WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.320 Over the years, I've had people to ask me all kinds of questions. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:12.919 Some people have come to me and raised serious questions about their marriage, 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:15.880 continuing or ending it. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:21.960 I've had people to come and talk about dealing with difficult people in their lives, 00:00:22.100 --> 00:00:24.620 maybe somebody they worked with or even in their own home, 00:00:25.820 --> 00:00:27.699 just all kinds of things. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:33.479 And in those situations, most of the time, if I'm asked a question, 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:39.460 and I have a good idea of what the answer ought to be in terms of what the Bible says, 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:43.460 I'll just say it. 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:48.079 Some of you, we've had some conversations over the years, 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:51.820 maybe about some difficult issues going on in your life, 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:57.060 and I've maybe said some things that you didn't want me to, 00:00:57.060 --> 00:00:58.060 you expected me to. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:03.980 But I needed to because the Scripture was real clear about it. 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:15.019 Well, one of the most important, vital questions that I could ever be asked 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:19.319 or that you could ever be asked is by someone who is struggling 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:23.060 with assurance about their relationship with the Lord. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:30.179 Someone who is just, they're having difficulty knowing, 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:31.940 am I really right with God? 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:33.260 Am I really a Christian? 00:01:34.380 --> 00:01:36.960 If they ask you, if they ask me just point blank, 00:01:37.160 --> 00:01:38.600 do you think I am a Christian? 00:01:40.460 --> 00:01:42.320 I'm not going to give them a yes or no answer. 00:01:43.360 --> 00:01:44.980 And I don't think you should either. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:46.340 And here's why. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:49.500 I don't know what's in a person's heart, and neither do you. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:54.599 We don't know what's going on inside a person. 00:01:56.280 --> 00:02:02.439 So I think we need to be very careful about giving a definite answer. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:05.000 But there is a definite answer. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:09.780 It's an answer that only God can give, though. 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:16.280 But when somebody comes to you, and I think if you're a serious Christian, 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:20.759 people know that you love the Lord, you seek to live a faithful Christian life, 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:26.520 between family, extended family, friends, people you work with, 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:31.840 sooner or later people have got to ask you a spiritual related type question. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:38.039 And sometimes it may be in the realm of, do you think I'm a Christian? 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:41.139 Or what does it mean to be a Christian? 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:44.259 We don't need to put them off. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:45.879 We don't need to be afraid. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:50.459 What we do need to do is point them to the Scriptures 00:02:50.459 --> 00:02:55.399 and tell them, you know, I can't look inside you and I can't tell, 00:02:56.259 --> 00:03:02.519 but God knows and God has actually given us some information in His Word 00:03:02.519 --> 00:03:07.120 designed to help us to know if we really are Christians. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:11.400 And point them to the book of 1 John 1. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:15.840 It was really written, one of the main reasons, not the only reason, 00:03:15.920 --> 00:03:18.539 one of the main reasons was to give Christians assurance of their salvation. 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:21.980 We've looked at that over the last three or four weeks now 00:03:21.980 --> 00:03:23.140 as we've been going through this series. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:24.580 Look at it one more time. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:27.000 1 John chapter 5 and verse 13. 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:28.840 John writes, 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:39.860 We can, you and I, we can help people who are struggling with assurance 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:43.080 by pointing out what John says in this letter 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:48.219 about what true Christians believe and how they live. 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:51.840 When it comes to helping someone with assurance, 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:56.300 you may, if you know them real well, 00:03:56.819 --> 00:03:57.900 known them for a long time, 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:00.900 you may say to them, 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:04.699 well, from what I can see in you, 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:11.039 from what I know about you over many years, 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:15.519 you appear to be a Christian. 00:04:16.719 --> 00:04:18.060 But always be careful 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:22.019 because you don't really know. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:23.980 You don't know a person's motive. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:25.099 You don't know what they're thinking. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:29.920 The 11 disciples of Jesus 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:35.339 followed Jesus for three years 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:41.799 with one, the 12th, named Judas, 00:04:42.979 --> 00:04:44.919 that from all we read in the Gospels, 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:47.199 he appeared to be the real deal. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:49.599 He appeared to be a genuine follower of Jesus. 00:04:49.599 --> 00:04:52.500 But at the end, the end of Jesus' ministry, 00:04:53.099 --> 00:04:56.339 we know that he wasn't because he betrayed Jesus. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:00.099 Judas, in time, gave evidence 00:05:00.099 --> 00:05:02.159 that he wasn't really a true follower of Jesus. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.579 But the other 11 didn't know that 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:06.560 until he betrayed Jesus. 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:09.719 See, at the Last Supper, 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:15.659 Jesus said something to the disciples 00:05:15.659 --> 00:05:17.099 about one of you is going to betray me. 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:20.399 And a lot of you, you remember what they said? 00:05:20.479 --> 00:05:21.120 They looked at Jesus. 00:05:21.219 --> 00:05:21.959 They looked at one another. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:24.079 They looked at Jesus and said, 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:25.139 Lord, is it I? 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:29.439 They didn't know it was Judas 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:31.899 until he revealed 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:35.019 that he was a betrayer. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:40.159 That's why we cannot give anyone assurance 00:05:40.159 --> 00:05:41.000 of their salvation 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:42.139 because we don't really know. 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:44.679 But God can. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:47.039 And God desires for everybody 00:05:47.039 --> 00:05:48.060 who is truly a Christian 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:49.679 to know it, 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:51.120 to have comfort in that, 00:05:51.679 --> 00:05:54.479 to be assured that their relationship with him 00:05:54.479 --> 00:05:56.099 is good, is healthy, is right. 00:05:56.100 --> 00:05:58.500 And the way God does that, 00:05:58.580 --> 00:06:00.680 the way he provides comfort and assurance 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:03.379 is through his spirit 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:06.260 that he puts in every one of us 00:06:06.260 --> 00:06:08.760 when he saves us. 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:11.960 I've said it for years, 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:12.740 over and over again, 00:06:12.760 --> 00:06:13.480 and we've looked at it 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.720 in various messages, 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:17.300 various perspectives. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:19.800 But I want you to look very plainly. 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:22.439 The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:24.199 as Paul just says it 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.480 in 1 Corinthians 6, verse 19. 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:27.240 Look at it. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:29.160 Do you not know, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:30.319 writing to Christians now, 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:31.920 writing to the church at Corinth, 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:33.860 do you not know that your bodies 00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:36.579 are temples of the Holy Spirit 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:38.420 who is in you, 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:42.339 whom you have received from God? 00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:44.720 Very clear, isn't it? 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:46.540 The Holy Spirit is in you. 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:51.279 You have received him from God. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:53.359 The Holy Spirit indwells you 00:06:53.359 --> 00:06:54.019 if you're a Christian. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:55.859 Next thing I want us to say 00:06:55.859 --> 00:06:57.079 is the Holy Spirit is the one 00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:58.939 who actually gives us assurance. 00:06:59.059 --> 00:07:00.699 The Holy Spirit living within us 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:02.079 if we're Christians. 00:07:03.139 --> 00:07:04.879 He's the one that will give us 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.799 that assurance that we want, 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:07.519 that we desire. 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:08.959 Look at two passages. 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:11.199 1 John chapter 4, verse 13. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.279 And God has given us his spirit 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:17.359 as proof that we live in him 00:07:17.359 --> 00:07:19.399 and he in us. 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:21.479 That's in the New Living Translation. 00:07:22.419 --> 00:07:23.579 And then look at what Paul said 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:24.739 in Romans chapter 6, 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:26.579 or chapter 8 rather, 00:07:26.679 --> 00:07:27.439 in verse 16. 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:30.079 The Spirit himself bears witness 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:31.099 with our spirit 00:07:31.099 --> 00:07:33.060 that we are children of God. 00:07:34.099 --> 00:07:35.599 The Spirit lives within us. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:36.839 He will give us assurance. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:38.359 But now I want us to think, 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:39.599 how does he do that? 00:07:41.259 --> 00:07:42.779 How should we look? 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:44.359 How should we expect the Holy Spirit 00:07:44.359 --> 00:07:45.579 to give us assurance 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:47.019 that we are children of God 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:48.139 if we're struggling? 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.560 How can we help someone 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.839 that we know and care about 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:52.919 if they're struggling? 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:54.399 Let's look at how he provides 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:54.959 such assurance. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:55.599 Number one, 00:07:55.859 --> 00:07:57.299 the Holy Spirit gives us assurance 00:07:57.299 --> 00:07:58.339 by affirming 00:07:58.339 --> 00:07:59.799 that the Bible's description 00:07:59.799 --> 00:08:00.419 of a Christian 00:08:00.419 --> 00:08:02.159 is true about us. 00:08:03.039 --> 00:08:04.659 The Holy Spirit gives us assurance 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:06.819 by affirming, 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:08.839 confirming within us 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:12.019 that the things the Bible says 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:14.479 will be true about a Christian, 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:17.859 it's true about us. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:20.159 I want you to look at how he does that 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:21.299 by looking back 00:08:21.299 --> 00:08:22.240 to some of the things 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.539 we looked at last week 00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:24.359 in 1 John 00:08:24.359 --> 00:08:26.819 about what a true Christian is, 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:28.259 what a true Christian believes. 00:08:28.479 --> 00:08:29.219 Look, number one, 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:31.599 a true Christian has a personal relationship 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:33.759 with God and Jesus Christ. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.579 We looked at that last week 00:08:35.579 --> 00:08:37.360 and sort of expounded on that 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:38.500 and what 1 John says. 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:39.659 But I want you to understand, 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:42.559 nobody comes into the world 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:45.559 automatically in a right relationship 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.059 with God. 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:48.519 When we're born into this world, 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.879 we are separated from God. 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:51.839 We don't know God. 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:54.480 We cannot know Him on our own. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:55.899 The Scripture tells us, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:56.799 look what Paul says 00:08:56.799 --> 00:08:58.179 in Romans chapter 3. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:00.500 As it is written, 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:01.559 there is no one righteous, 00:09:01.719 --> 00:09:02.419 not even one. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:04.399 There is no one who understands. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:06.819 There is no one who seeks God. 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:10.420 Now, there is a lot of people 00:09:10.420 --> 00:09:15.120 who seek an idea about God. 00:09:15.300 --> 00:09:16.320 There is a lot of people in this world 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:18.040 whose lives are in turmoil 00:09:18.040 --> 00:09:19.920 and they certainly want peace. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:21.400 There is a lot of people 00:09:21.400 --> 00:09:22.340 who live in guilt 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:24.020 and they want to be freed from that guilt. 00:09:24.420 --> 00:09:25.400 There is a lot of people 00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:27.720 who are looking for something 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:30.000 to fill the void in their life. 00:09:30.660 --> 00:09:31.880 They understand about religion. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:33.440 They understand about various gods. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:36.880 And so a lot of people are searching for a God 00:09:36.880 --> 00:09:40.000 that they think might can help them, 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:41.460 make them feel better about themselves 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:42.300 or something like that. 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:44.940 What Paul is saying here is, 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:48.000 no one comes into this world 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:51.240 truly seeking the God who is 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:53.820 as He is. 00:09:54.540 --> 00:09:55.580 And the reason is because 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:58.000 we're born with a sinful nature. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:01.360 Every person in here who has had children, 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:03.480 who has grandchildren, 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:04.720 who's been around children, 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:05.460 you know that. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:08.379 You never have to teach these little kids 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:10.840 to fight one another, 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:12.860 to not share, 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:14.860 to say no, 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:16.379 disobey their parents. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:19.159 It's just who they are. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.720 They get it from us. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:24.379 It's an inherited sinful nature. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.100 Now, 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:29.519 the Bible describes this another way. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:32.080 Being spiritually dead. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:34.439 Look at what Paul said to the Ephesians. 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:36.120 In Ephesians chapter 2, 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:38.039 he's going to sort of lay it out 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:39.019 to these people, 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:39.679 these Christians, 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:42.720 who they were before they came to know Christ 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:46.419 and how God worked in them so graciously 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:49.240 to save them through faith in Jesus. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.799 And he begins chapter 2 by saying, 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:53.039 as for you, 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:56.259 you were dead in transgressions and sins. 00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.699 You were spiritually dead. 00:10:59.359 --> 00:11:01.039 That's why you didn't care about God. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:03.799 That's why you would not seek God. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:06.620 That's how we all come into the world. 00:11:07.719 --> 00:11:09.179 And it's the Spirit of God, 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:11.859 if a person is going to become a Christian, 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.099 if a person is going to be saved, 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.759 made a child of God, 00:11:17.579 --> 00:11:19.240 it'll be because the Spirit of God 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:22.659 does this supernatural work of regeneration, 00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:23.899 the new birth, 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:27.120 that Jesus described in John chapter 3. 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:28.720 In John chapter 3, 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.220 Jesus has a conversation 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:31.379 with a very religious, 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:33.560 upstanding man, 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.299 Nicodemus, 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:36.180 a Pharisee, 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.240 who basically 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:39.960 thinks he's right with God 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.360 because of his good works. 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:44.100 But Jesus is letting him know, 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.240 no, that's not the case. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:48.539 There's got to be a change 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.620 that takes place in a person. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.940 Jesus referred to it 00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:52.000 as a birth from above 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.180 or a second birth, 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:54.220 a new birth. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.139 I want you to look at 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:58.320 something Jesus said to Nicodemus 00:11:58.320 --> 00:11:59.539 in the middle of this conversation. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:01.120 It's in John chapter 3, 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:02.100 verses 6 through 8. 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:04.000 He says, 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.279 humans can reproduce 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.940 only human life. 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:09.080 That's what we do, isn't it? 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.279 But the Holy Spirit 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.320 gives birth 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:14.279 to spiritual life. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.240 So don't be surprised 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:16.740 when I say 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.799 you must be born again. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.259 The wind blows 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:20.279 wherever it wants, 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:22.659 just as you can hear the wind 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.539 but can't tell 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.519 where it comes from 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.399 or where it's going, 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:27.600 so you can't explain 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.919 how people are born 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.819 of the Spirit. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:33.279 The Holy Spirit does a 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:35.279 mysterious, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.279 supernatural work 00:12:36.839 --> 00:12:38.179 when he saves a person, 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:39.220 when he changes a person, 00:12:39.459 --> 00:12:41.059 when he regenerates a person. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:42.939 Jesus says, 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:43.699 unless you're born again, 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:44.640 you cannot see the kingdom 00:12:44.640 --> 00:12:45.120 of heaven. 00:12:46.780 --> 00:12:47.920 It's the Spirit of God 00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:49.220 who brings this about. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:51.460 And when the Spirit of God 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.520 does this, 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.800 here's how we can understand it, 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.680 how we can think about it. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.340 When the Holy Spirit 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.740 does this work of regeneration, 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:01.160 he opens our spiritual eyes, 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:03.080 he opens our eyes of faith 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.740 to really believe, 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:07.160 understand, 00:13:07.780 --> 00:13:08.960 grasp hold of the fact 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.700 that Jesus is the Son of God, 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:12.820 that when he died on the cross, 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:13.580 he paid the penalty 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.460 for my sins. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.520 It's the Holy Spirit 00:13:15.520 --> 00:13:16.740 who causes us 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:18.460 to be able to believe that, 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.620 accept that. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.000 Everybody does it. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.600 The Spirit does not do this 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.500 in every one. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:30.920 But when he does work 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:32.060 this work of regeneration, 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.740 he will enable us 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:36.240 to understand and truly believe. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.220 As Paul says 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.519 in 1 Corinthians 12, 3, 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.060 Paul makes it very clear, 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.139 no one can say 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:42.460 Jesus is Lord 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.360 except 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:45.620 in the Holy Spirit 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.879 or by the Holy Spirit. 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:49.139 Anybody can mouth words, 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.240 but no one can truly say 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.720 Jesus is the God 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.480 of my life 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.200 and mean it. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:58.039 No one will ever say, 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:00.600 I'm not my own boss. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:03.820 I'm living under 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:04.860 the authority of Jesus. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.220 No one will ever say that 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.320 unless the Spirit of God 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.659 works in them 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.779 to regenerate them, 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:10.879 to save them, 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:12.180 to change them. 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.620 Now let's make this personal. 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:16.700 I want you to think. 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:19.519 If you have been convicted 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.120 that you are a sinner 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:21.800 before God, 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:24.040 if you're convicted 00:14:24.040 --> 00:14:26.040 that you're not right with God, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:26.960 there's something in you 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.820 that's wrong, 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.100 you've offended God, 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.279 you've disobeyed Him, 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.539 you know you're separated 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.100 from Him 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:33.579 and it bothers you. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.019 I mean, 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:36.339 it really disturbs you 00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:37.500 to know that you are 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.159 separated from God, 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.419 a sinner before God, 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.799 hopeless without Him, 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:42.939 if it bothers you 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.519 to the point that 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.339 you've admitted that to God 00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:48.620 and you've really changed 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.039 your mind 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.819 about the way you're living. 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.360 Something has happened 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.059 and you no longer 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.679 want to just live for you, 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.779 you want to live 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.639 and do things God's way. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:59.240 Well, 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.360 that's the Spirit of God 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.360 working in you, 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.299 making you aware 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:02.899 of your sin 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.939 and enabling you 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:04.559 to repent, 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.840 to change your mind, 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.699 to turn from your sin. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.220 So if you have 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:10.179 those kind of thoughts 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:10.960 and desires 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.480 and that, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.059 what I've just said 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.019 is a description of you, 00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:15.299 that is a great sign 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:17.199 that you're a Christian 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.899 because that's the Spirit 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:20.799 of God working in you. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:21.899 Now, 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.059 let's go a step further. 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:25.379 if you really believe 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.379 that Jesus Christ, 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.500 as He is presented 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.219 in the Bible, 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.679 in the New Testament, 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.939 in the Gospels in particular, 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:32.679 if you really believe 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:34.019 He is the Son of God 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:37.319 and He came into this world 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:38.399 for the purpose 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:40.419 of saving you 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:42.799 by dying on the cross 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.779 and on the cross 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:46.679 paying the penalty, 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.519 taking the punishment 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:48.419 that you deserve 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.259 because you're the one 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.899 who sinned, 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.679 if you really believe 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:53.579 that Jesus died on the cross 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.179 to pay the penalty 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.039 for your sins, 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:57.120 that God supernaturally 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.980 raised Him 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.179 from the grave 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.720 after He was crucified, 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.259 buried, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.500 if you truly believe 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.799 that this risen King 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:08.860 died for your sins, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.860 you trust Him. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.039 He is the living Lord 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.459 and you have committed 00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:14.379 your life to Him. 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.259 You love Him. 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.539 You want to follow Him. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.100 That's your desire. 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:18.919 We're not talking about 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.979 milder than words now. 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:21.939 If that's how you think, 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.860 if that's how you feel, 00:16:24.579 --> 00:16:26.019 if that's real to you, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.059 that's the Spirit of God. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.479 You don't think like that. 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:33.120 You don't feel like that. 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:34.279 You don't live like that 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:35.379 on your own. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.500 That's the Spirit of God, 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.360 the supernatural, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.919 regenerating work 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.379 of the Holy Spirit 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.399 who enables us, 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.319 causes us to want 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:44.299 to turn from our sins 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.839 and put our trust in Jesus. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:49.960 So you need to think. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.780 What's the Holy Spirit 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:53.160 saying to me 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:55.740 about this attitude 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.800 or desire 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:58.580 or thing about 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.720 repentance and faith? 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.480 The second thing 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.340 we looked at last week 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.660 is this. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.759 A true Christian desires 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.400 to please God 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.220 by the way he or she lives. 00:17:07.100 --> 00:17:08.039 We looked at three things 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.700 last week. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.600 Number one, 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.519 a true Christian 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.500 will desire to obey 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.200 God's Word. 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.920 Look at it. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.900 And by this we know 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.420 that we have come 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:16.940 to know Him 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.660 if we keep His commandments. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.220 Doesn't get any clearer 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:20.960 than that, does it? 00:17:21.560 --> 00:17:22.060 Number two, 00:17:22.820 --> 00:17:23.380 a true Christian 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:24.380 will desire to stop 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.640 living a sinful life. 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:26.600 Look again, 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.480 1 John 3. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.340 No one born of God 00:17:29.340 --> 00:17:30.440 makes a practice 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.060 of sinning. 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:33.320 How clear can this be? 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:35.580 No one who is born of God 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:36.360 makes a practice 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:36.960 of sinning 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.960 for God's seed 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.720 abides in him. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.340 He's talking about 00:17:40.340 --> 00:17:41.019 the Spirit of God 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.700 as we referred to 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.200 last week. 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:44.340 And he cannot 00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:45.620 keep on sinning 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.200 because he's been 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:46.980 born of God. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.720 It's like this. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.480 If the Spirit of God 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.279 lives within you, 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:51.960 He gives you a desire 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.400 to live a life 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.200 that pleases God 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:55.019 and not sin. 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.900 If the Spirit of God 00:17:58.900 --> 00:18:00.039 lives within you, 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:02.779 He is going to give you 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.840 a desire to be 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.960 sexually pure. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.539 Doesn't mean you won't 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:06.940 be tempted, 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:07.500 not be. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:09.920 If the Spirit of God 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.799 lives within you, 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.319 He is going to 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.919 work in you 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.680 and cause you 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.899 to not want 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.859 to lash out 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.779 in anger 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.619 every time you 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.339 don't get your way. 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.879 The Spirit of God 00:18:23.879 --> 00:18:25.180 will work in us. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.399 And when we do sin, 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:30.940 we won't be able 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.319 to rest easy 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.639 until we confess it 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:35.119 and seek God's forgiveness. 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:38.279 If you can just lust, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.599 be engaged in sexual 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.339 immorality, 00:18:43.699 --> 00:18:45.000 cuss people out, 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:48.339 be meaner than a snake 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.239 and look them in the eye 00:18:49.239 --> 00:18:50.419 and say what you think, 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:52.679 cheat, 00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:57.079 use, 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.599 say whatever comes 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.979 through your mind. 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:01.139 If you can live that way 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.059 and sleep good at night, 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.979 you are not a Christian. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:05.240 The Spirit of God 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.099 does not live in you. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.440 If you think so, 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.599 you have been deceived 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.759 by the devil himself. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.140 You have a false sense 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:12.039 of what salvation is. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.599 I want you to understand 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.539 that very clearly. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.599 A Christian 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:18.200 can and will 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.980 sin terribly. 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.460 But when I do 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.880 my sinful things 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:27.140 in rebellion, 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.900 not doing what I know 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.660 God wants me to do, 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.279 God whips me. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:35.940 I don't want to look 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.660 you in the eye. 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:40.339 I don't sleep well 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:43.299 until I confess my sin 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.860 and agree with God 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.420 about it 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.900 and turn from it. 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.559 I don't want to live 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:47.860 that way. 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.599 The Spirit of God 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.000 within me 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.339 won't let me live that way 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:54.559 because He's there. 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.839 He's changed me. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.180 What the Scripture says, 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.539 no one born of God 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.660 makes a practice of sinning 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.740 for God's seed abides in him 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.740 and He cannot keep on sinning 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:04.200 because He's been born of God. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.440 It's just an impossibility. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.319 Clear as it can be. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.140 Number three, 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.440 a genuine Christian 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:11.960 will have a desire 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.839 to live a pure life 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:15.019 and everyone 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:17.559 who thus hopes in Him, 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.500 that's talking about Jesus, 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.839 purifies himself 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.500 as He is pure. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:22.000 So let's make this personal now. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:27.259 Do you have these kind of desires 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.559 to obey God's Word? 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:33.539 To not engage in sinful behavior? 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:36.400 Not dwell on sinful attitudes? 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.460 Do you have a desire 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.700 to live a morally pure life? 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:43.160 If you have those kind of desires, 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.079 that's a good sign 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.660 the Spirit of God 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.480 is living within you. 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.400 He's the one 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.680 who does those kind of things, 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:51.200 causes us to desire 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.940 those kind of things. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:54.039 But if that's not characteristic 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.779 of who you are, 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:58.079 the Spirit must be absent. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.480 And if the Spirit's absent, 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.819 you are not a child of God. 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:04.660 We also saw last week 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.460 that a true Christian 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.519 genuinely loves 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.460 his or her brothers 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.480 and sisters in Christ. 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.839 Look at what John said. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:11.339 We know that we've passed 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.539 out of death into life 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.220 because we love the brothers. 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.720 Whoever does not love 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.460 abides in death. 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.400 It's very clear 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.360 the love for our brothers 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.240 and sisters in Christ 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.600 is a sign 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:22.000 that we have spiritual life. 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.920 We've been born again. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.039 The Holy Spirit just gives us 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.079 that love for one another. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.160 We went into a lot of detail 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.620 about that. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.500 We may not like everybody, 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.819 but there will be this 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.900 love for our brothers 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.920 and sisters in Christ 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:36.380 that's Spirit-given. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.480 Now, 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.559 one of the major 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.639 indications 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:45.519 of the Holy Spirit's 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.019 work in our lives 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.679 will be that 00:21:48.679 --> 00:21:50.119 we are people who love. 00:21:50.919 --> 00:21:51.539 And that leads us 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.179 to the next thing 00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:52.779 I want us to see. 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.059 The Holy Spirit gives, 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:55.000 excuse me, 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:57.740 the Holy Spirit gives us 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.240 assurance 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.819 by producing 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:01.240 spiritual fruit 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.579 in us. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:03.839 I want you to think 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.279 about this. 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.619 This is found 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.720 in Galatians chapter 5 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:08.059 beginning in verse 16. 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:11.419 What I want you to see 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.119 first, 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.819 we're not going to read 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.259 the whole, 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.779 most of that chapter, 00:22:16.659 --> 00:22:17.259 but I want you to see 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.799 the Holy Spirit 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.339 will lead us 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:20.319 to say no 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.480 to the desires 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.500 of our sinful nature. 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.440 I want you to look 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.659 at Galatians 5 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:26.099 beginning in verse 19 here. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.480 Now the works 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.119 of the flesh, 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:29.659 the word flesh here 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.259 is another word 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:32.200 for the sinful nature. 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:32.579 In fact, 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.299 some of you are looking 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.879 at a translation 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.700 and it says, 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.579 now the works 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.899 of the sinful nature. 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.659 Let's read it. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.259 Now the works 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.799 of the flesh 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.399 are evident. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.000 That which is not 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.439 of God, 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.059 that which is 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.240 of our sinful nature 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.779 is evident. 00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:45.259 Look at it, 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.019 just a list here. 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.379 Sexual immorality, 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.220 impurity, 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.339 sensuality, 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.220 idolatry, 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.159 sorcery, 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:51.799 enmity, 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.579 strife, 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.299 jealousy, 00:22:53.699 --> 00:22:54.619 fits of anger, 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.659 rivalries, 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.299 dissensions, 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.019 divisions, 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:57.839 envy, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:58.839 drunkenness, 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.559 orgies, 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.980 and things like these. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.319 I warn you 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.039 as I warned you 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.379 before, 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.740 those who do 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.359 such things 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.159 will not inherit 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:07.000 the kingdom of God. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:07.979 That's what I was 00:23:07.979 --> 00:23:08.240 talking about 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.579 a while ago. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.240 If you ever get mad 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.779 at me for saying 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.399 something like that, 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.240 I don't care. 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:16.519 I won't lose 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:18.419 a wink of sleep 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:18.899 because I'm just 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.199 telling you 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:19.659 what the scripture 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:19.979 says, 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:20.579 what the scripture 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.319 says is what God 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.599 says, 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.500 and I don't apologize 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.139 for repeating 00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.839 the word of God. 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.639 And you should not 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:28.919 ever shy away 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:30.740 from speaking 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.139 the truth in love 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:34.139 that comes from 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.679 God's word. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:37.219 if you really 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:37.839 and truly love 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.479 your children, 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:39.259 your grandchildren, 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:39.919 your nieces 00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.719 and nephews, 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.559 your parents, 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.199 your grandparents, 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.819 and they're just 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.799 what appears to be 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.240 based on what 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.599 we're looking at 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:45.919 this morning, 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:46.979 if you know people 00:23:46.979 --> 00:23:48.399 that what they call 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:49.039 their Christian life 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.879 is just a sham, 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.959 there's no real 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.519 evidence, 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:53.939 you need to call 00:23:53.939 --> 00:23:54.379 them out 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:56.399 in love, 00:23:57.979 --> 00:23:59.539 in a way 00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.939 that lets them 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:00.519 know you hate 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.179 to say it, 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.759 but you need 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.080 to let them 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:05.480 know what you 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.840 call being a 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.539 Christian is 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.259 nowhere in 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.660 scripture. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.279 The Bible is 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.900 clear how a 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.360 Christian will 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:12.779 live, 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.580 what we will 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.160 desire. 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.539 We'll see in a 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:16.720 moment, 00:24:16.820 --> 00:24:17.320 none of us does 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:17.940 it perfectly. 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:20.019 We still have this 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.660 sinful nature and 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.620 we still fail 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.440 miserably, 00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:23.480 but there's a 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:23.960 difference in when 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.680 a Christian fails 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.400 and when an 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.039 unbeliever fails. 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.480 A Christian cares, 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.380 is broken, 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.180 feels guilt, 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.320 guilt. 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:32.960 Now, 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.600 look at those 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:34.960 things. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.200 We have such 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.840 desires as 00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.120 Christians. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.860 We battle such 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:40.700 temptations, 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.779 sometimes we fail 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.340 and give in to 00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:43.539 them. 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.900 But if we are 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.420 indwelled by the 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:46.799 Spirit of God, 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.440 as we saw just a 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.860 moment ago, 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.880 we'll be broken, 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.779 we'll be guilty, 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.920 and we'll not be 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.560 able to rest easy 00:24:54.560 --> 00:24:55.440 until we confess 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:57.440 and repent and 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.039 seek God's 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.480 forgiveness. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:58.680 forgiveness. 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:01.059 Now, our true 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.819 desires as 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.660 children of God, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.200 because we're 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.740 indwelled by the 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.200 Spirit, will be to 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.079 cooperate with the 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.000 Spirit and develop 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.980 the fruit of the 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.660 Spirit that Paul 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.920 talks about in 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.819 verses 22 and 23. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.339 Look at it. 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.240 But the fruit of the 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.140 Spirit is love, 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.860 joy, peace, 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.839 patience, kindness, 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.299 goodness, faithfulness, 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.700 gentleness, self-control. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.819 Against such things, 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.599 there is no law. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.500 If we're truly 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.019 Christians and 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.420 dwell by the 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.019 Spirit of God, 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.900 those character 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.900 qualities are things 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:28.340 that we desire, 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.519 that we admire, 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:33.000 that we want to 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.580 develop, 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:36.280 and we want our 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:37.860 lives to demonstrate 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.180 them, 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:40.180 because the Spirit of 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.840 God causes us to 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.600 desire this. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:43.860 Now, 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:47.259 we'll never 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:49.460 demonstrate these 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:51.360 qualities perfectly, 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:54.000 but we should be 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.859 making some progress 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:56.500 in them. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.199 It's a lifelong 00:25:58.199 --> 00:25:58.819 process. 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.559 As the Chuck 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:03.139 Swindoll book title 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:04.919 goes, a true 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.859 Christian will desire 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.519 to live this kind 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.859 of life, will 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:09.039 desire to cooperate 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.000 with the Holy Spirit, 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.219 but will never do it 00:26:11.219 --> 00:26:11.619 perfectly. 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.859 But over time, we 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.699 should see that we're 00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.899 making three steps 00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:17.419 forward, even though 00:26:17.419 --> 00:26:18.219 there are times that 00:26:18.219 --> 00:26:19.359 we take two steps 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.839 back. 00:26:20.959 --> 00:26:22.479 But over time, 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:24.439 over years, three 00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:25.259 steps forward and 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.240 two steps back, we're 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.699 still making a little 00:26:27.699 --> 00:26:29.039 bit of progress, and 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.679 we should be able to 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.679 see progress in our 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:31.119 lives. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.399 If you've been a 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:33.000 Christian for ten 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.159 years, there ought to 00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:35.559 be more love, joy, 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.459 peace, patience, 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.279 kindness, goodness, 00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:38.159 faithfulness, gentleness, 00:26:38.219 --> 00:26:38.979 and self-control in 00:26:38.979 --> 00:26:40.079 your life now than there 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:42.899 was ten years ago, or 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.740 five years ago. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.819 That means you've 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.679 arrived, that none of 00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:47.859 it is full-blown 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.979 perfect or anything like 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.339 that. 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:52.500 There should be 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:54.559 evidence of the 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.259 Spirit of God 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:56.880 working, developing 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.779 this character of 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.099 Christ in you if 00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.620 you're a Christian. 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.000 So look at yourself. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.740 Quickly, one more 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.299 thing the Holy Spirit 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.079 does in the life of a 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.319 Christian. 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:08.259 He creates within us a 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.880 loving relationship with 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:12.680 God as our Father. 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.539 Now I want you to look 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.360 at what Paul says in 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.420 Romans 8, 14 through 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:15.819 16. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.900 Paul writes, for all 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.940 who are led by the 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.820 Spirit of God are 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.540 sons of God. 00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:22.100 For you have received 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.620 the Spirit of adoption 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:25.900 as sons or daughters, 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:29.320 by whom we cry, Abba, 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.400 Father. 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.740 The Spirit himself bears 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.880 witness with our spirit 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.759 that we are children of 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.060 God. 00:27:36.540 --> 00:27:37.980 Paul is describing here 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.980 how the Holy Spirit 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:40.680 gives us an inner sense 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:43.960 of closeness with God. 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.560 The Holy Spirit works in 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.440 our lives as Christians 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:48.179 to enable us to 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:48.919 understand we are 00:27:48.919 --> 00:27:50.980 children of God and to 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.859 feel this sense of 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.039 closeness that we can 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.700 call him Father. 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:57.819 That word Abba is an 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:59.319 Aramaic word that means 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.679 Father and was used in 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.960 the home, in a home by 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.500 children. 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.480 Maybe even like our word 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:05.980 dad. 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:09.639 Or maybe even if you have 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.440 a close relationship with 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:10.859 a grandfather. 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.619 Pop. 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.879 You know, those really are 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.980 special words, aren't they? 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.860 The fathers in here. 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:21.200 If you're, you've got a 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.860 child that has, does, 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.240 call you dad. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.520 That signals something 00:28:27.520 --> 00:28:28.320 special, doesn't it? 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.760 There was only one man in 00:28:30.760 --> 00:28:32.080 my life that I called dad. 00:28:34.300 --> 00:28:36.140 I had two grandfathers on 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:37.300 both sides. 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:38.660 I call them both Pop. 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:41.220 I never was around them 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.540 together. 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.560 So one of them away from 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.099 each other, they were 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:44.039 Papa Stone, Papa Williams, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.159 but in person they were 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.460 pop. 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.319 They were special. 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.579 We should have a special 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:53.299 relationship with God. 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.679 It's nothing forced, it's 00:28:56.679 --> 00:28:57.259 just natural. 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.500 It comes from within. 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.579 Sometimes as you read the 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:04.639 Bible, as a Christian, the 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:06.200 spirit of God in you should 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.359 just help you to understand 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:10.619 God is speaking to me. 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:13.059 This is God's word to me. 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:15.359 Sometimes as you pray as a 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:17.019 Christian, you just sense, I'm 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.079 just really in the presence of 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.419 the Lord. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:21.500 I'm just really talking to him. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:25.059 Sometimes as a Christian, you may 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:27.599 just be out in the woods one day, 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.279 riding down the road one day, 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.659 and you're, for whatever reason, 00:29:31.719 --> 00:29:35.379 you just sort of, your mind's, you 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:36.339 know, you're not occupied about 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.599 something else, and you're just 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.480 thinking about your relationship 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:40.399 with God, and you just sense 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:45.599 this closeness with him that the 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:47.779 spirit of God is enabling you to 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.359 experience. 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:53.059 You ought to know what I'm talking 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:55.299 about if you're a Christian. 00:29:57.099 --> 00:30:00.000 You know, it may be that you are 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:02.699 lacking this kind of assurance right 00:30:02.699 --> 00:30:05.639 now because you're not close to God, 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:07.460 and you know why. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:11.180 Let's just wind it up right now. 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.560 Do you have assurance of your 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:15.020 salvation? 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:19.600 Are you sure, confident that you are 00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:20.400 a child of God? 00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:23.160 If you are, you need to thank him 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.920 because that's his spirit working in 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.180 you. 00:30:25.540 --> 00:30:26.600 That's a real blessing. 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:30.520 God has affirmed you, maybe as we've 00:30:30.520 --> 00:30:32.640 gone through this message, as you think 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.880 about what a real Christian is according 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:36.480 to scripture, is you just know the 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:41.080 spirit of God has confirmed to your 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:43.380 spirit that you're one with him. 00:30:43.760 --> 00:30:44.740 Thank him for that. 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.740 Enjoy that. 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:48.420 It's not because of who you are, what 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:48.720 you've done. 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:50.360 It's all because of who Jesus is, what 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:50.760 he's done. 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.500 And when you trust Jesus, God accepts 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:54.460 you, and you know that, so just thank 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.800 God. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.660 But it could be that you don't have 00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:58.500 assurance of your salvation right now. 00:30:58.500 --> 00:31:03.180 But your thought process is this. 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:05.279 I know what you've been talking about 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:05.700 this morning. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:10.680 Most of my life, I have had assurance 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:14.339 because most of my life, well I've never 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:17.039 been perfect, I've never whole, I've 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.279 never just, you know, been totally 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:20.480 faithful, but all my life I have sent, 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:23.480 sought to please God, to turn from sin, 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:26.039 to study his word and do it. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:30.480 But for whatever reason right now, you 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:34.059 just feel distant from God. 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:37.120 And it could be that you know why. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.200 It could be that there's something going 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:41.299 on in your life, maybe no one else knows 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.700 about it. 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:46.240 But you've allowed something sin, selfish, 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.319 something that you know is just totally 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:50.700 wrong, you've embraced it, you're 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:52.200 participating in it. 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.840 You know you shouldn't. 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:56.420 God can, God's been whipping you about 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:56.660 it. 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:59.559 But you're just stubborn and you're 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:01.620 holding out and you, you're not ready 00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.340 to give it up yet. 00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:04.039 And as a result of that, you don't have 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.539 good assurance. 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.620 I'm glad you don't have good assurance. 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:10.600 You should be glad you don't have good 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:11.100 assurance. 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:14.620 Because that's the spirit of God not 00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.700 letting you have assurance. 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:19.720 But he will if you'll confess it as the 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.600 sin that it is. 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:22.159 If you'll turn from it. 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:24.779 It could be that there's no one thing. 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:26.899 It could be that you've just allowed the 00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:31.539 busyness of life to cause you to drift 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:33.619 away from the Lord and closeness with him. 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.339 And the Lord is convicting you of that right 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.619 now. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:40.079 Come back to him in real confession, 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.899 repentance, renewing your commitment, 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:43.299 your love to him. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:46.279 Ask him to return to you the joy of your 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.779 salvation. 00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:52.559 But if you know, you say, there's no matter 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.279 about assurance. 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.419 I know I'm not a Christian. 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:57.159 Maybe you're a member of this church or some 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.539 church. 00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:59.559 Maybe you've even been involved in the life of 00:32:59.559 --> 00:32:59.919 the church. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:02.920 But as you compare the way you are, the way you 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:05.400 think, feel, and live, the way the Bible says the 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:07.860 Christian will, it's obvious you're not. 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:11.640 And if that bothers you, if that really disturbs you, 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:15.259 and you don't want it to be that way, give it up. 00:33:16.060 --> 00:33:18.800 Admit to God, I am not a Christian, even though people 00:33:18.800 --> 00:33:19.400 think I am. 00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:21.120 Repent of your sin. 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:22.060 Change your mind. 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.460 Turn. 00:33:22.560 --> 00:33:23.560 Do an about face right now. 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:26.740 Put your faith and trust in Jesus truly. 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:30.279 Trust that he died for you when he died on the cross. 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.740 Call upon him to save you. 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:34.700 Surrender your life to him now. 00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:37.339 The Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.559 Lord will be saved. 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:43.740 And when we truly are, become children of God, the 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:46.160 spirit will give us real assurance. 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:48.500 Call upon him now. 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.819 Let's pray together. 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:53.859 Dear God, show us how we should respond now. 00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:58.619 Each one of us, in light of what you've said through your 00:33:58.619 --> 00:34:01.919 word, through your spirit, and in an attitude of prayer, 00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:03.519 listen to the Lord and do what he's saying. 00:34:04.699 --> 00:34:06.899 If I could pray with you during this time, I'd be happy to 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.219 do that. 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:07.959 I'll be here at the front. 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:12.759 But you do what it is that you know God's calling you to do. 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.420 Maybe just give him thanks. 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:18.059 Praise him for calling you to be his child, for giving you good 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.480 assurance. 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.480 Maybe you need to come back to him. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:24.980 You know you're a Christian, but you're not close to him now. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:27.219 You're not enjoying real fellowship with him. 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:30.119 Deal with whatever it is that's causing that. 00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:31.880 Come back to God. 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:36.019 If you know you're not a Christian, the only thing, the only way 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:42.500 you're ever going to find relief and hope is to come to Christ 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:44.519 in faith and commitment. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:48.880 Pray, obey the Lord during these next few minutes. 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.559 Do we? 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:52.519 Do we think about tune and preaching? 00:34:53.140 --> 00:34:53.340 Doing this right whenever the Bible doesn't exist. 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:53.519 You're not. 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:58.019 The only thing about�s that you are when you're on the 00:34:58.240 --> 00:35:00.340 Lord is saying, listen to the rightklars class, 00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:04.740 it is a great day when you're on the earth, 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:06.820 потому that you never could share it. 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:08.599 And theingenness of Time Grizzly has been perfect. 00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:10.099 The Metiff comfort on Truth as one another life that of 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:12.019 was being said before the Lord. 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:13.640 If you met this at Teams in first宮 would then serve 00:35:13.640 --> 00:35:15.059 an ongoing活аете which was about 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.180 being taught in January. 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:16.740 What measure? 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.840 How was that du Air?