Steve Hyndman - Class 5: Exhortation - Forgiveness - The Result

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:02

   I’m very pleased to invite Brother Steve forward to speak to us this morning. Brother Steve. Thank you, Brother Robert. What a delightful him that is. Now to him that is able to keep us from falling, we have our, I’m sure, brothers and sisters. If you’re anything like like me, your your heart is full of praise at some of the things that we’ve learnt this weekend. But now we come to the end of the matter. And the end of the matter is nothing short of delightful. This is the joy that comes from reconciliation. Let’s let’s have a look at Paul’s summary, shall we, of this matter in Colossians one and verse verse 20. This peace that we have with God

2. 1:08

   is the desired end. So Paul says of this and talking of Jesus Christ in Colossians one and verse verse 20 and now having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself. By him I say, whether they be things on earth or in things in heaven, and you that were in times past alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works.

3. 1:44

   Yet now hath he reconciled, now hath he’s forgiven us in the body of his flesh through death, to present you wholly. And unblamable and unreprovable in his sight, that’s exactly the sentiments of our last hymn. And here’s the condition. Verse 23. If ye continue in the faith struggle on, brothers and sisters, don’t give up.

4. 2:20

   And here’s the key idea that we are grounded and we are settled. And be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard. What an incredible position to be in, to be reconciled not with not only with Almighty God himself, but that Almighty God wants to be known as our Father.

5. 2:51

   Our Father loves, and children love their Father. Through the work of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, a wonderful high priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. What a tremendous gift that is. And this is exactly what John is trying to explain to us in the first of John, which we’ve been looking at this weekend.

6. 3:17

   It’s an enormous privilege as we understand this process to be reconciled. Really brothers and sisters it only means one single thing. So these what we we’ve been looking at at stepping stone as it were stepping stones from conversion, repentance and all. As we sweep through this then we be then we’re forgiven and then we have peace.

7. 3:42

   These are stepping stones to to an end. We want to look at that end this morning by way of excitation. So first John two and verse 26 don’t turn it up because we’ve looked at it. A lot this weekend, I’m sure you know it all off by heart. Now now, little children, abide in him. There is this.

8. 4:02

   That’s the same as saying if you continue in the faith, abide in him that when he shall appear. And we know that to be very soon when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

9. 4:20

   What an incredible state of mind that is to be to be confident. At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and and again in John 4 verse 17, herein is our love made perfect that we might have boldness. It’s exactly the same word in the in the in the Greek, in the day of judgment.

10. 4:37

    Because John says as he is, so are we in this world and he means this. We are trying to be like him in the days of our mortality. There is No Fear in love, but perfect love. Cast out fear because fear, well, that’s all to do with torment, says John here. That fear, earth is not made perfect in love.

11. 5:02

    That that word, confidence or boldness that John John talks about is the Greek word parasia. It means to be. It’s it’s a bit like you are if you have a special friend and you’re very open with them, you know if you’re struggling with something, you think of your friend and think they will understand. It’s because they know you.

12. 5:24

    And you’re confident that they will understand you. They will believe you. To be believed is what we are looking for. And it means to be open or frank, to have a sense of free speech. So when we get to the judgment seat, we’ll be so used to talking to Jesus Christ, to talking to God, maybe even to discussing things with our own Angel.

13. 5:47

    All we’re merely doing is putting a face onto the discussion. That’s all we’re doing. We have a close, binding relationship with them, and John is saying that we can be supremely confident in God’s ability to change us from mortality to immortality based on the same friendship that Abraham had by faith. It’s exactly the same type of friendship.

14. 6:15

    It’s a rapport that we have with our God. He knows us back to front anyway. He merely wants us to open ourselves up to him. But this confidence that we we spoke about the apostle Paul had it. Remember in Timothy he said. For I’m now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand, he said. I’ve fought a good fight.

15. 6:37

    I’ve finished the course. I’ve kept the faith. Henceforth there is is late. Didn’t say God willing or perhaps or hopefully. He said there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, and not to me only, but to all those that love his appearing. So he didn’t say to all those that have got forgiveness of sins and forgiveness down pat.

16. 7:09

    He didn’t say that. He said those that love His appearing because they understand the weaknesses and the frailness of this nature. That’s a stipulation as well, isn’t it? We need to love his beer and we’re going to be looking forward to it.

17. 7:27

    It’s an acknowledgement of our weaknesses in us that we’re going to produce that faith. I can’t do this. Only God can. Therefore, I have confidence in God’s ability and boldness, in God’s willingness to save and not my own. We have no confidence in our own selves. So Romans 4, Let’s just turn there for a moment. How does all this really work?

18. 7:54

    Romans 4 and verse 3 love the way Paul explains things for what size the scriptures. The scripture says Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, the happiness of the man, and to whom God imputes righteousness without works, put works aside. Works come about through appreciation, not obligation. And saying in verse 7 blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Happy is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin, and that can apply to every single one of us. Verse 17 Have a look at this.

19. 8:52

    This is this is the key to understanding our position. Look at it from God’s perspective. Now look at this verse 17 as it is written, he said to Abraham, He said, I have made you a father of many nations. I’ve already done that. And he calls those things, He quickens the dead, and he calls those things which be not as if they have already happened. That’s God’s perspective.

20. 9:24

    He could see things long before that actually happen. Keep that in mind. That is a very powerful principle which we’re going to be leaning on this morning. God sees things. Long before that happened. And he understands. He calls those things which be not as though they were. Do you know when Abraham was told that Isaac wasn’t even born yet?

21. 9:46

    And God said I have it’s already done as far as I’m concerned. God says it’s already happened. I can see your seed and I can see the unfolding of the future. It’s already done.

22. 10:00

    See how God makes these statements long before they they exist And Paul picks up this, this. Same thought in in in Hebrews, Hebrews 10 and verse nine we read this having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by new and living way, which he had consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. There’s that concept again.

23. 10:29

    We are now bold, not on our own strength, but on God’s ability. And having a high priest over the House of God, why do we need a high priest? For the purposes of forgiveness. Let us draw near with a true heart, full of the assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, all gone, the evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. So, brothers and sisters, we need to appreciate that God considers us already justified.

24. 11:02

    We are already righteous. God, you and I know that that is a such an incredible thought because we know that we are by nature not righteous. But God says based on the sacrifice of His Son, we are now in Christ. Abide in Him. If you continue in the faith on that basis, God considers us righteous already.

25. 11:24

    So let’s go and have a look at our our reading which we read this morning. The words of the Apostle Paul and Romans. These are the most powerful words, the most encouraging words. I think some of the most beautiful words that Paul has ever written. And he says this in verse 31. I know we’ve just read it, but I I really want to press it upon us. How?

26. 11:43

    What shall we say to these things? Think about the whole of their weekend together. What shall we say then? What is there to say about this, if God before us, who can be against us, brothers and sisters? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, surely, How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

27. 12:09

    There’s that idea again, free. Freely give us all things. Paul’s saying, if God is prepared to do that with his Son, how easy is it for God to give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? Can anyone do that? It’s God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It’s Christ that died.

28. 12:34

    Yay, rather that he’s risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, and also makes intercession for us all the time. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword?

29. 12:58

    As it is written, for thy sakes, we are a living sacrifice, killed all the day long. We are offering our lives. We are continual bird offering. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. We are undergoing trial and suffering, which we’ve touched on this weekend. No, he says Paul, in all these things we are more than conquerors. We are sharing in someone else’s victory through him that loved us.

30. 13:30

    That’s how we’re more we are more than conquerors through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. For I’m persuaded. I’m convinced says well, utterly convinced that now the death. And you would think surely the biggest hurdle for us today to get past is death. Paul doesn’t think so. He says death, life, angels. Principalities, powers, things present, things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

31. 14:05

    There is nothing stopping us, brothers and sisters, from being in the Kingdom of God except to say this, that my sin is greater than maybe forgiven. It’s the only thing you know that should produce in us. But others and sisters are very, very, very deep sense of peace. Knowing that, yes, God is well able to get us into the Kingdom of God.

32. 14:39

    What more can he do? He’s done everything. He cannot do anything else. If there was something else to do, I’m sure he would have done it.

33. 14:49

    So how is this peace now? That is produced. Knowing all these things, how is it produced? Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God. It’s through faith through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have access by faith into His grace, wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

34. 15:14

    You turn to Ephesians too. This theme just is absolutely bubbling up everywhere, this theme of confidence and peace. God doesn’t want us to stand in fear of the judgment seat rather than sister. That’s not what he wants. He’s a father. Fathers out there, mothers. Do you want your children to live in fear of you?

35. 15:37

    Of course you don’t. And even less so does the God of heaven, Ephesians 2 For He is Our Peace, verse 14. For He is our piece who have made both one and have broken down the middle wall of petition between us. Between who? Between you and God, between me and my God. It’s all been done.

36. 16:01

    The veil rent from top to bottom. We now have full access now into the Most Holy Place, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments. See how the law of God rises above commandments? You don’t need them anymore. You don’t need to be told. Thou shalt not do this.

37. 16:21

    Thou shalt not. You don’t need it anymore. As far as God is concerned, we don’t even think about want to do the wrong thing. This is the state in which God has brought us into even the law of commandments. Of course, in reality, of course we do. Remember, this is God’s perspective. Law of commandments contained in ordinances for to make himself of twain 1 Newman so making peace.

38. 16:47

    So no longer is it, if you like, is there two wills. The Pauly apostle puts it this way. He says he says he feels in his body he’s got this this two people arguing in his body. Jesus Christ is now put the two, and there’s only one creature now That’s the new creature, the new creation which is now in Christ.

39. 17:09

    That he might reconcile both unto God, verse 16 In one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby, and came and preached peace to you which were afar off. That’s the Gentiles, that’s Aussies, Kiwis, that’s the Gentiles, and to them that were nigh the Jews.

40. 17:33

    And this is the my peace I give unto you. This is it. It’s real, it’s tangible. It is attainable. We are now reconciled to the God of all the earth through the work of the King of Peace. Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. So the peace then, brothers and sisters, as we’ve discovered so far, doesn’t necessarily take away life sufferings.

41. 18:05

    It gives us the tools. To cope with the suffering, that’s what the piece is designed to do. God leaves the suffering there for us so that we learn lessons, so that we are in the Kingdom of God doesn’t take away that. Instead we are given the tools to cope with it. You know, we’ve got to arrive now at the end point, we’ve got to think about the implications of this piece.

42. 18:36

    Why? Is that why can we have peace? What peace? That just our sins are forgiven. Just that we reconciled to God. Yes, that’s true. But where? Where’s the next step? Where’s it taking us? We’ll hear the end of the matter. Just think for a moment. Let’s step through this. So through Christ, we are justified by faith. We now have access, by faith into God’s grace. Forgiveness.

43. 19:01

    We’re abiding in him. We’ve been reconciled to God through Christ’s work. If we maintain the same course with all its ups and downs, and we all have ups and downs, we all ebb and flow in terms of our enthusiasm, in terms of our the way we feel toward God, we ebb and flow.

44. 19:20

    That’s the very nature of our being. We have all that in place. Well, then we have something which is almost too wonderful to be true. It passes almost our understanding. And this is the final step. It’s where God wants us to be. In fact, I’ll let John deal with it because he talks about it the best. Better than me.

45. 19:47

    You come to. You come to 1st John 5. Where does God want us to be today? Not in the Kingdom. What’s? What’s the mindset that he wants us to have today as a result of partaking in that reconciliation process?

46. 20:07

    So first John 5 and and verse four. Remember the basis. Fear not, little flock. I have overcome the world I have overcome. I’m not asking you to do that, said Christ. I’m merely asking you to have faith in the fact that I have overcome the world. The verse four of first John 5.

47. 20:23

    For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world. We are born of God. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Your faith is the mindset that overcomes the you can’t overcome the world by yourself. It’s your faith in God’s ability to do a good work in you. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

48. 21:00

    We say yes, believe that, keep going. And now here’s the result. Look at verse 11. This is the this is the mindset that God wants us to know. And this is the record, says John, that God hath already given us eternal life. Now can you see what the confidence is all about? That’s boldness.

49. 21:35

    That’s a bold statement to say that God has already given us eternal life. On what basis? How can John say that? Because God sees those things as though they’ve already existed. God wants us to believe, brothers and sisters, that we are going to be in the Kingdom of God. Look at those twelve He that hath the Son hath life. If you’re abiding in Christ, Christ is immortal. He’s going to live forever.

50. 22:06

    Well, guess what? It only follows John said with with that metaphor that you as well are going to live for forever because you are also in Christ. The Son hath life, either hath not The Son of God hath not life. If we’re not abiding in Him, there is no life. These things verse that again he he states it again. These things have all written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life.

51. 22:37

    This is astonishing, that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. God sees those things which don’t yet exist. Do you know what God is actually saying to us? He’s saying, I want you to as it were in your mind. Be in the Kingdom of God and almost look back to where you were.

52. 22:58

    Don’t look forward. Maybe, God willing, Possibly depends. God is saying, I want you to know in your minds that as far as I’m concerned, with all those things in place, I’ve already given it to you in the same way I gave it to Abraham long before it ever happened. That’s peace. That produces peace.

53. 23:23

    And by the way, we should never say something like this. Well, do you think you’re gonna be in the Kingdom of Kingdom of God? Will God willing? It’s actually not a true statement to make. God is willing that none should perish. That’s what he’s willing. I think the question should be, am I willing? That’s really what it’s about.

54. 23:43

    Am I willing to work with God in suppressing this wretched nature which I have? God’s will is that none would perish, but that all should come to repentance. That’s a very big commitment on God’s part to us. An incredible assurance. Remember some time ago, and I think this does happen a lot. We talk about this a lot, but some time ago we we flew to Adelaide and we often do to see parents. My my parents are in the the best Salem. Nursing home or Greenbrier’s, the the retirement section of there.

55. 24:20

    And I studied to my dad at the time and he said, you know, one subject comes up a lot with this this older generation. I don’t know why he didn’t think he was part of the older generation. But anyway, he said what often comes up is this fear about the judgment seat. They’re at the end of their life and for many of those folks this, we’ve got this impending moment of reckon of reckoning.

56. 24:45

    I don’t think God wants that as a father. I don’t think he wants us to be in fear at all. One particular brother, lovely old brother, voices genuine anxiety about his doubts and fears of this day of judgment in that he he genuinely felt that he wouldn’t be in the Kingdom of God because he was acutely aware of his weaknesses.

57. 25:05

    To me, that’s a sign of a good attitude. If the brother said I don’t think it’s a problem, I actually haven’t done a lot wrong. Well, that’s a problem. But because he’s acutely aware of his own weaknesses and failings, to me that’s actually a very good sign. The truth is, I think, that those feelings are very common to all of us. Of course they are.

58. 25:26

    And that’s why faith is not necessarily an easy state of mind to come by. Faith in God’s ability to save, not our own. We feel so, so small and inadequate. So many times in our life. So what is the basis upon which God can save justify. Make righteous. What’s the basis? How do we obtain this peace And do you know brothers and sisters it’s sort of it’s a bit of a Riddle actually.

59. 25:59

    It’s a secret. It’s paradox. The confidence or boldness in God actually comes from humility to where it comes out of just here’s some, here’s some examples. Think about the most brutal king that reigned over Israel. Now I say was brutal because he didn’t end up that way. He was the most shocking man.

60. 26:21

    Manassa, we mentioned him, killed so many innocent, innocent people, but God took him away in chains. He sat down in chains for a period of time, he humbled himself and God brought him back to to kingship. Incredible. Why? Because he learned humility. Have you ever committed genocide? Of course you haven’t see what God’s able to do. Think about the most proud man, perhaps that one of the most proud men that ever existed, he said. This is not this great Babylon that I have made, and it was probably great and probably beautiful, one of the ancient wonders of the world, the hanging gardens of of Babylon. And he said for my name, for my might, said Nebuchadnezzar. So what does God do?

61. 27:17

    He takes him and he humbles him. And at the end of the matter, Nebuchadnezzar said, actually God rules in the kingdoms of men and God taught even Nebuchadnezzar humility. What about Moses? Moses said I’m the man, I’m the man to leave the children of Israel out of Egypt. And and I tell you how I’m going to do it.

62. 27:39

    And he killed a man wouldn’t normally consider Moses to be a murderer, would you? He was. He killed a man to prove the fact that I’m in. God said we’ve got a way to go with Moses. How’d you go? 40 years later? He brings him back. And Moses said, I can’t do this.

63. 27:58

    God said excellent. Great conclusion, but I can. That’s what it’s all about. God taught him humility. And I just said take my life. I’m a failure. I’m no better than my father’s. Very, very depressed he was. I’m the only one who left that that that actually serves you around here. God’s reply was, Off you go, Elijah. I’ve got some.

64. 28:24

    See how God filled this? The space, the gap. I’ve got four people. I want you to annoy it. Oh, and Elijah, before you go, there’s 7000, by the way, that haven’t bowed the need to bail. Just thought I’d mention that.

65. 28:40

    See what God does with men. He’s a wonderful God, a wonderful father, and that’s all born out of humility. Remember the Sinner, the Winname justified? He was made righteous because he he understood his position. He needed God’s righteousness, not like the Pharisee. The Pharisee had his own righteousness, which was just a a puffed up windbag. That’s all at once.

66. 29:09

    But this man. Was full to the brim of God’s righteousness, because God justified him. Think about Micah. We know this quite very well. Micah said. Micah says so. How shall I come before the Lord? Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow myself to the high God? What should what can I bring him? What’s God looking for?

67. 29:32

    Shall I bring burnt offerings with calves of a year old, the in their absolute prime? Incredible. They’re tender, they’re fresh. They’re skinned. Their furs is perfect. A year old. And then he he steps up and he says, well, if not well, will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Rams or 10,000 rivers of oil? And then he says, shall I give my first born for my transgression?

68. 30:08

    The fruit of my body and God says no omen. I’ve already done all that. I’ve given you calves of a year old. I’ve given you Rams, I’ve given you 10,000 rivers of oil. And I’ve also given you my first born. Here’s what I want from you. He has showed the omen what is good And what does Yahweh require of thee to do justly? To love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. That’s all I’m asking.

69. 30:46

    Do you know human beings find those things very difficult because we’re all the opposite to those. So does that poor old brother at Bethsalem have any grounds whatsoever to suggest that God can’t save him? Of course he doesn’t. He’s in for a a shock of his life. When you can find him, the judge if the judgement see he’s accepted, If indeed that was his relationship with his God. Do you?

70. 31:16

    Do I have any grounds, brothers and sisters, to suggest that I don’t know if I can be there? I’m not sure if God can work with me. Does God want us to live in doubt? Is this the God that we serve?

71. 31:33

    Does he want us to be unconvinced? Skeptical. Uncertain in his desire to save us. Course he doesn’t. So as we conclude our thoughts, brothers and sisters, you come to Philippians. 4 So we’ve seen the process. We’ve seen forgiveness. We’ve taken the stepping stepping stones to the desired end. That frame of mind which says that we can be supremely confident, Yes. We are going to be in the Kingdom of God based on a relationship now with his look with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is life eternal.

72. 32:16

    This is what is that we know, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom there has sent. So Paul concludes our thoughts with Philippians 4 And coming to verse 4, rejoice in the Lord always brothers and sisters. And again he says, I say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everybody. The Lord is at hand.

73. 32:43

    Don’t be anxious about everything. Don’t be anxious about anything, actually, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving. Let your request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. We can barely understand it. We’ll guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. It will act as a security from not only yourself, but the world in which we live, the peace of God. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever’s honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.

74. 33:36

    If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things. So make an active decision to pursue that line of thinking and what you have heard and received verse 9 and what you have heard and seen this weekend. Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. He really will.

75. 34:05

    And through that process, brethren and sisters, the great power and gift of forgiveness that God has produced, that God has given us, it will produce in us a work of righteousness, as I which shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance, for eternity, forever thinking and acting. Like God, which is what he wanted in the very first place with Adam and Eve.

76. 34:41

    And he’s done. The full servant come right back. And in that process has saved many what a wonderful God we do have nothing to worry about with God at our right hand, willing us into the Kingdom.

77. 34:59

    So, brothers and sisters, may Yahweh bless you and keep you all. May he make his face to shine upon each of us, and be gracious unto us, and may he lift up his countenance upon all of us, and give us peace.