WEBVTT

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 Good morning, I do hope you have a copy of God's Word with you this day, and that you will join me in Romans chapter 1.

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 We're doing it, and we're in Romans today.

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 Now, two weeks ago, we began our study of these six verses, Romans 1, 18-23.

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 But time prevented us from finishing, so I'm eager to progress through them with you this morning.

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 I really don't like it when our studies get disjointed like they have been over these past months.

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 But, I trust and hope that you trust in God's providential reign over even the smallest details of our church's life.

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 So, here we are. Let's begin by reading our text, and then I'll try to remind you what we have learned so far before we proceed together.

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 So, Romans chapter 1, verse 18-23.

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 Before I read it, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's Word to us.

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 It was written for His glory and our good.

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 So, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands.

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 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,

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 who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

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 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

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 For His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature,

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 have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made.

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 So, they are without excuse.

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 For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him,

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 but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

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 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

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 So, in verses 16 and 17 of this chapter,

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 Paul states that the gospel is the power of God for salvation.

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 For in it, the righteousness of God,

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 so the righteousness that comes from God,

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 is revealed from faith for faith.

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 As it is written, the righteous shall live by faith.

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 These two verses, I have told you repeatedly,

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 are the thesis for the entirety of this letter.

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 Paul tells us the specific case that he is going to make,

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 and then in verse 18,

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 he zooms back and begins his explanation.

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 In verse 18, he tells us why anyone would care that the gospel is the power of God.

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 Why does it matter that it's the power of God for salvation?

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 He begins telling us why we need the righteousness of God that comes through faith.

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 And the reason he tells us is,

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 the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.

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 He's going to spend a bunch of time making the case that every single person has been ungodly and unrighteous.

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 And therefore, apart from the power of God for salvation,

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 we will experience now and forever the wrath of God.

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 We thought some together about the wrath of God two weeks ago

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 from texts like Jeremiah chapter 7 and verse 20,

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 where Jeremiah records,

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 Thus says the Lord God,

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 Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place upon man and beast,

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 upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground.

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 It will burn and not be quenched.

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 And in the New Testament,

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 Colossians chapter 3, verse 5 and 6,

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 Paul says there,

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 Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you,

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 sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,

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 which is idolatry.

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 So he says in verse 5,

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 Put away the ungodliness and unrighteousness.

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 And then in verse 6, he says of Colossians 3,

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 On account of these, the wrath of God is coming.

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 God's wrath is a settled reality against sin.

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 He is a just God,

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 and he justly does and will punish sin.

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 We thought a bit about how we want this to be true.

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 We want the world to be set right.

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 We noted that God's wrath does not discriminate

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 as it is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.

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 I told you that these two words,

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 ungodliness and unrighteousness,

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 are very similar in the Greek language.

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 They're almost synonyms.

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 The first stresses a severed relationship with God.

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 The second focuses on the activity that proceeds

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 from that severed relationship.

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 So both who we are in our sin

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 and then what happens out of who we are.

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 The one on whom God's wrath is revealed

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 is not living as an image bearer of God,

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 but in contradiction to that created purpose.

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 And in so doing, suppresses the truth.

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 Lives in contradiction to the truth.

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 We then considered verse 19,

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 which says,

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 for what can be known about God is plain to them

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 because God has shown it to them.

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 The four here is referring to the suppression of the truth.

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 This truth of who God is.

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 Sinful man denies or rejects the truth

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 that God has revealed to them.

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 And this is why, verse 20 says,

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 they are without excuse.

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 This is not an issue of what cannot be known,

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 but rather one of what will not be known.

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 Truth right there for the taking

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 that is refused to be taken up and understood.

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 Verse 20 says,

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 his invisible attributes,

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 namely his eternal power and divine nature,

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 have been clearly perceived

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 ever since the creation of the world

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 in the things that have been made.

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 So two weeks ago,

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 with a long quotation from a commentary,

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 we considered the two things

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 that can be clearly observed in the natural world.

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 First, that there is a creator God.

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 And secondly, that he is eternally powerful.

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 And so, mankind is without excuse.

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 This suppressed knowledge is enough to damn a person.

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 But it is not enough to save them.

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 They are without excuse.

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 But this is not saving knowledge.

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 This is why Paul is so eager to preach the gospel.

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 This is why he wants his original audience

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 and you and I to understand

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 that salvation comes by grace alone,

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 through faith alone,

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 in the personal work of Jesus Christ alone.

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 This is why he is not ashamed of the gospel.

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 For it is the power of God for salvation

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 to everyone who believes.

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 To the Jew first,

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 and also to the Greek.

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 Right?

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 It's a gospel that can save.

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 It's powerful to save.

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 Because mankind,

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 in our fallen state,

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 suppresses the truth.

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 The gospel is the powerful thing

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 that's employed by the Spirit

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 to break through our darkened hearts,

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 our foolish minds,

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 and bring us back to God.

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 It is why he will press at the church

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 in chapter 10,

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 where he says,

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 How then will they call on Him

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 in whom they have not believed?

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 And how are they to believe in Him

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 of whom they have never heard?

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 And how are they to hear

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 without someone preaching?

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 And how are they to preach

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 unless they are sent,

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 as it is written,

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 how beautiful are the feet

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 of those who preach the good news?

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 And let me tell you, beloved,

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 that the preaching he's talking about here

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 includes what we do

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 on Sunday mornings from the stage.

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 It includes that,

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 but it is not only that,

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 it is also your gospel proclamation

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 in the world in which you live

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 and where you go

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 as you share the good news.

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 Now, I think this sufficiently brings us

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 to the last three verses of this text.

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 That felt real fast.

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 But I will read them one more time

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 to get our minds moving toward

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 the truth contained therein.

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 Verse 21 and following.

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 Four, although they knew God,

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 they did not honor Him as God

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 or give thanks to Him,

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 but they became futile in their thinking

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 and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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 Claiming to be wise,

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 they became fools

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 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God

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 for images resembling mortal man

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 and birds and animals

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 and creeping things.

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 There is in our text today

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 a lesson concerning the thinking of mankind,

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 the thinking faculty of man.

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 We've seen knowledge, language throughout it.

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 Look back up in verse 18,

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 who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

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 And verse 19,

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 for what can be known about God

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 is plain to them.

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 And then in verse 20,

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 having been clearly perceived.

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 And now, verse 21,

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 they knew God.

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 They became futile in their thinking.

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 And then verse 22,

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 claiming to be wise,

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 faculty of the mind,

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 they became fools.

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 There's a lot of thinking language

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 in this text.

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 Now, remember,

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 Paul is zooming back

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 and telling us why we ought to care

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 that the gospel is the power of God for salvation.

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 So, don't miss this.

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 Paul is talking about mankind in this text.

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 He is speaking in past tense

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 about a problem that began in the garden.

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 It is a problem that began with Adam and Eve

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 rejecting the truth,

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 acting on a lie,

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 and learning things that they could not unlearn.

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 Paul is referring to the state of mankind

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 ever since,

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 of which we are numbered apart

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 from God's intervening grace in our lives.

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 Paul is teaching that without God's intervention,

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 the way of man is a digression

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 away from the truth,

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 and sound reasoning not toward it.

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 Now, mankind is not altogether left

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 without the power to reason.

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 God in His common grace to mankind

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 has allowed us, mankind,

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 to think,

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 to order our societies,

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 and discover truth in creation.

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 And don't we as a people

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 do this with mixed success?

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 Sometimes we are improving upon our societies

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 and discovering amazing things,

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 and sometimes we move in the opposite direction.

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 Part of our image-bearing quality as humans

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 is our ability to reason,

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 albeit imperfectly.

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 So we still carry around the ability

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 to, in some measure,

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 be image-bearers of God.

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 Now, the study of how we reason

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 is called epistemology.

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 That may be your one big word for the day.

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 And represented in this room right now

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 is a mix of epistemological standpoints.

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 So, we have amongst us,

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 and probably embedded in all of us,

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 a little bit of the modernist.

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 Modernism is where we get,

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 comes out of the Enlightenment,

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 where we get things like

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 the scientific method,

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 measurable stuff.

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 We want to be able to have an idea

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 and test to see if it's true

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 or if it's not.

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 This, of course, has some strengths

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 and it has some weaknesses.

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 Beyond the modernists,

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 or the very cleverly called

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 post-modernists,

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 most defines my generation.

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 We think of things,

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 phrases like,

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 well, you have your truth

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 and I have my truth.

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 This is a post-modern way of thinking.

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 You can imagine an example for a moment.

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 Some of us were standing on a sidewalk

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 and having a conversation

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 and a car accident happened

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 just out on the street.

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 We would all have a different experience

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 of that car accident.

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 Some of us may have been facing it

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 and seen what happened.

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 Some of us might have been

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 particularly attuned to the noise

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 that it made as it wasn't in our sight.

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 Some might have really smelled the accident,

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 the screeching of tires,

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 things like this.

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 And we'd all have something to share

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 of our experience.

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 Yet, objectively,

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 there was a car accident

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 and something real happened

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 in that accident.

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 The post-modernist tends

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 to take up that truth

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 and make it the truth.

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 What I saw in that car accident

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 was the thing that absolutely happened

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 and becomes dismissive

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 of other experiences.

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 And now, even more cleverly,

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 we find ourselves,

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 and really,

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 they're going to rename these

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 at some point, I'm sure,

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 the epistemological standpoint

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 of many particularly young people,

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 but we are not,

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 as older people,

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 immune to this,

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 is called,

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 ready for it,

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 post-post-modernism.

00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:57.880
 It's got to stop at some point.

00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.540
 We can't have post-post-post-modernism,

00:14:59.640 --> 00:15:00.200
 I don't think.

00:15:01.760 --> 00:15:02.860
 Many people today

00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.540
 do not believe

00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:05.520
 that the truth

00:15:05.520 --> 00:15:07.940
 can be arrived at.

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.340
 Just pick an issue

00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:11.160
 and get on the internet.

00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:14.779
 There's a lot of swirling facts out there.

00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:17.199
 It's difficult to arrive at the truth.

00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:17.860
 And because

00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:20.740
 this is so unsettling,

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.259
 and really is a result

00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.459
 of post-modernity,

00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.919
 so unsettling,

00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.740
 people who are functioning

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.279
 in this post-post-modern way

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.939
 will define the truth

00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.559
 by their feelings.

00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:34.980
 If it makes me feel good,

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.759
 it must be good.

00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.839
 If it makes me feel bad,

00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:39.839
 then it must be bad.

00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:41.659
 As I said,

00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:42.679
 we are all a mix

00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:45.120
 of these epistemological viewpoints.

00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.980
 And we must be careful

00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:49.319
 because their ultimate end,

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.219
 although they have some value,

00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.659
 their ultimate end

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.759
 is a digression

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:55.159
 from the saving truth

00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.339
 of the gospel.

00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.879
 Their ultimate end

00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:59.740
 of any of these ways of thinking

00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.919
 moves away from God

00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:04.039
 and not toward Him.

00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.879
 We must recognize

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.620
 that we will not

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:09.279
 reason our way

00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.360
 to heaven.

00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.879
 It will not happen.

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.639
 We need

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.599
 the revelation of God

00:16:16.599 --> 00:16:17.699
 to be saved.

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.159
 We need Him

00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:20.159
 to speak the truth

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.240
 to us.

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.699
 We will not arrive at it

00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:24.019
 on our own.

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.959
 We need the intervening grace of God

00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.699
 worked in us

00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:28.860
 by the power of the Spirit

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.539
 in the illumination

00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:32.679
 of His Word.

00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:35.279
 Now in Romans 12,

00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:37.099
 beginning of verse 2,

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.799
 as Paul turns his letter

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:40.299
 to practical application,

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.199
 he says,

00:16:41.839 --> 00:16:43.839
 Do not be conformed

00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.519
 to this world,

00:16:44.739 --> 00:16:45.919
 but be transformed

00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:47.259
 by the renewal

00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:49.019
 of your mind.

00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:51.620
 So if we have been saved

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.239
 by the intervening grace of God,

00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:56.019
 then we are categorically different

00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.019
 than the description

00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.439
 being given here.

00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.819
 We are not those

00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.899
 who the wrath of God

00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:02.159
 is being revealed to,

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.759
 but we are yet

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.259
 to be fully

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.700
 sanctified.

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.159
 We are not arriving.

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.980
 We don't have

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.899
 perfect reasoning

00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:13.519
 yet.

00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.460
 This side of glory,

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.799
 we still carry around

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.920
 the baggage

00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:21.980
 of the curse.

00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.700
 Last Sunday,

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.319
 I was sick.

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.299
 I tried to push through.

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.440
 I actually came to the building

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.079
 at 8 o'clock.

00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:28.720
 I could just barely lift my arms.

00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.220
 And so,

00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.160
 I went home.

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:32.339
 I still have this body

00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.559
 of death.

00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.759
 I'm still carrying

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.500
 the burden

00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:37.620
 of sin.

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.759
 And it doesn't just affect

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.200
 my body,

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.420
 it also affects

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.880
 my mind.

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.279
 Which is why

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.720
 Paul says in Romans 12,

00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:46.920
 to be transformed

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.519
 by the renewal

00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:50.000
 of your mind.

00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.680
 A thing that must be

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.460
 pursued

00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:54.559
 to reason

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.340
 properly

00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:56.460
 as God

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.100
 reveals Himself

00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:57.740
 to us

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.160
 in His Word.

00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:02.420
 But what does this

00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.920
 renewing work

00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:05.620
 look like?

00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.559
 If you look at

00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.720
 verse 21,

00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.200
 the first part of it

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.500
 says,

00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:10.940
 for although

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.440
 they knew God,

00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.059
 they did not honor Him

00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.960
 as God

00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.579
 or give

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.480
 thanks

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.980
 to Him.

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.140
 So,

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.360
 Paul here states

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.740
 in the negative

00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:24.440
 that a renewing mind

00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:26.200
 will honor God

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.900
 and will give

00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.400
 thanks

00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.279
 to Him.

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.720
 The person who has

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.380
 been saved

00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.680
 by Christ

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.740
 will

00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:34.559
 not live the way

00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.700
 these people live,

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.799
 will give thanks

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.720
 to Him.

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.039
 Do you find in yourself

00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.720
 a mind

00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.559
 that is bent

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.279
 toward

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.960
 the praise of God

00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.200
 as He has revealed Himself

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.620
 in the Bible?

00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.779
 Do you thank Him

00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.420
 in all circumstances,

00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:52.900
 trusting Him

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.840
 in joy

00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:55.500
 and in sorrow?

00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:57.519
 Beloved,

00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.299
 we ought to be

00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:00.019
 growing in these matters,

00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.220
 these matters of

00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.019
 honor

00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.860
 and

00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:04.279
 thanksgiving.

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.259
 It ought to be

00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.500
 an increasing reality

00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.400
 in our lives

00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.420
 if we find ourselves

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.900
 in Christ.

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.400
 I think

00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.120
 that the Westminster

00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.279
 Larger Catechism

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.960
 will help us

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.600
 at this point.

00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.159
 I certainly

00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:17.279
 hope that it will.

00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:18.819
 I always,

00:19:18.939 --> 00:19:19.579
 with some trepidation,

00:19:19.699 --> 00:19:20.740
 read long things,

00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.519
 so I hope this will

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.359
 serve us well

00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.159
 this morning.

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.740
 Certainly,

00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.959
 we find in our text,

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.759
 particularly in verse 23,

00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.359
 a breaking of the

00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.419
 Second Commandment.

00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.740
 But I want to draw

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.819
 our attention this morning

00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:34.079
 to the First

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.439
 Commandment.

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.159
 In the Westminster

00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.099
 Larger Catechism

00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.240
 in the form of

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.959
 Catechesis,

00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.719
 question 103 says,

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.179
 what is the First

00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:44.079
 Commandment?

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.919
 And the answer is,

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.899
 the First Commandment is,

00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:47.980
 Thou shalt have

00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.879
 no other gods

00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:50.199
 before me.

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.119
 This is Exodus

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.619
 chapter 20.

00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:53.839
 Thou shalt have

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.599
 no other gods

00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:57.220
 before me.

00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.339
 So think in these terms

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.559
 as Paul here is talking

00:19:59.559 --> 00:19:59.919
 about.

00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.839
 In the negative,

00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.259
 he's saying,

00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.699
 if people are

00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.359
 redeemed by Christ,

00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.659
 we will

00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.519
 honor

00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.579
 God.

00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:06.059
 And we will

00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.079
 give thanks

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.659
 to

00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:09.299
 God.

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.180
 So the

00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.460
 Westminster

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.259
 Larger Catechism

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.099
 follows question

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.079
 103 with

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.519
 question 104,

00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.779
 which says,

00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:18.200
 what are the duties

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.819
 required in the

00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:21.599
 First Commandment?

00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.299
 So just listen to

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:23.859
 these carefully

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.539
 and think,

00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.180
 is this

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.139
 the

00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:27.859
 bent?

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.740
 Is this the way

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.500
 my heart

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.299
 tends

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.859
 toward?

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.039
 The answer,

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:33.940
 the Westminster

00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.779
 Divines wrote,

00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.839
 the duties required

00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.419
 in the First

00:20:36.419 --> 00:20:37.339
 Commandment are

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.919
 the knowing

00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:40.519
 and acknowledging

00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.299
 of God to be

00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:42.379
 the only true

00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.839
 God and our

00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.299
 God and to

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.099
 worship and

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.019
 glorify Him

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:49.079
 accordingly by

00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.559
 thinking,

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.259
 meditating,

00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:52.740
 remembering,

00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:55.159
 highly esteeming,

00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.419
 honoring,

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.139
 adoring,

00:20:59.159 --> 00:20:59.579
 choosing,

00:21:00.699 --> 00:21:01.019
 loving,

00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:02.519
 desiring,

00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.159
 fearing,

00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:05.699
 believing,

00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:07.159
 trusting,

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.659
 hoping,

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.359
 delighting,

00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.039
 rejoicing in

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.359
 Him,

00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.599
 being zealous

00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.319
 for Him,

00:21:14.959 --> 00:21:15.799
 calling upon

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.199
 Him,

00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.359
 giving all

00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.139
 praise and

00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:18.599
 thanks,

00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:19.399
 and yielding

00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.279
 all obedience

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.980
 and submission

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.559
 to Him,

00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:22.679
 with the whole

00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.139
 man,

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.079
 being careful

00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.939
 in all things

00:21:24.939 --> 00:21:25.699
 to please Him,

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.879
 and sorrowful

00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:28.059
 when in anything

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.879
 He has offended,

00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:30.079
 and walking

00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.879
 humbly

00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:30.879


00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:32.279
 with Him.

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.799
 And I know

00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.319
 that you can't

00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:34.659
 see it,

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.359
 but there's a

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.899
 footnote for

00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.399
 every single

00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:37.939
 one of those

00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:38.979
 words where

00:21:38.979 --> 00:21:39.279
 they have

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.240
 seen this

00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.439
 in the

00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:41.740
 Scripture.

00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.500
 These are the

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.500
 duties required

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.379
 in the first

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.859
 commandment,

00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:47.119
 right?

00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:48.259
 To have no

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.519
 other God

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:51.599
 before God.

00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:51.639
 God,

00:21:53.159 --> 00:21:54.480
 if you do not

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.059
 find in

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.779
 yourself a

00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.639
 mind that

00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.259
 is bent

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.179
 in this

00:21:58.179 --> 00:21:58.719
 way,

00:21:59.719 --> 00:22:00.139
 then it is

00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:01.639
 possible that

00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.199
 you may be

00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:02.879
 counted among

00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:03.480
 those who

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.359
 are futile in

00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:05.980
 their thinking

00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.379
 and have

00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.179
 foolish,

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.480
 darkened

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.939
 hearts.

00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:14.000
 Westminster

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.320
 Larger

00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:15.840
 Catechism,

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.440
 question 105.

00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.140
 What are the

00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.920
 sins forbidden

00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:22.299
 in the first

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:22.900
 commandment?

00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.660
 The answer,

00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:25.799
 the sins

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.240
 forbidden in

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.500
 the first

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.900
 commandment

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:29.000
 are atheism

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.779
 in denying

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.480
 or not having

00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:30.960
 a God,

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.759
 idolatry in

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.240
 having or

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.740
 worshipping

00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.640
 more gods

00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.160
 than one,

00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:36.580
 or instead

00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:37.340
 of the true

00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:37.779
 God,

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.100
 the not

00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.019
 having and

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.879
 vouching Him

00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.619
 for God

00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.279
 and our

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.660
 God,

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.180
 the omission

00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.900
 or neglect

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.500
 of anything

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.359
 due to Him,

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.160
 required in

00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.839
 His commandment,

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.519
 ignorance,

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.940
 forgetfulness,

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.839
 misapprehensions,

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.660
 false opinions,

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.799
 unworthy and

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.420
 wicked thoughts

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.819
 of Him,

00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.259
 bold and

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.019
 curious searching

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.579
 into His

00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.019
 secrets,

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.059
 all profaneness,

00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.420
 hatred of

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:02.779
 God,

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.220
 self-love,

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.559
 self-seeking,

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.500
 and all other

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.379
 inordinate and

00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.259
 immoderate setting

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.879
 of our mind,

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.220
 will,

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.859
 or affections

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.459
 upon other

00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:11.359
 things and

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:11.899
 taking them

00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:12.659
 off from Him

00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.719
 in whole or

00:23:13.719 --> 00:23:14.319
 in part,

00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:16.199
 vain credulity,

00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.559
 unbelief,

00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.619
 heresy,

00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.039
 misbelief,

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.240
 distrust,

00:23:21.719 --> 00:23:22.359
 despair,

00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.959
 incorrigibleness,

00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:24.979
 and insensibleness

00:23:24.979 --> 00:23:25.819
 under judgments,

00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.319
 hardness of heart,

00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.299
 pride,

00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:29.279
 presumption,

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.759
 carnal security,

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.259
 tempting of God,

00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.919
 using unlawful means

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:35.339
 and trusting in lawful,

00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.240
 sorry,

00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:37.719
 using of unlawful means

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:39.220
 and trusting in lawful means,

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.279
 carnal delights and joys,

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.019
 corrupt,

00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.720
 blind,

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.360
 and indiscreet zeal,

00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.680
 lukewarmness and deadness

00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.880
 in the things of God,

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.880
 estranging ourselves

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.600
 and apostatizing from God,

00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.140
 praying or giving any

00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:53.920
 religious worship

00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.579
 to saints,

00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.100
 angels,

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.259
 or any other creatures,

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.079
 all compacts

00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.460
 and consulting with the devil

00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.380
 and hearkening

00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.259
 to his suggestions,

00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:03.000
 making men the lords

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.220
 of our faith and conscience,

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.920
 sliding and despising

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:07.100
 God and his commands,

00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.620
 resisting and grieving

00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.460
 of a spirit,

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.720
 discontent and impatience

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.039
 at his dispensations,

00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.800
 charging him foolishly

00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:16.400
 for the evil he inflicts on us,

00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.000
 and ascribing the praise

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.660
 of any good we either are,

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.340
 have,

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.279
 or can do

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.240
 to fortune,

00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:22.980
 idols,

00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:23.880
 ourselves,

00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:25.779
 or any other creature.

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.039
 Again,

00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.880
 a scripture reference

00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:31.259
 for every single one

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.759
 of those phrases

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.560
 or words.

00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:36.559
 Did you know

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.240
 there was so much

00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.119
 packed into that

00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:40.200
 first commandment?

00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.039
 You see,

00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.740
 if you find

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.839
 that you are

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:45.039
 a transgressor

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.639
 of the first commandment,

00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.759
 my plea with you

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.279
 this day

00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.960
 is that you would repent

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.539
 of your unrighteousness,

00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.879
 an unrighteousness

00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.159
 that suppresses the truth,

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.440
 an unrighteousness

00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.359
 on which the wrath

00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:56.779
 of God

00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.879
 is being revealed,

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:58.879
 and that you would

00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.639
 throw yourself

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:01.000
 on the mercy

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:03.600
 of intervening grace.

00:25:04.520 --> 00:25:05.520
 The offer

00:25:05.520 --> 00:25:06.520
 of the gospel

00:25:06.520 --> 00:25:07.280
 is made

00:25:07.280 --> 00:25:07.940
 to you

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.280
 this day.

00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.220
 Having already

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.740
 found yourself

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.280
 in Christ,

00:25:12.560 --> 00:25:13.400
 praise be to God,

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.140
 we are counted

00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.700
 as righteous

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.240
 before him,

00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.640
 justified before him,

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.100
 and now being sanctified,

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.000
 we get to repent

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.340
 and believe afresh

00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.180
 again

00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.740
 and again

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.220
 and again.

00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:24.779
 The righteous

00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.759
 shall live

00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.600
 by faith.

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.279
 Renewing our faith,

00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.039
 renewing our faith,

00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.839
 renewing our faith.

00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.420
 Finding yourself

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:32.799
 this day

00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.819
 outside the grace

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.319
 of God?

00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.059
 The gospel

00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.960
 is powerful

00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.380
 to save.

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.480
 The gospel

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:41.700
 can save you

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.500
 if you would

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:44.079
 just believe

00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.380
 that it will.

00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.420
 So we see

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:50.100
 this digression

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.799
 of mankind,

00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.740
 a digression

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.440
 that we have all

00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.720
 once been

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.360
 or possibly

00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:56.420
 are this morning

00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:58.860
 guilty of.

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.660
 Verse 22 says,

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.860
 claiming to be wise,

00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.660
 they became

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:06.380
 fools.

00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.539
 God's declaration

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:10.140
 in this inspired text

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.080
 written by Paul

00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:12.259
 is that the people

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.200
 who think they're wise

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.140
 in this world

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:16.220
 are fools.

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.820
 Paul writes

00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:20.140
 in 1 Corinthians 1

00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.220
 and verse 18,

00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.580
 for the word

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.299
 of the cross

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.639
 is folly

00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.700
 to those

00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.740
 who are perishing.

00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.980
 But to us

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.940
 who are being saved,

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.319
 it is the power

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.579
 of God.

00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.940
 And in Philippians 3,

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.419
 verse 18

00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.019
 and following,

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.680
 for many of whom

00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.799
 I have often told you

00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.539
 and now tell you

00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.500
 even with tears

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.759
 walk as enemies

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.159
 of the cross

00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:44.079
 of Christ.

00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.279
 Their end

00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:45.879
 is destruction,

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.159
 their God

00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.799
 is their belly,

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.819
 and they glory

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:50.039
 in their shame

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.899
 with minds

00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:52.800
 set on earthly things.

00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.519
 But our citizenship

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.360
 is in heaven

00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.440
 and from it

00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:56.960
 we await

00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.600
 a Savior,

00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.380
 the Lord

00:26:58.380 --> 00:27:01.340
 Jesus Christ.

00:27:02.060 --> 00:27:03.440
 Claiming to be wise,

00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:03.680
 right,

00:27:03.820 --> 00:27:05.540
 glorying in their

00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:06.840
 shame,

00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:09.140
 they become fools.

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.200
 words.

00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.440
 In this past week,

00:27:11.540 --> 00:27:12.720
 I feel like I was

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.740
 just bombarded

00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.600
 with the foolishness

00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.520
 of the world

00:27:16.520 --> 00:27:17.720
 trying to be

00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.440
 framed as

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.340
 wisdom.

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:23.799
 we do a program

00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.599
 on Fridays

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:26.740
 with some boys

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.439
 from our church

00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.319
 and in partnership

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.799
 with Grace Community Church.

00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:31.199
 We call it

00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:31.959
 Corum Deo,

00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.779
 which is Latin for

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.959
 before the face of God.

00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.079
 And we've got

00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.779
 10 11-13 year olds

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.859
 and when we begin

00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.279
 the morning

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.139
 we ask if they have

00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:39.980
 any prayer requests.

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.939
 And I will tell you

00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:44.039
 that young boys

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.359
 ask for prayer

00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.179
 the way many

00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:47.099
 old men do

00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:48.480
 because they have

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.700
 twisted ankles

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:51.099
 and people they know

00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.759
 who are sick.

00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.160
 And I often try

00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.700
 to add

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.400
 something

00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.319
 of

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:58.220
 more eternal

00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.740
 substance

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.680
 to

00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:01.059
 our praying.

00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.019
 And this past Friday

00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.839
 I just couldn't

00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.559
 open my mouth

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.180
 because everything

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.319
 that was going to

00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.799
 come out of it

00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.240
 was going to be

00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.120
 terribly depressing

00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.480
 to 11-13 year olds.

00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.740
 And so as we prayed

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.440
 with them

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:13.940
 and for them

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:15.680
 for toes

00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.360
 and ankles

00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.980
 and parents

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.599
 with sniffles

00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:20.480
 I said

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:22.240
 come Lord Jesus

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:24.039
 this world

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.059
 is just

00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:26.559
 falling apart.

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.180
 And Paul here

00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.900
 is not teaching us

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.420
 that there's this

00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:30.160
 progression

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.480
 that we're experiencing

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.360
 that progression

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.500
 but that it has

00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.640
 been this way

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.519
 since

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.000
 the fall.

00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.360
 Adam and Eve

00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:38.940
 in the garden

00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.660
 verse 22

00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.819
 claiming to be wise

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.220
 they acted

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.500
 and they became

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.860
 fools

00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.559
 and all of

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.079
 mankind

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.619
 ever since.

00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:51.119
 Verse 23

00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:51.659
 says

00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:53.059
 and exchange

00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.179
 the glory

00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:55.139
 of the

00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:56.259
 immortal God

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.559
 for

00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.939
 images

00:28:58.939 --> 00:29:00.659
 resembling

00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.899
 mortal man

00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:03.519
 and birds

00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.319
 and animals

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.219
 and creeping

00:29:05.219 --> 00:29:06.839
 things.

00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.979
 Turned from

00:29:07.979 --> 00:29:08.919
 the praise of God

00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:10.399
 to idolatry.

00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:10.880
 and we will

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.380
 talk at length

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.519
 about this

00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.540
 in the text

00:29:14.540 --> 00:29:15.240
 that will conclude

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.640
 chapter 1

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.259
 Lord willing

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:19.060
 next week.

00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.060
 Beloved

00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:21.620
 we ought not

00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.440
 to be surprised

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.340
 when the world

00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:24.940
 rejects the ways

00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.220
 of our God.

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.860
 I see so many

00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.360
 Christians

00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:29.420
 so shocked

00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.460
 when the world

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.940
 acts in contradiction

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:33.600
 to our God.

00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:35.960
 This text

00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.620
 makes it clear

00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.480
 why they do.

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.980
 Their ungodliness

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.200
 and unrighteousness

00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.599
 suppress the truth.

00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:44.039
 It is the natural

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.900
 way of the

00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.720
 fallen man

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:47.180
 to bend

00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.240
 away from

00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.860
 God

00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.960
 and his ways.

00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.599
 Now it is

00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.980
 good for us

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.700
 to reason

00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.339
 in the marketplace

00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:56.019
 so don't

00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:57.120
 hear me

00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:59.039
 asking you

00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.640
 to disengage

00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.259
 from the world

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.000
 in which we live.

00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:01.720
 By all

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.400
 means

00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.900
 reason

00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.880
 with people.

00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:05.900
 By common

00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.339
 grace

00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.120
 the world

00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:08.180
 has reasoning

00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.299
 faculty.

00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.400
 We want to

00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.120
 labor for

00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:11.700
 an equitable

00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.380
 society.

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.860
 But

00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:14.820
 what this

00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.360
 world needs

00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:15.880
 most

00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.960
 is the

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.660
 intervening

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.380
 grace of

00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:18.660
 God

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.400
 found in

00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.000
 the powerful

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.500
 gospel

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.600
 of Jesus

00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.860
 Christ.

00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.920
 Paul doesn't

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.480
 go on his

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.240
 missionary journeys

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.080
 into cities

00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:29.360
 and have

00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:30.039
 political

00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:30.620
 dialogue

00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.259
 with people

00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.000
 in that city.

00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.299
 What does he

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.640
 do?

00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.120
 He goes to

00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:34.660
 the synagogue

00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.140
 a place

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.400
 where people

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:35.620
 would have

00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:35.960
 come for

00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.259
 the worship

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.740
 of God

00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.299
 and he

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:37.879
 reasons

00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:38.319
 with them

00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:38.799
 from the

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.160
 scripture

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.480
 that Jesus

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.099
 is the

00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:41.579
 Christ.

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.799
 This should

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.099
 be the

00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.680
 primary

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.519
 thrust

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.019
 of what

00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.879
 we do.

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.160
 Knowing

00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.579
 that

00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.339
 we cannot

00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.279
 reason

00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.160
 people

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.339
 politically

00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.000
 into heaven.

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.420
 It's not

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:54.640
 going to

00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:54.980
 happen.

00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.000
 God is

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.160
 going to

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:57.799
 make this

00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.640
 world new

00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:00.019
 one day

00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.140
 and we

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.619
 as the

00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:02.140
 church

00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:02.779
 are meant

00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.220
 to be

00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.700
 about

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.400
 making

00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.120
 disciples

00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:05.640
 of the

00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:05.900
 Lord

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.759
 Jesus

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.279
 Christ.

00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:07.920
 It ought

00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.059
 to be

00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:08.279
 the

00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:08.940
 central

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.440
 thing

00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.720
 that

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:09.900
 we

00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.400
 do

00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:11.000
 in

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.579
 everything

00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.960
 that

00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.079
 we

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.339
 do.

00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.400
 So I

00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:15.799
 pray that

00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.079
 as the

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.360
 world

00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:16.960
 assails

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.319
 us

00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:17.799
 with its

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.339
 warped

00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:18.700
 thinking

00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:20.140
 we will

00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.600
 respond

00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:20.900
 with the

00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.240
 truth

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.420
 that we

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.120
 were once

00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.680
 like

00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.519
 them.

00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.720
 That we

00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.000
 have been

00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.700
 saved by

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.120
 a loving

00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.600
 kind

00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:28.120
 God

00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:29.220
 and that

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.460
 we will

00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.059
 extend

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.360
 the

00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:30.680
 saving

00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.000
 offer

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.360
 of the

00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.680
 gospel

00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.740
 to them.

00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.140
 And I

00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:35.380
 pray that

00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:35.620
 we would

00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:36.140
 not just

00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.519
 be

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.420
 theological

00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.259
 heads

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.220
 but

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.059
 transformed

00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.500
 people.

00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.279
 So in

00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.120
 closing let

00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:44.600
 me just

00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.779
 read the

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.420
 entirety of

00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.120
 Romans 12

00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:49.079
 2 for

00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.500
 our benefit.

00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.120
 Do not

00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:52.100
 be conformed

00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:52.500
 to this

00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.920
 world but

00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:55.420
 be transformed

00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.019
 by the

00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.839
 renewal of

00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:57.500
 your mind

00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.519
 that by

00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.380
 testing you

00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.000
 may discern

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.759
 what is the

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.059
 will of

00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.079
 God what

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.640
 is good

00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.940
 and acceptable

00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:05.520
 and perfect.

00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.740
 Let's pray

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.020
 together.

00:32:07.020 --> 00:32:06.720
 Let's pray

00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.020
 together.

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:09.420
 here.

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


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00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420


00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.420