WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 morning. It's good to be in church with you this morning. I'm not sure if you're one of those 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:10.640 people who sets New Year's resolutions, but the top 10 New Year's resolutions for 2017 00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:19.820 are improve fitness, eat better, quit smoking, quit drinking, learn something new, travel more, 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:26.379 volunteer, meet someone that is like a partner, sleep more, and get out of debt. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:31.939 And as of this morning, a New Year's resolution for me is to check with Sam what he's wearing 00:00:31.939 --> 00:00:40.179 for church on Sunday. Couple dressing is not appropriate, in my opinion, at any time, 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:47.399 let alone if it's one of your work colleagues. Another goal for me for the next couple of years 00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:55.859 is in fact to run the city to surf before I turn 50 and to do it in personal best time. 00:00:57.260 --> 00:01:03.580 Given that I've never run it before, I should be able to hit the second goal, providing I get the 00:01:03.580 --> 00:01:09.840 first goal. And so far it's going okay. I've been seeing a physio, an exercise physiologist, 00:01:09.939 --> 00:01:15.060 and a masseur to deal with the injuries that I've already created in my body. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:20.840 I was doing a little bit of reading on New Year's resolutions, and one of the articles that I read 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:27.620 said this, the New Year is when you think about the past and most importantly, reflect on how you 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:34.740 can improve yourself for the upcoming year. Self-improvement, or at least the desire for it, 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:40.840 is a goal shared by all Australians, which is why so many of us make New Year's resolutions in the 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:48.200 first place. Unfortunately, only a fraction of us keep to our resolution, which experts estimate 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:58.379 only about 8% commit to the very end. 8%. There is something in all of us that loves this 00:01:58.379 --> 00:02:04.480 idea of a fresh start, improve things that we don't like about ourselves. And I'm certainly 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:10.039 committed to those things myself. I want to change. I want to grow. I cannot compute with an individual 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:17.080 who's settled and comfortable. I want to see change and transformation. I think that that is, 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:22.240 in fact, one of the key elements about the journey of the Christian life. Even as we've sung this 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:28.920 morning, oh, for a closer walk with my God. That is, I desire to change from where I am at the moment. 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:37.399 What is intriguing about today's passage is that it gives us a way of seeing ourselves and how we 00:02:37.399 --> 00:02:46.779 change that is absolutely, totally different than traditional cultures or even contemporary Western 00:02:46.779 --> 00:02:54.659 culture. See, up until the 20th century, traditional cultures believed that a too high a view of yourself 00:02:54.659 --> 00:03:02.379 was the main reason that you had personal problems and the reason why there was so much evil between 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:11.139 people. The Greek word for it was hubris or is hubris. It's an excessive pride. It's an arrogance. 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:18.879 It's an overconfidence of yourself. And so in our modern culture, we have developed a total opposite 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:26.240 cultural consensus. Our belief today, which is deeply embedded into everything in our culture, 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:35.379 is that people feel bad about themselves and do bad things to other people because of low self-esteem, 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:42.159 not high self-esteem. Low self-esteem is the reason why there is drug addiction and domestic violence 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:52.280 and our jails are full and so on and so forth. It's an attractive theory because you don't have to 00:03:52.280 --> 00:03:59.780 make any form of moral judgment on another individual in order to deal, or society, in order to deal with 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:08.099 society's problems. All you have to do is put people on a path of self-improvement. That's how you fix 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:14.579 society's problems, which is why our prison system aren't called prison system. It's called a 00:04:14.579 --> 00:04:21.000 corrective services. So in the most part, we believe that we can correct people. There's a bunch we don't 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:25.360 think we can correct and so they never get released, but some others we think we believe that we can 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:31.620 correct people, put them on a path of self-improvement. On the other hand, the way you dealt with these 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:36.560 problems in traditional society is that you would clamp down on people, you'd convict them and call them 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:48.660 really bad, nasty people. You'd make a judgment on them. And so do we fix our issues and the ones that 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:54.939 we have between people and the ones we have between nations by everyone having a higher view of 00:04:54.939 --> 00:05:04.379 themselves or everyone having a lower view of themselves? That is, by high self-esteem or low self-esteem? 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:12.579 1 Corinthians gives us an approach to the way of seeing ourselves that is absolutely different 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:18.819 than both the traditional and the contemporary way. A way to see ourselves in 1 Corinthians is, 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:29.079 in fact, to forget ourselves, which is why I've titled this sermon, 2017, The Year to Forget Yourself. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:37.459 It's, I've got the title of it from Tim Keller's little book, which is where I get most of my ideas 00:05:37.459 --> 00:05:45.539 from in this book, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness. The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness. So maybe 2017 00:05:45.539 --> 00:05:53.620 would be the year to find true freedom, freedom by forgetting yourself. The Corinthian church was full of 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:58.819 divisions. Different people had connections with different prominent leaders. One person was 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:05.180 mentored and discipled by the apostle Paul. Another was mentored and discipled by another leader in the 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:10.639 church, like Apollos, for instance. And these relationships became the basis of power plays 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:18.220 between groups within the church. Paul shows that the real core issue is pride. 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:27.160 It's boasting. Chapter 3, verse 21 starts off with, no more boasting. That's the very first 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:36.700 verse that Sam read. And then in chapter 4, verse 7, it says, why do you boast? And in chapter 3, 00:06:36.760 --> 00:06:47.940 verse 6, he urges them not to take pride in one man over against another. Verse 6 gives us a glimpse 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:57.959 into the natural condition of the human ego. The word Paul uses here for pride is an unusual word. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:06.720 It's not hubris. The word literally means to be overinflated, to be swollen, to be beyond its proper 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:17.319 size. And so what he does in using this word, he invokes a painful image of an organ in the human body 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:26.939 that is bloated because so much air has been pumped into it. It's swollen, it's inflamed, and it's ready to burst. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:31.079 That is the natural human condition. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:39.680 And he uses that word about seven times in the New Testament to refer to the natural human condition. 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:53.959 The ego is empty. It's full of air. The ego is puffed up and overinflated and there's nothing in the middle of it. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:08:03.719 So spiritual pride is the illusion that we are competent to run our own lives, to achieve our own sense of self-worth, 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:09.979 and to find a purpose that's big enough to give us meaning in life without God. 00:08:10.219 --> 00:08:14.339 And it can't do it. And so the ego is painful. 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:18.819 We do not notice our body. I don't know if you've noticed this, 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:21.620 but you don't notice your body until there's something wrong with it. 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:28.219 I never knew that I had a hip flex until it started to play up and started to cost me money to fix. 00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:36.799 It would be pretty rare for us to think how, you know, I walked down into Chatswood yesterday, 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:41.120 and I was walking down there. I wasn't thinking how brilliantly my elbows are working today. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:46.379 There's just no problems there at all. I didn't even think about my elbows. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:53.260 Until, unless of course there was something previously wrong with my elbows, 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:55.700 or something became a problem with my elbows. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:09:00.780 Parts of our body draw attention to themselves if there is something wrong with them. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:07.580 And the ego often hurts because there is something unbelievably wrong with our ego. 00:09:08.900 --> 00:09:13.220 It is always making us think about how we look and how we're treated. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:20.940 It is very hard to get through a whole day without feeling snubbed, ignored, feeling stupid, 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.899 getting down on ourselves, thinking about how someone else has done it to us in the past. 00:09:25.680 --> 00:09:28.960 That's because there is something incredibly wrong with our egos. 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:32.420 There is something wrong with our sense of self. 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:40.259 Therefore, the ego is busy trying to feel the emptiness, to deal with the pain. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.719 It's busy comparing and boasting. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:45.099 There's no full stop. 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:48.240 In verse 6, there's no full stop after the word pride. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:49.819 It says, 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:59.760 And that's the very essence of the human ego. 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:07.460 It tries to feel its emptiness, to deal with its pain by comparing itself with other people. 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:11.320 In his chapter on pride in mere Christianity, 00:10:11.540 --> 00:10:16.640 C.S. Lewis points out that pride is by its nature competitive. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:21.220 Pride, he says, gets no pleasure out of having something, 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:26.080 only out of having more of it than the next person. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:30.039 It's competitive. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:37.240 In other words, we are only proud of being more successful, more intelligent, 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:41.279 more good-looking than the person that we're hanging with, 00:10:41.439 --> 00:10:44.259 which is why we tend to hang with people who make us feel good. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:46.279 In other words, that means they're people who are lower than us. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:52.779 When we are in the presence of someone who is more successful, 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.580 more intelligent, more good-looking, 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:59.759 then we lose all pleasure in what we had. 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:05.539 That's because we really had no pleasure in it at all. 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.120 We were proud of it. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:11.159 We were proud of it. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:15.560 Which means the ego is always fragile. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.639 It's like a balloon full of air, ready to pop at any moment. 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:24.779 Anything that's over-inflated is in imminent danger of being deflated. 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:30.600 Painful, empty, busy, fragile. 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:32.799 That's the normal state of the human self. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:39.059 Paul wants the Corinthian church and us gathered here today to know the difference that Jesus makes 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:45.319 and how the Christian gospel transformed things for him and how they could do it for us too. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:56.000 In verses 3 and 4, Paul shows them how the Christian gospel has transformed his sense of self-worth. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.799 He says, 00:11:56.860 --> 00:12:15.460 The word translated judged here is the same meaning as the word verdict. 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:22.600 It's referring to that elusive stamp of approval that we all crave. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:26.519 We all crave that elusive stamp of approval. 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:35.540 And Paul does not look to the Corinthians or to any human court for the verdict that he is a somebody. 00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:39.120 It's as if he says here, 00:12:39.400 --> 00:12:41.200 I don't care what you think. 00:12:42.280 --> 00:12:44.080 I don't care what anyone thinks. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:53.379 Paul's self-worth, his identity is not tied up with other people's evaluation of him. 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:57.160 Now that doesn't seem terribly unusual, does it? 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.100 Really. 00:12:59.060 --> 00:13:01.680 Most parents would say to their child at some point, 00:13:01.800 --> 00:13:07.180 especially when that child is having problems with other kids or other people, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.259 we would say to them, 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:11.580 It doesn't matter what your friends think of you. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.480 You hear yourself saying that, parents? 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:17.620 It doesn't matter what your friends think of you. 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:19.120 In our modern world, 00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:25.940 there seems to be only one answer for the issue of low self-esteem, 00:13:26.520 --> 00:13:29.460 and that is fix it with high self-esteem. 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:36.400 We tell someone that they need to see that they're a great person. 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:39.180 We need to help them to see that they are wonderful, 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.900 who they are. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:44.740 We tell them that they need to set their own standards 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:46.259 and accomplish their own standards 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:49.120 and then make their own evaluation of themselves. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:55.879 Paul's approach could not be more radically different. 00:13:57.060 --> 00:14:00.779 He cares very little if he's judged by the Corinthians or any human court, 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:05.899 but he says he will not even judge himself. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.560 It's as if he's saying, 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.340 I don't care what your opinion of me is, 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:12.759 but then again, I don't care what my opinion of me is. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:16.019 That's radically different. 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:21.980 I have a low opinion of your opinion of me, 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:25.120 and I have a low opinion of my opinion of me. 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.740 I don't care what I think either. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:36.080 He says that about his own opinion, 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:39.019 even though he declares himself in this passage 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:41.240 of having a clear conscience. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:43.080 Look at verse 4. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:43.379 He says, 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.820 My conscience is clear, 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:47.139 but that does not make me innocent. 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:50.600 He knows that even if he does have a clear conscience, 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:54.139 that doesn't necessarily mean he's innocent. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:57.519 You know, Hitler may well have had a clear conscience. 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.419 It doesn't make him innocent. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:03.879 And I'm pretty confident that Paul would say 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:08.159 that it is a trap for us as we do today 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.680 in the modern Western society 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:13.159 set your own standards. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:16.799 Pretty sure Paul would say that's a trap. 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:18.500 That's not the answer. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.620 You see, we feel rotten 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:21.979 when we can't meet our parents' expectations 00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:23.379 or our friends' expectations. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:25.120 We feel rotten 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:27.139 when we can't meet society's expectations. 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:30.120 And so the answer in the individualistic West 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.319 is to boost your self-esteem 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.419 by setting your own standards. 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:35.799 And it can't deliver either. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.839 We can't keep it around. 00:15:38.839 --> 00:15:40.039 Only 8% of people 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:43.079 follow through with their new year's resolutions. 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:49.240 So maybe the answer then is to set incredibly low standards. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:51.779 And then we feel rotten 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.899 because we know we're someone 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.799 who's set incredibly low standards. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.419 Boosting our self-esteem 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:02.019 by trying to live up to our own standards 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.259 or someone else's standards 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.440 is in fact a trap. 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:06.820 But Paul does not look to the Corinthians 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:08.940 for the verdict that he is a somebody 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:11.940 but he also does not get it from himself. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.440 And so now we start to discover 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:18.879 where Paul finds that sense of self 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.820 and he moves into territory 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.820 that is... 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:27.400 we frankly don't know anything about. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:32.660 Paul was a man of incredible stature. 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:35.219 I'd be happy to argue 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:37.579 that he is one of the most influential people 00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:38.480 in history. 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.839 Given that he wrote 00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:42.139 one third of the New Testament 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.819 and something like 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:45.559 two billion people in this world 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:47.379 say that they're followers of Jesus. 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:49.179 I'd make that make Paul pretty influential. 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:52.480 And yet in 1 Timothy 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:54.600 he says Christ Jesus came into the world 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.879 to save sinners of whom 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:58.039 I am the worst. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:01.399 Not I was the worst 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:05.119 of whom I am the worst. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.619 We're not used to someone 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:10.139 who has incredible poise 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.319 and confidence 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.480 volunteering 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:16.940 to give us that kind of an opinion 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.680 of themselves. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.859 Someone who is totally honest 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.799 and aware of all sorts of moral flaws 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.680 and yet who has incredible poise 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.240 and confidence. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.720 When he says that he does not let 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:30.119 the Corinthians judge him 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:32.079 nor does he judge himself 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.959 what he's saying there 00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:35.839 he says that he knows 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.939 about his sins 00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:38.339 he knows about his flaws 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.839 he knows about his failures 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:41.919 but he does not connect 00:17:41.919 --> 00:17:43.519 those things to his sense 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.519 of worth and identity and self. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:49.519 He does not see sin 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.119 and let it destroy 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.500 his sense of self. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.519 Neither does he see 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.559 an accomplishment 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:00.059 and congratulate himself. 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:04.919 He sees all kinds of sins 00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:06.200 in himself 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.839 and all kinds of accomplishments 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.940 in himself 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:11.399 but he refuses to connect 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.859 those to who he is 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.220 his identity 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.159 his sense of worth. 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:15.599 Worth. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:19.059 And what Paul is saying here 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.659 is something that's terribly astounding. 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.240 He's saying that his ego 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.960 ego is not puffed up 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:27.880 it is filled up. 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.420 Not puffed up 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:32.339 it's filled up. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.859 It's like he has reached a place 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.579 where his ego draws 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:38.480 no more attention to itself 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.620 than any other part 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.220 of his body. 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:44.380 It's not constantly hurting. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.279 When he does something wrong 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.039 or something good 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.980 he does not connect it 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.240 to his sense of worth. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.220 C.S. Lewis 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.099 in Me Christianity 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.680 makes a brilliant observation 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:58.079 about gospel humility 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.819 at the very end 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.839 of his chapter on pride. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:00.559 He says 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.980 if we were to meet 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.920 a truly humble person 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.720 we would never come away 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.620 from that meeting 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.599 thinking 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:09.519 that they were humble. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.660 They would not be telling us 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.240 about 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.480 that they were a nobody 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.940 a humble person 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.799 would not be telling us 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.680 that they were a nobody 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.900 because a person 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.700 who keeps saying 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.519 that they were a nobody 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:28.220 is a self-obsessed person. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.299 The person with low self-esteem 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.460 is just as self-obsessed 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:36.460 as a person with high self-esteem. 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.559 The thing that we would remember 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.259 for that meeting 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.019 Lewis says 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:43.819 is how much 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.620 they seem to be 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:46.059 totally interested in us 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:48.440 and how happy 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.519 and at peace 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.839 they are 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.619 with themselves. 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.279 You see 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.720 the essence 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.299 of Christian humility 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.519 is not thinking 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.059 more 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.099 of myself 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:01.819 or thinking 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.460 less 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.240 of myself 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.460 it's thinking 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.980 of myself 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.720 less. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.759 Thinking 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.740 of myself 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.460 less. 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.460 It means 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.240 I stop connecting 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.240 every experience 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.319 and every conversation 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.200 and every interaction 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.039 with another individual 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.559 to me. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.140 It's somehow 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.559 a reflection 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.120 on me. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.779 It's the freedom 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:27.319 of self-forgetfulness. 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.200 It's the ego 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.240 that's not puffed up 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.799 it's the ego 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.339 which is 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.500 filled up. 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.880 It's not high self-esteem 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:36.000 it's not low self-esteem 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.839 it's not even about 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.480 self-esteem. 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.180 A truly 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.980 gospel 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.980 humble 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.660 person 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.539 is not 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.360 a self-hating 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.000 person 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.180 nor a 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.880 self-loving 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:46.500 person 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.339 they are 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.500 a self-forgetful 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.099 person. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.000 An example 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.420 of what this 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.000 might look like 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.420 for instance 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:56.240 the self-forgetful 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.819 person 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.279 would never 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.440 be devastated 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.420 by criticism. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.380 A person 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.019 who's devastated 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.860 by criticism 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:04.860 is putting 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.599 too much value 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.019 on someone 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.660 else's opinion. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.799 Our society 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.660 tells the person 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.800 who is thin-skinned 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.680 and devastated 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.740 by criticism 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.000 to deal 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.340 with it 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:14.860 by saying 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:15.560 to themselves 00:21:15.560 --> 00:21:16.759 who cares 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.160 what other 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.820 people think? 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:22.800 People are 00:21:22.800 --> 00:21:23.600 either devastated 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.340 by criticism 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:24.960 on the one 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.259 hand 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.560 or they are 00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:27.460 not devastated 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.259 by criticism 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.920 because they 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.720 do not listen 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.240 to it 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.540 which is the 00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:32.440 opposite problem. 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.000 They will not 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.580 listen to it 00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.200 or learn from it 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.720 because they 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.540 don't care 00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:37.060 what other 00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:37.759 people think. 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:38.420 In other 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:38.779 words, 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.320 our only 00:21:39.320 --> 00:21:39.779 solution 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.340 to low 00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:40.960 self-esteem 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.900 is pride 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.680 and arrogance. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.759 The person 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.019 who is 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.920 self-forgetful 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.660 is the 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.039 complete 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.539 opposite. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.820 When someone 00:21:49.820 --> 00:21:51.920 whose ego 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.840 is filled 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.400 up 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:55.140 gets criticized, 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.680 they're not 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.360 devastated. 00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:58.759 They can 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.320 hear it. 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:00.680 They can 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.140 see it 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.420 as an 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:01.860 opportunity 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.880 to change. 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.160 As we 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.440 launch 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.340 into 2017, 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:07.759 don't you 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:07.960 want to 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.400 be like 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.660 that? 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.259 Wouldn't 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.759 you want 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.059 to be a 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.620 person who 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.019 does not 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.420 need 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:12.900 honor, 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.920 nor be 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.440 afraid of 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:15.660 honor? 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:17.600 Don't you 00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:17.840 want to be 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.400 a person 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.360 who does 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.000 not last 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.759 for recognition, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.380 nor on the 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:22.860 other hand 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:23.400 to be frightened 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:23.860 to death 00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:24.440 of recognition? 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.240 Don't you 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.480 want to be 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:26.880 a kind of 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.059 person who 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.559 does not 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.220 admire what 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.860 they see 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.299 in the 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.539 mirror, 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.200 but also 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.160 doesn't cringe 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:35.420 at what 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:35.779 they see 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:35.960 in the 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.140 mirror? 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.060 Wouldn't 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:38.300 you like 00:22:38.300 --> 00:22:38.560 to be the 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:38.779 type of 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.279 person who 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.240 in your 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.759 imaginary 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:42.600 life does 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.019 not sit 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.120 around daydreaming 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.640 about the 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.820 successes that 00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:46.779 would give 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.680 them the 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.460 edge over 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.200 other people? 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.259 If only I 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.900 did this, 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.160 I could 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.880 finally beat 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.259 my brother. 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.580 Or perhaps 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.440 you tend to 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.200 beat yourself 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.820 up and to 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.480 be tormented 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.340 by regrets. 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.919 wouldn't 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.139 you like 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:05.740 to be free 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.259 from that? 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:07.759 Wouldn't 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.019 you like 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.519 to be the 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.299 athlete who 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.879 wins the 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:11.559 bronze and 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.099 he's so 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.439 thrilled to 00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:14.179 celebrate the 00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:14.639 gold medal 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:15.159 winner because 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:15.500 you just 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.059 happen to be 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.480 there when 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.859 they did 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.519 this brilliant 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:17.959 run and 00:23:17.959 --> 00:23:18.679 you experienced 00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:19.000 it? 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.339 Don't you 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.579 want to be 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.159 free to do 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.399 that? 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.119 This is a 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:27.720 possibility for 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.220 you and for 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.879 me if we 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.899 keep on going 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:31.359 where Paul is 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:31.939 going here. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.420 we can 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.120 start to 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:34.160 enjoy things 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.019 that are 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.680 not about 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.160 me. 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.580 That is my 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.100 work's not 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.519 about me, 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.240 my sport's not 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.660 about me, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.380 my siblings are 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:41.840 not about me, 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.340 my friendships 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:42.920 are not about 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.160 me. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.720 You can 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.799 actually enjoy 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.340 things for 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:45.799 what they 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.380 are. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.039 That is they 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.100 don't exist to 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:50.880 fill my ego, 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.960 to puff up 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.559 my ego. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.519 Don't you 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.759 want to be 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.240 like that? 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:58.000 this is 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:01.519 gospel humility 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:03.240 because it's 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.839 the place of 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.859 blessed self 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.720 forgetfulness and 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.539 peace and rest. 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.519 Our society 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.319 doesn't know 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.200 what category 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.940 to put this 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.720 stuff in. 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.700 Simply just 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.279 thinking of 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.220 myself less. 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.740 It's the key 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.819 to people 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.839 like us 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.759 getting on 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.539 and solving 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.660 differences and 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.339 treating each 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.039 other as we 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.460 ought to be 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.900 treating each 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.099 other. 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:27.859 So Paul 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.419 tells us 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:30.399 how he 00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:31.179 got to 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:31.879 this place 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.779 of self 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.359 forgetfulness. 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.519 He says 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.159 my conscience 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.799 is clear 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.859 but that 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.299 does not 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.879 make me 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.579 innocent. 00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:41.559 The word 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.159 translated 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:42.740 innocent 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.039 comes from 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.519 the word 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.240 justify. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.419 It's the 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:47.859 same word 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.559 he uses 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.359 right throughout 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:49.779 Romans, 00:24:49.959 --> 00:24:50.359 right throughout 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.039 Galatians. 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.279 Here Paul 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.759 is saying 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.359 that even 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:53.899 if his 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:54.299 conscience 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.079 is clear, 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:57.299 it does 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.159 not justify 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.439 him, 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:58.899 it does 00:24:58.899 --> 00:24:59.439 not give 00:24:59.439 --> 00:24:59.839 him that 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.500 stamp of 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.959 approval. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.399 What Paul 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:03.839 is looking 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:05.019 for is what 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.679 we are all 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.299 looking for 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.719 and that 00:25:06.719 --> 00:25:07.179 is that 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.839 ultimate 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.419 verdict. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.299 That ultimate 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.000 verdict that 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.799 we are 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.439 important, 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.259 that we are 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.799 valuable. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.199 We look for 00:25:15.199 --> 00:25:15.740 that ultimate 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.579 verdict every 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.459 day in all 00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:17.859 kinds of 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.480 situations 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.639 with everyone 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.480 around us. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.539 every single 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.079 day, 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.339 every single 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.019 day, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.480 every single 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.120 day, 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.140 every day, 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:30.000 we put 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.579 ourselves in 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.180 the courtroom, 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:31.680 so to 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.059 speak. 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:32.740 Notice what 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.120 Paul says, 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:33.640 he says, 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.240 I care very 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.700 little if I'm 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.099 judged by 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.180 you or 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.819 by any 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.559 human court 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.079 in verse 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.460 three. 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.000 And I 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.380 think he's 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:40.660 speaking 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.319 metaphorically 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.539 there, 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:41.799 I don't 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.079 think he's 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.019 actually in 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.440 a courtroom 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.079 on trial. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:46.059 However, 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:46.659 the problem 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:48.359 of self-esteem, 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.899 whether it's 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.879 high or low, 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.679 is that 00:25:51.679 --> 00:25:52.759 every single 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.339 day you're 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.879 on trial. 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.079 There's the 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.720 prosecution, 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.339 there's the 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.859 defense. 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.519 Everything we 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.779 do is 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.259 providing 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.039 evidence for 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.699 the prosecution 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.179 or the 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:05.519 defense. 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.519 Some days 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.059 we feel like 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.359 we're winning 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:08.839 the trial, 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.319 some days 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:09.779 we feel like 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.220 we're losing 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.480 it, 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.119 and Paul 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.379 says, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:11.699 for me, 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.159 the trial's 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.399 over. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.819 He's out 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.039 of the 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.359 courtroom 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:15.939 because the 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.279 ultimate 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.859 verdict is 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.139 in, 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.099 and he 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.659 knows that 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:19.139 the Corinthian 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:19.779 church can't 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.599 justify him. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.500 He knows 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:21.740 that he 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.339 cannot justify 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:22.980 himself. 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:23.819 He says, 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.480 it's the 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.319 Lord who 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.179 judges him. 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.839 It is only 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.859 God's opinion 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.939 that counts. 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.759 It's only in 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.419 the gospel of 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:33.720 the Lord 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.599 Jesus that 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.339 Paul and 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.599 us get 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.980 the final 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.919 verdict, 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.939 the ultimate 00:26:39.939 --> 00:26:40.779 verdict that we 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.500 all crave 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.839 for. 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.919 And 00:26:44.919 --> 00:26:45.579 crucially, 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:48.359 it comes, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.079 the final 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.559 ultimate 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.539 verdict comes 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:52.399 before the 00:26:52.399 --> 00:26:53.019 performance. 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.960 Most get 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.819 their self-image 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.500 from being a 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.079 good person 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.599 and hope that 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:01.019 eventually they 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.699 will get a 00:27:01.699 --> 00:27:02.919 verdict that 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.519 confirms that 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:03.859 they're a good 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.619 person. 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.139 That is, 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.779 my performance 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:09.119 leads to the 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.439 ultimate 00:27:09.439 --> 00:27:09.899 verdict. 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:09.980 verdict. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:11.720 All the 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.300 great religions 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:12.780 and philosophy 00:27:12.780 --> 00:27:13.160 of the world 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.800 work like that. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.380 Performance 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.280 leads to the 00:27:15.280 --> 00:27:15.540 verdict. 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.660 Follow this 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.200 set of rules, 00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:17.800 follow this 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:18.380 guidance, 00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:19.019 this wisdom, 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.820 and you'll 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.920 get maybe 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.420 the verdict 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.900 that you're 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.380 looking for. 00:27:25.080 --> 00:27:25.860 Every day 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.300 you're in the 00:27:26.300 --> 00:27:27.120 courtroom hoping 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:27.600 the verdict 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.380 swings your way. 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.060 In Christianity 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.660 the verdict 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.220 leads to 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.680 performance. 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:31.980 In 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.440 Christianity 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.259 the moment 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.900 we believe 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.420 that God 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.880 says, 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.040 this is 00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:37.340 my son 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:39.820 in whom 00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:40.380 I am well 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:40.900 pleased. 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.040 Or Romans 00:27:42.040 --> 00:27:42.760 8.1 00:27:42.760 --> 00:27:44.100 Therefore 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:44.660 there is now 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.660 no condemnation 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.200 for those 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.540 who are in 00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:47.220 Christ Jesus. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.220 The moment 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.820 we trust 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:49.420 in Jesus 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.260 God 00:27:50.260 --> 00:27:50.860 credits 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:52.080 Jesus' 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.280 perfect 00:27:53.280 --> 00:27:54.100 performance 00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:55.580 to us 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:56.560 as if it 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.440 was our 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.340 perfect 00:27:58.340 --> 00:27:59.120 performance. 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:01.140 And he 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.680 adopts us 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.220 into his 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.660 family. 00:28:03.080 --> 00:28:03.500 We get 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.119 the ultimate 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:05.019 verdict 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.380 of 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:05.819 approval. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:07.880 God 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.279 can say 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.680 to us 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.180 just as 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.559 he once 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:09.859 said to 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.160 Jesus 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.619 you are 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.299 my son 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.000 whom I 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.440 love 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:12.819 with you 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.160 I am 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.359 well 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:13.759 pleased. 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:13.980 The 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.279 verdict 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.859 is in. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.880 And now 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.480 we perform 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.759 on the 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.299 basis of 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:18.500 that 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.960 verdict. 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.920 Because 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.420 he loves 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.720 us and 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.220 accepts us 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.559 we don't 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:21.880 have to 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.119 do 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.680 things that 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.359 build up 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:23.779 my 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.599 reputation. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.740 Free 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.200 now to 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.420 do 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.039 things 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.380 for the 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.019 joy of 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.299 doing 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.619 them. 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.799 Free 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.460 to actually 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.819 help 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.579 people in 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.099 order to 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.359 help 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.799 people. 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.659 And to 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:35.879 do it 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.099 with a 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.480 sense of 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:36.899 joy. 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:37.859 Not 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.299 because it 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:38.619 makes me 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.059 feel better 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.299 about 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.959 myself. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.579 Not 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:41.959 because I've 00:28:41.959 --> 00:28:42.179 got a 00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:42.519 New Year's 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.199 resolution to 00:28:43.199 --> 00:28:43.559 volunteer. 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.119 And 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.159 self-improve. 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.259 Not so 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.639 that I can 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.219 fill up the 00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:50.740 emptiness 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:53.819 of a 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.439 consumeristic 00:28:54.439 --> 00:28:54.879 culture. 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.319 In 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.759 Christianity 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.219 Jesus 00:28:58.219 --> 00:28:58.899 Christ went 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.639 on trial 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:01.099 instead of 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.480 us. 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.599 Jesus 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:02.980 went to 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.120 the 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:03.500 courtroom. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.099 It was 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.480 an unjust 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:04.880 trial. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.059 It was 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.480 a kangaroo 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:05.940 court as 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.220 we say 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.700 in Australia 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.720 but he 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.079 did not 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.599 complain. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.900 He faced 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.400 the trial 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:10.759 that should 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.460 be ours 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.380 so that we 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:12.680 do not 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.099 have to 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.640 face that 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:13.980 trial 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.319 anymore. 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.220 He took 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.019 the condemnation 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.380 that we 00:29:16.380 --> 00:29:16.940 deserve for 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.339 our lack 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.079 of performance 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:20.740 to give 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.099 us his 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.700 perfect 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:25.319 performance. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.799 performance. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.179 And we 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:27.819 simply need 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.279 to ask 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.539 God to 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.200 accept us 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.939 because of 00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:31.480 what Jesus 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.119 has done. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.700 And when 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.159 you do, 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.779 the only 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.639 person whose 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.659 opinion counts 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.799 looks at 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.079 us and he 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.220 sees us as 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.859 being more 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.599 valuable, 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.019 of much 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.759 more worth 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.619 than all 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:47.779 the jewels 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.559 of the 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:48.859 world. 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:51.899 Now, 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:54.059 perhaps for 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.500 those of you 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.799 who are here 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.159 today, 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.119 some of you, 00:29:56.219 --> 00:29:56.519 this is 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.459 totally new. 00:29:58.439 --> 00:29:59.039 Can I say 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.159 don't let 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:01.119 this pass 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.699 you by? 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:02.740 This is 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.379 revolutionary. 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:04.579 2017, 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.219 make it the 00:30:05.219 --> 00:30:05.779 year to forget 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.519 yourself and 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.459 to embrace 00:30:07.459 --> 00:30:07.919 Jesus. 00:30:08.159 --> 00:30:08.539 Set us a 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.879 New Year's 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.259 resolution. 00:30:09.459 --> 00:30:09.899 Keep digging, 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.579 keep looking, 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:11.379 keep asking 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:11.819 questions. 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.319 There is so 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.599 much to 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:12.939 discover. 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.719 I've had 00:30:13.719 --> 00:30:14.699 maybe 30 00:30:14.699 --> 00:30:15.159 minutes on 00:30:15.159 --> 00:30:15.779 this so far 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.979 and I have 00:30:16.979 --> 00:30:17.779 covered a 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.579 whole bunch 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.019 of ground 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.699 in a really 00:30:19.699 --> 00:30:20.639 short space 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.159 of time. 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.039 There are 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:23.099 lots of 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:23.819 pieces of 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.399 the jigsaws 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:24.759 to put 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.199 together. 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:25.919 Why did 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:26.339 Jesus have 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:26.699 to die? 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.139 Why did 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.519 he rise 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:27.759 from the 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:27.939 dead? 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.199 Is he 00:30:28.199 --> 00:30:28.619 really the 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:28.899 son of 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.119 God? 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.480 Keep 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.720 looking until 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.039 you understand 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.480 the whole 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.799 picture and 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:35.339 you find this 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.079 place of 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.679 peace and 00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:37.139 rest in 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:37.379 him. 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.059 Make this 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:39.579 a matter of 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.299 central importance 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:40.759 this year. 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.399 But maybe 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:41.960 you're in a 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.039 different position. 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.339 Maybe you 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:45.199 trust in 00:30:45.199 --> 00:30:45.500 Jesus. 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.000 You might have 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.460 been trusting 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.139 in Jesus for 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.799 so many years 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.379 but every 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.220 day you're 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.779 finding yourself 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.460 just sucked 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.740 back again 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.299 and again 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:52.799 and again 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.339 into that 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:53.720 courtroom. 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.599 You do not 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.240 feel that you're 00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.859 living like Paul 00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.299 says here. 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:00.659 You're getting 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.460 sucked back in 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.039 and all I can 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:04.279 say is that 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.740 you have to 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.940 relive the 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.399 gospel 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:09.480 every day. 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:12.259 you have to 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.700 relive the 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.240 gospel every 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.559 time you 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.019 pray, 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.160 every time 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.620 you come to 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.120 church and 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.640 interact with 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.240 someone else, 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.000 every time 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.759 you feel 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.180 rejected, 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.700 every time 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.559 someone changes 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.779 something that 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.279 you had a 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.880 hand in 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.480 building or 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.039 creating, 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:26.880 forgetting 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:28.700 self and 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:30.079 remembering the 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.980 gospel is the 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.400 key to 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:31.779 treasuring 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.200 Jesus. 00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:32.759 It's the key 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.360 for us as a 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.099 church to 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.579 embracing 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:35.559 diversity and 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.900 discomfort as a 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.280 church. 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.460 It's the key 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.660 to letting go 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.320 and finding 00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:40.800 rest. 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.000 We have to 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.400 relive the 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.780 gospel in the 00:31:44.780 --> 00:31:45.440 supermarket. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.360 We have to 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:46.940 relive the 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.660 gospel when we're 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.000 doing the 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.320 dishes. 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.060 We have to 00:31:49.060 --> 00:31:49.740 relive the 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.300 gospel when 00:31:50.300 --> 00:31:50.759 we're raising 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.360 our kids. 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.780 We have to 00:31:51.780 --> 00:31:52.280 relive the 00:31:52.280 --> 00:31:53.540 gospel in our 00:31:53.540 --> 00:31:53.980 marriages. 00:31:54.780 --> 00:31:55.340 Everything. 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:58.780 Everything. 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.420 Asking myself, 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.700 am I constantly 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.660 being drawn back 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:07.019 into the 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.360 courtroom? 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:10.700 Where's my 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.080 identity? 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.660 Where's my 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.080 security? 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.580 Where's my 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.040 sense of 00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:13.360 worth? 00:32:15.040 --> 00:32:15.620 And like 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.279 Paul, we can 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:16.920 say, I don't 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.560 care what you 00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:18.019 think. 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.279 I don't care 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.100 what I think. 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.740 I only care 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.279 what the Lord 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.759 thinks. 00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:24.080 And he's the 00:32:24.080 --> 00:32:24.980 one who says, 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:26.740 therefore, there 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.380 is now no 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.300 condemnation for 00:32:28.300 --> 00:32:28.920 those who are in 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:30.500 Christ Jesus, and 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.220 you are my 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.180 beloved child. 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:33.779 With you, I am 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.860 well pleased. 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:38.040 Embrace Jesus and 00:32:38.040 --> 00:32:39.120 all his work 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:40.660 more each 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:42.320 day this 00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:42.640 year. 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.040 Make it the 00:32:44.040 --> 00:32:44.980 year to 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.840 forget self. 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:48.200 Put self-forgetfulness 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.200 to the top of your 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.320 New Year's Eve 00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:51.640 resolutions, or 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.460 forget New Year's 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.120 Eve, just make a New 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:53.700 Year's resolution. 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:56.360 And pray for the 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:58.759 help to remember 00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:00.120 Jesus moment by 00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:01.420 moment and what 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.220 he's achieved for 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.480 you. 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:04.640 relive the 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:06.140 gospel every time 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:06.500 you're in the 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:06.799 courtroom. 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:07.880 Amen.