WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.980 If you will please take out your copy of God's Word, which I hope you brought with you this morning, and turn to Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 12, verse 3. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:18.059 And while you're doing that, let me say I'm sure glad that we don't bow at the altar of performance. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:26.580 That it is totally okay that Jordan started out reading the wrong Advent candle. No problem there at all. 00:00:26.579 --> 00:00:30.599 It's totally okay that Wes has a hard time talking and tuning at the exact same time. 00:00:31.979 --> 00:00:33.500 I know I couldn't do it. 00:00:34.379 --> 00:00:37.920 It's also okay that you notice that the ball didn't hit me. That ball was supposed to hit me. 00:00:38.539 --> 00:00:44.539 Chris gave me a job of throwing a big ball from five feet away and hitting a target this large, and I missed. 00:00:45.739 --> 00:00:47.420 Praise God that that's also okay. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:51.179 Our salvation is not a salvation of works. 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:54.399 It's a salvation of grace. It's holy of God. 00:00:54.399 --> 00:00:57.280 And we should praise Him for that this morning. 00:00:57.399 --> 00:01:00.359 So let's pray together and do just that before we begin to study. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:08.659 Father God, we do praise You this morning for Jesus Christ, who we celebrate His coming at this time of year. 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:17.480 Thank You, Father, that He came so that man no more may die, to give us second birth, that we might have life in Him. 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:22.040 I thank You this day for those of us who have placed saving faith in Christ. 00:01:22.460 --> 00:01:25.740 We stand before You now with no condemnation. 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:32.960 We are justified, forgiven, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, that You see us as perfect and holy. 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:41.639 I praise You, God, that also that is not a completed action, that we are still being made perfect. 00:01:42.059 --> 00:01:45.799 And as such, You've given us things to do, tasks to carry out. 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:51.259 You've given us the great privilege of joining in Your work in this world. 00:01:51.260 --> 00:01:59.120 And so I pray, Father, this day as we study Your Word, that it penetrates our hearts and causes us to live differently as a result. 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:03.060 And we pray this in the precious name of Christ. Amen. 00:02:04.820 --> 00:02:11.500 So begin with me. We're going to read, starting in verse 3 of chapter 12 of the book of Romans, through the end of verse 8. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:41.479 Verse 8 of Romans, 00:02:41.500 --> 00:03:05.039 So we've come to the all-important, practical aspect of the book of Romans, right? 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:14.219 Paul has laid out doctrinally great truths about our salvation, that we are justified by faith alone, in Christ alone, forever. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:16.780 That God is sovereign over all those things. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:26.060 And he turns then, at the end of chapter 11, to this doxology, this great praise, this closing, this summation of these doctrines. 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:34.479 And then he turns to us in chapter 12, to show us how then these things practically work themselves out in our lives. 00:03:34.620 --> 00:03:40.000 All that we're going to be talking about in the coming months, I presume, are the therefore. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:48.759 Because of what Christ has done for you, the mercies of God, Paul calls it in verse 1 of chapter 12. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:54.580 Because of the mercies of God, therefore, live in this way. 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:59.120 And we're going to take verses 3 through 8 in two Sundays. 00:03:59.440 --> 00:04:04.540 We're going to deal with some observations, some general observations about the text this morning. 00:04:04.640 --> 00:04:08.840 Primarily from verse 3 through the first part of verse 6. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:13.760 And then next week, we'll drill down a little deeper and talk specifically about the gifts. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:18.220 What they mean and how they can work themselves out in our day-to-day living. 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:20.640 I want to show you three things. 00:04:20.780 --> 00:04:26.800 Firstly, God has gifted each of us uniquely for his service. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:31.360 You see that in verse 4 through the beginning of 6. 00:04:31.820 --> 00:04:34.300 He says that we're one body with many members. 00:04:34.520 --> 00:04:37.940 And the members do not all have the same function. 00:04:38.520 --> 00:04:40.520 We aren't clones. We aren't robots. 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:42.880 We don't all look the same. 00:04:42.880 --> 00:04:47.980 So we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:53.020 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. 00:04:54.140 --> 00:04:56.800 We are uniquely gifted for his service. 00:04:57.140 --> 00:05:00.000 You are you and no one else is. 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:02.040 There's a couple of great kid songs about that, right? 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:03.160 Search all the world over. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:04.500 There's no one like me. 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:06.800 This applies to the family of God as well. 00:05:06.940 --> 00:05:12.040 God has made you unique and gifted you particularly for the place that you are. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:15.260 And for the people with whom you serve. 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:20.000 A great parallel text to this is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:21.360 You can turn there with me if you like. 00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:24.920 We're going to begin reading in verse 12 of chapter 12. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:54.900 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:06:24.920 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:52.319 So we are created uniquely, bound together to serve as a collection, as an extension of who Christ is in the world. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:07:00.099 We have been blessed in this way, given the Spirit of God, the same Spirit that we might work together and cooperate with one another. 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:04.219 Paul's analogy here excludes two things. 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:08.139 It excludes you from feeling invaluable. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:14.500 You can't say, I'm an ear, therefore I'm not a part of the body, right? 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:15.800 That's what he's talking about there. 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:21.819 You can't say, I have a lesser gift, therefore I'm not valuable to what's happening. 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:26.860 It also excludes anyone else from calling you invaluable, right? 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:28.120 That's what he says there at the end. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:31.159 The eye can't say to the hand, I have no need of you. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:31.880 Right? 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:36.000 Because the body needs every part. 00:07:37.520 --> 00:07:42.780 In reading a bit of MacArthur's commentary on this passage, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:48.120 he quoted from a fictitious article that was written in a public school newsletter, 00:07:48.260 --> 00:07:51.540 which I find this hilarious that this was written in a public school newsletter. 00:07:51.760 --> 00:07:52.960 But listen carefully to this. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:54.220 This illustrates this perfectly. 00:07:54.220 --> 00:08:02.340 Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. 00:08:03.020 --> 00:08:04.600 So they organized a school. 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:09.800 They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming, and flying. 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:15.600 To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects. 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:20.440 The duck was excellent in swimming, in fact, better than his instructor. 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:25.379 But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:30.279 Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:35.200 This caused his webbed feet to be badly worn, so that he became only average in swimming. 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:39.899 But average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that, except the duck. 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:43.679 The rabbit started at the top of the class in running, 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:48.539 but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much makeup work in swimming. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:54.620 The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:59.299 because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:05.480 He developed charley horses from overexertion and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running. 00:09:06.599 --> 00:09:10.659 The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a nonconformist. 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:13.860 In climbing classes, he beat all the others to the top of the tree, 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:17.360 but insisted on using his own way to get there. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:21.180 And the story goes on and on, and they developed that a bit more. 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:24.560 But we try very often as people. 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:28.519 We set up what we think a Christian should look like. 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:33.320 We may idolize a particular Christian, some hero of ours, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:37.840 and look at the way they look and want to cram our lives into theirs. 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:41.379 Make ourselves the shape of them. 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:43.159 And we ought not. 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:45.219 You are uniquely gifted. 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:50.459 You are particularly created to serve in a very particular way. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:54.419 We ought not try to be someone else. 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:58.539 So we're given this listing of gifts here. 00:09:59.479 --> 00:10:02.939 And as I've been looking over and studying the spiritual gifts, 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:05.059 as we'll talk a bit more about next week, 00:10:05.479 --> 00:10:11.679 I want to show you that these gifts, I believe, overlap with each other, 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:14.639 even include each other. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:19.919 And I, therefore, don't believe that they're mutually exclusive to one another, 00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:22.259 or even rigidly defined. 00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:25.799 So we have to be careful as we study gifting, 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:28.460 because the temptation can be to say, 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:31.000 well, I have the gift of teaching. 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:34.159 Therefore, I don't need to serve. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:38.840 Therefore, it's not necessary for me to be merciful, 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:41.659 because I don't have the gift of mercy. 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:44.199 The temptation is there, 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:46.279 and I see many, many people who, 00:10:46.939 --> 00:10:48.500 while they would never say that out loud, 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.879 do this on a subconscious level. 00:10:51.459 --> 00:10:53.779 They find the thing that they're most good at, 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:56.600 and they, therefore, neglect all of the others. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:02.559 We are all being made together like Christ. 00:11:03.079 --> 00:11:03.620 Are we not? 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:06.659 I'm meant to look each day a bit more, 00:11:06.819 --> 00:11:07.720 and a bit more, 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:10.720 and a bit more like my Savior. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:16.800 The perfect embodiment of any spiritual gift or attribute we may find in the Scripture. 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.620 He was it. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.200 Completely holy. 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:23.639 Perfect in every way in his service to God. 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:27.580 So if we're being made to be more like him, 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:30.300 I may be particularly gifted in one area, 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.139 and not in another. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:34.580 I may have to really work at some areas of my life. 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:41.440 I may have to pray daily that God would just give me extra grace to fulfill these other things. 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:46.879 But we have to be careful that we don't rigidly define them, 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:49.700 and therefore neglect some of the other areas. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:54.320 So let me show you why I don't believe they're rigidly defined, 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:55.800 why I believe they overlap, 00:11:56.020 --> 00:11:57.680 why they're not mutually exclusive. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:58.400 Okay? 00:11:58.520 --> 00:12:00.000 So see if you can track me for just a second. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:03.139 In 1 Corinthians 14.3, 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:04.120 Paul says, 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:16.960 The word encouragement is the same word as exhortation here in Romans 12.8, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.480 which says, 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:20.960 The one who exhorts in his exhortation. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:22.820 So here are two gifts, 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.840 exhortation or encouragement, 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.679 and prophecy overlap. 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:27.199 Okay? 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:29.479 So you catch in 1 Corinthians 14.3, 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:32.899 The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, 00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:34.139 and encouragement, 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:35.359 or exhortation. 00:12:35.859 --> 00:12:37.159 Catch that connection there. 00:12:37.719 --> 00:12:39.539 Another example is Titus 1.9, 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.099 which says, 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:44.419 That the elder should exhort in sound teaching. 00:12:44.699 --> 00:12:45.679 That's the literal translation. 00:12:45.819 --> 00:12:46.979 Exhort in sound teaching. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:50.799 These are the same words that we find here at the end of verse 7, 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.959 and the beginning of verse 8. 00:12:53.199 --> 00:12:54.959 Teaching and exhorting. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:58.400 Only exhorting is said to use teaching. 00:12:58.540 --> 00:12:59.060 So again, 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.940 these gifts overlap. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.100 You tracking me? 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:02.780 Right? 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:05.220 And if you just look at the list itself, 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:08.759 how would you precisely draw a line, 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.800 in verse 8, 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:12.900 between contributing generously, 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:15.900 and doing acts of mercy cheerfully? 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.879 The two, 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.220 can't they, 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.220 shouldn't they, 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:22.360 walk hand in hand together? 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:26.180 Surely the one who is joyfully merciful, 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:28.500 is a generous person. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:29.220 Right? 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.100 So again, 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:31.180 we see these gifts, 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.600 having some overlap. 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.980 Or take service at the beginning of verse 8. 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:36.519 How will you distinguish, 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:37.300 serving, 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:38.560 from, 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:39.899 doing mercy? 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.519 And the point that I'm making, 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:45.240 is that we just must be careful. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:47.539 I'm not negating the value of, 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:49.179 spiritual gift tests. 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.799 That could be helpful. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:54.480 But we just must be careful about how, 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.360 we categorize these things. 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:58.980 That we don't live our Christian lives, 00:13:59.259 --> 00:13:59.879 categorically. 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.299 Right? 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:02.099 Today is my day to be merciful. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.120 I will go and be merciful. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:04.259 These things intertwine, 00:14:04.339 --> 00:14:05.319 and work together, 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.480 in our living. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.159 So, 00:14:09.099 --> 00:14:10.379 what do we do then with that? 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:10.779 Well, 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:12.139 if we know this to be true, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.159 and we're trying to find, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:15.639 how it is that God has uniquely created us, 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.600 to serve, 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:17.419 what do we do? 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.120 What is the practical way, 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:21.319 in which we can accomplish that? 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.039 Firstly, 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:26.519 be a part of a church. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.899 It's really great to see, 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.980 everybody here this morning. 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.360 Some of you, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.679 I've seen and not seen, 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.259 and you're back. 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:33.720 That's good. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.960 Some of you are very consistent here. 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.100 I don't know, 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:38.659 maybe because finals are going on, 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.379 soon. 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:40.679 Everybody's trying to get, 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.100 prayed up and ready to go. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.279 You know that doesn't work. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:45.879 Right? 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:49.379 If you're not part, 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:51.220 of a serving congregation, 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:53.199 you're not ever going to really, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.480 realize your potential, 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.319 in Christ. 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.779 You need people examining, 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.819 what's going on with you. 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:59.319 To show you this, 00:14:59.639 --> 00:14:59.840 look, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.139 in the same letter, 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:02.399 Romans chapter 1, 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.939 verse 11 and 12. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.899 Paul says in his greeting, 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:19.100 for I long to see you. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.179 Why? 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.840 So that I may impart to you, 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:24.319 some spiritual gift, 00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:25.840 to strengthen you. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.379 That is that we may be, 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.519 mutually encouraged, 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.639 by each other's faith, 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.939 both yours, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.259 and mine. 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.240 So spiritual gifts, 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:35.100 working, 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.819 in the proper way, 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:38.539 are from faith, 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.799 for faith. 00:15:40.599 --> 00:15:41.219 So if, 00:15:41.459 --> 00:15:41.939 if we're to, 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:43.359 walk out our gifts, 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:44.339 it ought to be done, 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.539 in a desperation, 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.740 for God to be working, 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:47.659 and moving, 00:15:48.099 --> 00:15:48.759 in our lives. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:49.859 Employing, 00:15:49.859 --> 00:15:51.120 the gifts that he's given us. 00:15:51.479 --> 00:15:51.620 Right? 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.519 So from faith. 00:15:52.839 --> 00:15:53.659 And they ought to be, 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.620 for the strengthening, 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.759 for the building up, 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:56.639 of faith, 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:57.719 in others. 00:15:58.719 --> 00:15:59.359 So practically, 00:15:59.359 --> 00:16:00.319 what does that look like? 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.039 What do you do, 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:02.259 as you're around other Christians, 00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:03.120 and you're looking for ways, 00:16:03.199 --> 00:16:03.779 to serve? 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.459 Simply, 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:07.139 you look for opportunities, 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:07.939 to serve. 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:09.039 You jump in, 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.860 and you do, 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.460 the things that need to get done, 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.759 and then you ask other people, 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.539 how it's going. 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:18.460 Am I an encouragement to you, 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.279 when I operate in this way? 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.620 If the church is, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.720 functioning properly, 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.539 that encouragement, 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.679 is being offered to you. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.539 I have to tell you, 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.559 how much it blesses me, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.259 when you do, 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.120 X. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:28.879 Or you do, 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:29.659 Y. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:32.200 You look for the fruit, 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.259 that comes out, 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.819 of faithful service. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.120 You look for confirmation, 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.019 for leadership, 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:38.759 to say to you, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.879 you're really good, 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.740 at this. 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.139 Can you please, 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.159 keep doing that, 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.100 for our church? 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.139 And so you, 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:47.480 begin to feel out, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.840 who God has created, 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.779 you to be, 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.679 and continue to serve, 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.259 in that way. 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:53.620 Doesn't mean that, 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.199 when you discover, 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:54.980 you're a great teacher, 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.019 you stop, 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.000 cleaning the floors. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:57.600 Right? 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.699 Needs to get done, 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.840 hop in, 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:00.819 and make, 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.639 it happen. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.080 And I believe, 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.000 it's just that simple. 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.839 I don't think, 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.420 that we need to, 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.080 over-spiritualize, 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.259 the gifts. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.060 But to recognize, 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.600 that God, 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:13.000 has knit you together, 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.580 uniquely, 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.080 to be knit together, 00:17:15.320 --> 00:17:16.279 with a congregation, 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.240 to serve, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.400 his purposes, 00:17:19.080 --> 00:17:19.820 and his ends. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:21.920 Okay. 00:17:22.100 --> 00:17:22.840 Second observation. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.740 The offering, 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.640 of ourselves, 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.900 as living sacrifices, 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.700 is prerequisite, 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:32.680 to experiencing, 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:32.680 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.279 our potential, 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.400 for his service. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:35.980 I'll say that again. 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.160 The offering, 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:37.860 of ourselves, 00:17:38.120 --> 00:17:39.319 as living sacrifices, 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.920 is prerequisite, 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.319 to experiencing, 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.019 our potential, 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.120 for his service. 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.460 Let's not forget, 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.240 about verse 1, 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.059 and 2, 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.039 of chapter 12. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.620 Paul says, 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.779 I appeal to you, 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.159 therefore, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.319 in light of everything, 00:17:52.459 --> 00:17:53.000 that I've said, 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.939 because of these great truths, 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:56.359 brothers, 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.679 by the mercies of God, 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.759 to present your bodies, 00:17:58.899 --> 00:18:00.079 as a living sacrifice, 00:18:00.239 --> 00:18:00.559 holy, 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.779 and acceptable to God, 00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:03.059 which is your spiritual worship. 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:03.719 We dealt with that, 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.459 two weeks ago. 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:06.500 In a response, 00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:07.739 to the great grace of God, 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.119 to us, 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:08.719 in our lives, 00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:10.039 we are, 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.039 as priests, 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.500 to offer ourselves, 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.239 wholly, 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.639 every bit, 00:18:14.699 --> 00:18:15.399 of our being, 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.119 back, 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.339 to God. 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:19.379 He says, 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:20.220 do not be conformed, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.559 to this world, 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.439 but be transformed, 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.199 by what? 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.259 The renewal of your mind, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.799 working these truths, 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.939 back into you, 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:27.579 that by testing, 00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:28.199 you may discern, 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.019 what is the will of God, 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.659 what is good, 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:30.639 and acceptable, 00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.679 and perfect. 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:33.220 Now this, 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.559 this text, 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.319 has been used, 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:35.819 generally, 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:36.740 very often, 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.659 verses 1 and 2, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.779 particularly verse 2, 00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:40.359 to talk about, 00:18:40.459 --> 00:18:41.299 how it is that we know, 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.159 the will of God, 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.899 for our lives, 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.240 in all the varying, 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.980 circumstances. 00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.559 Where am I supposed, 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.119 to go to school? 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.039 What's the next job, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.359 for me? 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.339 Where should we move? 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.319 It's a time to have children, 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.420 all of those things. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.279 Certainly, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.839 generally, 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:53.759 that applies, 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.079 right? 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:55.299 If we're offering ourselves, 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.519 fully as a sacrifice, 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.099 to God, 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.440 we're renewing our minds, 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.420 we're reading the scriptures, 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.180 certainly, 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.680 generally, 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.519 that applies. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.440 But specifically, 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.700 I think if you asked Paul, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.279 what did you mean, 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:05.799 specifically, 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.180 when you talked about, 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.940 discerning what the will of God is, 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.519 what is good, 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.259 and acceptable, 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:10.759 and perfect, 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.579 he wouldn't have said, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.119 oh, 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:12.579 just generally, 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:13.519 just, 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:13.759 you know, 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.960 the things you may encounter in life. 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:16.180 He would have said, 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.600 did you read the rest of the letter? 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.820 I went on to talk. 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.320 I continued talking, 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:22.779 and in fact, 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:24.660 verse 3 starts with the word, 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.420 for. 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.759 So I think, 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.400 specifically, 00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:30.080 Paul is talking about, 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.299 all the things, 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.100 that are to follow. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.539 So if we're offering ourselves, 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.039 wholly, 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:36.360 sacrificially, 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.160 to God, 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.380 and renewing our minds, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.920 then we will test, 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.799 we will discern, 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.160 that everything he's about to say, 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.940 is good, 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:43.800 and right, 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:44.620 and true. 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.640 You will not, 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:51.080 fully recognize, 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.120 your potential, 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.900 God has worked into you, 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.560 until you fully sacrifice, 00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:56.320 yourself, 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.600 to him. 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.640 We must, 00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:01.620 get that, 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.440 right. 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.640 If you tell me, 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.420 you've given yourself, 00:20:05.580 --> 00:20:06.120 wholly to God, 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.380 and I see no, 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.200 effective ministry, 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.080 in your life, 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.480 then I don't believe you. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:13.420 On the other hand, 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.620 if you tell me, 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.339 that you're serving the Lord, 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:15.700 you can tell me, 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.220 all these things, 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.640 that you're doing, 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.339 but I don't see, 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:18.480 a total commitment to him, 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.079 I don't believe that either. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.620 Some of us, 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.599 need, 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.980 to give up some things, 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.700 to wholly, 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.539 sacrifice, 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.000 ourselves to God. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.059 I don't know, 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.160 what those specific things are, 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.620 for you. 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:34.140 I can tell you though, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.120 that I don't see, 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.120 effective ministry, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.860 in many, 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.000 of the lives, 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.120 of our congregation. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.200 You haven't said to God, 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.519 God, 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.579 I know, 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.539 that I have value in you, 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:47.460 I know that I am an image bearer, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.480 because Christ, 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.559 has restored that in me, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.079 and I know that by your spirit, 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.559 you give me a particular set, 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.120 of gifts, 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.339 to serve the church. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.160 And I'm willing to do, 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.000 whatever, 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.319 you would have me do. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.720 I'm willing to go, 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:01.120 wherever you would have me go. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.680 I'm willing to use my time, 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.519 in whatever way, 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.200 in my resources, 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.160 in whatever way, 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.460 you would have me do that. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:09.700 Many of us hang on, 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:11.019 to particular things, 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.680 in our lives, 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.819 that are going to keep that, 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.880 from happening. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.860 Good things, 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.480 most of them. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.519 We listed the things, 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.519 that you value in your life, 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.420 it would be very, 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.840 very unlikely, 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.299 for any of you, 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:23.779 that we would say, 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.039 oh, 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.340 that's a horrible thing, 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.279 to value in your life. 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.779 They'd be good things, 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.200 we could put them, 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.279 in the good category, 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.559 right? 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:32.500 But they get out of balance. 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.680 You begin to value, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.560 those things, 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:37.140 above Christ, 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.000 and his mission, 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.140 for you. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.720 Let me tell you one, 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.140 for me, 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.060 from the past. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.580 Free time. 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:46.259 I used to have, 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.580 a thing called free time. 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.640 I don't really remember, 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.039 exactly what I did with that, 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:53.440 but it existed in my life, 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:53.860 and I, 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.519 I remember enjoying it. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:55.940 Just, 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.420 what are you doing today, 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.680 Nathan? 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.080 Nothing. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.480 Nothing going on, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.140 sometimes. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:02.820 Right? 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.179 And as God began, 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.319 to cram more things, 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.099 into my life, 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.139 working a full time job, 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.639 working here at the church, 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.299 part time, 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.419 having children, 00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:13.559 it disappeared. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.639 Right? 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.679 And for a while, 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.659 I really didn't want it to. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.220 I fought for free time, 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:19.980 at times. 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:21.439 Not saying it's not okay, 00:22:21.439 --> 00:22:22.159 to rest. 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.000 Okay? 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.779 So hear me carefully, 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.799 it's okay to rest. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:25.439 But, 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.779 you know the goofing off time, 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.119 college students, 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.659 I think you know, 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.500 what I'm talking about. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.740 Right? 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:33.059 It's highly likely, 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.279 that if you, 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.579 deliver yourself, 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.019 over, 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.339 to Christ's service, 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.220 you're not going to have, 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.720 any free time. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:39.680 Right? 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:41.380 You were going to set time aside, 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.259 to rest, 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.559 because you know you have to, 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.920 to get at it the next day. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.120 You were going to say, 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.299 I better get to sleep, 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.460 at 10 o'clock, 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.700 because I know I've got to get up, 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.420 at 5 a.m. 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.720 and get rolling on my day. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.680 Right? 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:55.019 The free time will tend to, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.279 flitter itself away. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.319 Right? 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.579 You may have to give up, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:23:00.079 some relationships in your life, 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:01.079 that are sucking, 00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:02.139 life out of you. 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:03.319 Right? 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.960 You may have to give up, 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.720 some extracurricular activities, 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.740 that you're involved with, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.699 that consume, 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.339 so much of your time, 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:12.299 and have very little value, 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:13.379 eternally. 00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:16.299 You may have to give up, 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:16.799 some of those, 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.279 free time things. 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:18.619 Guys, 00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:20.339 you might never beat, 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.740 that video game, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.299 you've been trying, 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.339 to pull off. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:23.679 It just, 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.599 you might just have to say, 00:23:24.699 --> 00:23:25.039 oh well, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.740 never going to get to the last level. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.819 I don't even know, 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.519 if they make video games, 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.099 in levels anymore. 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.359 Excuse me, 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.019 if I've misspoken. 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.680 We have to offer, 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.720 all of ourselves, 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.059 to his service. 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.599 Let me be pastoral, 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.299 for a moment. 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:42.799 And, 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.140 hear me carefully, 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.099 I love, 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.920 all of you. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.279 Some of you, 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.019 I don't know that well. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:47.720 Some of you, 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.259 I don't know at all, 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:48.680 actually. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.599 There's a good chance of that. 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.620 Some of you, 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.180 I know very well. 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.019 I love you very, 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.620 very much. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.599 And that's what I'm about to say. 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.900 Being a shepherd, 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.620 shepherds had two instruments, 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.280 at their disposal. 00:23:59.540 --> 00:24:00.720 They had a staff, 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.160 and they had a rod. 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:02.960 You ever heard this? 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.700 The staff was the big, 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.580 long stick with the hook, 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:04.980 on the end, 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.340 which was used to gently, 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.200 correct the sheep. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.100 It was used to, 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:09.220 corral. 00:24:10.280 --> 00:24:11.380 They also had a rod. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.940 And you know what the rod, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.460 was used for? 00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:13.800 For the sheep that wouldn't hear, 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.259 the correction of the staff. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.540 The sheep would get a good, 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.420 crack on the head, 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:18.280 with the rod. 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.580 So what I'm about to say, 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.300 for some of you, 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:20.920 is going to feel, 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.060 like staff, 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.500 and some of you, 00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:22.980 like rod. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.759 Just know that it's all, 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.500 from love. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:28.140 It is shameful, 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.960 the way some of you serve, 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.820 this congregation, 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.160 in the simple ways. 00:24:33.540 --> 00:24:34.519 Some of you are, 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:36.240 far too little, 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:37.120 involved. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.460 You rush in, 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.100 you consume, 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.100 and you rush out. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.140 There is a massive, 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.060 amount of work, 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.759 that goes in, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.980 to doing things around here. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.740 Jamie, 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.620 my sister said well, 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.200 the other evening, 00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:49.980 this building is not self-cleaning. 00:24:50.280 --> 00:24:50.800 Wouldn't that be nice, 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.160 if we like, 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.780 shut the door, 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.680 and pushed a button, 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.759 and it just did its work, 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:55.080 like a self-cleaning oven? 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.220 We do. 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.939 There are lots, 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:59.079 of things to be done, 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.579 around here. 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.419 And members, 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.679 a lot of our non-members, 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:05.659 even some people, 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.339 who I know, 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.159 aren't Christians, 00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:08.339 but are coming around, 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:08.919 this congregation, 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:10.259 to explore, 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.740 what a community, 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.059 committed to Christ, 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.779 looks like, 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.019 do more work, 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.720 in this building, 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.519 than you do. 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.819 It's shameful. 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:22.799 It's sad, 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.859 that I, 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.599 and Chris, 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:25.799 run around here, 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.919 cleaning things, 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.579 while you sit around, 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.200 and chit chat. 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.159 You consider, 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.980 that maybe, 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.919 it's important, 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.500 for the pastors, 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.039 of this church, 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:35.079 to be talking to people, 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:36.879 rather than, 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.659 cleaning windows, 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.679 and wiping off tables. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.220 When we have events together, 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.159 it's not enough, 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.119 to stack two chairs, 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:44.879 against the wall, 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.839 and then go home. 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.879 I did my part. 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:47.740 Did you know, 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.599 that the work isn't done, 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.399 until the work is done? 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.519 There are a lot of things, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.319 that have to get done, 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:52.899 in succession, 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.259 before we're finished, 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.379 with something that we're doing. 00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:57.700 There are lots of things, 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.899 that have to get set up, 00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.899 and get ready for. 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.720 You need to be looking, 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.799 for ways, 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.099 you can be more involved. 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.480 Now, 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.319 to be fair, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.539 Chris and I have failed, 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:11.039 at showing you those things. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.159 Right? 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:13.439 I am a horrible, 00:26:13.439 --> 00:26:13.980 delegator, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.639 of a volunteer, 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.039 group. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:16.559 Right? 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.000 Like, 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.279 I don't want to make you, 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:18.799 do anything. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.759 But it's really, 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.659 a disservice to you. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.279 Right? 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.039 So, 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.940 we're going to show you, 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.539 ways that you can be, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.119 more involved. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.980 But just the same, 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.579 you've got to take, 00:26:26.659 --> 00:26:27.680 some responsibility for it. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.139 Right? 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:29.019 You've got to take, 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.559 some responsibility, 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.639 for not asking, 00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:32.020 what can be done. 00:26:32.020 --> 00:26:32.100 Right? 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.080 Right? 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:33.160 Right? 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.200 Right? 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.200 If we're going, 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:38.259 to fully experience, 00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:38.780 our potential, 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.620 for service, 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.320 we have to be, 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.820 fully sacrificial. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.480 We have to offer, 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.780 all of ourselves, 00:26:44.520 --> 00:26:45.580 as living sacrifices. 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:46.980 And let me tell you this. 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.720 Since I have learned, 00:26:49.820 --> 00:26:50.580 to do that, 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.720 in the area, 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:53.480 of my free time, 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:55.040 let me tell you, 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:56.040 that I do not, 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:56.960 regret it. 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.080 Right? 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.839 Work in the service, 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.460 of our king, 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:02.339 is so much better, 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.799 than flitting away time. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.119 And it has, 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:06.039 an eternal reward. 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.099 Something that we will, 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:07.879 appreciate forever. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.539 The things you do, 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.319 to waste time now, 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.199 you will never, 00:27:10.199 --> 00:27:10.699 appreciate. 00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:11.220 In fact, 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.220 I actually believe, 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.099 you'll probably regret. 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.419 I don't know what that's, 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:15.859 going to look like, 00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.259 exactly. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.379 You will never, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:17.839 ever, 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:20.460 undervalue, 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.599 the things that you do, 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.179 for the kingdom. 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.419 And thirdly, 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:27.699 proper service, 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.299 service to God, 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.720 is saturated, 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.840 with humility. 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.860 It's saturated, 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.180 with humility. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.000 As we begin to talk, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.799 about gifting, 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.840 and the part, 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.799 that you may play, 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.420 recognize, 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.279 that every bit of it, 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:43.299 must be saturated, 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.600 with humility. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.940 We see that, 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.500 in verse three. 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.860 Paul even starts out, 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.539 very carefully, 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:49.980 by saying, 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:50.720 for by the grace, 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.420 given to me, 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.420 he's about to give, 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.080 a command, 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:54.340 to be humble. 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.180 Right? 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.600 And so he carefully says, 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:58.000 by the grace given to me, 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.740 as God has put me, 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.259 in this position, 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:00.599 called me as an apostle, 00:28:00.959 --> 00:28:01.759 by his grace, 00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.500 not because Paul's great, 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.599 but because God is great, 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.079 in me, 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.579 I say to everyone among you, 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.319 everyone among you, 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.759 not to think of himself, 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.579 more highly, 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.819 than he ought to think, 00:28:12.959 --> 00:28:14.359 but to think with sober judgment, 00:28:14.459 --> 00:28:15.539 a sound mind, 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.659 each according to the measure of faith, 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.619 that God has assigned. 00:28:19.199 --> 00:28:19.339 Right? 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.139 Be realistic, 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.939 about who you are. 00:28:23.439 --> 00:28:23.639 Right? 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.259 That's what he's saying. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.960 Recognize that apart from Christ, 00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:30.220 you have nothing. 00:28:32.560 --> 00:28:32.960 Mankind, 00:28:33.520 --> 00:28:34.220 humanity, 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:36.400 was created to bear the image, 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.400 of God. 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.920 To reflect it, 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.700 so to speak. 00:28:41.040 --> 00:28:42.980 But at the time of original sin, 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.700 that was destroyed. 00:28:45.560 --> 00:28:46.200 It's like a mirror. 00:28:46.280 --> 00:28:46.840 If you can imagine, 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.700 I have a mirror up here, 00:28:48.020 --> 00:28:49.180 just shattering the mirror. 00:28:49.800 --> 00:28:49.940 Right? 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:52.480 Still some semblance in there, 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:54.640 some little hint, 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.559 of what we were created for. 00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:59.740 But you don't see a whole picture, 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.519 of who God is. 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.759 You see very little of it, 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.240 in fact. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:04.539 But because of Christ, 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.640 we've been restored. 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:08.039 We're now whole mirrors again. 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:10.120 And we can then, 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.120 reflect, 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.500 who God is. 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:15.220 There's no credit to us in that. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.980 Salvation is holy of God. 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.400 All his doing. 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:23.440 We can take zero credit for that. 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.580 That's why we say, 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.860 the gospel at once, 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.000 most gladdens, 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.580 and abases the soul. 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.180 Right? 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.360 It humbles us, 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:32.200 but it makes us so happy, 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.440 about who we are, 00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:35.060 in Christ. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:37.140 There's no room, 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.880 for boasting in that. 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.840 In this world, 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:43.040 recognize that no one, 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:43.780 really suffers, 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.700 from low self-esteem. 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.700 You think about that, 00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:46.880 like, 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:48.480 they just got low self-esteem. 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.200 And we think, 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.140 then the solution to that, 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:50.760 is to kind of like, 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.880 bolster them up, 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.140 like, 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.800 tell them what's good about them, 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:54.780 and what they do well. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.520 Low self-esteem, 00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.760 is just another form, 00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:58.800 of pride. 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.600 It's thinking that you, 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.820 want to be someone, 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:03.280 different than you are. 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.280 You're not, 00:30:04.280 --> 00:30:05.760 fully valuing, 00:30:06.020 --> 00:30:06.420 who you, 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.600 are. 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.380 You're worshiping, 00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:10.760 who you want to be. 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:12.460 It's just as bad. 00:30:13.260 --> 00:30:13.560 Right? 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:13.679 Pride, 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:17.220 pride, 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.919 is self-worship. 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.419 And we do this, 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.099 as Christians, 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.159 in the church, 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.619 with gifts. 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:27.379 We need a proper balance, 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.279 of understanding, 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.319 who we are, 00:30:29.659 --> 00:30:30.700 apart from Christ, 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.460 and who we are, 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.240 empowered, 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.519 by him. 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.500 Any talent, 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:38.159 that you have, 00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.039 any way, 00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:39.919 that you can possibly, 00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:40.960 serve this church, 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.779 or the world, 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.159 was a gift to you, 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:44.380 value it. 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:45.759 Right? 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.160 Love it, 00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.200 hold on to it, 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.279 and put it, 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.360 into action. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.700 Paul says in verse 6, 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:54.480 having differing, 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.100 gifts, 00:30:55.560 --> 00:30:56.259 according to the grace, 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:56.740 given to us, 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.779 let us, 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.860 use them. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.160 Recognize, 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.960 I may not be, 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.759 that guy, 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.960 but I am this guy, 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.820 and God's given me, 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.000 things to do, 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.540 with my talents. 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.580 This is a snare, 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.140 for the preacher. 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:12.880 Right? 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.100 I, 00:31:14.340 --> 00:31:16.200 may never be, 00:31:16.540 --> 00:31:17.100 probably, 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.960 more than likely, 00:31:19.040 --> 00:31:19.779 will never be, 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.840 a John Piper, 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.600 or a John MacArthur, 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.680 and I know that. 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:26.040 I listen to other preachers, 00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:26.880 to be a better preacher. 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.480 I don't think too much, 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.220 of my ability, 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.000 to get up here, 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.360 and orate. 00:31:34.040 --> 00:31:35.480 But God has given me, 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:37.140 a very specific task, 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.500 a very specific people, 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.859 and I'm going to do that, 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.559 faithfully, 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:42.099 until he tells me to stop, 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.819 or takes me home. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:44.700 Right? 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.440 Be, 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.400 confident in who you are, 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.819 because who you are, 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.099 is a picture, 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.420 of Christ. 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:52.599 Right? 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.900 And do the things, 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:55.240 that God has given you to do. 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:57.380 Don't spend all your time, 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:59.259 trying to be someone else. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.059 Be, 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:00.880 you, 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:02.700 and serve. 00:32:04.260 --> 00:32:05.760 1 Corinthians 12, 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.180 verse 4 and 6, 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:08.880 Paul says, 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.020 now there are varieties of gifts, 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:11.000 but the same Spirit. 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:12.760 And there are varieties of service, 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.860 but the same Lord. 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.420 And there are varieties of activities, 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:17.420 but it is the same God, 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.880 who empowers them all, 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:20.200 and every one. 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:22.380 And what I want you to see in that, 00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:23.460 is to see that, 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.880 if you have gifting, 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.300 and you do, 00:32:26.580 --> 00:32:27.360 if you're a Christian, 00:32:27.780 --> 00:32:28.760 if you're found in Christ, 00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:30.620 you've placed your faith in Him, 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.339 for your salvation, 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:32.719 you have gifts. 00:32:32.959 --> 00:32:33.819 And it's the same God, 00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.559 that gave it to you, 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.379 that gave it to me, 00:32:35.439 --> 00:32:36.179 or to that guy. 00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:36.859 Right? 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.519 Praise God for that. 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.139 Do you have value, 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.899 in Him, 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.239 and employ it. 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.459 Paul says again, 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.000 Galatians 6, 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.339 14, 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.500 But far be it from me, 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.000 to boast, 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:47.319 except in the cross, 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:49.019 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.139 by which the world, 00:32:50.239 --> 00:32:51.259 has been crucified to me, 00:32:51.739 --> 00:32:52.239 and I, 00:32:52.719 --> 00:32:53.399 to the world. 00:32:54.739 --> 00:32:55.819 A picture of that. 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.500 Paul says, 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.819 I cannot boast in anything, 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:58.759 except what Christ, 00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.519 has done, 00:33:00.179 --> 00:33:00.599 for me. 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:03.279 We get a picture, 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:05.339 beautiful, 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.859 sacrificial service, 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:08.119 from our Lord, 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.879 from Jesus Christ Himself. 00:33:11.239 --> 00:33:12.279 I hope you know the story, 00:33:12.659 --> 00:33:13.899 the last supper, 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.839 when He washed the disciples' feet. 00:33:16.479 --> 00:33:17.239 John 13, 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.439 verse 12, 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.899 it says, 00:33:19.959 --> 00:33:20.939 when He had washed their feet, 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.119 and put on His outer garments, 00:33:22.199 --> 00:33:23.019 and resumed His place, 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:23.679 He said to them, 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:25.000 Do you understand, 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.859 what I have done to you? 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.099 You call me, 00:33:27.159 --> 00:33:27.819 Teacher and Lord, 00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:28.679 and you are right, 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.579 for so I am. 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.659 If I, 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.720 then your Lord and Teacher, 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.819 have washed your feet, 00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:34.599 you also ought to wash 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.480 one another's feet, 00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:37.019 for I have given you an example, 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.720 that you also should do, 00:33:38.919 --> 00:33:40.419 just as I have done to you. 00:33:41.179 --> 00:33:41.419 Truly, 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:41.679 truly, 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.480 I say to you, 00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:44.399 a sermon is not greater than his master, 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.559 nor is a messenger greater 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.720 than the one who sent him. 00:33:47.139 --> 00:33:48.439 If you know these things, 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.740 blessed are you, 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.019 if you do them. 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:53.599 So Jesus humbled Himself 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:56.059 to do one of the dirtiest tasks 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.740 of the time. 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.400 The point of this, 00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.519 Jesus wasn't saying, 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.319 get together with your youth group, 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:03.240 and have a feet washing ceremony, 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.859 with nice clean feet. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.099 It's not what He was saying 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:06.980 for us to do. 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:10.059 The lowliest servant in a household 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.980 had this job, 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.119 of washing feet. 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.259 Because, 00:34:14.259 --> 00:34:15.400 if you lived in this time, 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.739 and you prepared yourself for a dinner, 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:18.099 you got all cleaned up, 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.219 you anointed your head with oil, 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:20.500 got your hair looking good, 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.239 slicked back, 00:34:21.479 --> 00:34:22.119 ready to go. 00:34:22.459 --> 00:34:23.519 You walked out of the house, 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.899 and guess what happened to your feet? 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.179 I think a lot of us 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:27.259 probably experience this 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.359 because we wear sandals, 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.459 chacos particularly. 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.759 It got stinky. 00:34:30.899 --> 00:34:32.099 You walked on a dusty road, 00:34:32.459 --> 00:34:33.379 in sweaty feet, 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:35.199 and your feet got stinky. 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.539 And in this time, 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:38.519 people reclined at low tables. 00:34:38.779 --> 00:34:39.500 So your feet were like 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.659 part of the scene. 00:34:41.459 --> 00:34:41.619 Right? 00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.139 So, 00:34:43.319 --> 00:34:44.279 the lowliest servant 00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:45.219 would wash 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.359 guests' feet. 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.219 Right? 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:47.919 When they came over. 00:34:48.419 --> 00:34:49.359 And that is the position 00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:51.000 that Jesus Christ put himself in. 00:34:51.319 --> 00:34:52.739 The crummiest job, 00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:53.759 he did it 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.539 for the disciples. 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:59.019 We ought to be willing 00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:00.259 to do the same. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:02.739 The opportunity may not always arise, 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:03.559 but believe me, 00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:04.339 it will. 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.739 At some point in your life, 00:35:05.799 --> 00:35:08.179 you will have the crummiest job. 00:35:08.899 --> 00:35:09.099 Right? 00:35:09.399 --> 00:35:10.879 Somebody runs in here and says, 00:35:11.419 --> 00:35:12.959 Nathan, the toilet's overflowing 00:35:12.959 --> 00:35:13.459 in the bathroom, 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:14.519 and it is gross. 00:35:14.879 --> 00:35:15.919 I ought to be. 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:17.760 My desire should be 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.639 to jump at that 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:19.500 and go get it done. 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.000 Right? 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:21.079 Ooh, I don't want you guys in there. 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.260 Let me go get that accomplished. 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.139 Right? 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:24.960 Could be 00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.680 that one of you 00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:26.559 needs to jump in front of me 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.300 and make it happen. 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:28.820 Right? 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:30.420 The lowliest job, 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.760 the crummiest of job, 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.039 is what Jesus 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.380 is setting the example 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.940 for us here. 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.240 You know, 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.659 the Corinthians, 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.760 one of the great issues 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.780 with the Corinthian believers 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:40.659 and what Paul was addressing 00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:41.139 is that 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:42.980 they had ranked 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.980 the gifts. 00:35:44.379 --> 00:35:45.599 They had laid out 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.519 a hierarchy 00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:47.559 and everybody wanted 00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.739 to be the best 00:35:48.739 --> 00:35:49.379 and the biggest. 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:50.440 They wanted a name 00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:51.139 for themselves 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.219 and I see that happening 00:35:52.219 --> 00:35:52.980 so much 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:54.519 in the American church. 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:55.559 So in 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.900 chapter 12, 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:57.359 verse 31, 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:57.759 he says, 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:58.960 earnestly desire 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.980 these gifts 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.519 and I will show you 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.239 a still 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:03.339 more excellent 00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:04.219 way. 00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:05.259 And then we get 00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:06.019 chapter 13, 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:06.379 right? 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.380 the classic 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.599 love chapter 00:36:08.599 --> 00:36:10.000 not just designed 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.880 for reading at weddings. 00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:11.900 He's talking about 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:13.360 love of the church 00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:14.900 in that case, 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:15.940 which includes 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.460 your spouse. 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.300 But he's talking about 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:19.160 the way we ought 00:36:19.160 --> 00:36:19.960 to love one another. 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.940 Humble love. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.320 So proper service 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:24.740 to God 00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:26.000 is saturated 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:28.220 with humble love. 00:36:29.380 --> 00:36:30.380 The greatest, 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:31.140 the highest 00:36:31.140 --> 00:36:31.960 example 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.619 of this, 00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:33.740 the greatest display 00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:35.119 of this humble love 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:36.000 is the cross. 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.400 So if we're to 00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:38.099 look 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.940 to what that looks like, 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:41.079 it's Jesus Christ 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:42.480 not only laying 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.500 his life down 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.840 on our behalf, 00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:46.559 which is the 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:48.760 tangible thing 00:36:48.760 --> 00:36:49.619 that we can touch, 00:36:49.740 --> 00:36:50.400 the abuse 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.160 that he received, 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:52.140 the pain 00:36:52.140 --> 00:36:53.340 that he experienced, 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:54.280 right? 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.280 But more than that, 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:56.960 spiritually, 00:36:57.160 --> 00:36:58.039 he bore the wrath 00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:58.599 of God, 00:36:59.360 --> 00:36:59.640 right? 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.680 He had a perfect 00:37:00.680 --> 00:37:01.960 communion with God 00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:02.559 in the Trinity 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.900 and God turned 00:37:03.900 --> 00:37:04.720 his back on him 00:37:04.720 --> 00:37:05.519 in these moments 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:06.480 and poured out 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:06.599 wrath. 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.019 I don't even 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:07.719 comprehend what 00:37:07.719 --> 00:37:08.820 that looks like, 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:09.460 right? 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:09.840 What that would 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:10.619 feel like. 00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:11.380 I can't even 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.440 begin to fathom it 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:12.900 and praise God 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.820 I never will. 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:15.079 I'll never really 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.539 know what the 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.079 wrath of God 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:17.059 looks like 00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:18.119 to me. 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:19.579 But Christ 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.340 took that on 00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:21.079 for us, 00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:22.139 the lowliest 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.820 of servants 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.380 and he 00:37:23.380 --> 00:37:24.739 is our master. 00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:27.019 Ought we not 00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.559 serve 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:28.619 in the very 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.440 same 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.400 way? 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:31.760 So let me 00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:32.139 just recap 00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.680 for you 00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:34.240 to help you 00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:34.680 wrap your 00:37:34.680 --> 00:37:34.940 mind. 00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:35.980 God has 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.619 gifted each 00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:37.079 of us 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:37.539 uniquely 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:37.920 for his 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.280 service. 00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.160 He has 00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:40.099 given us 00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:41.039 gifts. 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.700 The offering 00:37:44.700 --> 00:37:45.380 of ourselves 00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:46.160 as living 00:37:46.160 --> 00:37:46.860 sacrifices 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.920 is prerequisite 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.340 to our 00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:48.800 experiencing 00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:49.599 our potential 00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:50.860 for his 00:37:50.860 --> 00:37:51.260 service. 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:53.579 And proper 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:54.079 service to 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.079 God is 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:55.539 saturated 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:57.280 with humility. 00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:58.200 Let's pray 00:37:58.200 --> 00:37:58.480 together.