WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.620 The reasonable act of worship, the thing we ought to do in response to this, is offer ourselves completely, wholly, as a living sacrifice. 00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:21.460 ! All of us given to his service. It's the obvious response to such a thing. The fact that he died and spent his life for us. We ought to also then turn and spend our lives for him. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:31.880 And he then begins to expound through chapter 12. The way this looks is that our love is genuine. We abhor evil. We hold fast to what is good. 00:00:32.340 --> 00:00:37.079 That's verse 9. And he goes on to talk about how then this works out in our living. 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:46.240 And he comes back around in chapter 13, verse 8, to say that this is a continuing debt of love. We don't ever fulfill it in the loving of others, but we continually love. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:53.460 It's what that sacrifice looks like, that living sacrifice. We love, and we love, and we love, and we love. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:00:59.400 Besides this, verse 11, we know the time. We live between these two times, right? 00:00:59.540 --> 00:01:07.240 And we're meant to be those who walk in the light, because we are light. We're children of light. We're meant to be those who love. 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:15.640 And he gives us some more specific example, beginning in verse 14. And I'll ask that you read along with me Romans chapter 14. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:20.500 We're going to read the first 12 verses, and look at those today. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:29.659 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 00:01:29.659 --> 00:01:34.719 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:44.439 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 00:01:45.459 --> 00:01:48.060 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:55.519 It is before his own master that he stands or falls, and he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 00:01:55.519 --> 00:02:01.019 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. 00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:04.079 Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 00:02:04.679 --> 00:02:07.439 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. 00:02:07.679 --> 00:02:11.479 The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God. 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:15.579 While the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:19.340 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:22.120 For if we live, we live to the Lord. 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:24.379 And if we die, we die to the Lord. 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:28.439 So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:34.780 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:37.340 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:40.079 Or you, why do you despise your brother? 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:43.060 For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:43.819 For it is written, 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:49.039 As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:53.560 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:54.740 Let's pray. 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:59.879 God, we thank you this morning for your word. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:02.960 It is the bread of life for us. 00:03:03.320 --> 00:03:05.159 It is our sustenance. 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:09.300 It gives us all direction necessary for godly living. 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:15.020 And we come to a text like this that I think is so applicable to the church today. 00:03:15.740 --> 00:03:20.480 A work that must be done amongst us to maintain unity. 00:03:21.480 --> 00:03:26.000 And Father, I pray that you will show all of us how we fail in this regard. 00:03:26.480 --> 00:03:28.200 How we are not welcoming. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:31.080 How we pass judgment on others. 00:03:31.080 --> 00:03:37.880 That we might be better knit together to honor and glorify you in greater and greater ways. 00:03:38.540 --> 00:03:39.939 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:03:40.820 --> 00:03:41.140 Amen. 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:41.259 Amen. 00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:47.119 So we see in this text, and we work typically on a real verse by verse. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:48.399 We're going to work through things today. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:52.339 Because we're covering 12, there's going to be a few phrases I'm going to have to jump over 00:03:52.339 --> 00:03:54.619 that lend themselves to the argument. 00:03:54.779 --> 00:03:55.939 But they do just that. 00:03:56.079 --> 00:03:58.479 So note that I'm going to do that a bit today. 00:03:58.819 --> 00:04:04.419 And we're going to hop around just a tad to help us wrap our minds around these 12 verses together. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:09.539 But notice first that there are three exhortations, which can be summed up. 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:17.159 And they are, welcome one another, do not despise one another, and do not pass judgment on one another. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:22.719 You see that in verses 1 through 3, the first part of 3, and then the first part of verse 5. 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:23.279 Right? 00:04:23.599 --> 00:04:29.899 Welcome one another, do not despise one another, and do not pass judgment on one another. 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:33.959 Now remember that Paul has already been making an argument up to this point. 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:34.660 Right? 00:04:34.840 --> 00:04:39.300 So to remind you of where he's brought us, that's why we started off by saying, 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:43.080 here we are in the book of Romans, and here's what he has said so far. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:44.300 But we left out some details, right? 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:50.040 He's also talked about how we have life by the Spirit, and how we've been set free from the law. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:57.840 So we could sum up these three exhortations with another word that Paul gave in Ephesians 4, verse 3. 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:04.100 When he says, be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 00:05:05.140 --> 00:05:07.759 So you see, as Christians, we already have unity. 00:05:08.520 --> 00:05:12.840 It's not something that we have to fabricate, that we have to create unity, 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:15.680 but it's something that we already have, because we have the Spirit. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:17.660 It's been given to us. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:23.660 So our work, then, is to maintain the unity that we already have. 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:29.920 So as we think about these three exhortations, we could think about it as maintaining the unity, 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.900 a maintenance of the unity that we already possess. 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:40.079 But note here what he's directing these exhortations to, right? 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:41.759 In verse 1, he says, 00:05:42.099 --> 00:05:46.060 Welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:49.540 Not to quarrel over opinions. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:51.959 He's not talking about doctrine. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:54.680 He's not talking about the Scriptures themselves. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:58.399 There are certainly reasons to draw lines between us and others. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:00.759 We are Baptists. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:02.399 Credo Baptism. 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:06.779 Baptism of the believer is a line I'm willing to draw. 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:11.359 There are some that we can't fellowship in this way with, 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:16.480 because they just don't see eye to eye with us on this clear scriptural teaching. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:18.939 He's not talking about that kind of stuff, though. 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:20.540 What are the examples that he uses? 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:22.939 He's talking about eating. 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.420 And later we can see in verse 17, he says, 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:29.660 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking. 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:32.939 So eating and drinking is what he's talking about here. 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:36.240 And culturally, there were a number of things going on. 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:38.879 Recognize that the Jewish believers 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:43.219 had very clear restrictions on food as Jews. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:46.719 You recall that this was very culturally ingrained. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:50.079 Peter had to have three visions before he finally said, 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.420 Okay, I get it. I get it. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.639 Things are permissible to me now. 00:06:52.719 --> 00:06:55.779 I understand that I've been set free from the law, 00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:58.240 and I now can live to Christ. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:01.219 I can now eat hooved animals and such. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:04.000 That's been permissible now to me. 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:07.480 But some Jews still didn't feel comfortable with that. 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:12.200 The gospel hadn't quite worked all the culture out of them. 00:07:12.640 --> 00:07:15.640 It wasn't blatant sin to abstain from food. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:18.640 You see here he says that some are eating only vegetables. 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:23.900 But they just hadn't quite grasped hold yet 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:25.640 of what the gospel meant for them. 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:28.840 That it set them free from the law. 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:34.899 Also, lots of food was sacrificed in these days to pagan idols. 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:38.639 And the Jews didn't eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:41.599 And the Gentiles that were then being converted 00:07:41.599 --> 00:07:43.079 also didn't want to do so. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.679 Many of them became vegetarians. 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:46.299 Right? 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:48.759 So, I think it's kind of funny that he calls the wheat people 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.059 vegetarians in this case. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:52.480 But that's not what he's driving at. 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:52.740 Right? 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:54.420 But they were so abstaining. 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:57.220 They were so afraid that they might eat something 00:07:57.220 --> 00:07:59.120 that had been sacrificed to an idol, 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.060 to a pagan idol, 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:02.100 that they just didn't eat meat at all. 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:03.220 Right? 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:05.759 And here, Paul calls them the weak brother. 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:06.680 But says, 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:08.160 don't quarrel with them. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:10.439 Don't pass judgment over them. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:10.899 Right? 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:11.899 Maintain the unity. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:14.259 It's their opinion on the matter. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:14.899 Right? 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:17.079 We're all growing in grace. 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:21.300 The other one he uses is an observance of particular days. 00:08:21.979 --> 00:08:22.139 Right? 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:24.159 Things like the Sabbath. 00:08:24.719 --> 00:08:24.939 Right? 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:26.979 Was given as a commandment to the Jewish people. 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:29.500 And many of them still held it at this time. 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:32.179 Our Saturday would have been their day of rest. 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:34.559 They would have done no work on that day. 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.860 And there were other traditional days. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:37.399 Right? 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:40.699 There were pagan festivals that were observed as well. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:44.840 And many Gentile believers would still have set those days aside as special days. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:46.579 Days for family, for example. 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:47.300 We do that. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.300 Do we not? 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:50.740 We take the kids trick-or-treating. 00:08:51.400 --> 00:08:52.960 Not because we're dishonoring God. 00:08:53.020 --> 00:08:55.700 But because it's just fun to do those types of things. 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:56.300 Right? 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:59.480 So this is the kind of stuff that was going on that he's speaking to. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:02.379 He kind of sums that up in Colossians chapter 2. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:03.379 It says, 00:09:03.560 --> 00:09:06.259 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:10.020 Or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:13.500 So we see the same kind of language being used. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:16.300 These are the types of things he's speaking of. 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:22.020 Now there are certainly things though that we ought to be working on together. 00:09:22.900 --> 00:09:24.820 So again, Matthew chapter 7. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:26.120 Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:32.520 He gives us that parable of taking the log out of our own eye that we may see clearly to remove the speck from a brother's eye. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:34.480 Right before that, he says, 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.539 Do not judge lest you be judged. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:39.460 And so many Christians stop at that point. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:39.879 Right? 00:09:40.699 --> 00:09:41.159 Got it. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:42.439 Do not judge lest I be judged. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:43.519 I'm there with you. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.319 Everybody's fine. 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:45.980 Right? 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:46.860 I'm going to look to myself. 00:09:46.939 --> 00:09:48.360 I'm never going to look to my neighbor. 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:50.500 Never going to look to my brothers in Christ. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:52.579 I'm never going to try to hold them to a holy standard. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:56.759 Because if I do, I might be held to a holy standard. 00:09:57.040 --> 00:09:57.220 Right? 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.860 You already are. 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:02.300 That's not what he's saying in this case. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:07.040 He's saying be careful in the way that you bring correction. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:07.720 Right? 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:13.560 Be sure that you're living a holy life that you might clearly be able to expose others' sin. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.820 That's the driving point of what he's saying there. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:19.040 He's not saying never hold people accountable. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:22.740 He's just saying be cautious about how you do it. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:27.000 And what we end up with in a lot of our churches is a false unity. 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:27.700 Right? 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:28.720 It looks. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:31.940 There's a veneer of happiness and joy. 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:37.300 And you may have been there before or experienced somebody who tolerates situations. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:38.379 Until the breaking point. 00:10:38.459 --> 00:10:39.539 And then what do they do at that point? 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.399 They disappear. 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:41.259 Right? 00:10:41.459 --> 00:10:43.219 It's time to go look for a new church family. 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:45.359 Because I can't meet this person anymore. 00:10:45.439 --> 00:10:47.139 This person who's sinned against me. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:48.959 This person who lives in blatant sin. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:51.479 This person who says one thing and does another. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:53.339 I just can no longer tolerate it. 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:55.359 So I'm just going to slip away. 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:56.259 Right? 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:57.879 That's false unity. 00:10:58.439 --> 00:10:58.599 Right? 00:10:58.859 --> 00:11:00.179 We're to be eager. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:05.699 We're to work at the unity that we already have. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:06.240 Right? 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:11.000 Firstly, to maintain the purity of the church. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:14.840 Beloved, we need one another. 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:18.060 I am often blind to my own sin. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:23.460 It so captivates me at times that I do not see my own sinfulness. 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:28.379 And I need you to come alongside me and show me where I err. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:32.159 Matthew 18, 15 through 17. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:33.820 We're given a process for this. 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:35.000 Jesus himself says, 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:39.140 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. 00:11:39.640 --> 00:11:41.820 If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 00:11:42.520 --> 00:11:45.160 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:49.280 that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:52.480 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:58.500 If he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:01.480 This is the process for church discipline. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:05.480 Some of you may not know this, but that's something we have done here before. 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.240 And it pains us to do it. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:09.200 But the point is restoration. 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:11.460 The point is that we say to somebody, 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:14.100 You cannot call yourself Christian. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:17.740 You cannot say that you're a disciple and follower of Christ 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:22.340 if you're willing to live in blatant and open, disregarded sin. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:24.060 You can't do it. 00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:26.720 And it's not healthy for us to go on telling you that you can. 00:12:27.540 --> 00:12:32.340 If you're not willing to repent and return to Christ, you're not a Christian. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:35.100 We can't associate with you in this way. 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:39.100 So we're intended to work this way together, 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.340 to hold each other accountable, 00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:42.259 to press each other towards holiness, 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:45.139 to maintain the purity of the church. 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:49.240 We are the visible evidence of Christ on earth. 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:51.400 That should mean something. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.519 Our purity matters. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.639 Secondly, we're meant to maintain the purity of the gospel. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:01.879 There were Galatians 1, 6-9. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.480 Paul writes to the Galatian church, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:08.899 I am astonished that you're so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:11.240 and are turning to a different gospel. 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.919 Not that there is another one, 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:16.199 but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:18.419 But even if we or an angel from heaven 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:21.500 should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:23.299 let him be accursed. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.599 As we have said before, 00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:25.759 so now I say again, 00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:29.439 if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:32.319 let him be accursed. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:34.879 So in matters of doctrine, 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:37.620 we're meant to hold each other accountable as well. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:41.080 We're not meant to let doctrine flit around. 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:47.460 We're meant to be growing up in Christ so that we're not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:51.379 We're meant to press each other in this way. 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.919 You recall here, 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.980 he's referring particularly to the Judaizers, 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.039 those who said, 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.080 Christ is good. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.360 We're on board with Christ, 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:01.120 but you still must observe the Old Testament law. 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:04.100 And what they wanted was for Gentiles to be circumcised. 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:06.240 That was the thing they were doing. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.620 They were saying, 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:10.200 Christ plus something else is what brings you salvation. 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.659 And Paul was saying, 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.259 no, 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:15.059 in Christ alone are we saved. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:18.019 These things are periphery things. 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:20.919 And those are the types of things he's now talking about. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:22.079 The periphery things. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.620 The opinions. 00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:29.719 So we're to work at this maintaining by welcoming one another, 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:31.919 by not despising one another, 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:37.219 and by not passing judgment on one another in matters of opinion. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:39.179 For four reasons. 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:41.439 For four reasons. 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:46.699 All of these are rooted in God's character. 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:48.899 In who he is. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.720 As I would venture to say, 00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:52.059 all things are. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:55.519 Our proper living comes out of who God is, 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:59.079 and therefore who he's created us to be. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.500 So we're to maintain the unity of the spirit, 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:02.879 because, number one, 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.419 God has welcomed us. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.480 You see this in the second half of verse three. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:12.279 God has welcomed us. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:14.939 Both the strong and the weak. 00:15:15.459 --> 00:15:18.179 Those who have grasped hold of the gospel. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.860 This liberty that we have now in Christ. 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:23.360 And are taking advantage of those things. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:23.980 Right? 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:27.360 Which doesn't necessarily mean you do all things. 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:27.980 Right? 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:30.899 Some people drink. 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.519 They say, 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.500 I'm practicing my liberty. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:33.740 Good for you. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:36.100 Some people don't. 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.320 And in that, 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:39.379 I also practice my liberty. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.180 Right? 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:42.220 Because neither makes me holy before God. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.360 Christ makes me holy before God. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.200 Right? 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:49.620 And I am liberated to do either then, 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.560 in this case. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:53.139 Because God has welcomed us. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:56.720 And because God has accepted your brothers and your sisters, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:59.659 it is sinful arrogance not to do the same. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:03.419 You set yourself up as a God. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.699 With your opinions. 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.679 And you say to your brothers and sisters, 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.699 when you don't welcome them, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:11.600 when you disagree on matters of opinion, 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.860 I am my own God. 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:16.740 And I'm not going to accept you. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:19.399 But God has accepted them. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.600 Secondly, 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.980 God sustains us. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:25.819 Verse four. 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:29.280 And he will be upheld. 00:16:29.400 --> 00:16:32.280 The Lord is able to make him stand. 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:35.640 It is God who sustains us. 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:36.580 Previously, 00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:37.240 in this letter, 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:37.860 Romans 8, 00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:38.360 33, 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.920 Paul wrote, 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:42.920 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:16:43.140 --> 00:16:44.920 It is God who justifies. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.280 John 10, 00:16:46.400 --> 00:16:46.980 27, 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.540 28. 00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:48.060 Jesus said, 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.980 My sheep hear my voice, 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.980 and I know them, 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:50.820 and they follow me. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:52.400 I give them eternal life, 00:16:52.400 --> 00:16:53.580 and they will never perish, 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.800 and no one will snatch them out of my head. 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.220 In the hand. 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:58.840 Jude's short letter, 00:16:58.960 --> 00:16:59.660 verse 24, 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.860 the very end, 00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:01.100 he says, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:03.060 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:06.120 and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory, 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.580 with great joy, 00:17:08.080 --> 00:17:08.380 namely, 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.279 Jesus Christ. 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:12.360 And Paul writes again in Philippians chapter 1, 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.059 verse 6, 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.539 And I am sure of this, 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:16.340 that he who began a good work in you, 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.779 will bring it to completion, 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:20.320 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:17:21.320 --> 00:17:22.960 God has welcomed us, 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.620 redeemed us in Christ, 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.339 and he sustains us, 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.699 and will sustain us, 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.679 to the end. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.979 We don't see eye to eye, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.079 on some matter of opinion. 00:17:32.459 --> 00:17:32.939 Guess what? 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:33.699 Someday, 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.099 we're all going to get it right. 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.799 Right now, 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:38.079 we're all wrong. 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:38.799 God is right. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.719 And in the end of all things, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.479 when we're glorified, 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.119 we'll have it all figured out together. 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.319 But in the meantime, 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:48.379 recognize that it is our Lord, 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:49.719 that sustains us, 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:54.059 that is able to make us stand. 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:56.579 In these matters of opinion, 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:58.319 it's not up to you. 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.480 Encourage. 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.579 Come alongside. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:05.059 But do not pass judgment. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:05.960 Welcome. 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.460 Do not despise. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.180 That's secondly. 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:11.680 Thirdly, 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:15.740 God is our Lord. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:18.700 We see this in the second half of verse 5 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:20.880 through verse 8. 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.779 God is our Lord. 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:25.640 God has redeemed us and made us his own. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.940 That's the point of what Paul is beginning to say 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:29.240 in the beginning of verse 12. 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.900 Brothers, 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.620 I appeal to you, 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:31.880 therefore, 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.700 by the mercies of God, 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:35.460 present your bodies as living sacrifices. 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:37.019 You are his now. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.180 You belong to him. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:40.160 He reigns over you. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.920 And as such, 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:45.440 those of us who are truly regenerate, 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:47.840 those of us who are God's children, 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.220 will love him, 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.720 and we will serve him, 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:53.400 even in matters of opinion. 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:56.680 We ought to be convinced in our own mind. 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:59.539 Our conscience is clear before our God 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:01.740 because he is our Lord. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.180 John Bunyan, 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.480 we this last Friday read 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:07.640 not quite all of the first half 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:09.700 of Bunyan's book together here. 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.640 And we talked a little bit about Bunyan. 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.500 What we didn't talk about, 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.800 when he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.040 he was in a dungeon. 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.759 He had been put down 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.580 in the deep, dark part of a jail 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:20.560 because he was there originally 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:22.860 for preaching without a license to preach. 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:24.740 And he continued to preach in the courtyard 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.840 and people would come and gather 00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.960 around the walls of the prison. 00:19:27.060 --> 00:19:28.600 So they put him in a hole. 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.500 And he was down there 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.720 with some other believers 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:33.520 for the same reason, 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.920 for preaching without a license. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:37.280 A group that were called the Anabaptists. 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:38.600 Some of our roots 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.780 are actually with the Anabaptists, 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:41.839 although not all of them in this case. 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:44.259 Bunyan would constantly preach 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.279 about God's love. 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:46.259 Constantly. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.660 What a great thing to preach about, right? 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:49.200 If you're going to preach the scriptures, 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.240 you have to talk about God's love for people. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.160 His grace, 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.420 His immeasurable grace 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.519 for those that are His. 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.740 And they said to him, 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.099 they said, 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.399 Bunyan, 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.440 if you keep telling people 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.700 how much God loves them, 00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:00.220 they're going to do whatever they want. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.899 They thought that He was giving them 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.620 a license to sin. 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.280 God's grace 00:20:07.280 --> 00:20:09.519 is just going to cover those things, right? 00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:10.820 God loves you that much. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.220 He's forgiven all of your sin. 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.920 They thought that He was giving them 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.060 a license to just go out 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:16.700 and be crazy with their lives. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:20.000 Bunyan's very poignant response was, 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.519 no. 00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:23.380 If I teach God's people 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:25.300 about God's love for them, 00:20:25.540 --> 00:20:27.019 they'll do whatever God wants. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.980 God is our Lord. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:33.360 If you are a Christian, 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:36.500 the Spirit of God abides within you. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:39.640 You will serve Him as such. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.480 Perfectly all the time? 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.079 No. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.400 Will we get it wrong? 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.140 Absolutely. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.079 Without a doubt. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:48.839 But we ought to work at this unity together 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:51.599 and recognize that we all serve 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:53.339 our sovereign King. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:57.599 Romans chapter 6, 17 through 18, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.559 in verse 22, 00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.440 Paul writes this, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.620 But thanks be to God 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:02.359 that you were once slaves of sin, 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:04.379 have become obedient from the heart 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:05.419 to the standard of teaching 00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:06.459 to which you are committed, 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:09.259 and having been set free from sin, 00:21:09.459 --> 00:21:11.319 have become slaves of righteousness. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.779 But now that you have been set free from sin 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.139 and become slaves of God, 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:17.500 the fruit you get leads to sanctification 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.879 and its end, eternal life. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:22.399 Set free from the bondage of sin, 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:24.699 but we're now all enslaved 00:21:24.699 --> 00:21:27.539 by the Spirit to serve Christ. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:31.079 Fourthly, 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:34.159 we have to work to maintain 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:36.119 this unity of the Spirit 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:38.119 because God alone 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:40.859 will administer final judgment. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:44.759 God alone will administer final judgment. 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:47.819 We see this here in verse 10 through 12, 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:50.180 a quotation from Isaiah on Paul's part. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:52.660 The day will come 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:55.700 when all of us will stand before God. 00:21:56.340 --> 00:21:57.380 And in this case, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:59.660 Paul's particular reference 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:02.560 is that those of us who are found in Him 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:03.759 will also stand. 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:06.759 Our works are going to be sifted. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:10.240 We will be found righteous in Christ, 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.880 but our works, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:13.220 the things that we're doing now, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:15.500 will also be judged. 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:18.060 Paul wrote 1 Corinthians chapter 3, 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.319 verse 13 through 15, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.879 Each one's work will become manifest 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.000 for the day, 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.919 this day of judgment, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.200 will disclose it 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.700 because it will be revealed by fire 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.779 and the fire will test 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.639 what sort of work each one has done. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.879 If the work that anyone has built 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:33.339 on the foundation survives, 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.259 he will receive reward. 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:36.079 If anyone's work is burned up, 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.559 he will suffer loss, 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:40.500 though he himself will be saved. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.539 Fully and finally, 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.579 one day, 00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:47.740 God will judge all of those things. 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:50.819 I find it better to eat only vegetables, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.339 you find it better to eat only meat. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:52.960 One day, 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.899 God's going to sort it. 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:57.799 Because God alone 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.079 will administer 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:00.899 the final judgment. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.619 Now there's a truth 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.399 on which 00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:07.460 all of these exhortations hang. 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.480 It's the hinge. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.940 It's the thing that it all 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.019 swings upon. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.819 And it's found in verse 9. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.579 Turn your attention to verse 9. 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:19.199 For to this end, 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:21.559 Christ died and lived again. 00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:22.960 And recall that we've been talking 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:24.039 about the life of Christ. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.000 So we could even say, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.799 for to this end, 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:27.599 Christ lived and died 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.740 and lived again. 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.339 That he might be Lord, 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.740 both of the dead 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.720 and of the living. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:40.579 Christ is our sovereign king. 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.139 Right? 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:43.179 At the end of all things, 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.599 when he finally stands up 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.779 from his place in heaven 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.379 and returns, 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:48.939 he will be universally acknowledged 00:23:48.939 --> 00:23:49.679 as sovereign Lord. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.059 Everyone will know 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.699 that Jesus Christ reigns 00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:53.839 ultimately 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.240 over all things. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:55.899 Right? 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.119 At that time, 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.559 every tongue will confess 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.099 that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:01.699 Philippians 2, 11. 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:02.539 Right? 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:04.480 But he doesn't become Lord 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.199 at that time. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.519 It's not that he becomes it. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.119 It's just that everybody 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.799 universally acknowledges 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.779 that he is Lord. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.539 Right? 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.420 He already is 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.579 the supreme 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.980 and sovereign Lord. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.539 He already holds 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.440 everything 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.460 in the sway 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.200 of his power. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.759 The very beginning 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.839 of Hebrews. 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.160 Providence 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:25.019 is by God's word. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.059 Jesus Christ 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.839 speaks 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:28.000 and it happens. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:28.900 Right? 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.099 This universe 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.660 spins on its axis 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:33.259 because Jesus Christ 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.420 holds it by his word 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.539 because he is 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:37.059 already Lord. 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.980 and he earned that 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.779 with his sinless life. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.779 His death 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.980 and his resurrection. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:44.899 Right? 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.579 So that he can be 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.419 Lord 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:48.819 over both 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.519 the dead 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.480 and 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:52.119 of the living. 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.319 This is the Christ 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.139 we serve. 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.399 This is the Christ 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.759 that holds the church 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.599 in his hands. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.379 This church 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:00.960 that's supposed to be 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.139 this beautiful picture 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:02.980 of unity 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.740 by the Spirit. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:03.859 Spirit. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.279 This is the Christ 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.700 that has made 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:09.160 any of this possible. 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:09.859 Right? 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.079 You know that all of you 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.920 are insane 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.740 for being here 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:14.059 if you don't have 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.019 the Spirit of God 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.539 within you? 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.460 Like why would you 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:16.859 come here? 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.420 It's beautiful 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.339 outside right now. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:19.460 Right? 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.059 Go camping 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.839 or canoeing. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.680 Go rock climbing. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.299 Do something 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.039 to get some adrenaline 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.019 pumping through your system 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.920 because this is a 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.079 huge waste of time 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.380 if you don't know 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.220 the living God. 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.299 God. 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.860 This Jesus Christ 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:34.180 that we serve. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.759 Why do we 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.700 screw this up? 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.500 Why is our time 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.440 together as a church 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.620 not more precious 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.120 to us? 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.319 We get to come together 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.960 with those 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:45.100 who have been redeemed. 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.980 I think we've worked 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.200 church into our culture. 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.220 It's the thing you do. 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.120 You're going to feel 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:52.819 a little bit better 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.380 about yourself 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.140 because you did this 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.660 today. 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:55.420 It's a discipline 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.460 for you. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.860 It's so much 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.619 more. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.619 It's so much 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:00.779 more. 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.459 It's immensely 00:26:01.459 --> 00:26:01.859 more. 00:26:02.219 --> 00:26:03.339 We deserve so much 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.819 more credit 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.519 than we give it. 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.819 God has called 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:08.599 us out of darkness 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.299 into his marvelous 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.599 light. 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.579 When we come together 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:12.119 Sunday, pick another 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:12.279 day. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:12.679 It doesn't really 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.519 matter, right? 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.740 Which day it is. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.240 That's the point 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.959 being made here. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.939 We do it on Sunday 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:20.339 morning to celebrate 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.599 that together. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:24.019 Why do we tear it 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:25.919 apart in squabbles 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:27.219 out of stupid 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.079 opinions? 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.319 And that's what 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.740 they are. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.759 I'll say to you, 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.000 as a Southern 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.339 Baptist pastor, 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:37.279 this is a major 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.240 indictment on 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.980 Southern Baptists. 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.420 None of us, 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.460 but there are 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:44.180 some that need 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.140 to read this 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.079 and let it soak 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.700 into them 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.039 that they might 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.100 work to 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:49.900 maintain 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.539 the unity 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.600 of the Spirit. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.460 1 Timothy 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.360 6.15, 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.619 Paul says, 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:58.099 He being Christ 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:59.379 who is the blessed 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.659 and only sovereign, 00:27:00.979 --> 00:27:02.059 the King of kings 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:03.579 and Lord of lords. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:06.799 Revelation 17.14, 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:08.500 they will make war 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.059 on the Lamb 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.859 and the Lamb 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:11.099 will conquer them 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.500 for He is, 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.279 not will become, 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.240 but He is 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.459 Lord of lords 00:27:16.459 --> 00:27:17.819 and King of kings 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:19.519 and those with Him 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.299 are called 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.299 and chosen 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.779 and faithful. 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:25.879 This is our 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.619 sovereign Lord 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.639 and we make 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.839 non-issues 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.299 into issues. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.680 Rather than 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.359 celebrating 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.879 the goodness 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.339 of God 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.759 to us 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.440 in Christ, 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.559 we piss 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.359 and moan 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.819 over things 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.480 that are silly, 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.420 how the pastor 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.200 dresses, 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.819 what kind of music, 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.399 does the church 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:45.220 have a choir 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.579 or not, 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.759 what programs 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.899 are taking place, 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:51.540 your particular 00:27:51.540 --> 00:27:53.120 view on drums. 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.720 Who cares? 00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:58.720 The creator 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:00.000 of the universe 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.840 loves you, 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.960 came to earth, 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.000 suffered as a man, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.360 ultimately to his death, 00:28:08.800 --> 00:28:09.360 rose again 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.160 and reigns 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.200 over our lives. 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.759 Why do we make 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.880 non-issues 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.940 into issues? 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.059 Christ. 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.600 The great 00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:18.279 high 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.200 calling 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.799 is Christ. 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.660 I read to you 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.100 before 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.880 from, 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.539 oh gosh, 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:23.980 I'm not going to be able 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.519 to find it now. 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.039 I'm going to find it. 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.620 Hang on. 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.160 Because it's too good 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:30.140 not to read the rest of it. 00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:35.340 I really lost it. 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:35.539 Okay. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.519 No, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.180 I said I'm going to find it. 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.019 I have to find it. 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.100 Oh, 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.400 here we are. 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:41.580 Okay, 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:41.820 good. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.600 From Colossians, 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.140 chapter 2. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.580 Okay. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.920 Remember I said, 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.940 therefore let no one 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.640 pass judgment on you 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.400 in questions of food 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.759 and drink 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.240 or with regard 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.900 to a festival 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.700 or a new moon 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.500 or a Sabbath. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.700 I stopped there. 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.320 Verse 17. 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.200 Paul doesn't discredit 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.860 these things. 00:28:57.320 --> 00:28:57.720 He doesn't say 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.700 they have no value. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.640 Here's their value. 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.559 Verse 17. 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:03.220 These are a shadow 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.880 of the things to come. 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.380 They're a shadow. 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.180 Right? 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.100 Shadows have 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:09.820 very little, 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.700 little ability 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.240 to reflect the majesty, 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:12.920 the reality 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.640 of what's casting 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.460 the shadow. 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.120 These are just 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.660 a shadow 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.340 of the things 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:16.720 to come. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.299 But the substance 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:20.559 belongs to Christ. 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:25.700 The great unifying factor 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:27.640 in all of our lives. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.420 I've told this story 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.380 on a number of occasions, 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.140 but Clay and I now 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.680 have been friends 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.779 for a very long time, 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.840 and I think most of you 00:29:33.840 --> 00:29:35.039 know Clay. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.200 Clay's kind of a cowboy 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.920 at heart. 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:40.100 He has big belt buckles 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:41.980 and wears boots 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.879 most of the time. 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.980 And Clay, 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.839 when Clay first came 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.379 to North Georgia, 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:48.319 he came to the BSU, 00:29:48.419 --> 00:29:49.359 it's now called BCM 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.959 at the time, 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.799 and he walked across 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.480 the front lawn, 00:29:51.719 --> 00:29:53.019 and I say providentially, 00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:54.519 I was standing at the edge 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:54.879 of the crowd, 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.779 and he walked straight up 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.119 to me, 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.459 and we met, 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.480 and we've been really, 00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.659 really thick friends 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:01.179 ever since that day. 00:30:02.459 --> 00:30:03.379 Clay and I have 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.879 very little in common 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:06.400 as far as activity 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.060 is concerned. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.640 I just recently 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.300 started hunting 00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:10.100 so we can connect 00:30:10.100 --> 00:30:12.140 on that level now. 00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:14.560 But we have always 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:16.000 been able to connect 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.880 in Christ. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.780 This is why our churches 00:30:19.780 --> 00:30:20.880 should be multicultural. 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:23.200 This is why we should 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.980 have people 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.380 from every ethnicity 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.700 in our congregations. 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:27.880 Why does it matter 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:29.660 what type of music we do? 00:30:29.780 --> 00:30:30.460 It doesn't. 00:30:30.760 --> 00:30:31.780 We have Christ. 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:34.140 Why do we make 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:37.100 non-issues 00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:38.440 into issues? 00:30:38.780 --> 00:30:40.500 Christ is the substance 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:42.220 of all these things. 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.860 And so I say to you, 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:45.480 beloved, 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.860 let us work, 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:48.720 let us strive together 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:50.060 for the sake of our Lord, 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.860 for His honor and glory, 00:30:52.280 --> 00:30:53.120 to maintain 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:54.580 the unity 00:30:54.580 --> 00:30:55.620 of the Spirit, 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.200 this unity 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:58.580 that we already have. 00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.920 Let's pray together.