1 00:00:01,700 --> 00:00:11,330 Romans chapter 8, verses 28, 29 2 00:00:11,330 --> 00:00:12,570 and 30. 3 00:00:13,590 --> 00:00:23,680 Romans chapter 8, verses 4 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:24,900 28. 5 00:00:25,980 --> 00:00:30,200 But we do know that all things work 6 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:33,780 together for good, to those who love God, 7 00:00:34,540 --> 00:00:37,600 to those who are called according to purpose. 8 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:42,420 Because whom He has foreknown, He has also 9 00:00:42,420 --> 00:00:47,580 predestinated to be conformed to the image of 10 00:00:47,580 --> 00:00:50,600 His Son, so that He should be the 11 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,040 firstborn among many brethren. 12 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:58,640 But whom He has predestinated, these also He 13 00:00:58,640 --> 00:00:59,300 has called. 14 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:04,340 And whom He has called, these also He 15 00:01:04,340 --> 00:01:05,180 has justified. 16 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:10,460 But whom He has justified, these also He 17 00:01:10,460 --> 00:01:12,320 has glorified. 18 00:01:20,540 --> 00:01:25,060 We do know that all things work together 19 00:01:25,060 --> 00:01:26,040 for good. 20 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:32,280 I think probably we are all very familiar 21 00:01:33,580 --> 00:01:34,760 with this statement. 22 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:43,680 Whenever we visit anyone in a hospital, we'll 23 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:44,580 use this verse. 24 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:47,520 It's a ready-made verse. 25 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:54,040 And whenever any brother or sister has any 26 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:59,600 problem, whether they are sick or whether something 27 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,280 happened, we have a ready verse for them. 28 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,460 All things work together for good. 29 00:02:10,030 --> 00:02:12,450 Now we use that verse so often. 30 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:21,720 Sometimes I wonder whether we really understand what 31 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:22,500 we are quoting. 32 00:02:27,470 --> 00:02:34,350 Now when you read Romans chapter 8, in 33 00:02:34,350 --> 00:02:38,530 verse 26, it says we do not know. 34 00:02:41,110 --> 00:02:43,490 We do not know what to pray for. 35 00:02:45,090 --> 00:02:45,950 That is fitting. 36 00:02:47,530 --> 00:02:52,760 You know, brothers and sisters, in our daily 37 00:02:52,760 --> 00:03:00,630 life we encounter many things, different environments. 38 00:03:02,710 --> 00:03:06,670 And oftentimes we do not know what's happening. 39 00:03:09,980 --> 00:03:13,400 And we do not know what to pray 40 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:15,540 and how to pray. 41 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:17,900 That will be fitting. 42 00:03:22,150 --> 00:03:25,750 Now because we do not know, so we 43 00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:29,290 say we do know that all things work 44 00:03:29,290 --> 00:03:30,570 together for good. 45 00:03:32,860 --> 00:03:34,940 You know, we do not know why certain 46 00:03:34,940 --> 00:03:36,620 brothers and sisters got sick. 47 00:03:37,980 --> 00:03:42,040 We do not know why something happened to 48 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:42,340 them. 49 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:45,300 And we do not know what to say. 50 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:49,520 So we use this ready verse, all things 51 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,080 work together for good. 52 00:03:53,660 --> 00:03:58,030 But do we really know all things work 53 00:03:58,030 --> 00:03:58,910 together for good? 54 00:04:00,940 --> 00:04:04,740 Now all things means everything. 55 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:14,180 Everything that happens in your life, whether it 56 00:04:14,180 --> 00:04:19,820 comes from people, or whether they are just 57 00:04:19,820 --> 00:04:28,720 things, or whether they are certain events, circumstances 58 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:30,340 that come your way. 59 00:04:31,180 --> 00:04:33,080 All things, everything. 60 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,120 And the Bible said all things work together. 61 00:04:39,900 --> 00:04:42,640 Now we know that all things include things 62 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,820 that are inanimate, that is not living. 63 00:04:48,630 --> 00:04:51,910 Now how can all things work together? 64 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:58,390 Everything has a meaning. 65 00:05:00,210 --> 00:05:05,570 And everything will coordinate together, work together for 66 00:05:05,570 --> 00:05:05,890 good. 67 00:05:06,610 --> 00:05:07,950 Now how can this happen? 68 00:05:10,500 --> 00:05:15,520 There must be someone behind all things. 69 00:05:16,280 --> 00:05:20,720 There must be someone who controls all things. 70 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:26,320 Someone who orchestrates, put together all these things 71 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:31,620 with a very positive, definite purpose. 72 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,880 And we know this is God. 73 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:44,220 All things, behind all things, there is God. 74 00:05:45,300 --> 00:05:48,460 And God is the one who brings all 75 00:05:48,460 --> 00:05:49,960 things together. 76 00:05:50,900 --> 00:05:54,160 And he makes all things work together. 77 00:05:57,090 --> 00:05:58,410 Work together for good. 78 00:06:00,660 --> 00:06:03,120 Now brothers and sisters, what is good? 79 00:06:06,420 --> 00:06:10,660 You remember one day in Mark chapter 10, 80 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:17,860 a young man, he was a ruler, and 81 00:06:17,860 --> 00:06:19,420 he ran to our Lord Jesus. 82 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:27,460 He knelt before him, before the crowd, because 83 00:06:27,460 --> 00:06:28,220 he was earnest. 84 00:06:29,740 --> 00:06:31,780 And he asked a question. 85 00:06:34,140 --> 00:06:39,520 Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit 86 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:41,480 eternal life? 87 00:06:43,490 --> 00:06:45,550 Now that is a very important question. 88 00:06:47,190 --> 00:06:51,410 What shall I do to inherit eternal life? 89 00:06:54,830 --> 00:06:57,250 And he addressed this question to our Lord 90 00:06:57,250 --> 00:06:57,530 Jesus. 91 00:06:58,150 --> 00:06:59,790 He said, good teacher. 92 00:07:01,840 --> 00:07:04,060 And you know what our Lord answered him? 93 00:07:06,380 --> 00:07:08,800 The Lord said, why do you call me 94 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:09,180 good? 95 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:13,680 There is no one good but God. 96 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,580 In other words, our Lord corrects him. 97 00:07:23,420 --> 00:07:25,300 God is good. 98 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,940 Aside from God, there is nothing good. 99 00:07:32,180 --> 00:07:33,080 No one good. 100 00:07:36,790 --> 00:07:40,450 And you also remember, in Romans chapter 12, 101 00:07:41,570 --> 00:07:46,610 it said, brethren, I beseech you by the 102 00:07:46,610 --> 00:07:50,050 mercies of God to present your bodies a 103 00:07:50,050 --> 00:07:57,110 living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is 104 00:07:57,110 --> 00:08:00,610 your reasonable service. 105 00:08:02,370 --> 00:08:07,070 Do not be conformed to this world, but 106 00:08:07,070 --> 00:08:11,350 be transformed, that you may be able to 107 00:08:11,350 --> 00:08:19,050 prove what is the good and perfect will 108 00:08:19,050 --> 00:08:20,030 of God. 109 00:08:20,710 --> 00:08:23,090 So in other words, what is good? 110 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:25,910 You know, we have our own definition of 111 00:08:25,910 --> 00:08:26,170 good. 112 00:08:31,010 --> 00:08:35,549 Suppose you are in good health. 113 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:37,789 You say, that's good. 114 00:08:39,289 --> 00:08:44,950 Suppose you inherit a large amount of money. 115 00:08:45,970 --> 00:08:47,050 You say, that is good. 116 00:08:48,990 --> 00:08:51,670 And if you are in ill health, that 117 00:08:51,670 --> 00:08:52,250 is no good. 118 00:08:53,690 --> 00:08:56,150 If you are in poverty, that is no 119 00:08:56,150 --> 00:08:56,470 good. 120 00:08:57,130 --> 00:08:59,290 If you have a good job, that is 121 00:08:59,290 --> 00:08:59,590 good. 122 00:09:00,450 --> 00:09:02,510 But if you lose your job, that is 123 00:09:02,510 --> 00:09:02,870 bad. 124 00:09:03,890 --> 00:09:07,150 Now that's our definition of good or bad. 125 00:09:09,310 --> 00:09:13,510 But you know, our definition is really not 126 00:09:13,510 --> 00:09:14,110 correct. 127 00:09:14,910 --> 00:09:16,490 What is good? 128 00:09:18,050 --> 00:09:19,150 God is good. 129 00:09:20,730 --> 00:09:25,150 And His will, His purpose is good. 130 00:09:28,780 --> 00:09:32,000 So the Bible says, all things work together 131 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:33,460 for good. 132 00:09:34,380 --> 00:09:35,420 What does it mean? 133 00:09:36,560 --> 00:09:40,640 It means that whatever happened to you in 134 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:47,820 your life, whether it is prosperity, or whether 135 00:09:47,820 --> 00:09:52,820 it is poverty, whether it is good health, 136 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:58,580 or whether it is sickness, whether it is 137 00:09:58,580 --> 00:10:03,180 smooth sailing, or whether it is hard going, 138 00:10:04,660 --> 00:10:10,800 whatever happened in your life, all things, you 139 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,560 know many things happen in our life, but 140 00:10:13,560 --> 00:10:18,440 all things that come in our way, God 141 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:19,560 is behind them. 142 00:10:20,660 --> 00:10:25,640 He is making all things work together for 143 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:25,960 good. 144 00:10:28,450 --> 00:10:33,800 He is making all things work together that 145 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:38,420 His will may be done in your life. 146 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:40,340 Now that is good. 147 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:48,200 And you know brothers and sisters, we have 148 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:53,380 the habit of quoting half a verse, or 149 00:10:53,380 --> 00:10:55,040 even one third of a verse. 150 00:10:56,220 --> 00:10:58,400 We do not quote the whole verse. 151 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,820 We say all things work together for good, 152 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:02,620 period. 153 00:11:05,710 --> 00:11:08,290 But that is not what you'll find in 154 00:11:08,290 --> 00:11:08,730 the Bible. 155 00:11:10,410 --> 00:11:13,410 The Bible says all things work together for 156 00:11:13,410 --> 00:11:13,850 good. 157 00:11:14,570 --> 00:11:14,890 Yes. 158 00:11:16,430 --> 00:11:17,010 To whom? 159 00:11:18,590 --> 00:11:21,750 To those who love the Lord. 160 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,060 You know if you do not love the 161 00:11:26,060 --> 00:11:35,940 Lord, if you do not love God, does 162 00:11:35,940 --> 00:11:39,180 all things work together for good to you? 163 00:11:41,580 --> 00:11:46,480 If you do not love God, probably you 164 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,380 will feel that all things work together against 165 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:49,860 you. 166 00:11:55,830 --> 00:12:04,670 Not only disaster 167 00:12:04,670 --> 00:12:12,810 work together against you, even prosperity, even success 168 00:12:12,810 --> 00:12:16,550 work together against you. 169 00:12:19,490 --> 00:12:24,940 To those who do not love God, not 170 00:12:24,940 --> 00:12:27,800 because God does not want all things work 171 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:30,860 together for your good, for your eternal good. 172 00:12:31,980 --> 00:12:34,000 There is no problem with God. 173 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:36,180 You know our God is good. 174 00:12:37,140 --> 00:12:39,700 And He is at the back of everything. 175 00:12:40,860 --> 00:12:44,520 And He is trying to make all things 176 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:46,960 work together for your eternal good. 177 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:49,100 There is no doubt about that. 178 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:55,580 But whether they work together for good to 179 00:12:55,580 --> 00:12:59,320 you, you have a responsibility. 180 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:05,850 If you do not love God, you do 181 00:13:05,850 --> 00:13:06,830 not understand. 182 00:13:07,770 --> 00:13:11,470 You are not able to really enter into 183 00:13:11,470 --> 00:13:14,650 God's mind and God's heart. 184 00:13:16,170 --> 00:13:17,950 And because of that when you look at 185 00:13:17,950 --> 00:13:22,210 all things, you'll find everything, everyone is against 186 00:13:22,210 --> 00:13:22,610 you. 187 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,880 It does not bring you to eternal good. 188 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:41,040 But how can you love God? 189 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:43,600 In all things. 190 00:13:47,460 --> 00:13:52,460 Now if you have a very smooth, rosy 191 00:13:54,030 --> 00:13:59,610 life, it may be easy for you to 192 00:13:59,610 --> 00:14:00,130 love God. 193 00:14:01,170 --> 00:14:09,550 Suppose you live a very hard life. 194 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:14,660 Are you able to love God? 195 00:14:17,580 --> 00:14:21,260 What is the secret of loving God? 196 00:14:25,850 --> 00:14:29,110 Now quote the full verse and you'll find 197 00:14:29,110 --> 00:14:29,410 it. 198 00:14:30,230 --> 00:14:32,850 All things work together for good. 199 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:36,080 To whom? 200 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:38,580 To those who love God. 201 00:14:40,660 --> 00:14:42,380 But how can you love God? 202 00:14:43,020 --> 00:14:48,420 In any circumstance, whatever happens, you love God. 203 00:14:49,380 --> 00:14:50,780 How can you do that? 204 00:14:51,680 --> 00:14:57,560 To those who are called according to purpose. 205 00:14:58,820 --> 00:15:04,920 In other words, you are called according to 206 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:05,500 purpose. 207 00:15:08,830 --> 00:15:12,070 Thank God, all who believe in the Lord 208 00:15:12,070 --> 00:15:13,510 Jesus are being called. 209 00:15:16,140 --> 00:15:20,000 And we are called according to purpose. 210 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:22,700 That is to God's purpose. 211 00:15:26,020 --> 00:15:29,360 You know, even before God created the heavens 212 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:30,140 and the earth. 213 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:35,220 The Bible tells us, even before the foundation 214 00:15:35,220 --> 00:15:39,800 of the world, God has purpose of purpose 215 00:15:41,110 --> 00:15:44,770 in his Son, Jesus Christ, for you. 216 00:15:48,710 --> 00:15:49,670 Now think of that. 217 00:15:51,940 --> 00:15:55,520 Even before you are born. 218 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,900 Even before your being formed in your mother's 219 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:02,120 womb. 220 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:08,800 Even before the world was created. 221 00:16:10,420 --> 00:16:16,180 In time past, eternity, before time began, in 222 00:16:16,180 --> 00:16:22,270 eternity, God is eternal, self-existing. 223 00:16:22,270 --> 00:16:28,950 And there he purposed a purpose in himself. 224 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:33,580 What is that purpose? 225 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,400 He purposed a purpose in his beloved Son, 226 00:16:38,460 --> 00:16:41,160 concerning you and concerning me. 227 00:16:43,940 --> 00:16:47,040 And that, the Bible called it, the eternal 228 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,120 purpose of God. 229 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:54,340 So dear brothers and sisters, it is extremely 230 00:16:54,340 --> 00:16:59,580 important for us to know, what is God's 231 00:16:59,580 --> 00:17:04,940 eternal purpose concerning us. 232 00:17:06,220 --> 00:17:08,980 Now if you know what God's eternal purpose 233 00:17:08,980 --> 00:17:14,500 is concerning you, then your eyes will be 234 00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:14,880 opened. 235 00:17:15,819 --> 00:17:19,619 You will be able to see truly, God 236 00:17:19,619 --> 00:17:26,030 is at the back, managing all things in 237 00:17:26,030 --> 00:17:26,609 your life. 238 00:17:27,690 --> 00:17:31,230 Let all things work together for your eternal 239 00:17:31,230 --> 00:17:31,630 good. 240 00:17:32,390 --> 00:17:35,830 And that is to fulfill his eternal purpose 241 00:17:35,830 --> 00:17:37,930 in your life. 242 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:46,460 Now if you see that, then whether blessing 243 00:17:46,460 --> 00:17:50,500 or woe come in your way, they will 244 00:17:50,500 --> 00:17:53,560 not affect you adversely. 245 00:17:54,620 --> 00:18:00,120 You are able to see behind everything, God 246 00:18:00,120 --> 00:18:03,240 is working out his purpose in your life. 247 00:18:03,780 --> 00:18:06,720 And you will praise him, you will thank 248 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:09,260 him, and you will worship him, and you 249 00:18:09,260 --> 00:18:09,880 will love him. 250 00:18:10,820 --> 00:18:11,700 That's the secret. 251 00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:17,160 You know, to many believers, when they are 252 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,400 blessed, they love the Lord. 253 00:18:20,660 --> 00:18:26,540 When they are met with adversity, their love 254 00:18:26,540 --> 00:18:28,680 for God begins to cool down. 255 00:18:31,420 --> 00:18:31,780 Why? 256 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:36,180 Because they are influenced by what they can 257 00:18:36,180 --> 00:18:36,600 see. 258 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:40,440 They are influenced by their environments. 259 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,940 They do not see God in all things. 260 00:18:46,070 --> 00:18:50,110 Now if we can see God and his 261 00:18:50,110 --> 00:18:54,890 good will in all things, then brothers and 262 00:18:54,890 --> 00:18:59,770 sisters, whatever happens, if the south wind blows 263 00:18:59,770 --> 00:19:02,870 or the north wind blows, they will all 264 00:19:02,870 --> 00:19:04,390 work together for good. 265 00:19:05,610 --> 00:19:08,430 To those who love God. 266 00:19:11,670 --> 00:19:15,210 As I was meditating on this, it brought 267 00:19:15,210 --> 00:19:18,230 into my mind the Apostle Paul. 268 00:19:19,530 --> 00:19:24,910 You know Paul, in Philippians chapter 4, he 269 00:19:24,910 --> 00:19:25,590 says something. 270 00:19:27,090 --> 00:19:31,150 You know this Apostle Paul, he suffered a 271 00:19:31,150 --> 00:19:34,150 great deal for the gospel's sake. 272 00:19:34,810 --> 00:19:37,110 And when he wrote this letter to the 273 00:19:37,110 --> 00:19:41,070 Philippians, he was in prison in Rome. 274 00:19:42,550 --> 00:19:45,950 He was there a prisoner, not because of 275 00:19:45,950 --> 00:19:48,890 what wrong he had done, but because of 276 00:19:48,890 --> 00:19:50,790 the gospel of Jesus Christ. 277 00:19:53,830 --> 00:20:00,520 When you look at his circumstances, you will 278 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:02,460 think that he will be very downhearted. 279 00:20:04,500 --> 00:20:08,300 Probably he will murmur and even rebel against 280 00:20:08,300 --> 00:20:08,600 God. 281 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:10,620 God, I love you. 282 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,160 I worked so hard for you. 283 00:20:14,220 --> 00:20:16,160 And why is it that you allow all 284 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:18,460 these things to happen to me? 285 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:19,860 But no. 286 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:22,940 Even when he was in prison, he was 287 00:20:22,940 --> 00:20:23,700 full of joy. 288 00:20:24,980 --> 00:20:26,720 And when he wrote this letter to the 289 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:31,940 church in Philippi, instead of waiting to be 290 00:20:31,940 --> 00:20:36,940 comforted by the Philippian believers, instead you find 291 00:20:36,940 --> 00:20:39,340 he was comforting the Philippian believers. 292 00:20:39,980 --> 00:20:44,220 He said, rejoice always in the Lord. 293 00:20:44,220 --> 00:20:46,660 And I said again, rejoice. 294 00:20:49,330 --> 00:20:52,490 Now towards the end of the Philippians letter, 295 00:20:52,930 --> 00:20:56,170 in chapter 4, that's what he said. 296 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:12,760 He said in verse 11, not that I 297 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:16,820 speak as regards probation, for as to me 298 00:21:16,820 --> 00:21:21,540 I have learned in those circumstances in which 299 00:21:21,540 --> 00:21:25,000 I am to be satisfied in myself. 300 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:31,280 I know both how to be abased and 301 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:32,980 I know how to abound. 302 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:37,880 In everything and in all things, I am 303 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:42,040 initiated both to be full and to be 304 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:44,440 hungry. 305 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:49,380 Both to abound and to suffer probation. 306 00:21:50,300 --> 00:21:54,500 I have strength for all things in him 307 00:21:54,500 --> 00:21:57,220 that gives me power. 308 00:22:00,830 --> 00:22:05,810 You find in whatever circumstance the apostle Paul 309 00:22:05,810 --> 00:22:12,010 was in, whether he was praised by people 310 00:22:14,030 --> 00:22:19,950 or whether he was persecuted by people, whether 311 00:22:19,950 --> 00:22:22,770 he was full or whether he was hungry, 312 00:22:23,450 --> 00:22:25,290 he said, I am initiated. 313 00:22:26,290 --> 00:22:27,170 I have learned. 314 00:22:28,030 --> 00:22:30,670 I am able to face all circumstances. 315 00:22:30,670 --> 00:22:32,470 Why? 316 00:22:35,220 --> 00:22:38,100 Because he knew the purpose of God. 317 00:22:39,950 --> 00:22:42,610 He knew that God means well. 318 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:49,020 That God is using all things to bring 319 00:22:49,020 --> 00:22:53,520 him into the full purpose of God. 320 00:22:56,050 --> 00:22:57,830 Now are we like that? 321 00:23:06,500 --> 00:23:09,100 All things work together for good. 322 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:14,300 To those who love God, who are called 323 00:23:14,300 --> 00:23:16,680 according to purpose. 324 00:23:19,190 --> 00:23:20,550 Now what is that purpose? 325 00:23:21,570 --> 00:23:26,550 In the following verse we are told. 326 00:23:29,260 --> 00:23:30,100 Verse 29. 327 00:23:31,820 --> 00:23:36,180 Because whom he has foreknown, he has also 328 00:23:36,180 --> 00:23:41,000 predestinated to be conformed to the image of 329 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,020 his son, so that he should be the 330 00:23:44,020 --> 00:23:46,620 firstborn among many brethren. 331 00:23:49,980 --> 00:23:54,060 Now our God is omniscient. 332 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:00,660 That is to say our God knows everything 333 00:24:00,660 --> 00:24:02,200 all the time. 334 00:24:04,540 --> 00:24:08,340 With God his knowledge is infinite. 335 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:12,680 His knowledge is not limited by time. 336 00:24:15,390 --> 00:24:17,690 He knows the end from the beginning. 337 00:24:17,690 --> 00:24:24,760 The knowledge of our God is infinite. 338 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:29,300 He knows everything at all times. 339 00:24:30,980 --> 00:24:32,460 Nothing is hidden from him. 340 00:24:33,460 --> 00:24:37,660 All things are naked before him. 341 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:40,480 God has foreknowledge. 342 00:24:47,360 --> 00:24:51,140 Now we are very limited in our knowledge. 343 00:24:54,450 --> 00:24:58,030 If you are very clever, if you are 344 00:24:58,030 --> 00:25:07,370 very observant, maybe you are able to 345 00:25:07,370 --> 00:25:11,910 predict something that may happen. 346 00:25:14,120 --> 00:25:19,300 Now suppose you see a person walking back 347 00:25:19,300 --> 00:25:23,320 and forth before your house and peeping in. 348 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:25,360 Very suspicious. 349 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:32,690 Now if you are very observant, probably you 350 00:25:32,690 --> 00:25:35,970 begin to wonder whether that is a thief. 351 00:25:39,010 --> 00:25:41,110 So you begin to watch. 352 00:25:42,230 --> 00:25:46,210 And sure enough in the night he came. 353 00:25:48,090 --> 00:25:52,470 It is as if you foreknow that person. 354 00:25:53,290 --> 00:25:56,550 Now does it because of that you make 355 00:25:56,550 --> 00:25:57,190 him a thief? 356 00:25:58,450 --> 00:26:00,950 You are responsible in making him a thief 357 00:26:00,950 --> 00:26:03,350 because you have such foreknowledge? 358 00:26:03,770 --> 00:26:04,550 Not at all. 359 00:26:05,370 --> 00:26:07,790 He makes himself a thief. 360 00:26:08,210 --> 00:26:09,830 But you are so observant. 361 00:26:12,900 --> 00:26:18,970 Now our God, his foreknowledge is unlimited. 362 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:26,160 Before you are born, before you are shaped 363 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,500 in your mother's womb, or long before of 364 00:26:29,500 --> 00:26:33,140 course, even before the foundation of the world, 365 00:26:33,780 --> 00:26:36,640 there is nothing of you yet. 366 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:38,860 But God has already seen you. 367 00:26:41,750 --> 00:26:42,870 He has the foreknowledge. 368 00:26:44,370 --> 00:26:45,150 He knows you. 369 00:26:47,650 --> 00:26:52,610 Dear friends, you may not know God, but 370 00:26:52,610 --> 00:26:54,650 God knows you, by your name. 371 00:26:55,710 --> 00:26:57,630 You remember that happened? 372 00:27:01,970 --> 00:27:04,970 When Paul was Saul. 373 00:27:05,870 --> 00:27:07,850 He changed his name afterwards, you know. 374 00:27:08,930 --> 00:27:14,680 Now Saul means look for. 375 00:27:15,820 --> 00:27:18,020 Someone that you look for. 376 00:27:18,380 --> 00:27:19,060 Big shot. 377 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:26,340 The first king in the Jewish nation was 378 00:27:26,340 --> 00:27:27,260 named Saul. 379 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:30,720 So this man was named after the great 380 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:31,640 king, Saul. 381 00:27:32,540 --> 00:27:32,940 Thoughtful. 382 00:27:34,220 --> 00:27:36,040 But after he believed in the Lord Jesus, 383 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,480 he used the name Paul, which means little. 384 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:42,480 You know, isn't that true? 385 00:27:43,420 --> 00:27:45,440 Before we know the Lord Jesus, we feel 386 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:50,430 ourselves great, big, important. 387 00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:55,520 But when you know the Lord Jesus, it 388 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:56,320 makes you little. 389 00:27:57,120 --> 00:27:59,140 You feel you are just little, nothing. 390 00:28:01,740 --> 00:28:02,600 Thank God for that. 391 00:28:06,660 --> 00:28:12,160 You know, this man Saul, he persecuted Christians. 392 00:28:15,030 --> 00:28:15,550 Fearfully. 393 00:28:17,690 --> 00:28:20,730 Not only in Jerusalem, the capital city. 394 00:28:21,270 --> 00:28:24,490 He went into homes, seized men and women 395 00:28:24,490 --> 00:28:27,690 who believed in the Lord Jesus, and sentenced 396 00:28:27,690 --> 00:28:28,090 them. 397 00:28:28,090 --> 00:28:31,610 And he will go to the synagogues and 398 00:28:31,610 --> 00:28:34,670 force these people to blaspheme. 399 00:28:36,330 --> 00:28:40,130 And when Stephen was stoned to death, he 400 00:28:40,130 --> 00:28:44,610 was there watching the clothes of those who 401 00:28:44,610 --> 00:28:45,250 stoned Stephen. 402 00:28:45,250 --> 00:28:49,790 When anyone is sentenced, he gives his vote. 403 00:28:50,890 --> 00:28:53,990 And he persecuted Christians even to Gentile cities. 404 00:28:55,350 --> 00:28:56,110 That was Saul. 405 00:28:56,870 --> 00:29:00,350 But on the way to Damascus, the Lord, 406 00:29:00,730 --> 00:29:02,170 the Risen Lord met him. 407 00:29:03,090 --> 00:29:06,030 And you know what the Lord said, Saul, 408 00:29:06,390 --> 00:29:09,190 Saul, why do you persecute me? 409 00:29:09,930 --> 00:29:12,670 It is hard for you to kick against 410 00:29:12,670 --> 00:29:13,110 goats. 411 00:29:14,290 --> 00:29:16,590 Ah, Saul said, who are you Lord? 412 00:29:18,740 --> 00:29:21,000 You know, we do not know God, but 413 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:22,460 God knows us all the time. 414 00:29:23,260 --> 00:29:24,620 He knows your very name. 415 00:29:25,300 --> 00:29:27,660 And thank God one day he called you. 416 00:29:36,020 --> 00:29:38,480 God knows every one of us. 417 00:29:40,770 --> 00:29:41,670 All the time. 418 00:29:43,410 --> 00:29:45,350 Whom he has foreknown. 419 00:29:48,020 --> 00:29:49,800 You are foreknown by him. 420 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:53,320 You do not know him. 421 00:29:54,240 --> 00:29:55,680 But he knows you well. 422 00:29:56,460 --> 00:29:58,760 He knows you better than you know yourself. 423 00:29:59,900 --> 00:30:05,320 And our truth that is, whom he has 424 00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:05,840 foreknown. 425 00:30:10,810 --> 00:30:13,330 How does he use his foreknowledge? 426 00:30:14,750 --> 00:30:17,710 He said, whom he has foreknown, he has 427 00:30:17,710 --> 00:30:19,050 predestinated. 428 00:30:21,030 --> 00:30:22,870 Ah, predestination. 429 00:30:27,190 --> 00:30:35,310 He has predestinated that you be conformed to 430 00:30:35,310 --> 00:30:37,850 the image of his son. 431 00:30:38,550 --> 00:30:41,070 That his son may be the first born 432 00:30:41,070 --> 00:30:43,670 among many brethren. 433 00:30:44,510 --> 00:30:45,030 Wonderful. 434 00:30:47,750 --> 00:30:52,710 You know, people do not understand predestination. 435 00:30:54,810 --> 00:30:58,010 People even rebel against predestination. 436 00:30:59,010 --> 00:31:02,690 Have you heard people say, if God has 437 00:31:02,690 --> 00:31:08,540 predestined me to go to hell, then there 438 00:31:08,540 --> 00:31:09,560 is nothing I can do. 439 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:14,120 So God has to bear the responsibility. 440 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:16,660 How he can judge me? 441 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:18,640 Because he has predestinated. 442 00:31:19,740 --> 00:31:20,740 It is not my fault. 443 00:31:21,220 --> 00:31:22,020 It is his fault. 444 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:27,040 Ah, you misunderstand completely. 445 00:31:28,420 --> 00:31:29,940 That is not predestination. 446 00:31:31,420 --> 00:31:38,440 God never predestines anything arbitrarily. 447 00:31:40,860 --> 00:31:45,540 If you have a mind, a rational mind. 448 00:31:46,300 --> 00:31:49,100 How much more rational must be the mind 449 00:31:49,100 --> 00:31:49,580 of God? 450 00:31:55,310 --> 00:31:55,630 True. 451 00:31:56,970 --> 00:31:57,990 God foreknown. 452 00:32:00,660 --> 00:32:02,340 And he predestined. 453 00:32:04,280 --> 00:32:08,140 His predestination is according to foreknowledge. 454 00:32:10,660 --> 00:32:12,820 He does not predestine arbitrarily. 455 00:32:13,140 --> 00:32:15,580 Say, so and so, you go to hell. 456 00:32:15,820 --> 00:32:17,560 So and so, you go to heaven. 457 00:32:18,060 --> 00:32:18,320 No. 458 00:32:18,780 --> 00:32:19,780 He never does that. 459 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:24,880 Because it is God's will that all may 460 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:29,500 be saved and come to the knowledge of 461 00:32:29,500 --> 00:32:29,860 God. 462 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:31,380 That is God's heart. 463 00:32:32,780 --> 00:32:37,860 But he knows beforehand, when the gospel is 464 00:32:37,860 --> 00:32:41,440 presented to you, how will you react? 465 00:32:42,750 --> 00:32:47,570 Whether you will humble yourself and confess your 466 00:32:47,570 --> 00:32:51,670 sins and allow the Lord Jesus to cleanse 467 00:32:51,670 --> 00:32:53,790 you with his precious blood. 468 00:32:54,350 --> 00:32:56,010 He died for you on the cross. 469 00:32:56,570 --> 00:32:59,470 Whether you are willing to accept his offer. 470 00:32:59,470 --> 00:33:06,440 Or you will harden your heart, you reject 471 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:14,200 his offer of love, and you yourself predestine 472 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:16,200 for hell. 473 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:21,520 So in other words, God knows how you 474 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:22,740 will react. 475 00:33:22,740 --> 00:33:25,980 God will use every means to persuade you. 476 00:33:27,180 --> 00:33:28,720 But he cannot force you. 477 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:30,140 Why? 478 00:33:30,260 --> 00:33:32,540 Because he is the one who creates you. 479 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:35,500 And he creates you with a will. 480 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:39,680 God is the supreme will of the universe. 481 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:42,160 And he creates you with a will. 482 00:33:43,460 --> 00:33:46,640 And because he gives you a will, he 483 00:33:46,640 --> 00:33:48,480 respects your will. 484 00:33:49,220 --> 00:33:51,320 He will not force you to do anything. 485 00:33:51,740 --> 00:33:53,220 He can persuade you. 486 00:33:54,240 --> 00:33:55,400 He can warn you. 487 00:33:56,220 --> 00:33:59,360 But he cannot, he will not, not cannot, 488 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:01,860 he will not force your will. 489 00:34:01,860 --> 00:34:04,760 If you do not want to accept his 490 00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:07,199 love, nothing he can do. 491 00:34:08,739 --> 00:34:11,280 That's what you decide to do. 492 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:16,239 And God predestines according to what you decide. 493 00:34:21,370 --> 00:34:23,030 Just like the illustration I used. 494 00:34:23,730 --> 00:34:25,550 You do not make that person a thief. 495 00:34:25,550 --> 00:34:33,239 Because you foreknow, he has to be responsible 496 00:34:33,239 --> 00:34:34,760 for himself. 497 00:34:36,219 --> 00:34:42,620 Thank God, whom he has foreknown, he knows 498 00:34:42,620 --> 00:34:45,239 that when the gospel of Jesus Christ is 499 00:34:45,239 --> 00:34:50,940 presented to you, you will humble yourself, confess 500 00:34:50,940 --> 00:34:54,940 your sins, and allow the Lord Jesus to 501 00:34:57,210 --> 00:35:01,640 redeem you, to cleanse you. 502 00:35:02,780 --> 00:35:06,900 And to fill you with his life. 503 00:35:08,120 --> 00:35:10,260 So he predestinated you. 504 00:35:11,380 --> 00:35:13,320 Now he predestinated you to what? 505 00:35:14,340 --> 00:35:18,480 You know, predestination is not to predestine to 506 00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:19,920 death or life. 507 00:35:20,500 --> 00:35:22,520 Eternal death or eternal life. 508 00:35:22,760 --> 00:35:23,040 No. 509 00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:25,920 To us, this is everything. 510 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:28,760 Oh, if only I can go to heaven. 511 00:35:29,740 --> 00:35:30,860 That's everything to me. 512 00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:33,480 If only I can accept hell. 513 00:35:34,040 --> 00:35:35,140 That's everything to me. 514 00:35:35,720 --> 00:35:36,520 It's so good. 515 00:35:37,540 --> 00:35:38,580 Thank God for that. 516 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:40,820 But remember, he is God. 517 00:35:42,380 --> 00:35:45,200 You are satisfied, but he is not satisfied. 518 00:35:46,120 --> 00:35:48,960 He has to so work in your life 519 00:35:48,960 --> 00:35:51,480 until he is satisfied. 520 00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:54,480 He loves you so much. 521 00:35:55,340 --> 00:35:58,060 He wants to do so much for you. 522 00:35:59,380 --> 00:36:02,020 Not just save you out of hell into 523 00:36:02,020 --> 00:36:02,500 heaven. 524 00:36:02,820 --> 00:36:03,020 No. 525 00:36:03,600 --> 00:36:04,840 That's not predestination. 526 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:12,140 Predestination is he has predestinated you to be 527 00:36:12,140 --> 00:36:17,020 conformed to the image of his son, Jesus 528 00:36:17,020 --> 00:36:17,560 Christ. 529 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:19,340 Now think of that. 530 00:36:23,590 --> 00:36:26,810 God has an only begotten son. 531 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:35,640 He has that son even before the foundation 532 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:36,320 of the world. 533 00:36:43,630 --> 00:36:45,270 His only begotten son. 534 00:36:47,790 --> 00:36:50,190 This is the very heart of God. 535 00:36:51,490 --> 00:36:55,350 All his love is poured upon that son. 536 00:36:58,730 --> 00:37:01,830 He made his beloved son the heir of 537 00:37:01,830 --> 00:37:02,510 all things. 538 00:37:02,510 --> 00:37:05,490 As a matter of fact, he created all 539 00:37:05,490 --> 00:37:06,910 things for his son. 540 00:37:09,130 --> 00:37:13,090 And he especially created man for his son. 541 00:37:14,490 --> 00:37:17,390 Because he says it is not good for 542 00:37:17,390 --> 00:37:18,390 his son to be alone. 543 00:37:20,070 --> 00:37:23,150 God will make him a helpmate, his like, 544 00:37:25,260 --> 00:37:29,060 to share his life, to share his glory. 545 00:37:30,420 --> 00:37:33,700 That is God's purpose concerning you and me. 546 00:37:34,860 --> 00:37:36,460 It is because of his son. 547 00:37:36,620 --> 00:37:37,420 Not because of you. 548 00:37:38,220 --> 00:37:39,160 Not because of me. 549 00:37:40,060 --> 00:37:41,140 We are not that important. 550 00:37:43,380 --> 00:37:45,380 It is because of God's son. 551 00:37:45,380 --> 00:37:49,280 You know, God loves his beloved son. 552 00:37:50,660 --> 00:37:52,800 He gives everything to his son. 553 00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:58,360 And his son is so obedient to him. 554 00:37:59,080 --> 00:38:02,240 Pleases him all the time. 555 00:38:03,120 --> 00:38:03,680 Everything. 556 00:38:04,680 --> 00:38:05,940 That is our Lord Jesus. 557 00:38:11,190 --> 00:38:13,430 So his son is the model. 558 00:38:16,900 --> 00:38:23,940 And God wants to transform you and conform 559 00:38:23,940 --> 00:38:28,440 you to the image of his son. 560 00:38:29,020 --> 00:38:29,820 To be like him. 561 00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:36,640 His son is all glorious. 562 00:38:37,760 --> 00:38:38,760 So holy. 563 00:38:39,720 --> 00:38:40,580 So pure. 564 00:38:42,160 --> 00:38:43,300 So meek. 565 00:38:44,120 --> 00:38:44,920 So humble. 566 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:47,440 So great. 567 00:38:47,840 --> 00:38:48,720 So powerful. 568 00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:53,920 So glorious. 569 00:38:57,570 --> 00:39:02,400 And God said, I want to work until 570 00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:04,300 you are like my son. 571 00:39:06,680 --> 00:39:10,320 So you can be his like and eventually 572 00:39:10,320 --> 00:39:12,580 be his helpmate. 573 00:39:14,890 --> 00:39:18,190 Eternally united with the son. 574 00:39:18,930 --> 00:39:19,570 In glory. 575 00:39:19,570 --> 00:39:24,890 Now that is God's purpose for you. 576 00:39:28,710 --> 00:39:29,650 Isn't that wonderful? 577 00:39:30,690 --> 00:39:34,270 You know, I thank God for predestination. 578 00:39:38,120 --> 00:39:41,200 Because was God purposed that for your life? 579 00:39:42,260 --> 00:39:44,320 He will see to it that it is 580 00:39:44,320 --> 00:39:44,600 done. 581 00:39:46,230 --> 00:39:51,700 If you cooperate, it will be faster. 582 00:39:52,620 --> 00:39:56,620 If you don't cooperate, it will take longer 583 00:39:56,620 --> 00:39:57,020 time. 584 00:39:57,840 --> 00:39:58,880 But it shall be done. 585 00:40:00,140 --> 00:40:00,580 Wonderful. 586 00:40:05,660 --> 00:40:07,560 And how is he going to do that? 587 00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:10,040 Read the following verse. 588 00:40:12,570 --> 00:40:19,150 But whom he has predestinated, these also he 589 00:40:19,150 --> 00:40:19,710 has called. 590 00:40:21,070 --> 00:40:25,170 Now God by his full knowledge, he has 591 00:40:25,170 --> 00:40:28,470 predestinated you for a glorious future. 592 00:40:29,610 --> 00:40:30,810 To be like his son. 593 00:40:31,790 --> 00:40:34,250 That you may be united with his son. 594 00:40:37,220 --> 00:40:41,780 And whom he has predestinated, he has called. 595 00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:46,060 Are you called? 596 00:40:49,520 --> 00:40:50,860 Everyone is called. 597 00:40:51,980 --> 00:40:56,060 But not everyone responds in the same way. 598 00:40:57,540 --> 00:40:59,020 You remember what the Bible said? 599 00:40:59,420 --> 00:41:00,500 Whosoever wills. 600 00:41:03,030 --> 00:41:08,630 Whosoever wills, come and drink of the water 601 00:41:08,630 --> 00:41:09,250 of life. 602 00:41:13,500 --> 00:41:18,300 D.L. Moody, that great evangelist, used an 603 00:41:18,300 --> 00:41:21,500 illustration which is very clear. 604 00:41:23,380 --> 00:41:27,320 He said, when you come to the door 605 00:41:27,320 --> 00:41:34,420 of the salvation of the Lord, what do 606 00:41:34,420 --> 00:41:37,960 you see written on the door? 607 00:41:40,820 --> 00:41:42,300 Whosoever wills. 608 00:41:47,270 --> 00:41:50,690 Whosoever wills, can enter. 609 00:41:53,680 --> 00:41:57,480 Now if he said, if on the door 610 00:41:57,480 --> 00:42:06,050 it said, D.L. Moody wills, you can 611 00:42:06,050 --> 00:42:06,730 enter in. 612 00:42:07,650 --> 00:42:10,670 Then he wonders whether there are another D 613 00:42:10,670 --> 00:42:12,570 .L. Moody than himself. 614 00:42:12,570 --> 00:42:14,350 You cannot be too sure. 615 00:42:15,350 --> 00:42:16,470 People may have the same name. 616 00:42:17,450 --> 00:42:18,770 It means other people, not you. 617 00:42:19,850 --> 00:42:22,990 But he said, whosoever wills, that is no 618 00:42:22,990 --> 00:42:24,150 doubt including me. 619 00:42:24,890 --> 00:42:25,170 Right? 620 00:42:26,470 --> 00:42:27,910 So he said, I will. 621 00:42:29,350 --> 00:42:30,910 So he entered in. 622 00:42:32,920 --> 00:42:36,160 And after he entered into the door, he 623 00:42:36,160 --> 00:42:36,840 looked back. 624 00:42:37,860 --> 00:42:40,260 And he saw written at the back of 625 00:42:40,260 --> 00:42:46,400 the door, you who are called and predestinated. 626 00:42:51,720 --> 00:42:54,960 So how can you know you are called? 627 00:42:57,270 --> 00:42:57,830 Enter in. 628 00:42:59,470 --> 00:43:02,870 If you have entered into the door of 629 00:43:02,870 --> 00:43:05,990 salvation, if you have believed in the Lord 630 00:43:05,990 --> 00:43:11,560 Jesus as your personal saviour, if you believe 631 00:43:11,560 --> 00:43:15,460 that he is the son of God, he 632 00:43:15,460 --> 00:43:17,460 is raised from the dead, that you may 633 00:43:17,460 --> 00:43:18,240 be justified. 634 00:43:18,240 --> 00:43:22,960 If you believe with your heart and confess 635 00:43:22,960 --> 00:43:27,240 him with your mouth, then you look back 636 00:43:27,240 --> 00:43:33,200 and you are told, you are called, predestinated 637 00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:37,040 to be conformed to the image of God's 638 00:43:37,040 --> 00:43:37,860 beloved son. 639 00:43:39,300 --> 00:43:40,540 So you know it. 640 00:43:41,840 --> 00:43:44,980 Whom he has predestinated, he has called. 641 00:43:45,820 --> 00:43:48,980 And whom he has called, he has justified. 642 00:43:50,440 --> 00:43:51,620 What is justified? 643 00:43:53,020 --> 00:43:57,660 How can a sinner be justified, be just 644 00:43:57,660 --> 00:44:00,000 before God, before the just God? 645 00:44:00,720 --> 00:44:02,180 Our God is just. 646 00:44:03,000 --> 00:44:03,960 He knows everything. 647 00:44:05,040 --> 00:44:10,260 Now how can I be justified before him? 648 00:44:13,220 --> 00:44:18,840 I have committed many things against God, against 649 00:44:18,840 --> 00:44:21,140 myself, against people. 650 00:44:22,760 --> 00:44:23,380 God knows. 651 00:44:24,580 --> 00:44:26,020 How can I be justified? 652 00:44:26,020 --> 00:44:29,600 Just as if I have never sinned. 653 00:44:30,440 --> 00:44:33,660 Who is able to cleanse me from all 654 00:44:33,660 --> 00:44:34,340 my sins? 655 00:44:36,230 --> 00:44:40,050 Whom he has called, he has justified. 656 00:44:40,690 --> 00:44:47,270 In other words, you cannot justify yourself, but 657 00:44:47,270 --> 00:44:48,650 he can justify you. 658 00:44:49,030 --> 00:44:49,290 Why? 659 00:44:49,430 --> 00:44:52,790 Because he has sent his beloved son into 660 00:44:52,790 --> 00:44:55,570 the world to die in your stead. 661 00:44:55,570 --> 00:45:00,830 His son bore in his body all your 662 00:45:00,830 --> 00:45:01,290 sins. 663 00:45:02,390 --> 00:45:08,330 And he was crucified on the cross for 664 00:45:08,330 --> 00:45:08,610 you. 665 00:45:10,190 --> 00:45:15,610 And now justification is offered to you. 666 00:45:15,610 --> 00:45:20,170 If you believe, we are justified, not by 667 00:45:20,170 --> 00:45:24,650 our works, but by faith, by believing in 668 00:45:24,650 --> 00:45:29,150 God's gift, believing in Jesus Christ as our 669 00:45:29,150 --> 00:45:29,410 Lord. 670 00:45:29,890 --> 00:45:30,750 What is that? 671 00:45:31,550 --> 00:45:35,490 He says whom he has justified, he has 672 00:45:35,490 --> 00:45:36,850 glorified. 673 00:45:38,010 --> 00:45:41,030 You know, justified is just the beginning. 674 00:45:43,320 --> 00:45:44,380 Your sins are forgiven. 675 00:45:44,880 --> 00:45:46,060 You receive a new life. 676 00:45:46,380 --> 00:45:47,620 But that is just the beginning. 677 00:45:48,660 --> 00:45:53,060 And now God is working to make that 678 00:45:53,060 --> 00:45:54,000 life grow. 679 00:46:17,040 --> 00:46:18,900 Now that is what God is doing to 680 00:46:18,900 --> 00:46:19,380 you today. 681 00:46:20,380 --> 00:46:21,940 Now how is it to be done? 682 00:46:21,940 --> 00:46:26,080 How can the justified be glorified? 683 00:46:27,260 --> 00:46:30,520 All things work together for good. 684 00:46:31,840 --> 00:46:34,380 To those who love the Lord, who are 685 00:46:34,380 --> 00:46:37,100 called according to purpose. 686 00:46:37,100 --> 00:46:40,960 Now brothers and sisters, I hope you understand. 687 00:46:43,200 --> 00:46:48,760 Why is it that certain things happen in 688 00:46:48,760 --> 00:46:49,260 your life? 689 00:46:50,400 --> 00:46:54,220 Why is it certain people come into your 690 00:46:54,220 --> 00:46:54,500 life? 691 00:46:56,200 --> 00:47:04,650 Why is it nothing happened to you by 692 00:47:04,650 --> 00:47:05,050 chance? 693 00:47:06,290 --> 00:47:13,370 The Bible said even your hair has been 694 00:47:13,370 --> 00:47:13,830 numbered. 695 00:47:15,290 --> 00:47:17,250 You know how many hair you have? 696 00:47:18,410 --> 00:47:19,410 Nobody knows. 697 00:47:20,910 --> 00:47:23,110 But he knows and he numbers every one 698 00:47:23,110 --> 00:47:23,450 of them. 699 00:47:24,210 --> 00:47:26,030 In the morning when you comb your hair, 700 00:47:26,770 --> 00:47:29,210 God says well number a thousand and five 701 00:47:29,210 --> 00:47:29,830 fall down. 702 00:47:29,830 --> 00:47:38,040 That is the love of God. 703 00:47:42,590 --> 00:47:46,410 Therefore brothers and sisters, you who are called, 704 00:47:47,890 --> 00:47:52,670 you who are justified, he is working in 705 00:47:52,670 --> 00:47:53,230 your life. 706 00:47:56,140 --> 00:48:03,260 Every day, every moment, God is moving all 707 00:48:03,260 --> 00:48:09,660 things to work together for good. 708 00:48:12,120 --> 00:48:18,020 By all these things, those that are not 709 00:48:18,020 --> 00:48:23,360 pleasing to God, those who are natural, carnal, 710 00:48:24,080 --> 00:48:31,060 fleshly, worldly, against God, God used all things 711 00:48:31,060 --> 00:48:33,620 to bring these things to death. 712 00:48:35,320 --> 00:48:38,360 And at the same time, he is using 713 00:48:38,360 --> 00:48:41,440 all things to build up the Christ character 714 00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:42,860 in your life. 715 00:48:44,340 --> 00:48:46,420 You know only Christ is glorious. 716 00:48:47,500 --> 00:48:48,800 His life is glory. 717 00:48:51,020 --> 00:48:54,200 So whenever the character of Christ is built 718 00:48:54,200 --> 00:48:56,460 in you, then you see glory. 719 00:49:00,210 --> 00:49:07,190 And God's beloved Son, only begotten Son, will 720 00:49:07,190 --> 00:49:10,670 be the firstborn among many brethren. 721 00:49:15,760 --> 00:49:16,700 What does it mean? 722 00:49:17,320 --> 00:49:21,320 It means that many brethren will take up 723 00:49:21,320 --> 00:49:26,600 upon themselves the character, the image of the 724 00:49:26,600 --> 00:49:27,120 firstborn. 725 00:49:29,450 --> 00:49:32,610 So he will be the firstborn among many 726 00:49:32,610 --> 00:49:32,970 brethren. 727 00:49:35,050 --> 00:49:37,890 He will be the model, the example. 728 00:49:40,230 --> 00:49:42,770 You know in the Bible, firstborn has two 729 00:49:42,770 --> 00:49:43,170 meanings. 730 00:49:44,390 --> 00:49:47,290 One is the common meaning, first in time. 731 00:49:48,030 --> 00:49:51,210 Suppose in your family you have five children 732 00:49:51,210 --> 00:49:55,270 and the firstborn, he is born first in 733 00:49:55,270 --> 00:49:55,630 time. 734 00:49:56,390 --> 00:49:58,810 He may not be first in character, but 735 00:49:58,810 --> 00:50:00,870 certainly he is first in time. 736 00:50:02,230 --> 00:50:02,930 That's one way. 737 00:50:02,930 --> 00:50:05,570 Another way you find in the Bible, firstborn 738 00:50:05,570 --> 00:50:08,070 is according to quality. 739 00:50:09,130 --> 00:50:11,650 Not according to time, but according to quality. 740 00:50:14,140 --> 00:50:18,880 Just like you remember Jacob make Joseph the 741 00:50:18,880 --> 00:50:19,440 firstborn. 742 00:50:21,300 --> 00:50:22,180 You know, a character. 743 00:50:23,740 --> 00:50:28,120 So we will take our character from Christ. 744 00:50:30,220 --> 00:50:31,360 He is the firstborn. 745 00:50:32,060 --> 00:50:34,480 He has the priority, he has the sovereignty. 746 00:50:35,860 --> 00:50:38,860 And we begin to take character from him. 747 00:50:39,980 --> 00:50:43,680 So he becomes the firstborn among many brethren. 748 00:50:45,570 --> 00:50:47,890 Wonderful, brothers and sisters. 749 00:50:48,490 --> 00:50:51,010 You know, I feel really excited. 750 00:50:51,790 --> 00:50:52,310 Wonderful. 751 00:50:53,270 --> 00:50:55,850 You know, you do not know what God 752 00:50:55,850 --> 00:50:57,030 is doing with you. 753 00:50:59,230 --> 00:51:01,330 If you know what God is doing with 754 00:51:01,330 --> 00:51:03,670 you, what can you do but worship? 755 00:51:07,340 --> 00:51:08,120 God is good. 756 00:51:12,600 --> 00:51:13,800 So may the Lord help us. 757 00:51:14,780 --> 00:51:15,420 Shall we pray? 758 00:51:20,200 --> 00:51:24,020 Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are warmed. 759 00:51:26,640 --> 00:51:29,140 We thank you for loving us so much. 760 00:51:30,220 --> 00:51:33,300 Your thoughts concerning us are noble and many. 761 00:51:35,900 --> 00:51:38,040 We do thank Thee that Thou art not 762 00:51:38,040 --> 00:51:41,100 satisfied just to justify us. 763 00:51:41,840 --> 00:51:44,180 Thou wants to glorify us. 764 00:51:45,000 --> 00:51:49,800 Oh, that we may take up the character 765 00:51:49,800 --> 00:51:53,420 of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 766 00:51:54,660 --> 00:51:56,220 He alone is worthy. 767 00:51:58,140 --> 00:52:00,120 Dear Lord, we do pray that by Thy 768 00:52:00,120 --> 00:52:03,180 word Thou will open our understanding. 769 00:52:04,240 --> 00:52:08,180 That we may not murmur, but we may 770 00:52:08,180 --> 00:52:09,160 praise Thee. 771 00:52:10,750 --> 00:52:13,950 That we may not rebel against Thee, but 772 00:52:13,950 --> 00:52:17,590 we may submit ourselves to Thee, knowing that 773 00:52:17,590 --> 00:52:19,350 Thou does all things well. 774 00:52:20,390 --> 00:52:24,470 Oh, work out Your full salvation in each 775 00:52:24,470 --> 00:52:28,650 of our lives that you may be glorified. 776 00:52:28,650 --> 00:52:32,270 We ask in the name of our blessed 777 00:52:32,270 --> 00:52:34,290 Lord, Jesus Christ. 778 00:52:34,810 --> 00:52:35,130 Amen.