WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 The Titanic, the RMS Titanic, built in the shipyards of Belfast, at the time was completely state of the art. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:23.000 ! There had been no seafaring vessel like it before. It was the modern ocean liner built during the peak of maritime engineering during a time, remember this is before the wars, where European morale was at an all time high. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:46.000 It was a good time to be alive, for most people. The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable. With much fanfare, she departed Southampton but would never reach New York City, sinking a few hundred kilometers southeast of Newfoundland after hitting an iceberg. Hundreds of people would die. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:59.799 History is littered with examples of catastrophes and failures that have come about because very wise, very learned, very strong people have found their sense of security in the wrong things. 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:08.759 There's a real temporal danger, danger in this mortal life and trusting in false securities. People die. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:16.780 But even more perilous is the eternal danger with misplaced confidence in the wrong things. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:33.819 Question, as we open up God's word, why do we consistently seek refuge in things that, even with a little study of history, even a little bit of historical knowledge, tell us that they will ultimately fail? 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:36.420 Does money buy happiness? 00:01:37.939 --> 00:01:40.219 I mean, it's a bit of an age-old thing to ask. 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:41.819 The answer, of course, is no. 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:46.539 But here we are, generation after generation, person after person. 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:51.939 More money means better happiness, more fulfillment. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:01:55.680 Does success provide this kind of fulfillment? 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:03.599 Well, being better than others or doing something first, being a pioneer, bring the glory we desire? 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:07.099 The answer, of course, it's a no. 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:15.799 No. We continue, and yet we continue to chase after such false securities, thinking that they will satisfy us. 00:02:16.219 --> 00:02:21.859 Both in this life, which often they don't, but especially in an eternal sense. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:33.000 The Apostle Paul, he'll continue to sell the problem of sin and idolatry, as we have seen from chapter 1, verse 18, all the way to chapter 3, verse 20. 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:45.400 He continues to sell this problem of sin and idolatry as he proclaims the gospel message by continuing to address the religiously and morally upright. 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:48.180 So last week we touched on this a bit as well. 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:52.599 This week we'll be focusing, actually honing in on the Jewish people. 00:02:52.599 --> 00:03:00.599 In doing so, Paul is not singling out the Jewish people because they are in some kind of way defective. 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:03.780 Remember the Apostle Paul himself is a Jew. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:09.560 Jesus, the Savior of the world, born to a Jewish family. 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:17.439 But rather, what the Apostle Paul will do is make a rhetorical point from the greater to the lesser. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:27.740 If the religiously and morally upright Jewish people that God himself singled out, and we'll see, gave the law, gave all these privileges, 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:33.900 if even they need the gospel, even if they fail, then so do all people. 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:42.479 So in our text, very simply, Paul will articulate this by examining two dangers and then presenting a solution. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:44.620 Two dangers and then presenting a solution. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:46.199 Let's jump right into it. 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:47.039 Verse 17. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:51.379 And we'll read verses 17 to 24. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:59.840 But if you yourself, sorry, but if you call yourself a Jew, and before we even go on, we have to pause there. 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:00.419 Okay? 00:04:01.139 --> 00:04:11.180 The Apostle Paul is using unbelievably inflammatory language into the ears of the first century Jewish population of Rome, 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:12.639 and really the entire world. 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:14.280 If? 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:17.040 What do you mean by if? 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:31.379 Jewish people had this understanding then, as many do now, that there's no if about whether somebody can be a Jew or not. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:34.779 One cannot not be a Jew if they were born a Jew. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:36.139 There is no if. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:47.699 The Apostle Paul here is poking right at the very sensitive point in the Jewish psyche. 00:04:47.699 --> 00:04:49.699 If you yourself claim to be a Jew. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:53.539 If you yourself claim to be a Jew. 00:04:53.540 --> 00:05:04.720 But it's important to remember, again, thinking that this is a rhetorical, a few sentences that provide a rhetorical basis from the greater to the lesser, 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:09.640 we can understand that Paul is not some anti-Jewish Christian crusader. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:13.099 He's not trying to tear down the entirety of the Jewish heritage. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:15.259 Again, he is one himself. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:28.680 We'll see in the months that follow, when we get to chapters 9 to 11 of Romans, that Paul has this unquenchable love for his fellow Jews, 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:32.279 that they would live out the fullness of their heritage. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:34.399 He is not trying to rip them apart. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:36.479 So then, what is he doing? 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:38.419 Let's continue reading. 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:40.339 We'll read at the beginning of verse 17. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:42.319 And we'll read to verse 20. 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:52.639 But if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law and boast in God, and know his will, and approve what is excellent, 00:05:53.099 --> 00:05:54.799 because you are instructed from the law, 00:05:55.359 --> 00:05:59.139 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:03.819 a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:07.259 having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:07.920 Verse 21. 00:06:08.599 --> 00:06:11.519 You then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:15.099 While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 00:06:15.159 --> 00:06:16.759 We'll pause quickly right here. 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:21.959 Paul is laying out a number of key distinctives that defined Jewish identity, 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:24.639 and were rooted in the law. 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:31.959 There's a lot of overlap between moralistic and religious teaching. 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:33.579 It's hard to kind of parse them out. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:39.639 But Paul here really is highlighting some key distinctives of Jewish identity 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:44.479 based on behavior that are rooted in the law. 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:48.399 The Apostle Paul, what's interesting here, never condemns these distinctives. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:51.179 In fact, all of them, they are very good. 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:53.299 The law is very good. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:55.620 In fact, it is perfect. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:59.659 Having confidence in God is a good thing. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:05.680 Knowing his will, understanding right from wrong, guiding, teaching, instruction, 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:09.040 instructing, all very, very good things. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:13.220 The mission of God's people was to instruct as they had been instructed 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:15.200 and to teach as they had been taught. 00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:23.140 So we see here that these distinctives are actually rooted in something 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:27.759 that the prophet Isaiah will call being a light to the nations. 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.740 They are doing it. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:33.699 However, as God's chosen people, 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:41.279 the Jewish nation are not leaning into this in the right kind of way, 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:43.919 but it has become a source of pride for them. 00:07:45.099 --> 00:07:46.060 What do I mean? 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:50.620 As God's chosen people, the Jewish nation was given two, 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:55.860 again, this is generally speaking, two identity markers that would define them. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.959 The first was circumcision. 00:07:57.339 --> 00:07:59.500 We'll get to that in the second point. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.660 So just kind of put your finger there as a bookmark. 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:08.079 The first was circumcision, given to Abraham, the father of the faith. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:15.639 The second identity marker came centuries later after Israel was rescued out of Egypt 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:17.419 and brought into the wilderness. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:20.180 They were given the law at Mount Sinai. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:25.079 This is a key, key, key aspect of the biblical narrative. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:29.399 They were given the law at Sinai before entering the promised land. 00:08:29.479 --> 00:08:32.079 The law served as a kind of constitution 00:08:32.079 --> 00:08:36.679 that defined what it meant to be the covenant people and how they were to act. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:38.779 They were already the covenant people. 00:08:39.459 --> 00:08:43.079 Again, we're going to see this in the next section with Abraham and circumcision. 00:08:43.219 --> 00:08:44.299 They're already the covenant people. 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:47.139 God had already rescued them out of Egypt. 00:08:47.479 --> 00:08:51.919 And then he gave them the law as, again, a kind of constitution. 00:08:52.099 --> 00:08:53.479 But it's a bit more than that. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:09:01.519 It was marching orders, but it was God revealing his very character to these people. 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:04.219 Remarkable thing, the giving of the law. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:09.860 But by the first century, so this is hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:12.000 after Israel was given the law, 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:18.620 by the first century, possession of the law had become a sort of self-righteous pride 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.779 among the religious leaders. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:23.980 It was less about keeping the law as a response to God's salvation 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:26.820 and God making the covenant with his people, 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:30.360 but rather about just simply possessing the law. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:34.379 And it gave them a prestige among the other nations. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:38.519 So the law that was a gift from God, 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:41.659 that didn't define them, 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:44.720 but was, again, an expression of God's love towards them, 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:50.220 and in response they were to love God in return and keep the law, 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:53.779 the law became the very identity marker for them. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:58.100 And they became prideful, 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:00.480 and they became hypocritical, 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:06.720 and they claimed to have the very highest level of morality, 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:10.579 and yet their integrity was bankrupt. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.240 Not to say that every single Jew acted this way. 00:10:14.339 --> 00:10:16.439 Again, Paul, what is he doing here? 00:10:16.699 --> 00:10:19.600 He is using this as a rhetorical device, 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:21.240 but it's rooted in truth. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:24.259 Verse 21 to 23. 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:27.779 You then who teach others, 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:31.019 do you not teach yourself while you preach against stealing? 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:31.759 Do you steal? 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:34.920 You who say that one must not commit adultery, 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:35.920 do you commit adultery? 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:38.399 You who abhor idols, 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.779 do you rob temples? 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.560 You who boast in the law, 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:44.300 dishonor God by breaking the law. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:47.639 How could this possibly happen? 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:49.899 On one hand, it's easy to see. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:52.559 No one is truly consistent with their behavior. 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:54.879 No teacher always adheres to what they teach. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.740 As they say, to err is human. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:58.620 This is expected. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.980 But there's something much deeper at play here. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:05.740 Paul, again, he is addressing this deep hypocrisy 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:12.439 whereby the law is used as almost an excuse to sin. 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:15.139 Who are you to tell me? 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:15.919 I'm the teacher. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:17.919 I have found loopholes. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:20.779 I have found ways around the law, 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.860 justifications for law breaking. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:25.259 That's the implication here. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:30.439 It ultimately proves that those who had the law, 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:31.339 the Jewish people, 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:34.719 they did not truly understand the purpose of the law 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:35.679 or they forgot it. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.000 For they were trusting in, again, 00:11:38.099 --> 00:11:39.439 this possession of the law 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:40.719 as a source of the true identity 00:11:40.719 --> 00:11:43.219 and justification and worth. 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:46.279 But as good as these things are, 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:49.540 and they are incredibly good, 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:54.700 it just proves how unbelievably strong 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:58.899 and pervasive the pull towards idolatry truly is. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.200 For what Paul is saying here 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:03.600 is that idolatry is so strong 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:06.040 that one could commit adultery 00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:08.100 with the things of God themselves. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:12.860 Again, the possession of the law, 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:15.139 the possession of the very gift of God 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:18.779 is being relied upon more than God himself. 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:24.580 We see, again, the depths of idolatry. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:29.139 So, what we have here 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:33.980 is the danger of relying upon a type of morality 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:38.240 to give us an eternal hope 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.540 and an eternal joy 00:12:39.540 --> 00:12:42.139 and an eternal identity. 00:12:43.280 --> 00:12:46.240 But our identity can't be in those that possess the law, 00:12:46.920 --> 00:12:49.360 but in the one who gives the law to us. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:53.320 Treating the things of God 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:54.620 as if they were God, 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:57.259 it's actually even more horrific 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:59.220 than pagan idolatry. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.399 How? 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:04.740 Because the things of God 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.560 being turned into idols, 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:09.200 we'll see in verse 24, 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:12.440 it causes others to be led astray 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.980 so much so that they will 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:16.279 blaspheme the name of God. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:19.600 If you go back to verse 17, 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:22.839 we'll realize that this isn't just a Jewish problem, 00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:24.699 but that this is an us problem. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:27.000 The majority, if not all of us, 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:30.360 here are not Jews 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:31.480 or have Jewish background. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.899 So, if you go back to verse 17, 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.799 and you read, 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.860 but if you call yourself a Jew, 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.539 you remove Jew 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:44.779 and you add Christian. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:48.019 Or you put in 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.720 baptized. 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:50.720 Or if you put in 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.819 Anglican. 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.959 Or if you put in upright. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.659 Or you put in 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:57.319 donor to the food bank. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.899 Or you put in 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:00.519 excellent 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:02.379 attendance record at church 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.159 or big giver, 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.240 whatever it may be, 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.799 you'll soon realize 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:09.240 that we have a terrible propensity 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:10.699 to treat morality 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:12.399 and religious adherence 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.860 and affiliation 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:16.279 as the means 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.340 for eternal security. 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:20.059 Earlier this week, 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:21.899 I was talking with some people 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.779 about this text 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.740 and 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:28.439 very self-deprecatingly 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:29.439 talking about how 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.159 there's sometimes 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.159 I say, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.360 I'm glad I'm an Anglican. 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:34.299 And then what follows after 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:36.220 is because I'm not like, 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.939 insert that tradition. 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:40.140 It's not that I'm happy 00:14:40.140 --> 00:14:41.020 that Jesus Christ 00:14:41.020 --> 00:14:42.320 saved me from my sins. 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:44.100 I'm glad I'm not like them. 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.340 There's nothing wrong 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.180 with being an Anglican. 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.400 It's nothing wrong 00:14:48.400 --> 00:14:48.980 with our tradition. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.400 In fact, 00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:50.940 I'm one convictionally. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.040 So are some of you. 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:55.220 But so easily, 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.700 we can take the things 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.340 of God 00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.580 and treat them 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.400 as if they were God 00:14:59.400 --> 00:15:00.160 himself. 00:15:00.520 --> 00:15:01.580 Finding our identity, 00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:02.940 ultimate identity 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.480 in these things. 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:06.220 And it's a false refuge. 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:09.639 If the Jewish people 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.560 chosen by God, 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:12.100 recipients of the law, 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:13.180 no God's will, 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.600 no true morality, 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:16.000 our teachers and guides, 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.340 if they can turn 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.200 the things of God 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.980 into idols, 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.920 it only proves 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:23.600 how dangerous 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.879 idolatry truly is 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.560 to humanity. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.379 Remember, 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.580 this is an us problem. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:34.040 And as I've already mentioned, 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:36.899 in doing so, 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.919 it's not that 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.519 we just thumb our nose 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.000 at God, 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:42.299 but we make God's name 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:46.399 very disgusting 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.519 to other people. 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.259 Verse 24, 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.219 for as it is written, 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:49.959 the name of God 00:15:49.959 --> 00:15:50.740 is blasphemed 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:52.279 among the Gentiles 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:52.959 because of you. 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:55.059 Fact is, 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:55.919 if we call ourselves 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.419 Christians, 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:58.139 again, 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.899 if we call ourselves 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.319 Christians, 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.459 Paul could also say, 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.919 you are children of God. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:04.740 If my children 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.059 consistently misbehave 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.360 or are undisciplined 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.439 or rude or violent, 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.699 and not just because 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.299 they're in some kind 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.779 of developmental stage, 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.639 but that's who they are, 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.539 it will reflect poorly 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.679 on me. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.979 Questions will be raised 00:16:18.979 --> 00:16:19.759 about my fitness 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.639 as a parent. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.000 I think this is 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.000 what is happening here. 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.079 We are God's people 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:25.620 except that we are not 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.919 acting like God, 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.240 we are acting like devils. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:31.879 Some of you enjoy 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.340 the rest of this 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.320 history podcast. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.340 It's a great podcast 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.340 if you haven't listened to it. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.480 They're on a six, 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.220 they're right in the middle 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.720 of a six week, 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:40.860 sorry, 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.860 a six episode series 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.720 on the fall 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.500 of the Incas. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.500 And in one instance, 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.460 they relay this story 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.600 of an Inca chieftain 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.279 who was tortured 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:50.919 and threatened 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:52.120 with death 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.980 by fire 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.820 by the Spanish. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:55.040 But, 00:16:55.260 --> 00:16:56.040 he could 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:57.360 avoid it all 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.440 if he was only baptized 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.640 and confessed faith 00:16:59.640 --> 00:17:00.140 in Jesus 00:17:00.140 --> 00:17:01.240 and then he would have 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.220 a quick death 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.220 and a proper burial 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.559 and would go to heaven. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.059 And he says 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.580 he'd rather 00:17:07.580 --> 00:17:08.580 take the fire 00:17:08.580 --> 00:17:09.340 because if heaven 00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:10.420 were full of Spaniards, 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.360 he didn't want to be there. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:14.900 Oof. 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:18.019 What we do 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.259 reflects upon God. 00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:21.059 It's true. 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.539 In the same way 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.639 what your children do 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.399 if you have children 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.740 reflect upon you. 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.099 And sometimes it's fair, 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.339 sometimes it's not fair. 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.799 In the case of 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.659 how we reflect 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:32.180 upon God, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.879 it's never fair 00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:33.839 because he is perfect 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.159 and we bring dishonor 00:17:35.159 --> 00:17:36.639 upon the only name 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:38.159 that should be truly honored. 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.980 Fact is, 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.000 we reflect our king. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.879 So if we trust in idols, 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:45.420 even those that are godly 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.399 and good idols, 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:48.420 we will seldom resemble him 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.960 and this watching world 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.740 will take notice 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.740 and it will curse 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.980 our God. 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:56.200 So if moral superiority 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.220 is the cause 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.140 of a false sense 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.440 of security, 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.099 so false morality 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:02.140 being the first danger, 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.559 then so too 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.480 was circumcision 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.240 and we'll get into 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.019 this next section 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.059 starting in verse 25. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.240 Circumcision, 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.940 which was the religious means 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.400 by which 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.880 a Jewish person 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.599 became associated 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.140 with God 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:16.000 in an irreversible way. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.359 Turn with me now 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.839 to verse 25 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:20.599 and now we'll be 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.719 on page 14, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.740 verse 25. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.359 For circumcision 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.699 indeed is of value 00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:28.539 if you obey the law, 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.799 but if you break the law, 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.959 your circumcision 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:33.959 becomes uncircumcision. 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.919 It's quickly a brief note 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.699 about circumcision. 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.779 Circumcision 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.579 was the sign 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.139 of the covenant 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:41.319 that God first made 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:41.939 with Abraham 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.799 way back 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.979 in the earlier chapters 00:18:44.979 --> 00:18:45.579 of Genesis. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:45.720 Genesis. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.399 Covenants 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.099 and signs 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:49.720 were not unique 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.679 to ancient Israel 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.599 or the Bible. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.339 They existed 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.679 in the ancient world 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:54.639 and they were 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.619 usually agreements 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:57.259 made by a powerful 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:59.539 king or ruler 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.740 or strong man 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.019 that usually conquered 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.500 or came into 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:05.399 a pretty lopsided agreement 00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:07.500 with a lesser, 00:19:07.699 --> 00:19:08.240 weaker partner. 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.980 The agreement 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.579 was made. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.919 The agreement 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:14.960 was usually written out 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.259 for both 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.279 to have a copy of 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:19.059 and then the two parties 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:20.220 would act out 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.380 what would happen 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.579 if that agreement 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.120 was broken. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:24.840 So, 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.100 if you remember 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.900 the scene 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.960 in Genesis 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.400 where 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:31.200 God commands Abraham 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.259 to take a bunch 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.740 of animals, 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.779 cut them in two 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.819 and put them 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.660 on either side 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.559 and then he makes 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.360 Abraham fall asleep. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.480 It's a bizarre scene. 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.740 If you're reading it 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.539 for the first time, 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.400 I won't get into it now, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.279 but this is 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.259 exactly that. 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:45.119 circumcision 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:45.579 also 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.980 is an example 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:50.440 of such a covenant, 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.660 such a sign 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.200 of the covenant. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:54.200 Different in some respects 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:55.079 but very similar 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.539 in many. 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.039 How so? 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.000 Circumcision, 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.379 a sign of the covenant 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:00.619 God made with Abraham, 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:03.099 remembering that 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.539 Abraham first 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.920 had faith in God, 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.920 made a covenant 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:10.819 whereby Abraham's 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.039 descendants would be 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.599 innumerable. 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.879 That was the promise. 00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:15.019 I will make 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:16.960 your offspring 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.819 innumerable. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.679 See the stars? 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.819 Try to count them. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.799 There'll be more. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.679 See the sand 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.740 on the seashore? 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.779 Try to count 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.439 every grain. 00:20:26.179 --> 00:20:26.799 You can't. 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:27.700 There'll be more of them. 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.519 But also, 00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:30.339 he made a covenant 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.279 that through 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.259 his descendant, 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:32.740 singular, 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.460 all the nations 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.299 would be blessed. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.480 Because this was 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.579 a sign of, 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.939 and then he gave 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:41.079 the sign of circumcision. 00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:42.359 And because circumcision 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.179 was a sign 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:44.199 of this covenant, 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.000 it demanded 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.240 covenant faithfulness. 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:47.699 Otherwise, 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:48.399 that promise 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.419 would be rendered void. 00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:50.480 And we see 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.299 that circumcision, 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.139 the removal 00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:53.139 of the foreskin. 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:56.980 If Abraham himself 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.839 didn't keep the covenant, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.119 that his seed 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.879 would not spread. 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.539 His offspring 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.679 would be cut off. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.720 So you fast forward 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.639 to the Apostle Paul, 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:08.099 2,200 years later, 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:10.799 Paul here 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.279 is writing 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:13.139 the book of Romans 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:15.139 to both Jewish 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.819 and non-Jewish people 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.599 in a city 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.619 he has yet to visit. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.419 And we are finding 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:22.139 that the Jewish people 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:22.659 were finding 00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:23.339 their security 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:24.599 not in the covenant 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.799 that God made 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.359 with Abraham, 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.519 this everlasting covenant 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.139 that God made 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.000 with Abraham, 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.159 but in the sign 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:30.819 of the covenant. 00:21:31.939 --> 00:21:32.559 So it's not just 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.379 that God made 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:33.899 this covenant 00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:35.199 and promised to us 00:21:35.199 --> 00:21:36.500 we need to fulfill it, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:38.660 we need to fulfill it. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.460 Instead, 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.259 he said, 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.980 we're circumcised. 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.779 That's good enough. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.500 It would be like 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.859 you're on a trip 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:48.799 and you see a sign 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.380 that points 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.079 to your destination 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.180 and you just put 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.000 your arm around that sign 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.259 and said, 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:52.720 I'm here. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.019 Right? 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.180 That's what a sign does. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.799 It points 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.480 to an ultimate purpose, 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.599 an ultimate destination. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:01.219 You don't get 00:22:01.219 --> 00:22:02.039 to that destination, 00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:02.579 you don't get 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.299 to that purpose 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.500 by boasting 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.279 about the sign. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.699 That sign points you 00:22:07.699 --> 00:22:08.699 to where you need to go. 00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:11.339 Paul, 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.039 again, 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.919 with this in mind 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:14.039 and with this 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.579 as a background, 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.000 he takes it 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.919 even a step further. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.399 Verse 26 to 28. 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.799 So if a man 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.079 who is uncircumcised 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.019 keeps the precepts 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.500 of the law, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.639 will not his 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.560 uncircumcision 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.240 be regarded 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.060 as circumcision? 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.360 Then he who is 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:33.000 physically uncircumcised 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.700 but keeps the law 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:35.060 will condemn you 00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:36.340 who have the written code 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.100 and circumcision 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.840 but break the law. 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.380 And this is, 00:22:39.520 --> 00:22:40.040 again, 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:42.200 inflammatory language. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:42.620 Okay? 00:22:43.280 --> 00:22:44.800 For no one is a Jew 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:46.280 who is merely one outwardly, 00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.420 nor is circumcision 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.540 outward and physical. 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:50.900 Wow. 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.120 Huge, 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.280 huge 00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:54.640 inflammatory language. 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:56.480 But again, 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:56.900 remember, 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:57.560 Paul here, 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.460 he is using 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.880 rhetorical devices 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:02.100 to communicate 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.280 eternal truths. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.320 So what he is saying here 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:05.780 is that 00:23:05.780 --> 00:23:06.720 a heart 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.520 that is cold 00:23:07.520 --> 00:23:08.259 towards the Lord, 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.759 trusting instead 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.960 in physical markers, 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:13.360 in group association 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:13.980 and the like, 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.740 is far inferior 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.259 to that 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.500 of an uncircumcised 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:17.860 pagan 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:19.000 who turns 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.560 to the Lord 00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:20.080 in faith, 00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:21.880 whose heart 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.580 is warmed 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.300 to the Lord. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.320 The circumcised flesh, 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.180 again, 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.940 was a reminder 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.600 to trust 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.440 in the Lord 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.640 and to have 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.860 a circumcised heart. 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.259 A heart, 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:32.620 again, 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.180 that is 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.640 embracing 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.680 the things of God. 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.640 It's a call 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.100 to faith. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.740 Just as Abraham 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.640 believed God 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.220 and God 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.120 counted it 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:42.120 as righteousness. 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.519 You cannot trust 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.060 the sign 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:45.720 of the covenant 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.560 more than 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.200 the one 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.799 who makes 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.360 the covenant 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.400 in the first place. 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:52.200 but remember, 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.100 this is an 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.860 us problem. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.120 This is an 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.759 us problem. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.680 Not a Jewish 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.019 problem, 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.360 it's an 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.000 us problem. 00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.800 It's a genuine 00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:00.380 struggle 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.820 both inside 00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:02.400 and outside 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.360 of the church. 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.519 What do I mean? 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.400 So inside 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:05.920 the church. 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.160 We can struggle 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.600 with a Christianity 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.720 that is purely 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.280 external, 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.280 lacking the 00:24:12.280 --> 00:24:13.100 interior life 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.660 the Lord 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.140 desires. 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.440 We may come 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:15.840 to church 00:24:15.840 --> 00:24:16.580 every week 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.080 and you start 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:17.340 to see 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:17.700 there's some 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.200 overlaps 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.740 of the previous 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.160 section. 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.580 We come to 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.080 church every 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.420 week. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.799 We are gathered 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:24.000 as the church 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.860 in the right 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.380 church 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.180 to have our 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.799 false 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:28.019 refuges, 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.420 our false 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:29.980 securities 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.759 affirmed 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.759 rather than 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.580 come to church 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.680 to have the 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.920 word convict 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.500 us of our 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:36.799 sin. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.160 So, 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.160 put it another 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.340 way, 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:39.880 we come to 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.620 church and 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.400 we sit upon 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:41.840 the word. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.799 We do not 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.340 sit under 00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:43.759 the word. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.420 We use the 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.259 things of God 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.080 to justify 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.940 our lives. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.180 And to 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.100 find great 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.519 hope in 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:50.680 them. 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.299 Some of 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.580 you might 00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:54.960 know this 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.180 if you 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.539 come from 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.080 an Anglican 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:56.400 background. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:56.799 I do 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.160 not. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:58.900 But 00:24:58.900 --> 00:25:00.340 cultural 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.100 Anglicanism 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.019 has this 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.580 deep problem 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.279 where people 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.519 are associated 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.860 with a 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.160 church, 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.100 they never 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:07.620 attend, 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.180 or they 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:08.720 attend very 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.299 seldomly, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.080 they have 00:25:10.080 --> 00:25:10.620 a child 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:10.940 or a 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.519 grandchild, 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:11.940 and they 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.340 get their 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:12.900 kid done. 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:13.840 What does 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:14.200 that mean? 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:15.360 Bring the 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.580 kid to get 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.059 baptized, 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.200 baptized, 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:17.879 and then 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:18.019 they're 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.319 baptized, 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:18.919 and they're 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.480 great. 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.119 They're good. 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.419 They've 00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:20.839 checked off 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.319 the boxes. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.679 To never 00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:23.139 go to 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:23.359 church, 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:23.799 to never 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.539 live a 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:24.839 Christian 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.259 life. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:25.899 The 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.480 external 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.039 life, 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.200 excellent. 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:28.539 The 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.960 internal 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.379 life, 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:31.079 vacuous, 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.879 bankrupt. 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:34.519 But we 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:34.960 do this 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.379 as well. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:36.759 And for 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.099 those that 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.879 are outside 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.279 of church 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.779 or outside 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.159 of the 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.299 Christian 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.700 faith, 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.599 which you 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.240 might actually 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.799 feel a 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.140 bit of 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.960 condemnation, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.180 good 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.940 condemnation, 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.220 good 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.720 conviction 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.420 about this 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.380 as well. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.620 And this 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.160 is especially 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:52.120 the case 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:52.380 in a 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.720 suburban 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.460 context like 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:53.759 the one 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.200 we're in. 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:54.920 There's 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.160 great 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.660 temptation 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.120 to be 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.339 in the 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:56.519 right 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:56.920 neighborhood, 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.380 to make 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.720 the right 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.279 investments, 00:25:59.519 --> 00:25:59.920 to have 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.120 your 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.579 children, 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.279 if you 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.859 have them 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.420 on the 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.120 right sports 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.539 teams, 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.519 to not 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.880 have many 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.259 children, 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.079 to keep 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.460 it to 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.799 two, 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.740 to travel 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.140 to the 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.299 right 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.980 destinations, 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.860 on vacation, 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.019 to snap 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.400 the right 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:13.799 pictures, 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.200 to put 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.539 the right 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.039 hashtags, 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.460 if that's 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:15.740 even a 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.200 thing anymore, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.519 I don't 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.819 know, 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.920 to have 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.579 the semblance 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.039 of being 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.779 healthy and 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.380 well-formed, 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.319 but inside 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.299 we lack 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.779 meaning, 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.400 we lack 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:23.880 joy, 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.339 we lack 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.000 purpose. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.579 And then 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.240 when those 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.480 ill feelings 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.180 come up, 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:29.860 when those 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.799 ill feelings 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.539 of feeling 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:33.279 really rudderless 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.319 in life, 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.559 the things 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.960 that we 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.559 trust in 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.160 are eerily 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.860 quiet when 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.259 we need 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.599 them to 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.059 reassure 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:39.380 us. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:41.120 A 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.480 false 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.080 sense 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:43.580 of 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:44.280 belonging. 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:46.620 Why 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.260 then do 00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:47.580 we have 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.080 this terrible 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:48.600 habit of 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.180 fussing over 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.880 the externals 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.500 and neglecting 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.140 the internals? 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:51.700 Why? 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:53.620 There's 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:54.200 many more 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.540 reasons, 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.080 I'll suggest 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.420 two. 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.420 The first, 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:57.840 whether or 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.120 not we 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.580 claim to 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.060 believe in 00:26:59.060 --> 00:26:59.420 God, 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.580 I think 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:01.560 last week 00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:02.520 made the 00:27:02.520 --> 00:27:03.200 case very 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.920 well that 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:06.180 eternity 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.920 is written 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.200 in the 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.580 hearts of 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:07.720 men, 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.800 which is 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.059 to say 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.299 that we 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.659 have this 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.180 idea that 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.759 there is 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.859 some kind 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.240 of eternal 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.819 force out 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:12.919 there, 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.299 whether we 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.180 call him 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.819 God or 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.299 the universe, 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.899 but there's 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.480 something out 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.919 there bigger 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.319 than this 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.839 life that 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.240 we don't 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.139 truly believe 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.519 in an 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.180 omniscient, 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:21.159 ! 00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:23.379 omnipresent 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.139 God who 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.559 sees and 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:24.960 knows all, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.639 so we can 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.240 hide things. 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:27.859 We're good at 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.419 hiding things. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.960 The second 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.240 thing, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.799 it's just 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.539 far easier to 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.139 look good than 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.519 be good. 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.359 It's easier. 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:35.379 easier. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.919 It's easier 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.319 not to do 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.879 the hard 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:39.319 work of 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.659 self-examination. 00:27:41.479 --> 00:27:42.219 But I would 00:27:42.219 --> 00:27:42.939 suggest a third 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:44.359 thing that's 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.059 even deeper 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.599 than both of 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.119 those things, 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.259 and it's 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.699 really the 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:48.539 true problem 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.279 of humanity, 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.799 is that it 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.439 is impossible 00:27:51.439 --> 00:27:52.240 to have a 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.219 truly well-formed 00:27:53.219 --> 00:27:54.059 interior life 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.119 that will give 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.519 us true 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.759 security in 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.839 the face of 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.399 life's 00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:58.919 difficulties 00:27:58.919 --> 00:28:00.019 and this 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.879 mortal life. 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:03.320 we cannot 00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:04.120 circumcise our 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.600 own hearts. 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.160 We cannot 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.880 truly renovate 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.660 our interior 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.780 lives to the 00:28:09.780 --> 00:28:10.460 extent that we 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.660 need. 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.920 We can get 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.620 better habits, 00:28:13.260 --> 00:28:15.000 we can say 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.740 no to certain 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.420 vices, but 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.000 ultimately, 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:17.640 ultimately, 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.920 we cannot 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:20.280 live a truly 00:28:20.280 --> 00:28:21.340 righteous 00:28:21.340 --> 00:28:22.540 interior life. 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:22.940 We just 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.320 can't. 00:28:23.760 --> 00:28:24.200 We cannot 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.520 circumcise our 00:28:25.520 --> 00:28:26.160 own hearts. 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.240 How then can 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.600 we have a 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.120 circumcised 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:30.320 heart? 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:30.819 So we have 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:32.519 two dangers. 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.179 Here's the 00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:33.599 solution. 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.299 Verse 29. 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.339 But a Jew 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.220 is one inwardly 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.939 and circumcision 00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.759 is a matter 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.740 of the heart 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.839 by the 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.299 spirit, 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.379 not by the 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:43.599 letter. 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.159 His praise 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.779 is not from 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.099 man, 00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:47.359 but from 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.740 God. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.139 See, the 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:49.559 people of 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:49.939 God who 00:28:49.939 --> 00:28:50.519 are called 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.559 by God, 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.720 given a 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.399 covenant by 00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.779 God, 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.179 given a 00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:54.599 sign of 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.019 that covenant 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.859 by God, 00:28:55.939 --> 00:28:56.859 who know 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.819 God's will 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:59.279 and God's 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.879 ways and 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.340 boast in 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:00.960 knowing him, 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:01.960 who praise 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.500 the name 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.960 of the 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.720 Lord with 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.260 their words, 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:04.700 which is 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.160 interesting 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.320 because the 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:06.860 name 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:08.620 Jew 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.920 derives from 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.300 the tribe 00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:10.680 of Judah, 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.360 which literally 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:12.280 means praise 00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:12.740 God. 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.060 They need to 00:29:15.060 --> 00:29:15.640 find their 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.680 eternal security 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.320 in the one 00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:17.920 true God, 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.440 forsaking all 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.060 other false 00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:20.540 securities, 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.480 all other 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.940 false refuges 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.380 that they 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:24.960 may find 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.580 elsewhere, 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.660 so that 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.160 they can 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.600 hear, 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.039 well done, 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.700 good and 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.539 faithful servant, 00:29:32.340 --> 00:29:33.059 not from 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.740 friends, 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.759 not from a 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.100 boss, 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.500 not from 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.960 spouses, 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.460 not from 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.059 parents, 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.779 but from 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.460 God himself. 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:40.980 But our 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.900 propensity to 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.559 fail this 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:42.980 call, 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.340 it is so 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:45.279 very obvious 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.640 and the 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.600 consequence of 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.180 breaking the 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.820 covenant is 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:48.480 being cut 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.700 off from 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.480 God. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.519 God, 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.779 okay, 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.339 we break 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:53.799 the covenant, 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.039 what happens? 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.380 We suffer 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:58.039 the consequences 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.759 of breaking 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.420 that covenant 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.180 and what is it? 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.140 At least for the 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.620 Jewish people, 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.339 it's being cut 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:04.059 off from God, 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.920 not knowing 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.519 him any 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:05.779 longer, 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.400 not being a 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:06.940 part of his 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.980 covenant 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.599 people. 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.900 But the 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.299 remarkable 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.519 thing is 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.079 that Jesus 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:14.059 was cut 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.799 off instead 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.400 of us. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.880 This means 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.279 that the 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.920 one who 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.700 made the 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.019 covenant, 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.680 for Jesus 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.339 truly is 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.659 God, 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.119 God the 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.419 Son of 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:21.740 God, 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.500 Father, 00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:22.799 Son, 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.139 and Holy 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.559 Spirit, 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:24.779 that the 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.439 one who 00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.139 made the 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:26.419 covenant 00:30:26.419 --> 00:30:26.919 with his 00:30:26.919 --> 00:30:27.279 people, 00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:28.579 knowing that 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.019 they would 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:31.619 fail from 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.119 the beginning, 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.079 took upon 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.699 himself the 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.439 consequence of 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:34.959 their failure. 00:30:36.459 --> 00:30:36.759 It was 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.619 always God's 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.199 plan to do 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.419 this. 00:30:38.699 --> 00:30:39.399 Hundreds of 00:30:39.399 --> 00:30:40.000 years before 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.599 Christ comes 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:40.879 on the 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.079 scene, 00:30:41.459 --> 00:30:41.819 the prophet 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.779 Isaiah in 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:44.000 Isaiah 53, 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.519 which is, 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:44.980 I mean, 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.099 dynamite 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:48.980 prophecies in 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.259 the Old 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.639 Testament, 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.799 says that 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.480 the Messiah 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:52.919 would be 00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:53.779 cut off, 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.619 cut off, 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.279 out of the 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.819 land of the 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.019 living. 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:57.980 And we 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.439 see this. 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.039 Jesus is 00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.459 upon the 00:30:59.459 --> 00:30:59.740 cross. 00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.259 He cries 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:00.939 out to 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:01.259 God, 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.359 my God, 00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:02.819 my God, 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.399 why have you 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.980 forsaken me? 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.619 Why have you 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.419 cut me off 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:05.779 from your 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.000 covenant 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.399 people? 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.720 That's exactly 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.159 what happened. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.599 Jesus, 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.500 upon the 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:10.740 cross, 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.199 he was cut 00:31:11.199 --> 00:31:11.519 off from 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.039 his family, 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:12.779 from his 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.220 disciples, 00:31:13.459 --> 00:31:13.759 from his 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.179 people, 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:14.919 and from 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.579 his father. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.960 He died a 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.519 shameful, 00:31:18.679 --> 00:31:19.279 a completely 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.299 utterly shameful 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:21.480 death that 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:21.839 should have 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.659 been ours. 00:31:23.179 --> 00:31:23.659 We should 00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:23.879 have been 00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.319 cut off. 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:24.619 And in 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:25.299 doing so, 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.379 he conquers 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.039 death forever, 00:31:27.419 --> 00:31:28.019 rising from 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.539 the dead to 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.099 new life, 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.659 and to 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.539 inaugurate a 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.359 new covenant 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.599 that would be 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.359 extended to both 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.299 Jew and Gentile 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.799 alike. 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.539 What would be 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.399 the hallmark of 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.039 this new 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.299 covenant? 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.279 That we would 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.659 say, we're 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.339 Christians, we go 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:41.899 to church. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.439 No. 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.640 No. 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.140 Prophet Ezekiel 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:45.660 says in 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.960 chapter 36, 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.779 verse 26, 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.799 this is God 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.140 speaking, 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:50.779 and I will 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.460 give you a 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.380 new heart, 00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.140 and a new 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:55.039 spirit I will 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.860 put within 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.100 you. 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.200 And I will 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.360 remove the 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.180 heart of stone, 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.720 which is to 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.720 say, the 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.799 uncircumcised 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.180 heart. 00:32:03.100 --> 00:32:04.200 I will remove 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.720 the heart of 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.160 stone from 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.559 your flesh, 00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:06.380 and give you 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.200 a heart of 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.620 flesh. 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.559 I will do 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.019 the work. 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:12.240 What only 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.059 what you 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:13.539 desperately 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.420 need is 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.019 what only 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.559 I can 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:17.059 do, and 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.279 I will 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:17.720 do it. 00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:18.660 You see, 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.319 circumcision of 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.620 the heart, 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.120 something we 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:20.819 could never 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.519 do ourselves, 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.140 it's a gift 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.680 from God, 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.180 accomplished by 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.700 the work of 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.019 the Holy 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.299 Spirit. 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.799 That's why 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:27.460 it says in 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.339 verse 29, 00:32:29.120 --> 00:32:29.980 that this is a 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.359 matter of the 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.279 heart, by the 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.420 spirit, not by 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.759 the letter, not 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.599 by the law, not 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.380 by circumcision, 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.059 not by the 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.579 things that we 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.579 can do in 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.680 our own strength 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:40.160 to muster up 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:41.539 enough courage to 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.220 stand before the 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.680 Lord and say, 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.480 look at me, 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.819 aren't I well 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.460 put together, 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.400 isn't my 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.380 interior life so 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:47.819 wonderful? 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.140 So the call of 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.700 God's covenant 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:53.039 people is to 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.720 have faith in 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:56.100 him, and then 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:57.079 to believe that he 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:57.960 will do what only 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:59.360 he can do to 00:32:59.360 --> 00:33:00.200 give us supernatural 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:02.960 strength and a 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.980 supernatural cleansing 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:05.519 to circumcise our 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:05.839 hearts. 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:08.740 do not leave here 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:11.720 and be okay with 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:13.019 a heart that is 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.799 stony, okay? 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.500 A heart that is 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.599 uncircumcised, a 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.480 heart that says, 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:19.879 you know, I think 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:20.740 I actually can rest 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.579 on my laurels a bit 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:21.799 more. 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:25.899 Instead, cry out to 00:33:25.899 --> 00:33:27.740 the Lord that he 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:29.159 will transform you by 00:33:29.159 --> 00:33:30.980 his spirit and that 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.079 he will do this 00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:34.579 incredibly important 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.559 and necessary 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:37.819 surgery, taking 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.799 out stone, putting 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.460 in flesh, 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.740 circumcising your 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.000 heart. 00:33:42.419 --> 00:33:43.559 Let us put our 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:45.500 hope in true 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.740 security, a true 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:48.539 refuge, so that we 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.779 can have eternity 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.559 with our Father 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:50.980 forever. 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.039 forever.