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The Cross of Jesus and The Message of Reconciliation · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Let's turn again now to Paul, 2nd chapter 5, and we can read verse number 18 but take
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! 2nd Corinthians 5, verse 18. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
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and gave us the ministry of reconciliation and so on. Now once today and in the times that we spend
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together in the next couple of months to think of the benefits of the cross of Jesus Christ
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and doing so because we all recognize that we may know about the event of the cross of Jesus
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without actually sharing in or participating in the benefits that flow from the cross.
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And we are looking here at a typical example of the way in which the cross has become central to
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the life of the Apostle Paul. And when we think of the journey that he was on, on the way to Damascus,
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to at least imprison Christians, and if he could destroy the church of Jesus, Jesus met with him.
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And we read in this letter itself in the fourth chapter that his reflection on that is that he
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saw the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And we want to think of
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where the gospel takes us, the encounters that we have with God, and especially having this encounter with
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the Lord Jesus. And through these verses, we recognize that there were a lot of people in Corinth
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who questioned Paul, who questioned whether he was an apostle or not, and were ready to reject the gospel.
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They didn't realize that their relationship with him actually raised a serious question about their salvation
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and threatened their enjoyment of the promised salvation that God has in Christ. And he goes through these
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verses to draw attention to the fact that God has empowered him and commissioned him with this gospel
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which speaks of a new creation. And all of us today, whoever we are, we need a new creation in order to be saved.
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And Paul goes on here to explain what that person looks like, what's true about the person who is a new creation.
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And I want to carry with us the picture that C.S. Lewis had in mere Christianity.
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And we want to kind of go into this Corinthian hall with the apostle Paul and see what doors are there
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and see which door we must pass through in order to be saved.
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And to think especially of the cross of Jesus and the message of reconciliation.
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I want to think first of all of a new engagement.
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People coming together who have lived apart.
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That's the backdrop to this whole idea of reconciliation that God has given to Paul, the ministry of reconciliation.
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Reconciliation speaks of changing an existing relationship to restore it to what it was and what it should be.
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And thereby reestablish a new friendship and a living relationship.
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And when we read our Bibles, that's why God made us.
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Let us make man in our own image after our likeness.
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We are made in and for our relationship with God.
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We follow the history of the Bible.
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And we see the children of Israel.
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And God called them.
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He formed them.
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Took them from the peoples and the nations of the earth.
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And made them his own people.
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So that you should be mine, he says to them.
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That's the purpose of God.
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That's the plan of God.
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But the plan has run into difficulties.
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Because there is a crisis.
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And the crisis has to do with what we have in verse number 19.
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Where Paul speaks about trespasses.
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There has been behavior.
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Which has meant that those in this relationship.
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Have clashed with God.
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Are no longer doing the will of God.
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Have rebelled against God.
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And have separated themselves from God.
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And that's why God says to Israel.
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To the people of God in Isaiah chapter 59.
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Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.
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And we need to understand that major backdrop to everything that Paul is saying here.
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That you and I have broken our relationship with God.
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And the crisis is universal.
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But it is also personal.
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It's not about the rest of the world.
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It's about you today.
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That you are in this personal crisis.
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Because your sin has caused a breakdown in your relationship with God.
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And read through the New Testament.
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And that's the picture that we have.
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Paul writing to the people in the church in Ephesus.
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You have no hope and without God in the world.
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You are dead in your trespasses and sins.
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You are children of wrath just like others.
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There has been a disengagement.
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There has been a breakdown.
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And you and I today need to face up to that.
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And embrace that.
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If we are to understand what the gospel means.
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We are lost sinners who have rebelled against God.
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And God steps into that crisis.
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He steps into that breach.
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To do something about the separation.
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And that's what Paul is saying here.
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That in version of 18, through Christ has reconciled us to himself.
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God takes the initiative.
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God is not reconciling himself.
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He is reconciling people like you and like me.
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The change takes place on your side.
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So that the relationship is restored.
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And the God who is playing about the change.
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He is reconciling people to himself.
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It's in that wonderful, in the good news of the gospel.
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That is the very core today.
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Is that God intervenes in your life and in mine.
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To do something about the separation.
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That you and I have caused.
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To remove the cause of it.
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And to reestablish.
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A relationship.
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That is living.
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And that is real.
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Reconciliation.
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And.
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Not only is it staggering that he is doing so.
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But perhaps more staggering still.
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Is how he does it.
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And that's what Paul speaks about in verse number 19.
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Not counting their trespasses against them.
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God logs.
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All of our sin.
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He has a record.
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He has a book of our lives.
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Every thought.
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Every action.
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Every conversation.
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Marred by sin.
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God has that logged and recorded.
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Those who are accountants with us.
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Will understand the whole idea of.
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Of.
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Of.
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Bookkeeping.
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And bookkeeping changes.
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And the way in which.
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There are debits.
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In that bookkeeping system.
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And.
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As far as.
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The record for you.
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And for me is concerned.
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There is a debit in our account.
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Before God.
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Before.
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Because of our transgression.
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And our transgression calls out.
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For the punishment of God.
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For the penalty of God.
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For the judgment of God.
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And in a stunning way.
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At the heart of the gospel.
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Is the fact.
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That the judge.
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Who should rightly.
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Condemn you and me.
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To eternal lostness.
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Is.
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Putting aside.
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At this stage.
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All that is written against us.
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He is sitting as our judge.
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He is taking out of our account.
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Everything that stands against us.
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And he is welcoming us back into.
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A relationship with him.
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And back into his family.
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He is not counting.
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Our transgressions.
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Against us.
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Reconciliation.
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Paul says.
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God shows his love.
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For us.
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In that.
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While we are yet sinners.
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Christ.
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Died for us.
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And in this remarkable moment.
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The judge.
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Who should condemn me.
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Becomes my friend.
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Who embraces me.
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The judge.
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Who should condemn me.
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Becomes my father.
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Who takes me home.
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To his family.
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The transformation.
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That exists.
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That exists.
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In this new engagement.
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Is life and experience.
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Changing.
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For the person.
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So reconciled.
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And that's what.
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What the gospel offers.
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To you and to me today.
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In our lostness.
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In the crisis.
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That we have caused.
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Because of a transgression.
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Against God.
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the only hope that we have
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is that God makes a new creation
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through this new engagement with us
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to embrace us as his own children
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and from that moment onwards
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we will be just like Paul
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the old things will have passed
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and the new will have come
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no wonder Paul pleads with them
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to be reconciled to God
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to hear the message of his gospel
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to hear about God's new engagement with them
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and today if God has already done so
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you will know in your heart that it has happened
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this moment cannot go unnoticed
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it's a new creation
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and that's why Paul does say in 2 Corinthians 4
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that the God who said
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let light shine in the darkness
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that creation is a God who shone in our hearts
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in our dark hearts
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to give the light of the knowledge
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of God's glory in Christ
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it cannot happen without us realising it
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and if it hasn't happened today
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then you will know it hasn't
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and you will know you are still in the crisis
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you are still in the place where God can help
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but you are still in the crisis
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unless you sense
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that God has given you this newness
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through his engagement with you
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a new engagement
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that deserves an explanation
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and the first part of that explanation
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brings me to my second point
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which is the fact
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there is a new event
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something has happened
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that never happened before
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and in this new event
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there is a Persian
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Persian
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and the Persian
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has a special character
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because he is special
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and we come to verse 21
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where we at the beginning
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for our sake
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he made him to be sin
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who knew no sin
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there is someone here
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who was never in the crisis
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that you and I are in
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he never transgressed
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he never sinned against God
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he never participated in our plight
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in that sense
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he never shared our experience
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of rebellion against God
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he is the one not knowing sin
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and when we seek the identity
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of this person
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with this unique characteristic
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then we don't need to go too far
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to realize
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that we are face to face
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with the Son of God
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the Lord Jesus Christ
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whom God sent into the world
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Jesus
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in words referred to Jesus
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in Hebrews 10
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we read
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the way in which
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Jesus himself
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the Son of God
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says
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a body you prepared
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for me
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the Son of God
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came into our world
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the angels told Mary
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that the child born to her
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would be wholly
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the Son of God
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the unique
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only Son of God
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who came into this world
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to be one of us
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to live with us
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but to be distinct
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from us
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there is an event
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and there's a special
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person
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of the Lord Jesus
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at its center
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it's all
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about
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him
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and that's why
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Paul is
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repeatedly going back
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to the
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to the cross
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as being the power of God
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to salvation
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to those who believe
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it's why
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he keeps going back
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to the cross
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as a place
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where he has
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separated himself
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from the world
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and given his life
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to the Lord Jesus
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there's an event
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and there's a passion
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and he is precious
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today to all those
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who have the new
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engagement
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with God
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or with whom God
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has entered into
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a new engagement
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the new event
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the special
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passion
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and
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the penalty
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God made him
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to be
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sin
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who knew
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no sin
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God did
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something
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in one moment
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he did something
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down through the
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Old Testament
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God has the
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habit of doing
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things
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when the people
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of God
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were in Israel
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he did the
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great act
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of salvation
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from Egypt
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he brought them
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across the Red Sea
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after all the
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miracles
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and they rejoiced
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the people of God
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rejoiced in him
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because of what
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he did for them
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God acts
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to ensure
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that his plan
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for salvation
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remains on
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Cush
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and here
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Paul is telling us
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that it is
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something unique
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something unexpected
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something that
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brings a new
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experience
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into the life
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of a son
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an experience
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that was
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never in anybody's
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life before
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and never will be
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again
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he made him
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to be
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sin
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and how we
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need to
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in a sense
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pause
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and to consider
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how was this
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possible
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that the
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Holy Son
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of God
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is made
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sin
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so that you
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and I
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could have
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peace
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with
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God
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and in the
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Old Testament
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we have
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the image
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and the
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sacrifice
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of
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a sacrifice
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being identified
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with the sins
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of the people
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and so when the
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sacrifice comes
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into the
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tabernacle
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the temple
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it is identified
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with the sins
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of the people
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and the priest
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lays the sins
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on the people
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and we read
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and I say
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at chapter 53
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that the Lord
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laid on him
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the iniquity
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of us all
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he made him
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to be sin
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he is the
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sin bearer
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he is bearing
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the sins
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of the world
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he bore our sins
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in his own body
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to the tree
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to the cross
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at Calvary
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and when we
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come to
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to reckon
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what is
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happening
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we think
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especially
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of sin
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as guilt
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as penalty
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and
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as condemnation
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what did
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Jesus
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experience
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as a
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sin bearer
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he never
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became a
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sinner
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the sins
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never tinted
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his person
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in any way
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shape or form
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but he did
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experience
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what it was
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to be counted
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guilty
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he did
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experience
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what it was
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to be
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condemned
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he did
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experience
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what it was
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to have that
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penalty
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executed
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in his
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own
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person
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and suspended
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as he is
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on Calvary's
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cross
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that's the
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moment
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at which
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he is
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paying the
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penalty
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for our
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sin
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for the
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transgressions
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that were
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not logged
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in our
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account
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they're taken
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from our
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account
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and placed
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in his
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account
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in this
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moment
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and he
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suffers
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for them
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and these
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transgressions
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they caused
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a separation
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between you
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and your
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God
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and between
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me and
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my God
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and when I
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go to
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Calvary's
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cross
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I see
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Jesus in
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all of
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the
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solitariness
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of the
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moment
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at which
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he was
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made
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sin
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I read
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that the
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disciples
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fled
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and left
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him
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I read
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that he
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cries out
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to God
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in the
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midst of
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the darkness
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why have
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you forsaken
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me
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the actual
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exile
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that is
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the eternal
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punishment
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eternal death
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that you and I
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should suffer
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Jesus suffered
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it in these
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three hours
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on Calvary's
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cross
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he has
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made
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sin
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for us
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and that
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whole image
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of for us
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it's
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interesting
19:42
I think
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just to
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note
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that it's
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a picture
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of somebody
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standing
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over someone
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else
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to protect
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them
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from what
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may come
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upon them
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in any
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particular
19:55
danger
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and I
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think it's
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a powerful
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image
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of what
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Jesus did
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as our
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substitute
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he did
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this
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for us
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and
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he's in that
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sheltering us
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from all that
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we should
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experience
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and we should
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suffer
20:13
because of
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our sin
20:15
a new
20:17
event
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God
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God
20:22
is the
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God
20:22
who
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did not
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spare
20:25
his own
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son
20:27
the penalty
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he endured
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is the
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penalty
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that you
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and I
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deserved
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and in
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the moment
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of that
20:38
punishment
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our sins
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are taken
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away
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carried away
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as they were
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in Leviticus 16
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and the
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day of
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atonement
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taken away
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into a
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far distant
20:50
place in
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the wilderness
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forgotten
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to draw
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attention
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to the
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fact
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of the
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significance
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and the
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value
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of the
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sacrifice
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that had
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been
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given
21:04
the new
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event
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today we
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think of
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so many
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different
21:12
events
21:13
that
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grow
21:14
with all
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of our
21:15
attention
21:15
with
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star
21:17
attractions
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and so
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many other
21:19
things that
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throw our
21:21
hearts
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and God
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wants us
21:24
today to
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to stop
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and to
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think of
21:28
the
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greatest
21:29
event of
21:30
all time
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and the
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greatest
21:33
portion of
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all time
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and what
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he endured
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on his
21:37
own
21:37
so that
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blessing
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would come
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to you
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and to
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me
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and so
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in the
21:43
Corinthian
21:44
hall
21:44
where we
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are
21:46
joining
21:46
with
21:47
Paul
21:47
in
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these
21:47
words
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the
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door
21:50
that
21:50
we
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must
21:51
enter
21:51
is
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the
21:52
door
21:52
that
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speaks
21:53
to us
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of
21:54
the
21:55
Lord
21:55
Jesus
21:56
Christ
21:57
Jesus
21:57
and
21:58
him
21:58
crucified
21:59
a new
22:02
engagement
22:02
a new
22:03
event
22:04
and
22:06
thirdly
22:06
a new
22:09
existence
22:10
a new
22:12
existence
22:12
for those
22:15
with whom
22:16
God
22:16
engages
22:17
a new
22:18
existence
22:18
for those
22:19
for whom
22:21
Christ
22:21
died
22:22
so that
22:26
God
22:27
did this
22:28
wonderful
22:28
thing
22:29
on
22:30
Calvary's
22:30
cross
22:31
for this
22:32
purpose
22:32
in him
22:34
we might
22:36
become
22:36
the
22:37
righteousness
22:38
of God
22:39
and just
22:41
to help
22:42
us
22:42
see that
22:44
perhaps
22:44
more clearly
22:45
to read
22:47
this
22:48
into it
22:48
so that
22:50
we
22:50
who don't
22:52
have
22:52
righteousness
22:53
may become
22:55
the righteousness
22:55
of God
22:56
in him
22:57
there's
22:59
a
22:59
becoming
23:00
and the
23:02
becoming
23:02
is the
23:03
sense
23:03
of a
23:04
genesis
23:05
of a
23:06
new
23:06
creation
23:07
and that's
23:08
what Paul
23:08
has referred
23:09
to
23:09
in this
23:11
moment
23:11
of this
23:12
new
23:12
engagement
23:13
with God
23:13
there is
23:15
a new
23:16
existence
23:16
that comes
23:17
to play
23:17
and into
23:18
place
23:18
and it
23:20
comes to
23:20
play
23:21
and in
23:21
place
23:22
in him
23:23
in Christ
23:24
Jesus
23:25
in our
23:26
relationship
23:27
with him
23:27
in our
23:28
union
23:29
with him
23:29
the union
23:30
through which
23:31
all of the
23:32
benefits of
23:32
his death
23:33
and of his
23:33
resurrection
23:34
become
23:35
ours
23:35
the union
23:37
that Jesus
23:38
himself
23:38
describes
23:38
as being
23:39
the branches
23:40
in the
23:41
vine
23:41
the union
23:43
that Paul
23:43
describes
23:43
in Romans
23:44
11
23:45
as being
23:46
grafted
23:46
into the
23:47
olive tree
23:48
so that we're
23:49
nourished by
23:50
the root
23:50
of the
23:51
olive tree
23:51
that union
23:52
that life
23:53
that relationship
23:54
that
23:54
takes place
23:55
in this
23:56
new
23:56
engagement
23:57
when we're
23:58
reconciled to
23:59
God
23:59
in Christ
24:01
Jesus
24:01
we are
24:03
found
24:04
in
24:05
Christ
24:05
we
24:08
become
24:08
the
24:10
righteousness
24:11
of God
24:13
and if
24:16
it's a
24:16
stunning
24:17
statement
24:17
that
24:19
Jesus
24:20
was
24:21
made
24:21
sin
24:22
it's
24:24
equally
24:25
stunning
24:25
that you
24:27
and I
24:27
become the
24:29
righteousness
24:29
of God
24:30
righteousness
24:32
speaks
24:33
about
24:34
conformity
24:36
to the
24:36
norms
24:37
of God's
24:37
kingdom
24:38
it speaks
24:39
of the
24:40
God
24:40
whose
24:40
kingdom
24:41
it is
24:41
and his
24:42
perfection
24:43
and his
24:44
standard
24:44
and
24:46
meeting
24:46
that
24:47
standard
24:47
which
24:48
he himself
24:49
has put
24:49
in place
24:49
for his
24:50
kingdom
24:51
it is
24:52
the
24:52
righteousness
24:53
of God
24:54
it's
24:55
defined
24:56
by God
24:56
it's
24:58
required
24:58
by God
24:59
and it is
25:00
now provided
25:01
for us
25:02
by God
25:04
the
25:05
righteousness
25:06
of
25:07
God
25:08
and when
25:11
we think
25:12
of the
25:12
righteousness
25:13
I want
25:14
to think
25:14
of three
25:14
things
25:15
as we
25:15
close
25:15
righteousness
25:18
first of
25:19
all
25:20
it's an
25:22
existence
25:22
that belongs
25:23
to the
25:24
new creation
25:25
new heavens
25:26
and the
25:26
new earth
25:26
what is
25:28
life like
25:28
in God's
25:29
kingdom
25:29
at the
25:31
end of
25:32
the day
25:32
at the
25:33
end of
25:33
the age
25:33
it is
25:34
a
25:34
kingdom
25:35
of
25:35
righteousness
25:35
where all
25:37
of the
25:37
people
25:37
have no
25:38
sin
25:38
where all
25:39
the people
25:40
stand
25:41
righteous
25:41
before
25:42
God
25:42
and their
25:43
sins
25:43
are left
25:44
behind
25:44
that's
25:46
what
25:46
existence
25:46
will be
25:47
like
25:47
in the
25:48
new
25:48
kingdom
25:48
the
25:49
new
25:49
heavens
25:49
and
25:50
the
25:50
new
25:50
earth
25:51
but
25:53
in this
25:53
moment
25:54
in the
25:55
moment
25:55
of this
25:55
engagement
25:56
when we
25:57
become
25:57
the
25:58
righteousness
25:58
of
25:58
God
25:59
it does
26:01
not speak
26:01
about
26:02
changing
26:03
us
26:03
within
26:04
and that's
26:04
why I
26:04
said
26:05
earlier
26:05
the ones
26:06
not knowing
26:06
righteousness
26:07
become the
26:08
righteousness
26:08
of God
26:09
in him
26:09
this
26:13
moment
26:14
does not
26:16
mean that
26:16
you are no
26:17
longer a
26:17
sinner
26:17
it does
26:19
not mean
26:20
that you
26:20
no longer
26:21
transgress
26:22
it does
26:23
not mean
26:24
that you
26:24
no longer
26:24
fall away
26:25
there's
26:27
another
26:27
process
26:27
that deals
26:28
with our
26:29
sin
26:29
as we
26:30
go on
26:30
in life
26:31
but this
26:32
moment
26:32
is about
26:34
declaring
26:35
two
26:35
things
26:35
it's
26:37
about
26:38
declaring
26:39
that we
26:40
are
26:40
righteous
26:41
the
26:41
judge
26:42
who
26:44
accepted
26:46
us
26:46
with whom
26:47
we are
26:47
reconciled
26:48
is a
26:49
judge
26:49
who is
26:50
declaring
26:51
that we
26:52
have a
26:52
right
26:53
standing
26:53
before him
26:54
it doesn't
26:56
say anything
26:56
about my
26:57
being
26:57
it says
26:58
something
26:58
about my
26:58
standing
26:59
my new
27:00
existence
27:00
as this
27:01
new creation
27:02
is that
27:03
I'm
27:04
accepted
27:04
as righteous
27:05
before God
27:06
for Jesus
27:08
sake
27:09
and we
27:10
think of
27:11
the image
27:11
of Joshua
27:12
and Zechariah
27:13
3 and that's
27:14
the picture
27:14
that we
27:15
have
27:15
something
27:16
that we
27:17
are so
27:18
familiar
27:18
with
27:18
Satan
27:19
accusing
27:20
us
27:20
because of
27:21
our sin
27:21
that we
27:22
cannot belong
27:23
to the
27:23
kingdom
27:24
of God
27:24
because of
27:25
our sin
27:25
and Satan
27:27
at Joshua's
27:28
right hand
27:29
accusing him
27:30
but then God
27:31
speaks
27:31
and take
27:33
the filthy
27:34
garments
27:35
off him
27:36
and put on
27:37
the new
27:37
garments
27:38
because I've
27:40
taken his
27:40
sin away
27:41
it's a
27:43
status
27:44
it's an
27:45
existence
27:45
it's a
27:46
standing
27:47
we have
27:48
peace
27:48
with God
27:49
we soon
27:50
discover
27:51
that sin
27:52
remains
27:52
but there
27:54
is no
27:55
condemnation
27:56
to those
27:58
who are in
27:58
Christ Jesus
28:00
the declaration
28:02
that we are
28:03
accepted
28:03
as righteous
28:04
and we
28:05
stand with
28:05
Jesus
28:06
in the
28:07
kingdom of
28:07
God
28:08
accepted
28:08
by God
28:09
our
28:09
father
28:10
in the
28:10
same way
28:11
as
28:11
Jesus
28:11
our
28:12
savior
28:12
is
28:12
accepted
28:13
and then
28:14
God
28:15
begins
28:15
the process
28:16
of changing
28:17
us
28:17
and transforming
28:18
us
28:18
to be
28:19
like his
28:20
son
28:20
in
28:21
our
28:22
hearts
28:22
and along
28:24
with that
28:25
there is
28:25
the
28:25
declaration
28:26
of
28:27
forgiveness
28:28
that's
28:31
what we
28:31
sang of
28:32
in
28:32
psalm
28:33
number
28:33
32
28:34
the
28:36
person
28:37
that
28:37
David
28:38
considers
28:38
to be
28:39
blessed
28:39
to be
28:41
envied
28:41
with
28:42
desire
28:42
is this
28:43
person
28:44
what is
28:44
true about
28:45
him
28:45
it's the
28:46
person
28:46
whose
28:47
lawless
28:48
deeds
28:48
are
28:48
forgiven
28:49
it's
28:51
the
28:51
person
28:51
whose
28:51
sins
28:52
are
28:53
covered
28:54
forgiveness
28:56
peace
28:58
with
28:59
God
28:59
through
29:00
the
29:00
Lord
29:01
Jesus
29:01
Christ
29:01
the
29:03
storm
29:04
the
29:04
crisis
29:05
the
29:06
coming
29:06
crisis
29:07
of
29:07
the
29:07
judgment
29:08
of
29:08
God
29:08
and
29:09
God's
29:09
penalty
29:10
being
29:10
executed
29:11
over
29:12
me
29:12
and
29:12
in
29:12
me
29:12
because
29:13
of
29:13
my
29:13
sin
29:13
is
29:15
replaced
29:16
by
29:16
the
29:16
calm
29:17
of
29:19
knowing
29:19
that
29:19
my
29:19
sins
29:20
are
29:20
forgiven
29:21
and
29:22
as
29:23
we'll
29:23
sing
29:23
in
29:24
the
29:24
last
29:25
psalm
29:26
that
29:26
psalm 103
29:28
the
29:28
sense
29:28
of
29:29
David
29:30
rejoicing
29:30
as
29:32
far
29:32
as
29:32
east
29:33
is
29:33
distant
29:33
from
29:33
the
29:33
west
29:34
so
29:35
far
29:35
is
29:35
he
29:35
removed
29:36
from
29:36
us
29:37
and
29:38
his
29:38
love
29:39
all
29:40
our
29:41
iniquity
29:42
a
29:43
new
29:44
existence
29:46
praise
29:47
the
29:48
Lord
29:48
for
29:48
such
29:49
a
29:49
new
29:50
creation
29:50
that
29:52
you
29:52
and
29:52
I
29:52
today
29:53
can
29:53
experience
29:54
this
29:54
new
29:55
existence
29:55
because
29:56
of
29:56
God's
29:57
engagement
29:57
with
29:58
us
29:58
and
29:58
because
29:59
of
29:59
what
29:59
he
29:59
has
29:59
done
30:00
in
30:00
the
30:00
Lord
30:00
Jesus
30:00
to
30:02
know
30:03
that
30:04
our
30:04
sins
30:04
are
30:04
forgiven
30:05
to
30:07
know
30:07
they
30:07
are
30:07
covered
30:08
and
30:08
that
30:08
they
30:08
are
30:09
carried
30:09
away
30:10
to
30:12
know
30:12
that
30:12
we
30:12
are
30:12
accepted
30:13
before
30:13
God
30:14
and
30:14
that
30:15
we
30:15
shall
30:15
never
30:15
be
30:16
condemned
30:16
and
30:18
no
30:18
matter
30:18
who
30:19
lays
30:19
charges
30:20
against
30:20
us
30:21
in
30:21
the
30:22
earth
30:23
in which
30:23
we live
30:23
and
30:24
from
30:24
our
30:25
enemy
30:26
Satan
30:27
himself
30:27
there
30:29
is
30:29
no
30:29
condemnation
30:30
and
30:32
if
30:32
that
30:32
is
30:32
the
30:32
case
30:32
concerning
30:33
us
30:33
we
30:34
can
30:34
go
30:34
in
30:34
peace
30:35
and
30:36
know
30:37
that
30:37
the
30:37
greatest
30:37
thing
30:38
that
30:38
can
30:39
happen
30:39
to
30:39
us
30:39
has
30:41
happened
30:41
because
30:42
of
30:42
God's
30:43
grace
30:43
that
30:44
there
30:44
is
30:45
the
30:45
new
30:45
event
30:45
that
30:46
makes
30:46
us
30:46
new
30:46
people
30:47
so
30:48
we
30:48
can
30:48
become
30:49
the
30:50
children
30:50
of
30:50
God
30:50
and
30:50
no
30:51
wonder
30:51
Paul
30:51
is
30:52
pleading
30:52
with
30:52
them
30:52
we
30:53
implore
30:53
you
30:53
on
30:54
behalf
30:54
of
30:54
Christ
30:55
be
30:55
reconciled
30:56
to
30:57
God
30:57
all
30:58
of us
30:59
today
30:59
need
30:59
to
31:00
reflect
31:01
on
31:02
the
31:02
truth
31:02
about
31:03
us
31:03
in
31:03
our
31:03
lostness
31:04
the
31:05
truth
31:05
about
31:05
Jesus
31:06
and
31:06
what
31:06
God
31:07
has
31:07
done
31:07
in
31:07
him
31:07
and
31:09
the
31:09
truth
31:10
about
31:10
what
31:10
God
31:10
does
31:11
in
31:12
people
31:12
like
31:12
you
31:12
and to
31:13
me
31:13
as he
31:14
embraces
31:14
us
31:15
and
31:15
takes
31:16
us
31:16
into
31:16
his
31:17
kingdom
31:18
may
31:18
God
31:19
bless
31:19
his
31:19
word
31:19
let
31:19
us
31:19
pray
31:20
most
31:21
gracious
31:22
God
31:22
we do
31:23
rejoice
31:23
in
31:24
you
31:24
and your
31:25
love
31:26
and your
31:26
grace
31:27
in
31:28
the
31:28
work
31:29
of
31:29
reconciliation
31:30
in
31:31
the
31:31
life
31:32
of
31:32
your
31:32
son
31:33
the
31:34
sufferings
31:35
that he
31:35
endured
31:36
on our
31:36
behalf
31:37
and the
31:38
work that
31:39
you
31:39
undertake
31:39
and begin
31:40
in the
31:41
lives
31:41
of your
31:41
children
31:42
bless us
31:43
today
31:43
with a
31:44
sense
31:44
of
31:44
realising
31:45
the
31:46
significance
31:47
and the
31:47
preciousness
31:48
of
31:48
what took
31:49
place
31:49
in the
31:50
life
31:50
of
31:50
your
31:50
son
31:51
and
31:51
help us
31:52
oh
31:52
Lord
31:52
to
31:52
seek
31:53
you
31:53
with
31:53
all
31:53
our
31:53
hearts
31:54
today
31:54
and
31:55
to
31:55
come
31:55
to
31:55
know
31:55
that
31:56
peace
31:56
with
31:56
you
31:56
and
31:57
sense
31:57
that
31:58
we
31:58
have
31:58
access
31:58
into
31:59
the
32:00
grace
32:00
that
32:01
there
32:01
is
32:01
in
32:01
Christ
32:01
Jesus
32:02
and
32:02
find
32:03
joy
32:03
and
32:03
satisfaction
32:04
and
32:05
know
32:05
that
32:05
you
32:05
have
32:05
provided
32:06
for
32:06
us
32:06
in
32:06
him
32:06
!
32:07
So
32:07
we
32:07
pray
32:08
and
32:08
hear
32:08
us
32:08
and
32:09
accept
32:09
us
32:09
we
32:10
pray
32:10
these
32:10
things
32:10
for
32:11
Jesus
32:11
sake
32:11
Amen
32:12
So
32:16
we now
32:16
turn to
32:17
singing
32:18
psalm
32:18
number
32:18
103
32:19
in
32:20
the
32:20
psalms
32:21
it's
32:21
on
32:21
page
32:21
135
32:22
and
32:24
we're
32:25
singing
32:25
at
32:25
verse
32:25
number
32:26
12
32:26
psalm
32:27
103
32:28
page
32:29
135
32:30
at
32:31
verse
32:31
number
32:32
12
32:33
and
32:34
the
32:34
tune
32:34
is
32:35
before
32:35
the
32:36
throne
32:36
as
32:38
far
32:38
as
32:39
east
32:39
is
32:39
from
32:39
the
32:39
west
32:40
so
32:40
far
32:41
as
32:41
love
32:41
has
32:41
borne
32:42
away
32:42
there
32:43
are
32:43
many
32:43
sins
32:43
and
32:44
trespasses
32:44
and
32:45
all
32:45
the
32:45
guilt
32:46
that
32:46
on
32:46
us
32:47
lay
32:47
we
32:48
stand
32:48
to sing
32:48
in
32:48
verse
32:48
12
32:49
to
32:50
the
32:50
verse
32:51
marked
32:51
18
32:51
to
32:51
God's
32:52
praise
32:52
as
32:57
far
32:58
as
32:58
east
32:59
is
33:00
from
33:00
the
33:01
west
33:02
so
33:03
far
33:04
as
33:04
love
33:05
!
33:06
Lord
33:07
is
33:08
born
33:07
away
33:08
our
33:09
many
33:10
sins
33:11
and
33:12
trespasses
33:14
And
33:15
all the
33:16
guilt
33:17
that
33:17
on
33:18
us
33:19
lay!
33:20
Just
33:22
as
33:22
our
33:23
father
33:24
loves
33:25
his
33:26
child,
33:27
so
33:28
God
33:28
loves
33:29
those
33:30
who
33:31
fear
33:31
his
33:32
name,
33:33
!
33:34
he
33:34
remembers
33:36
!
33:36
we
33:37
are
33:38
does
33:39
And
33:40
well he
33:41
knows
33:41
our
33:42
feeble
33:43
frame,
33:45
and
33:46
well he
33:47
knows
33:48
our
33:48
feeble
33:50
frame,
33:52
!
33:53
Each
33:53
human
33:54
life
33:55
is
33:57
like
33:57
the
33:58
grass,
33:59
unlike
34:00
a
34:01
meadow
34:02
that it
34:04
grows,
34:05
its
34:06
place
34:07
will
34:07
never
34:08
be
34:10
recalled,
34:12
once
34:12
over it
34:14
the
34:14
tempest
34:16
blows,
34:17
but
34:19
everlasting
34:21
is
34:22
God's
34:23
love
34:24
for
34:25
those
34:25
who
34:26
fear
34:27
him
34:28
and
34:29
their
34:29
seed,
34:31
for
34:31
those
34:32
who
34:32
keep
34:33
his
34:34
covenant,
34:37
and
34:37
carefully
34:38
his
34:39
peace
34:40
see,
34:43
and
34:44
carefully
34:45
after
34:51
the
34:51
benediction
34:51
of
34:51
main
34:52
door
34:52
please
34:53
as
34:53
you
34:53
leave.
34:54
The
34:55
grace
34:55
of
34:56
the
34:56
Lord
34:56
Jesus
34:56
Christ,
34:57
the
34:57
love
34:58
of
34:58
God
34:58
the
34:58
Father
34:58
and
34:59
the
34:59
fellowship
34:59
of
34:59
the
34:59
Holy
35:00
Spirit
35:00
be
35:01
with
35:01
you
35:01
all
35:01
now
35:02
and
35:02
forever
35:02
more.
35:03
Amen.
35:15
Amen.