WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 The reading is from Romans 7, verses 13-25. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.439 For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:39.000 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with Allah that it is good. 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:44.140 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:50.100 For I know that nothing good dwells in me that is in my flesh. 00:00:50.519 --> 00:00:54.519 For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 00:00:55.240 --> 00:00:59.539 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:08.659 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:13.799 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:17.019 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being, 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:21.859 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:25.079 and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:29.340 Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.019 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:39.840 So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:46.780 One of Christopher Nolan's earliest movies, I looked it up, I think it was his fifth movie. 00:01:46.880 --> 00:01:53.680 I don't know if that constitutes earliest or not, but I think this movie is a bit of, it's a bit slept on. 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:54.640 I love this movie. 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:55.680 It's called The Prestige. 00:01:56.180 --> 00:01:59.620 It's with Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale and Scarlett Johansson. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:07.520 Anyways, it follows a rivalry turned war between two illusionists in Victorian London. 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:14.539 And the triumph and the tragedy of the plot is the illusionist, played by Christian Bale. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:19.020 He appears to be two different people throughout the film. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:22.379 One committed to family, the other a braggart. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:25.259 I won't say more about the plot. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:27.079 I think it came out in 06. 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:29.299 That's 20 years ago, but it's such a good movie. 00:02:29.460 --> 00:02:31.939 I'd hate to spoil it if you haven't watched it yet, okay? 00:02:32.359 --> 00:02:33.639 So I will refrain. 00:02:34.139 --> 00:02:40.560 I won't say much more about the plot, except that having a rift in one's behavior and character, 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:47.680 acting one way and feeling frustrated about it, feeling like you are two separate peoples at various times, 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:50.180 is a terrible way to live. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:57.240 Desiring change, being unable to have it, what a human problem. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:03.840 Something that seems to fly in the face of what it means to be a committed, mature Christian. 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:09.240 We're going to wrap up Romans for the summer. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:14.780 We almost certainly won't get back to it until January of 2027. 00:03:16.260 --> 00:03:18.400 So this feels like a bit of a wrap-up. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:26.480 But as we conclude chapter 7, I'll ask this question and see if we can answer it this morning. 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:30.900 If the Christian life promises a deep and lasting change, 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:36.219 why do so many of us Christians persist in sin? 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:47.479 If it promises a consistent, deep, lasting change, why do Christians persist in sin? 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:51.280 If you have a scripture journal, read with me. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:56.120 We're on page 32, starting in verse 13 of Romans chapter 7. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:00.700 And we're going to read all the way to the end of the chapter. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:05.099 I've broken down the text under these three headings. 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:12.439 The conflict described, the battlefield located, and then finally just an honest admission. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:19.579 The conflict described, the battlefield located, and then an honest admission. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:22.359 Let's jump right into it. 00:04:23.099 --> 00:04:25.099 Verses 13 and 14. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.039 I'll stop there. 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:29.759 And then I'll bring some stuff to your attention. 00:04:29.919 --> 00:04:32.560 Did that which is good then bring death to me? 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:33.800 Paul's talking about the law. 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:35.759 By no means. 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:43.120 It was sin producing death in me through what is good in order that sin might be shown to be sin. 00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:46.539 And through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 00:04:46.540 --> 00:04:49.260 For we know that the law is spiritual. 00:04:49.840 --> 00:04:53.260 But I am of the flesh sold under sin. 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:54.420 Now I'll pause there. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:05:06.259 Because this is a, there's an interesting struggle with commentators and theologians throughout the centuries. 00:05:07.280 --> 00:05:08.620 And the question is this. 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:10.060 Who is Paul talking about? 00:05:10.460 --> 00:05:11.540 Is it himself? 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:13.939 Is this a bit of an autobiography? 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:20.719 Or is Paul kind of personifying an unregenerate, somebody who is not yet a Christian? 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:29.600 Or is Paul describing again in kind of a personified way, a Christian who is deeply immature? 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:33.000 We call this Christian a carnal Christian. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:35.639 Who is Paul talking about here? 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:46.699 Paul, verse 14, seems to use language that he has previously associated with somebody who's actually not in the faith. 00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:48.539 Look with me at verse 14 again. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:53.300 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:02.939 Now Paul has used flesh language to describe sinful, unregenerated, people that are not yet a part of the Christian faith. 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:04.120 They're non-Christians. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:05.759 He continues on. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:09.319 But I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:15.139 Now if you remember a couple weeks ago, maybe a bit more than just a couple weeks ago, 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:19.819 we talked about how we would be slaves, all of us are slaves to something. 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:24.899 And if it's not slaves to Christ, then it's slaves to sin. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:29.039 It seems that maybe Paul's talking about a non-Christian here. 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:37.639 But this could also be someone that is maybe wrestling with the faith. 00:06:37.799 --> 00:06:42.219 Maybe they love the idea of Jesus saving them. 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:48.440 They love the whole concept of grace, but they haven't crossed the Rubicon, so to speak. 00:06:49.080 --> 00:06:53.120 Or maybe they have, but they are just deeply, deeply, deeply immature. 00:06:54.640 --> 00:07:00.060 That would then maybe make this idea of being a slave to sin. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:04.620 It's like this kind of in-between period where they're not yet a slave to Christ. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:11.060 But there's problems with that because I don't know if the scriptures really talk about it in-between time. 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:17.459 So how about the other view, that this describes a regular Christian experience? 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:22.339 I think that, I think this is where we're going to land. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:32.879 St. Augustine, the Reformers, they would all say that this is most certainly an autobiography of Paul. 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:37.660 And if Paul himself is, can we call him a super-Christian? 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:41.420 I mean, he's a very, very mature Christian, at the very least. 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:43.280 And this applies to him. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:46.860 It would seem, then, that this is indicative of the Christian life. 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:52.240 This is seen throughout. 00:07:52.460 --> 00:08:00.540 We see that Paul, he will repeatedly, in verses 14 to 20 especially, talk about how the law is good. 00:08:01.520 --> 00:08:01.640 Okay? 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:04.460 His disposition to the law is that it is good. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:06.960 His desire is to please God. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.659 These are things that we have seen over the weeks in Romans. 00:08:11.239 --> 00:08:14.939 This is not characteristic of somebody who does not walk with Jesus. 00:08:16.919 --> 00:08:24.639 Paul, in Romans and in other places, he'll describe us, before we come to faith, as being enemies of God. 00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:27.079 Delighting in disobedience. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.859 Delighting in selfishness. 00:08:29.359 --> 00:08:31.439 Paul, the way he describes it here, is not that. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.700 Nevertheless, we find that sin is very persistent. 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:39.920 So, answering the question. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:45.879 Is this indicative of the regular Christian experience? 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:47.620 And I think the answer is yes. 00:08:47.660 --> 00:08:49.840 And I think it's very important that we answer in the affirmative. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:56.240 Because it is the key to unlocking the rest of this passage. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:09:01.399 And really, and I know we don't do this as Christians. 00:09:01.540 --> 00:09:07.639 We want to be people of the word and not put our experiences over God's word and the truth that it says. 00:09:08.040 --> 00:09:09.639 But does this not ring true? 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:10.660 Okay? 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:12.620 Those that have walked with the Lord for some time. 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:15.360 Do you struggle with sin? 00:09:16.959 --> 00:09:26.659 And a consistent sin that has plagued you, not just for a few weeks or a few months, but has followed you for decades. 00:09:27.219 --> 00:09:27.399 Okay? 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:28.699 Has this been your experience? 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:31.059 It has been mine. 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:32.100 It certainly has been mine. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:33.839 It rings true. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:45.160 And I think if we understand this text in light of that affirmation, namely that this is indicative of the Christian faith, 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:49.160 then I think this is very, very, very good news for us. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:50.700 Now, we'll just pause there. 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:53.300 Stick a pin in this, why it is good news. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:54.940 But let's get back to the text. 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:59.379 So, we have the key to understanding the rest of the passage. 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:02.379 A cipher, if you want to call it that. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:04.200 And let's continue on. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:08.620 We'll read verses 14 again and then continue on in 15 all the way down to 20. 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:14.080 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:17.220 For I do not understand my own actions. 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:21.299 For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:27.139 Again, language not used by somebody who's outside of the Christian faith. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:32.059 Now, if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that it is good. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:36.720 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:40.659 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:46.899 For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:52.860 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:11:01.620 Now, if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:11.139 Paul has defended the law earlier in chapter 7 against accusations that the law of God has become the source of sin and evil. 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:21.100 In fact, the law is crucial, Paul has said to us before, in understanding what sin is and who we are in light of our sinfulness 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:26.720 and why then that we need the gift of grace from God himself. 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:31.660 We are utterly, utterly hopeless without it. 00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:33.600 But the law brings us to grace. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:38.980 And yet, here we see that, again, sin continues on. 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:40.160 It continues on. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:40.899 It continues on. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.500 It persists. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:49.600 In fact, it persists to such a degree in our lives that even as our desire to do good and true good, 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:56.700 not just the appearance of good, but really do good and to obey God's law, as that desire grows, 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:04.659 our sinful desires don't necessarily shrink, at least not as fast as we'd want them to. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:06.240 They persist. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:11.500 And therefore, we have this constant conflict within us. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:18.000 We are more aware of both the goodness and holiness of God on one hand and the sinfulness of sin on the other. 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:21.299 It can be confusing and perplexing. 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:25.399 And notice how Paul is incredibly honest as he describes this frustration. 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:29.240 He describes it in a number of different places. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:33.159 Again, verse 15, this is what he says. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:35.960 For I do not understand my own actions. 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:38.100 He doesn't understand his own actions. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:41.580 The second part of verse 18, what does Paul say here? 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:45.820 For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:55.820 Verse 19, for I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.159 Paul is honest. 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.259 He is perplexed. 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.120 He is struggling. 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:11.639 You know, a common experience among new converts is an incredible joy and zeal that accompanies newfound faith. 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:15.259 Everything Jesus I want. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.059 Two scoops of Christianity? 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:19.100 Make it three, okay? 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.319 Give it to me. 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.580 I want it all. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:22.720 Zealousness. 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.939 It's like sin is in my rear view. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.699 I am pumped for Jesus. 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.279 I am walking this Christian life. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:34.799 And then, after a few months or maybe a year, there's some kind of cooling off period. 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:38.019 And it's a bit confusing. 00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:40.899 I mean, I thought I was all for Christ. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:48.819 Some of our worship songs that we sing, I mean, if you turn them into prayers, I think it's wonderful. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:54.480 But it's potentially dangerous when we sing things like, I will never let you go. 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:58.800 Yeah, maybe this afternoon you're going to let him go, right? 00:13:59.280 --> 00:14:04.340 We risk being overly zealous all of our days. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:09.760 I shouldn't say we risk it, but we think we're going to be overly zealous all of our days. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:13.379 And we find that we fall into the same pattern of sin. 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:18.259 And all of our excitement and fervor starts to wane. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:23.279 Being a Christian no longer feels effortless, but feels very difficult. 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:27.819 It is hard to consistently walk as a Christian. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:31.860 We become a walking civil war, so to speak, right? 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.840 We have these excellent desires to follow the Lord. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:37.080 And then we are tempted. 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:45.980 And temptations can be anything, but we're tempted with our eyes, with our ears, with our appetites. 00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:55.480 And all of a sudden, the desire to follow God and to obey him seems to get dwarfed. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:15:04.040 Our inner self wants to obey, but our desires and our appetites want what is forbidden and ruinous. 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:09.639 This is what Paul is communicating when he says, it is no longer I who do it. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:12.860 He is describing this inner conflict within him. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:18.299 We are free from sin, yet sin still has power over us. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.000 What Paul isn't saying, though, and I think this is important. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:30.659 What Paul isn't saying is that he is somehow no longer responsible for his sinful actions. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:41.600 As if to say, there's this other force, there's this, excuse me, this Paul, this other Paul within me that is sinning. 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.799 But not the real Paul. 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:44.179 No, no, no, Paul's not saying that. 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:47.299 Paul is a sinner. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:50.879 It is really he who sins. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:56.879 It is his will that gives into the power of sin that still indwells within him. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:59.399 Still, the conflict is real. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:01.339 The civil war continues to rage. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:04.899 And Paul is drawing our attention to this reality. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:09.979 So Paul is certainly not trying to skirt responsibility here, 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:13.620 but just to really highlight the fact that this conflict is real. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:19.019 I think this is very important for us to consider this morning. 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:26.340 It is so important for us to remember that Paul is essentially saying the same thing twice. 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:34.159 If you read verses 14 to 17, then verses 18 to 20, he repeats himself almost verbatim. 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:42.159 Maybe a couple changes here and there, but it's like he just says it and then rewinds the tape and says it again. 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:49.779 And Paul's not saying this twice because he is unorganized, that he just kind of blabbers on. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.899 That's kind of Paul's style. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.039 But I think he is saying it twice. 00:16:53.319 --> 00:17:00.059 He is reiterating it because he wants us to be under no illusion about the conflict that is this Christian life. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:06.279 So if the Christian life is a civil war that rages within us, right? 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:11.539 On one hand, our spirit against our flesh on the other hand. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.579 How do we fight this battle? 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.139 How do we do it? 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:22.840 It would be important to understand first, if we are to fight it, where the battle is being fought. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:26.560 And this leads us to our second point, the battlefield located. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:30.220 Look with me at verses 21 to 23. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:33.900 And we'll be on page 34 of the scripture journal. 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:55.220 Pause here. 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:57.420 Just helpful for our reading. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:01.200 Paul uses the law three different ways here. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:07.799 When he talks about, in verse 21, a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:12.059 He is talking about, maybe it would be a better way to talk about it as a principle. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:16.240 This is just something that happens consistently. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:21.519 That when I want to do right, sin is lurking close by. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:25.640 But then he talks about, in verse 22, the law of God, which is the way we'd understand it. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:32.880 God's law, God's revealed will, things, especially as it is in the Ten Commandments. 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:39.040 But then there's this other aspect of law, of his usage of the law in verse 23. 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:47.920 When he's talking about another law waging war, it's almost as if he's talking about that law in a way to describe a power, a force. 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:49.860 That's at work here, okay? 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.560 So on one hand, there's a principle. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:55.420 On the other hand, there is, like, God's law, the way we've been reading it. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:19:00.140 The other way, there's, like, this power or this force that is at work against us. 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:04.759 So that's just a helpful way to read the scripture. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:10.180 Why don't we get back into our point and ask the question, where is this battlefield located? 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.740 Paul wants to do right. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:20.359 And I think if you are a Christian, if you have confessed faith in Christ, if you have been baptized, you want to do right as well. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.240 You want to obey God. 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:25.480 You want to walk in his ways. 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:27.720 You want to bring him pleasure in your obedience. 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:31.779 You want to desire and honor and please him. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:39.099 But this other law, this law or power at work, is constantly trying to trip you up. 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:49.059 What is important to notice is that even though sin persists, Paul is still delighting in the law of God, in his inner being. 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:58.459 It's not as though when sin comes and is lurking and is tempting him to not follow God but follow his temptations. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:20:01.759 It's not as though he, in that moment, hates God. 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:05.240 No, he still loves God. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:07.000 He still desires God. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:12.220 He delights in the law of God, in his inner being, which is to say, in his heart of hearts. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:17.460 He has been transformed by the grace found in the gospel of Christ. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:19.420 That's what happens when you become a Christian. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:23.619 God gives you grace and favor. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.079 Our sins are forgiven. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.420 He gives us his Holy Spirit. 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.680 We are transformed. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:35.740 And yet, still, sin lurks within us. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:40.840 And Paul here is making it very clear that this sin that lurks within him, 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.840 and the sin that lurks within us, 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:48.500 it pops up maybe on a regular basis. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:54.119 It is always present. 00:20:55.180 --> 00:21:00.680 But what we see in Paul here is that it is not shaking his confidence that the Father loves him, 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:04.539 that Christ has died for him, that the Holy Spirit is inside of him. 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:07.819 But how easy it is for us to forget this truth. 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:13.919 Christians can often, and I put myself just squarely in this camp, 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:23.799 we functionally affirm the gospel, but functionally we deny it. 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.460 What do I mean? 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:31.720 We often think that our standing before Christ is contingent upon our obedience to the law. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:38.519 When we are doing super well, we are kind, we are showing genuine love, 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:44.759 you know, it is not uncommon to think, in potentially a smug way, 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:46.680 I did well today. 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.240 God loves me. 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.140 God is pleased with me. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.220 God delights in me. 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:54.680 And yet, when we've messed up, 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.380 when we've constantly engaged in temptation, 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.759 when we have been short, 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:01.299 when we have cheated, 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.339 when we have stolen, 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.920 my guess is, 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.160 if you're like me, 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.859 you go 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:10.400 to bed, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.720 or you wrap up your day, 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.299 and you think, 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:16.259 man, I am distant from God. 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.339 I have blown it. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.660 Hellfire might be licking at my toes. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:26.180 And I think this is why a chapter like chapter 7, 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.759 but really all of chapter 6, 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.720 and all of chapter 7, 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:31.460 and we won't get to chapter 8 until 2027, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:35.240 but chapter 6 and chapter 7, 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.500 especially chapter 7, 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.759 is so vital for us, 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:40.940 especially verses 21 and 23. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:46.380 We must understand that there are these two conflicting powers at war, 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:50.940 and they're fighting on the battlefield of our mind. 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:53.279 And even though we know Christ, 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.880 and we are saved by him, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.920 and we have his Holy Spirit, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:00.820 and we maybe have been walking for decades with the Lord, 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:05.080 that this battle persists and continues on. 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.100 It's still, 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:12.740 sin, it still lurks. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:15.000 It still says to us, 00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:17.019 whispering these lies in our ears, 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:19.920 that we are under its dominion and power, 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:22.740 that we have no hope, 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:27.119 that the temptation that we have isn't really temptation, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:30.619 because you can't be tempted with something you deserve, 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.680 something that will benefit you. 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.299 Listen, taste, 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.259 touch, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:36.799 look, 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:38.339 defend yourself, 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:40.019 have a backbone. 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.339 You are, 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:44.980 you are greater than this person in front of you. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.319 Don't let them walk all over you. 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:50.059 And so the lies continue to get whispered. 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:53.619 The battle continues to rage in our hearts. 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:56.379 When Paul's talking about the battle of our mind, 00:23:56.439 --> 00:23:58.480 he's really talking about our being, 00:23:58.659 --> 00:24:00.279 or what makes us us. 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.119 The law of sin, 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:03.039 the power of sin, 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:06.799 it continues to wage war upon our very being. 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:09.579 So although sin still resides within, 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.299 with great strength, 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:15.279 we need to be reminded time and time again, 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:17.379 that it no longer has to be obeyed. 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.500 It says to us, 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.059 okay, 00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:20.980 it says to us, 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.859 I own you. 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:24.079 But the gospel speaks a different word. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.720 There's this, 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:26.799 whoo, 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:30.700 an unbelievably powerful scene at the end of 12 Years a Slave, 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:33.799 where the main character, 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:38.299 he is working a field, 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:43.000 and his friends from the North come, 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:47.099 and essentially rescue him from the plantation. 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.960 And as he's walking, 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:51.200 to this cart, 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:53.500 to go back to the North, 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:55.779 to see his family after 12 years of being a slave, 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.659 his slave owner, 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:58.019 just follows him, 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.859 just yelling, 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:02.420 and tearing him down, 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.460 such obscenities, 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.519 I own you, 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.119 I own you, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.539 I own you. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:05.720 I mean, 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.420 he says different words. 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:08.779 But that, 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.680 all of that were just lies. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:13.200 And it's such a wonderful, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.359 beautiful image, 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.319 of, 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:15.759 of, 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.859 of how evil sin is. 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:20.579 Because the gospel tells us, 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.859 that we are Christ's. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.460 We are slaves to him, 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.759 which is perfect freedom. 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:27.859 We are no longer slaves to sin, 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.420 but sin will, 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.339 will tell us otherwise. 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.900 And will follow us, 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.619 all of our living days, 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.640 saying, 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.759 I own you, 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.799 follow me. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.759 But the gospel says, 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:41.440 that we no longer have to obey it. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.740 And yet, 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:45.640 we constantly forget, 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.180 that we are freemen. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.500 We are no longer slaves. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.379 Our trajectory, 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:53.200 is towards holiness, 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.180 and selflessness, 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:54.980 and love, 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:55.680 and joy, 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:55.960 and, 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:58.220 and to be in the presence of God. 00:25:58.300 --> 00:25:58.500 And yet, 00:25:58.560 --> 00:25:59.600 we find ourselves, 00:25:59.740 --> 00:25:59.920 again, 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:02.680 this is the battlefield of our minds. 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:04.240 This is what is happening. 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.560 We find ourselves, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.780 going back, 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.800 if we're going to use a slavery imagery, 00:26:10.040 --> 00:26:10.200 we're, 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.620 we're going back to Egypt. 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:12.960 Okay, 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:15.040 we're going back to our evil taskmasters. 00:26:15.520 --> 00:26:16.480 To the whips, 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:19.840 and the bricks that we are to make. 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:21.820 Friends, 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.020 we have been given a new heart, 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:27.100 that desires godly things, 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:29.040 even though our flesh, 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.060 is still susceptible, 00:26:30.300 --> 00:26:31.340 to the wooing of sin. 00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.780 The battle will never end, 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.380 in your life. 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.040 And, 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.280 that might seem, 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.180 very discouraging. 00:26:38.760 --> 00:26:38.920 Okay, 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.340 it might. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.680 But, 00:26:41.780 --> 00:26:42.880 it is very helpful, 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:43.620 to know that, 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.620 that there is a battle waging. 00:26:46.600 --> 00:26:47.080 So, 00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:47.560 the, 00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:47.760 the, 00:26:47.760 --> 00:26:49.160 the question then is, 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.320 how then, 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.759 are we to win, 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.279 at, 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:53.519 on, 00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:54.180 on this battle, 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.340 on this battlefield? 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:55.620 How, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.620 how are we to, 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.240 to make sure, 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:58.500 to, 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.500 to ensure that, 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:01.360 that the battle of our mind, 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:01.779 against, 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.420 the, 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.519 the law of God, 00:27:03.580 --> 00:27:04.740 and the law of sin, 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.180 that the, 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.720 the law of, 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.960 the sin is, 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.880 is destroyed forever? 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:10.260 Well, 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.820 it is certainly not, 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.480 by sheer will. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.280 It's not a matter, 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.120 of self-improvement. 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.040 Listen, 00:27:16.520 --> 00:27:17.520 self-improvement's great, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.320 but if self-improvement, 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.140 is the, 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.720 the way, 00:27:21.040 --> 00:27:21.680 to holiness, 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.440 it's not going to happen. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.300 Self-improvement, 00:27:27.300 --> 00:27:27.860 will help you, 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:28.620 not snack, 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.420 after 8pm. 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:30.000 Maybe. 00:27:30.540 --> 00:27:30.820 Okay, 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.440 maybe. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.920 But, 00:27:33.020 --> 00:27:33.960 will it help you, 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.420 to do away, 00:27:35.520 --> 00:27:36.260 with sin forever? 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:40.059 The answer is no. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.859 So, 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.240 does that leave us, 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.319 to be helpless people? 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.900 We find the answer, 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.279 to that, 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.240 in verse 24. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:48.859 This brings us, 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.339 to our third, 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.059 and final point. 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:52.259 An honest admission. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.460 This is what Paul says, 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.200 in verse 24. 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.559 It's almost such a scandal, 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.180 he says this, 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.099 but let's read it. 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.000 Wretched man, 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.640 that I am. 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.879 Who will deliver me, 00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.920 from this body, 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.840 of death? 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.880 Let me read that again. 00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:09.960 Wretched man, 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.560 that I am. 00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.500 The apostle Paul, 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.340 is speaking this, 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:12.620 okay? 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.680 If there's a super Christian, 00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.480 that has existed, 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:17.759 it might, 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.480 it might very well be, 00:28:19.560 --> 00:28:20.180 the apostle Paul. 00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.200 What is he saying? 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.779 Wretched man, 00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:23.539 that I am. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.700 Who will deliver me, 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.580 from this body, 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:26.980 of flesh? 00:28:27.800 --> 00:28:28.360 This body, 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:28.800 of death? 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:30.960 That's a very, 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.519 honest, 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.120 admission, 00:28:32.340 --> 00:28:32.539 right there, 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:32.960 is it not? 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.100 Paul says, 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.660 I'm a wretch. 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:36.279 I have been given, 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.120 a new heart, 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.800 and a new mind, 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.240 and yet, 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.080 I still have, 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.720 a body, 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.080 of death. 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:45.800 For those, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.920 that have jumped, 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:48.040 all the way, 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:49.480 into our tradition, 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.440 the Anglican tradition, 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:51.880 and have, 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.580 really dug, 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.180 into the book, 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.800 of common prayer. 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:55.400 Now we use it, 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:55.920 on Sundays, 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.720 and we use it, 00:28:56.800 --> 00:28:57.340 for like, 00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:57.940 almost, 00:28:58.560 --> 00:28:59.480 without edit, 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:01.140 at our early service, 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.279 we had this morning, 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.880 which was wonderful. 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.259 But if you, 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.440 are familiar at all, 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.839 with the book, 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:07.579 of common prayer, 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.759 and specifically, 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:11.539 the 1662, 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.599 book of common prayer, 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.299 there's been edits, 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.360 over the centuries. 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.620 Morning prayer, 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.680 opens with the general, 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.759 confession. 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.180 Every morning, 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.480 there's a general confession, 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.039 and, 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.279 it captures, 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.240 verse 24, 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.839 so unbelievably, 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.160 well. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.400 It describes, 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.120 us, 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.160 as we confess to God, 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.599 our sins, 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.120 in the morning, 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.539 in two ways. 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.380 First, 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:37.140 that there is no health, 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.579 in us. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.259 And second, 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.880 that we are, 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:42.059 miserable offenders. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.599 And what's interesting, 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.279 is that over, 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.740 this is like, 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.759 geek a little bit, 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.099 okay, 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.599 over the, 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.960 the various edits, 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:51.420 especially in the modern era, 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:56.440 editors have taken out, 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.440 miserable offenders, 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.000 completely. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.960 Like if you go into, 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.960 the 2019, 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.480 prayer book, 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:03.680 that, 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.120 that, 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.339 a lot of the churches, 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.539 in our diocese, 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.160 use, 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.640 miserable offenders, 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.500 isn't there at all. 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.720 And when they say, 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.599 there's no health in us, 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:11.880 it says, 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.440 apart from your grace, 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.980 there is no health in us. 00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:17.240 Which is true, 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.220 to an extent. 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.779 But let me tell you, 00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.180 one thing. 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.920 If you know the depth of sin, 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:24.720 okay, 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.519 in your life, 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:28.339 when you confess, 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.339 your sins to God, 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.880 that is not the time, 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.160 to hedge your bets, 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.160 and, 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.360 and, 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.420 and to smooth over, 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.259 the sharp edges, 00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:36.279 or, 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.200 or to gloss over, 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.460 the reality of your condition. 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:39.940 I mean, 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.740 the apostle Paul, 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.839 himself, 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.480 calls himself, 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:44.180 a wretched man, 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.440 that I am. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:47.759 when you confess your sins, 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.120 friends, 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.500 to God, 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.000 call it like it is. 00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:54.299 Be honest about who you are. 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.320 And if you feel like, 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:56.660 listen, 00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:57.740 I'm a power, 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:59.120 positive thinking type of person, 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.940 I don't like this. 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:02.980 Be somebody who embraces reality. 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:05.740 Be honest with yourself. 00:31:05.820 --> 00:31:07.000 The apostle Paul is honest. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.559 Take his example. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:12.460 And then to say that there's no health in us. 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.440 It is true. 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:14.940 It is true. 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.399 Truly, 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.019 apart from, 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.759 from Christ, 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:21.779 our trajectory is not towards holiness, 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.099 but it is towards, 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:24.359 towards sin and death. 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:27.079 And I think this is the time to confess it. 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.319 God, 00:31:28.419 --> 00:31:29.200 I need you. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.139 I need your help. 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.339 Help me to obey. 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.339 Paul, 00:31:33.959 --> 00:31:34.179 here, 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.539 in verse 24, 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.980 with this honest admission, 00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:38.879 cries out to God. 00:31:38.959 --> 00:31:40.019 But there's a second cry. 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.000 Verse 24, 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.000 I'll read again, 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.699 and see if you can, 00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:45.799 can catch the second cry of his heart. 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.319 Wretched man that I am, 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:50.559 who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.359 Verse 25. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.899 Thanks be to God, 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.019 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:59.099 So then I myself serve the law of God with my mind, 00:31:59.199 --> 00:32:01.319 but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.500 Did you catch the second cry? 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.220 Verse 25. 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.639 Thanks be to God, 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:08.500 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.000 Listen, 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:10.559 they threw the exclamation mark on, 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:13.119 but can you hear the excitement of Paul? 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.059 Understanding that, 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:17.759 that I am walking with the Lord, 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.859 trying to obey him, 00:32:18.919 --> 00:32:20.059 and I'm constantly failing. 00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:21.359 I want to follow him, 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:21.960 and, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:24.019 and I end up doing things I don't want to do. 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:26.460 There's things that I do want to do, 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.379 and I don't do them. 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.859 There's this giant war, 00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.579 civil war that's happening in my, 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.359 in my head, 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.139 in my, 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.859 in my heart. 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.339 I can't follow him. 00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.500 I'm a wretched man. 00:32:36.199 --> 00:32:37.500 Even though he has saved me, 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:39.199 I'm still persisting in sin. 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.619 Thanks be to God, 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:44.019 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.119 He, 00:32:45.159 --> 00:32:46.359 he boldly, 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.539 boldly cries out 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:51.240 in thanksgiving. 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:53.559 It's almost as if Paul can't contain himself, 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:53.879 and, 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.639 and rightfully so. 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:01.200 We have no hope without Christ. 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:05.399 We can trust Christ, 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:08.159 with our lack of health, 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.399 with, 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:11.579 with this ongoing propensity to sin. 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:12.119 You betcha. 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:15.339 With our miserable offenses, 00:33:15.959 --> 00:33:16.759 big time. 00:33:17.699 --> 00:33:19.159 With our constant struggle, 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.219 with sins of omission, 00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:20.919 and commission, 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.379 with our, 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.500 our temptations, 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.239 with the desire, 00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:23.819 to, 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.139 to, 00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:25.839 to use our eyes, 00:33:25.959 --> 00:33:29.199 these unbelievable orbs of vision, 00:33:29.459 --> 00:33:31.459 to look at things we ought not to. 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:31.799 This, 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.679 this, 00:33:32.739 --> 00:33:34.099 this incredible, 00:33:34.459 --> 00:33:35.039 uh, 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.959 sense of, 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.839 of taste, 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.119 in, 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:37.339 in, 00:33:37.699 --> 00:33:38.839 where we can enjoy food, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.299 and yet, 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.119 we, 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.379 over it, 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.159 indulge. 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.819 We use our bodies, 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:46.339 that can walk, 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:46.619 and, 00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:47.319 and go into, 00:33:47.679 --> 00:33:49.319 all sorts of different places, 00:33:49.439 --> 00:33:50.339 and to discover, 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:50.879 and to, 00:33:50.959 --> 00:33:51.619 to explore. 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.299 And what do we do? 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:52.859 We use it, 00:33:53.459 --> 00:33:54.539 to fulfill our own, 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.939 lusts, 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.439 and gratify our flesh. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.799 And yet, 00:34:00.899 --> 00:34:02.359 we can trust Christ with it all. 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.199 And why can we? 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.720 Because he was tempted, 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:09.900 but he did not fall into sin. 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.139 Uh, 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.920 in Mark's gospel, 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:14.199 we read that at the very beginning of, 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:15.319 of Jesus's ministry, 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:17.840 he was baptized by John the Baptist, 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.739 and then it says, 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:20.259 the spirit immediately, 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:23.059 Mark is kind of funny with always saying immediately, 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:23.340 but, 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.400 he says, 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:24.819 uh, 00:34:24.819 --> 00:34:25.319 Mark says, 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:26.539 and immediately, 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:29.659 the spirit drove him into the desert, 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:32.139 that he would be tempted by Satan. 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:34.000 And he was. 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.400 He, 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:38.639 just, 00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:40.260 the scene before, 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.599 the divine voice, 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:42.880 declared upon him, 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.139 you are my beloved son, 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:45.440 with you I am well pleased, 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.619 and then the next thing we know, 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:48.099 Jesus is being tempted. 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:51.380 And he's being tempted to forsake that voice, 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.599 to forsake that father. 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:54.460 And yet, 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.280 he didn't sin. 00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:57.079 Christ certainly, 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:58.740 strove against sin, 00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.500 just like us. 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:00.360 Uh, 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:00.660 however, 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.440 unlike us, 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.240 he didn't give in, 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.660 not once. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:06.000 There was no compromise with Christ. 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:09.839 The words and sentiment of Paul from 14, 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.279 verses 14 to 20, 00:35:11.359 --> 00:35:13.920 were not something that Christ experienced personally. 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:16.239 In all his temptations, 00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:17.139 he did not give in. 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:19.239 And yet, 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:20.219 Paul's words, 00:35:20.319 --> 00:35:21.279 in verse 24, 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.619 the words, 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.779 where he calls himself a wretch, 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.799 our words, 00:35:28.339 --> 00:35:31.199 were the very reality of Christ, 00:35:31.319 --> 00:35:33.119 when he was hung upon the cross. 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:34.159 You see, 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.259 Psalm 22, 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.480 written by King David, 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:38.619 Isaiah 53, 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:41.259 prophesied by the prophet Isaiah, 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:45.359 they both capture the sentiment of Christ as a wretched man. 00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:47.119 Psalm 22, 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:48.659 says that, 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:50.139 that Christ, 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:51.960 upon the cross, 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.279 he was like a worm. 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:54.299 Okay? 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.539 Isaiah 53, 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:57.619 says he was despised. 00:35:59.039 --> 00:36:00.179 Upon the cross, 00:36:00.579 --> 00:36:01.380 Christ was abandoned. 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:03.460 Upon the cross, 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:05.240 he was treated with the utmost prejudice. 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:07.099 Upon the cross, 00:36:07.160 --> 00:36:08.940 he was forsaken by his father. 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:12.599 He was a wretched man upon the cross. 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.660 But he did not sin. 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:17.980 He did not give in to temptation. 00:36:18.160 --> 00:36:19.800 So why should he be called a wretch? 00:36:20.840 --> 00:36:23.579 Why did he have to experience wretchedness? 00:36:23.640 --> 00:36:23.760 Well, 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.500 for two reasons. 00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:26.039 This is where we're going to wrap things up. 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:30.660 The first is that he suffered all there was to suffer as a wretched man, 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:32.759 but not because of his own wretchedness, 00:36:32.819 --> 00:36:33.639 but because of ours. 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.619 He was truly wretched, 00:36:36.079 --> 00:36:41.179 so that even though we should be wretches without hope, 00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:47.940 we now have hope of being delivered from this body of sin and evil. 00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:49.559 And then secondly, 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.679 so that we, 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:54.099 as deeply conflicted people, 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.280 could look to someone 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:58.820 who not only perfectly understands our predicament, 00:36:58.960 --> 00:37:00.760 but has also overcome it. 00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:05.860 So when we give our trust to Christ in our sinful state, 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.380 and we say, 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:10.000 do with me what I can do to myself. 00:37:10.240 --> 00:37:10.840 Save me. 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:12.539 We can be sure he'll do it 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:17.920 because he experienced all there is to experience of temptation, 00:37:18.180 --> 00:37:19.380 and yet was not overcome. 00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:25.800 Hebrews chapter 4 sums this up perfectly in verses 14 to 16, 00:37:26.160 --> 00:37:27.360 and the author writes this, 00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:31.400 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.740 Jesus Christ, 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:33.460 the Son of God, 00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:35.740 let us hold fast our confession. 00:37:36.740 --> 00:37:41.360 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:48.760 but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin. 00:37:48.760 --> 00:37:53.200 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace 00:37:53.200 --> 00:37:58.880 that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. 00:37:59.940 --> 00:38:00.560 You know, 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:03.940 we're going to suffer temptation because Christ suffered temptation, 00:38:04.520 --> 00:38:05.680 and we are not, 00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:07.600 as servants of Christ, 00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:08.660 greater than our Master. 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:11.700 But make no mistake, 00:38:12.100 --> 00:38:13.320 because he was victorious, 00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:15.620 we now have hope. 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:18.819 not in our own self-improvement, 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:21.940 not in our own sheer will, 00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:22.920 our grit, 00:38:23.359 --> 00:38:25.859 but rather in the victory of Christ upon the cross. 00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:28.359 We have hope in him. 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.339 He has delivered us. 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:30.859 He has transformed us, 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:34.259 and is transforming us by his Holy Spirit, 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:36.779 so that we can learn to grow in obedience, 00:38:37.380 --> 00:38:39.480 to say yes to the things of God, 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:41.359 and to say no to evil and sin, 00:38:42.359 --> 00:38:44.420 and to do so with great joy, 00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:45.000 okay? 00:38:45.619 --> 00:38:47.039 To do so with great joy, 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:49.179 knowing that when we sin, 00:38:49.299 --> 00:38:50.339 even when we sin, 00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:50.759 when, 00:38:51.179 --> 00:38:51.659 not if, 00:38:51.759 --> 00:38:52.559 when we sin, 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:57.059 we have a great high priest to whom we can go with confidence and joy 00:38:57.059 --> 00:38:59.980 to receive grace and mercy in our time of need. 00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:02.299 What a deeply comforting passage. 00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:02.920 Friends, 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:05.339 a passage that ought to be returned to, 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:07.079 maybe on a daily basis, 00:39:07.299 --> 00:39:08.420 at least on a weekly one. 00:39:08.420 --> 00:39:15.880 Do not fight this battle by yourself. 00:39:16.039 --> 00:39:16.720 You don't have to. 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.400 But look to Christ. 00:39:20.260 --> 00:39:21.200 Cry out to him, 00:39:21.260 --> 00:39:21.820 I am a wretch, 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:23.099 but also cry out to him, 00:39:23.260 --> 00:39:24.420 thanks be to God, 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:26.039 for Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:26.199 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:56.179 Thank you.