WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.540 It's 131, if you're using a red-coloured Bible, 1131, and Ralph is going to read. 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:10.640 He gives a reference. 00:00:12.599 --> 00:00:19.179 So, Romans chapter 3, and reading from verse 27 to chapter 4, and verse 12. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:27.679 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:35.719 No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:42.820 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:50.460 since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:56.460 Do we then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all. Rather, we uphold the law. 00:00:56.460 --> 00:01:03.060 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 00:01:03.780 --> 00:01:10.079 If in fact Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:16.840 What does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:22.219 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:30.079 However, to the man who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:38.000 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:42.700 Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 00:01:43.299 --> 00:01:47.840 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:53.340 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:58.079 We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 00:01:58.819 --> 00:02:00.760 Under what circumstances was it credited? 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:03.700 Was it after he was circumcised, or before? 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:05.900 It was not after, but before. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:12.819 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith, while he was still uncircumcised. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:20.640 So then, he is the father of all who believe, but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:31.399 And he is also the father of all who believe, and he is also the father of the circumcised, who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 00:02:35.399 --> 00:02:36.719 Thanks very much, Ralph. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:52.460 Well, please follow with me as we look at this passage from Romans chapter 3, 27 through from 4, verse 12. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:03:01.579 As we don't have PowerPoint, you won't see any headings, but on the back of the new sheet, there is place for you to take notes. 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:09.540 There is also a big A4 sheet, which does have the outline of the talk on it, which, I don't know, Rob has some. 00:03:09.580 --> 00:03:14.340 If anybody would like that to follow, you can just put your hand up and pass it along. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:16.740 But they are there for you if you want. 00:03:23.580 --> 00:03:27.580 And I do welcome any questions at all over our studies in Romans. 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:33.900 We don't cover everything in detail, and we try to give the big picture, the big ideas. 00:03:34.380 --> 00:03:40.240 So if there's ever any questions or anything you want to discuss afterwards, please feel free to do that. 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:45.460 Well, let's pray together and ask for God's help. 00:03:45.460 --> 00:04:08.960 Our Father, we thank you again for your grace to us, and we recognize that having your word in a language that we can understand and hear is a part of your grace. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:12.439 That you speak to us in our language. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:14.760 You speak to us in our ways. 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:20.280 So that we may understand you, the creator and the savior of the world. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:27.800 And we ask that right now, by your spirit, you would speak into our hearts, into our lives. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:28.800 Change us. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.980 Make us more like you. 00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:34.660 Help us to understand how we should respond to you. 00:04:37.460 --> 00:04:39.220 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:40.220 Amen. 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:40.320 Amen. 00:04:42.640 --> 00:04:49.400 So when was the last time you ever wrote a letter of thanks to your boss for your paycheck? 00:04:50.820 --> 00:04:56.780 Or sent a card to say, thank you so much for your generous gift? 00:04:56.779 --> 00:05:00.519 Now that would be absolutely daft, wouldn't it? 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:05.219 Nobody sends cards for something that you have earned. 00:05:05.859 --> 00:05:07.919 Unless, of course, you're looking for promotion. 00:05:09.119 --> 00:05:12.259 You don't say thank you because you deserve it. 00:05:12.859 --> 00:05:14.399 You've worked hard for it. 00:05:14.679 --> 00:05:15.779 You earned it. 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:23.059 In fact, if you didn't get your wage at the end of the week or the end of the month, you'd be straight into their office. 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:25.000 You would be demanding it. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:26.419 It's your right. 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:29.959 Your employer is obliged to pay you. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:36.839 Now hold that thought in your mind and let me introduce you to Fred. 00:05:38.599 --> 00:05:40.339 Fred never bothered with church. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:44.219 His parents went, but he never saw the point. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:48.919 He always found that it interrupted his sport and his socializing. 00:05:50.299 --> 00:05:55.620 The one Bible that he got from school, from the visiting Gideons, he used to balance his desk. 00:05:57.039 --> 00:06:00.939 In adult life, God and the Bible were of little use and relevance to him. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:06.279 Fred has a good friend called Bob. 00:06:06.919 --> 00:06:08.659 Bob was the local vicar's son. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:14.480 He went to church all the time, not because he was forced to, but because he thought it was a good thing to do. 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:21.940 He got so involved in church life, he became the youth leader, and later on he became an elder, having studied theology. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:29.740 Poor Fred was now struggling with a broken marriage, and he was hitting the bottle quite hard. 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:36.000 Bob, however, had a great family, and he was a well-respected man in the community. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:39.439 Now here's the question. 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:43.800 Tell me, which one deserves God's forgiveness? 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:48.000 Who has earned God's acceptance? 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:50.420 Fred or Bob? 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:53.759 Which one does God owe? 00:06:56.500 --> 00:07:00.839 Well, if you're not sure what the answer is, look at verse 4 of chapter 4. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:10.659 Now when a person works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:11.779 They've earned it. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:13.000 They deserve it. 00:07:14.599 --> 00:07:22.659 However, to the person who does not work, that means who doesn't try to earn their salvation, 00:07:22.660 --> 00:07:29.520 but trusts God, who justifies the wicked, that's to put them right with God, 00:07:30.280 --> 00:07:33.900 their faith is credited as righteousness. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:38.040 And here is the unique promise of the gospel. 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:42.620 When it comes to God's salvation and forgiveness, it's not about what we have done, 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:48.300 but it's all about faith in what Christ has done. 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:50.740 It's not about our work, but Christ's work. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:55.100 Wages from an employer are always earned. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:59.259 You deserve it because of your hard work. 00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:03.280 You receive your paycheck because of your performance. 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:06.620 Salvation from God is never earned. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.259 It's always undeserved. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:15.939 The grace that we receive from God is because of Christ's perfect performance for us. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:23.420 So if we don't earn salvation, how do we receive it? 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:27.879 Well, have a look at verse 27 of chapter 3. 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:32.039 Where then is boasting? 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.879 Are there any big heads in this room? 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:40.500 Is there anybody here this morning who thinks that they deserve God's forgiveness? 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:44.779 Anybody here that think that because they've gone to church all their life, 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:47.059 they've read their Bibles, they've never had an affair, 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:49.179 that they've somehow have earned God's favor? 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:52.340 Verse 27. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:53.879 Where is the boasting? 00:08:54.279 --> 00:08:55.100 It's excluded. 00:08:56.860 --> 00:08:58.460 There are no room. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:01.500 There's no room for big heads in here. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.059 Why? 00:09:03.419 --> 00:09:04.679 Well, look at what it says. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.580 On what principle? 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:09.620 On that of observing the law because of something you've done? 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.200 No. 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:13.580 But on that of faith. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:18.100 For we maintain that a person is justified, put right with God, 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:19.580 by faith, 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:21.919 apart from observing the law, 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.139 apart from doing anything. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:30.939 You see, salvation is received by faith in what Jesus has done, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.699 not by works we have done. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:36.480 And it's important for us to understand how faith operates. 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:38.559 There's two things here. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:39.439 The first is this. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:42.139 Faith is not an intellectual exercise. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:44.379 It's a trusting exercise. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:47.120 I'm sure we all watched the news 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:51.200 as we saw the Chilean miners brought to the surface. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:53.700 There was this metal capsule 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:57.500 that was lowered down through a shaft 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.280 which was no more than two feet, 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:02.040 half a mile down, two feet wide. 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:05.900 And it would bring the miners safely to the surface. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:10.180 Now, every single one of those miners believed 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:13.320 that if you stepped into the capsule 00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:15.000 and closed the door, 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:17.720 the laws of engineering would begin to operate 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:20.540 and they would be hoisted to the surface 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:21.560 and they would be rescued. 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:24.100 They knew, they believed, 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:25.620 that's what would happen. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.840 But unless they actually stepped into it, 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:31.259 they would never be rescued. 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:34.820 Because believing in something intellectually 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:38.820 is not having faith in something personally. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:43.820 Belief will always leave you on the outside. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:46.700 Knowledge will just leave you on the outside. 00:10:47.180 --> 00:10:48.260 Faith is the opposite. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:51.220 Faith means you will actually entrust yourself. 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:52.640 And in the miners' case, 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.860 it's entrusting themselves to the capsule. 00:10:55.900 --> 00:10:58.240 They step in, close the door, 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.700 in faith, 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.960 that it will bring them to the surface. 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:04.020 Belief won't save you. 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.300 Faith does. 00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:07.480 Now, in the same way, 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:09.620 we are entrusting ourselves 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:11.940 to the perfect work of Christ on the cross. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:14.860 I don't just believe he died for my sin. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.180 Lots of people can believe 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:17.360 in the person of Jesus, 00:11:17.520 --> 00:11:19.600 that he was here on earth 2,000 years ago, 00:11:19.660 --> 00:11:20.180 that he died. 00:11:20.260 --> 00:11:21.700 Lots of people believe that. 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:25.900 But we have to have faith 00:11:25.900 --> 00:11:27.160 in his death 00:11:27.160 --> 00:11:29.000 for my sin. 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:33.160 To have faith is to step into Christ, 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:36.740 closing the door on everything else, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:39.920 and saying that he is sufficient, 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:41.259 completely sufficient, 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:43.039 to justify us, 00:11:43.079 --> 00:11:44.339 to put us right with God. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.339 So that's the first thing. 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:48.259 Faith is not an intellectual exercise. 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:49.759 It's a trusting exercise. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:50.779 And second, 00:11:50.959 --> 00:11:54.879 faith is not just an exchange with God, 00:11:55.459 --> 00:11:57.679 but a channel to God. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:01.439 I'm sure some of you here 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:03.299 have Tesco club cards. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.059 Do you? 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:06.099 Tesco club cards? 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.700 Tesco club cards. 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:08.519 Every time you go shopping, 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:10.879 you cash in your little card, 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.580 and you get some extra points. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:15.980 And after so many weeks 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:17.500 of building up your points, 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.800 you can cash them in, 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:22.019 and then you can get your shopping for free. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.680 But it's not really free, is it? 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.960 They tell you it's free. 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:28.200 The advertisement says, 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:29.440 here's your points, 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:31.360 get your Tesco shopping for free. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.700 But in reality, 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.980 you've actually paid for all of those points 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.139 in previous weeks. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.460 And then you bring in your card, 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:40.200 and you exchange them 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:42.139 for a bag of spuds, 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:43.639 or whatever else is in your trolley. 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:46.539 Now in the same way, 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:48.840 we can think that we have to cash in 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.220 our faith to God. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.740 I will only find salvation 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:56.220 if I have enough faith built up, 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.820 if I have enough faith points in my life. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:01.620 But faith is never measured like that. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:03.780 You can't measure it in terms of quantity. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:07.920 It's not an exchange that we do with God. 00:13:08.140 --> 00:13:09.080 Like saying to God, 00:13:09.180 --> 00:13:11.100 well, here's my faith. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.720 I've been working really hard. 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:14.320 I've built up my faith. 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.600 And I'm giving you my faith. 00:13:16.900 --> 00:13:17.600 Now in return, 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.080 you give me your salvation. 00:13:20.040 --> 00:13:20.960 That's works. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:25.000 No, faith is a channel to God. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.539 through which we receive 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:29.519 the free gift of salvation. 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:33.879 So no one here this morning can say, 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.840 I have more faith than you. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:38.299 Or the reason why I'm a Christian 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.340 and you're not 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:42.460 is because I have more faith points than you. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.659 You see, there's no big heads allowed. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:47.080 And if there are any big heads, 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.460 the door is over there. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.559 You can leave. 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:53.299 Faith is simply trusting 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.559 in what Jesus has done. 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.159 His work, 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.059 his performance, 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:57.139 his ability, 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.339 and not mine. 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:01.139 Faith is a channel. 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:03.659 It is the means by which salvation 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:07.379 flows freely to us. 00:14:10.219 --> 00:14:11.699 And this is how it is 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.719 for everyone, 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:16.099 regardless of your race or culture. 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:17.219 Look at verse 29. 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:20.259 The question is being asked, 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.060 who is this for? 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:24.420 Is God the God of Jews only? 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.840 Just of religious people? 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:29.840 Is he not the God of Gentiles too, 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:31.180 the people who are not religious? 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:32.980 Yes, of Gentiles too, 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:35.220 since there is only one God. 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:38.460 Who will justify the circumcised, 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:40.420 the religious people by faith? 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:43.259 And the uncircumcised, 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:45.000 the non-religious people, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.139 through the same faith? 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:49.240 You see, 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:51.040 you might be the most committed person 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:51.740 in church. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:55.100 You might never have even bothered 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.820 with church. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:58.120 You might think yourself very moral. 00:14:58.540 --> 00:15:00.040 You may be struggling this morning 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:01.340 because you're so conscious 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.879 of all the things you've messed up 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.600 with this week. 00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:05.980 But it doesn't matter 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.100 whether you're a Fred 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.879 with a broken, 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.899 messed up life, 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.480 or a Bob 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:12.340 who is the moral pillar 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.220 in the community. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:15.779 There's just one God 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:17.420 and he operates 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.340 with all of us 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:20.180 in exactly the same way. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.460 The only way we receive 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.200 our salvation 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:25.320 is by faith, 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.680 not works. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.960 So there's no room 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.100 for big heads 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.220 in here. 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.100 You can leave. 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:36.180 Well, 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.899 if salvation 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.860 is not received 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.200 by, 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.040 if salvation 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:39.940 is received 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:40.680 by faith, 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.560 we're still asking 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:43.080 the question, 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:43.779 what is it 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.560 that I actually 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.279 have to do? 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:46.480 Surely I have to do 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:46.960 something. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.100 Well, 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.860 the answer is no, 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:50.080 you don't have to do anything. 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:51.680 Look at chapter 4, 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.279 verse 1. 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:55.620 What then shall we say 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.360 that Abraham, 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.360 our forefather, 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.659 discovered in this matter? 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.279 Now Abraham 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.699 was considered 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.240 the father, 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:02.939 the hero 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:04.459 of the Jewish people. 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.259 Dads used to tell 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.480 their kids stories 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.259 about Abraham 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.879 at night. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.579 But most importantly, 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.720 what Abraham did, 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.639 they did. 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:15.879 How Abraham lived, 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:16.980 they must live. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.120 He was their hero, 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.079 he was their father. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.319 The way he was, 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:21.480 they've got to follow. 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.600 So Paul introduces 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.299 their hero, 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:25.980 Abraham, 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:27.299 and he's asking them 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:27.899 questions about, 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.500 well, let's see 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:30.000 how he got his salvation. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.539 So in verse 2, 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:33.000 if in fact 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.539 Abraham was justified 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.659 by works, 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.980 he had something 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.059 to boast about. 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:39.959 In other words, 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:40.299 God, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.480 I've obeyed you, 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.959 so you owe me. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.539 But not before God. 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:50.159 What does the scripture say? 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.039 This is a quote 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.599 from Genesis chapter 15. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.139 It says, 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:56.199 Abraham believed God 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:58.319 and it was credited 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:59.839 to him as righteousness. 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.759 So there's a very 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:03.000 straightforward question here. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.259 What did Abraham do 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.559 to achieve his salvation? 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.799 Answer, 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.440 absolutely nothing. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.960 There was nothing 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.940 he could point to. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.599 There was nothing 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.920 that he had actually done. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:16.119 He simply believed. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.519 He had faith 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.099 in what God said 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.279 he was going to do. 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.420 So our salvation 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.420 is achieved 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:25.220 by God's gift of grace, 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:28.079 not our good performance. 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.920 It's by grace, 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.980 not performance. 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.400 Suppose you're going 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.960 for your job interview. 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.500 You're going to bring along 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.400 with you your CV, 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:38.980 aren't you? 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:41.240 Your CV is a record 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.940 of your performance. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:44.519 how well you've done 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.140 in college, 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.519 the grades 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.259 that you've earned, 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.600 the position 00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:49.299 that you held 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.200 in your last job, 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.920 the promotion 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.740 and so on 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.840 and everything 00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:53.759 that you've deserved 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.559 is all there 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.500 on your CV. 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.640 Now whether you get 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.380 the job or not 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.559 depends on how well 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.180 you've performed 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.200 over the last number 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:01.740 of years 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.960 and how well 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.840 you're going to perform 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.600 in the interview. 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.160 So you're only going 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:07.160 to get the job 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.420 on your merit. 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:11.800 But with our salvation, 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.500 the record of our life, 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.340 our CV 00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:16.980 is never good enough. 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.560 The grades 00:18:18.560 --> 00:18:19.480 that we have scored 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.360 throughout life, 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.080 the points 00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:22.200 that we build up, 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.740 it counts for nothing. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.880 So in God's grace 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.680 he offers us 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.600 the free gift 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:31.519 of his performance record. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.920 It's like he gives us 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.680 his CV 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:36.480 and he credits us 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.539 with his righteousness 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.980 and just as it was 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.779 for Abraham, 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:41.839 so it is for us. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.059 We achieve salvation 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.019 by grace, 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:46.139 not by our performance. 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:49.200 And then he introduced 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.059 another character, 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.819 King David, 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.740 in verse 6. 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.480 He was another hero 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.500 of the Jewish people, 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.559 the greatest king 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.480 that there was 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.940 for them. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.220 And he's also an example 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.240 of how all of this 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.759 is true. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.399 Verse 6, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.700 David says the same thing 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.359 when he speaks 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.440 of the blessedness 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.480 of the person 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.220 to whom God 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.460 credits righteousness 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:11.460 apart from works, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.240 apart from performance. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.759 Blessed are they 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.140 whose transgressions 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.680 are forgiven, 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.779 whose sins 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.660 are covered. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.140 Blessed is the man 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.920 whose sin 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.480 the Lord 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.640 will never count 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.500 against them. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.440 Now we might call this 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.480 the great exchange 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.700 and we have to be careful here 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.200 that we don't confuse it 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:34.519 with what we said 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.120 about earlier 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.019 about faith 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.579 not being an exchange. 00:19:38.239 --> 00:19:38.879 Here we're talking 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:40.339 about exchanging 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:41.479 between what we have 00:19:41.479 --> 00:19:42.679 and what Christ has. 00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:45.239 And there's two things 00:19:45.239 --> 00:19:45.899 here as well. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.299 First, 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.579 our faith, 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.619 our record, 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.899 or by faith rather, 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.859 our record 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.099 is given to Christ. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.419 And Christ's record 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.459 is given to us. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.399 It's like Christ 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:58.279 takes on himself 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.019 our CV. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:01.059 He takes on 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.639 our record 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.819 of how we have lived. 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.799 All our disobedience 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.299 has been cashed in 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.259 or credited 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.119 to Christ. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.920 And then second, 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.940 in exchange, 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.879 by faith, 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:14.220 we take on 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.220 the CV of Christ. 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:15.980 The complete 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.059 and perfect record 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:18.000 of Christ's life 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.440 is given to us. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.359 All of his obedience 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:23.539 is credited to us. 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:26.460 So there's a complete exchange. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.480 It's my life 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.539 for Christ's life. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.720 And this is what 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.880 David was celebrating 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.299 in verses 7 to 8. 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:33.940 He talks about 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.640 those sins 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.559 that are covered 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:37.100 and the sins 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:37.680 that the Lord 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.680 will never count 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.240 against them 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.799 because they have 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.460 been counted 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.240 to Christ. 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.660 And his Christ 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.220 righteousness 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.100 has been counted 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:45.700 to him. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.160 Now that does not 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.220 mean that we are 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.019 now perfect 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.900 in our thoughts, 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:54.079 words and actions. 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.819 It doesn't mean 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.639 that just because 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.519 we have Christ's 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:57.939 righteousness, 00:20:58.359 --> 00:20:59.000 that we have 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.139 his obedience, 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.559 that we love 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.659 everybody perfectly 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.960 as Christ loved us. 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.919 I think we all know 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:06.039 that we're not perfect. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.079 But what it does mean 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.079 is that when we have 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.359 Christ's record, 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:12.039 we have a new position. 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:12.879 Our position 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.639 before God 00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:14.220 has changed. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.359 Our status 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:15.939 has been 00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:17.159 completely transformed. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.500 That means 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.000 we are now 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.240 treated by God 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.939 as if we are 00:21:22.939 --> 00:21:23.679 obedient 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.759 like Christ. 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:26.000 we are treasured 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.440 by God 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.379 as if we are 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:28.039 blameless 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.379 like Christ. 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.400 Now this has 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.460 huge implications 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.379 for us today, 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:33.920 right now, 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.200 even now as we sit 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.039 because maybe 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.759 you're feeling 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.640 a little bit guilty 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.799 and you're feeling 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.660 a little bit ashamed 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.480 of things that have 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.379 been said and done 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:42.180 through the week 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.799 and you're wondering 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.599 how is God 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.460 going to look at me? 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.119 How is he going 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.920 to treat me? 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.879 Well it means 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.480 when we do 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.319 fail and fall 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.019 and when you fail 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.839 and fall this week 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.480 and you will, 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:54.140 our status 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.920 does not change. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.519 Even when we do 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.860 disobey and rebel, 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.680 our position 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.519 before God 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.579 doesn't change. 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.700 Remember, 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.599 we have been given 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.319 Christ's perfect record. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.180 All of that 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:06.980 has been credited 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.460 to us. 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:09.059 We have his CV. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.599 So we are forever 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.519 and always 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.319 under his grace. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.059 So when he looks 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.460 at you, 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.940 when you've messed up, 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:18.019 he sees Christ. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.140 He doesn't see you 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.059 in all your mess. 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:23.480 And we so often 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.619 fall into the trap 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.319 of thinking 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.399 that okay, 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.799 I understand this side 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.619 that salvation 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:30.039 is achieved by grace 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.759 but somehow 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.679 my salvation 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.779 must be maintained 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.859 by performance. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:37.720 So grace gets me in 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.119 but performance 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:40.079 keeps me there. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.119 But that's 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.099 completely rubbish. 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.099 That's turning 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.359 everything upside down. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.720 We can never rely 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.539 on our performance. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.339 Our performance 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.339 is always flawed 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.959 and broken. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.879 We rely fully 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.619 and totally 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.439 on the perfect record 00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:55.079 of Christ 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.199 which is forever 00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.679 credited to us. 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.619 It can't be taken 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.720 away from us. 00:23:00.459 --> 00:23:01.639 No matter how many times 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.579 you sin and fail, 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:04.259 it is always there. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.819 So there is no big, 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.019 so there's no room 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.879 for big heads 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:12.939 because we all 00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:14.059 fail miserably 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.659 but we are all 00:23:15.659 --> 00:23:16.220 covered 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.799 by Christ's 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.299 righteousness. 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.859 So there's nothing 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.480 we can do 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.879 to achieve salvation. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.480 It's something 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.279 that we receive 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.079 by faith. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.779 But you say 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.439 there must be 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:29.399 something we have 00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:29.779 to do. 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.599 It can't surely 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.599 be just nothing. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.240 There must be 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.879 something that 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.699 we have to do. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.539 No, there's 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.439 absolutely nothing 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:38.379 we can do. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.539 It's by faith. 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.639 faith. 00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.940 But there is a way 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.200 that we should 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.839 respond. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.119 We're going to look 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.339 here in verses 9 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:51.039 down to verse 12. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.200 Now in this section 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.379 here we must remember 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:56.180 that the church 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.159 that Paul is writing 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.839 to is racially 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.819 and culturally 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.359 mixed. 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.159 It was made up 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.139 primarily on the 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:04.119 one hand of Jews 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.279 who were very moral 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.960 and had a very 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.920 religious background 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.600 and the rest 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.140 were made up 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.140 of Gentiles. 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.340 People who were 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.000 very liberal 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.900 and they didn't 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.580 have a religious 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.140 background. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.440 And the religious 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.580 Jews were always 00:24:17.580 --> 00:24:18.340 falling into the 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.240 way of superiority. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.279 They were suffering 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.160 with the big head 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.680 syndrome. 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.259 After all, 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:23.840 God had given 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:24.519 them the special 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.960 sign of circumcision. 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.060 The mark that 00:24:27.060 --> 00:24:28.000 you belong to God. 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.640 You are his 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.600 special people. 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.660 And therefore 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.240 they thought they 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.920 were better than 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.600 everybody else. 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.120 And somehow 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.039 all the other 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.600 people were 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.599 second-rate 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.099 Christians. 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.599 They were the 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.179 ones that kind 00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:38.740 of sat back 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.419 in the corner 00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:40.079 of the church. 00:24:40.219 --> 00:24:41.399 They weren't 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:42.319 really part 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.199 of the true 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:43.659 family. 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.980 So this issue 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.480 had to be 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.199 tackled and this 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:47.740 is what he does 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.480 in verse 9. 00:24:49.219 --> 00:24:49.779 So he asked 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.539 the question, 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.819 speaking particularly 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.579 to religious 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.059 people, 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:54.879 is this 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.559 blessedness, 00:24:55.659 --> 00:24:56.359 this salvation, 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.179 this forgiveness, 00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:58.919 is it only for 00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.859 the circumcised, 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.500 for the religious 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.980 people, 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.559 for the good 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.339 moral people? 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:05.539 Or is it also 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:07.339 for the uncircumcised, 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.399 the immoral 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:09.859 people? 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.259 For we've been 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.720 saying that 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.579 Abraham's faith 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.500 was credited to 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.039 him as 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.619 righteousness. 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.359 So, 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:16.699 Mr. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.019 Jew, 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.319 let's have a 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.720 look at your 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.500 great hero 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.039 Abraham. 00:25:20.459 --> 00:25:21.459 Let's see again 00:25:21.459 --> 00:25:22.359 how he got his 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:22.899 salvation, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.859 verse 10. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.419 Under what 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.199 circumstances 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:27.059 was it credited? 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.819 Was it after 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.079 he was circumcised? 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.619 Or before? 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.519 Now that's 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:34.959 an important 00:25:34.959 --> 00:25:35.359 point. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:35.959 If it was 00:25:35.959 --> 00:25:36.480 after, 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:37.259 they would 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.539 all be 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:37.839 saying, 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.599 you see, 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.819 Abraham did 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.240 something, 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:41.179 he obeyed 00:25:41.179 --> 00:25:41.500 God, 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:41.939 and because 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.559 he obeyed 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:42.759 God, 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.399 God owed 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:43.559 him 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.019 something. 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.240 But look 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.480 at the 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.879 answer. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.259 It was 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.119 not after, 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.059 but before. 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.599 So it's a 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.419 crushing blow 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:56.259 because all of a 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.639 sudden they 00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:57.319 realise that 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.819 their great 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.480 hero of the 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.759 faith, 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.179 Abraham, 00:25:59.539 --> 00:25:59.899 who they 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.339 thought was 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:00.779 this most 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.240 wonderful, 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.619 obedient person, 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:05.279 actually became 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.019 a Christian 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:08.000 before he ever 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.739 did anything 00:26:08.739 --> 00:26:09.279 that was 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.779 obedience. 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.239 In our 00:26:12.239 --> 00:26:12.719 terms, 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.859 he was never 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.659 baptised, 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.239 he was never 00:26:15.239 --> 00:26:15.759 confirmed, 00:26:15.959 --> 00:26:16.559 he never took 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:16.979 communion, 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:18.019 he was in 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.519 fact a 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.259 Gentile, 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.299 verse 11. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.879 He received 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.479 the sign of 00:26:22.479 --> 00:26:23.219 circumcision, 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.819 a seal of the 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.559 righteousness that 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.399 he had by faith 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:26.979 while he was 00:26:26.979 --> 00:26:28.579 still uncircumcised. 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:28.740 Christ. 00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:31.879 You see, 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.199 if we 00:26:32.199 --> 00:26:32.960 understand our 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:34.119 salvation rightly, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.919 it will never 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.939 lead to 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.679 superiority, 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.119 instead it 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.659 will lead to 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.199 unity. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.079 Nobody will 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.720 be going around 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.119 thinking, 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.859 I'm better than 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.220 you. 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.720 Now we're 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.339 quite a mixed 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.919 bunch here, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.319 aren't we? 00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:51.460 Some people 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.460 here are from 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:52.980 a religious 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.519 background, 00:26:53.699 --> 00:26:54.159 some people 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.639 aren't. 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.559 Some of you 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.039 here this 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.879 morning have 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.940 been baptised, 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.700 some of you 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.220 haven't. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.660 Some of you 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.200 are members 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.940 of this 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.380 church, 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.020 and some 00:27:06.020 --> 00:27:06.300 of you 00:27:06.300 --> 00:27:06.860 aren't. 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:08.720 Some of you 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.000 have been 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.360 here for 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:09.940 quite a few 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.200 years, 00:27:10.320 --> 00:27:10.700 some of you 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:10.980 have only 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.320 been here 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:11.740 for one 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.040 year. 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.180 Now the 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.600 question I 00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:14.860 want to 00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.260 ask us 00:27:15.260 --> 00:27:15.980 all is, 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.520 if you're 00:27:17.520 --> 00:27:18.040 a Christian, 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.580 how did 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.140 you receive 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.840 your salvation? 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.700 What did 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.480 you do to 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.120 achieve your 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.620 salvation? 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:25.600 Well if 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.280 we are true 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:26.740 Christians, 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.500 the answer 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.960 will be 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.759 exactly the 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.099 same. 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:29.819 There was 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.700 nothing that 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.059 we could 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.440 do to 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.799 earn our 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.220 salvation, 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.619 it was 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.900 all by 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.599 faith, 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.359 faith in 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:35.720 the work 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.240 that Jesus 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.819 did for 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.400 us. 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.920 So what 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.220 is that 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.500 going to 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.859 mean for 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.200 us as 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.579 a church 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.000 family? 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.680 It will 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.660 mean unity, 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.220 not superiority. 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.619 So nobody 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.559 can claim to 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.059 be better 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.680 than anybody 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.180 else. 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.240 No one 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.700 can feel 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.099 that because 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.519 I've been 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.019 here longer 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.420 than you, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.960 I have more 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.619 rights than 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:54.880 you. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:56.680 And nobody 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.260 can think, 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:57.820 well because 00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.300 I'm a 00:27:58.300 --> 00:27:58.580 member, 00:27:59.020 --> 00:27:59.700 my opinion 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.140 is more 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.700 important than 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.900 anybody else's. 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.500 It's back to 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.360 verse 27, 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.960 where's the 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.360 boasting? 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.820 Nobody can 00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:10.240 boast. 00:28:12.280 --> 00:28:13.020 And if you 00:28:13.020 --> 00:28:13.660 do think you 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.300 are better than 00:28:14.300 --> 00:28:15.020 anybody else, 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:15.640 the door is 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.200 over there and 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.940 you can leave. 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:20.360 And that's 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.259 the big issue 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.200 that he is 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.220 tackling here 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.200 as he writes 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.039 to this church 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.000 in Rome. 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.720 Look at 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.240 11, 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.140 verse 11 of 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:30.779 chapter 4. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.920 Halfway down, 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.920 verse 11, 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:34.059 we'll pick it up 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.559 where it says, 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.200 so then, 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.000 he is the 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.559 father of all. 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.500 And it starts 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.019 talking about 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.700 circumcision, 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.380 but we're going 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.259 to take the 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.220 word circumcision 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.940 out and we're 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.400 going to put 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.820 baptism in to 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.380 make it a little 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:46.279 bit more contemporary 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.039 for us. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.680 So listen as we 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.059 read. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.799 So then, 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:53.759 Abraham is the 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:55.079 father of all 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.039 who believe, 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.980 but have not 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.799 been baptized, 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:01.139 in order that 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.759 the righteousness 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:03.599 might be credited 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.240 to them. 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.039 And he is also 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.920 the father of 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.660 those who have 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.480 been baptized, 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.700 who not only 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.399 are baptized, 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.480 but who also 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.180 walk in the 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.019 footsteps of the 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.779 faith that our 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.639 father Abraham 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.639 had before he 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.259 was baptized. 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:20.859 So, 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.200 can we see 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.200 that the issue 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.639 here, the 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.599 important factor 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.759 is faith. 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.220 It's not about 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.039 the external 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.139 issues at all. 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:30.960 And quite 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.799 frankly, it 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.480 doesn't matter 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.000 whether you've 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.559 been baptized 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.539 as an infant 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:36.019 or an adult, 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.500 those issues 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.240 aren't going 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.379 to save you. 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.639 It doesn't 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.099 matter whether 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.519 you've been 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.299 confirmed or 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.039 taken communion, 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.960 those things 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.379 aren't going 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.119 to save you 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:45.659 one little 00:29:45.659 --> 00:29:46.059 bit. 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.420 No water 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.159 or sprinkling 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.559 will do 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.000 that. 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.099 The big 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:52.039 important issue 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.500 is being 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.180 pointed out 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.619 here, 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.220 is that it's 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.039 by faith. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.259 And it's 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.899 not just the 00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.639 start with 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.119 faith, 00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:01.159 but look at 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:01.539 the end of 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.180 verse 12, 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.940 who walk in 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.619 the footsteps 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:06.299 of the faith, 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.379 who continue 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.319 by faith. 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:10.240 So we start 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.980 with faith in 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.319 Christ, 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:11.920 and we 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.740 continue with 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.279 faith in 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.740 Christ. 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.120 Now, I'm 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.559 not saying 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.099 that baptism 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.519 isn't unimportant, 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.319 it is, 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:21.019 but it's most 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.839 important that 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.500 we understand 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.360 the priority. 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:26.660 Faith is 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.240 important. 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.160 And that's 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:29.740 what makes 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.700 Christians one. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.599 That's what 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.299 unites us. 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:32.900 That's what 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.460 pulls us 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.099 together here. 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.480 It's not 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.940 because we're 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.680 all Baptists 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.019 that we're 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.519 all one. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.339 It's all 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:39.880 because of 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.819 our faith in 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.259 Christ, 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:42.079 our common 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.839 faith in 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.419 what Jesus 00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:44.000 has done. 00:30:46.439 --> 00:30:47.039 Now, all 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.480 too often, 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.500 believers can 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.119 become very 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:49.879 judgmental. 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.819 They can 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.379 boast in 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:52.740 their good 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.179 life, 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.279 I'm better 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.819 than you. 00:30:57.179 --> 00:30:57.799 But in 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.279 the church, 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:58.859 there is no 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.259 room for 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.819 big heads. 00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.139 There's no 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:01.579 room for 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.299 judgmental 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.659 attitudes. 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.659 There's no 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.079 room for 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.700 superiority. 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.799 There's no 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.200 room for 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.559 thinking, 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.419 I'm better 00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:08.119 than you. 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:09.980 Why? 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.960 Because we 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.399 are all 00:31:12.399 --> 00:31:14.000 saved by 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.559 the same 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.119 faith. 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.679 We're all 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.460 messed up. 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.619 We're all 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.399 big, filthy, 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.200 dirty, rotten 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.639 sinners. 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.759 We've got 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.359 nothing in 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:24.919 our account 00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.399 to bring 00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.019 to God. 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:28.139 By faith, 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.059 we receive 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.659 from His 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.119 account, 00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:31.220 and He 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:31.960 fills it 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.159 with 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:32.740 righteousness. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.759 Look at 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.139 Romans, 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.139 chapter 15. 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:43.520 Romans 15, 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.340 verse 5. 00:31:44.339 --> 00:32:03.439 May the 00:32:03.439 --> 00:32:04.039 God who 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.399 gives 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.379 endurance 00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:05.980 and 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.659 encouragement 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:08.799 give you 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.480 a spirit 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.359 of unity 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:11.179 among 00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:11.879 yourselves 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:13.600 as you 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.080 follow 00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:14.700 Christ 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.260 Jesus, 00:32:16.540 --> 00:32:17.300 so that 00:32:17.300 --> 00:32:18.280 with one 00:32:18.280 --> 00:32:18.860 heart 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.580 and one 00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:21.040 mouth 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:22.720 we may 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.680 glorify the 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.220 God and 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.600 Father of 00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.140 our Lord 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.240 Jesus Christ. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:31.060 Accept one 00:32:31.060 --> 00:32:31.840 another then, 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:33.780 just as 00:32:33.780 --> 00:32:34.980 Christ accepted 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.900 you in 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.380 order to 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:38.240 bring praise 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.420 to God. 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:41.380 Do you 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:41.620 see the 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:41.900 way we 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.480 treat each 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:42.740 other? 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.560 The way 00:32:44.560 --> 00:32:44.920 we love 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.279 each other? 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:45.539 The way 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.080 we care 00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.480 for each 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:46.720 other? 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.800 The way 00:32:48.800 --> 00:32:49.200 we all 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.820 recognize 00:32:49.820 --> 00:32:51.060 that we're 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.560 Christians 00:32:51.560 --> 00:32:52.100 because of 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.720 what Christ 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.220 has done, 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.100 and it's 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.660 our faith 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.200 in Him. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.400 That'll be 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:57.779 to the 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.360 praise of 00:32:58.360 --> 00:32:58.740 God, 00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.820 so that 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.360 when people 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:01.019 join with 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.180 us, 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:01.660 as people 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.180 meet with 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.360 us, 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:02.980 they will 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.519 see the 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.900 unity. 00:33:04.320 --> 00:33:04.660 They will 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.039 see a 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.680 unity that 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.259 it's not 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.560 about labels 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:08.820 or denominations, 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:11.060 they will 00:33:11.060 --> 00:33:11.560 see that 00:33:11.560 --> 00:33:11.900 they are 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.820 united in 00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.440 their common 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.120 faith in 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.680 Christ, 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.340 and that 00:33:16.340 --> 00:33:17.640 alone is 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:17.940 what is 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.340 going to 00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:19.080 draw people 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:20.539 to God. 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.320 Let's 00:33:23.320 --> 00:33:24.240 pray together. 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.660 Our 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.180 Father God, 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:34.900 we want to 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.720 thank you for 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.820 two things. 00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:39.179 we want to 00:33:39.179 --> 00:33:39.980 thank you for 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.919 our salvation. 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.179 We want to 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:44.919 thank you for 00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:45.980 all that Jesus 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.839 has done for 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.480 us on our 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.980 behalf, 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:50.259 recognizing that 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.819 all that we 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.839 have is simply 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.899 by that act 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:53.759 of faith, 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:56.279 trusting in 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:56.700 you, 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.700 the channel 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:00.419 by which we 00:34:00.419 --> 00:34:02.059 receive Christ's 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:02.559 righteousness, 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.759 his CV, 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.460 his record, 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.480 his performance, 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.840 his life, 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.740 in exchange 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:10.360 of mine. 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.300 Thank you for 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.119 our salvation. 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.380 And we 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.420 thank you too 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.059 for our 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.579 unity. 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.679 We thank you 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.400 for the family 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:20.900 of this 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.380 church. 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.740 We thank you 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.800 for the 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.420 measure of 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.340 care and 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.159 love and 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:27.720 support. 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.900 We thank you 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.400 for the way 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.220 in which people 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.720 pray for one 00:34:32.720 --> 00:34:33.039 another. 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:33.119 other. 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.900 We thank you 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.320 for the way 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:37.019 in which people 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.619 help. 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.880 We thank you 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.340 for the way 00:34:41.340 --> 00:34:42.719 in which people 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:43.480 are welcomed 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.679 and accepted 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.639 into this 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.699 community here. 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:50.320 We thank you 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:51.460 that we have 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.139 this unity 00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:53.559 because of 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:53.980 Christ. 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.199 Christ. 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.320 And so we 00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:58.159 pray and 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.900 we ask 00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:00.679 that you 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.360 would protect 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:01.719 it. 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:05.000 That we 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.519 would always 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.099 remember 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.519 the priority 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.119 is our 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:08.559 faith. 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.260 And that we 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:11.800 would always 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.880 focus on 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.360 Christ. 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:15.380 And that we 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.740 would be 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.559 always an 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.039 opening, 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:17.840 welcoming, 00:35:18.219 --> 00:35:18.579 caring 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.340 people. 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:22.200 and we 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:22.820 pray this 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.200 so that 00:35:23.200 --> 00:35:23.940 other people 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:25.300 may find 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.800 Christ. 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.579 That they 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.000 will come 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:28.519 to love 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.780 him and 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:30.400 to trust 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.940 in him 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.360 too. 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.300 We thank 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:34.640 you for 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:35.200 one another 00:35:35.200 --> 00:35:36.700 and we 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.220 thank you 00:35:37.220 --> 00:35:37.740 for Jesus. 00:35:39.120 --> 00:35:39.680 Amen. 00:35:39.680 --> 00:35:39.780 Amen. 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:48.480 We're going 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:48.940 to sing 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.440 together 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.680 how deep 00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:51.380 the Father's 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.240 love for us. 00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:54.360 I haven't 00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:55.320 got a page 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.140 or a 00:35:56.140 --> 00:35:56.840 number.