Amen. You take with me in your Bibles the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 25, verse 8 and 9. He will swallow up death forever. And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. And the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth. For the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Behold, this is our God. We have waited for Him that He might save us. This is the Lord. We have waited for Him. Let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Isaiah 25, verse 8-9. Destruirá a la muerte para siempre. Y enjugará Jehová el Señor, toda lágrima de todos los rostros. Y quitará la afrenta de su pueblo, de toda la tierra. Porque Jehová lo ha dicho. God, we see a deep well here this morning. The depth of the gospel taken to the most dark place of the battle that happened on the cross. God, I pray that as we examine that dark battle this morning, You would show us our need for the gospel. You would show us our need for Christ. Some, even sitting here, are indifferent of their eternity. Some, even sitting here, are going to try to distract themselves, for they love their own glory than yours. They love their own sin more than they care about their own soul. But God, I beg and I plead this morning. Your spirit is irresistible. Your grace irresistible. Your power is all powerful. You have the power to raise the dead. Your text says that you'll swallow up death, that you'll take all of our sins away, and you'll cause your people to rejoice. God, I pray that this morning. And even our little ones, you would give them a mind and a heart to understand, and they would repent and believe the work of Christ. God, we see also in this text the response of the church to take great joy in what you've done. God, I pray that as we look at the deep hole, this terrible battle that happened, the cross between Christ and death, that you would raise the hope of your children to eternity. And the hope wouldn't put us to shame, but would carry us. That all of our tears would be wiped away and as you say, you guard them, take them and put them in your bottle. That we would believe it. And that joy and happiness and worship and praise would fill our hearts. And that we would be a people contented with Christ and Him alone. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. You may be seated, put into Mar Asiento. Let me share with you some words we sang this morning. Déjame contar con ustedes unas palabras que cantamos esta mañana. He took my sins and my sorrows. He made them his very own. He bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone. Por mí se hizo pecado, mis culpas su amor llevó. Murió en la cruz, olvidado, mas mi alma el rescató. What a beautiful thing. Que cosa hermoso. I'm wicked and vile, deserving of death. Yo soy malvado, vil, mereciendo la muerte. We ask our children. How sinful are we? I'm sinful in every part of my being. It's true. It's verdad. Never a right thought. Not once do we look for God. We hate God. We're dead in our trespasses and sins. The Bible says we deserve death, eternal death. La Bible dice que merecemos un muerto eterno. And yet, he took my sins and my sorrows. Y el tomo mis pecados y milagros. He died on the cross bearing my burden. El murió en la cruz cargando mi carga. He redeemed us. Nos redimió. And we also sang this. También cantamos esta. when with the rampant glory His face I at last shall see, to be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me. Cuando al final con los santos su gloria contemplaré, con gratitude y con cantos su nombre alabaré. I always say that they missed, the writer of this hymn missed a point here. Yo siempre diré, digo que el autor de este himno falló en un punto. Right after his face I at last shall see, it should just say, Sela. Después que dice, su gloria contemplaré, debe decir Sela. Just stop for a moment and consider. Solo pausa su momento y considera. We just said, I'm going to contemplate the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. I need a moment. We just took ourselves to eternity. I can't keep going. Hold on a second. That is the answer to our two questions. Esa respuesta a nuestras dos preguntas. What did he do? And what is our response? ¿Qué hizo él? ¿Y qué es nuestra respuesta? We also sang a song this morning. También cantamos una canción esta mañana. By John Newton. De John Newton. He was a slave trader. Él era un vendedor de esclavos. He would travel to Africa, lie to Africans, steal them, robarlos, stick them on a boat, drive them to London, and then he would sell them. It's pretty wicked. It's malvado. I'm not sure it gets more unethical than that. No estoy seguro que se pasa menos etica que esto. But as he wrote, pero como el escrito, it was grace that taught my heart to fear. Fue gracia que me enseño a temor. The light of the gospel shone in his heart. The Loosed Evangelio brillo in su corazon and saved him. Y el Señor lo salvo. What a glorious gospel. Que glorioso Evangelio. It's a gospel that the prophet Isaiah wrote about. And in this passage, we're going to look at this week and next week. We have a battle to look at. Now, I know the men in this room love a good battle. I love a good battle. I love for them to duke it out. And that one would rise up victorious. Our text says that death would be swallowed up forever. Now, the word is forever. But the New Testament records it a little differently in the Book of Corinthians. Death would be swallowed up to victory. Destruido a la victoria. That we would have a victory. Que sera una victoria. And it's in this phrase that we see that it's a battle. En esta frase que vemos que es una batalla. It's a war that happened. A una guerra que paso. And there's some distinctions about this battle. Hay unas distinciones de esta batalla. First, I want you to see the combatants in this battle. Primero, quiero que vean los combatientes de esta batalla. It's two of the mightiest enemies ever. Dos de los enemigos más grandes en toda historia. They come to this hill of Calvary to fight it out. Viene este lobo, Calvario, para pelearlo. One of these is the champion over all humanity. Uno de ellos es el campeonato de toda la humanidad. He's never lost one. Nunca ha perdido uno. Now some would say, well Elijah didn't die and Enoch didn't die. I do believe they physically died, but I believe they were taken up. They didn't die like other men. No one from the children of man could ever overcome him. Ninguno de los hijos del hombre puede vencerlo. The other combatant, el otro combatiente, is referred to as he in the text. Está referido como el en el texto. It's the greatest of all, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Es el mayor de toda la eternidad, aún el Señor Jesucristo. And he became man. And him being man could feel the full force of death. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts. But in verse 6 it tells us he's the Lord of Hosts Death and humanity's mediator face off in this battle. La muerte y el mediador de humanidad están confrontados en esta batalla. Second, I want you to consider the occasion of the battle. Segundo, quiero que consideras la ocasión de la batalla. The text says that death is swallowed up forever. El texto dice que la muerte se ha destruido para siempre. You see, death was praying. La muerte estaba cazando. Even upon the elect. Aún son los elegidos. They were given to Christ by his father. Fueron dado a Cristo por su padre. And even there's some confusion. Hay un poco de confusión. You can't save David. No puede salvar David. You can't save Abraham. No puede salvar Abraham. He is mine. Es mio. Christ came to rescue us from the mouth of death. Cristo vino a rescatarnos de la boca de la muerte. I know of a story. Yo conozco una historia. of a man whose son was asleep in his tent. De un hombre que su hijo fue dormido en su tienda. And a bear came and took him. Y un oso vino a tomarlo. And that father chased him down and rescued him from the mouth of the bear. Y ese padre lo alcanzo y rescato su hijo de la boca del oso. It's exactly what Christ did for us. It's like Cristo hizo por nosotros. He came and rescued us from the mouth of death. El vino a rescatarnos de la boca de la muerte. Christ bore the guilt of sinners. Cristo cargó la cubre de pecadores. The very thing that gave death power over them. El mero cosa que dio la muerte de poder sobre ellos. So death comes at Christ. Entonces la muerte vino contra Cristo. It was our guilt. The wages of sin is death. Es nuestra culpa. Los pecados de pecados muerte. And so Christ charged, God charged our guilt upon Him. Dios cargó nuestra culpa sobre Él. So death comes for Him. Entonces la muerte vino para Él. He was merely born in Bethlehem. Solo estaba nacido en Bethlehem. And death through Herod tries to come for him. Death shot him his whole life. They're going to stone him one day. And he just walks through them. He disappeared. But on Calvary, he saw his opportunity. Pero en Calvario vio su oportunidad. It's there that death wrestled him to the grave. Es ahí que la muerte llevó a Cristo a la muerte. But third, I want you to consider the outcome. Tercero, quiero que consideres el éxito de esta batalla. Every time the heart stops beating, death has won the victory. Cada vez que una corazón deja de latar, la muerte ha ganado la victoria. But not this time. Pero no esta vez. The one who died, this time has the power over death. Even to revive himself. Pilot says, do you not know I have power over you? No, you don't. The little thing is, I have the power to lay my life down and to take it up again. He has power in himself. Listen. He died. That's gospel truth. But he walks out of the tomb victorious. But he comes out victorious from the grave. Listen to what Romans 6.9 says. Listen to Romans 6.9. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again. Death no longer has dominion over him. Knowing that Christ has risen from the dead, I will not die. Death is no longer greater than he. Our mediator, nuestro mediador, will pursue the victory of the elect. Va a perseguir la victoria de los elegidos, of his people, de su pueblo, until death is completely abolished in his kingdom. Hasta que la muerte es completamente abolido en su reino. 1 Corinthians 15, 54 says, 1 Corinthians 15, 54 dice, when the perishable puts on the imperishable. and the mortal puts on immortality. That's when we die. Then shall come to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. Y cuando esto corrompible se haya vestido de incorrompible, y esto mortal se haya vestido de inmortalidad, es cuando morimos. Entonces se cumplirá a la palabra que está escrita. Sobredia is la muerte in victoria. It's quotes from this place in Isaiah. He will not let us go, church. Iglesia no nos deja. He will keep us for that day. Nos va a guardar por ese dia. He has given us this guarantee. Nos ha dado su garantia. His Holy Spirit, su Espirito Santo, to work in us. And to form us into his image. A trabajar nosotros a formarnos a su imagen. Here's what I want us to see today. Lo que quiero que vemos este día. Christ, having gone to battle with death, one. Cristo, yendo a batallar con la muerte, ganó. And he will keep us until the final day, when death is no more. Y va a guardarnos al día final, hasta que la muerte no es más. So, three things I want you to see today. Tres cosas que quiero que veas hoy. Two today, one next week. Dos hoy, y siguiente semana, otro. The battle, the victory, and the pursuit of Christ. So first we see the battle. How did Jesus come to fight this battle? Think about it. He is God eternal, the creator of heaven and earth. First, you didn't know he came as the head and representative of the elect. Primera, el vino como cabeza y representante de los elegidos. He is the federal head of his chosen. El es la cabeza federal de sus escogidos. He is their mediator. El es su mediador. He took on the burden of all the father had given to him. He took the burden of all that the Father had given him. Y quitará la frente de su pueblo de toda la tierra. Your sin will be taken away from all of Europe. Tu pecado será quitado de toda la tierra. Think about it. Pienso, I'm guilty. Yo soy culpable. And Isaiah says, there's hope. Isaiah dice, hay esperanza. There's one who is to come. Hay una que vendrá. And he'll take away your sin. El quita tus pecados. He took the burden of all the elect. I'll lay down my life for the sheep. Adam is the federal head that led us to the grave. Death had us in his snare. We had no way of escape. Ephesians says we were without God in the world, without hope. But Christ went to battle with death. as the federal head of the elect. And he stood in our place. He took upon him the guilt that we owed. He stood under the wrath of God meant for us. In chapter 53, the same book of Isaiah, chapter 53, the same book of Isaiah, in verse 8, verse 8, stricken for the transgression of my people. He was stricken because of our sin. He came to fight this battle as our head, the head of the elect. That's why Paul tells the Ephesian church. He is the head of the church's body. Second. How was this battle fought? How did He come to fight this battle? He came as our Redeemer and Deliverer. Hosea 13, 14 says this, Hosea 13, 14 says this, I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol. I shall redeem them from death. What an incredible account we read this morning in our lecture. They're coming to Mount Sinai. where Moses receives the law. And Romans says, Romanos dice, the law is the power of death. We read about these people coming to the revelation of the Lord. and the revelation of the Lord. I can imagine Satan and his such a small knowledge. I can imagine Satan and his such a small knowledge. That God brings these people out of Egypt. God brings the people out of Egypt. And he brings them to Mount Sinai. He brings them to Mount Sinai. They've done nothing but complain, complain, complain. They haven't done anything but complain, complain, complain. And Moses begs, and Moses begs, go before us. Be with us. And Satan, he can't. You are a wicked people. And so God gives them the Ten Commandments. Satan thinks he sees victory. The law is the power of death. You get to chapter one of John. He has given us grace in the place of grace. Rather than leaving us with Mount Sinai, he took us to Mount Calvary. He is our Redeemer. He is our Redentor. Hebrews 2.15, Hebrews 2.15. And to deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. He came as our Redeemer. And third, he came as our captain. That's how He came to fight this battle. For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist and bring many sons to glory, should make the founder or captain of their salvation perfect through suffering. hijos a la gloria perfeccionarse por aflexiones el autor or capitán de la salvación de ellos. God is in his infinite grace and mercy. Dios en su gracia infinito misericordia has given us Christ to lead us to victory. Nos ha dado Cristo a llevarnos victoria. He told Isaiah, behold, I've given him as a witness and a leader, commander of my people. El dijo a Isaías, he aquí yo he dado por testigo a los pueblos, por jefa y maestro de las naciones. It's Christ who's the leader of his people. It's Cristo quien lleva a su gente. I'm gonna look at the story of the exodus. Miramos la historia del exodo. They had to cross to the Red Sea. Tiene que cruzar el Mar Rojo. I'm reminded of Pilgrim's Progress. Recuerda Progreso Peregrino. We too have to cross the Red Sea of Death. Nosotros también tenemos que cruzar el Mar Rojo de la Muerte. We have to cross that river of life. Tenemos que cruzar el Rio de la Vida. And I know it seems like a terrible thing. Parece tan terrible. But should we not have the same disposition of John Patton? No debemos tener la misma disposición de John Patton. He was going to be a missionary to the islands off the coast of Australia. Iba a ser misionero de los islas de la costera de Australia. Full of cannibals. Lleno de cannibales. A veces me fallo. And his pastor begged him, John, please don't go. Su pastor rego, por favor, John, no vayas. They're going to eat you. Te van a comer. And he says, look, one day you're going to be old. El dijo, mira, un dia vas a ser viejo. And the worms are going to eat you when they lay you in the ground. Los gusanos te van a comer cuando te ponen en la tierra. Whether the worms or the cannibals, it makes no difference to me. Si los cannibales o los gusanos no me hace diferencia. We have to cross that river. We have to cross into death. But we come to the true Canaan. That's where he leads us as our redeemer. That's where he leads us as our captain. Is that not our hope? Here's Christian, he sees the celestial city. And he gets into the water. I'm going to die! And hopeful says, just look up. Look at him! ¡Míralo! Is that not our hope that he's our captain? ¿No es nuestra esperanza que él es nuestro capitán? He came and he fought this battle with death. Él vino a pelear esta batalla con la muerte. As our mediator, our redeemer, and our captain. Como nuestro mediador, nuestro redentor, nuestro capitán. Second, our text says, he will swallow up death forever. I want you to consider this morning the attack that death made against him. While he stood in our place. While he took upon him the guilt of us all. Death came against him. Satan had tempted him in the wilderness. And then he leaves him alone. Until this moment. And then death in its full fury comes against him in the law. 1 Corinthians 15, 56. The sting of death is sin. And the power of sin is the law. Ya que el aguijón de la muerte es el pecado y el poder del pecado es la ley. Death found him guilty. La muerte lo encontró culpable of our sin. Nuestro pecado, it was imputed to him. Que fue imputado a él. God took our sin and he put it on Christ. Dios tomó nuestro pecado y lo puso en Cristo. And he held him there on the cross. He got on a cruise. And death saw the opportunity. He's guilty. It's been imputed to him. Get him now. The fury of death comes in a moment. He became a curse for us. You see, from his birth, death looked for the opportunity. De su nacimiento, la muerte busca oportunidad. We see this in Revelation 12, what a beautiful picture. Vemos este en Apocalipsis 12, hermosa pintura. The dragon sought after the pregnant woman. La serpiente, el dragón, busca la mujer embarazada. Looked for an opportunity. Busco una oportunidad. He found it as he hung on the cross. Lo encontro mientras el cargo en la cruz. It's here that he's a man of sorrows. Es aqui que el es hombre de lamentacion. He's hanging here. Life nearly gone. Esta colgado. Casi se fue de la vida. Thirsty. The whole sky goes dark. It's from that depth that he cries out, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It's here that Satan came in full fury. This opportunity, but not only Satan, men. They spit on him and mocked him. Isaiah, the same letter records, it's the misma libro grava. He was despised and rejected by a man, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. As one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not. Despreciado, desechado entre los hombres, varón de dolores. Experimentado de enquebramento. Y como escondimos en él el rostro, fue menospreciado y no es quitamos. Judas sold him. Judas lo vendió. The Jews cried out, crucify him. Los judíos gritaron, crucifícalo. His closest friends abandoned him. Sus amigos más cercanos lo abandonaron. And it's here death comes with a sting. The guilt of the sins of the elect laid upon him. Makes the sting hurt all the worse. The multitude of deaths. Listen to this. A number that no one can count. Un numero que nadie puede contar. The death of all the saints. La muerte de todos los santos. The guilt of all the saints. La culpa de todos los santos. A multitude that no one can number. Una multitude que nadie puede nombrar. Laid upon Christ in this moment. Puesto sobre Cristo en este momento. And now he's carried as a prisoner to the grave. Y ahora está cargado como un prisionero de la muerte. He lifted up his face and breathed his last. Alzó su rostro y respiró lo último. The battle was over. La batalla se acabó. You remember the silly little song from Carmen back in the day? ¿Recuerdas la canción chistosa de Carmen en aquel día? Some of you have never heard it. Algunos nunca han escuchado. You'll have to listen to it on the way home now. Van a tener que escucharlo en camino a casa. You have the voice of the demons. ¿Tiene la voz de los demonios? He's dead! He's dead! Oh no! Stop counting! Dejes de contar! What happens? Que hace? That was the battle that was fought. Esta fue la batalla peleada. But now let me tell you about the victory. Pero ahora dejame decirte de la victoria. I want you to consider the victory that Christ won. Quiero que consideres la victoria que Cristo ganó. It says in Revelation 3, in verse 21, dice en Apostles 3, en versículo 21, as He's writing to the churches, mentes estais, scribindolas, iglesias, the one who conquers, I will grant Him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He triumphed over the enemy here. First I want you to see how the victory was won. Two ways, dos formas. One by his death. Primero por su muerto. I love John Owen and he coined the phrase. Me encanta John Owen y el dijo la frase, the death of death and the death of Christ. La muerte de la muerte, la muerte de Cristo. Death died that day. La muerte murió ese dia. Once more from Hebrews 2.14. That through death he might destroy the one who has power over death. He destroyed death itself. That he will swallow up death for all eternity. On the cross he said, it is finished. In La Cruz dijo, consumado es. He paid the last mite. Él pagó el último centavo. Death did all it could. La muerte hizo todo lo que podía. And it could do no more. Y no podía hacer más. The power of death was extended to Christ on the cross. El poder de la muerte fue extendido a Cristo en la cruz. And it was accomplished. Fue cumplido. He satisfied the law by his death. El satisfizó la ley por su muerte. The demands of the law that were laid upon His elect. Los demandes de la ley puestos sobre sus elegidos. He satisfied it. No satisfizó. You understand that? Entiendes? That's why Hebrews says we have an eternal redemption. Por eso Hebreos dice tenemos un redencio eterno. Because there is nothing else to charge against our account. No hay algo más a cargar en nuestra cuenta. Sin being removed. The law satisfied. And death has no power. That's why Isaiah says, Where is your sting? He conquered. He won the victory by his death. by his resurrection. Por su resurrección. I want you to think about this. ¿Qué piensas esta? He walked out of the tomb. El caminó afuera de la tumba. You remember the scene with Lazarus. Recall the scenario with Lazarus. Four days dead. Cuatro días muertos. Jesus has lost his mind. Jesús ha perdido la mente. Jesus, calm down. Cálmate. Don't do that. He's stinking. Good King James Word. Three days later, he rolls the stone back and he walks out. Death could not hold him down. La muerte no puede mantener abajo. Listen how Peter says this in his sermon in the book of Acts. Escucha como Peter dice eso en su sermón en el libro de Hechos. God raised him up, loosening the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Dice, al que cual Dios levantó, sueltos los dolores de la muerte, por cuanto era imposible que fuese retenido por ella. Here's Christ dead in the grave. Aquí está Cristo muerto en la tumba. With God in eternity, con Dios en eternidad. And God says, death's got no power. Dios di la muerte no tiene poder. Walk out of there and show them. Salta de ahí y mostrarlos. The text says, it's impossible. The texture says it's impossible. Impossible that death would hold him down. He stood the victor. El paro como el victorioso. The conqueror. El conquistador. And where? In death's own grave. Y donde? En la tumba de la muerte. Not only that. No solamente. He didn't only walk out of the tomb. No solamente salio de la tumba. He not only conquered death. No solamente conquisto la muerte. But listen what Revelation 1.18 says. Pero escucha lo que dice Apocalipsis 1.18. I died, and behold, I'm alive forevermore, and I have the keys to the death in Hades. Dice, he aquí que vivo por los siglos de los siglos amen, y yo tengo las llaves de la muerte de Hades. Not only did he raise himself up and walk out of there, no solamente él se levantó y andó por ahí, he owns the keys to that place. Él tiene las llaves a ese lugar. Our sovereign Lord has the power over death and of life. Third, what is the victory that is obtained? This great victory cost him his own life. to complete victory concerning himself. It's una victoria completo, se tratando de si mismo. Look up, Paul says. Mira arriba, dice Pablo, where Christ is seated at the right hand. Donde esta Cristo sentado en la mano derecha. After making purifications for sins, he sat down. Despues de hacer purificaciones por pecados, se sento. Now we look at ourselves. Nosotros miramos a nosotros mismos. We don't see that same victory sometimes. I really wanted to do right and I failed. Every time I want to do right, it seems like death is right there behind me. How can I have hope? Look up. Not only did he assure his own, Glory, no solamente aseguró su propia gloria, but ours as well, pero también nuestro. He has a complete victory of himself. Tiene victoria completa de él. When Paul is asked, do you not consider the things you lost? Cuando le preguntan Pablo, ¿no consideras las cosas que perdiste? Oh, I consider them all right. Si, los considero as dog food, como comida de perro. That I might gain Christ and know Him in the resurrection like His. You see it? Paul is saying, I struggle. Christ has a complete victory and I haven't yet. But I can look up and see what is to come for me. And for all the church, he gained a glorious victory. The saints and angels will forever sing of it. Isaiah, writing to a people that are about to go to Babylon. And I can say, Isaiah, writing to the church is gonna have to bear in this wicked place longer. Ask this question. Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimson garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his appeal, marching in the greatness of his strength, in his eyes speaking in righteousness, mighty to save? Who is that? The light, who is it? It's I who am great in saving. A glorious victory he won. Una victoria glorioso ganó. An everlasting victory. Una victoria para siempre. He swallowed up death forever. Destruyó la muerte para siempre. So I want you to think about the effect of the victory this morning. Quiero que pienses de efecto de la victoria esta mañana. Look at our text. Miren nuestro texto, verse 8, versículo 8. And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. Dice, distribuirá a la muerte para siempre y enjugará Jehová el Señor toda lágrima de todos los rostros. Do you find yourself sad? ¿Te encuentras triste? Do you find yourself without peace? ¿Te encuentras sin paz? Do you find yourself wanting more out of life? ¿Te encuentras queriendo más de la vida? Do you find yourself alone? ¿Te encuentras solo? Without hope? ¿Sin esperanza? Just talking to a dear pastor this morning. Estaba hablando con un pastor esta mañana. Just asking, why don't people come to Christ? You have a verse like this that says, he'll take your tears, wipe them from your eyes, but not only that, he'll take them and put them in his bottle and keep them. That's what he'll do for you, wicked sinner. Come to him, ven a el. No, because I have great plans for my life. No, because I have great plans for my life. It says in John chapter 12. It says in John chapter 12. They love their glory more than the glory of the only son. They love their glory more than the glory of the only son. It says here the victory that he won causes him to wipe away your tears. I want you to note something. He doesn't say the church isn't going to cry. He doesn't say the church isn't going to suffer. He says, in the midst of that, you have an anchor that goes even deeper. Even more glorious. Listen to what the text says. And the reproach of all his people, he will take away from all the earth. Satan, you can go and you can look under every rock. You can look in every dark hole of this world. You'll not find my sin anywhere. Christ Jesus took it and bore it on the cross and it's gone. Cristo Jesus lo cargó en la cruz y ya se acabó. You've got no accusation against his elect. No tienes una acusación contra sus elegidos. It's a sure victory. Es una victoria seguro. Some of you here this morning saying, well, how do I know? How do I know I can trust it? How do I know that it's better than what the world offers? It gives a reason here. For the Lord has spoken. The Lord said it. El Señor dijo. He made an eternal covenant brought about by the Lord Jesus Christ and he secured it with his own blood. El hizo un pacto eterno con el Señor Jesucristo y lo mandó y lo aseguró con su propia sangre. The sovereign Lord sealed it with his own blood. There's nothing more sure in the whole world. So let me bear this upon us this morning. Your life is a vapor. Tu vida es un vapor. Some of you have all these plans. Algunos tienen tantos planes. You make provisions for the flesh and you set your hope in them. Haces provisiones por la carne y pones tu esperanza en ellos. Even now, you're more concerned with the things of this world than eternity. Even in a moment like this. Aún en un momento así, estás más preocupado por las cosas de este mundo que eternidad. You're so consumed with your own life you can't even see past tomorrow. Estás consumido con tu propia vida que ni puedes ver más allá que mañana. You're only concerned with your heart's desire. But the text says it's fleeting. It's a vapor. Even I was on the way to church this morning. I got here at like 3 something in the morning because I couldn't sleep. As I'm coming over the overpass, about 20 cop cars and ambulances. Sure somebody lost their life. 3.30 in the morning on Sunday morning. Pursuing the things of this world. The very thing that promised life led them to the grave. The very things that you make provision for to gratify your flesh. are the very thing that rise up and accuse you on the last day. But Christ, he won a victory over that. You don't have any hope outside of Christ. In church, iglesia. It's in him we find all our hope. It's in él tenemos toda nuestra esperanza. Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Porque él vive, yo puedo pasar mañana. It doesn't matter who the president is. No importa quién es el presidente. Doesn't matter what the system is outside of the windows. No importa que es el sistema afuera de la ventana. I can tell you who it is. Yo te puedo decir quien es. You can open it up. Puedes abrirlo, and it's a beast. Es un bestia. Fighting against the church. Peleando contra la iglesia. How are we going to make it? Como vamos a llevar? There's one who swallowed up death. Hay uno que destruyó toda la muerte. He wipes our tears away. He removes our guilt from all of the earth. He has said so. Put your eyes on Him. As we sing. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face. The things of this world go extremely dim in the light of his glory and grace. Ponte tu mirada en Cristo, lleno de gracia y paz. Las cosas del mundo pasarán en la faz de su glorioso gracia. Let's pray. Oramos. Dios, te pido en este momento Que a los duros de corazon, manda tu espiritu a quitar su corazon de piedra, darles una de carne. Causalos a creer. A tu iglesia, Dios, animalos. Levantalos. Para que se miren a ti, sentado, alto, sentado desde el padre. Because our lives are consumed by hope in Christ. Take us to the end. Help us to trust in you, your work, your promises. He is not ours, God. Help us to keep our eyes on Christ. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.