Behold the man. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:38.080 When the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, Crucify him, crucify him. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:45.919 Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:55.200 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:14:00.240 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:05.600 He enters his headquarters again and said to Jesus, Where are you from? 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:09.200 But Jesus gave no answer. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:13.840 So Pilate said to him, You will not speak to me? 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:19.120 Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you? 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:29.039 Jesus answered him, You would have no authority over me at all, unless it had been given to you from above. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:34.879 Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin. 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:39.679 From then on, Pilate sought to release him. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:44.960 But the Jews cried out, If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:49.279 Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:15:01.039 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the stone pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:05.039 Now it was the day of preparation of the Passover. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.840 It was about the sixth hour. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:12.480 He said to the Jews, Behold your king. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:20.399 They cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:24.559 Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your king? 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:29.679 And the chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:34.720 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:50.879 So they took Jesus and he went out bearing his own cross to the place called the place of the skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:05.600 There they crucified him. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:12.960 And with with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:18.320 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:22.879 It read, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:27.200 Many of the Jews read this inscription. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:34.480 For the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:43.840 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write the King of the Jews, but rather this man said, I am King of the Jews. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:48.879 Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:17:01.200 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier, also his tunic. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:06.000 But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:12.400 So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see whose it shall be. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:22.160 This was to fulfill the scripture, which says, They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:26.160 So the soldiers did these things. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:36.960 But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:48.400 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, Woman, behold your son. 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:53.920 And he said to his disciple, Behold your mother. 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:59.119 And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:11.839 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said to fulfill scripture, I thirst. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:16.160 A jar of sour wine stood there. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:23.200 So they put a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:31.200 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:37.119 And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:24:11.200 Since it was the day of preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for that Sabbath was a high day, the Jews asked Pilate to have their legs, that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:18.880 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:26.079 And when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, and they did not break his legs. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:34.319 So one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:38.559 He who saw it has borne witness. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:47.599 His testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth, that you also may believe. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:52.880 For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled. 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:56.000 Not one of his bones will be broken. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:25:02.880 And again another scripture says, They will look on him whom they have pierced. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.480 Let's pray. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:32.720 Mine, mine was the transgression, but yours the deadly pain. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:40.160 It is finished. 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:56.880 The whole work of salvation, which the Father had sent Jesus into the world to accomplish, was now completed through Christ's substitutionary atonement on the cross. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:00.799 It is finished. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:14.000 Three words that echo and resonate, beginning in Golgotha and vibrating through the whole created universe. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.599 And even still. 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.839 Reconciliation. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.400 Reparation. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.559 Atonement. 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:50.799 It's this need for atonement that's at the heart of the gospel. 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.960 The heart of Scripture. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:57.279 Even at the heart of our reading in Genesis 22 today. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:02.720 Genesis 22 at first reading sounds like a brutal reading, doesn't it? 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:05.200 It sounds like a brutal passage. 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:18.559 Not just that Abraham isn't going to be nominated for parent of the year anytime soon, but it can sound like God is capricious and he assigns cruel tasks. 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:30.079 But at the heart of Genesis 22, we see atonement, if we see it rightly. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:37.279 This passage is meant to tell us that to have fellowship with God, we need atonement. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:40.640 We need justice to be satisfied. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:50.720 But Genesis 22 is not meant to tell us that we are the ones to make atonement, to take the initiative in reconciliation. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:56.960 Rather, it tells us that God is the one to make atonement. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:28:04.799 God provides what he requires: a substitution, atonement. 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:10.480 And Abraham, it's clear, knows this from the very start. 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:21.680 He knows that God has promised him his son Isaac to continue a promised lineage that will eventually bring blessing and salvation into the world. 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:30.160 He knows God well enough to know that God does not go back on his word, nor is God capricious. 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:43.680 That's why in verse 5, on their way to the mountain, Abraham turns to his servants and he says, I and the boy will return to you. 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:47.200 Abraham knows God's promise. 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:54.480 He knows God doesn't go back on his word, and there is no doubt in Abraham's mind. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:29:00.799 Though he's been called to offer Isaac, God doesn't retract his promises. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:03.359 One way or another, Abraham knows. 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:05.920 Isaac is coming back with him. 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:16.880 That's why the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews writes that Abraham considered that God was even able to raise Isaac from the dead. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:29.119 So sure was Abraham's confidence in God's word, his promises, that Abraham reasoned that God's word is stronger than death itself. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:37.599 So when Isaac asks where the sacrificial lamb is, I don't think Abraham gulped. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:45.039 I think he meant it when he said, God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.559 Abraham isn't lying to Isaac. 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:53.680 He believes that God will provide what he requires. 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:56.079 And God does. 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:11.440 Caught in the thicket by his horns. 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:17.519 And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:24.720 So Abraham called the name of that place, the Lord will provide. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:30.000 Because God has provided a substitute. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:33.200 He's provided what he requires. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:42.160 See, the point of the story is not to marvel at Abraham, who's willing to go through something as wild as sacrificing Isaac. 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:54.319 Rather, we're supposed to marvel at a gracious Lord who makes it so clear, He provides what He requires. 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:57.920 And His word is stronger than death. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:08.640 So even in this moment in Genesis chapter 22, we should hear echoing and resonating backward through time these three words. 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:12.480 It is finished. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:17.519 Because even this moment points us to the cross. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:33.440 To the cross where the penalty for sin belongs to us, but God provides the sacrifice he requires to make atonement, to bring us into union with himself. 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:46.720 And where Abraham is called to take his beloved son Isaac, God in Christ sent his only begotten Son, whom He loves, into the world for our salvation. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:58.079 And where Isaac is laid on top of the wood for the sacrifice, we read that Jesus is nailed to the wood of the cross to be the greater sacrifice. 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:04.480 God has bridged the gap of sin for us in Christ. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:15.359 We have only to receive him by faith, by trusting in his all-sufficient sacrifice on our behalf upon the cross. 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:19.440 See, Abraham's faith, we read, was counted to him as righteousness. 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:26.000 That's not because he had so much faith that he reached up to the righteousness level of faith. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:30.640 That's because of the object of Abraham's faith. 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:33.839 Abraham trusted God's word. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:44.720 And it's this trust alone that takes God's promises to be true for what they are, to cling to them, to hold on to them. 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:58.319 And so too do we by faith receive the sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the cross. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:25.440 So the author of Hebrews writes, Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience, and having our bodies washed pure with water. 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:34.880 When we trust in Jesus, the one who says, It is finished, then our consciences are wiped clean. 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:44.319 The sacrifice for our atonement has been provided for, and we can have the full assurance that faith brings. 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:54.319 Because of his great love for you and I, God in Christ has accomplished our salvation through the cross. 00:33:54.799 --> 00:34:03.839 He has provided everything that you and I need for a renewed relationship with him in Christ, who bears our sin. 00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:11.760 Are we willing to trust above all else the Lamb that God has provided for us? 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:16.320 It is finished. 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:22.079 I bow my head, my Savior, for I deserve your place. 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:27.440 Oh, grant to me your favor and heal me by your grace. 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.719 Amen. 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:36.239 Thank you for listening today. 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:41.920 We worship a generous God who calls us to follow Him in giving willfully, cheerfully, and sacrificially. 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:48.559 Newsong Church's mission and ministry is 100% funded by the generous gifts of those worshiping and journeying with us. 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:56.320 If you'd like to offer a gift towards Newsong's ministry, please visit Newsongportperry.ca slash giving for more information on how to do that. 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:59.599 May God bless you and keep you today and every day.