1 00:00:00,370 --> 00:00:08,628 [Music] 2 00:00:09,519 --> 00:00:13,240 this is Pastor David again from 3 00:00:11,558 --> 00:00:15,518 International Baptist Church in 4 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:18,730 Stuttgart Germany and we're glad you're 5 00:00:15,519 --> 00:00:21,189 able to worship with us for the video 6 00:00:18,730 --> 00:00:23,649 Thank You Kingsley into Jeremy Fairbrass 7 00:00:21,189 --> 00:00:26,018 for helping us do this today now you can 8 00:00:23,649 --> 00:00:27,669 see behind me empty chairs we hope in 9 00:00:26,018 --> 00:00:29,858 the next few weeks we'll be able to meet 10 00:00:27,670 --> 00:00:32,169 again right now we do pray for the 11 00:00:29,859 --> 00:00:34,269 nation and pray for the whole world and 12 00:00:32,168 --> 00:00:35,529 whatever nation you are from encourage 13 00:00:34,268 --> 00:00:38,469 you to pray for them as well 14 00:00:35,530 --> 00:00:41,170 during this copán 19 or coronavirus 15 00:00:38,469 --> 00:00:44,198 crisis pray for the leaders and pray for 16 00:00:41,170 --> 00:00:47,320 all those who are infected pray that it 17 00:00:44,198 --> 00:00:49,268 will be will be safe well the last 18 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:51,750 couple of weeks I've spoken about fear 19 00:00:49,268 --> 00:00:54,908 and worry and last week I spoke about 20 00:00:51,750 --> 00:00:57,308 this issue of dealing with trouble today 21 00:00:54,908 --> 00:00:59,768 I'm going to talk about the cross of 22 00:00:57,308 --> 00:01:01,570 Christ and we're coming up on Easter for 23 00:00:59,768 --> 00:01:04,000 the next two weeks now will be Eastern 24 00:01:01,570 --> 00:01:06,040 we want to focus not just on the 25 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,769 coronavirus and the concerns of all 26 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:11,530 those issues but we want this morning to 27 00:01:08,769 --> 00:01:13,449 particularly look at the cross of Jesus 28 00:01:11,530 --> 00:01:17,079 and the title of this message is the 29 00:01:13,450 --> 00:01:20,049 shadow of the cross shadows are used in 30 00:01:17,078 --> 00:01:22,750 literature and in art form to predict 31 00:01:20,049 --> 00:01:25,560 the future and to say something about 32 00:01:22,750 --> 00:01:29,019 what will happen FAC we use that phrase 33 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:31,329 overshadow or foreshadow those words for 34 00:01:29,019 --> 00:01:33,819 shatter and overshadow - to depict that 35 00:01:31,328 --> 00:01:36,309 in literature there's something for 36 00:01:33,819 --> 00:01:40,239 shadows of future event whether the 37 00:01:36,310 --> 00:01:43,390 cross was foreshadowed in the life of 38 00:01:40,239 --> 00:01:46,568 Christ even from the very beginning when 39 00:01:43,390 --> 00:01:48,728 John introduced him John the Baptist 40 00:01:46,569 --> 00:01:51,460 said behold the lamb of God who takes 41 00:01:48,728 --> 00:01:54,459 away the sin of the world and that 42 00:01:51,459 --> 00:01:57,129 praised the Lamb of God depicted Christ 43 00:01:54,459 --> 00:01:59,828 as the one who would give a sacrifice in 44 00:01:57,129 --> 00:02:03,849 John's Gospel he starts it out he says 45 00:01:59,828 --> 00:02:06,368 this that Jesus the word became flesh he 46 00:02:03,849 --> 00:02:09,008 said he was in the world and though the 47 00:02:06,368 --> 00:02:11,680 world was made through him the world did 48 00:02:09,008 --> 00:02:14,109 not recognize him he came to that which 49 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:16,750 was his own but his own did not receive 50 00:02:14,110 --> 00:02:19,510 him that describes from the very 51 00:02:16,750 --> 00:02:20,610 beginning of his ministry that there was 52 00:02:19,509 --> 00:02:23,009 a con 53 00:02:20,610 --> 00:02:25,290 but actually the conflict began before 54 00:02:23,009 --> 00:02:27,599 his ministry began you see that at his 55 00:02:25,289 --> 00:02:30,629 birth and in his young life his life was 56 00:02:27,599 --> 00:02:34,229 already threatened that is it's a 57 00:02:30,629 --> 00:02:37,349 description of the conflict that God and 58 00:02:34,229 --> 00:02:39,479 this world have that the three enemies 59 00:02:37,349 --> 00:02:41,789 we have in this world is the world 60 00:02:39,479 --> 00:02:44,939 system itself with the small in values 61 00:02:41,789 --> 00:02:47,729 the flesh or that is our own sinful 62 00:02:44,939 --> 00:02:50,550 nature and also the prince of this world 63 00:02:47,729 --> 00:02:52,409 which is the devil or Satan he is the he 64 00:02:50,550 --> 00:02:54,030 is the best power on this earth 65 00:02:52,409 --> 00:02:56,609 described the power of the air or the 66 00:02:54,030 --> 00:02:59,460 Prince of the air he has a kingdom that 67 00:02:56,610 --> 00:03:02,340 seeks to tempt us and and keep us from 68 00:02:59,460 --> 00:03:04,530 coming to God well these are the enemies 69 00:03:02,340 --> 00:03:06,180 that we were dealing with and today I'm 70 00:03:04,530 --> 00:03:08,699 going to wrap them all up in this idea 71 00:03:06,180 --> 00:03:11,490 of the world the world that word in the 72 00:03:08,699 --> 00:03:13,259 Greek language is cosmos it doesn't mean 73 00:03:11,490 --> 00:03:16,230 the earth are the people of the world 74 00:03:13,259 --> 00:03:18,659 ruther it means the world system the way 75 00:03:16,229 --> 00:03:21,209 of thinking and the values of the world 76 00:03:18,659 --> 00:03:23,579 it says that friendship with the world 77 00:03:21,210 --> 00:03:25,740 is to be an enemy of God and we're not 78 00:03:23,580 --> 00:03:28,500 to be friends of the world and the sense 79 00:03:25,740 --> 00:03:31,080 of wanting to adopt its values or to 80 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:33,900 identify with this purposes rather God 81 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:36,870 calls us as followers of Jesus Christ to 82 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:39,750 a higher life into a greater life when 83 00:03:36,870 --> 00:03:42,719 our text is ready in John chapter 12 and 84 00:03:39,750 --> 00:03:44,939 it has to do with Jesus coming up to his 85 00:03:42,719 --> 00:03:49,169 crucifixion he is now in the last week 86 00:03:44,939 --> 00:03:52,229 of his life and he says this now my 87 00:03:49,169 --> 00:03:55,379 excuse me chapter 12 verse 27 of John 88 00:03:52,229 --> 00:03:59,849 now my heart is troubled and what shall 89 00:03:55,379 --> 00:04:02,819 I say father save me from this hour no 90 00:03:59,849 --> 00:04:03,449 it was for this very reason I came to 91 00:04:02,819 --> 00:04:07,680 this hour 92 00:04:03,449 --> 00:04:10,229 father glorify your name describes the 93 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:11,520 cross is not being an accident rather it 94 00:04:10,229 --> 00:04:14,039 was simpler 95 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:16,980 it was the center point of Christ's 96 00:04:14,039 --> 00:04:18,779 mission he came to destroy the work of 97 00:04:16,980 --> 00:04:21,930 the devil you came to reconcile us to 98 00:04:18,779 --> 00:04:24,209 God it came to bear our sins and to save 99 00:04:21,930 --> 00:04:26,189 us from our sins that also save us 100 00:04:24,209 --> 00:04:27,689 before in new life in a relationship 101 00:04:26,189 --> 00:04:31,160 with God and the 102 00:04:27,689 --> 00:04:33,810 Krauss was the very center of that work 103 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:36,720 well when Jesus was born he was born 104 00:04:33,810 --> 00:04:40,110 with limitations we all have at birth 105 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:42,450 the Bible says that he increased in 106 00:04:40,110 --> 00:04:45,960 wisdom and what that means is that he 107 00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:49,649 increased in wisdom that when God became 108 00:04:45,959 --> 00:04:52,739 a man in Jesus of Nazareth that he laid 109 00:04:49,649 --> 00:04:54,870 aside his omniscience otherwise it could 110 00:04:52,740 --> 00:04:57,990 not have increased it also says he was 111 00:04:54,870 --> 00:05:00,120 tried in every way that we are and again 112 00:04:57,990 --> 00:05:02,160 if he is being tried like we are he must 113 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,780 have laid aside his omniscience because 114 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:07,260 we're not on mission 115 00:05:03,779 --> 00:05:09,629 be the genius of Jesus was the 116 00:05:07,259 --> 00:05:11,909 submission to the Spirit his 117 00:05:09,629 --> 00:05:14,370 communication with the spirit and the 118 00:05:11,910 --> 00:05:16,710 Spirit of God revealed to him the truth 119 00:05:14,370 --> 00:05:19,319 of God in the will of God step-by-step 120 00:05:16,709 --> 00:05:20,609 as he went along well as a young man he 121 00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:22,829 would have been familiar with the Old 122 00:05:20,610 --> 00:05:25,949 Testament Scriptures that described the 123 00:05:22,829 --> 00:05:29,519 Messiah coming and being a suffering 124 00:05:25,949 --> 00:05:32,069 Messiah for example did I say a53 it 125 00:05:29,519 --> 00:05:34,469 says this describing the Messiah and 126 00:05:32,069 --> 00:05:37,529 says surely he took up our infirmities 127 00:05:34,470 --> 00:05:40,020 and carried our sorrows yet we 128 00:05:37,529 --> 00:05:43,409 considered him stricken by God smitten 129 00:05:40,019 --> 00:05:46,829 by him and afflicted he was pierced for 130 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:50,430 our transgressions he was crushed for 131 00:05:46,829 --> 00:05:52,319 our iniquities it's describing the cross 132 00:05:50,430 --> 00:05:54,629 even though at that time when I say I 133 00:05:52,319 --> 00:05:57,360 wrote this crosses were not common it's 134 00:05:54,629 --> 00:06:00,930 not common for people be crucified but 135 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:02,939 David even before Isaiah David also by 136 00:06:00,930 --> 00:06:06,360 the inspiration of the Spirit described 137 00:06:02,939 --> 00:06:09,329 the cross event in Psalm 23 it says this 138 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:10,830 referring to someone in the future which 139 00:06:09,329 --> 00:06:15,839 we find out later of course this the 140 00:06:10,829 --> 00:06:18,899 Messiah in verse 7 22 7 it says all who 141 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:21,239 see me mock me they hurl insults shaking 142 00:06:18,899 --> 00:06:24,329 their heads he trusts in the Lord 143 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:26,668 let the Lord rescue him of course those 144 00:06:24,329 --> 00:06:29,219 words were were sent to Christ as he 145 00:06:26,668 --> 00:06:32,009 hung on the cross and in that same Psalm 146 00:06:29,220 --> 00:06:34,830 and verse 16 it says dogs have 147 00:06:32,009 --> 00:06:37,860 surrounded me a band of evil men has 148 00:06:34,829 --> 00:06:40,500 circled me they appear smile and z' and 149 00:06:37,860 --> 00:06:42,598 my feet again a reference to piercing 150 00:06:40,500 --> 00:06:45,120 which was not done among the Jews a 151 00:06:42,598 --> 00:06:47,310 reference to a future piercing of hands 152 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:50,220 and feet of course that happened on the 153 00:06:47,310 --> 00:06:53,220 cross so Jesus of Nazareth would have 154 00:06:50,220 --> 00:06:56,580 read these these words and have become 155 00:06:53,220 --> 00:06:59,129 aware of his future that he was going to 156 00:06:56,579 --> 00:07:02,370 be someone who was going to lay down his 157 00:06:59,129 --> 00:07:05,340 life for the sins of the world now we 158 00:07:02,370 --> 00:07:10,769 read later on in fact that back in in 159 00:07:05,339 --> 00:07:13,378 John 12 where Jesus said that the Son of 160 00:07:10,769 --> 00:07:17,939 Man must be lifted up if I am lifted up 161 00:07:13,379 --> 00:07:19,500 I will draw all men to myself describing 162 00:07:17,939 --> 00:07:21,598 the type of death he was going to 163 00:07:19,500 --> 00:07:24,930 experience I believe the spirit revealed 164 00:07:21,598 --> 00:07:26,878 that to him even before he came to that 165 00:07:24,930 --> 00:07:29,430 moment but he realized that he was going 166 00:07:26,879 --> 00:07:31,650 to be crucified for the sins of the 167 00:07:29,430 --> 00:07:35,069 world there was a famous painting of 168 00:07:31,649 --> 00:07:37,258 Jesus as a young man perhaps an older 169 00:07:35,069 --> 00:07:40,259 teenager or maybe in his early 20s but 170 00:07:37,259 --> 00:07:43,949 he is still and his father's his earthly 171 00:07:40,259 --> 00:07:46,468 father's workshop and Joseph's carpentry 172 00:07:43,949 --> 00:07:51,000 shop working as a young man would and 173 00:07:46,468 --> 00:07:53,009 and he is shaping the yoke of a of an ox 174 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:56,189 something for an ox to used to pull a 175 00:07:53,009 --> 00:07:59,278 plow but in the background across the 176 00:07:56,189 --> 00:08:02,129 wall there are two beings that are like 177 00:07:59,278 --> 00:08:04,680 this in the shadow of a cross is behind 178 00:08:02,129 --> 00:08:07,740 him and it depicts this growing reality 179 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:09,689 that from the beginning of his life he 180 00:08:07,740 --> 00:08:12,090 understood that his mission was going to 181 00:08:09,689 --> 00:08:16,288 be to be the sacrificial lamb that takes 182 00:08:12,089 --> 00:08:20,788 away the sin of the world but it wasn't 183 00:08:16,288 --> 00:08:24,899 only the cross that overshadowed the 184 00:08:20,788 --> 00:08:27,949 life of Christ it did not only deal with 185 00:08:24,899 --> 00:08:29,878 the crucifixion but we also see Jesus 186 00:08:27,949 --> 00:08:32,668 referring to something else 187 00:08:29,879 --> 00:08:36,389 in fact in chapter 11 of John just 188 00:08:32,668 --> 00:08:38,189 before we come to this passage about we 189 00:08:36,389 --> 00:08:40,918 read earlier about him laid down his 190 00:08:38,190 --> 00:08:43,919 life or for our sins are being lifted up 191 00:08:40,918 --> 00:08:44,698 he said this I am the resurrection and 192 00:08:43,918 --> 00:08:47,068 the 193 00:08:44,698 --> 00:08:49,859 who believes in Me will live even though 194 00:08:47,068 --> 00:08:52,289 he dies Jesus realized that he wasn't 195 00:08:49,860 --> 00:08:54,568 only the sacrificial lamb he was also 196 00:08:52,289 --> 00:08:56,639 the resurrection he was also the one who 197 00:08:54,568 --> 00:08:59,278 would give life he is one who would take 198 00:08:56,639 --> 00:09:01,680 our sins upon him that we may be 199 00:08:59,278 --> 00:09:04,528 forgiven reconciled to God but he's also 200 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:06,539 the one who gives new life that we may 201 00:09:04,528 --> 00:09:08,818 have a fresh new start a new 202 00:09:06,539 --> 00:09:12,179 relationship with God that we have peace 203 00:09:08,818 --> 00:09:14,458 of surrounds our heart so this is what 204 00:09:12,179 --> 00:09:19,109 is pictured in the life of Christ and 205 00:09:14,458 --> 00:09:20,878 these events foreshadowed his life it's 206 00:09:19,110 --> 00:09:24,209 interesting that when he told his 207 00:09:20,879 --> 00:09:26,459 disciples he gave them the this ritual 208 00:09:24,208 --> 00:09:29,549 we called it or gave them this right our 209 00:09:26,458 --> 00:09:30,328 ité of the what we call communion or the 210 00:09:29,549 --> 00:09:33,409 Lord's Supper 211 00:09:30,328 --> 00:09:37,049 he said do this in remembrance of me 212 00:09:33,409 --> 00:09:39,899 that is death on the cross was central 213 00:09:37,049 --> 00:09:43,109 in our understanding of who he was he 214 00:09:39,899 --> 00:09:46,110 was the one who came to bear the cross 215 00:09:43,110 --> 00:09:48,449 so that he may wear the crown not just 216 00:09:46,110 --> 00:09:52,680 that he may wear the crown but that we 217 00:09:48,448 --> 00:09:55,378 also may wear the crown now from Jesus's 218 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:57,958 life though we can see this is a broader 219 00:09:55,379 --> 00:10:00,600 picture as well we can see that there is 220 00:09:57,958 --> 00:10:03,869 a broader conflict here see that the 221 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:07,439 cross also overshadows the relationship 222 00:10:03,870 --> 00:10:10,470 that God has with this world what the 223 00:10:07,438 --> 00:10:13,110 cross teaches us is that God can come 224 00:10:10,470 --> 00:10:17,430 into human form he can come in this 225 00:10:13,110 --> 00:10:20,669 world and live a perfect life can teach 226 00:10:17,429 --> 00:10:23,250 the truth can love and heal and show his 227 00:10:20,669 --> 00:10:26,099 power show us compassion show His 228 00:10:23,250 --> 00:10:28,198 righteousness and as justice teach the 229 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:31,589 truth teaches actually what we need to 230 00:10:28,198 --> 00:10:34,948 have and the world will reject him the 231 00:10:31,589 --> 00:10:37,170 world will reject him now sometimes we 232 00:10:34,948 --> 00:10:40,109 say oh well that was 2,000 years ago 233 00:10:37,169 --> 00:10:42,178 we're better today today if Jesus came 234 00:10:40,110 --> 00:10:44,100 we would accept him I don't believe 235 00:10:42,178 --> 00:10:45,870 we've changed nearly as much as we think 236 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:48,149 we have of course the changes we have 237 00:10:45,870 --> 00:10:50,428 today is because Christ did come the 238 00:10:48,149 --> 00:10:52,230 good things because of Christ Christ has 239 00:10:50,428 --> 00:10:54,809 come so we really can value 240 00:10:52,230 --> 00:10:58,110 - but still human nature is the same 241 00:10:54,809 --> 00:11:00,319 there's a conflict in this world with 242 00:10:58,110 --> 00:11:03,930 God there's a conflict with the cross 243 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:07,590 the conflict goes on in each one of us 244 00:11:03,929 --> 00:11:10,439 when Christ was crucified the crowd said 245 00:11:07,590 --> 00:11:13,740 crucify him crucify him many stood there 246 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:17,270 were silent but according to the 247 00:11:13,740 --> 00:11:19,860 principle of law silence gives consent 248 00:11:17,269 --> 00:11:22,590 where would you have been if you were 249 00:11:19,860 --> 00:11:24,450 there at Christ's crucifixion but you 250 00:11:22,590 --> 00:11:27,720 have been one of those who was crying 251 00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:32,310 crucify him or would you have been there 252 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:36,180 silent but still by your silence giving 253 00:11:32,309 --> 00:11:39,659 consent saying this is okay well the 254 00:11:36,179 --> 00:11:41,969 Bible says that all of us have fallen if 255 00:11:39,659 --> 00:11:45,929 sin all of us have sinned and we are 256 00:11:41,970 --> 00:11:48,470 fall short of the glory of God all of us 257 00:11:45,929 --> 00:11:51,599 have have had their experience and sin 258 00:11:48,470 --> 00:11:54,060 when we raise our children in the faith 259 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:56,580 we want them to know about Jesus's love 260 00:11:54,059 --> 00:11:59,250 and we want them to believe in Jesus as 261 00:11:56,580 --> 00:12:02,430 soon as they're able to do that but 262 00:11:59,250 --> 00:12:05,730 those children also must experience sin 263 00:12:02,429 --> 00:12:09,000 they must come to Jesus as sinners Saint 264 00:12:05,730 --> 00:12:11,670 Jesus I need you to save me even though 265 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:13,950 they're young they still know what it is 266 00:12:11,669 --> 00:12:17,819 they still must know what it is to sin 267 00:12:13,950 --> 00:12:20,129 and do what is wrong and can come with 268 00:12:17,820 --> 00:12:22,740 their sins to Christ to be saved you 269 00:12:20,129 --> 00:12:25,320 cannot become saved until you need to be 270 00:12:22,740 --> 00:12:27,149 saved and even love children 271 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:29,430 they must come to that point of 272 00:12:27,149 --> 00:12:32,009 understanding their need and put their 273 00:12:29,429 --> 00:12:34,469 faith and their trust in Christ I was 274 00:12:32,009 --> 00:12:36,120 one of these young boys and I believe I 275 00:12:34,470 --> 00:12:39,029 was saved about as soon as I could 276 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:41,129 understand what it meant to be saved I 277 00:12:39,029 --> 00:12:43,259 was about nine years old but I did 278 00:12:41,129 --> 00:12:46,559 understand it and I realized that I 279 00:12:43,259 --> 00:12:49,049 needed a savior that I have sinned and 280 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:51,179 needed to be forgiven and I trusted in 281 00:12:49,049 --> 00:12:53,459 Christ and that's the that's the 282 00:12:51,179 --> 00:12:55,559 salvation experience for everyone that 283 00:12:53,460 --> 00:12:58,740 is that we understand our need of Christ 284 00:12:55,559 --> 00:13:01,469 and we put our faith and our trust in 285 00:12:58,740 --> 00:13:03,659 him but even that he bore our sins over 286 00:13:01,470 --> 00:13:04,279 the cross now what happens at that 287 00:13:03,659 --> 00:13:07,399 moment 288 00:13:04,279 --> 00:13:09,980 as we move before we were like those in 289 00:13:07,399 --> 00:13:12,860 the crowd saying crucify him and what 290 00:13:09,980 --> 00:13:15,379 has changed is now we have seen him not 291 00:13:12,860 --> 00:13:18,500 as someone to be rejected but we have 292 00:13:15,379 --> 00:13:22,189 rejected instead the world's values and 293 00:13:18,500 --> 00:13:24,889 we have become one of God's people we 294 00:13:22,190 --> 00:13:29,000 have put our faith and our trust in him 295 00:13:24,889 --> 00:13:32,149 way back to be read from John the first 296 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:34,309 chapter as we began this message it said 297 00:13:32,149 --> 00:13:37,639 the world did not receive him but in 298 00:13:34,309 --> 00:13:40,309 verse 12 it says this yet to all who 299 00:13:37,639 --> 00:13:42,740 received him to those who believed in 300 00:13:40,309 --> 00:13:46,129 his name he gave the right to become 301 00:13:42,740 --> 00:13:49,100 children of God the who we put our faith 302 00:13:46,129 --> 00:13:52,309 and trust in Christ we are new creatures 303 00:13:49,100 --> 00:13:54,500 we are now have changed sighs we're no 304 00:13:52,309 --> 00:13:57,199 longer following the world rather we 305 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:59,419 have changed in the way we see things 306 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:03,100 change in our priorities change in our 307 00:13:59,419 --> 00:14:05,959 values the conflict goes on in the world 308 00:14:03,100 --> 00:14:08,269 and to a certain degree because of our 309 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:11,300 sinful nature the conflict goes on here 310 00:14:08,269 --> 00:14:14,000 as well but we have announced that we 311 00:14:11,299 --> 00:14:17,120 are going to be on Christ's side and 312 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:19,820 when we do fall back into sin we should 313 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:22,879 be quick to confess that to be honest 314 00:14:19,820 --> 00:14:24,620 with God and then let him cleanse us and 315 00:14:22,879 --> 00:14:27,320 be restored to him in a right 316 00:14:24,620 --> 00:14:30,289 relationship but the Christian the 317 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:33,770 sincere father of Jesus Christ is never 318 00:14:30,289 --> 00:14:36,439 really going to be comfortable and sin 319 00:14:33,769 --> 00:14:39,379 will always feel uncomfortable and sin 320 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:41,780 because this is not our future we are 321 00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:43,820 made again we have a new nature is 322 00:14:41,779 --> 00:14:46,129 created to be like God in true 323 00:14:43,820 --> 00:14:48,260 righteousness and holiness this is what 324 00:14:46,129 --> 00:14:51,769 God does in the gospel so we are new 325 00:14:48,259 --> 00:14:54,338 creatures we are different now this 326 00:14:51,769 --> 00:14:57,490 world still is angry at God and it's 327 00:14:54,339 --> 00:15:00,200 surprising to me how people express this 328 00:14:57,490 --> 00:15:02,810 but this shows the blindness the 329 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:04,640 spiritual blindness in the world had a 330 00:15:02,809 --> 00:15:07,009 conversation last night with someone on 331 00:15:04,639 --> 00:15:10,699 the phone and he said well how can God 332 00:15:07,009 --> 00:15:13,399 allow this coronavirus to exist how can 333 00:15:10,700 --> 00:15:15,030 God allow these things to happen but it 334 00:15:13,399 --> 00:15:18,929 says in Proverbs 335 00:15:15,029 --> 00:15:23,399 nineteen three it says a man's own folly 336 00:15:18,929 --> 00:15:26,069 or his foolishness ruins his life yet 337 00:15:23,399 --> 00:15:28,740 his heart rages against the Lord and 338 00:15:26,070 --> 00:15:31,290 that describes not just individuals so 339 00:15:28,740 --> 00:15:34,320 that describes the whole world where did 340 00:15:31,289 --> 00:15:36,299 this coronavirus come from well be the 341 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:38,430 details are still being worked out what 342 00:15:36,299 --> 00:15:42,329 little knowledge I have what I've been 343 00:15:38,429 --> 00:15:46,829 what I have been informed of is that in 344 00:15:42,330 --> 00:15:49,860 the MV in the the wet market in the one 345 00:15:46,830 --> 00:15:52,410 province in China's typical wet markets 346 00:15:49,860 --> 00:15:54,300 they the market for these exotic animals 347 00:15:52,409 --> 00:15:56,339 there's not the poor people are not the 348 00:15:54,299 --> 00:15:58,979 common people rather it's the very 349 00:15:56,340 --> 00:16:00,750 wealthy elite people they just want to 350 00:15:58,980 --> 00:16:03,029 eat these animals because they think 351 00:16:00,750 --> 00:16:05,539 there's some delicacy or they imagine 352 00:16:03,029 --> 00:16:08,759 they'll give them some special human 353 00:16:05,539 --> 00:16:11,429 health related powers or something of 354 00:16:08,759 --> 00:16:12,960 that nature so they pay extraordinary 355 00:16:11,429 --> 00:16:15,449 amounts of money in order to get these 356 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:17,910 animals these are animals that are that 357 00:16:15,450 --> 00:16:19,980 are trapped and they're put in cages and 358 00:16:17,909 --> 00:16:22,649 the cages are stacked on top of one 359 00:16:19,980 --> 00:16:24,570 another which means the feces of one 360 00:16:22,649 --> 00:16:27,629 species drips on the next one and the 361 00:16:24,570 --> 00:16:31,860 reps on the next one and this creates a 362 00:16:27,629 --> 00:16:34,649 very good or bad battery but a very 363 00:16:31,860 --> 00:16:37,800 effective lavatory to develop super 364 00:16:34,649 --> 00:16:40,769 pathogens and what is the reason that 365 00:16:37,799 --> 00:16:43,199 exists it because people are greedy and 366 00:16:40,769 --> 00:16:45,319 they don't care what's what's right or 367 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:49,050 wrong they just want to have things and 368 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:51,060 this is the world we live in whenever we 369 00:16:49,049 --> 00:16:52,740 see problems rev receive suffering we 370 00:16:51,059 --> 00:16:54,779 just look at it a little bit closer we 371 00:16:52,740 --> 00:16:57,450 will see what has happened is human 372 00:16:54,779 --> 00:17:00,750 beings have caused the problem that they 373 00:16:57,450 --> 00:17:02,820 in their selfishness in their greed they 374 00:17:00,750 --> 00:17:06,059 have done what they wanted to do and 375 00:17:02,820 --> 00:17:09,420 then they blame God for the results see 376 00:17:06,059 --> 00:17:11,190 God made us free but also responsible 377 00:17:09,420 --> 00:17:15,210 you cannot have freedom without 378 00:17:11,190 --> 00:17:19,200 responsibility often people say how can 379 00:17:15,210 --> 00:17:22,710 God let these people be so poor and be 380 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:24,059 so big be sold so trouble in life and 381 00:17:22,710 --> 00:17:26,190 how can God allow that 382 00:17:24,059 --> 00:17:27,720 to happen but the people that say that 383 00:17:26,190 --> 00:17:29,880 you asked them all are you doing 384 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:32,039 anything about it and you find out 385 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:35,310 they're doing almost nothing or very 386 00:17:32,039 --> 00:17:37,019 very little so their complaint is not 387 00:17:35,309 --> 00:17:39,240 really about the people they don't 388 00:17:37,019 --> 00:17:42,450 really care about the people their 389 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:44,549 complaint is really how dare God bother 390 00:17:42,450 --> 00:17:48,150 me with these poor people 391 00:17:44,549 --> 00:17:49,579 how dare God interrupt my day or give me 392 00:17:48,150 --> 00:17:52,650 some sense of guilt and responsibility 393 00:17:49,579 --> 00:17:54,689 for these poor people that they would be 394 00:17:52,650 --> 00:17:58,440 just as happy if they didn't hear about 395 00:17:54,690 --> 00:18:00,870 it but you see Christians being involved 396 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:02,580 in helping the poor and in making a 397 00:18:00,869 --> 00:18:04,019 difference in doing what they can to 398 00:18:02,579 --> 00:18:07,049 help these people they have them on 399 00:18:04,019 --> 00:18:09,599 their heart well my answer to that issue 400 00:18:07,049 --> 00:18:13,049 of how dare God let these poor people 401 00:18:09,599 --> 00:18:16,169 how dare God bother me with this news 402 00:18:13,049 --> 00:18:19,379 about these poor people is this how dare 403 00:18:16,170 --> 00:18:22,620 a good and righteous God not bother us 404 00:18:19,380 --> 00:18:25,110 in our selfishness with the needs of 405 00:18:22,619 --> 00:18:26,969 others now this shows the world the 406 00:18:25,109 --> 00:18:28,979 conflict is all around us and a 407 00:18:26,970 --> 00:18:31,559 Christian cannot invest in this world's 408 00:18:28,980 --> 00:18:34,170 values we have better values we have a 409 00:18:31,559 --> 00:18:35,490 better world we have a better future let 410 00:18:34,170 --> 00:18:37,350 me come back the third thing though we 411 00:18:35,490 --> 00:18:39,000 look first of all at the cross and the 412 00:18:37,349 --> 00:18:40,799 life of Christ secondly we looked at the 413 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:42,509 cross in relation to the world how it 414 00:18:40,799 --> 00:18:45,029 overshadows the conflict with the world 415 00:18:42,509 --> 00:18:48,150 I will talk about what the cross means 416 00:18:45,029 --> 00:18:51,210 to the Christian as well as our discuss 417 00:18:48,150 --> 00:18:53,670 that it means that we have we have 418 00:18:51,210 --> 00:18:56,940 forgiveness in Christ that the cross 419 00:18:53,670 --> 00:18:58,800 means that all can come to him we don't 420 00:18:56,940 --> 00:19:01,230 come in our righteousness we don't come 421 00:18:58,799 --> 00:19:03,809 in our in our achievements we don't come 422 00:19:01,230 --> 00:19:07,410 in our education and our elite Nisour 423 00:19:03,809 --> 00:19:09,839 our status rather we come in our sin to 424 00:19:07,410 --> 00:19:13,019 him who is able to forgive confessing 425 00:19:09,839 --> 00:19:15,929 our sins we receive God's grace and this 426 00:19:13,019 --> 00:19:18,539 is true for all of us anyone can become 427 00:19:15,930 --> 00:19:20,730 a believer that they will confess their 428 00:19:18,539 --> 00:19:24,109 sins and come to Christ and believe that 429 00:19:20,730 --> 00:19:26,579 he died on the cross for their sins 430 00:19:24,109 --> 00:19:30,119 several years ago and my office I had a 431 00:19:26,579 --> 00:19:32,250 a Japanese lady she was an airline 432 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:33,559 stewardess and she came to my office and 433 00:19:32,250 --> 00:19:35,269 she had heard a 434 00:19:33,559 --> 00:19:37,279 Christianity but she didn't really 435 00:19:35,269 --> 00:19:39,619 understand him it was intriguing to her 436 00:19:37,279 --> 00:19:42,740 and so she asked she said I've heard 437 00:19:39,619 --> 00:19:44,659 people say that Jesus died for our sins 438 00:19:42,740 --> 00:19:47,599 but I don't where do you understand what 439 00:19:44,660 --> 00:19:52,759 that means so I shared with her that 440 00:19:47,599 --> 00:19:55,219 Jesus took our place it says in and in 441 00:19:52,759 --> 00:19:59,569 2nd Corinthians 5 it says that he who 442 00:19:55,220 --> 00:20:01,450 knew no sin became sin for us that we 443 00:19:59,569 --> 00:20:04,639 might become the righteousness of God 444 00:20:01,450 --> 00:20:08,450 that Jesus took the debt that we owed 445 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:12,350 and he paid it himself that the wages of 446 00:20:08,450 --> 00:20:15,200 sin is death but Christ died our death 447 00:20:12,349 --> 00:20:18,319 he died for us and he took our guilt and 448 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:21,080 our shame and our sin itself well the 449 00:20:18,319 --> 00:20:23,059 young girl understood that and for the 450 00:20:21,079 --> 00:20:25,549 first time she understood the Christian 451 00:20:23,059 --> 00:20:27,649 message and we prayed and a litter of 452 00:20:25,549 --> 00:20:30,769 trust Christ as their Savior and I've 453 00:20:27,650 --> 00:20:32,390 never seen someone change so greatly as 454 00:20:30,769 --> 00:20:35,269 soon as we finished praying she broke 455 00:20:32,390 --> 00:20:37,190 down and wept and just said she she 456 00:20:35,269 --> 00:20:39,680 understood now for the first time that 457 00:20:37,190 --> 00:20:42,170 God loved her that he cared for her and 458 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:44,660 that he had done something that she 459 00:20:42,170 --> 00:20:46,310 could be saved well that's how we all 460 00:20:44,660 --> 00:20:48,890 come to God we don't come in our 461 00:20:46,309 --> 00:20:51,710 righteousness and our heritage in our in 462 00:20:48,890 --> 00:20:54,140 our race or ethnicity or anything we 463 00:20:51,710 --> 00:20:56,720 come in our weakness we come to him was 464 00:20:54,140 --> 00:20:59,840 able to forgive Christ died for all 465 00:20:56,720 --> 00:21:02,420 people but after we come to Christ we 466 00:20:59,839 --> 00:21:05,809 also realize that we have a new 467 00:21:02,420 --> 00:21:08,600 relationship with God in a new way of 468 00:21:05,809 --> 00:21:11,389 living and the attitude that Christ 469 00:21:08,599 --> 00:21:13,939 revealed here is also what we are to 470 00:21:11,390 --> 00:21:16,220 have what he said on that occasion is 471 00:21:13,940 --> 00:21:22,190 this before he mentioned they had come 472 00:21:16,220 --> 00:21:24,589 to this hour in chapter 12 verses 24 he 473 00:21:22,190 --> 00:21:27,559 said this I tell you the truth unless a 474 00:21:24,589 --> 00:21:31,459 kernel of wheat falls to the ground and 475 00:21:27,559 --> 00:21:34,940 dies it remains only a single seed but 476 00:21:31,460 --> 00:21:37,370 if it dies it produces many seeds he's 477 00:21:34,940 --> 00:21:39,769 talking about us but this is a new way 478 00:21:37,369 --> 00:21:42,409 of living there we don't really come and 479 00:21:39,769 --> 00:21:44,930 receive God's forgiveness in Jesus 480 00:21:42,410 --> 00:21:45,630 Christ and then go back and live for our 481 00:21:44,930 --> 00:21:47,850 own purpose 482 00:21:45,630 --> 00:21:51,150 rather just as Christ in on that 483 00:21:47,849 --> 00:21:52,798 occasion he said I now have a new reason 484 00:21:51,150 --> 00:21:54,809 for living I have a different reason for 485 00:21:52,798 --> 00:21:57,599 living I'm living for the glory of God 486 00:21:54,808 --> 00:21:59,819 this is why I came so every Christian 487 00:21:57,599 --> 00:22:02,639 then says I have a different priority 488 00:21:59,819 --> 00:22:06,210 for my life my life is not to receive 489 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:08,850 but to give not to just get what I want 490 00:22:06,210 --> 00:22:10,829 but that my life may count for Christ 491 00:22:08,849 --> 00:22:14,639 many of us are impressed with the news 492 00:22:10,829 --> 00:22:17,759 of having this past week of a Italian 493 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:21,000 priest he was in his 70s and he got 494 00:22:17,759 --> 00:22:22,558 coronavirus at the stove in nineteen and 495 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:25,890 they needed to put him on a respirator 496 00:22:22,558 --> 00:22:28,319 but he decided not to be put on the 497 00:22:25,890 --> 00:22:31,140 respirator in order to give it they were 498 00:22:28,319 --> 00:22:33,658 not enough respirator so he gave it to 499 00:22:31,140 --> 00:22:35,820 someone else a younger man and he knew 500 00:22:33,659 --> 00:22:38,100 that that would cost him his life but he 501 00:22:35,819 --> 00:22:40,259 he gave it up freely rather than coming 502 00:22:38,099 --> 00:22:42,719 to that moment and saying I want what I 503 00:22:40,259 --> 00:22:45,269 want I want to grab what I want to hold 504 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:48,120 on to that rather he said as Christ said 505 00:22:45,269 --> 00:22:50,609 I've come to this moment for this 506 00:22:48,119 --> 00:22:54,509 purpose that I may be a blessing to 507 00:22:50,609 --> 00:22:57,349 others now we speak about the cross and 508 00:22:54,509 --> 00:22:59,460 the crown but there are many Christians 509 00:22:57,349 --> 00:23:04,139 unfortunately who think that they could 510 00:22:59,460 --> 00:23:06,000 get the the crown without the cross and 511 00:23:04,140 --> 00:23:06,720 that's not what the cross should mean to 512 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:09,690 us 513 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:12,538 we received the crown salvation through 514 00:23:09,690 --> 00:23:15,600 the cross of Christ were not saved by 515 00:23:12,538 --> 00:23:18,390 what we do or say about what he does but 516 00:23:15,599 --> 00:23:20,969 once we become a believer in him there's 517 00:23:18,390 --> 00:23:23,909 a principle of our life and we want to 518 00:23:20,970 --> 00:23:26,370 wear the crown we first need to wear the 519 00:23:23,909 --> 00:23:29,309 cross just as Christ said we need to be 520 00:23:26,369 --> 00:23:33,119 like the seed that dies to being a seed 521 00:23:29,308 --> 00:23:35,428 and allows God to plan it so we may be 522 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:37,408 used for him that's a principle for 523 00:23:35,429 --> 00:23:40,860 every one of our life not to look at 524 00:23:37,409 --> 00:23:43,500 ourselves and see what we're to get but 525 00:23:40,859 --> 00:23:44,449 rather how can God use us that's the 526 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:46,910 Christian message 527 00:23:44,450 --> 00:23:50,059 the Christian life also that we would 528 00:23:46,910 --> 00:23:52,370 follow Christ well this is what the 529 00:23:50,059 --> 00:23:55,429 crowd said in fact as Jesus mentioned 530 00:23:52,369 --> 00:23:58,789 that he will be lifted up so he will 531 00:23:55,430 --> 00:24:01,220 draw all men to him they complained and 532 00:23:58,789 --> 00:24:04,039 they sent him on that occasion they said 533 00:24:01,220 --> 00:24:06,440 we have been taught that the Christ will 534 00:24:04,039 --> 00:24:10,899 remain forever so how can it be that 535 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:14,440 that you would die well Jesus explained 536 00:24:10,900 --> 00:24:16,820 that that's what the scripture taught 537 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,990 that's really they had not read the 538 00:24:16,819 --> 00:24:19,369 whole scripture they had read it 539 00:24:17,990 --> 00:24:22,609 selectively and had their own 540 00:24:19,369 --> 00:24:24,619 interpretation they wanted the crown but 541 00:24:22,609 --> 00:24:27,289 they did not want the cross but Christ 542 00:24:24,619 --> 00:24:30,799 that there is no crown without the cross 543 00:24:27,289 --> 00:24:33,049 I came to die and then through my death 544 00:24:30,799 --> 00:24:37,119 and I will redeem humanity and through 545 00:24:33,049 --> 00:24:39,200 my life there'll be a new a new humanity 546 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:41,659 let me ask you in your life right now 547 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:44,029 what are you holding on to this of the 548 00:24:41,660 --> 00:24:47,060 old life what are you holding on to that 549 00:24:44,029 --> 00:24:49,730 you want you say I must have this that's 550 00:24:47,059 --> 00:24:51,409 not what God created you for that's not 551 00:24:49,730 --> 00:24:53,150 why he gave you a new life in Christ he 552 00:24:51,410 --> 00:24:55,070 gave you that you maybe he gave you a 553 00:24:53,150 --> 00:24:58,400 new life in Christ that you may be a 554 00:24:55,069 --> 00:25:01,069 blessing to others let me just mention a 555 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:07,130 scripture that's often quoted during 556 00:25:01,069 --> 00:25:11,000 this time that is the 91st psalm psalm 557 00:25:07,130 --> 00:25:14,330 91 is this passage it speaks about the 558 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:16,940 pestilence that stalks in the day and 559 00:25:14,329 --> 00:25:18,619 the plague that destroys it in the best 560 00:25:16,940 --> 00:25:21,080 of the stalks in the darkness and the 561 00:25:18,619 --> 00:25:23,389 plague that destroys at midday it says 562 00:25:21,079 --> 00:25:25,699 in verse 7 a thousand may fall at your 563 00:25:23,390 --> 00:25:29,570 side ten thousand at your right hand but 564 00:25:25,700 --> 00:25:32,150 it will not come near you now that's a 565 00:25:29,569 --> 00:25:35,210 text that people often claim in moments 566 00:25:32,150 --> 00:25:36,860 like this that if we just have faith God 567 00:25:35,210 --> 00:25:39,759 will deliver us so first of all that 568 00:25:36,859 --> 00:25:42,799 does proclaim God's power to deliver 569 00:25:39,759 --> 00:25:46,400 God's power to heal there's no disease 570 00:25:42,799 --> 00:25:49,269 which God cannot heal us from but that's 571 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:53,060 taken out of context if that's the only 572 00:25:49,269 --> 00:25:56,869 verse of this Psalm we remember in fact 573 00:25:53,059 --> 00:25:57,308 later on this Psalm we see other words 574 00:25:56,869 --> 00:26:00,038 to 575 00:25:57,308 --> 00:26:02,019 and out of context the Satan used to 576 00:26:00,038 --> 00:26:04,359 tempt Christ it was not ineffective 577 00:26:02,019 --> 00:26:07,749 temptation but he used it that is in 578 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:09,939 verse 11 it talked about what God will 579 00:26:07,749 --> 00:26:11,350 do to protect the believer it says for 580 00:26:09,940 --> 00:26:14,288 he will command his angels concerning 581 00:26:11,349 --> 00:26:15,668 you to guard you in all your ways they 582 00:26:14,288 --> 00:26:17,408 will lift you up in their hands so that 583 00:26:15,669 --> 00:26:20,049 you will not strike your foot against 584 00:26:17,409 --> 00:26:21,999 the stone and he used that to tip Christ 585 00:26:20,048 --> 00:26:23,859 to leap off the temple and see the 586 00:26:21,999 --> 00:26:27,038 angels bring him down to earth and he 587 00:26:23,859 --> 00:26:30,459 could start this wonderful movement but 588 00:26:27,038 --> 00:26:33,099 they neglected he neglected on purpose I 589 00:26:30,460 --> 00:26:35,048 believe the whole passage when people 590 00:26:33,099 --> 00:26:37,058 take that out of context they neglect 591 00:26:35,048 --> 00:26:41,528 the whole passage see this passage 592 00:26:37,058 --> 00:26:44,678 begins verse 1 Psalm 91 who says he who 593 00:26:41,528 --> 00:26:48,368 dwells in the secret place or the 594 00:26:44,679 --> 00:26:51,850 shelter of the most high will rest in 595 00:26:48,368 --> 00:26:54,569 the shadow of the Almighty the secret 596 00:26:51,849 --> 00:26:58,148 place is translated shelter in the NIV 597 00:26:54,569 --> 00:27:01,089 refers to the center of a castled and 598 00:26:58,148 --> 00:27:03,518 English that word is called the key and 599 00:27:01,089 --> 00:27:05,408 the old castles when they would build a 600 00:27:03,519 --> 00:27:08,679 castle to protect themselves they'd have 601 00:27:05,409 --> 00:27:11,320 different lines of defense the moat the 602 00:27:08,679 --> 00:27:14,499 wall and an inner wall but the the most 603 00:27:11,319 --> 00:27:16,509 secure place was called the keep in 604 00:27:14,499 --> 00:27:19,419 English and that would be the place that 605 00:27:16,509 --> 00:27:22,808 you could stay that the royal family and 606 00:27:19,419 --> 00:27:25,389 the king and a few trusted babby members 607 00:27:22,808 --> 00:27:29,099 could stay and be safe but it's 608 00:27:25,388 --> 00:27:31,839 describing this secret inner place 609 00:27:29,099 --> 00:27:35,589 probably even scribes not just a castles 610 00:27:31,839 --> 00:27:38,259 key but also the very heart of God that 611 00:27:35,589 --> 00:27:41,849 the secret place of God's heart of love 612 00:27:38,259 --> 00:27:44,319 place of acceptance and it's the 613 00:27:41,849 --> 00:27:46,868 spiritual need that we have that this 614 00:27:44,319 --> 00:27:49,689 this is what God meets we have this 615 00:27:46,868 --> 00:27:52,839 great need in our hearts to know that 616 00:27:49,690 --> 00:27:55,480 God loves us and cares for us and that's 617 00:27:52,839 --> 00:27:58,388 what subscribing if we can dwell and the 618 00:27:55,480 --> 00:28:02,798 confidence and the reality of God's love 619 00:27:58,388 --> 00:28:07,240 for us then we will rest in his shadow 620 00:28:02,798 --> 00:28:08,429 will rest in his power and the second 621 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:11,970 part of this song 622 00:28:08,429 --> 00:28:14,639 verse nine it says again if you make the 623 00:28:11,970 --> 00:28:17,819 most high your dwelling even the Lord 624 00:28:14,638 --> 00:28:19,618 who is my refuge then no harm will 625 00:28:17,819 --> 00:28:22,710 befall you of course it doesn't mean 626 00:28:19,618 --> 00:28:25,829 that there's not times and that is our 627 00:28:22,710 --> 00:28:28,528 place to lay down our lives of sacrifice 628 00:28:25,829 --> 00:28:30,868 or to to do something to bless someone 629 00:28:28,528 --> 00:28:33,359 else that's our life not what we can get 630 00:28:30,868 --> 00:28:35,308 but what we can give and only when we 631 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:37,168 have God's purpose only we're concerned 632 00:28:35,308 --> 00:28:40,408 about giving and helping others are we 633 00:28:37,169 --> 00:28:42,330 truly free what God wants us to have a 634 00:28:40,409 --> 00:28:44,220 wonderful life that's why he came wants 635 00:28:42,329 --> 00:28:46,710 us to be forgiven of our sins and wants 636 00:28:44,220 --> 00:28:51,028 us to experience his life he is not only 637 00:28:46,710 --> 00:28:52,769 the the Lamb who is sacrifice who takes 638 00:28:51,028 --> 00:28:55,558 away the sin of the world is also the 639 00:28:52,769 --> 00:28:57,179 resurrection and the life he is the Good 640 00:28:55,558 --> 00:28:59,788 Shepherd he's the one that blesses us 641 00:28:57,179 --> 00:29:03,629 and when we put our life in his hands 642 00:28:59,788 --> 00:29:05,460 we're not going to be disappointed well 643 00:29:03,628 --> 00:29:07,378 pray that God would bless you if you do 644 00:29:05,460 --> 00:29:08,909 not know what it means to follow Christ 645 00:29:07,378 --> 00:29:11,339 if you've never trusted him as your 646 00:29:08,909 --> 00:29:14,309 Savior I invite you to trust him now you 647 00:29:11,339 --> 00:29:16,949 can write me a pastor at IBC Stuttgart 648 00:29:14,308 --> 00:29:19,589 DEA and we'll be in touch with you but 649 00:29:16,950 --> 00:29:21,419 pray that God would bless you protect 650 00:29:19,589 --> 00:29:24,118 your family and gave you joy during this 651 00:29:21,419 --> 00:29:25,980 time let's pray father we thank you for 652 00:29:24,118 --> 00:29:28,528 your grace in your love we pray Lord as 653 00:29:25,980 --> 00:29:30,329 we vary families for individuals we pray 654 00:29:28,528 --> 00:29:32,190 for our church we pray that you would 655 00:29:30,329 --> 00:29:34,019 sustain us during this time that you 656 00:29:32,190 --> 00:29:36,450 meet our finances awesome row that you 657 00:29:34,019 --> 00:29:38,399 would help us to connect with one 658 00:29:36,450 --> 00:29:41,580 another via the internet - via phone 659 00:29:38,398 --> 00:29:44,969 conversations in a safe way we do pray 660 00:29:41,579 --> 00:29:47,759 for the leaders of Germany and also for 661 00:29:44,970 --> 00:29:50,339 our own home nations we pray for those 662 00:29:47,759 --> 00:29:52,499 who are involved and seeking to find a 663 00:29:50,339 --> 00:29:55,259 vaccination for this virus the Lord we 664 00:29:52,499 --> 00:29:57,360 pray for our families and our lives that 665 00:29:55,259 --> 00:30:00,839 we could also realize that life is going 666 00:29:57,359 --> 00:30:03,388 to go on that we could seek to follow 667 00:30:00,839 --> 00:30:06,749 you and our daily choices and to be 668 00:30:03,388 --> 00:30:08,459 obedient to you Lord you are the one who 669 00:30:06,749 --> 00:30:10,618 is building your church and it's the 670 00:30:08,460 --> 00:30:13,499 greatest power on earth so we trust in 671 00:30:10,618 --> 00:30:15,658 you we pray that we would sustain you 672 00:30:13,499 --> 00:30:18,269 and sustain us and every church that 673 00:30:15,659 --> 00:30:20,160 bears your name seeks to follow you we 674 00:30:18,269 --> 00:30:22,970 pray all this in Jesus name for 675 00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:22,970 sake amen