WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.400 When I was dating Vivian, 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:10.259 we ran rolling in the national park a couple of times. 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:13.160 In the spirit of being equal 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:16.420 and not wanting me to do all the driving and all the rolling, 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:19.280 I guess also wanted to be a bit more intimate. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:22.940 She would offer to sit next to me and roll with me. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:27.120 I would always tell her I enjoyed seeing her face 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:29.780 more than having her sitting next to me. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.500 And I do all the rolling myself. 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:36.840 Have you ever rowed a boat with a very uneven force 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:38.280 or even on one oar? 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:43.500 The boat will just move in circle and never goes anywhere. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:48.439 The two sides need to be equally strong to get somewhere. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:50.799 If you have met Vivian, 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:53.780 you will know why I would do the rolling myself. 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:58.340 However, I was truly sincere about enjoying seeing her face-to-face. 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:01.960 And not just seeing her face while we're dating, 00:01:02.160 --> 00:01:06.120 we make commitment to marry each other in November 2003, 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:08.620 which is a bit more than 15 years ago. 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:13.180 We've made many different commitments in our lives. 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:15.000 If you're a Christian, 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:18.000 can you remember the day you turned to Christ? 00:01:19.220 --> 00:01:22.880 What was the reason that you decided to become a follower of Jesus? 00:01:23.600 --> 00:01:27.820 What commitment did you make at that point of decision 00:01:27.820 --> 00:01:30.660 to follow Jesus for the rest of your life? 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:34.840 If you are not yet a Christian or interested to find out more, 00:01:35.539 --> 00:01:39.159 what are you looking for as you investigate into Christianity? 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:42.899 What are you waiting to find out? 00:01:43.459 --> 00:01:45.539 Are you waiting to find out what you should do 00:01:45.539 --> 00:01:48.459 or what you should bring to God as an entry fee? 00:01:50.199 --> 00:01:53.560 Last week, we looked at disciplines of grace, 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:57.159 and today we're going to look at three commitments of discipline. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:01:59.200 But before we do so, 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.859 I want to look at dependence with you. 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:05.439 Imagine all the disciplines 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:07.579 that we are looking at this few weeks 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:09.659 is one side of the boat 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:12.219 and one of the oar that we go to roll. 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:16.120 But dependence is the other oar that we need 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:20.199 in order for that we'll not just go around 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:22.879 and run in a circle as a Christian. 00:02:23.379 --> 00:02:25.879 We need both discipline and dependence. 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:29.819 The Westminster Catechism says that 00:02:29.819 --> 00:02:32.459 the chief and highest goal of human 00:02:32.459 --> 00:02:36.179 is to glorify God and fully enjoy Him forever. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:39.359 We need both dependence and discipline 00:02:39.359 --> 00:02:43.039 to achieve the true and full meaning of life. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:45.879 We were reminded last week 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:49.179 that grace of God allowed us to have full assurance 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:52.200 that despite the sin that we have done, 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:55.060 we are loved and bought by Christ. 00:02:55.980 --> 00:02:59.200 By His death, our debts are paid. 00:02:59.760 --> 00:03:01.819 It's all about what God has done 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:04.099 to save and sanctify us. 00:03:05.140 --> 00:03:09.080 God's grace is unearned, undeserved, but a gift. 00:03:10.200 --> 00:03:12.819 Unearned because we did nothing to earn it, 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:16.260 undeserved because of our sinful nature, 00:03:16.260 --> 00:03:19.120 and God's grace transformed all Christians. 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:22.520 We form Martin Luther's say, 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:26.340 Christians are simultaneously saints and sinners. 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:29.120 In Christ we are saints, 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:31.700 in ourselves we are sinners. 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:35.560 Keeping these two perspectives about ourselves 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:38.200 will help us to be humbly authentic 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:39.780 as we follow Jesus. 00:03:40.980 --> 00:03:43.600 As a saint and sinner simultaneously, 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:46.280 we need both dependence and discipline 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:50.039 to ensure we are going where God intended us to go. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:54.519 They are like the two oars on a rowing boat. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:58.479 Our oar that sums up all the disciplines 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:00.280 and our oar of dependence 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:03.079 need to be equal in size and portion. 00:04:04.659 --> 00:04:07.639 There are many examples in the Bible about dependence. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:10.619 We will look at one from the Old Testament, 00:04:11.559 --> 00:04:13.419 from a person called Nehemiah. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:17.599 Nehemiah was a cupbearer to a Persian king, 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:20.759 a high-ranking official trusted by the king. 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:26.039 His prestige in society did not lead to self-centeredness 00:04:26.039 --> 00:04:27.500 or self-sufficiency. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.759 Instead, he was genuinely concerned 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:33.660 about the well-being of his countrymen and his homeland. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:37.800 After hearing the reports from his brother 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:41.720 of the situation of the Jewish remnant and Jerusalem, 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:44.660 it says in Nehemiah 1, verse 4, 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:46.939 that when I heard all these things, 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:48.620 I sat down and wept. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:51.800 For some days I mourned and fast 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:54.319 and prayed before the God of heaven. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:59.259 Based on his belief that God keeps his confidence 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:01.560 of love with those who love him 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:02.939 and keep his commandments, 00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:06.500 God must be very pleased with him 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:09.339 to give him such a high-ranking official job 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:10.740 within the palace. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:14.159 But his concern was not just for himself. 00:05:14.899 --> 00:05:17.839 He was genuinely, sincerely concerned 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:19.899 about God's people and God's name. 00:05:19.899 --> 00:05:24.439 He considered himself as part of a sinful nation 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:25.439 of the Israelites. 00:05:26.179 --> 00:05:28.179 And he prayed in verse 6-7, 00:05:29.179 --> 00:05:30.519 Let your ear be attentive 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:34.339 and your eyes open to hear the prayer 00:05:34.339 --> 00:05:36.479 your servant is praying before you 00:05:36.479 --> 00:05:38.899 day and night for your servants, 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:40.379 the people of Israel. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:43.259 I confess that since we Israelites, 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:46.039 including myself and my father's family, 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:48.060 have committed against you, 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:50.899 we have acted very wickedly towards you, 00:05:51.280 --> 00:05:52.740 we have not obeyed the commands, 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:55.959 decrees, and law you gave your servants, Moses. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:59.339 He fully entrusts himself to God 00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:01.079 by praying day and night. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.240 He called on God to remember his promises 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:05.480 to his people. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.040 He prayed in verse 11 for God 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:10.480 to make your servant success today 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:13.699 by granting him favor in the presence of this man. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:16.019 He wanted to be successful, 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:17.500 not for his own good. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:21.040 But to be able to fix the situation of his homeland. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:25.420 Nehemiah illustrated his dependence on God 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:26.660 by his prayer. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.240 And there were two kinds of prayers, 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:31.480 planned and spontaneous. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:35.399 It's said he prayed before God 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:37.360 day and night for some days, 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:39.819 which in fact was about four months 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.639 before God gave him an answer. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:44.699 We can assume during that time, 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:48.139 he mostly set aside time and planned his day 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:51.099 so that he can go to God and pray regularly 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:53.939 in between performing his official duty 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:55.539 as a king cupbearer. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:01.339 His planned prayer was with endurance, 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:03.819 persistence, and perseverance. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:06.920 And after four months of praying, 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:09.240 the king noticed his face look sad. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:13.040 And he had not been sad in front of the king, 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:15.459 so the king asked about the cause of his sadness. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.100 And Nehemiah explained to the king in chapter 2, 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:20.019 verse 1 to 3, 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:22.259 and then the king asked him in verse 4, 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:24.180 what is it you want? 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:27.539 He had prayed for four months, 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:30.319 and the opportunity is right there for him 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:32.599 to lay before the king his request 00:07:32.599 --> 00:07:35.240 to go to Jerusalem and rebuild its wall. 00:07:36.099 --> 00:07:37.799 But before he answered the king, 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:41.039 verse 4 says he prayed to the God of heaven. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:43.780 He offered up an unplanned, 00:07:44.340 --> 00:07:45.819 spontaneous prayer to God. 00:07:47.580 --> 00:07:50.600 Nehemiah sent a quick, silent prayer to God 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:53.860 as he was opening up his mouth to speak to the king. 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:56.400 He did not just burst out. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:00.000 He did not wait till this moment to pray. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:02.960 He saw a need and persisted in prayer 00:08:02.960 --> 00:08:04.080 until God's answer. 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:06.140 At the same time, 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:09.439 he was very conscious of his total dependency of God. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:12.600 So he did not burst out with his request to the king 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:15.899 without first praying quickly and silently. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:20.319 Because of his consciousness of his total dependence on God, 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:24.199 his quick and silent prayer was a reflex action 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:25.779 rather than a planned one. 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:29.600 His planned prayer for four months 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:31.180 helped him to depend on God. 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:33.799 His spontaneous prayer showed 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:36.580 he was authentically humble and dependent. 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:41.139 If you have been praying for a pay rise 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:44.060 or a change of position for a period of time, 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:46.600 and the answer came as a question, 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:48.500 what is it you want? 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:50.700 How would you respond? 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:55.820 Would you respectfully pray or do you panic? 00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:59.580 Nehemiah did not allow his social prestige 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:02.580 to get in the way for his genuine concern 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:04.639 of his countrymen. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:07.320 He did not rely on his position 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:10.400 to rush into fixing things by his own strength. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.220 He depended on God 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:14.400 to enable him to be successful. 00:09:16.420 --> 00:09:18.020 In chapter 2, verse 8, 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:18.980 he says, 00:09:19.420 --> 00:09:21.620 because the gracious hand of God was on me, 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.639 the king granted my requests. 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:25.980 In the Old Testament, 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.580 the hand of God upon someone 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:30.860 is often referred to the Holy Spirit 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:32.340 is at work at that person. 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:35.960 Nehemiah set aside each day 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:38.740 for planned, persistent, enduring, 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.379 persevering prayers 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:41.940 for four months 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:44.139 for God's Holy Spirit 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.259 to enable him to deal with the situation. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.180 And he prayed spontaneously 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:50.840 when God answered his prayer. 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.899 Prayer helped us to focus 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:55.259 our dependency on God 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:57.899 instead of our own willpower 00:09:57.899 --> 00:10:00.039 as we live out our life 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:02.679 and bring the assistance of Holy Spirit 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:03.819 into our life. 00:10:04.459 --> 00:10:05.740 We need both planned 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.399 and spontaneous prayer, 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:09.600 both to help us cultivate 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:12.759 a sense of our dependency on God 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:14.379 and to receive his help 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:16.159 that he sends through his Spirit. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:19.759 As we look at different disciplines 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:20.620 in this series, 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:23.039 remember to balance the boat 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:24.779 with ever-increasing 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:26.360 orc of dependence 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.860 because in failing to do so, 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.819 you will only move in circle 00:10:30.819 --> 00:10:32.179 and will not go anywhere. 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:35.860 Now I would like to talk to you 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:37.059 about the three commitments 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:38.259 of this discipline 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:41.360 and let's turn to Romans 12, verse 1, 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:43.959 starting with the first commitment, 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:44.799 which is commitment 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.740 to show Christ-likeness 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:48.099 and resist sin. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:52.299 Let's read from Romans 12, verse 1. 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.419 Therefore, I urge you, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.399 brothers and sisters, 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:57.199 in view of God's mercy, 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.539 to offer your body 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:00.000 as a living sacrifice, 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:02.099 holy and pleasing to God. 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.639 This is your true 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.699 and proper worship. 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.299 I quoted Martin Luther, 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.199 the Reformer, earlier, 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.719 of his conclusion 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:12.799 that Christians are simultaneously 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:14.759 saints and sinners. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.639 We are saints 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.879 in view of what Jesus 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:18.860 has done for us, 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.399 and we are sinners 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:22.399 because we still sin 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.159 every day 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.480 and many times a day. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:26.480 That is what we are. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.079 We are brought by Christ 00:11:28.079 --> 00:11:29.179 to be a new person. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:31.000 We are saints of God, 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.019 and we need to commit ourselves 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:35.279 in showing Christ-likeness, 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:37.220 Christ-like characters 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:38.419 in our daily life 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.639 as we are committed 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:41.620 to resist sinful habits. 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.639 Paul calls and urges 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.059 to offer our body 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:47.460 as a living sacrifice 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:49.319 in view of God's mercy. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:51.580 An offering 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:53.399 is once for all, 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.299 all in, 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:55.340 without holding back 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:56.080 a shot of action. 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:57.980 At the same time, 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.279 a living sacrifice 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:00.919 means a constant, 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:01.840 a constant, 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:03.340 repeated dedication 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:05.720 that is never to be regretted, 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:07.980 a decisive commitment 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:10.700 that is continually reaffirmed. 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:14.560 The term in view of God's mercy 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:15.400 helped me to think 00:12:15.400 --> 00:12:16.120 about the time 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:18.060 I learned to ride a pushback, 00:12:18.520 --> 00:12:20.300 which was a very long time ago. 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:22.740 I was so concerned 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.720 about falling 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:25.460 and running into other people, 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:26.440 I keep looking 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.520 at the front wheel 00:12:27.520 --> 00:12:28.640 to make sure I'm okay. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.300 And as I focus so much 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:32.500 on this short distance 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.440 right in front of me, 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.860 I keep wobbly 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.900 and eventually fall down 00:12:36.900 --> 00:12:38.040 because I could not 00:12:38.040 --> 00:12:38.879 find my balance. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:41.519 And then I was suggested 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:42.960 to pick a target 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:44.740 in the distance 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:46.019 and stop looking 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:46.759 so closely 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.519 in front of me. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.620 It was at that point 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:51.100 that I found my balance. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.379 Our scenes 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:55.059 are like that front wheel 00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:56.399 that are real 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.220 every day 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.419 right in front of us. 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.279 We need to make 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:00.899 a commitment 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:01.980 to resist it. 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.000 However, 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:05.159 if we focus on it too much, 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.960 we will fall even more. 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.500 We need to fix 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:08.980 our eyes 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:10.019 on God's mercy 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.679 and grace. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.580 Consider more 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.940 on how to show 00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:14.940 our Christ-likeness 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.580 in our daily life 00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:18.419 while you're driving, 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:19.960 while you're doing 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.620 your shopping, 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:22.740 in your dealing 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.279 with an interaction 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.080 with people 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:25.779 that God put 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.639 into your path, 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.360 with your family 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.360 and friends, 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:31.039 sprouts and children, 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.519 and your colleagues 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:35.019 and fellow students. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:37.340 There are many occasions 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.299 in daily life 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.419 that you can present 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.319 Christ's character 00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:41.220 to them 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.659 in how you love 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.679 and stand up 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.299 for righteousness 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.079 and truth. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.319 In whatever you do, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.460 in what your eyes 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:48.960 look at, 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.799 your mouth speaks, 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.100 your hands 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.079 and your feet do, 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.639 in your mind 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.600 and in your heart, 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:56.639 be committed 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.079 to show Christ-likeness 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.300 with a feel 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:00.440 to God's mercy 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:01.080 and grace. 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.900 It's almost impossible 00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:04.960 to resist sins 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.000 if we are not 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.860 fully committed 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.900 to become 00:14:07.900 --> 00:14:08.840 like Christ, 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.080 to live out 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.139 our true identity 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:12.139 as a saint, 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:13.780 to glorify God 00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:14.900 and enjoy Him. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.280 It seems almost 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:18.100 impossible 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.400 to keep such a commitment 00:14:19.400 --> 00:14:20.940 and we are often 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:21.840 reluctant to make 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.400 a commitment 00:14:22.400 --> 00:14:23.480 we know 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.379 we will not keep. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:26.580 but if you are 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.120 a Christian, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.220 I believe you have 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:28.860 once made 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.139 similar commitment. 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.200 Are you confident 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.220 in telling others 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.259 that you are Christians? 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:35.960 Have you been 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.460 focusing 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.939 on the funwill 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:38.480 of sin 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.360 on your pushback 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.240 of Christian life 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.220 and wobble 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:42.779 and fail? 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.879 Or have you 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.659 lost the focus 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.620 of God's grace, 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.960 stopped pedaling 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.559 completely, 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:50.379 only doing things 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.480 to look like a rider? 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.100 Find your aim 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.759 of God's grace again 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.620 in view of His mercy 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:59.460 and start pedaling again 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.980 and you will realize 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.899 you are not alone 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.740 in this journey 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:04.259 because God's Spirit 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.659 is always by our side 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:08.420 as we live out 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:09.560 Christ-like character 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:12.540 and resist sinful behaviors. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.360 This leads to 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.320 the second commitment 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.899 we need, 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.080 a commitment 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:18.779 to be led 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.560 by the Spirit. 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.340 Let's read on 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.519 in Romans 12, 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:23.240 verse 2. 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:26.019 Do not conform 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.759 to the pattern 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.500 of this world 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.500 but be transformed 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.320 by the renewing 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:30.040 of your mind. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:33.120 We're presented 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.420 with two alternatives. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:35.820 We are either 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.540 conforming 00:15:36.540 --> 00:15:37.360 to the pattern 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.060 of this world 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:39.600 or be transformed 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.420 by the renewing 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.080 of our mind. 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.159 These two alternatives 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.159 are very hard 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.860 to realize 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.420 because we often 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.220 not realize 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.080 that we are doing 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.879 the first one 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.899 or the second one 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.540 are being done 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.040 to us. 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:55.379 I do not know 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:55.959 about you 00:15:55.959 --> 00:15:57.360 but I like 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:57.860 patterns. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.959 In most things 00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:00.419 I do 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.219 I like something 00:16:01.219 --> 00:16:02.079 that I can follow 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:02.539 along. 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.199 When I cook 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:05.139 a new dish 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.079 I like to look 00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:06.740 at cookbooks 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:08.179 and when I write 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:08.740 an essay 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.879 I need sample 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.819 essay to give me 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.519 the structure 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.519 and guideline. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.840 I often look 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.340 for some 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.399 foolproof way 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.360 to do things 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.939 because I genuinely 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:20.039 do not think 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.120 do not like 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.579 to think 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:22.559 or do not think. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.699 And if I follow 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.199 a pattern 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:26.079 and things 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:26.799 did not work 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:28.000 at least I can 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.399 have someone 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:28.840 to blame. 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:31.000 What kind 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.579 of pattern 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:32.419 are you looking 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.439 for or are you 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:33.879 following 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.059 in being a Christian? 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.860 Do you have 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.639 a list of things 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.740 to take off 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.039 and tell yourself 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:40.779 that you are right 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.299 with God? 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.220 Can you give 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:43.740 a reason 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:45.000 to why you 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.939 do what you do? 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:47.899 Do you come 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.500 to church 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.740 read the Bible 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.299 and pray 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:52.240 do charity works 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.459 because they are 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:54.199 the right thing 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:54.679 to do? 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:56.500 All these show 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.679 that you are 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.319 only following 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.959 a pattern 00:16:58.959 --> 00:17:00.399 and not having 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.500 a renewing mind. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.939 We are being 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:05.139 urged to be 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.559 transformed 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.799 by the renewing 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.480 of our mind 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.619 and extend 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.680 through the commitment 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.440 to be led 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.360 by the Holy Spirit. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:13.620 How do we know 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.559 whether we are 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:14.980 being led 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.640 by the Spirit? 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.620 Remember Nehemiah? 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.840 He knows 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:20.259 because he spent 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.580 time thinking 00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:22.480 and praying. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.559 When he prays, 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.440 he can recall 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:26.960 what God 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.440 has done 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.220 through history. 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.740 He meditates 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.620 on the great 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.460 and awesomeness 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:31.920 of God. 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.480 He remembers 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.400 God's promise 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.700 to his nations 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:37.080 and reminds God. 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.079 God's promise 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:39.059 and he did 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.659 that day 00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:40.259 and night 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.099 over a long 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.819 period of time. 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:43.779 When we talk 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.659 about meditating 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:45.559 on God 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.199 day and night, 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.259 it does not mean 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.019 every moment 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.639 in life, 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.839 especially like 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.439 Nehemiah. 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:51.559 We all have 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:51.960 works 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.699 and other 00:17:52.699 --> 00:17:53.740 duties to fulfill. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.439 We need to 00:17:55.439 --> 00:17:55.879 commit 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.899 to turn 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:57.339 our mind 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:57.899 to God 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:59.519 and his word 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.619 when our mind 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.139 is free 00:18:01.139 --> 00:18:01.639 to turn 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.220 to anything. 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:04.779 When you can 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.380 think about 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:05.900 anything 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:07.839 you want 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.579 to think about, 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.680 what do you 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.240 think about? 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.000 Do you think 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.960 about your problems 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:14.500 or do you 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.519 engage in mental 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.259 arguing with 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.940 someone else 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.500 or perhaps 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.779 even allowing 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.839 your mind 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.380 to drift 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:22.920 into wasteland 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.519 of impure 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.079 thoughts? 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:25.839 To allow 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.420 yourself to 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.059 turn to God 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.720 and meditate 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:29.180 about him, 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:29.980 we need to 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.600 be practical. 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:32.539 When we 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:32.859 read the 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.240 Bible, 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.439 take notes 00:18:34.439 --> 00:18:35.059 of passages 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.039 that remind 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.819 you of God, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.480 passages that 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.339 address issues 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:39.939 that you are 00:18:39.939 --> 00:18:40.500 dealing with 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.099 in life, 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.359 address sins 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:43.919 that easily 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.779 entangle you. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.119 Take time 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.919 and find a way 00:18:46.919 --> 00:18:47.599 to memorize 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.539 those passages. 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:49.679 Write them 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.419 on your hand 00:18:50.419 --> 00:18:51.659 in a card 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.359 to keep 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.000 on you 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.959 or on your 00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:54.339 desk. 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:56.759 When you 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.579 have God's 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.279 words in you 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.059 or near you, 00:18:59.459 --> 00:18:59.919 when you are 00:18:59.919 --> 00:19:00.559 free to think 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.319 about anything, 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.039 you can think 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.559 of greatness 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.179 of God 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:04.159 or draw on 00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:04.819 them to 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.279 deal with 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.379 sin when 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:06.859 temptation 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.480 arises. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.679 We can 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:10.339 meditate about 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.759 what the 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.339 Bible tells 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:11.779 us about 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.179 God, 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.599 how is it 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:14.259 different to 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.639 what you 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.299 assume him 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.759 to be, 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.940 and how 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.259 are you 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.579 going to 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.279 respond to 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.759 this new 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.099 knowledge. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.039 We can 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.779 reflect on 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.879 your own 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.639 life to 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:24.279 determine the 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.039 degree of 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.940 conformity 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.659 between your 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.779 character or 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.839 conduct to 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.379 what God 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.780 has set for 00:19:30.780 --> 00:19:31.380 his people, 00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:32.700 and how 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:32.920 are you 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.360 going to 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.000 respond to 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.240 this 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.860 information. 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.200 Like Nehemiah, 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:38.520 we allow the 00:19:38.520 --> 00:19:39.100 Spirit to 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.700 guide us 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.300 and to 00:19:40.300 --> 00:19:40.820 bear fruits 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.200 in our 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.080 life as 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:42.640 we meditate 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.340 on God's 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:43.980 word and 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.440 pray day 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:44.980 and night, 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.320 and our 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:46.760 mind will 00:19:46.760 --> 00:19:47.280 be renewed 00:19:47.280 --> 00:19:48.060 and our 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:48.460 life will 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.200 be transformed. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:50.960 And 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.420 finally, 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.220 we need 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.080 commitment to 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:53.860 search God's 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.120 word. 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.500 Let's follow 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.380 on with 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.180 Romans 12 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.779 verse 2. 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.200 Then you'll 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:01.240 be able to 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.799 test and 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.539 prove what 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.079 God's will 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.420 is, 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.420 his good, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.180 pleasing, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.019 and perfect 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.339 will. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.700 As we 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.480 commit ourselves 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.099 to meditate 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.700 on God 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:12.440 and the 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:12.779 Bible, 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.720 we need to 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.420 be confident 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:15.019 that the 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.539 Bible do 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.160 tell us 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.839 about God's 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.039 will. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.779 We will 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.279 not be able 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.019 to test and 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.779 approve God's 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.099 good, 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.039 pleasing, 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.660 and perfect 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.019 will if we 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.339 are not 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.199 committed to 00:20:25.199 --> 00:20:25.819 search and 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.579 examine the 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.639 scripture to 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.839 confirm what 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:30.279 we heard is 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.959 in fact the 00:20:30.959 --> 00:20:31.399 truth of 00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:31.679 God. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.980 As mentioned 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.639 last week, 00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:35.720 God has a 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.319 multitude of 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.079 options to 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.679 show us 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.419 his will, 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.439 especially 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:41.199 when ours 00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:41.839 is not in 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.279 line with 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.579 his. 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:45.699 He uses 00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:46.519 preaching 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.779 words of 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.319 someone in 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.899 our community 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:49.939 group or 00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:51.019 a friend to 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.740 correct and 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.319 train us. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.559 Our 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.000 commitment 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.859 should be 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.339 like the 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:57.059 period in 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.140 Acts 17. 00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.539 They 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.160 received the 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:00.819 message with 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.700 great eagerness 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.740 and examined 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.240 the scripture 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.539 every day to 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.180 see if what 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:05.640 they heard 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:08.359 was true. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.559 To be able 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.059 to receive 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.180 God's message 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:12.799 with great 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:14.119 eagerness and 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.500 to allow 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.099 ourselves to 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.819 examine it, 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:16.740 we need to 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.480 be a person 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.180 that is quick 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.420 to listen and 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.960 slow to 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.420 speak. 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.420 We need to 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.180 listen and 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:23.339 revisit what 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:23.740 has been 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.119 said. 00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.679 Imagine we 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:27.799 only rely on 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.439 listening to 00:21:28.439 --> 00:21:29.019 God's word 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.819 for 20 to 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.519 30 minutes 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.199 on Sunday 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:32.159 once a 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:33.059 week to 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.599 be healthy 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.159 and grow 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:34.699 spiritually. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.439 It's like 00:21:36.439 --> 00:21:36.899 having only 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:38.000 one meal a 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.819 week and 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.259 starving 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.839 yourself for 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.259 the rest of 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.740 the time. 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.159 We will 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:42.539 become 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.179 spiritually 00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:44.159 anorexic. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.839 If we let 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.359 our busy 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.639 life get 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.079 into our 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.539 way to 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.099 search into 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.500 God's 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.779 word, 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:50.980 we will 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.480 be left 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.219 desperately 00:21:52.219 --> 00:21:52.819 wanting. 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.039 The word 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.459 of God 00:21:55.459 --> 00:21:56.219 is the 00:21:56.219 --> 00:21:56.500 fruit of 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.059 the spirit 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.279 without which 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.719 it would 00:21:58.719 --> 00:21:59.299 be impossible 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.959 for us to 00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:00.719 become holy 00:22:00.719 --> 00:22:01.759 and be like 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.159 God. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.619 Our attitude 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.319 and commitment 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.819 to the 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.139 word of 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:06.019 God should 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.679 be like a 00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:07.500 tree planted 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.339 by streams 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.919 of water 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:10.039 which uses 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.039 fruits in 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.980 season to 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.879 glorify God. 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:15.480 a commitment 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.120 to a good 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:16.820 spiritual diet 00:22:16.820 --> 00:22:17.220 is so 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.920 important and 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.520 most of us 00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:20.220 know that. 00:22:21.040 --> 00:22:21.740 However, as 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.360 you open the 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.940 Bible, are 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.440 you at a 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.060 loss in 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:25.400 where to 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.160 start reading? 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.300 Should I 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:27.860 start from 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.220 the Old 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.140 Testament or 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.640 one of the 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.140 Gospels? 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.940 As you are 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.620 reading more, 00:22:33.280 --> 00:22:33.660 what should 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.460 you do when 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:34.800 there are 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.360 things that 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.260 seem not in 00:22:36.260 --> 00:22:37.560 unison or 00:22:37.560 --> 00:22:38.240 words still 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.160 contradict each 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.480 other? 00:22:41.020 --> 00:22:41.580 It is at 00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:42.280 those points 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.720 that we 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.079 need to 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.599 use our 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.160 arc of 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.879 dependency 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.899 to keep 00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.259 us on 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.720 course. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.559 Bring those 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.079 issues to 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.559 God in 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:49.859 prayer, 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.440 speak with 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.039 each other 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.039 within God's 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.680 families to 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.059 ask for 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.639 suggestions, 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.259 but most 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.799 importantly, 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.160 remember that 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.660 we are not 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.339 alone in 00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.859 our journey. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:01.859 The Spirit 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.619 of God is 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.099 always by 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.720 our side. 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:05.899 God's 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.139 Spirit 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.940 enables us 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.420 to be 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:07.960 successful 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.899 in pleasing 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:10.319 God and 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.879 to live out 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.519 His will. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.180 I am so 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.639 glad that 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:13.980 God is 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.399 not like 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:14.660 me. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.619 He will 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.099 not ask 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:16.359 me to 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:16.639 sit on 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:16.940 the other 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.259 side of 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.619 the boat 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:17.980 and do 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.259 all the 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.539 rowing 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.299 himself and 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.559 make me 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.379 feel useless. 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:21.740 God 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.500 involves us 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.559 to sit 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.039 next to 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.980 Him and 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.359 do the 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.720 rowing 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.039 without 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.660 discipline. 00:23:27.139 --> 00:23:27.399 On the 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.139 same time, 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.160 rely on 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.980 Him to 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.440 do the 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:30.920 rowing on 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.379 the side 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:31.700 of the 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.539 dependents. 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:34.559 even 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:34.759 though 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.059 there is 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.440 such a 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:35.799 great 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.619 mismatch 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:36.819 of 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.559 strength, 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.299 the 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.659 boats 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:38.980 can 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.519 and 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:39.720 will 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.119 always 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.759 get to 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.000 where 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.220 God 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.480 wants 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:41.619 us 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:41.759 to 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.039 go 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.599 if 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:42.720 we 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:42.940 keep 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.359 rowing 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.539 and 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.960 paddling. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.359 Because 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.039 God knows 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.259 exactly how 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.839 much strength 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.420 we have 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.619 and He 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.159 will match 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.680 it to a 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.119 point to 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.480 keep the 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.879 boats on 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.240 course. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.259 Our 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.819 tendency 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.899 is to 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.559 even out 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:56.960 all our 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.619 disciplines on 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.180 both sides. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.319 We lie on 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.639 our own 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.099 strength. 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.459 It will 00:24:01.459 --> 00:24:01.859 work in 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.199 a very 00:24:02.199 --> 00:24:02.539 short 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:02.919 period. 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.179 But you 00:24:04.179 --> 00:24:04.419 will be 00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:04.719 so 00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:05.379 exhausted 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.500 and you 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.039 cannot go 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.299 any 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.599 further. 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.179 God does 00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:09.619 not want 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:09.919 that to 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.399 happen to 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:10.659 us. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:11.980 In His 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.339 mercy, 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:12.859 He wants 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.299 us to 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.019 glorify Him 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.659 and at 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:14.959 the same 00:24:14.959 --> 00:24:15.579 time fully 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.199 enjoy Him 00:24:16.199 --> 00:24:16.599 forever. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.599 He's there 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.319 sitting next 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.279 to us and 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.740 work with 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.159 us to 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.619 get there. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.319 As we 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:24.659 look at 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:25.019 different 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.879 disciplines in 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.500 this series, 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.919 remember to 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:29.039 balance the 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.619 boats with 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:29.799 an 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:31.000 ever-increasing 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.579 auger of 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.200 dependence. 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.980 Because in 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.519 failing to 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.099 do so, 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:35.859 you will 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.419 only move 00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:37.119 in circles 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.619 and will 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.000 not go 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.419 anyway. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.519 There's a 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.099 hymn that I 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.480 learned a 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:42.839 long time 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.819 ago and 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.299 it helped 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.279 me to 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.779 renew my 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.460 commitment to 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:46.759 God, 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.700 especially when 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.180 I want to 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.879 stop growing. 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.139 It says, 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.019 I am 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.200 resolved no 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.839 longer to 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.200 linger, 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.339 charmed by 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:55.940 the world's 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.419 delight. 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.059 Things that 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.559 are higher, 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.480 things that 00:24:59.480 --> 00:24:59.839 are no 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.059 bore. 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.519 These have 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.099 elude my 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.480 sight. 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.620 I am 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.380 resolved to 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.039 go to the 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.380 Savior, 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.640 living my 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.240 sins and 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.720 strife. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.180 He is a 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.700 true one, 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.740 he is a 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.259 just one, 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.480 he has the 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:12.900 words of 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.299 life. 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.019 I am 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.599 resolved to 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.160 follow the 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.579 Savior, 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.819 faithful and 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.319 true each 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.660 day. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:19.799 Hear what 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.279 he said, 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.079 do what 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.519 he will, 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.640 he is a 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.200 living way. 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.599 I am 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.299 resolved to, 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.019 and who 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.400 will go 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:26.920 with me, 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.279 come friends, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.960 without 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.339 delay, 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.680 taught by 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.259 the Bible, 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.160 led by 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.759 the Spirit, 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:33.879 will walk 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.379 the heavenly 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.779 way. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:35.940 The 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.619 chorus say, 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:37.180 I will 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:37.759 hasten to 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.079 him, 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.240 hasten so 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.700 glad and 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.000 free, 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.180 Jesus' 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.079 greatest and 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:42.480 highest, 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.299 I will 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.759 come to 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.059 thee. 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:46.039 If you're a 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.339 Christian, 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.500 can you 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.180 remember what 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.920 commitment you 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:50.500 made on the 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.839 day you 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.180 turned to 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.599 Christ? 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.819 Let's 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.379 live out those 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.579 commitments again 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.519 in your life 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.420 to glorify 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.200 God and 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.960 fully enjoy 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.240 him. 00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.639 And if you 00:25:59.639 --> 00:26:00.019 have been 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.059 searching and 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.160 investigating about 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.000 Christianity, 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.639 I hope you 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.359 join on this 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.980 heavenly way 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.240 soon. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.279 Thank you.