1 00:00:00,410 --> 00:00:08,669 [Music] 2 00:00:09,968 --> 00:00:14,088 hello again this is Pastor David of 3 00:00:12,529 --> 00:00:15,739 International Baptist Church in 4 00:00:14,089 --> 00:00:17,210 Stuttgart Germany I'm glad you're able 5 00:00:15,740 --> 00:00:18,679 to join us and I pray that God will 6 00:00:17,210 --> 00:00:21,560 bless you pray these keep them safe 7 00:00:18,679 --> 00:00:23,149 during these days of coronavirus and we 8 00:00:21,559 --> 00:00:24,799 hope to be able to meet in our church in 9 00:00:23,149 --> 00:00:27,199 the next few weeks the government of 10 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:29,750 Germany has said that the in May we 11 00:00:27,199 --> 00:00:31,509 should be able to meet again but we'll 12 00:00:29,750 --> 00:00:33,500 look forward to that moment but we'll 13 00:00:31,509 --> 00:00:35,719 going to continue with these four at 14 00:00:33,500 --> 00:00:37,579 least for the meantime and look forward 15 00:00:35,719 --> 00:00:39,379 to time we can all get back together I 16 00:00:37,579 --> 00:00:42,950 encourage you to pray for leaders and 17 00:00:39,378 --> 00:00:45,589 pray for doctors and and and nurses and 18 00:00:42,950 --> 00:00:48,680 as well as people doing doing research 19 00:00:45,590 --> 00:00:50,750 of vaccinations and treatments for the 20 00:00:48,679 --> 00:00:53,119 coronavirus of pray for especially for 21 00:00:50,750 --> 00:00:55,549 those who are sick pray for healing and 22 00:00:53,119 --> 00:00:57,949 I pray for safety for all those who are 23 00:00:55,549 --> 00:00:59,869 not sick but I pray that you would kind 24 00:00:57,950 --> 00:01:03,320 of a bless you today we're looking at a 25 00:00:59,869 --> 00:01:05,088 really important passage of Scripture 26 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:07,250 you know if you want to get a beautiful 27 00:01:05,088 --> 00:01:09,649 view you need to get up to the mountain 28 00:01:07,250 --> 00:01:11,149 so you can see clearly and the same 29 00:01:09,649 --> 00:01:13,340 thing with the scripture if you want to 30 00:01:11,149 --> 00:01:16,159 understand what's going on in your day 31 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:19,219 to day life you need to get up to the 32 00:01:16,159 --> 00:01:22,759 great mountaintops truths of God's Word 33 00:01:19,218 --> 00:01:25,728 and take in a broader view and the text 34 00:01:22,759 --> 00:01:27,618 we're looking at today is is exactly 35 00:01:25,728 --> 00:01:29,509 that and I call this sermon God's 36 00:01:27,618 --> 00:01:32,269 promise for every day because this is 37 00:01:29,509 --> 00:01:34,879 one of those verses that every day is 38 00:01:32,269 --> 00:01:37,908 applicable to our attitude to our lives 39 00:01:34,879 --> 00:01:40,339 to our faith and to where we're going in 40 00:01:37,909 --> 00:01:41,450 our life so I want to take a burden off 41 00:01:40,340 --> 00:01:43,520 you by the Word of God 42 00:01:41,450 --> 00:01:45,590 and lets you realize that Christ has you 43 00:01:43,519 --> 00:01:48,408 in his hand and he cares about you and 44 00:01:45,590 --> 00:01:51,880 he's looking out for you our text is 45 00:01:48,409 --> 00:01:55,219 Romans 8:28 through 30 let me read this 46 00:01:51,879 --> 00:01:59,239 I'm reading out the out of the 1984 NIV 47 00:01:55,218 --> 00:02:01,879 and we know that in all things God works 48 00:01:59,239 --> 00:02:03,199 for the good of those who love Him who 49 00:02:01,879 --> 00:02:05,899 have been called according to his 50 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:08,149 purpose for those God foreknew he also 51 00:02:05,899 --> 00:02:10,399 predestined to be conformed to the 52 00:02:08,149 --> 00:02:13,009 likeness of his son that he might be the 53 00:02:10,399 --> 00:02:14,930 firstborn among many brothers and those 54 00:02:13,009 --> 00:02:17,120 he predestined he also called and those 55 00:02:14,930 --> 00:02:19,860 he called he also justified and those he 56 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:21,810 justified he also glorified 57 00:02:19,860 --> 00:02:23,460 well this is a wonderful promise it's 58 00:02:21,810 --> 00:02:26,129 important I believe we look at this 59 00:02:23,460 --> 00:02:28,409 promises to realize that that it has 60 00:02:26,129 --> 00:02:30,979 been misread and misrepresented and 61 00:02:28,409 --> 00:02:34,289 misunderstood and in many different ways 62 00:02:30,979 --> 00:02:37,319 it's a tremendously powerful passage but 63 00:02:34,289 --> 00:02:39,599 still is we may benefit simply saying 64 00:02:37,319 --> 00:02:41,370 what it doesn't say for example it 65 00:02:39,599 --> 00:02:43,949 doesn't say that everything that happens 66 00:02:41,370 --> 00:02:46,980 is good it doesn't say that everything 67 00:02:43,949 --> 00:02:48,750 that happens is God's God's will and it 68 00:02:46,979 --> 00:02:51,149 doesn't say that everything that happens 69 00:02:48,750 --> 00:02:51,389 is going to turn out the way we want it 70 00:02:51,150 --> 00:02:53,700 to 71 00:02:51,389 --> 00:02:55,589 in fact often things that happen are 72 00:02:53,699 --> 00:02:58,739 very painful and very unpleasant but 73 00:02:55,590 --> 00:03:01,590 what it proclaims is the power of God to 74 00:02:58,740 --> 00:03:03,480 use everything in a way that will bring 75 00:03:01,590 --> 00:03:06,000 honor and glory to him and it's we're 76 00:03:03,479 --> 00:03:08,280 committed to him be useful in our lives 77 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,879 also to do some good in our hearts and 78 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:12,750 our lives 79 00:03:08,879 --> 00:03:15,000 well Romans doesn't start with chapter 8 80 00:03:12,750 --> 00:03:17,009 so I want to do it just a brief review 81 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:19,050 of what's going on until we get at this 82 00:03:17,009 --> 00:03:22,560 point and there are two truths that have 83 00:03:19,050 --> 00:03:25,320 been proclaimed so far in Romans Romans 84 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:28,259 the first few chapters Romans deals with 85 00:03:25,319 --> 00:03:30,239 our salvation and we go to chapter five 86 00:03:28,259 --> 00:03:32,669 in Romans in the first two verses it 87 00:03:30,239 --> 00:03:35,550 describes what it means to be saved from 88 00:03:32,669 --> 00:03:38,280 sin this is therefore since we have been 89 00:03:35,550 --> 00:03:40,530 justified to be saved means to be 90 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:42,750 declared not guilty we have been 91 00:03:40,530 --> 00:03:45,900 justified through faith we have peace 92 00:03:42,750 --> 00:03:48,150 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 93 00:03:45,900 --> 00:03:50,640 through whom we have gained access by 94 00:03:48,150 --> 00:03:54,180 faith into this grace in which we now 95 00:03:50,639 --> 00:03:56,759 stand we've gained access by faith that 96 00:03:54,180 --> 00:03:59,010 that makes faith like a door we walk 97 00:03:56,759 --> 00:04:01,199 into our salvation through faith but our 98 00:03:59,009 --> 00:04:03,689 salvation doesn't rest on our faith 99 00:04:01,199 --> 00:04:06,509 faith is a door B walk through but 100 00:04:03,689 --> 00:04:09,209 salvation rests upon the work of Christ 101 00:04:06,509 --> 00:04:11,639 and we put our faith upon him and he is 102 00:04:09,209 --> 00:04:14,129 the foundation for our salvation we 103 00:04:11,639 --> 00:04:15,988 stand in grace well that's the first 104 00:04:14,129 --> 00:04:19,048 truth that we are saved by God's grace 105 00:04:15,989 --> 00:04:21,389 through our faith in Christ Jesus but 106 00:04:19,048 --> 00:04:23,849 then the second truth is the new life we 107 00:04:21,389 --> 00:04:26,250 have in Christ the next few chapters of 108 00:04:23,850 --> 00:04:29,490 Romans chapter six seven and eight speak 109 00:04:26,250 --> 00:04:31,949 about life in the spirit and in chapter 110 00:04:29,490 --> 00:04:32,759 seven verse six that has these words but 111 00:04:31,949 --> 00:04:35,490 now 112 00:04:32,759 --> 00:04:38,159 that is now that we are believers now by 113 00:04:35,490 --> 00:04:40,710 dying - what what's bound us we have 114 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:42,900 been released from the law so that we 115 00:04:40,709 --> 00:04:45,419 may serve in the new way of the spirit 116 00:04:42,899 --> 00:04:47,639 not in the old way of the written code 117 00:04:45,420 --> 00:04:49,230 of the moral teachings of the Old 118 00:04:47,639 --> 00:04:51,810 Testament are still relevant for our 119 00:04:49,230 --> 00:04:54,060 lives but we have a different reason for 120 00:04:51,810 --> 00:04:56,519 doing them we don't do them in order to 121 00:04:54,060 --> 00:04:58,170 make out accept us or to love us because 122 00:04:56,519 --> 00:05:00,269 we've already gained acceptance 123 00:04:58,170 --> 00:05:03,420 we've already understood his love for us 124 00:05:00,269 --> 00:05:06,629 in the gospel of Jesus but we we follow 125 00:05:03,420 --> 00:05:09,930 Christ and we obey Him because we love 126 00:05:06,629 --> 00:05:13,079 him also just as he loves us we love him 127 00:05:09,930 --> 00:05:15,480 in response to his love and now we want 128 00:05:13,079 --> 00:05:18,539 to obey Him and that's the new way of 129 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:21,360 the spirit the Spirit of Christ is in us 130 00:05:18,540 --> 00:05:24,569 changing our hearts changing our natures 131 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:26,939 it gives us a new nature and he he he 132 00:05:24,569 --> 00:05:29,069 matures us in the faith as we go through 133 00:05:26,939 --> 00:05:31,529 the years but there's one more truth 134 00:05:29,069 --> 00:05:34,829 that he points out and that is he 135 00:05:31,529 --> 00:05:36,719 doesn't stop merely at the at the life 136 00:05:34,829 --> 00:05:39,329 we live on this earth but he looks 137 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:42,180 forward to the future and there is gonna 138 00:05:39,329 --> 00:05:45,029 come a point in time when our salvation 139 00:05:42,180 --> 00:05:48,300 will be completed in Christ and in fact 140 00:05:45,029 --> 00:05:51,899 in verse 19 of chapter 8 of romances 141 00:05:48,300 --> 00:05:54,900 says this the creation waits an eager 142 00:05:51,899 --> 00:05:57,629 expectation for the sons of God to be 143 00:05:54,899 --> 00:06:00,029 revealed what it means as one day God 144 00:05:57,629 --> 00:06:02,759 will complete our salvation and all of 145 00:06:00,029 --> 00:06:05,759 creation that sometimes today even seems 146 00:06:02,759 --> 00:06:08,310 against us one day all of creation will 147 00:06:05,759 --> 00:06:10,560 rejoice and the plan of God being worked 148 00:06:08,310 --> 00:06:13,199 out perfectly well after he has laid 149 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:16,949 down those truths then he talks about 150 00:06:13,199 --> 00:06:20,550 the way we live every day and every day 151 00:06:16,949 --> 00:06:22,469 we face frustrations and challenges but 152 00:06:20,550 --> 00:06:24,900 he says to us that we are more than 153 00:06:22,470 --> 00:06:27,240 conquerors in Christ Jesus 154 00:06:24,899 --> 00:06:29,849 that's another concept it's good to 155 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:32,310 spend a few minutes and understand that 156 00:06:29,850 --> 00:06:35,310 word more than that phrase more than 157 00:06:32,310 --> 00:06:38,009 conquerors is actually one word in the 158 00:06:35,310 --> 00:06:40,079 original Greek language its combined of 159 00:06:38,009 --> 00:06:43,889 two different words Hooper is the prefix 160 00:06:40,079 --> 00:06:44,789 sheep remains super and then nação is 161 00:06:43,889 --> 00:06:47,430 that word 162 00:06:44,790 --> 00:06:50,040 that's conqueror and Greek and by the 163 00:06:47,430 --> 00:06:52,170 way the word Nike in Greek as for the 164 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:54,030 shoe Brad gets his name Nike means 165 00:06:52,170 --> 00:06:56,730 victory sona kayo 166 00:06:54,029 --> 00:07:00,569 means the one who overcomes our the one 167 00:06:56,730 --> 00:07:03,540 who gains the victory in John 16:33 168 00:07:00,569 --> 00:07:07,529 Christ said that I have overcome the 169 00:07:03,540 --> 00:07:09,660 world and we see often the Bible uses 170 00:07:07,529 --> 00:07:11,579 this illustration of Christ overcoming 171 00:07:09,660 --> 00:07:13,920 the world or this truth rather of Christ 172 00:07:11,579 --> 00:07:16,919 overcoming the world and says that we 173 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:20,160 also through him can be overcomers as 174 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:21,960 well in fact we go to the last book in 175 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:24,090 the New Testament the book of Revelation 176 00:07:21,959 --> 00:07:26,339 we go to chapter 12 and we see a 177 00:07:24,089 --> 00:07:29,519 description of the spiritual warfare 178 00:07:26,339 --> 00:07:33,119 we're in but it says this it says they 179 00:07:29,519 --> 00:07:35,549 that is believers overcame the devil 180 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:38,610 came the evil one they overcame him by 181 00:07:35,550 --> 00:07:41,040 the blood of the Lamb by the word of 182 00:07:38,610 --> 00:07:43,379 their testimony and they did not love 183 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:47,400 their life so much as to shrink from 184 00:07:43,379 --> 00:07:49,980 death and that's in Revelation 12:11 was 185 00:07:47,399 --> 00:07:52,109 referring to overcoming the evil one 186 00:07:49,980 --> 00:07:54,240 also overcoming the world system 187 00:07:52,110 --> 00:07:56,790 overcoming the sinful nature in 188 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,680 ourselves through the blood of Christ 189 00:07:56,790 --> 00:08:01,080 that is through the sacrifice of Christ 190 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:03,870 for our sins by which we are declared 191 00:08:01,079 --> 00:08:06,240 forgiven and even declared righteous by 192 00:08:03,870 --> 00:08:07,889 the covering of his righteousness but 193 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:10,410 then also by the word of their testimony 194 00:08:07,889 --> 00:08:12,209 now doesn't mean that they were saying 195 00:08:10,410 --> 00:08:15,030 things in addition to the Word of God 196 00:08:12,209 --> 00:08:18,269 what it means is that their testimony 197 00:08:15,029 --> 00:08:20,549 was about the Word of God that they 198 00:08:18,269 --> 00:08:22,889 believed the Word of God and they did 199 00:08:20,550 --> 00:08:24,180 not merely possess it but they believed 200 00:08:22,889 --> 00:08:26,399 it and they lived their lives 201 00:08:24,180 --> 00:08:28,530 accordingly and then the final one that 202 00:08:26,399 --> 00:08:31,079 they did not love their lives so much as 203 00:08:28,529 --> 00:08:33,000 to shrink from death that describes what 204 00:08:31,079 --> 00:08:35,509 happens to everyone in the Christian 205 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:38,159 faith that we have a radical 206 00:08:35,509 --> 00:08:41,668 reorientation of our priorities in life 207 00:08:38,159 --> 00:08:44,069 things are changed for us and once we 208 00:08:41,668 --> 00:08:46,289 become a believer we have overcome the 209 00:08:44,070 --> 00:08:48,180 world through Christ whether we're going 210 00:08:46,289 --> 00:08:51,149 to live like it or not we are in the 211 00:08:48,179 --> 00:08:53,339 process of being overcomers because god 212 00:08:51,149 --> 00:08:56,069 will ensure that well let me talk to us 213 00:08:53,340 --> 00:08:57,310 about three sensible simple things three 214 00:08:56,070 --> 00:08:59,650 simple truths 215 00:08:57,309 --> 00:09:01,989 that are proclaimed in this text this 216 00:08:59,649 --> 00:09:04,899 morning first of all is this we can 217 00:09:01,990 --> 00:09:07,629 overcome all things because God works to 218 00:09:04,899 --> 00:09:10,778 achieve his will in our lives that verse 219 00:09:07,629 --> 00:09:13,210 28 says this and we know that in all 220 00:09:10,778 --> 00:09:15,129 things God works for the good of those 221 00:09:13,210 --> 00:09:17,230 who love Him who have been called 222 00:09:15,129 --> 00:09:19,870 according to his purpose 223 00:09:17,230 --> 00:09:24,399 that's the NIV translations other 224 00:09:19,870 --> 00:09:26,560 translations will will word the worded 225 00:09:24,399 --> 00:09:29,379 slightly differently but the truths are 226 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:32,229 very clearly proclaimed in this passage 227 00:09:29,379 --> 00:09:35,409 first of all it is an inclusive plan of 228 00:09:32,230 --> 00:09:39,310 God all things there's nothing that he 229 00:09:35,409 --> 00:09:41,620 leaves out in using them in our lives he 230 00:09:39,309 --> 00:09:44,588 can use pleasant and unpleasant things 231 00:09:41,620 --> 00:09:46,330 frustrations difficulties he can use all 232 00:09:44,589 --> 00:09:48,760 things and then assist it's a 233 00:09:46,330 --> 00:09:50,560 coordinated effort soon Aragon is that 234 00:09:48,759 --> 00:09:53,559 word in the original language means to 235 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:55,899 work together he takes all these random 236 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:57,909 events in our lives all these random 237 00:09:55,899 --> 00:10:01,600 things that happens and he works them 238 00:09:57,909 --> 00:10:04,990 together purposefully for good and that 239 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,790 word again is translated good 240 00:10:04,990 --> 00:10:09,490 it really is Agathon's in the original 241 00:10:06,789 --> 00:10:11,980 language it means that God has planned 242 00:10:09,490 --> 00:10:14,500 something good for us and he's using all 243 00:10:11,980 --> 00:10:18,370 these things to do something good in our 244 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:21,429 life now the real key word to understand 245 00:10:18,370 --> 00:10:23,649 though in this in this verse is this 246 00:10:21,429 --> 00:10:25,989 worth is translator for those who love 247 00:10:23,649 --> 00:10:28,329 Him again it's one word in the original 248 00:10:25,990 --> 00:10:30,070 language but it describes not just for 249 00:10:28,330 --> 00:10:32,589 the average person that everything's 250 00:10:30,070 --> 00:10:36,190 going to turn out okay but it means that 251 00:10:32,589 --> 00:10:38,410 for those who love God life is different 252 00:10:36,190 --> 00:10:41,440 they have a different perspective a 253 00:10:38,409 --> 00:10:43,240 different set of priorities now there 254 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:45,160 are three words that could have been 255 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:48,820 used for love in the New Testament Greek 256 00:10:45,159 --> 00:10:51,429 one of those words is eros eros really 257 00:10:48,820 --> 00:10:53,890 means a romantic love or an emotional 258 00:10:51,429 --> 00:10:57,159 love or sometimes it's used for a sexual 259 00:10:53,889 --> 00:10:59,708 love that word eros never appears in the 260 00:10:57,159 --> 00:11:03,549 New Testament but another word is 261 00:10:59,708 --> 00:11:05,469 athelia philia describes a friendship 262 00:11:03,549 --> 00:11:09,679 love is the love that we feel for 263 00:11:05,470 --> 00:11:11,389 someone who is our friend that we may 264 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:13,939 do things together with him and you're 265 00:11:11,389 --> 00:11:16,100 hanging out with him and say man I love 266 00:11:13,940 --> 00:11:18,920 that guy but it's sort of a reciprocal 267 00:11:16,100 --> 00:11:20,930 love that just happened because we met 268 00:11:18,919 --> 00:11:24,110 this guy or met this person and really 269 00:11:20,929 --> 00:11:27,679 enjoy being with them but then I got 270 00:11:24,110 --> 00:11:31,519 pale or agape is the noun agape Oh is 271 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:34,069 the verb agape means a discriminating 272 00:11:31,519 --> 00:11:37,039 love it's a love that is sacrificial in 273 00:11:34,070 --> 00:11:39,350 nature it's the love that is expressed 274 00:11:37,039 --> 00:11:42,019 towards someone it's felt and expressed 275 00:11:39,350 --> 00:11:45,110 toward someone because of who they are 276 00:11:42,019 --> 00:11:48,159 and it's the sacrificial love that lays 277 00:11:45,110 --> 00:11:50,690 down its life for someone else's benefit 278 00:11:48,159 --> 00:11:53,929 this is the word that's used in John 279 00:11:50,690 --> 00:11:57,470 3:16 for God so loved the world that's a 280 00:11:53,929 --> 00:11:59,778 gap a o and in in first Corinthians 13 281 00:11:57,470 --> 00:12:02,660 called the love chapter of the Bible it 282 00:11:59,778 --> 00:12:05,528 uses word agape and here it uses this 283 00:12:02,659 --> 00:12:09,019 word agape Oh for those who love God 284 00:12:05,528 --> 00:12:12,350 those who have his heart on their heart 285 00:12:09,019 --> 00:12:16,129 now we love God because He first loved 286 00:12:12,350 --> 00:12:18,250 us and our love for God reorients us 287 00:12:16,129 --> 00:12:21,350 it's a radical change of perspective 288 00:12:18,250 --> 00:12:23,899 we're not concerned for what things does 289 00:12:21,350 --> 00:12:26,300 he want to happen not that we live for 290 00:12:23,899 --> 00:12:29,000 ourselves but we live for God we live 291 00:12:26,299 --> 00:12:31,909 for God's glory now when we can have 292 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:34,730 that orientation we'll have a different 293 00:12:31,909 --> 00:12:36,740 view of everything the one of the best 294 00:12:34,730 --> 00:12:38,778 examples in scripture of this is the 295 00:12:36,740 --> 00:12:41,720 life of Joseph then you know the story 296 00:12:38,778 --> 00:12:44,059 Joseph was sold by his brothers into 297 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:47,600 slavery and they thought that's the last 298 00:12:44,059 --> 00:12:49,549 eight CFM he was sent down to Egypt and 299 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:52,970 he had a very hard life for the first 300 00:12:49,549 --> 00:12:56,299 years he was there he was in prison for 301 00:12:52,970 --> 00:12:59,540 many years but then by the miracle of 302 00:12:56,299 --> 00:13:02,269 God he was taken out of prison and made 303 00:12:59,539 --> 00:13:05,480 a ruler in the nation in fact it says he 304 00:13:02,269 --> 00:13:08,328 was only second to Pharaoh himself but 305 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:10,339 he was still a slave still owned but 306 00:13:08,328 --> 00:13:12,469 nevertheless he was a very wealthy slave 307 00:13:10,339 --> 00:13:14,570 and a very successful slave and he 308 00:13:12,470 --> 00:13:16,820 basically took care of the food 309 00:13:14,570 --> 00:13:17,300 distribution and the entire Egyptian 310 00:13:16,820 --> 00:13:19,400 nation 311 00:13:17,299 --> 00:13:21,519 well his brothers came to 312 00:13:19,399 --> 00:13:24,439 he revealed himself to them they were 313 00:13:21,519 --> 00:13:26,870 reacquainted they moved down there and 314 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:29,779 saved their lives because of the food 315 00:13:26,870 --> 00:13:31,879 that was supplied and the father of 316 00:13:29,778 --> 00:13:34,129 course Jacob was still alive initially 317 00:13:31,879 --> 00:13:37,519 at least in those years and he came down 318 00:13:34,129 --> 00:13:40,549 there was reacquainted with Joseph but 319 00:13:37,519 --> 00:13:43,909 then Jacob died and we come to the 50th 320 00:13:40,549 --> 00:13:46,309 chapter of Genesis the very last chapter 321 00:13:43,909 --> 00:13:48,799 in Genesis in describes the death of 322 00:13:46,309 --> 00:13:53,239 Jacob then the brothers thought oh no 323 00:13:48,799 --> 00:13:55,699 now our fathers died and now Joseph may 324 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:57,980 get his revenge on us so they came and 325 00:13:55,700 --> 00:14:01,820 bowed before them and Joseph's response 326 00:13:57,980 --> 00:14:06,050 was brilliant in verse 19 he said am I 327 00:14:01,820 --> 00:14:08,300 in the place of God I'm not God God 328 00:14:06,049 --> 00:14:11,870 worked these things out and then he had 329 00:14:08,299 --> 00:14:15,469 this insight he said you minute for evil 330 00:14:11,870 --> 00:14:18,169 but God meant it for good and that's a 331 00:14:15,470 --> 00:14:19,850 profound understanding when we can look 332 00:14:18,169 --> 00:14:22,189 at the things in our life even those 333 00:14:19,850 --> 00:14:24,110 things that are intended to harm us and 334 00:14:22,190 --> 00:14:27,860 we can say they meant it for evil but 335 00:14:24,110 --> 00:14:29,870 God meant it for good now if it stopped 336 00:14:27,860 --> 00:14:32,330 there we would misunderstand what he 337 00:14:29,870 --> 00:14:34,669 what he meant because he did not mean 338 00:14:32,330 --> 00:14:35,360 look how wealthy I am look how powerful 339 00:14:34,669 --> 00:14:38,179 I am 340 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:41,028 look how famous I am no wasn't that at 341 00:14:38,179 --> 00:14:43,219 all he the next line he said is this is 342 00:14:41,028 --> 00:14:47,208 this you meant it for evil God meant it 343 00:14:43,220 --> 00:14:49,490 for good the saving of many lives and he 344 00:14:47,208 --> 00:14:52,669 understood his life was not merely to be 345 00:14:49,490 --> 00:14:55,159 left for his sake but to be lived for 346 00:14:52,669 --> 00:14:58,069 God's sake and for those whom God loves 347 00:14:55,159 --> 00:15:01,429 to help others and he realized if you 348 00:14:58,070 --> 00:15:03,800 had not sold me into slavery God would 349 00:15:01,429 --> 00:15:06,649 not have been able to take me and 350 00:15:03,799 --> 00:15:09,889 elevate me to this position you benefi 351 00:15:06,649 --> 00:15:12,769 harm but God took it a minute for good 352 00:15:09,889 --> 00:15:15,980 and many lives have been saved through 353 00:15:12,769 --> 00:15:18,829 through what you have done because the 354 00:15:15,980 --> 00:15:20,629 way God handle things well this is this 355 00:15:18,830 --> 00:15:22,220 is what happens when we believe in 356 00:15:20,629 --> 00:15:24,799 Christ that we begin to see 357 00:15:22,220 --> 00:15:27,769 opportunities when were committed for 358 00:15:24,799 --> 00:15:30,599 the brother glory of God to love whom 359 00:15:27,769 --> 00:15:33,689 God loves then all of life look 360 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:36,329 very very different you may heard the 361 00:15:33,690 --> 00:15:39,360 story about the man who lived in a small 362 00:15:36,328 --> 00:15:42,539 village he only had two things of value 363 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:45,810 his wife had passed away but he had a 364 00:15:42,539 --> 00:15:48,379 beautiful horse and a wonderful son but 365 00:15:45,809 --> 00:15:51,208 one day the horse ran off and 366 00:15:48,379 --> 00:15:53,370 townspeople said well that's a shame you 367 00:15:51,208 --> 00:15:54,958 lost the horse but the man was very wise 368 00:15:53,370 --> 00:15:56,698 and the man said well I don't know if 369 00:15:54,958 --> 00:15:59,338 it's good or bad all I know is yesterday 370 00:15:56,698 --> 00:16:02,099 I had a horse and today I don't have a 371 00:15:59,339 --> 00:16:04,139 horse at all but then the following day 372 00:16:02,100 --> 00:16:07,050 the horse came back with ten other 373 00:16:04,139 --> 00:16:08,970 horses and the townspeople said oh you 374 00:16:07,049 --> 00:16:11,370 were right it was a blessing after all 375 00:16:08,970 --> 00:16:14,579 he said I didn't say it was good my 376 00:16:11,370 --> 00:16:16,769 horse ran off all I said was yesterday I 377 00:16:14,578 --> 00:16:19,289 had no horse the day before I had one 378 00:16:16,769 --> 00:16:21,810 and now I have eleven horses where 379 00:16:19,289 --> 00:16:23,159 there's good or bad I don't know of 380 00:16:21,809 --> 00:16:26,068 course the townspeople thought well 381 00:16:23,159 --> 00:16:28,409 that's crazy of course it's good but 382 00:16:26,068 --> 00:16:30,899 then the following day his son was 383 00:16:28,409 --> 00:16:33,360 riding one of the new horses and it 384 00:16:30,899 --> 00:16:36,929 bucked him off and he broke his leg and 385 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:39,300 he was an infant laid up in bed till his 386 00:16:36,929 --> 00:16:41,489 leg could heal and the townspeople said 387 00:16:39,299 --> 00:16:44,758 oh you're right those horses were a 388 00:16:41,490 --> 00:16:47,459 curse again the man was very wise said I 389 00:16:44,759 --> 00:16:50,188 don't know if it's a curse or not all I 390 00:16:47,458 --> 00:16:52,739 know is yesterday I had eleven horses at 391 00:16:50,188 --> 00:16:55,828 a healthy son now I have eleven horses 392 00:16:52,740 --> 00:16:58,919 and a lame son of course the townspeople 393 00:16:55,828 --> 00:17:01,979 thought well of course it's bad but then 394 00:16:58,919 --> 00:17:04,889 the next day the king of that town that 395 00:17:01,980 --> 00:17:08,130 nation declared war and all the 396 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:10,140 able-bodied young men had to had to be 397 00:17:08,130 --> 00:17:11,939 conscripted to serve in the army and it 398 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:13,679 was going to be a very bloody battle 399 00:17:11,939 --> 00:17:16,259 they knew many would lose their lives 400 00:17:13,679 --> 00:17:19,589 except his son because of the broken leg 401 00:17:16,259 --> 00:17:22,129 did not have to go well you get the idea 402 00:17:19,588 --> 00:17:24,838 and that story can go on and on and on 403 00:17:22,130 --> 00:17:28,079 you have something you want it's taken 404 00:17:24,838 --> 00:17:30,808 away and amid melee you say well that's 405 00:17:28,078 --> 00:17:33,058 bad but you don't know you have a job 406 00:17:30,808 --> 00:17:35,819 you lose the job but maybe you'll get a 407 00:17:33,058 --> 00:17:38,069 better job you never know and all we 408 00:17:35,819 --> 00:17:41,009 could do is trust the Lord but the one 409 00:17:38,069 --> 00:17:43,849 who loves God everything looks different 410 00:17:41,009 --> 00:17:46,640 you see these are simply opportunity 411 00:17:43,849 --> 00:17:49,339 to know God more and for God to do 412 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:51,460 something in your life to bless you to 413 00:17:49,339 --> 00:17:53,899 bless you the way it always intended to 414 00:17:51,460 --> 00:17:55,670 so the first thing is simply realized 415 00:17:53,900 --> 00:17:57,590 that there's nothing that keeps us out 416 00:17:55,670 --> 00:17:59,930 of the plan of God we could God can use 417 00:17:57,589 --> 00:18:03,319 everything and put it all together 418 00:17:59,930 --> 00:18:06,500 so we are more than conquerors where we 419 00:18:03,319 --> 00:18:08,450 are more than overcomers in everything 420 00:18:06,500 --> 00:18:10,130 but the secondly we're also more than 421 00:18:08,450 --> 00:18:12,950 overcomers at all times 422 00:18:10,130 --> 00:18:15,560 the next section he talks about God's 423 00:18:12,950 --> 00:18:19,250 foreknowledge and introduces the whole 424 00:18:15,559 --> 00:18:21,609 idea of time it says that verse 29 for 425 00:18:19,250 --> 00:18:24,500 those God foreknew he also predestined 426 00:18:21,609 --> 00:18:27,319 to be conformed to the likeness of his 427 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:30,829 son that he might be the firstborn among 428 00:18:27,319 --> 00:18:34,519 many brothers in our day-to-day lives we 429 00:18:30,829 --> 00:18:37,099 are overwhelmed with just the the stuff 430 00:18:34,519 --> 00:18:39,259 we have to deal with and we need to get 431 00:18:37,099 --> 00:18:41,839 back on that mountaintop and see God's 432 00:18:39,259 --> 00:18:44,480 original plan we can be overcome with 433 00:18:41,839 --> 00:18:46,519 our failures with our poor decisions or 434 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:49,370 maybe something that was done to us we 435 00:18:46,519 --> 00:18:51,619 may feel limited in our career limited 436 00:18:49,369 --> 00:18:53,869 in our scope of knowledge and where we 437 00:18:51,619 --> 00:18:55,969 want to go with our life and in those 438 00:18:53,869 --> 00:18:58,099 moments we need to get back on the 439 00:18:55,970 --> 00:19:02,019 mountaintop and see God's perspective of 440 00:18:58,099 --> 00:19:05,629 it uses these two words for new and 441 00:19:02,019 --> 00:19:10,069 predestined and it takes us to eternity 442 00:19:05,630 --> 00:19:11,900 pass that's for new God for new that has 443 00:19:10,069 --> 00:19:14,359 seen you in advance without causing 444 00:19:11,900 --> 00:19:16,730 things to happen he knew in advance what 445 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:19,699 he wanted our lives to be he had a 446 00:19:16,730 --> 00:19:23,630 purpose in the very beginning so he he 447 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:26,240 for knew who we were now when we're born 448 00:19:23,630 --> 00:19:28,040 and came into this fallen world and had 449 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,599 to deal with all the realities of life 450 00:19:28,039 --> 00:19:32,659 here especially when we're making 451 00:19:29,599 --> 00:19:35,599 decisions on our own we can forget God's 452 00:19:32,660 --> 00:19:38,090 original plan but God had a plan for you 453 00:19:35,599 --> 00:19:40,069 that was beautiful that was going to 454 00:19:38,089 --> 00:19:42,619 bless you and bless others as well and 455 00:19:40,069 --> 00:19:45,829 he hasn't forgotten that original plan 456 00:19:42,619 --> 00:19:49,639 but the second word is also important he 457 00:19:45,829 --> 00:19:52,369 said predestined that word is Pro it 458 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:56,000 sounds like the word horizon it's pro or 459 00:19:52,369 --> 00:19:57,379 is own and has the idea of a limitation 460 00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:00,470 that is a gun 461 00:19:57,380 --> 00:20:02,870 saw in advance where he wanted us to go 462 00:20:00,470 --> 00:20:05,329 it doesn't mean that he controls it and 463 00:20:02,869 --> 00:20:07,908 forces us to go that way but it means 464 00:20:05,329 --> 00:20:10,788 that God had a plan and he looks at 465 00:20:07,909 --> 00:20:13,669 eternity future says I have a plan for 466 00:20:10,788 --> 00:20:16,638 you I something I want to do in you and 467 00:20:13,669 --> 00:20:19,159 through you and God looks outside the 468 00:20:16,638 --> 00:20:22,158 limitations of our lifespan sees 469 00:20:19,159 --> 00:20:25,159 eternity past eternity future and gives 470 00:20:22,159 --> 00:20:27,620 us the proper SPECT perspective we are 471 00:20:25,159 --> 00:20:30,259 not who this world says we are we are 472 00:20:27,619 --> 00:20:33,258 who God says we are and gods proclaim 473 00:20:30,259 --> 00:20:34,878 that we are new people in him now this 474 00:20:33,259 --> 00:20:38,179 also proclaimed other places in 475 00:20:34,878 --> 00:20:41,028 Scripture for example in Ephesians 1 4 476 00:20:38,179 --> 00:20:44,929 and 5 says this that God chose us in 477 00:20:41,028 --> 00:20:47,240 Christ in him before the creation of the 478 00:20:44,929 --> 00:20:50,000 world to be holy and blameless in a 479 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:52,940 sight in love he predestined us to be 480 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:54,740 adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ 481 00:20:52,940 --> 00:20:57,798 in accordance with the with this 482 00:20:54,740 --> 00:21:01,128 pleasure and will now where do you feel 483 00:20:57,798 --> 00:21:03,259 put down or shut out or when you feel 484 00:21:01,128 --> 00:21:05,839 that you have lost your opportunities 485 00:21:03,259 --> 00:21:09,048 stop and realize the meaning of that 486 00:21:05,839 --> 00:21:11,839 word that the times we experience on 487 00:21:09,048 --> 00:21:14,269 this earth do not negate God's original 488 00:21:11,839 --> 00:21:17,178 plan nor what he'll do in the finished 489 00:21:14,269 --> 00:21:19,730 product there is grace we cannot expect 490 00:21:17,179 --> 00:21:22,610 the world to destroy what God has done 491 00:21:19,730 --> 00:21:25,610 because God is greater than anyone and 492 00:21:22,609 --> 00:21:28,878 God will fulfill his plan for us now 493 00:21:25,609 --> 00:21:30,589 troubles are not predestined troubles 494 00:21:28,878 --> 00:21:32,599 are not predestined by God it doesn't 495 00:21:30,589 --> 00:21:35,658 say God planned for us to have troubles 496 00:21:32,599 --> 00:21:37,730 God planned good things for us God knows 497 00:21:35,659 --> 00:21:40,789 his finished product what he wants it to 498 00:21:37,730 --> 00:21:43,220 be and he is at work in our lives to 499 00:21:40,788 --> 00:21:45,710 bring about that that progress towards 500 00:21:43,220 --> 00:21:47,960 that goal every day he is at work by his 501 00:21:45,710 --> 00:21:50,808 Spirit will open his word will find his 502 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:53,538 word speaks to us and encourages us and 503 00:21:50,808 --> 00:21:56,839 directs us in the way we are to go he 504 00:21:53,538 --> 00:22:01,069 uses all these things in order to build 505 00:21:56,839 --> 00:22:04,158 us to go that way we live and work not 506 00:22:01,069 --> 00:22:07,099 far from the number one Mercedes Benz 507 00:22:04,159 --> 00:22:08,929 Factory in the world Daimler is the 508 00:22:07,099 --> 00:22:10,969 parent company Mercedes and many of the 509 00:22:08,929 --> 00:22:13,970 people in my church worked for Daimler 510 00:22:10,970 --> 00:22:15,710 well Daimler mercedes-benz makes a 511 00:22:13,970 --> 00:22:18,558 wonderful car everybody would agree 512 00:22:15,710 --> 00:22:20,360 Mercedes is a wonderful car but you know 513 00:22:18,558 --> 00:22:22,129 how they make it they don't just come in 514 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:23,599 and throw all the ingredients there and 515 00:22:22,130 --> 00:22:26,659 say okay let's see what we can produce 516 00:22:23,599 --> 00:22:29,500 here no they have engineers have that 517 00:22:26,659 --> 00:22:32,419 planned this car before it's ever even 518 00:22:29,500 --> 00:22:35,148 been started being put together on the 519 00:22:32,419 --> 00:22:37,519 on the assembly line of a planet they 520 00:22:35,148 --> 00:22:40,398 plan the materials to use they go into 521 00:22:37,519 --> 00:22:43,429 great detail what they want it to be and 522 00:22:40,398 --> 00:22:45,528 when you buy a car you sit in it and you 523 00:22:43,429 --> 00:22:47,778 push start button it at all these 524 00:22:45,528 --> 00:22:50,450 different parts come to life working 525 00:22:47,778 --> 00:22:50,960 together to do what the engineers had 526 00:22:50,450 --> 00:22:53,028 planned 527 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:55,730 of course that's man's creation and 528 00:22:53,028 --> 00:23:00,440 they're limited in this timeframe but 529 00:22:55,730 --> 00:23:03,500 God steps outside our timely reality it 530 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:06,500 looks at eternity pass he says I know 531 00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:09,079 what I want I saw in advance what I 532 00:23:06,500 --> 00:23:11,509 wanted you to become and I am planning 533 00:23:09,079 --> 00:23:14,000 that in the future and that's what God 534 00:23:11,509 --> 00:23:17,419 does in our life we can really rejoice 535 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:19,788 in his work to change us and to continue 536 00:23:17,419 --> 00:23:22,250 to work within us well there's a third 537 00:23:19,788 --> 00:23:25,638 truth here that we can overcome and all 538 00:23:22,250 --> 00:23:28,909 that we do also this verse 28 and 29 539 00:23:25,638 --> 00:23:30,829 really has more to do with reactions how 540 00:23:28,909 --> 00:23:32,750 we handle circumstances in all 541 00:23:30,829 --> 00:23:34,609 circumstances we can be more than 542 00:23:32,750 --> 00:23:37,038 conquerors if we'll be committed to the 543 00:23:34,609 --> 00:23:40,398 purpose of God and live out what he has 544 00:23:37,038 --> 00:23:42,349 for us and in all times no matter what's 545 00:23:40,398 --> 00:23:44,658 going on we can be more than conquerors 546 00:23:42,349 --> 00:23:46,428 by remembering God's original plan and 547 00:23:44,659 --> 00:23:48,950 his commitment to the finished product 548 00:23:46,429 --> 00:23:51,700 of our lives but here in verse 30 it 549 00:23:48,950 --> 00:23:55,069 really talks about our calling in our 550 00:23:51,700 --> 00:23:57,798 responsibility in our actions it reminds 551 00:23:55,069 --> 00:24:00,439 us that we have choices we make life is 552 00:23:57,798 --> 00:24:04,278 not merely about responding it's also 553 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:08,269 about deciding and acting again he uses 554 00:24:04,278 --> 00:24:11,119 this word predestined it says this it 555 00:24:08,269 --> 00:24:13,788 says and those he predestined he also 556 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:17,209 called and those he called he also 557 00:24:13,788 --> 00:24:18,500 justified and those he justified he also 558 00:24:17,210 --> 00:24:21,009 glorified 559 00:24:18,500 --> 00:24:24,200 predestiny pnes the plan is mapped out 560 00:24:21,009 --> 00:24:27,019 called means he us he has spoken to our 561 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:29,808 hearts he has called us by spirit 562 00:24:27,019 --> 00:24:32,660 through the gospel and we have heard we 563 00:24:29,808 --> 00:24:36,500 have responded we have believed and now 564 00:24:32,660 --> 00:24:39,558 he has also justified us justified means 565 00:24:36,500 --> 00:24:41,539 we are declared not guilty doesn't mean 566 00:24:39,558 --> 00:24:43,970 that we're meridia and improvement over 567 00:24:41,539 --> 00:24:47,119 our past self but it means in God's eyes 568 00:24:43,970 --> 00:24:49,548 the righteousness of Christ covers us in 569 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:53,209 fact that whole concept of justified 570 00:24:49,548 --> 00:24:56,000 means now God is fighting for us that 571 00:24:53,210 --> 00:24:58,429 God is arguing our case for us because 572 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:01,849 of the grace that's in Christ Jesus and 573 00:24:58,429 --> 00:25:03,890 then glorified is put in the past tense 574 00:25:01,849 --> 00:25:06,589 here because it wants to make sure we 575 00:25:03,890 --> 00:25:08,750 understand the certainty of it glorified 576 00:25:06,589 --> 00:25:11,449 means that we shall have the esteem of 577 00:25:08,750 --> 00:25:14,150 God in heaven we shall be glorified in 578 00:25:11,450 --> 00:25:16,130 Christ and that's what he is looking for 579 00:25:14,150 --> 00:25:17,990 an eternity we're not gonna be sitting 580 00:25:16,130 --> 00:25:19,669 around doing nothing we're gonna be 581 00:25:17,990 --> 00:25:22,940 serving God and we're going to enjoy 582 00:25:19,669 --> 00:25:25,250 putting it it's fun to serve God if you 583 00:25:22,940 --> 00:25:28,009 already love God it's fun to serving and 584 00:25:25,250 --> 00:25:30,200 you enjoy doing that well we are more 585 00:25:28,009 --> 00:25:32,089 than conquerors and all that we do when 586 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:34,669 we'll do it in the name of Christ by the 587 00:25:32,089 --> 00:25:36,889 Spirit of Christ and for the will of God 588 00:25:34,669 --> 00:25:38,630 whatever it is you put it under the 589 00:25:36,890 --> 00:25:41,059 lordship of Christ and you are more than 590 00:25:38,630 --> 00:25:43,640 a conqueror in doing that you have a 591 00:25:41,058 --> 00:25:45,230 secular job even our secular jobs are to 592 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:47,750 be done as unto the Lord 593 00:25:45,230 --> 00:25:50,750 you put that job in God's hands and do 594 00:25:47,750 --> 00:25:53,179 the very best job you can for that for 595 00:25:50,750 --> 00:25:55,250 that earthly employer because you know 596 00:25:53,179 --> 00:25:57,230 by doing that you're also serving God 597 00:25:55,250 --> 00:25:59,630 but in our conversations and our 598 00:25:57,230 --> 00:26:02,960 decisions and whatever we do we can also 599 00:25:59,630 --> 00:26:04,640 intentionally follow Christ and make 600 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:07,160 sure that we are bringing honor and 601 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:09,919 glory to God through our lives you know 602 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:13,250 the greatest illustration of God taking 603 00:26:09,919 --> 00:26:16,220 something evil and making something good 604 00:26:13,250 --> 00:26:19,460 out of it is the cross of Christ the 605 00:26:16,220 --> 00:26:21,798 cross was an evil instrument of Roman 606 00:26:19,460 --> 00:26:24,230 torture it was the type of death meant 607 00:26:21,798 --> 00:26:26,629 to break a mother's heart and to shame 608 00:26:24,230 --> 00:26:29,509 the criminal Christ should not have been 609 00:26:26,630 --> 00:26:31,310 crucified in my opinion nobody should 610 00:26:29,509 --> 00:26:34,549 ever have been crucified 611 00:26:31,309 --> 00:26:36,740 but Christ certainly of all people 612 00:26:34,549 --> 00:26:39,500 should not have been crucified it was a 613 00:26:36,740 --> 00:26:43,460 shameful thing a painful death but yet 614 00:26:39,500 --> 00:26:46,880 God took that which was meant as evil 615 00:26:43,460 --> 00:26:49,910 and intended it minute to bless us 616 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:53,720 Christ on the cross carried our sins and 617 00:26:49,910 --> 00:26:56,360 that which was a symbol of horror symbol 618 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:59,150 of hate has become for us a symbol of 619 00:26:56,359 --> 00:27:01,369 love and of grace if you've ever read 620 00:26:59,150 --> 00:27:04,670 the novel moby-dick it's a fascinating 621 00:27:01,369 --> 00:27:09,169 story one of my favorite books about a 622 00:27:04,670 --> 00:27:13,130 whaling ship that bhaiyya led by a mad 623 00:27:09,170 --> 00:27:15,440 captain Captain Ahab and and in his 624 00:27:13,130 --> 00:27:18,890 search for a white whale to kill the 625 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:21,410 white whale and Captain Ahab finally in 626 00:27:18,890 --> 00:27:24,230 this pursuit in this madness destroy as 627 00:27:21,410 --> 00:27:28,910 the entire the entire crew on the board 628 00:27:24,230 --> 00:27:31,789 except for one one survives but near the 629 00:27:28,910 --> 00:27:33,740 end of it we have an insight into the 630 00:27:31,789 --> 00:27:35,329 historical safety of manners they had 631 00:27:33,740 --> 00:27:37,849 they didn't have many but they did have 632 00:27:35,329 --> 00:27:40,549 a few and every whaling boat would have 633 00:27:37,849 --> 00:27:43,189 a life buoy that is they had some piece 634 00:27:40,549 --> 00:27:44,869 of wood that was sealed and watertight 635 00:27:43,190 --> 00:27:46,820 that they could throw overboard in case 636 00:27:44,869 --> 00:27:48,979 someone needed something to hold on to 637 00:27:46,819 --> 00:27:52,039 if they're in the water well they lost 638 00:27:48,980 --> 00:27:54,319 their life buoy and near the end the 639 00:27:52,039 --> 00:27:57,079 carpenter the ship's carpenter had a 640 00:27:54,319 --> 00:27:58,579 coffin and so he took the coffin they 641 00:27:57,079 --> 00:28:01,909 weren't going to use it after all he 642 00:27:58,579 --> 00:28:04,369 took the coffin and sealed it and shut 643 00:28:01,910 --> 00:28:07,340 it and made it watertight so it could 644 00:28:04,369 --> 00:28:09,289 serve as a lifebuoy a Ahab has a great 645 00:28:07,339 --> 00:28:11,689 line and by the way much of the 646 00:28:09,289 --> 00:28:14,420 symbolism of Moby Dick has the Christian 647 00:28:11,690 --> 00:28:17,570 faith in mind he looks at the coffin now 648 00:28:14,420 --> 00:28:20,570 Elijah he says you have taken the symbol 649 00:28:17,569 --> 00:28:22,279 of death and made it a symbol of life 650 00:28:20,569 --> 00:28:25,609 and that's exactly what happens in 651 00:28:22,279 --> 00:28:28,369 Christ that which was intended to harm 652 00:28:25,609 --> 00:28:30,740 has become a blessing and we can take 653 00:28:28,369 --> 00:28:34,399 that as a principle in our life that 654 00:28:30,740 --> 00:28:36,319 nothing no time nothing can keep God 655 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:39,110 from doing what he wants to do our life 656 00:28:36,319 --> 00:28:40,579 so relax don't worry about details 657 00:28:39,109 --> 00:28:43,039 beyond control 658 00:28:40,579 --> 00:28:44,639 trust in the Lord look to see his hand 659 00:28:43,039 --> 00:28:46,920 love him with all 660 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:49,680 heart and he'll guide you he will bless 661 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:51,360 you he will use you if you're not a 662 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:53,160 believer you're never trusted in Christ 663 00:28:51,359 --> 00:28:56,099 let me encourage you to do so right now 664 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:58,110 simply by saying to God I'm a sinner and 665 00:28:56,099 --> 00:29:00,449 I need your forgiveness I believe that 666 00:28:58,109 --> 00:29:02,639 Christ died and rose again as you 667 00:29:00,450 --> 00:29:05,160 forgive my sins and come in and live 668 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:07,170 inside me he will hear you if you like 669 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:08,640 someone to pray with you or just to be 670 00:29:07,170 --> 00:29:12,509 in touch with you you can write to me 671 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:14,460 pastor at IBC Stuttgart dot de I pray 672 00:29:12,509 --> 00:29:17,400 that God bless you I can help you in any 673 00:29:14,460 --> 00:29:19,230 way please feel free to write let's pray 674 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:21,690 father we thank you for your grace and 675 00:29:19,230 --> 00:29:24,420 your love we thank you for your patience 676 00:29:21,690 --> 00:29:25,410 with us Lord it's so easy for us in our 677 00:29:24,420 --> 00:29:27,960 day-to-day living 678 00:29:25,410 --> 00:29:29,910 do you caught up in the details and feel 679 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:31,890 like we're all alone feel like we're 680 00:29:29,910 --> 00:29:34,950 misunderstood feel like everything's 681 00:29:31,890 --> 00:29:37,770 working against us roar we thank you for 682 00:29:34,950 --> 00:29:40,470 this mountain top scripture that gives 683 00:29:37,769 --> 00:29:43,319 us a new perspective the Lord we are 684 00:29:40,470 --> 00:29:46,140 more than conquerors and everything at 685 00:29:43,319 --> 00:29:48,509 all times and in everything we do for 686 00:29:46,140 --> 00:29:51,060 your glory we thank you for your grace 687 00:29:48,509 --> 00:29:52,740 to us and for the power of the Spirit 688 00:29:51,059 --> 00:29:55,529 and for the truth of the word does it 689 00:29:52,740 --> 00:29:58,500 work within us let us live as the 690 00:29:55,529 --> 00:30:00,660 overcomers your word declares we are we 691 00:29:58,500 --> 00:30:04,279 pray this in Jesus name Amen 692 00:30:00,660 --> 00:30:04,279 may God bless you