النص الكامل لحلقة Grace Alone

week we had faith alone, 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:39.739 and now grace alone, 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:41.039 and next week Christ alone. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:43.799 Of course, they're all connected, 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:46.679 and so, yeah, 00:04:46.779 --> 00:04:49.319 it will feel a bit like little angles on the gospel, 00:04:49.479 --> 00:04:50.879 but they're wonderful angles, 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:52.379 and, yeah, I mean, 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:53.879 you can see them here in the passage, right? 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.079 In 2 verse 8, 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:58.000 by grace you have been saved through faith, 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.459 and you could even add in Christ, right? 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:01.420 They're all together, 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:03.120 but today is grace, 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:05.060 and now I don't know about you, 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:07.620 but grace is one of those wonderful Christian words, right? 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:09.660 It's a popular girl's name, 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:10.720 so many graces, 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:12.839 or Hana in Hebrew, 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:15.680 or Keres or Cheris in Greek, right? 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:16.600 That's all grace, 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:18.040 because Christians love grace. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:20.680 I know so many churches called Grace Church. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:21.860 Here in Hong Kong, 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:22.939 we have Living Grace, 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:24.920 and there's Grace Community Church. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:26.279 We love grace, 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:27.219 because, you know, 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:29.399 we believe grace is something unique. 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:31.799 There's so many religions in the world, 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:35.779 and Christianity is the only one that's about grace. 00:05:35.859 --> 00:05:37.119 It's not about what we do, 00:05:37.219 --> 00:05:38.839 it's about God, right? 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:39.559 Many religions, 00:05:39.679 --> 00:05:41.500 you have to work your way towards God, 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:43.659 whether that's the eightfold path, 00:05:44.039 --> 00:05:45.219 or the five pillars, 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:46.839 or the twelve steps, 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.219 or those kind of things. 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:49.779 It's about what we do. 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.299 And then Christians say, 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:53.159 well, this is about grace. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:55.540 This is not about what we do, 00:05:55.760 --> 00:05:57.160 that we go up to God, 00:05:57.220 --> 00:05:59.580 but actually God came down to us in Jesus, 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:00.800 and he died for us, 00:06:00.880 --> 00:06:02.260 and he took the initiative. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:03.400 He did the work, 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.600 and that is his kindness. 00:06:05.780 --> 00:06:06.560 That is his grace. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:10.260 Though I know all of us have been scammed sometimes, 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:10.520 right? 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:11.379 Sometimes there's some, 00:06:11.940 --> 00:06:12.120 you know, 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:13.840 the one person who promises to be different, 00:06:13.940 --> 00:06:14.660 and they're not different, 00:06:14.780 --> 00:06:17.540 or the one product that promises to be different. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:19.340 Is it really grace? 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:22.680 Or is there actually something that we need to do? 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:26.180 Or are we living as if we still need to do something, 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.220 but actually we don't? 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:31.240 And we want to understand better this idea of grace. 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:33.840 And so that's what I hope will be the outcome of today. 00:06:34.320 --> 00:06:38.220 And I think the big word actually is not grace, 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:38.960 it's alone. 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:39.800 Right? 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:40.759 This whole series is, 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:41.060 yeah, 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:42.100 the five alones. 00:06:43.280 --> 00:06:43.680 Because, 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:44.140 you know, 00:06:44.140 --> 00:06:45.240 500 years ago, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:47.920 when Luther clashed with the Catholic Church, 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:48.639 the Catholic Church, 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:50.240 they really believed in grace. 00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:51.240 And they said, 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:52.500 everything is by grace. 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:54.480 What was the problem? 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:54.800 Well, 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:55.680 for them, 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:57.120 grace worked very differently. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:00.000 So maybe you were here two weeks ago, 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:02.540 and we met this monk called Tetzel, 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:04.819 who was selling indulgences, 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:05.060 right? 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:07.980 They were raising money for a new church building for the Pope. 00:07:08.400 --> 00:07:08.860 And so, 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:09.400 you know, 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.980 you can buy these pieces of paper, 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:12.160 and that will give you merit. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:12.620 And then, 00:07:12.960 --> 00:07:13.199 you know, 00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.879 that will pay for your sins. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:15.860 Or it will pay for, 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:16.360 you know, 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.399 your loved one's sins, 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:18.680 and they can go out of purgatory, 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:19.519 and those kind of things. 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:20.659 Now, 00:07:20.719 --> 00:07:21.899 how did we get that? 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:23.519 All by grace. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:26.740 Because God gave all this grace to the church, 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:27.939 all this merit to the church. 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:28.980 So, 00:07:29.060 -->

00:07:29.719 it's by grace. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:30.279 But, 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:31.519 you still need to pay for it. 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:33.219 Is that grace? 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:35.019 Or, 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:35.500 you know, 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:36.139 you've sinned, 00:07:36.219 --> 00:07:37.060 you need forgiveness. 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:38.019 Well, 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:38.620 what do you do? 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:38.819 Well, 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:41.279 you have to go and take the Mass, 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:41.740 right? 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:42.180 Take, 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:42.719 well, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:43.000 yeah, 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:43.459 communion. 00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:44.479 You know, 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:45.199 do penance, 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:46.000 and those kind of things. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.199 Yet, 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:46.819 there's grace. 00:07:46.919 --> 00:07:47.659 It's all grace. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:48.219 But, 00:07:48.299 --> 00:07:49.379 we need to come and get it. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:50.620 We need to do something, 00:07:50.799 --> 00:07:51.000 right? 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:52.339 Or even, 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:54.139 how are we saved in the end, 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:54.459 right? 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:54.719 We, 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:56.439 we get to heaven. 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:58.219 How will God accept us? 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:00.099 Well, 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:01.859 we always say, 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:02.060 well, 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:02.859 it's by grace, 00:08:02.899 --> 00:08:03.919 and not by good works. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:05.039 Except, 00:08:05.179 --> 00:08:05.359 well, 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:06.479 how does it work? 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:06.639 Well, 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.079 grace comes into your life, 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:10.459 and grace helps you to do good works. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:11.060 But, 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:12.539 you still need to do those good works then, 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:13.479 right? 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:14.919 That was kind of the thing. 00:08:15.799 --> 00:08:15.919 And, 00:08:16.039 --> 00:08:17.379 is that really grace? 00:08:17.419 --> 00:08:18.620 I don't know what you think of that. 00:08:18.719 --> 00:08:20.359 Does that count as grace? 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:21.539 Right? 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:22.060 Because, 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:23.579 I don't know, 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:25.879 think of someone who is drowning in the water, 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:28.479 and they need to be saved. 00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:28.779 And so, 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:29.839 the Coast Guard comes, 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:30.379 and they, 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:30.979 you know, 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:32.819 they have this rescue helicopter, 00:08:33.439 --> 00:08:33.679 and, 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:34.559 you know, 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.419 some of their rescue worker comes down, 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:36.720 and, 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:37.419 you know, 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:38.860 they rescue them. 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:39.099 They say, 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:39.279 hey, 00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:40.120 grab my hand, 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:40.899 and I'll pull you out. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:42.779 And that's wonderful, 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:43.139 of course, 00:08:43.199 --> 00:08:43.339 right? 00:08:43.339 --> 00:08:46.179 And this person could never be rescued without the helicopter. 00:08:46.839 --> 00:08:47.079 Right? 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.240 It's purely the helicopter. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.439 They couldn't save themselves. 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:51.000 But at the same time, 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:52.099 they need to grab the hand, 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:52.379 right? 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.620 Is that grace? 00:08:55.059 --> 00:08:55.319 Or, 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:56.179 eh? 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:56.959 I don't know, 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:59.259 someone needs to take medicine every day, 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:00.519 to stay alive. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:00.799 I mean, 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.899 they have some terrible disease, 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.500 they need to take this medicine every day. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:04.919 Well, 00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:05.259 is that, 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:06.980 you know, 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:07.740 how are you alive? 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:07.899 Well, 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:08.720 it's only the medicine, 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:08.980 right? 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:09.779 Without the medicine, 00:09:09.920 --> 00:09:10.580 I would die. 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:12.879 But you need to take it every day. 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:14.899 And that is the question. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:16.539 Is this grace? 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:18.480 How does grace work? 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:19.240 What is it? 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.000 Yeah? 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:21.779 Yeah? 00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:22.300 Okay. 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:23.940 All right. 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:26.100 Okay, 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:26.279 I'll, 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.680 let's see if this is better. 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:28.560 Okay, 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:29.100 it's, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:29.740 yeah, 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.580 there's another one coming. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:32.539 This is not the best one, 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:33.720 but it seems to work. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:34.399 Okay, 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:35.320 so, 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:36.360 yeah, 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:37.879 here's grace. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.120 So, 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:39.180 do we need, 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.940 do we still need to do something? 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.779 Do we need to cooperate with God's grace? 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:47.000 They are the questions that were in

the air, 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.500 and that was why, 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:49.180 well, 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:52.320 part of what so came out of the Reformation, 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:53.720 that really changed things. 00:09:54.420 --> 00:09:55.320 Because Luther, 00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:56.100 you know, 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.080 he wrestled with this, 00:09:58.519 --> 00:09:58.700 right? 00:09:58.740 --> 00:09:59.420 He was a monk, 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.320 he read scripture, 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:01.800 he was a professor of theology, 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:04.139 and he did not like it. 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.059 He didn't like it at all. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:09.219 That wasn't just after he became a Christian, 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.639 actually years before that, 00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:13.419 he was already teaching through Romans and the Psalms, 00:10:13.819 --> 00:10:15.620 and he saw what it said about us, 00:10:16.219 --> 00:10:16.519 and, 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.519 no, 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:17.879 right? 00:10:17.979 --> 00:10:20.199 If it's 100% God's gift, 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:20.459 it's, 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:20.939 we, 00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:23.259 we can't cooperate with this, 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:24.779 we can't do anything for this. 00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:26.759 That's what he realized, 00:10:26.859 --> 00:10:27.719 and that's what he emphasized, 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.899 and so that's what we're going to look at, 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.500 and so we're going to look at scripture, 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.080 and this passage of Ephesians is, 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:34.740 I mean, 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:35.860 it's a wonderful passage. 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:37.100 You know, 00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:38.300 what is this passage about? 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.279 Well, 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:40.560 good question is always, 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.480 what gets repeated, 00:10:41.660 --> 00:10:41.820 right? 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.800 What is the thing that gets repeated in this passage? 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.120 And, 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.100 two times, 00:10:45.300 --> 00:10:45.840 Paul says, 00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:47.680 by grace you have been saved, 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.480 verse five, 00:10:49.160 --> 00:10:49.899 and verse eight, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.600 for by grace you have been saved. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:52.320 I mean, 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.680 what is this passage clearly about? 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:55.160 It's about grace, 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:56.700 and so, 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.400 let's dig into it, 00:10:58.520 --> 00:10:59.200 and see what, 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:01.480 what Paul means when he says grace. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:01.780 Well, 00:11:02.160 --> 00:11:04.600 the first thing we see clearly in one to three, 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.700 is our inability, 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:06.600 right? 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:08.520 This is our inability, 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:08.940 two, 00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:09.420 one to three, 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.379 let me read them again. 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:13.840 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins, 00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:15.060 in which you once walked, 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:17.180 following the course of this world, 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:20.120 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:23.100 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:25.320 among whom we all once lived, 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.960 in the passions of our flesh, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:30.240 carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, 00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:32.720 and we're by nature children of wrath, 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.400 like the rest of mankind. 00:11:35.300 --> 00:11:35.740 So, 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:36.780 that's all about us, 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.120 and it is so depressing, 00:11:38.260 --> 00:11:38.420 right? 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:40.879 We are dead in our sins. 00:11:41.099 --> 00:11:42.939 Dead sounds very final, 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.319 right? 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.240 Very definitive. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:47.039 You're not a little bit dead. 00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.620 Dead is a binary thing, 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.319 and we are dead. 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:52.000 We are enslaved, 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:52.620 enslaved, 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:53.500 well, 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.360 to the world, 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:55.159 right? 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.039 Following the prince of the power of the air, 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:57.579 Satan, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.599 carrying out the desires of our flesh, 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.740 our sinful nature, 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.720 yeah, 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.700 yeah, 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:05.060 what kind of dead are we talking about? 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:07.460 It's about trespasses and sins, 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.320 our rebellion against God, 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:11.879 our hostility to him, 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.340 that is, 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.060 yeah, 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:14.259 and it's our nature, 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:14.759 right? 00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:16.600 We were by nature, 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.820 not just by choice, 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:18.759 or something like that, 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.600 by nature, 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:21.600 we were in this condition. 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:22.799 That's what it says, 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.360 we are, 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.100 you know, 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.080 spiritually dead in our sins, 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.600 we are enslaved, 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:30.440 we are hostile by nature, 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.759 and the verses could be

multiplied, 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:33.399 I mean, 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.300 one of Luther's favorite verses, 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.680 from Genesis 6, 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:39.480 the Lord saw that the wickedness of man, 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:39.820 mankind, 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.360 was great in the earth, 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:44.379 and that every intention of the faults of his heart, 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.899 was only evil continually. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.300 I mean, 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.340 we just think about that, 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:48.480 right? 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:49.080 How depressing, 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:51.779 it's not just some of the intentions of your heart, 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:51.960 no, 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:53.120 every intention, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.420 and not just a mix of good and evil, 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.399 only evil, 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.419 and not just some of the time, 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.199 continually, 00:12:58.939 --> 00:12:59.899 only evil, 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:00.559 continually, 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:02.319 that's what our hearts are like, 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.399 according to the Bible, 00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:04.519 and yeah, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.559 or Romans 8, 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:08.279 the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, 00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:10.340 it doesn't submit to God's law, 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:10.699 indeed, 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.340 it cannot. 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.860 We can't obey God, 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:16.759 we can't submit to what he wants from us, 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:18.419 we're hostile to him, 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.579 we're hostility, 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.799 it's very strong words, 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.019 right? 00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:24.559 This is our inability, 00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:25.000 you know, 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:26.360 people who are like this, 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:28.360 how much can we do? 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:29.500 Now, 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.000 maybe you're here, 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.319 you wouldn't call yourself Christian, 00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:32.039 and you'd say, 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:32.220 well, 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.899 these are terrible words, 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:34.539 right? 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.740 They're a bit offensive, 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:36.319 right? 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.480 How can the Bible say that? 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.279 I mean, 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.120 back in Luther's day, 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.240 people struggled with this, 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.459 and there was some big debates about this, 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.860 I won't go into that. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.180 I think the question is, 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.800 is it true? 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.399 Sometimes it's good to be told the

truth, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:49.860 right? 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.600 I went to the doctor, 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:53.460 because there was some clicking in my knees, 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:53.940 and he says, 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.139 well, 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:55.899 your cartilage is very degraded, 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:58.720 and you need to start doing some different exercises, 00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.060 right? 00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.200 It's good for me to know that, 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:02.240 rather than him just hiding it, 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:04.220 and me ruining my knees, 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:04.440 right? 00:14:04.520 --> 00:14:05.420 That's the idea. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.720 It's good to know the truth. 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:07.920 And so, 00:14:08.160 --> 00:14:08.360 yeah, 00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:09.940 but that is the first stage. 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.820 Understanding grace means, 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.360 well, 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:13.500 knowing who we are. 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.040 But then, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.920 at the same time, 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.080 Paul emphasizes, 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:17.920 well, 00:14:18.020 --> 00:14:18.960 God's power, 00:14:19.260 --> 00:14:19.500 right? 00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:21.500 God's rescue in power. 00:14:21.640 --> 00:14:21.780 So, 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:23.140 verses 4 to 7, 00:14:23.760 --> 00:14:24.520 but God, 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:26.340 being rich in mercy, 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:29.080 because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:31.760 even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:34.180 made us alive together with Christ. 00:14:34.760 --> 00:14:36.120 By grace you have been saved, 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:38.040 and raised us up with him, 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:42.260 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 00:14:42.380 --> 00:14:46.620 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:50.360 in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:51.140 Now, 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:52.920 you hear all these words of God's character, 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:53.200 right? 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:53.660 Love, 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:54.360 and mercy, 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.480 and kindness, 00:14:55.780 --> 00:14:56.400 and riches, 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:59.100 but who is the active person here, 00:14:59.140 --> 00:14:59.320 right? 00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:01.280 It's all God. 00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.760 God's made us alive. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.940 God seated us. 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.260 God raised us. 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:06.400 God, 00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:07.260 you know, 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.940 is going to show the immeasurable riches of his grace. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.460 There's nothing that we do. 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.300 I mean, 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.180 later in verse 8, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.600 it says, 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:16.460 you've been saved by grace through faith. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.480 So, 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.100 I guess, 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.040 in some ways, 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.660 we have faith, 00:15:20.780 --> 00:15:21.900 but in 4 to 7, 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.660 there's absolutely nothing that we do. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.720 He does everything, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.120 right? 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:27.940 blessing us for all eternity, 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:30.360 and just getting us from here to there. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.759 It's all what he does. 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:35.060 It's a very different idea of grace. 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.899 Grace is here, 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.200 it's God's character. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.200 It's his kindness. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:41.320 It's not a kind of substance that you go and get. 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.960 I need more grace. 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:44.039 I need to go and get it. 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:44.679 I need to, 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.139 right? 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.419 That's not grace. 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.200 Grace is God's kindness. 00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:50.920 His kindness that rescues, 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.180 right? 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:53.140 That gave Jesus to save us. 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:54.460 And so, 00:15:54.640 --> 00:15:57.860 the picture here is very much that we can do zero, 00:15:58.140 --> 00:15:59.740 and God does 100%. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.560 Right? 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:00.900 It's, 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:01.800 you know, 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.060 the prevailing view was more like, 00:16:03.140 --> 00:16:03.280 okay, 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.660 God does 99%, 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:08.820 and you do the remaining 1% with God's help. 00:16:09.020 --> 00:16:09.580 But no, 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.800 Luther says, 00:16:11.020 --> 00:16:11.240 you know, 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.520 look at this passage. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.200 Could we do 1%? 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.800 We can't even do 1%, 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:16.040 right? 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.860 If we're like this. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:20.759 And why would God stop at 90%? 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:22.080 Or 99%, 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.300 right? 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.680 He does 100% here. 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:25.220 And if you're a great, 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.120 powerful savior, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.500 why not do more? 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:27.899 I mean, 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:29.320 think of that rescue helicopter. 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.480 Why would they say, 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:31.659 well, 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.379 grab my hand? 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:33.960 I mean, 00:16:34.120 -->

00:16:34.980 surely a good rescuer, 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.680 they would just grab the person and pull them out, 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:36.919 right? 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.600 If you can do that. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.940 If you want to rescue someone, 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.200 you just do 100%. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:42.279 Why 99%, 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:42.620 right? 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.360 No. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:48.600 The picture here is of God doing everything. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.039 And those, 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:50.600 you know, 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:52.159 us doing things and God doing things, 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.259 it doesn't go together. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.639 The idea that we contribute, 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:57.580 for Luther was just unthinkable. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.180 I mean, 00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:01.080 this is how he put it when he thought about grace. 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.639 So he said, 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.539 we cannot have it both ways. 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:07.819 The grace of God cannot be both so cheap 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:10.860 as to be obtainable anywhere and everywhere 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.799 by any man's puny endeavor, 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.740 right? 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.259 That we, 00:17:14.419 --> 00:17:15.879 we can do something and get. 00:17:15.959 --> 00:17:16.759 And at the same time, 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:19.599 so clear as to be given to us, 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:19.919 so, 00:17:19.979 --> 00:17:23.859 so dear as to be given us only in and through the grace of one man 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.779 and so great a man, 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.299 right? 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.359 For our rescue, 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.439 for God's grace, 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:31.159 the son of God had to come down and die. 00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.979 That is so big, 00:17:33.479 --> 00:17:33.719 right? 00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:35.639 How can that compare with, 00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:36.259 you know, 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.859 some of the good things we do 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:40.419 and some of the actions that we do? 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:40.740 That is, 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.259 you know, 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:42.019 if, 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.559 if you can get grace like this, 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.819 it didn't need Jesus. 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.819 If it needed Jesus, 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.939 it can't be so small that we can do it. 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:48.259 Right? 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.339 That was kind of his idea. 00:17:50.479 --> 00:17:50.679 Right? 00:17:51.219 --> 00:17:51.759 And it's, 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:52.759 maybe, 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.539 I don't know what you think. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.240 Maybe you're here, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.579 you wouldn't call yourself a Christian. 00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:57.379

Here's the question, 00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:57.619 right? 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.759 How can we get back to God? 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:00.599 Well, 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:02.559 if we think our efforts, 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.139 it's, 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:04.500 you know, 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.959 many of us are good people, 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.839 but we're not amazing, 00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:07.139 right? 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.920 We're not amazing enough to compare to, 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.600 you know, 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.920 Jesus dying for us. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.900 The son of God coming down 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:15.120 and doing all that. 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.740 They just can't compare. 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.100 So, 00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:18.200 Luther said, 00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:18.400 you know, 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.020 the good news, 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:20.380 it's 0% us, 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.600 100% God. 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:23.480 And as we saw last week, 00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:24.600 that was a great delight. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.259 Of course, 00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:26.720 the question, 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:27.320 hey, 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:29.400 last week we saw we're saved by faith, 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.360 not by good works. 00:18:30.780 --> 00:18:31.759 How about our faith? 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:33.640 But shouldn't we have faith, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:33.860 right? 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:35.580 Shouldn't we trust in Jesus? 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:36.320 Shouldn't we, 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:36.800 you know, 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.159 cry out to him and, 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:38.619 you know, 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:41.500 pray the prayer and ask him to be our personal savior? 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.359 I don't know how we, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.519 how you want to put it. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.980 That was a debate and they, 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.839 they hashed it out, 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:49.159 but they emphasize that even faith itself is a gift. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.220 Even faith is a gift. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.819 And it says here, 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.539 that too, 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.099 verse eight, 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.639 save through faith, 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.559 not from yourself. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.740 It is the gift of God. 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.359 The gift of God, 00:18:59.419 --> 00:18:59.799 there refers, 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.079 it doesn't refer to faith. 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.359 It refers to the whole package, 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:03.439 but that includes faith. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.599 But think about the imagery here. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:06.720 Verse one, 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.559 you were dead. 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:10.159 Dead people don't have faith. 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:10.960 Okay? 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.679 Dead people, 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.000 they don't do very much. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.119 They can't do anything. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.439 I mean, 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.019 think of, 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:18.139 and here's a great story from the Bible, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.420 right? 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.799 The raising of Lazarus. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.440 That's when one of Jesus' friends died. 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.759 He had been dead for four days. 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.680 He was in a tomb. 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:29.119 He was starting to rot and smell. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:32.180 And then Jesus came and he said, 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.680 Lazarus, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.119 come out. 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.500 And he, 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.079 he was raised from the dead. 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.579 Now that was all Jesus, 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:37.859 right? 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:41.019 It's not that Jesus was standing there and he heard a little voice. 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:41.619 Jesus, 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.200 I'm dead. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.000 Please help me. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.660 Doesn't work like that, 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:45.799 right? 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.319 He was dead. 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:49.859 And he didn't cooperate with Jesus. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.119 That, 00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:50.619 you know, 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.139 Jesus said, 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.619 Lazarus, 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.099 come out. 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.019 And Lazarus thought, 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:53.319 okay, 00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:53.940 shall I do that? 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.240 Shall I, 00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:57.159 should I stay dead or shall I come back to life? 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.259 Right? 00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.919 Lazarus, 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.259 he, 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.680 you know, 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.359 he had no choice. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:04.379 He rose from the dead because he was dead. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.819 That's the idea here, 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.259 right? 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:11.139 The idea of dead and alive means it's only one person doing it and it's God. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:14.099 Other verses are similar. 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.419 So, 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:17.720 two Corinthians talked about us about how we become Christians. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.400 For God, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.860 who said, 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.200 let light shine out of darkness, 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:26.480 has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:29.579 us seeing Jesus, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.579 getting it, 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:30.940 that is, 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.220

it's compared to creation, 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:32.839 light, 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.740 when God said, 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.620 let there be light. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.019 And again, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.900 the light didn't have a choice. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.500 It's not, 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.579 and God said, 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.380 let there be light, 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.539 and the light said, 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:42.920 sure, 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.940 and there was light. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.019 Now, 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.200 right? 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.140 God does it all. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.839 That's the idea. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:53.720 faith is God's gift because we were dead. 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.539 Now, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.359 from our perspective, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.819 of course, 00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:56.339 we believe. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.259 From our perspective, 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:59.319 it looks like we believe in Jesus. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.639 And then you look back afterwards, 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:01.639 and no, 00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:01.759 no, 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.019 actually, 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:04.039 that was a gift from God that he gave me. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:08.659 Because I couldn't do anything myself because I was dead spiritually. 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.399 And that's the idea. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.099 It's a gift. 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.480 It's 100% God, 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.639 including your faith. 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:15.799 Now, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:18.500 there's a theological word for that that you may sometimes hear. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.059 I think it's a great word. 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.460 Monarchism. 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.339 Now, 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.319 the opposite is synergism. 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.039 From synergy, 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:25.920 we know synergy, 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.220 right? 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:26.899 You know, 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.480 two things working together. 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:29.859 Well, 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.779 monarchy is the opposite. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.059 Yeah, 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.299 you know, 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.920 monogamy, 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.799 monarch, 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.619 only one. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:36.079 There's only one person doing the work, 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.779 and that's God. 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:38.079 It's not us. 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:38.980 That's grace. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.399 Grace alone means it's 100% God, 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.240 100% his kindness. 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:44.759 Basically, 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.139 it's just one package, 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.379 right? 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.039 It's Jesus. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.339 It's salvation, 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.279 and not, 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:49.879 you know, 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.680 something more or less. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.299 It's Jesus, 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.440 and so it's 100%, 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.779 not just 99%. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.680 And that is wonderful news. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.480 And without that, 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.039 that's not grace. 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:03.200 And we're going to think a bit about that. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.240 So, 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.259 what does this mean? 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:05.740 I mean, 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.779 there's lots of applications. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.059 One, 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.380 of course, 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.500 is about God's glory, 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.180 but that's in two weeks' time, 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:12.620 as we talk about glory to God alone. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.779 Let me give two big applications, 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:16.059 if it's grace alone, 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.940 and not what we do. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:18.900 So, 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.559 the first one, 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.279 obviously, 00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:21.460 is humility. 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.080 Humility. 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:25.180 And I did nothing. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.620 The Bible says, 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.779 it's 100% God, 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.960 100% his gift, 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.759 because I couldn't even do 1%. 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.799 God does it all. 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.539 That is humbling. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.900 If you haven't done anything, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.640 and it's all without you, 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.380 that is humbling. 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.700 I have that sometimes, 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.000 right, 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.880 that something happens completely without me, 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.480 to my shame. 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:44.720 You know, 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.079 sometimes I meet someone on Sunday, 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.860 after the service, 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.500 and they share this problem, 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.380 and they say, 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.420 can you pray for me? 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.279 And then the next week, 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.640 they come to me, 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:53.840 oh, 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.040 this, 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.460 you know, 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.360 God's answered my, 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:55.900 you know, 00:22:56.020 --> 00:22:56.540 it's great, 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.120 it's all solved, 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.960 thank you for praying. 00:22:58.800 --> 00:22:59.600 And then I remember, 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:00.160 actually, 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.680 I didn't write it down,

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.520 I completely forgot. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.820 I didn't, 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.480 I'm really sorry if that happened to you. 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.620 The wonderful thing is, 00:23:07.320 --> 00:23:08.980 God still was gracious, 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.280 right, 00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:10.480 and he answered your prayer. 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:11.780 But it's very clear, 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:13.160 it had nothing to do with me. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:13.860 Right? 00:23:14.020 --> 00:23:15.660 I had no part in this, 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.300 because I, 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.220 yeah, 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.920 I was distracted, 00:23:18.040 --> 00:23:18.720 I forgot to pray. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.960 And that is humbling, 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.420 but, 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.759 that's the idea. 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.819 I have nothing to be proud of, 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.119 right? 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:27.799 There's nothing I can do. 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.940 But it's the same with salvation. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.879 There's nothing I contribute, 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:33.039 nothing I do. 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.379 It's 100% a gift. 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.799 And of course, 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.740 it has to be a gift, 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.279 because otherwise, 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.379 I can be proud, 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.660 right? 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:39.960 Otherwise, 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.379 I have something to, 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.579 on the language here, 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.400 boast about, 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.640 right? 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.339 Not a result of works, 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.879 verse 9, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.660 so that no one may boast. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.900 I mean, 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.500 if I'm involved, 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.140 if even my, 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.680 if my faith is my own, 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.680 if it's not a gift, 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:54.879 then, 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.660 I can boast. 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.279 So, 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:57.900 you know, 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.759 simple example. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.180 So, 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.240 imagine you invite two friends, 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.000 to come to Alpha. 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:02.900 Right? 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.500 That's a great thing. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.339 Harry and Sally. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.500 So, 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.579 here are Harry and Sally, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.079 and maybe you know the movie. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.299 Yeah. 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.619 It's hard to find, 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.900 I think there's a Sally here. 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.339 I mean, 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.539 not meaning anything,

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:13.819 but, 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:14.660 okay. 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.519 But, 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:15.900 okay, 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.980 so they come to Alpha. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.119 Now, 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.339 we want them to be saved. 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.099 What do they have? 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.299 Well, 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:21.679 of course, 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.919 Jesus lived a perfect life, 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.319 and died on the cross for sins, 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:25.539 right? 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:25.819 That's, 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.299 that's the wonderful truth. 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:27.699 Jesus, 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.459 life and death. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.099 That's wonderful. 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.500 But then, 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:30.939 Harry, 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.059 he hears that, 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:34.159 and he doesn't respond. 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.559 He just stays as he is. 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.399 Sally, 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.099 on the other hand, 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.379 she sees her sin, 00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:40.199 and she believes, 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:40.779 right? 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.240 And she trusts in Jesus. 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:42.959 Now, 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.759 what's the outcome? 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.500 We believe, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.679 right? 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.000 I mean, 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:45.439 Harry, 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.279 Harry isn't saved. 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.099 And Sally, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.519 yes, 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.219 she is saved. 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.620 Now, 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.380 here's the question. 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:54.839 What made the difference between Harry and Sally? 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.039 What was the deciding factor? 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.360 It wasn't Jesus, 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:00.620 right? 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:03.120 It was Sally. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.480 Sally had faith. 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.799 Sally responded. 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:06.900 Right? 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.579 Christ, 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.000 in a way, 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.880 he couldn't save Harry, 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.220 because, 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:09.900 you know, 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.900 he lived and died, 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.259 but Harry didn't believe. 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.259 Right? 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.000 So, 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:15.880 doesn't Sally have something to boast about? 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.720 Can't she just say, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:17.980 well, 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.259 I'm better than Harry? 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.339 Harry, 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.660 actually, 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.960 I've contributed to this, 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.980 because without my belief, 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:26.079 I wouldn't be saved. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:28.200 And because Harry didn't believe, 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.940 he is not saved. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.140 Right? 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.660 That's the thing. 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.299 We say, 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:32.579 okay, 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.500 we're saved by faith, 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.299 and not by works, 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:36.220 but we can change faith into a work, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.559 into something we do. 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:38.980 Right? 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.839 That's why Lever said, 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.000 no, 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.839 it's grace. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.579 Right? 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.400 Faith is a gift. 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.619 It's grace alone. 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.359 It's not grace, 00:25:44.439 --> 00:25:45.739 plus your cooperation. 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.419 That can't be, 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.019 because then, 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:48.979 you can boast. 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.159 No, 00:25:49.219 --> 00:25:50.299 it's 100% God, 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:52.819 and 100% means 100%. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:55.119 I think that's an interesting test, 00:25:55.199 --> 00:25:55.359 right? 00:25:55.439 --> 00:25:55.639 So, 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.459 you know, 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.919 we always talk about, 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.500 okay, 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.079 if yesterday, 00:25:59.219 --> 00:26:00.239 you got hit by a bus, 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:02.199 and you arrive in heaven, 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:04.439 and there's the pearly gates, 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.959 and stuff, 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.859 and God asks, 00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:06.079 okay, 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:07.719 why should I let you into heaven? 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:08.739 Yeah? 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.500 What would you say? 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.400 That's always the question, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:13.359 and maybe you're here, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.019 and you would say, 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.299 well, 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.859 I've been a good person, 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.220 and I've been really nice, 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:19.000 and I've been to church, 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:21.099 and I've never killed anyone, 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.480 and those kind of things. 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:26.700 I hope we know that that's not the answer, 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:26.920 right? 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:28.759 Because the people we are, 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.940 we can't be good enough. 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:33.180 But how about the person who says, 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:33.980 well, 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.759 you should let me in, 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:36.420 because I've repented of my sins, 00:26:36.420 -->

00:26:37.539 and I've trusted in you. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.720 I've trusted in you, 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.339 my whole life. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.460 In some ways, 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.839 that's better, 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.019 right? 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.960 Because the Bible says, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.880 repent and believe, 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.279 and yet, 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.200 the only, 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.559 the subject of all those verses is, 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.000 I. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.339 Is that the right answer, 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.599 right? 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:52.799 It still feels like the focus is on me. 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.000 I mean, 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.700 what I planned to say on that day, 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:55.880 well, 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.480 why should you let me in? 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.539 Because Jesus died for me. 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.779 I'm the object, 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.240 me. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.359 I'm not the subject. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.920 Jesus is the subject, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.180 right? 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.799 Jesus died for me, 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.319 that's why, 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.279 you should let me in. 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.059 And that's the idea. 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.039 Everything is a gift. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.620 Nothing that I have done. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:16.200 And it's not even my faith, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.039 that's a gift. 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.099 And God gave it to me, 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.400 not because I was so great, 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.039 and God thought, 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.200 I just need to have him. 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:21.839 No. 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.039 Nothing. 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.400 It's absolutely nothing. 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.800 And that's humbling. 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:28.620 If we have something to do, 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.680 it won't humble us. 00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.100 Again, 00:27:30.540 --> 00:27:31.180 here's Luther. 00:27:32.300 --> 00:27:34.140 For as long as man is persuaded 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:36.460 that he himself can do even the least thing 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.980 towards his salvation, 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:40.940 he retains some self-confidence 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:43.060 and does not altogether despair of himself, 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:45.660 and therefore he is not humbled before God. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:48.800 As long as we think we have something to do, 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.320 no matter how small, 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.539 we won't be humbled. 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.879 Let me say again, 00:27:55.419 --> 00:27:55.559 yeah, 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.659 if you're here, 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.899 and this is new to you, 00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.779 yeah, 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.839 there's nothing you can do. 00:28:00.939 --> 00:28:01.839 You need Jesus, 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:02.899 right? 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:05.119 He is the only one who can save you. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.700 And when you have discovered that, 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.980 it makes you so grateful 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.399 because you did nothing to deserve this, 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.599 right? 00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:13.460 I can't even say that, 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:13.799 well, 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:15.200 I responded in faith. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.720 It's pure, 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.259 amazing, 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.339 undeserved kindness. 00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:18.799 I mean, 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.839 that's one side of us not doing anything. 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.240 But the other side, 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.599 wonderful side, 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.000 is assurance. 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.740 Assurance. 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:30.180 This is the most wonderful thing about grace 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.279 and the most wonderful thing 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.480 they discovered in the Reformation. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.819 We can have assurance. 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.319 Because, 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:35.859 you know, 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.759 if you think about the Catholic system, 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.879 you were never sure. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.859 They say it's all about grace, 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.680 but you need to get it, 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.119 right? 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.719 You need to take the Mass 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:46.059 and you need to do penance 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.919 and you need to do the good deeds 00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:48.659 by God's grace 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.419 and those kind of things, 00:28:49.479 --> 00:28:49.599 right? 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.599 And so, 00:28:50.959 --> 00:28:51.179 yeah, 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:51.759 I mean, 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:53.159 like the guy taking his medicine 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:54.399 every day to stay alive. 00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:55.659 He's very anxious 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.879 that he takes it every day, 00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:57.079 right? 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.839 That he doesn't forget. 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.979 He has no peace. 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.379 And so, 00:29:00.479 --> 00:29:00.839 in a way, 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.959 in the Middle Ages, 00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.899 if you were a Catholic, 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.919 you wouldn't have peace 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:06.519 because you need to do 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.219 all these things. 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.719 Now, 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.539 you know the saying 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.279 that a chain 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.479 is only as strong 00:29:11.479 -->

00:29:12.459 as its weakest link, 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.739 right? 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.279 We know that expression. 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.879 It doesn't matter 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:17.439 how strong 00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:18.139 all the other 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.859 chain links are. 00:29:18.919 --> 00:29:20.019 If there's one weak link, 00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:20.839 well, 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.699 the chain will break. 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.459 Well, 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.359 if our faith, 00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.299 if our efforts 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.839 are a link, 00:29:26.459 --> 00:29:27.379 then the result 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:28.459 is that you are never sure 00:29:28.459 --> 00:29:30.000 because it depends on you. 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.979 And I know many Christians 00:29:31.979 --> 00:29:32.779 struggle with that, 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:32.959 right? 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.259 Okay, 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.619 we just trust in Jesus, 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:34.899 but 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:37.519 do I have enough faith? 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.279 They wonder. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:40.440 do I have real faith? 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.940 What if I have doubts? 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.779 What if I lose my faith? 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.240 Christians have these questions. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.680 Yeah. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.220 And in some way, 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:54.139 if you think God does 99% 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.680 and I only do 1%, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:55.700 and I only do 1%, 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:57.620 then you should feel like that. 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.620 Because it sounds great, 00:29:59.680 --> 00:29:59.860 right? 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:01.360 God does 99%. 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:03.080 But that's only great 00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:03.920 if the pass mark 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.960 is like 80%. 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.820 Then it's great. 00:30:07.040 --> 00:30:07.720 The problem is, 00:30:07.780 --> 00:30:08.340 the pass mark 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.580 is still 100%. 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.939 And that 1%, 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:12.899 you are 100% 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:14.339 responsible for that 1%, 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.539 right? 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:16.079 You need to get 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:18.019 100% 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.839 on the 1% 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.519 to make a total 100% 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.519 because God only does 99%. 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:24.119 And which means 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.639 the chain has a very weak link. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.679 Despite all the unbreakable grace, 00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:29.619 there's your efforts, 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.319 your faith. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.019 And I don't know 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.759 if some of you here 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.500 feel like that

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.879 and resonate with that. 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.799 And how would you feel 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.419 if something so important 00:30:37.419 --> 00:30:38.359 rested on you 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.599 and your faith? 00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.159 No, 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:43.299 there is really good news. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:45.139 The good news, 00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:45.599 well, 00:30:45.719 --> 00:30:46.479 one good news 00:30:46.479 --> 00:30:47.139 is that we have, 00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:48.379 we don't need to have 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.919 any uncertainty about 00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:50.979 can we do this? 00:30:51.459 --> 00:30:52.359 Can we do the 1%? 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.299 We don't need to have 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.939 any uncertainty 00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:55.059 because the Bible is so clear 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.279 we will mess it up. 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:58.399 We can't do the 1%. 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.019 We can't, 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.219 even if it was 00:31:00.219 --> 00:31:02.240 0.0001% me, 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.779 I would still mess it up. 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.539 I know myself. 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.740 I hope we're honest enough 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.379 to admit that. 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:09.320 That's the bad news, 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.540 right? 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.320 The people we are, 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:12.200 the people of Ephesians 2, 00:31:12.260 --> 00:31:12.840 1 to 3, 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.760 we would mess everything up. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.760 But that should drive us 00:31:16.760 --> 00:31:17.340 to Christ. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.260 That's good news 00:31:18.260 --> 00:31:19.360 because it drives us, 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.880 well, 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.660 if we know for sure 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.360 we can't do it, 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.680 we need Jesus 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.280 and then we find salvation 00:31:24.280 --> 00:31:25.040 is a gift. 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.620 It's 100% a gift. 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.420 It's not doing it, 00:31:28.580 --> 00:31:29.300 God is not doing it 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:29.800 through you. 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.600 He's done it all. 00:31:31.040 --> 00:31:32.220 And so you can have assurance. 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.200 You can be sure. 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.120 Right? 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.199 You know, 00:31:35.939 --> 00:31:37.419 maybe now life is easy 00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:37.959 and it's easy 00:31:37.959 --> 00:31:38.799 to trust Jesus. 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:40.139 What if it gets hard 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:40.859 to trust Jesus? 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.559 I would really worry 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.079 about that 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:44.039 if it depended on me. 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:46.039 But if I know 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.119 it's God, 00:31:47.239 --> 00:31:48.219 faith is his gift, 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.759 it doesn't depend on me, 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.500 well, 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.139 I can rest. 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.299 I mean, 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:52.639 Luther, 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.879 he faced big trials, 00:31:53.959 --> 00:31:54.119 right? 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.500 He was kind of, 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:55.699 okay, 00:31:55.739 --> 00:31:56.259 he had the whole 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.919 Catholic Church 00:31:56.919 --> 00:31:57.619 against him. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.179 How could he do that? 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.480 And he said, 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.440 I can only do that 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.480 because of God's gift, 00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:02.759 right? 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.279 He said, 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:03.980 you know, 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:05.240 I should be unable 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.060 to stand firm 00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:07.019 and keep hold of it 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:08.560 amid so many adversities 00:32:08.560 --> 00:32:09.080 and perils 00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:10.120 and so many assaults 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:10.680 of demons. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:13.100 I would be unable 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.720 to do this. 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:16.120 But why was he not unable? 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.200 Because, 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:17.440 well, 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.980 this is God's gift 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.720 and so I'll just keep going. 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.840 And so he trusted God 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:22.720 and he kept going. 00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:23.480 Right? 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:25.000 He still actively trusted. 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.519 It's not like God 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.940 bypassed him. 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.200 He, 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.580 you know, 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.759 he worked in Luther 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:32.140 to have such faith 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.820 but it was still 00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:33.720 his gift. 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.080 And from Luther's perspective, 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.960 he kept trusting 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.539 but it was God's gift. 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.660 And that's so wonderful, 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.019 right? 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.820 I mean, 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.700 Hong Kong is all about performance. 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.460 It's all about achievements, 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:43.759 right? 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.660 You need to get into the right, 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:47.100 you need to get the right job 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:48.279 and so you need to write uni 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.160 and so you need to write 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.160 secondary school 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.900 and you need to write 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.779 primary

school 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.360 and you need to write 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:52.779 kindergarten. 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.880 I don't know, 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.360 it goes, 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:54.740 what? 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.460 Kindergarten interviews. 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.960 For me, 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.420 that's hard to believe 00:32:59.420 --> 00:32:59.980 as a European. 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:00.920 But yeah, 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.460 but it's all about performance, 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.720 right? 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:04.039 And there's all these 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.200 anxious parents 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.700 and, 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.400 you know, 00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:08.180 anxious young grads 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.220 trying to get a job 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:11.440 and maybe dating, 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:11.840 right? 00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:13.100 You need to perform well 00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:14.019 otherwise you're not 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.720 going to get married 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.059 and, 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:15.720 right? 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.140 Everything is about achievements. 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.740 Isn't it so wonderful 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.720 that salvation, 00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:22.340 it doesn't depend 00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:23.100 on your performance, 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.880 doesn't depend 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.720 on your achievements. 00:33:25.260 --> 00:33:26.200 It can't fail. 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.380 The thing is, 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.440 God won't let it fail. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.160 It's too important 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.620 for him. 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.000 I mean, 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:31.820 why does God 00:33:31.820 --> 00:33:33.260 not let us be part of it? 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.620 It's too important. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:35.960 I mean, 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.580 I'm a parent 00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:37.820 and my kids, 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.320 I get them to do some things 00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:39.980 but there are some things 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.860 that I will do myself. 00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:42.160 I'm going to do them. 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:42.420 Why? 00:33:42.800 --> 00:33:44.280 I don't want to run the risk 00:33:44.280 --> 00:33:45.020 that I mess it up. 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.140 Right? 00:33:46.260 --> 00:33:47.040 I want to make sure 00:33:47.040 --> 00:33:47.500 it happens 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.400 and so I do it. 00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.980 And it's the same with God. 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.120 He doesn't want us 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:52.279 to mess up our salvation. 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:54.539 So He takes us out of it 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.880 in His love. 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.460 He does everything 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.819 and it should give us rest, 00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.740 give us peace, 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:00.960 give us hope 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:03.620 because it's not something 00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:05.180 that we need to reach for. 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.400 It's a gift. 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.760 And that's, 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:08.960 yeah, 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.820 the most wonderful 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:11.059 personal gift, 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.320 the most wonderful truth 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.760 available for everyone. 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.440 That's the idea 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.179 of grace alone. 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.579 Let's, 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.280 yeah, 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.380 let's rejoice in that. 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:20.180 Let's praise God for that. 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.340 Let's thank God for that 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:23.840 and let's live with this joy 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:25.019 and hope that we can have 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.640 because it's grace alone. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.740 Why don't I pray? 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.559 Our Father, 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.360 we thank You 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:37.220 for Your grace. 00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:38.140 We thank You 00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:40.940 that it's 100% Your gift 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:42.640 because You know us, 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.440 You know our hearts, 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:45.340 You know how sinful we are, 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.980 You know we couldn't do anything 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.500 to make it work 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.679 and so You did it all. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.360 When Jesus died on the cross, 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.719 You gave us everything. 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:53.639 Lord, 00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.400 help us to know 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.079 what it means, 00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:55.320 Lord, 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.199 for any of us here 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.940 who are still struggling, 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.039 who are worried 00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:00.179 about our faith, 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.099 worried about, 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.820 yeah, 00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:04.659 things we need to do. 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.800 Help us to remember 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.340 that if we, 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.519 it's just Jesus, 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:08.860 it's one package. 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:09.980 We have Jesus, 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:10.800 we have everything 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.639 and it's Your gift. 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.139 Would we know that 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:15.059 and would we enable us 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.279 to live in the light of that? 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:16.539 Lord, 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.539 as we live in this city, 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.879 maybe now it's easy 00:35:18.879 --> 00:35:19.859 but it might get harder,

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:22.460 would we have the assurance 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:24.619 that everything's under control 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:26.579 because it's Your 100%, 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.359 it's Your gift. 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.339 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:29.819 --> 00:35:30.219 Amen. 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:32.500 Great. 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:32.759 Well, 00:35:32.819 --> 00:35:33.940 we're now going to 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.900 celebrate the Lord's Supper together. 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.440 And in a way, 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.699 it's very fitting today. 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.019 So, 00:35:39.439 --> 00:35:40.460 you may have noticed 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.259 we haven't done 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:43.339 the catechism question yet. 00:35:43.799 --> 00:35:44.019 You know, 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.299 the New City Catechism 00:35:45.299 --> 00:35:46.480 which we do every week 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.079 where we, 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.859 yeah, 00:35:47.939 --> 00:35:48.839 reflect on the truth 00:35:48.839 --> 00:35:49.919 and today it is about 00:35:49.919 --> 00:35:50.480 the Lord's Supper. 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.199 So, 00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:52.659 if we can have question 47, 00:35:53.399 --> 00:35:54.819 does the Lord's Supper 00:35:54.819 --> 00:35:56.299 add anything 00:35:56.299 --> 00:35:57.699 to Christ's atoning work? 00:35:58.939 --> 00:35:59.139 Yeah, 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:00.099 don't give it out yet, 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:00.299 okay? 00:36:00.719 --> 00:36:01.119 Guys, 00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:02.019 don't give it out yet. 00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.899 Does the Lord's Supper 00:36:04.899 --> 00:36:05.619 add anything? 00:36:05.919 --> 00:36:07.139 Because this was the big question 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.960 in the Reformation. 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.559 Do we, 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.940 does it add something? 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.320 Because, 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:10.820 you know, 00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:12.740 that's what people believe. 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.059 I, 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:13.679 you know, 00:36:13.740 --> 00:36:14.440 I've sinned. 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.360 I need to get forgiven. 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.659 I need to take the Lord's Supper. 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.780 I need the Mass. 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.240 I need, 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.280 I need this, 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:19.460 right? 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.119 I need more 00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:21.800 of Christ's atoning work. 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.740 And so, 00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:23.360 the answer, 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.000 well, 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.240 let's read the answer together. 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:26.880 So, 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:27.500 sorry, 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.320 let me ask the question 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:29.440 and then we read it together. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.159 Does the Lord's Supper 00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.099 add anything 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:33.539 to Christ's atoning work? 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.559 No. 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.980 Christ died 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.960 once for all. 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.420 The Lord's Supper 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.800 is a covenant meal 00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:42.240 celebrating Christ's atoning work 00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:44.240 as it is also a means 00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:45.639 of strengthening our faith 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.840 as we look to him 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:48.240 and a foretaste 00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:49.360 of the future feast. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.420 But those who take part 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.840 with unrepentant hearts 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:54.579 eat and drink judgment 00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:55.380 on themselves. 00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:58.019 The Catechism says, 00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:58.800 you know, 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.559 the Lord's Supper 00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:00.880 doesn't add anything. 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:02.640 Christ died once for all. 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:04.039 All the forgiveness, 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:04.519 all, 00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.180 everything, 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:07.220 it was all there 00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:08.200 when Jesus died. 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.680 And if you have Jesus, 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.860 you don't need anything else. 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.480 The Lord's Supper, 00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:11.960 well, 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.720 it's just a meal 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:13.500 celebrating. 00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.860 It's a symbol, 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.140 right? 00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.500 It's a, 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.340 it's a foretaste 00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:16.960 of the future, 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:18.820 but it doesn't do anything. 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.320 I think, 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.260 I sometimes see Christians 00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:21.519 who, 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.099 you know, 00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:23.220 they seem so anxious 00:37:23.220 --> 00:37:24.000 that we, 00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:25.940 that they need 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.559 the Lord's Supper. 00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:27.619 I mean, 00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.820 I sometimes see people, 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.119 they, 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:30.259 they take one for now, 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:30.960 but they take a few 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.759 maybe for home 00:37:31.759 --> 00:37:32.380 during the week. 00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.779 Or people who are 00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.659 very desperate 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.559 for their young kids 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.039 to have it. 00:37:37.299 --> 00:37:38.259 The kid has no understanding 00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:38.779 what's going on, 00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:39.679 but please take this. 00:37:40.219

--> 00:37:41.719 Almost as if it's, 00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.039 well, 00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:43.699 like vitamin C tablets. 00:37:44.279 --> 00:37:44.619 But the, 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:44.699 the, 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.380 the thing is, 00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:46.340 isn't that a bit 00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:47.500 of a Catholic understanding 00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:47.759 that, 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:48.420 you know, 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.699 the grace 00:37:49.699 --> 00:37:50.719 and forgiveness 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.820 is here in this cup. 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:52.900 And, 00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:53.579 you know, 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.299 I need this. 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.500 I need to take this 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.299 and I need to take this 00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:56.980 during the week 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.180 and my child needs this now. 00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:59.180 No. 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.560 Everything is in Jesus. 00:38:00.680 --> 00:38:01.320 You have Jesus, 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.140 you have everything. 00:38:02.640 --> 00:38:03.360 This is just 00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:04.340 a memorial. 00:38:04.580 --> 00:38:05.800 It's a powerful memorial. 00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.900 It's a wonderful thing 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:08.519 to celebrate, 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.539 but it doesn't add anything. 00:38:10.740 --> 00:38:10.880 Right? 00:38:11.220 --> 00:38:12.820 You don't have to feel anxious 00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:14.220 about taking it. 00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:15.420 You don't have to, 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.080 you know, 00:38:16.120 --> 00:38:17.200 because it's grace alone. 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:17.720 It's not 00:38:17.720 --> 00:38:19.560 us doing it. 00:38:19.560 --> 00:38:20.920 It's not us having to get it. 00:38:21.620 --> 00:38:21.760 We, 00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.840 God has done it all 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.780 and we can just celebrate. 00:38:24.380 --> 00:38:25.320 That's the Lord's Supper. 00:38:25.860 --> 00:38:26.519 So that's what we're 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.080 going to do 00:38:27.080 --> 00:38:28.260 in a moment. 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.519 I think it's in a way 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.700 nice that we just sit here 00:38:30.700 --> 00:38:31.940 and the basket comes to us. 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:33.300 It kind of symbolizes 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.320 that we do nothing. 00:38:34.740 --> 00:38:34.860 Right? 00:38:35.180 --> 00:38:36.180 We don't even have to 00:38:36.180 --> 00:38:36.820 come and get it. 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.120 It just, 00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:38.240 it's given to us. 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:40.080 So if you're here 00:38:40.080 --> 00:38:41.260 and you are, 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:41.580 well, 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.320 it's a covenant meal. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:44.120 If you're in covenant 00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:45.220 relationship with Jesus, 00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:46.400 if you've trusted in Jesus, 00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:47.539 please take it. 00:38:47.840 --> 00:38:48.620 If you're here 00:38:48.620 --> 00:38:49.940 visiting from another church, 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.680 but you're here today, 00:38:52.120 --> 00:38:53.360 please take it with us. 00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:53.720 Right? 00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:54.579 Because we're all 00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:55.940 brothers and sisters 00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.480 in Christ. 00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:57.940 Of course, 00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:59.079 if you wouldn't call yourself 00:38:59.079 --> 00:38:59.640 a Christian, 00:39:00.280 --> 00:39:00.960 well, 00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.400 first of all, 00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.340 you don't need to take it. 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:02.539 Right? 00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:04.240 I see sometimes people 00:39:04.240 --> 00:39:04.880 take this because, 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:05.480 oh, 00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:06.760 now I can get some blessing 00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.360 from God 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:08.740 or I get some forgiveness. 00:39:09.180 --> 00:39:10.200 It's not in here. 00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:10.960 It's in Jesus. 00:39:11.620 --> 00:39:12.340 What you need to do, 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.519 you need to trust in Jesus. 00:39:13.660 --> 00:39:14.579 If you want forgiveness, 00:39:14.760 --> 00:39:15.280 if you want to 00:39:15.280 --> 00:39:16.579 have God's blessing, 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.519 come to him. 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:19.700 Trust in him. 00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:21.399 This won't do anything. 00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.099 Well, 00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.319 actually, 00:39:22.399 --> 00:39:23.299 it will do something. 00:39:23.419 --> 00:39:24.399 Look at that last sentence. 00:39:24.919 --> 00:39:25.899 But those who take part 00:39:25.899 --> 00:39:27.119 with unrepentant hearts 00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:28.019 eat and drink judgment 00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:28.599 on themselves. 00:39:29.399 --> 00:39:30.139 It's a symbol, 00:39:30.279 --> 00:39:31.599 but it's an important symbol 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:32.899 that God takes very serious. 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:33.879 And so, 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.980 he wants us to honor it. 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:35.799 And so, 00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.199 you know, 00:39:36.239 --> 00:39:37.099 if you wouldn't call yourself 00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:37.559 a Christian, 00:39:37.679 --> 00:39:38.519 that's totally fine. 00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.859 Please just let the basket 00:39:40.859 --> 00:39:41.480 pass along, 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.439 but reflect, 00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:42.799 hey, 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:45.000 what I need, 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.679 it's in Jesus. 00:39:46.379 --> 00:39:47.259 And come to him. 00:39:47.299 --> 00:39:47.819 And please come 00:39:47.819 --> 00:39:48.579 and talk to me later. 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.619 I'd love to help you, 00:39:49.980 -->

00:39:50.239 you know, 00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:51.199 start that journey 00:39:51.199 --> 00:39:52.079 of faith. 00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.019 But why don't I pray? 00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:55.559 And then after that, 00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.319 the stewards can 00:39:56.319 --> 00:39:57.360 hand it out. 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.019 Father, 00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:02.460 thank you for this gift 00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:04.440 of the Lord's Supper. 00:40:04.619 --> 00:40:05.139 Thank you that, 00:40:05.699 --> 00:40:05.900 yeah, 00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.799 we have this reminder, 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.599 this foretaste 00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.279 of the future, 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:08.940 this reminder 00:40:08.940 --> 00:40:09.799 of your grace 00:40:09.799 --> 00:40:10.719 that is here 00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:12.019 to strengthen our faith, 00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:12.980 to just remind us 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:14.380 of what Jesus did, 00:40:15.319 --> 00:40:16.259 how he died, 00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:17.739 how his body 00:40:17.739 --> 00:40:18.379 was broken. 00:40:19.419 --> 00:40:20.619 And that's what he told us, 00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.459 that on the night 00:40:21.459 --> 00:40:22.139 he was betrayed, 00:40:22.439 --> 00:40:23.199 he took bread 00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:24.139 and gave you thanks. 00:40:24.919 --> 00:40:25.639 And he said, 00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:26.539 this is my body, 00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:28.099 broken for you. 00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:29.699 And after supper, 00:40:29.799 --> 00:40:30.459 he took the cup, 00:40:31.619 --> 00:40:31.899 and he said, 00:40:31.979 --> 00:40:32.639 this is the cup 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.839 of the new covenant, 00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.119 shed for you 00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:35.739 and for many 00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:36.919 for the forgiveness 00:40:36.919 --> 00:40:37.439 of sins. 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.159 We thank you 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:39.259 for Jesus. 00:40:39.419 --> 00:40:40.079 Please help us 00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:41.099 as we take this 00:40:41.099 --> 00:40:41.619 to reflect. 00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:42.679 And would you speak to us? 00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.339 Would you strengthen 00:40:43.340 --> 00:40:43.980 our faith? 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.320 Would you remind us 00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.300 that it's all from you? 00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.100 It's all from Jesus. 00:40:48.160 --> 00:40:48.680 And that's, 00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:49.320 yeah, 00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:50.460 we don't need 00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.039 to do anything. 00:40:51.680 --> 00:40:51.820 Lord, 00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:52.720 make this a special 00:40:52.720 --> 00:40:53.720 experience for us. 00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:55.579 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:40:55.980 --> 00:40:56.260 Amen. 00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:56.400 Amen. 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400 00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.500 Amen.