WEBVTT 00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:08.160 When we find Paul in 2 Timothy chapter 2, he's stuck in prison. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:18.559 He's suffering, he's alone, he's cold, he's isolated, and yet the words that we're gonna read from his hands this morning are full of hope. 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:20.480 They're full of faith. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:26.800 And if you're living in this world, you know what it's like to experience brokenness and hardship. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:34.880 And acutely, if you are a Christian, there's unique suffering that's common for us because we bear the name of Christ. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:36.560 We're ambassadors for light. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:38.320 The darkness hates the light. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:40.719 So sometimes there's opposition. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:49.119 And if you're stuck in suffering from our text today, I want to give you three things to remember when you are stuck in suffering. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:53.200 Here's the first one: remember Jesus Christ. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:55.280 Look with me at verse 8. 00:00:56.799 --> 00:01:04.799 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:13.920 As Paul models how to endure suffering well, he tells Timothy, his younger son in the faith, you need to remember Jesus. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:16.239 It's not as though Timothy has forgotten Jesus. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:21.680 He's telling Timothy, always keep the living Christ ever before you. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:27.760 And it's important that we remember Christ as alive because he's not just a historical figure. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:32.480 A historical figure cannot help you if you're going through suffering. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:36.560 Like, for example, I'm inspired by George Washington. 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:39.280 George Washington was a great leader. 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:43.120 But if I'm sick, George Washington can't help me. 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:48.799 If I'm stuck in suffering, George Washington can't do anything because George Washington is dead. 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:56.159 But Jesus, he's not just a memory, he's not just a historical figure. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:07.840 Right now, he is seated on his throne, he is alive and well, he loves you, he knows you, he hears your prayers, and he can respond to your prayers with so much grace. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:18.240 As we think about Christ, as we sing to Christ, and even when you pray to him, do you picture him as a person who is currently alive? 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:20.639 He is not dead. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:29.680 Sometimes churches, cathedrals, sometimes even on necklaces, you will see Jesus still depicted on the cross. 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:31.360 Now he did die. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:34.080 We we preach Christ crucified unashamedly. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:38.800 You can't have resurrection without death, but he is not still on the cross. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:44.719 It was by the blood, but the cross is empty. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:49.280 Once for all, it was satisfied. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:57.520 The wrath of God was satisfied, justice was satisfied, and today, right now, Jesus is seated on his throne. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:05.919 And if you remember Christ as being alive in your prayers, in your scripture reading, in your evangelism, here's what's gonna happen. 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:15.680 You're gonna sleep better, you're gonna love more deeply, you're gonna work harder at your job, doing it as unto the Lord and not to man. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.360 You're gonna sing more loudly in worship. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:22.639 And by the way, the singing was beautiful today. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:23.919 It was beautiful. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:27.120 My parents do mission work internationally. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:29.759 This past week they were in Ethiopia. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:47.840 And on a call with my dad, he said that some Christians had crossed the neighboring border from Somalia, and when they were singing to Jesus, to live in Christ together, particularly the Somalian Christians were singing with huge loudness and praise and joy. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:57.199 And when my dad asked about it, he learned that if they were to sing out loud in their home country, they were at risk of persecution. 00:03:58.400 --> 00:03:59.520 Just to sing. 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:03.919 But why were they singing loudly? 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:09.759 Why were they singing with praise and joy, even though their life is filled with hardship and danger? 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:12.879 It's because Jesus is alive. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:17.839 He is for them, he is with them always, and the same is true for you. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:24.240 And not only do we remember Christ is alive, we remember that he is in the lineage of David. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.600 Look at our text: the offspring of David. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:31.040 The Gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:37.279 And genealogies aren't in the Bible to make you bored or to mess you up on your yearly Bible reading plan. 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:40.560 Everybody stops at the genealogies in Leviticus. 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:51.680 Those genealogies are showing even a Jewish people, look at the names, look at the history, look at the bloodline. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:55.360 This was a real man born into the world. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:07.759 Now, a critic may say, well, of course the Bible wants us to believe that Jesus was a real man, but are there any extra biblical sources that show us credibility that he actually existed? 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:08.720 Let me encourage you. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:09.360 There are many. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:10.879 This morning I'm just going to give you two. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:12.879 Here's the first one from Josephus. 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:14.639 Both of these were non-believers. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:17.439 Josephus was a Jewish Roman historian. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:25.920 He wrote this in AD 93, just a few decades after the life and resurrection of Christ. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:35.279 In this time there was a certain Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man, for he was a doer of incredible deeds. 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:39.519 Many from among the Jews and many from among the Greeks followed him. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.160 He was thought to be the Christ. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:55.680 And when Pilate, historical fact, had condemned him on the cross, historical fact, at the accusation of the first men among us, those who at first were devoted to him did not cease to be so. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:06:02.800 For on the third day, it seemed to them that he was alive again. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:13.600 And up till now, the tribe of Christians, I like that phrase, the tribe of Christians who were named from him has not disappeared. 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:16.720 And we still have not disappeared. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:20.319 Here's another one for you. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:20.879 A.D. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.399 166. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:25.519 This guy's name was Lucian of Samosota. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:28.560 Lucian is kind of like an ominous name to me. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:29.600 Lucian. 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:32.480 But if your name is Lucian, we could still be friends. 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:37.279 Lucian was an ardent opponent of Christianity. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:40.319 He often wrote scathing words against Christ. 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:41.680 He mocked Christianity. 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:43.279 He wrote in satire a lot. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:44.800 Here are his words. 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:54.399 The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day, the distinguished person who introduced their novel rites and was crucified on that account. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:07:08.560 You see, these misguided creatures, referring to Christians, start with a general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion, which are so common among them. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:22.319 And then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers from the moment that they are converted and deny the gods of grace and worship the crucified sage and live after his laws. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:23.439 I have good news. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:27.920 The crucified sage that we worship is no longer crucified. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:32.160 He is alive and he is seated on his throne and he is rooted in history. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.160 This is Paul's gospel. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:59.920 Jesus is the Christ, born of a virgin, born into history, born into time, born a king, lived a sinless life, died in our place, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, is returning again, and offers the free gift to the whole world, imploring you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God by faith. 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:05.199 This is Paul's gospel, but notice that he says, my gospel. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:13.839 A question for you to consider have you made the gospel your gospel? 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:20.959 Now, whether you believe it's the gospel or not doesn't change the fact that it's true. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:28.079 Whether your tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord or not doesn't change the fact that he is Lord. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:32.720 But God loves you, he wants you to be reconciled to him. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:35.120 And that can happen by faith. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:46.559 And let me encourage you, if you have never turned from your self-trust, repented of your sins, and like a child, put all of your trust in Jesus, do so today. 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:47.919 Don't wait until tomorrow. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:49.200 Tomorrow's not promise. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:58.159 God's word says, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart, but receive the free gift that he purchased for you. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:03.039 The apostle Paul called it my gospel. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:09.600 And he took so much ownership of the gospel, he was even willing to suffer for the gospel. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:11.600 Look at verse 9. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:17.039 For which I'm suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:23.120 But the word of God is not bound. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:29.679 When I was in high school living in Louisiana, a Gideon came to town. 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:35.679 If you don't know who the Gideons are, they're precious people who pass out little pocket New Testaments. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:38.879 Maybe you've seen one in a hotel before. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:43.360 This older gentleman was standing at the doorway of our cafeteria. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:45.600 He was super sweet, very gentle. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:49.679 All he did was pass out New Testament, say, God loves you, God bless you. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:53.840 And I watched as my friends in high school, this is in Louisiana, okay? 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:58.080 Not a place you would normally think as opposed to Christ and the Bible. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:03.200 They received those New Testaments and would throw them in the trash. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:11.440 I found some in urnals, I found some in sinks with tobacco chew spit onto the New Testament. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:18.080 And as a high schooler, even, I thought to myself, why? 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:23.200 Why is there so much opposition to the Bible? 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:26.639 The book of John, chapter 3, tells us. 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:30.320 We've all heard of John 3.16, rightly so, famous verse. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:36.639 God so loved the world, he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:41.919 But you might have never heard the verses that come shortly after that, 19 through 20. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:52.399 This is the judgment that the light has come into the world, and people love the darkness rather than the light, because their works were evil. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:11:00.879 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:06.240 If you're living in darkness and sin is darkness, we all know that to be true. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:14.240 God's word that is light, when it shines upon you, you want to retract back into the darkness. 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:16.799 This verse even says, they hate the darkness. 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:20.159 There is a there is a rebellion, there is an opposition. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.559 But here's the good news. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:32.559 Though there was opposition to Paul, and he was treated as a criminal because he was an ambassador for Christ, he said with confidence, the word is God is not bound. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:37.840 I might be in chains, but the gospel is advancing and the church is alive and well. 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:39.679 And the same is true for us. 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:46.080 Some of my very friends in high school who threw Bibles into the trash are Christians today. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:56.000 Sometimes I'm scrolling through Facebook and I see some of them getting baptized, and even my own heart during that season was transformed by the Word of God. 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:58.480 You cannot stop the gospel. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.240 You cannot stop the gospel. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:08.320 There was a French philosopher, Voltaire, who tried to in his writings. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:12.799 He wrote many uh books and articles opposing Christianity. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:15.600 In 1776, here's one of his sentences. 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.679 You hear the pride in that? 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:28.320 100 years from my day, there will not be a Bible on earth, except one that is looked upon by a curiosity seeker. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:42.799 It's believed that by God's providence, approximately 50 years after his death, the Bible Society of Geneva acquired his home and used it to store Bibles and gospel tracts. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:52.080 And it's even reported that the printing press he used to publish his books, they utilized to publish Bibles. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:55.279 The Word of God is not bound. 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:59.840 The Word of God is not contained in a human building. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:03.679 The Word of God is not decided upon by a human institution. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:08.960 You can put Christians in prison, but you cannot stop the Word of God. 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:13.200 It is alive and active, and it is achieving its purposes in the world. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:13.759 Why? 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:16.559 Because Christ Himself is alive. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.919 Remember Jesus. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:20.639 Number two, remember the elect. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.879 Look at verse 10. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:35.519 Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:43.360 The Apostle Paul was able to endure suffering, not just because he thought he'd have a cool story on the other side of prison. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:50.480 He was able to endure suffering for the sake of others, for the sake of the elect, he said. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:54.080 And he learned this principle in earlier imprisonments. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.639 This imprisonment will be Paul's last. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:14:00.159 This is the last letter that Paul writes before he's executed. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:13.360 But as he was writing to the church in Philippi, he said that God used his imprisonment so that even some of the Roman guard, some of the guards around him heard the gospel and became Christians through his imprisonment. 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:25.200 In fact, the apostle Paul said in the book of Philippians that even some of Caesar's household came to faith because of this hardship that he endured. 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:32.240 When we are going through suffering, there's a temptation to be very self-oriented and self-focused, right? 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.320 Woe is me. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.559 Why am I enduring so much hardship? 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:44.960 But I think one of the secrets to Paul's hope, even during trial and suffering, is that he maintained an other's focus. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:49.840 Like he thought to himself, well, I'm stuck in prison, but maybe this guard will get saved. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:52.720 I'm suffering, but maybe I can encourage Timothy. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.480 Like, think about his writing. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.639 He could be saying, Timothy, remember Paul. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:00.080 Don't forget me. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:03.600 Write to me, visit me, help me, get me out of here. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:06.879 But instead he's saying, Remember Jesus. 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.960 Timothy, I remember you. 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:11.039 I'm doing this for the sake of the elect. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:15.840 Maybe Christians around me will be encouraged by my example. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:21.600 I think that God allows us to go through some suffering for us. 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:25.519 And by that I mean he wants to sanctify us. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.919 He wants to make us more like Jesus. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:31.440 He disciplines even those who he loves. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:38.080 But I think some suffering, some, and you'll have to use discernment, is not about you. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:47.919 Maybe you got sick, maybe one of the reasons you got sick is so that the nurse caring for you can see your hope in the gospel. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:52.159 Are you sharing the gospel and facing opposition? 00:15:52.960 --> 00:16:05.120 Maybe you're facing opposition, not so that you have a cool testimony on social media, maybe you're facing opposition so that those opposed to you can see the kindness of Christ and turn to him. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:10.879 Now I want to settle into a word we passed over, elect. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:11.840 Elect. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:16.559 Elect causes a lot of conversations in the church world. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.879 So we're gonna talk about it this morning. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:23.360 The word elect very simply means chosen or selected. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:29.120 And in this context, the word elect is referring to those who will put their trust and faith in Jesus. 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:34.000 And even at River Oak Church, there's different opinions on what the word elect means. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:40.000 Some people in our church family think that God unconditionally chooses those who will be saved. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:49.120 And there are others in our church family who believe that through God's foreknowledge, He sees into the future who will believe, and he refers to them as elect. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:56.799 Now, no matter which side you land on on that conversation, and as a pastor, I've had this conversation, frankly, more times than I want to. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:17:00.159 Okay, I'll still have it today if you want to, but more times than I want to. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:03.679 But listen, church family, this does not have to harm our unity. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:10.400 So I want to share four truths about election and predestination that we can all agree on. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.119 Y'all ready? 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.480 Here's the first one. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:16.799 Number one, election is a biblical word. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:25.440 Like just because you read a Bible verse that has elect in it, doesn't mean that you belong to a certain denomination or a certain doctrinal tribe. 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.960 It's just a biblical word. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:31.200 Number two, that biblical word is used differently in the scriptures. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:33.119 Let me give you some examples. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:38.240 God refers to the nation of Israel as chosen, a whole nation. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:42.880 God refers to some angels as the elect angels. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:47.839 God obviously refers to Christians as elect, those who repent and trust in Christ. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:56.640 In fact, uh, if I remember correctly, John the Apostle in the book of 2 John, he refers to a whole church as the elect lady. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:18:05.759 Number three, the truth of election should not prevent people from sharing or responding to the gospel. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.759 That is so important. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:11.519 Look at the Apostle Paul's example. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:17.759 What the Apostle Paul does not say is it doesn't matter that I'm stuck in these chains. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.440 It doesn't matter that I'm in prison because God's gonna do what he wants to do. 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:27.200 Some people are elect anyway, so I could die or I could escape, but in the end it doesn't matter. 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:31.039 No, the Apostle Paul was not deterministic or fatalistic. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:39.519 The Apostle Paul, in fact, was more motivated to share the gospel because of a certainty that some people will respond in faith. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:49.599 He literally says in this text, I'm willing to endure, I can endure, for the sake of other people who will put their trust in Christ. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:58.400 And here's the fourth truth: all are invited to be reconciled to God, and all will be accountable for that decision. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:03.920 There will be no one who stands before God one day with an excuse. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:11.039 We all are responsible to trust in the good news and the free gift of salvation that He offers us. 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:15.119 I want to remind you of 1 Timothy, we taught this a few weeks back. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:25.759 2 verse 4 says this God desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.359 That's God's heart. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:30.079 He wants all people to be saved. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:40.000 A pastoral question for you to consider if you are wrestling with this doctrine, whatever your convictions are, a good test. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:47.440 Are those convictions, are those beliefs, causing you to love God more and love people more? 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:53.759 If the answer is no, your convictions are leading you in the wrong direction. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:20:05.599 If your convictions, whatever they may be, are causing you to be suspicious of God, have a dark view of God, or view people differently, your convictions are leading you in the wrong direction. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:12.240 God's word, his truth, unites us and it leads us to love him and trust him more. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:15.200 And that was certainly true of the Apostle Paul. 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:19.920 The Apostle Paul was motivated to endure suffering for the sake of others. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:28.640 And as he's doing so, the next few verses that we're going to read, uh, some scholars actually believe this was an early hymn. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:34.799 These words that we're about to read would have been circulated among the church even before the completion of the New Testament. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:49.119 And if you were to look at a picture of the prison where Paul was at this time, there's an upper floor where he would have been walked in in chains and walked down some stairs, and then there was a hole that led to a bottom floor. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:53.839 In fact, it was uh used as a cistern before they put prisoners there. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:56.319 And they would lower Paul into this cistern. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:21:08.480 As I was reading this passage earlier this week, I just pictured Paul under the light of that cistern, holding on to these words for dear life. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.000 Like, think about it. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:12.079 He is about to be executed. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:19.920 The blade that's going to kill him is being sharpened in the background, and the words we're about to read are on his heart. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.680 Read these with me. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.039 Verse 11. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:31.759 The saying is trustworthy for if we have died with him, we will also live with him. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:36.319 If we endure, we will also reign with him. 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.799 Here's some amazing news. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:42.720 If you've trusted in Christ, these two verses are true of you. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:47.920 You have died with Christ, and you will be raised with Christ. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:52.960 You are united with him in his salvation and in his eternal life. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:22:05.440 Romans 6 puts it like this we were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ Was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.039 Here's another way to say that. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:14.000 Because you're united to Christ, the old you is gone, and the new you has arrived. 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:24.559 The Bible uses the phrases in Christ, in God, in the Lord, in Him, over 200 times. 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:31.200 All of these references are referring to a biblical truth called union with Christ. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:37.519 In salvation, you are united with Christ, and admittedly, this is very mysterious, but the Bible helps us out. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:41.200 The Bible gives us some word images so that we can understand. 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:50.480 For example, the Bible says that Jesus is the head, and we are united as the body of Christ. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:57.119 The Bible says that Jesus is the vine, and we are united to him as branches. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:59.200 The Bible even uses marriage language. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:04.559 The Bible says that Jesus is the groom and the church is like the bride. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:10.000 I want you to picture with me that we were all gonna board a very massive airplane. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:12.559 And this airplane is actually headed to paradise. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:14.000 It's a pretty sweet deal. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:16.000 Now you can't swim to paradise. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.720 You don't have the strength to swim across the ocean. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:24.480 The only way that you're gonna get from where you are to paradise is to enter into the plane. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:27.519 And everyone that doesn't isn't coming to paradise. 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:33.839 Now, some people choose to put their faith in the plane and step into the plane, and they're scared. 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:38.240 They haven't flown before, they're trembling, they're gripping onto their partner's hand very tightly. 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:43.599 Others are frequent flyers who trust in planes all the time, and it's no big deal. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:47.200 Which one of those two groups arrives in paradise? 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.359 Both. 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:53.279 The best students sit in the front row. 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:56.000 Both. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:59.680 Because both are in the plane. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:04.480 The only reason you're getting there is because of the power of the plane. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.960 Okay, in a very similar way. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:16.960 How in the world do broken people with doubts and trials and tribulations and sicknesses and pains and hardships get to heaven? 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:23.680 How do we get to be with God forever in eternal glory where there's no more pain and death? 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.279 Here's how. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:32.079 When you are in Christ by faith, Jesus has the power. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:35.519 He has the power to carry you to eternal life. 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:41.279 We're gonna throw up on the screen a picture of a colorful umbrella to illustrate this further. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:44.559 So in salvation, there's a lot of blessings. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:48.480 You're justified, you're sanctified, you're reconciled to God. 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:54.319 And I want you to picture with me that all these colors represent different blessings that you get when you become a Christian. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:56.880 Let's say that the red is justification. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:25:01.440 Let's say that the yellow is being adopted by your heavenly Father. 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:05.119 Let's say that the green is that you're sanctified. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.839 All of these blessings are incredible. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.440 They're all legitimate. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:13.839 And you might have seasons where the Spirit emphasizes a certain blessing. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:16.799 But how do we get all of these blessings? 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.559 What unites them all? 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:26.000 I want you to picture that the rod going to the center, uniting all these colors, is your union with Jesus. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:32.000 If you have Jesus, you have all of the blessings of heaven. 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:37.599 If you have Jesus, you have all of the rewards and treasures found in Christ. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:41.440 All of that is because you are united to Him. 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:48.880 Just last night I did a wedding in Virginia Beach, and often when we're doing weddings, we refer to them as unions. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.079 And we should. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.359 The two become one. 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:54.079 There's a uniting that happens. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:57.359 And there's many blessings and benefits in marriage. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:00.799 When you're married, you share the same finances. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:04.480 If you were poor and your husband is rich, God bless you. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.960 I'm holding back jokes. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:14.880 And your husband is rich, those are your riches. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:18.400 His cars are your cars. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:21.200 His children are your children now. 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:24.400 His house is your house. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:27.759 You get all of the blessings of being a union. 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:36.400 But what would you say to a groom who says, I want all of those blessings, but not the bride? 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.519 That's not love. 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:51.759 We get all the blessings of salvation, but the best thing that we get is Jesus. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:59.519 We were saved by Jesus, and we were also saved for Jesus. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:02.079 Salvation is not just a set of facts. 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:04.799 Salvation is not just a historical reality. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:07.519 Salvation is a person. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:10.240 And the end of salvation is a person. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:12.160 The point of marriage is the person. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:14.240 The point of salvation is the person. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:17.759 The best thing about salvation is Jesus Himself. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:21.039 Let me ask your heart. 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:25.759 Would you want to be in heaven if Jesus weren't there? 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:31.680 That would just be all the blessings of marriage without the bride. 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:36.960 Man, I want to be in heaven for a lot of reasons. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.240 I mean, it sounds awesome. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:38.799 Can't wait. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.920 New heaven, new earth. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.039 It's gonna be incredible. 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.720 No more sickness and death. 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.359 Wonderful. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:45.200 I won't even feel temptation anymore. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:47.440 I can't even imagine what that will be like. 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:51.599 But the main reason I want to be in heaven is Jesus. 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.680 And I can't wait to see him. 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:56.000 Face to face. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:59.599 And if you're united in Christ, that will happen for you. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:02.079 But our text this morning is honest. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:04.079 Not everyone is united to Christ. 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.519 Look at the next verse. 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:09.519 If we deny him, he will also deny us. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.920 So in this hymn, there's a lot of ifs. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:18.960 If we are faithless, if we endure, if we deny him. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:23.440 Do you notice that everything on our end of the deal is a big if? 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:30.640 But everything on God's end of the deal says, He will, he will, he will, he will. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:36.079 And one of the things that he will do, if you deny Jesus, he will deny you. 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:40.319 And here's why salvation is only found in Christ. 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:42.559 There is no hope apart from him. 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:46.960 He is the only way, the truth, and the life, and he is such a wonderful way. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:56.319 Now, some in the room, honestly, with sensitive consciences, you might be worried to hear this verse because you think to yourself, well, man, I sin a lot. 00:28:56.640 --> 00:29:04.720 When I was younger, I used God's name in vain, and I cursed at God, and man, my faith feels very fickle. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:06.640 I'm filled with doubts all the time. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:09.680 I'm worried that maybe I've denied him. 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:11.359 Let me comfort you. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:14.880 If you're even worried about that, you haven't. 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:21.759 Like what genuine Christian would look at Jesus and say to him, I deny you. 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:28.559 The person who has a resolved denial of Jesus wouldn't even be concerned about this question. 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:35.920 So I want to comfort you that there is a difference between wavering faith and denial. 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.599 And our text shows us that difference. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:39.039 Look at verse 13. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:46.319 If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.680 That's a little bit of an unexpected twist. 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:55.839 Like if you're following the song, it's like, if he will deny us, or if we deny him, he will deny us. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:30:00.960 And you would think it would go, if we are faithless, he's not going to be faithful to us. 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:03.279 But that's not what it says. 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:08.559 It says, if we are faithless, he remains faithful. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.279 Why? 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:12.559 For he cannot deny himself. 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:21.279 To the Christians in the room, your faith goes up and down, you still stumble in many ways, you fall into sin. 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:24.640 But because of Jesus, you are totally secure. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:30.240 You are united to Christ, and in Christ, all of the promises find their yes and amen. 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:35.039 I found this quote by Dane Orland to be such a beautiful illustration of this truth. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:48.799 He said in one of his books the logic of the New Testament letters is that in order for me to get disunited from Christ, Christ Himself would have to be de-resurrected. 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:54.079 He'd have to get kicked out of heaven for me to be kicked out of him. 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:58.799 The Bible tells us that there's a few things God cannot do. 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.880 God cannot lie. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:04.400 God cannot be mocked. 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:06.559 God cannot change. 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:11.680 And here's such a wonderful promise: God cannot deny himself. 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:14.079 If you are in Christ, you are secure. 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:19.279 And if you are suffering, you need to remember Jesus as alive. 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:25.440 You need to remember that God is blessing others and maybe doing miracles around you through your hardship. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:30.640 And you need to hold on to and remember the promises of God for you. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:40.960 From the pages of history, there is a story of how John Chrysostom held the line on his faith even in the midst of suffering. 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:42.799 This is what he said. 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:48.160 You cannot banish me, for this world is my father's house, said John. 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:51.920 But I will kill you, the Empress said. 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:56.400 No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God. 00:31:57.200 --> 00:32:00.559 I will take away your treasures, she said. 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:05.279 No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there. 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:10.720 But I will drive you away from your friends, and you will have no one left, she responded. 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:12.720 Do you know what's coming next? 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:14.799 No, you cannot. 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:20.319 John said, For I have a friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:25.279 I defy you, for there is nothing you can do to harm me. 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:33.519 To the Christians in the room, if you are in Christ, you are safe. 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:36.079 Would you pray with me? 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:44.880 Jesus, nothing can separate us from your grasp. 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:50.240 All of your promises are yes and amen, and we have that assurance because you rose from the dead. 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:55.839 Father, we dwell in a very dark world, a world of suffering and pain and trials. 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:59.920 Father, I intercede for those who are going through that right now. 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:03.839 I pray that they would remember that their Savior is alive. 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.960 You are with us. 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:08.079 You can help us, you can protect us. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:15.599