WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.560 James chapter 4 verses 1 to 12. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:16.240 What causes fights and quarrels among you? 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:19.879 Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:23.059 You desire but do not have, so you kill. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:28.060 You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:31.699 You do not have because you do not ask God. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:37.079 When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:40.000 that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 00:00:41.179 --> 00:00:46.780 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:51.920 Therefore anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:55.179 Or do you think scripture says, without reason, 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:59.140 that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us. 00:00:59.899 --> 00:01:01.640 But he gives us more grace. 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:03.759 That is why scripture says, 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:07.579 God opposes the pride but shows favour to the humble. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:10.780 Submit yourselves then to God. 00:01:11.539 --> 00:01:13.879 Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:17.539 Come near to God and he will come near to you. 00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:22.840 Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 00:01:23.620 --> 00:01:25.320 Grieve, mourn and wail. 00:01:25.880 --> 00:01:28.719 Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to bloom. 00:01:29.320 --> 00:01:32.980 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up. 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:36.920 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:44.000 Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:49.280 When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 00:01:50.019 --> 00:01:55.340 There is only one lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:58.480 But you, who are you to judge your neighbour? 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:08.180 Let's pray. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:08.219 Let's pray. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:43.099 Father, we ask, do your work in our lives. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.919 We pray this for your honour. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:48.819 Amen. 00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:59.039 Well, I wonder, have you ever been to a perfect church? 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:01.759 I'm not talking about Carygilline Baptist. 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:04.080 Have you ever been to a perfect church? 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:11.780 Well, if ever you find one, please don't go, because you'll ruin it. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:21.680 Recently, I was talking to a pastor who told me very proudly that the name of his church was Perfect Church. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:26.139 I asked him, does anybody go to your church? 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:30.199 But I think the irony was lost on him. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:36.899 The fact is, as soon as we put people together, conflict is not far behind. 00:03:38.019 --> 00:03:45.979 And while that's sad, and it always is sad, we should never be surprised that there can be fights in the church. 00:03:45.979 --> 00:03:50.799 You see, there is no such thing as a perfect church. 00:03:51.399 --> 00:03:56.000 Because, well, let's admit it, none of us are perfect people. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.460 But it doesn't have to be like that. 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:05.520 Fights might be normal for day-to-day life. 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:10.580 Disagreements might happen in your work with your colleagues, with your boss. 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:15.159 Arguments may be part of your family experience. 00:04:15.159 --> 00:04:19.959 But they should never be part of the church. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:22.019 Look at verse 11. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:26.659 Brothers and sisters. 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:29.879 So here he's addressing the church family. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:31.040 Christians. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:32.439 Followers of Jesus. 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:34.379 Brothers and sisters. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:38.439 Do not slander one another. 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:47.139 So through this text, James is showing us how we can prevent fights from breaking out. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:51.540 And instead build loving relationships. 00:04:52.300 --> 00:04:55.379 How we can prevent fights from breaking out. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:58.939 And how we can build loving relationships. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:04.040 First, fights and quarrels. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:08.300 James wants us to face up to the fact that, well, disagreements, 00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:10.360 and fallouts do happen. 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:13.980 This fight happens in different ways. 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:16.379 First, we fight with each other. 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:18.040 Look at verse 1. 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:21.980 What causes fights and quarrels among you? 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:27.519 Now, I don't think James is saying that punches are being thrown during the sermon. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:32.540 Or that we should expect a wrestling match to be happening down the back there. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.980 Remember what James has been talking about. 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:39.220 Go back to chapter 3, verse 6. 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.379 James chapter 3, verse 6. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:49.480 He tells us there that the tongue also is a fire. 00:05:50.140 --> 00:05:51.740 That's the tongue in our mouth. 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:53.160 Is a fire. 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:56.040 A world of evil among the parts of the body. 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:58.360 It corrupts the whole body. 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:02.800 Look at verse 8 of chapter 3. 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:07.280 No human being can tame the tongue. 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:11.600 It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:15.460 So the fight studies talking about are not physical. 00:06:16.340 --> 00:06:17.360 They are verbal. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:21.060 We can't seem to control our tongues. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:23.160 As soon as we open our mouth, 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.600 out comes this destructive fire, 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:31.680 a deadly poison that can break and destroy relationships. 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:35.980 Instead of using our words to build and make peace, 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:38.819 out of our words, 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:40.580 we start a fight. 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:45.079 So we fight with each other. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:47.759 But James wants us to go a little bit deeper. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:51.719 Second, we fight with ourself. 00:06:52.659 --> 00:06:54.259 Look what it says in verse 1. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:07:01.159 What causes fights and quarrels among you? 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:02.060 That's the issue. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:04.360 He's saying, look, there are fights and quarrels. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.000 But here's the issue. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:10.040 What causes these fights and quarrels? 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.480 Well, the cause of every disagreement 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:16.960 is always the other person, right? 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:19.939 If they hadn't said, 00:07:20.900 --> 00:07:22.420 well, then I wouldn't have said. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.699 If they had just kept their mouth shut, 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:27.699 everything would be fine. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.680 It's not my fault. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.620 It's their fault. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:33.439 They always want to have the last word. 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:37.800 The cause for every argument and quarrel 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:40.120 is the other person, right? 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:42.939 Wrong. 00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:44.939 Look what it says in verse 1. 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:47.720 What causes fights and quarrels among you? 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:48.660 Answer. 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:52.340 Don't they come from your desires 00:07:52.340 --> 00:07:54.080 that battle within you? 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:57.420 The cause of every fight and quarrel 00:07:57.420 --> 00:07:59.660 is in here, in our hearts. 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:02.439 You see, the real fight 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:07.120 is with our sinful, selfish desires. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:08.660 Verse 2. 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:12.720 You desire, but you do not have. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:13.600 So you kill. 00:08:15.020 --> 00:08:18.120 Of course, arguments don't always turn violent 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:21.100 or end in someone being killed. 00:08:21.320 --> 00:08:22.640 It can happen. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:25.620 Even on the news this week, 00:08:25.719 --> 00:08:26.639 in Mitchellstown, 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:28.360 there was a man who was killed 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:31.899 sitting with his mate in the pub. 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:34.500 They start having an argument. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.860 Just words. 00:08:38.319 --> 00:08:39.799 But it turns violent. 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:41.580 It can happen. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:44.679 Look at the rest of verse 2. 00:08:44.679 --> 00:08:45.980 You covet, 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:48.799 but you cannot get what you want, 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:50.740 so you quarrel and fight. 00:08:52.459 --> 00:08:53.459 The point is, 00:08:53.559 --> 00:08:55.139 we're not to blame others 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.759 and start pointing fingers at others. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.359 We're to look at ourselves. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.359 I fight and I quarrel 00:09:02.359 --> 00:09:04.799 because I want to be right. 00:09:06.359 --> 00:09:08.419 James has already talked about this. 00:09:08.479 --> 00:09:10.779 If you go back to chapter 1, verse 14. 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:16.919 James chapter 1, verse 14. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:22.979 Each person is tempted 00:09:22.979 --> 00:09:25.279 when they are dragged away 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:28.379 by their own evil desire 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:30.279 and enticed. 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:35.719 It's our own evil desires 00:09:35.719 --> 00:09:37.500 that drag us away 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:39.740 and cause us to fight and quarrel. 00:09:41.079 --> 00:09:42.179 A very helpful, 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.319 but yet a tragic example of this 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:46.079 is the account of Cain and Abel. 00:09:46.859 --> 00:09:47.939 Let's have a look at that. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:48.900 If you keep your finger 00:09:48.900 --> 00:09:50.140 in James chapter 4, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:51.340 go back to Genesis, 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:55.000 which is the very first book of the Bible. 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:57.300 Genesis chapter 4. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.900 The context here, 00:10:05.060 --> 00:10:05.740 Cain and Abel 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.300 were the first two sons 00:10:07.300 --> 00:10:08.500 of Adam and Eve. 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:11.620 And Cain and Abel 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:14.340 have both made offerings to God. 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:18.379 Abel's offering was accepted, 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.920 Cain's wasn't. 00:10:20.920 --> 00:10:23.180 And Cain has now become jealous, 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:26.620 angry with his brother Abel. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:30.379 And we pick it up in chapter 4, verse 6. 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:34.759 Then the Lord said to Cain, 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:36.159 Why are you angry? 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:38.340 Why is your face downcast? 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:41.200 If you do what is right, 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.580 will you not be accepted? 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:47.299 But if you do not do what is right, 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:50.620 sin is crouching at your door. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:53.820 It desires to have you, 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:58.340 but you must rule over it. 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:02.440 Do you see what God was saying to Cain? 00:11:03.660 --> 00:11:06.379 Sin desires to have you. 00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:08.540 It's controlling you. 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:10.080 It's at your door. 00:11:10.280 --> 00:11:11.320 It's knocking. 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:13.960 It's wanting to rule over you 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:16.580 because you want to be right. 00:11:18.780 --> 00:11:19.860 And sadly, 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:22.300 Cain didn't deal with that sin, did he? 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:25.200 And it did end in murder, 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:28.320 the loss of his brother's life. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:31.700 Let's go back to James chapter 4. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.520 You see, this same fight 00:11:34.520 --> 00:11:36.600 is happening within each one of us 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:37.760 all of the time. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.500 Our desire for self 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.159 rules our hearts. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:44.240 We always want to be right, 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:45.539 never wrong. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:49.159 The battle rages inside of us. 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:51.480 Our desires take over. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:53.419 We want to get even. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.559 We want the other person 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.120 to know how we feel 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.379 and so we tell them. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:00.279 We want them to know 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.799 how wrong they've been. 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:04.460 We want to set the record straight 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:06.399 and it all comes out 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:09.039 in fighting and quarrelling. 00:12:10.699 --> 00:12:12.240 Don't look at other people 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:14.139 for the reason. 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.240 James is saying, 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:19.679 look at the desires within you. 00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:23.919 But the fight goes even deeper 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:26.100 than with each other 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.319 and with ourself. 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:30.559 It's actually a fight with God. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.559 Look at verse 3. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:35.500 When you ask, 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:37.679 when you pray to God, 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.819 when you talk to him, 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:41.019 you do not receive 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:42.519 because you ask 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.839 with the wrong motives 00:12:43.839 --> 00:12:45.159 that you may spend 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:45.819 what you get 00:12:45.819 --> 00:12:46.679 on your pleasures. 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:49.339 Now this kind of prayer 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:50.619 that he's talking about here 00:12:50.619 --> 00:12:53.219 reflects a hostile relationship 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:53.779 with God. 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.799 It's a selfish relationship. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.439 He says you're asking 00:12:57.439 --> 00:12:58.759 with the wrong motives. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:01.600 You're not interested 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:03.220 in what pleases God 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.679 or what God wants, 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.679 but what you want 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:08.319 and what will satisfy you. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.639 Look at the end of verse 3. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.399 That you may spend 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.360 what you get 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.539 on your pleasures. 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.220 And that same word, 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:15.899 pleasures, 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.639 is the same word 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.860 for desires 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.179 in verse 1. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.740 You desire something. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.819 You want something 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:23.759 for yourself. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:27.019 And so you're asking 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.179 just to please 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.620 your own desires. 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.039 It's all about me, 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:33.519 what I want. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.120 Now such a prayer 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.819 is a sign of a relationship 00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:40.200 that's in conflict 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:40.960 with God. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.779 Somebody who's actually 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:44.200 fighting with God. 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:47.259 Look how James describes it 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:49.080 in very strong language. 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:49.759 Verse 4. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:54.580 You adulterous people. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.759 Imagine a husband 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.919 who's been married 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.419 to his wife 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:03.939 for a number of years 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:04.620 and one day 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.899 he discovers that 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.960 through the marriage 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:09.360 she's been committing adultery. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.460 Her visits to family, 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.720 weekends away with friends, 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:16.460 were actually secret affairs 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:17.700 with other people. 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:20.680 Well look at verse 4. 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.340 This is how James 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:23.160 is describing 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:24.560 our relationship with God. 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:24.940 He says, 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:26.540 you're adulterous people. 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.259 Don't you know 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.200 that friendship 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.220 with the world 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:31.900 means enmity? 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.220 That means hostility 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.820 against God. 00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.740 He's saying 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.280 when our sinful desires 00:14:39.280 --> 00:14:40.400 control us, 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.600 it's like walking out 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:45.160 on our marriage relationship 00:14:45.160 --> 00:14:45.940 with God. 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:49.240 it's a spiritual adultery. 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:51.300 Instead of being loyal 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:52.620 and faithful to God 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.700 who loves us 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.760 and who's given 00:14:54.760 --> 00:14:56.420 his all for us, 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:58.140 we walk away 00:14:58.140 --> 00:15:00.420 and we build 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.960 friendships with the world. 00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:03.300 We have an affair 00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:04.140 with the world. 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.880 Now just as a husband 00:15:09.880 --> 00:15:11.360 would be rightfully 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:13.440 angry with his wife 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.980 if she had an affair 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.660 or vice versa, 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.400 if the husband 00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:18.100 had an affair, 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:19.580 the wife would be 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.020 right to be angry. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.500 So God is rightfully 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.380 angry with us 00:15:24.380 --> 00:15:25.280 when we choose 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:26.620 friendship with him 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:28.880 over friendship 00:15:28.880 --> 00:15:29.620 with the world. 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:32.700 Walking out on God 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:35.080 puts us in conflict 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.840 with God. 00:15:36.520 --> 00:15:37.220 Look at the end 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:37.920 of verse 4. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.939 Therefore, 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.339 anyone who chooses 00:15:40.339 --> 00:15:41.240 to be a friend 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:41.919 of the world 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:43.279 becomes an enemy 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.959 of God. 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:46.819 So when I begin 00:15:46.819 --> 00:15:48.899 to follow my own desires, 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:52.539 I become God's enemy. 00:15:53.479 --> 00:15:54.519 When I pursue 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.819 what I want 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:57.500 rather than 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.740 what God wants, 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.559 I'm starting 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:01.959 a fight with God. 00:16:03.959 --> 00:16:05.319 It's hostility. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.379 It's enmity. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:10.360 So let's understand 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.379 the seriousness 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.480 of arguments 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.960 and disagreements. 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.720 The causes 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.539 of fights 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.580 and quarrels 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:19.360 is not out there. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.039 It's actually 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.820 in here, 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.820 in my heart, 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:22.820 in your heart. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.019 And it reflects 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.820 a much more 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.980 serious fight 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.679 that we're having, 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.480 a fight with God 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.779 about who 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.120 has control 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.840 of our life. 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:36.580 is it your desires 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.120 or is it 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.100 God's desires? 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:46.180 So what's going 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.060 to stop 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:48.320 or prevent 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:49.240 this kind 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.840 of fighting? 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.680 How are we going 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.460 to build 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.840 loving relationships 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:56.340 instead of 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.560 fighting and quarreling? 00:16:58.900 --> 00:16:59.160 Well, 00:16:59.220 --> 00:16:59.519 second, 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:01.019 we need grace 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.620 and humility. 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.220 Let's see 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.859 how God 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.660 responds 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.139 to us. 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.480 First, 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.039 jealous grace. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.319 Look at verse 5. 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.900 Read it carefully. 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:17.960 It's a little bit 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.379 difficult, 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.079 but we'll 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:20.000 work our way 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.440 through it. 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.200 Verse 5. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.139 Or do you think 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:24.220 Scripture says 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.139 without reason 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:26.660 that he, 00:17:26.800 --> 00:17:27.380 that's God, 00:17:27.580 --> 00:17:28.140 jealously 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.100 longs 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:30.000 for the 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.540 spirit 00:17:30.540 --> 00:17:31.220 he has 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.780 caused 00:17:31.780 --> 00:17:32.540 to dwell 00:17:32.540 --> 00:17:33.800 in us. 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.940 But he 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.680 gives us 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.860 more grace. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.560 Let me try 00:17:39.560 --> 00:17:40.140 and unpack 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.880 that for you 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.440 a little bit. 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.340 A husband 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.380 who loves 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.080 his wife, 00:17:45.300 --> 00:17:45.900 even though 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.680 she has had 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.140 an affair, 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:47.920 will not 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.780 give up on her. 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:49.880 He will 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.720 pursue her. 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:51.400 He will 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.360 long for her 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:52.820 return. 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.600 And that 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:54.360 kind of love 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.359 is a jealous 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:55.859 love. 00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.579 He will 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.240 not be 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.899 satisfied 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.959 until she 00:17:59.959 --> 00:18:00.579 is at home 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.079 with him. 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:01.959 Now that's 00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:02.759 a beautiful 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.599 description 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.559 and picture 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.959 of God's 00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:06.679 love towards 00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:07.519 people like 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:07.939 us. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.939 Remember in 00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:09.579 verse 4 he 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.259 says you are 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.000 an adulterous 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.379 people. 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:12.419 We've 00:18:12.419 --> 00:18:14.059 left God. 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:14.419 We've 00:18:14.419 --> 00:18:15.259 moved away 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.859 from him. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:17.859 And look 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.379 how God 00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:19.319 responds in 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.059 verse 5, 00:18:20.219 --> 00:18:20.859 the end of 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.399 verse 5. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.039 He 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.019 jealously 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.979 longs for 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.799 the spirit 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.319 he has 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.720 caused 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.319 to dwell 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.880 in us. 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.059 Now, 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.019 if you 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.400 can bear 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.019 with me, 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.079 you may 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.759 see that 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.319 little 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.839 sentence. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.640 There's a 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:36.339 letter at 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:36.660 the end 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.000 of it and 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.440 it has a 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.000 little note 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.319 at the 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.779 bottom of 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.380 your page 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.420 and it 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:40.860 can be 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:42.079 translated 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:42.980 or read 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.660 like this. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.079 Or that 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.019 the spirit 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.299 he calls 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.940 to dwell 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:47.380 in us 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.500 envies 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.180 intensely. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.900 Or the 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.559 spirit he 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.099 calls to 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.819 dwell in us 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.859 longs 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.500 jealously. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.460 So God 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.740 by his 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.500 spirit that 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.079 is within 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.579 us, 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.279 his spirit 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.240 longs. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:02.859 It's an 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.639 intense 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.419 love, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.439 a jealous 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:07.379 love that 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:07.759 we would 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.500 not drift 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.200 from him 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.599 but that 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:09.960 we would 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.720 come back 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.200 to him. 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.019 And whenever 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.299 we sense 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:14.759 or are 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.399 aware of 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.039 the spirit 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.779 convicting 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.279 us or 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:17.879 challenging 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.359 us, 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.220 this is a 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.779 sign of 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.319 God's 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:21.720 jealous 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.460 love at 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.000 work in 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.180 our 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.700 hearts, 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.379 longing for 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:26.000 his people 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.740 to return, 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.859 pursuing 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:29.559 us, 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.639 calling us, 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:32.660 stop 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.599 fighting with 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:33.839 me, 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.319 stop resisting 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.680 me, 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:36.819 open your 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.819 hearts to 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.879 my love. 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.960 And when 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.740 we open 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.579 our hearts 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.720 to his 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.180 love, 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.980 we find 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.559 mercy, 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.799 we find 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.480 forgiveness. 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.079 Look what 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.460 it says 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.720 at the 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.000 beginning 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.399 of verse 00:19:51.399 --> 00:19:51.740 6, 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.579 but he 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.159 gives 00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:53.619 us 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.680 more 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.839 grace. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.559 You see, 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.220 a wife 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.279 whose 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.779 husband 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.460 has had 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.039 an affair 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.779 has every 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.799 right to 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.639 reject him, 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.480 to refuse 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:08.839 him. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.299 And God 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:10.879 has every 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.639 right to 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.599 refuse us. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.440 But here's 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.000 the beautiful 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.500 picture. 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:17.039 He doesn't. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.859 instead of 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.559 rejection, 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.379 there is a 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.279 rich welcome. 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.339 Instead of 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:22.839 anger, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.519 there is this 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.200 beautiful, 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.639 warm embrace. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.279 Look at 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:26.819 verse 6, 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.539 but he 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.399 gives us 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:30.039 more grace. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.319 There's an 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:32.519 overflow of 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.240 grace that 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.359 floods and 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:36.639 overwhelms the 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.859 sinful, 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.359 selfish desires 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.819 of our 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.339 hearts. 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:40.459 grace. 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.199 That is the 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.299 abundance and 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.179 the amazing 00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:46.699 response of 00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:47.720 God towards 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.519 people like 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.559 you and 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:49.899 me. 00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:52.119 This is the 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:52.659 grace of 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:53.059 God. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.379 That intense 00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:56.699 jealousy, 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.119 jealousness, 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.319 longing for us 00:20:59.319 --> 00:20:59.980 to come back 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.339 to him, 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.639 longing that we 00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:02.259 would stop 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.079 fighting with 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.259 him, 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:05.220 stop rejecting 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.399 his advances, 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:09.079 but welcoming 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.899 him and 00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.879 trusting him 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.539 afresh. 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.939 How beautiful 00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:16.899 it would be to 00:21:16.899 --> 00:21:18.139 experience and 00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:18.980 to know that 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.839 grace in our 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.359 lives. 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.899 And the good 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.579 news is we 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.000 can. 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.799 To experience 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.839 God's jealous 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.519 grace, 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:28.679 we must come 00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:29.460 in humble 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.179 repentance. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.000 Look at 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:32.500 verse 6 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:32.839 again. 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:35.480 He gives us 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.039 more grace, 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.119 grace. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.899 So no matter 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.839 the depth 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.299 or greatness 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.240 of our sin, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.480 no matter 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.759 how bad 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.159 it may 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:45.799 appear, 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.159 or what 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:48.000 people might 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.579 say, 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.139 God gives 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:51.220 us more 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.879 grace to 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.359 cover it 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:53.579 all. 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:56.000 That is 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.859 why scripture 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.539 says, 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.680 God opposes 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.420 the proud, 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:02.119 but shows 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.839 favour to 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.399 the humble. 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.480 humble. 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.700 He opposes 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.420 the proud, 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.800 but shows 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.420 favour. 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.340 That word 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:11.019 favour is 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.400 the same 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.860 word for 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.340 grace. 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.940 He shows 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.920 grace to 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.400 the humble. 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:15.960 You see, 00:22:16.040 --> 00:22:16.360 there's a 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.900 condition. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:17.780 If we are 00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:18.519 to receive 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.440 and experience 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.519 God's amazing 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.019 grace, 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:22.780 there must 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:23.700 be humble 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.280 repentance. 00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:24.860 Look at 00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:25.540 verse 10. 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.019 He says, 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.460 humble yourselves 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.519 before the 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.040 Lord and 00:22:30.040 --> 00:22:31.280 he will lift 00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:31.840 you up. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.579 we will 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.480 experience 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.559 the depths 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.659 of God's 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.439 mercy and 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.459 grace towards 00:22:38.459 --> 00:22:38.879 us. 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.639 You see, 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.000 if we 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.599 continually 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.579 blame others 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.639 and point 00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.459 fingers at 00:22:44.459 --> 00:22:45.019 one another, 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:45.899 if we 00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.959 persist on 00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:47.500 wanting to 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.099 be right 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.659 and never 00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:49.279 at fault, 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.220 if we 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.500 say, 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.399 it's them, 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.099 it's not 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.539 me, 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:54.720 then we'll 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.539 never know 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.019 God's 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.459 grace. 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:59.160 what will 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.900 remain is 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.579 a fighting, 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.539 critical, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.579 judgmental 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:04.180 spirit and 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.539 we will 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.279 never be 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.000 lifted up 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.559 from those 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.120 depths. 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:11.140 But if we 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.480 humble 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.220 ourselves, 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.120 how rich 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.799 a welcome 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.400 we will 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.039 receive, 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.779 how beautiful 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.500 it will be 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.200 to know 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.880 the depth 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.319 of his 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.819 grace. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:24.799 well, 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.339 what does 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:25.759 humble 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.299 repentance 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.200 look like? 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.299 Well, 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:28.579 if you've 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:28.899 got your 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.519 notes on 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.039 your sheet, 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.419 there's a 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:31.960 place there 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.379 for you to 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:32.919 write down 00:23:32.919 --> 00:23:33.859 three things. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.019 Let's look 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.460 at verses 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.159 seven to 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:36.399 nine, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:36.960 because that 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.779 shows us 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:39.099 what humble 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.619 repentance 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.720 looks like. 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.099 First, 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.619 we submit 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.599 to God. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.679 We submit 00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.460 to God. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.919 Verse seven, 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.960 submit yourselves 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.519 then to 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:51.920 God. 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.500 Resist the 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.039 devil and 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.539 he will 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.340 flee from 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:55.640 you. 00:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.180 To submit 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.380 is simply 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.200 to surrender. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.039 It's actually 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.800 to give up 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.440 the fight. 00:24:03.060 --> 00:24:03.560 It's to 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.180 hoist up 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.700 our white 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.240 flag and 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.480 say, 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.019 I've put 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.580 down my 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.000 weapons. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.740 I no 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.420 longer want 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.080 to fight 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:10.539 or kick 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.400 against God. 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.500 Our sinful 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.539 desires no 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.220 longer want 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.900 to be in 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.460 control. 00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:17.340 I want 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:18.380 God to be 00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:19.000 in control 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.400 of my 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.779 life. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.400 It's not 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.080 about my 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.660 desires, 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.580 but what 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:24.279 does God 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.060 desire of 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:25.200 me? 00:24:25.300 --> 00:24:25.660 What does 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.420 his word 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:28.220 say is 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.800 right and 00:24:28.800 --> 00:24:29.380 best for 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:29.720 me? 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.140 And as 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.779 we hoist 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.200 up our 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.960 white flag 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.480 and lay 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:34.980 down our 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.360 weapons, 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.200 as we 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.039 submit and 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.620 surrender 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.279 ourselves 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.060 to God, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.720 look what 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.140 happens, 00:24:42.300 --> 00:24:42.820 verse seven. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.500 Resist the 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:44.960 devil and 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.340 he will 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:46.080 flee from 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.340 you. 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.759 The devil 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.380 is real. 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:48.820 He's not 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:49.360 a joke 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:49.900 or somebody 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.340 who's a 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.760 pretend 00:24:50.760 --> 00:24:51.460 character. 00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:52.180 He's 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.800 active and 00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.240 he's out 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.040 to use 00:24:55.040 --> 00:24:55.500 us to 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.280 cause these 00:24:56.280 --> 00:24:56.960 fights and 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.520 quarrels, 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.140 to build 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.260 our hostility 00:25:00.260 --> 00:25:01.140 against God. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.660 But as we 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.700 surrender to 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.080 him, 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.100 so our 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:07.080 desires begin 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:07.820 to change 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:08.340 within our 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:08.720 life. 00:25:09.780 --> 00:25:10.280 We begin 00:25:10.280 --> 00:25:10.760 to want 00:25:10.760 --> 00:25:11.360 what God 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:11.880 wants. 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.020 surrender. 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:13.980 And when 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.740 such a 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:16.860 person begins 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.960 to submit 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.100 and surrender, 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:21.300 their desires 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:23.320 change and 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:24.060 the devil has 00:25:24.060 --> 00:25:25.080 no interest in 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.800 such a person. 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.440 He wants 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.340 willing partners. 00:25:27.520 --> 00:25:27.900 He wants 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.520 people who 00:25:28.520 --> 00:25:29.120 will kick 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.980 against God. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.940 So as we 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:35.440 submit, in a 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.040 sense the 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:37.280 devil flees 00:25:37.280 --> 00:25:39.520 from us and 00:25:39.520 --> 00:25:40.260 our relationship 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.859 with God 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.759 deepens and 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.779 strengthens and 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.400 those desires 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.440 become central 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.379 to our 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:46.819 life. 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.200 So what 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.740 does humble 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.640 repentance look 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:50.960 like? 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.259 Well first we 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.299 submit to God, 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.160 we lay down 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.119 our weapons. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.240 Second, there 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.680 should be 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.059 sincere repentance. 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.839 Sincere 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.420 repentance, 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.140 verse 8. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.579 Come near 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.259 to God 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.539 and he 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.220 will come 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.740 near to 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.079 you. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.379 Again, what a 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.220 beautiful picture 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.720 that is. 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.720 We do not 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.660 need to fear 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.339 coming to 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:15.640 God. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.019 Why? 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.240 Well because 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.099 in Christ, 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.900 Christ has 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.500 taken the 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.359 condemnation 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.859 that we 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.319 deserve. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.099 That has 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.960 been removed 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.240 completely at 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.920 the cross. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.000 So we 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.839 can come 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.339 near to 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.940 God and 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.379 he will 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:30.839 come near 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.379 to you. 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:33.400 If we 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:33.920 come to 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.779 him sincerely, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.460 he's going 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.039 to welcome 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.579 us, not 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.180 push us 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.539 away. 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.799 He's longing 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.559 for us to 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:39.960 return. 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.819 Look at the 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.180 rest of 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.599 verse 8. 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.359 Wash your 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.000 hands, you 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.420 sinners. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.099 Purify your 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.879 hearts, you 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.819 double-minded. 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.359 Now we've 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:51.579 got to 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.000 remember, 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.019 repentance is 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.480 not just 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.160 simply coming 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:54.680 along and 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.079 saying to 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:56.140 God, sorry, 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.859 and then 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.460 just kind of 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:58.960 toddle on 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.420 our way. 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.779 True 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.420 repentance 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.559 longs for 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.740 change and 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.640 transformation. 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.420 Any one of 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.059 us can say 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.440 sorry. 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.860 We do 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.160 it all 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.320 the 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:10.480 time. 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:12.019 We say 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.720 sorry, but 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.320 we want to 00:27:13.320 --> 00:27:13.880 stay as 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.299 we are. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:14.720 We want 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.120 to stay 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.840 in control 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.220 of our 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.759 lives. 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:18.980 Whereas 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.720 sincere 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.299 repentance 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:22.200 says, I 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.539 want to 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.220 change my 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.720 actions. 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:24.920 That's why 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.500 it says in 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.960 verse 8, 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.740 wash your 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.259 hands. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.539 It's about 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.000 action. 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.039 Lord, change 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.120 my actions. 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:34.160 And Lord, 00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:35.039 change my 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.580 attitudes. 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.379 purify my 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.000 heart. 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.439 Or purify 00:27:39.439 --> 00:27:40.319 my heart. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.059 It's asking 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.579 God to 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.319 change us 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.859 so that we 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.819 are fully 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.859 devoted and 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.419 loyal to 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:46.599 him. 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.339 Not just 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:50.159 sorry, but 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.119 Lord, change 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.119 me completely 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:53.939 so that I 00:27:53.939 --> 00:27:54.859 will not be 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.319 double-minded. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.679 Running to 00:27:59.679 --> 00:28:00.619 build friendships 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.179 with the 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.980 world instead 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.079 of building 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.960 my relationship 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.700 with God. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.340 So we 00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:08.200 submit, we 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.539 surrender, we 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.380 lay down our 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:12.259 weapons, we 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.940 come in 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.360 sincere repentance 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.960 wanting true 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.819 change and 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.440 transformation. 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.860 And third, 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.420 we are to 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.360 take sin 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.900 seriously. 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:26.100 Take sin 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:26.960 seriously, 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.720 verse 9. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.240 Grieve, 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.620 mourn, 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.059 and wail. 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:34.679 change your 00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:35.319 laughter to 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.919 mourning and 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:37.019 your joy to 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.559 gloom. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:38.940 Now it 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.619 sounds awfully 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.259 depressing, 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:40.899 doesn't it? 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.639 Mourn, 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:42.500 wail, 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.519 gloom. 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:46.639 But it's 00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.599 helping us to 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:48.720 see how we 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.519 should think 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.079 about our 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.419 sin. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.159 We should 00:28:52.159 --> 00:28:52.679 take it 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.480 seriously. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.279 It's not 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.839 just to be 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.480 brushed under 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.960 the carpet 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.319 and go, 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.099 oh, it 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.759 doesn't matter, 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.319 that's just 00:28:59.319 --> 00:28:59.859 the way I 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.159 am. 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.700 it does 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.180 matter. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.660 It matters 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.400 deeply. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.920 I found 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.740 this very 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.400 helpful, a 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.779 quote that I 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.460 came across 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.720 written by 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.320 Sam 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:14.560 Albury, who 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:15.460 has a very 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.100 helpful little 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:16.640 book on 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.040 James. 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.180 And this 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.660 is what he 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.160 says in 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.120 relation to 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:21.440 verse 9. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.960 Just listen 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.279 to it. 00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:23.680 It's very 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.120 helpful. 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.759 we are 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.299 not just 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.979 to regret 00:29:26.979 --> 00:29:28.119 our sin, 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.759 but to 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.979 grieve over 00:29:30.979 --> 00:29:31.379 it. 00:29:32.459 --> 00:29:33.399 If we are 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.119 not more 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:35.319 emotional over 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.039 our sin 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.299 than we are 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:37.959 over our 00:29:37.959 --> 00:29:39.000 sports team 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.939 success or 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.659 failures, 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.179 or our 00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:42.859 children's 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.859 achievements or 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.139 disappointments, 00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:46.859 then there is 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.759 something wrong. 00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:49.479 And that 00:29:49.479 --> 00:29:51.000 something is 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.699 that we do 00:29:51.699 --> 00:29:52.559 not appreciate 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.259 what our 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.059 sin is. 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:55.579 and what it 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.159 cost our 00:29:56.159 --> 00:29:57.019 saviour to 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.959 rescue us 00:29:57.959 --> 00:29:59.019 from it. 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.500 Sin is 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.819 not cheap. 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.099 If I 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.379 want to 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:06.019 know how 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:07.039 serious my 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.759 sin is, 00:30:08.199 --> 00:30:09.359 I need to 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.799 look at the 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.179 cross. 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:10.839 We all 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.299 need to 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.699 look at the 00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:12.159 cross and 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:13.019 see Christ 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.819 who suffered 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.599 there, who 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:15.739 suffered hell 00:30:15.739 --> 00:30:16.939 for us, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.659 who saw 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.419 the depths 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.079 of what we 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.639 had done, 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:22.699 but yet 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:23.659 stood in 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.620 our place 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:26.300 and took 00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:27.040 the blame 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:27.680 for our 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.120 sin, who 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:30.200 suffered hell 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:32.320 so that we 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:32.700 could be 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.080 forgiven. 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.440 And it's 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.160 only as I 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.580 look at the 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:36.560 cross, I 00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:37.200 see the 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.380 seriousness of 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:38.900 my sin. 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.779 And as I 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.600 see how 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.540 serious it 00:30:41.540 --> 00:30:42.759 is, I 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:43.240 can only 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.800 begin to 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.620 appreciate how 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:45.720 glorious my 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.820 salvation is, 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:49.040 how wonderful 00:30:49.040 --> 00:30:50.200 God's grace is 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.539 that he 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:50.900 would do 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.360 that for 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:51.680 me. 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.120 And the 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:53.620 more I 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.120 see how 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.920 ugly my 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.700 sin is and 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.940 how rotten 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.660 I am to 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.319 the core, 00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.600 then I 00:31:00.600 --> 00:31:01.000 can only 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.519 begin to 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:01.980 see how 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.600 beautiful 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.660 Christ is, 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.120 how attractive 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:05.700 he is, 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.080 what grace 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.980 and mercy 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:09.140 flows from 00:31:09.140 --> 00:31:10.240 him to 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.620 me. 00:31:10.619 --> 00:31:15.500 You see, 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:15.839 if we 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.299 want to 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.139 know God's 00:31:17.139 --> 00:31:17.759 grace, 00:31:18.719 --> 00:31:20.219 well then 00:31:20.219 --> 00:31:20.979 we must 00:31:20.979 --> 00:31:22.419 repent 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:23.139 humbly, 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:24.919 repent of 00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.699 our selfish 00:31:25.699 --> 00:31:26.379 desires, 00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:28.579 and receive 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.719 his grace. 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:31.699 So, 00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:32.439 fights and 00:31:32.439 --> 00:31:32.939 quarrels, 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.599 grace and 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.099 humility, 00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:37.599 and then 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.000 third, 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:39.259 love and 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.759 obedience. 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.899 love and 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.319 obedience. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.239 The evidence, 00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.399 if you like, 00:31:44.479 --> 00:31:45.399 the proof that 00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:45.799 we have 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.259 humbly 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.919 repented, 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.619 that we've 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.159 laid down 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:49.739 our weapons, 00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.559 we've hoisted 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.119 the white 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.659 flag, 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.000 we've been 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.879 sincere in 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.599 our repentance 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:57.099 and we've 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.679 taken our 00:31:57.679 --> 00:31:58.879 sins seriously, 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.719 the evidence 00:31:59.719 --> 00:32:00.539 that this is 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.319 effective in 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.279 our life is 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:04.059 or will be 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.839 seen in how 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.539 we treat 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.579 each other. 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.539 Look at 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.179 verse 11. 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:11.259 brothers and 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.720 sisters, 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.380 do not 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:14.100 slander 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.140 one another. 00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:16.160 Do not 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.080 speak evil. 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.680 Don't use 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.360 your tongues 00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:20.100 to crush 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:20.660 and break 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.180 one another. 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:21.980 Instead, 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.880 use your tongues 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.700 to build 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.340 each other 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:24.799 up and 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:26.400 be peacemakers. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.980 Look at the 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.320 rest of 00:32:29.320 --> 00:32:29.820 verse 11. 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:31.299 anyone who 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.500 speaks against 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.159 a brother 00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:34.179 or sister 00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:35.839 or judges 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.319 them, 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.939 speaks against 00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.559 the law 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.639 and judges 00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:40.079 it. 00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:41.960 Well, 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.679 what does 00:32:42.679 --> 00:32:43.079 the law 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.399 say? 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.220 What does it 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.859 mean that we 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:46.099 speak against 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:46.700 the law and 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.399 we judge 00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:47.879 the law? 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:49.619 Well, 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:50.259 go back to 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.139 chapter 2 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:52.740 and verse 8 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.839 because here 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.519 James has 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.319 already reminded 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.099 us what the 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.839 law is about. 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.279 In fact, 00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.319 he summarises 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.819 the whole 00:32:58.819 --> 00:33:00.039 law in 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.859 this simple 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.879 statement. 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.419 James 00:33:03.419 --> 00:33:04.099 chapter 2 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:04.720 verse 8. 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.720 He says, 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.539 if you really 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.799 keep the 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.699 royal law 00:33:09.699 --> 00:33:10.459 found in 00:33:10.459 --> 00:33:10.919 scripture, 00:33:11.919 --> 00:33:12.500 that is, 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.599 love your 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.539 neighbour as 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.220 yourself, 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.019 you are 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.819 doing right. 00:33:18.939 --> 00:33:19.859 The royal 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.159 law, 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.039 the king's 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.579 law for 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.319 subjects, 00:33:22.439 --> 00:33:22.899 for people 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:23.500 like us, 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.740 is love. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:26.980 love your 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:28.120 neighbour as 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.759 yourself. 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.059 In this 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.839 context, 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:32.079 we are one 00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:32.599 another's 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:32.940 neighbours. 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.880 Chapter 4 00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:36.180 verse 12, 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:36.740 the end of 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.220 verse 12, 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.079 but you, 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.819 who are you 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.420 to judge 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.079 your neighbour? 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.700 He's talking 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.220 about the 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.099 church family. 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.539 We are to 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.859 love one 00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:45.220 another. 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.900 Here's how 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.620 it works 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:50.000 out. 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.579 This is 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.500 what verse 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.079 11 is 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:52.660 getting at. 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:53.779 If I 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.460 cause a 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.019 fight or 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.460 quarrel 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:55.960 with my 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.559 words, 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.200 what I'm 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:58.740 doing is 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:58.980 I'm 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.680 sitting in 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.319 superiority 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.100 to the 00:34:01.100 --> 00:34:01.400 law. 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.319 Rather than 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.120 obeying the 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:04.600 law which 00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:05.380 says love 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:05.960 your neighbour 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.720 as yourself, 00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:07.900 I judge 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.240 it. 00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.539 I stand 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.099 over the 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.340 law. 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.780 The law 00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:12.740 says love, 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.940 but I 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.079 say I 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.740 know better 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.199 than what 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.619 the law 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.139 says. 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.000 I know 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.480 I should 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.039 love, 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.639 but they 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.039 must be 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:22.440 put in 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:22.599 their 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:23.079 place. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:24.679 I 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:25.119 know I 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.340 should 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.719 love, 00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:27.259 but they 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:27.679 need to 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.079 know how 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.519 much it 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.019 hurt me. 00:34:30.259 --> 00:34:30.679 I 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:31.299 know I 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:31.519 should 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:31.880 love, 00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:33.019 but they 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.440 need to 00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:33.880 know that 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.179 they're 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.500 wrong, 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.400 and I'm 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:35.940 going to 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.480 tell them. 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.480 Love your 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.119 neighbour does 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:39.799 not apply 00:34:39.799 --> 00:34:40.500 right now. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.639 Do you 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:42.799 see? 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.360 That's what's 00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:43.860 happening in 00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:44.380 verse 11. 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:44.819 Look at the 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.259 rest of 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.860 verse 11. 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.920 when you 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.700 judge the 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.019 law, 00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:50.640 you are 00:34:50.640 --> 00:34:51.340 not keeping 00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:51.740 it, 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.400 but sitting 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.400 in judgment 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.059 on it. 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.280 We're 00:34:56.280 --> 00:34:57.039 disobeying 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.519 God's 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:57.720 law, 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.079 and we're 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.880 following out 00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.320 our own 00:34:59.320 --> 00:34:59.780 desires. 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:00.320 We're 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.660 saying, 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.500 I know 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.140 better than 00:35:02.140 --> 00:35:02.519 God. 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.340 In fact, 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.019 I want 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.500 to be 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.019 God, 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.220 and I'm 00:35:06.220 --> 00:35:06.440 going to 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.800 make up 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.260 my own 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.579 laws, 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:08.300 and loving 00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:08.880 my neighbour 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.559 as myself 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.099 is not 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:10.500 one of 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:10.680 them. 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:15.379 But when 00:35:15.379 --> 00:35:16.159 we humbly 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.659 repent, 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.559 when we 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.599 receive of 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.039 God's 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.699 rich, 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.839 amazing 00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.599 grace to 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:22.960 us, 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.000 well then 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.579 our lives 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.099 begin to 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.819 be changed 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:26.779 and transformed, 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.399 and we 00:35:28.399 --> 00:35:29.000 begin to 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.960 obey God's 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.259 law, 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:31.639 and we 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.339 love each 00:35:32.339 --> 00:35:33.359 other as 00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:33.919 our neighbour, 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:34.919 as our 00:35:34.919 --> 00:35:35.399 self. 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.819 Rather than 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:37.679 cause fights 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.359 and quarrels, 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.299 we begin to 00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:40.399 build each 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.800 other up, 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.480 our words 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.260 become words 00:35:42.260 --> 00:35:43.420 of peacemaking, 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:46.280 rather than 00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:47.740 quarrels and 00:35:47.740 --> 00:35:48.539 infighting. 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.360 Here's the 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:50.820 heart of the 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.099 matter, 00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:51.820 verse 12. 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:54.440 There is 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.039 only one 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:56.019 lawgiver and 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.519 judge, 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.220 that's God, 00:35:59.139 --> 00:35:59.980 the one 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.460 who is 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:01.039 able to 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:02.940 save and 00:36:02.940 --> 00:36:03.579 destroy. 00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:05.760 You see, 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.480 if I 00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:07.539 slander and 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.579 speak harshly 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.460 against another 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:09.900 person, 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.280 if I 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:10.780 speak 00:36:10.780 --> 00:36:12.280 judgmentally 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:12.740 against 00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:13.220 someone, 00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.360 well in 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:15.840 fact what 00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:16.119 I'm 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:17.160 pronouncing 00:36:17.160 --> 00:36:18.280 is my 00:36:18.280 --> 00:36:18.559 own 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:18.940 judgment 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.360 upon 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:19.960 myself, 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:22.559 because I'm 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.280 standing in 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.059 defiance of 00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.760 God's law, 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:27.480 and God's 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.820 will will be 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.139 done. 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:29.920 He will 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.680 judge me, 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.820 and I 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.240 will be 00:36:33.240 --> 00:36:33.780 destroyed, 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.420 as it says 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.260 in verse 12. 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:35.680 I will 00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:36.420 not stand 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.140 against his 00:36:37.140 --> 00:36:37.600 judgment. 00:36:38.660 --> 00:36:39.100 But yet, 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:39.500 if I 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:40.580 obey God's 00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:40.940 command, 00:36:41.060 --> 00:36:41.860 if I'm 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:42.720 speaking in 00:36:42.720 --> 00:36:43.140 love and 00:36:43.140 --> 00:36:44.040 seeking to 00:36:44.040 --> 00:36:44.740 build others 00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:45.340 up, if I've 00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:46.320 received his 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.760 grace, 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:48.160 well I can be 00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:49.220 confident that 00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:49.900 God who has 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.420 given me 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:50.800 grace, 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:51.520 verse 12, 00:36:51.600 --> 00:36:52.420 will save 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:52.880 me, 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.580 rather than 00:36:54.580 --> 00:36:55.400 destroy me. 00:36:55.400 --> 00:37:01.360 So have 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:01.720 you 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.440 repented? 00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:05.180 Have we 00:37:05.180 --> 00:37:05.559 humbled 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:06.099 ourselves 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.980 before God 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.639 and received 00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:08.440 his grace? 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.180 Remember the 00:37:12.180 --> 00:37:12.720 question we 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:13.280 asked at the 00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:13.900 very beginning, 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.200 as we 00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.860 started our 00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.440 time this 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:16.800 morning? 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.320 We asked 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:18.920 this question, 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.400 what are you 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:19.900 like at 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.660 asking for 00:37:20.660 --> 00:37:21.039 help? 00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:23.280 I'm fine, 00:37:23.720 --> 00:37:24.639 I can do 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:25.139 it, I 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:25.960 don't need 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:27.559 help, I 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:28.319 can go it 00:37:28.319 --> 00:37:28.719 alone. 00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:31.559 Look what it 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:31.980 says in 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.619 verse 6, 00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:34.779 but he 00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.619 gives us 00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.839 more grace. 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:38.839 That is why 00:37:38.839 --> 00:37:39.799 scripture says 00:37:39.799 --> 00:37:41.019 God opposes 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.699 the proud, 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.339 but shows 00:37:43.339 --> 00:37:44.940 grace to 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:45.460 the humble. 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.319 You see, 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:48.839 we're not a 00:37:48.839 --> 00:37:49.519 perfect church 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:50.039 and we're not 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.879 perfect people. 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:52.920 And to some 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:54.159 extent, that's 00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:55.119 okay, because 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:56.380 that's what we 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:57.000 are to admit 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:57.559 to God. 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.679 I'm not 00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:59.219 perfect. 00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:00.900 And I 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.759 need your 00:38:01.759 --> 00:38:02.259 grace. 00:38:02.960 --> 00:38:03.900 I need your 00:38:03.900 --> 00:38:04.819 favour in my 00:38:04.819 --> 00:38:07.079 life, so 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.579 that I can 00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:08.380 begin to live 00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:09.000 as you call 00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:09.699 me to live. 00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:12.119 And God 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.699 will give us 00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:13.619 more grace, 00:38:14.359 --> 00:38:15.239 more grace 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:15.659 than we could 00:38:15.659 --> 00:38:16.420 ever think of 00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:16.940 or imagine, 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:19.299 to love one 00:38:19.299 --> 00:38:20.679 another well. 00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:20.819 God. 00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:22.779 What a 00:38:22.779 --> 00:38:23.379 great God 00:38:23.379 --> 00:38:23.919 we have. 00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.639 Let's pray. 00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:24.659 Let's pray.