WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.800 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to Acts chapter 16. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:14.160 Acts chapter 16, our text for this morning is verses 1-5. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:20.740 ! Before we read this morning's text, let me remind you where we are in Luke's second narrative. 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:26.900 We've got the Gospel according to Luke, and then this book we call the Acts of the Apostles most often. 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:31.179 I like to call it the Acts of the Risen Jesus Christ. 00:00:31.899 --> 00:00:41.320 We see that Jesus is working by the agency of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His disciples for the expansion of His church. 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:47.480 Beloved, this is our history. It's a wonderful thing to get to spend such a vast amount of time. 00:00:48.239 --> 00:00:51.320 It's going to be probably, I think, about two years that we'll be in the book of Acts. 00:00:51.739 --> 00:00:55.060 Considering this early church, these are our brethren. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:01:02.420 At the end of chapter 14, we saw Paul and Barnabas complete their first missionary journey, 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:06.719 returning to Antioch, where they were commissioned in the first place. 00:01:07.600 --> 00:01:12.159 At the beginning of chapter 15, false teaching reaches Antioch. 00:01:12.240 --> 00:01:17.500 People travel to Antioch, preaching this, Acts chapter 15, verse 1, 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:22.359 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:29.340 Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:35.719 So, Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to seek clarity from the other apostles. 00:01:36.240 --> 00:01:39.859 These teachers, these false teachers have traveled from that region, 00:01:39.859 --> 00:01:47.680 So they go to make sure that they haven't erred in teaching that you must not be circumcised to be saved. 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:49.939 So they're sent to Jerusalem to seek clarity. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:54.480 At what's often called the Jerusalem Council, 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:59.180 the apostles and elders in Jerusalem decidedly affirm 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:04.239 that all that is necessary for salvation is faith in Jesus. 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:08.319 And then they give some further instruction in the form of a letter. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:11.319 And Clay came and spoke to us both about the decision they made, 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:14.280 as well as the letter and the deliverance of it. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:19.379 You can see in Acts chapter 15, verse 29, the further instruction. 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:22.599 Abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:26.099 and from blood, and from what has been strangled, 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:29.019 and from sexual immorality. 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:31.759 And so we find in this further instruction, 00:02:32.079 --> 00:02:34.099 three cultural considerations. 00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:38.580 These were matters of offense to the Jews. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:43.340 Food sacrificed to idols, and blood, and from animals that had been strangled. 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:46.820 These would have been things that would have been offensive to a Jewish culture. 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:51.480 So three cultural considerations, and one moral obligation, 00:02:51.640 --> 00:02:55.160 that is abstain from sexual immorality. 00:02:56.320 --> 00:02:58.500 So this is the decision that's been made. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:02.160 The letter goes back to Antioch, 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:03.620 and after some time, 00:03:04.500 --> 00:03:08.300 Paul and Barnabas decide to retrace their first missionary route 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:12.000 to check on the churches established on their first journey. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:16.579 We see that at the very end of chapter 15, beginning in verse 36. 00:03:17.579 --> 00:03:21.060 But conflict, in the form of a sharp disagreement, 00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:25.939 arises between them about whether or not to take John Mark along with them, 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:28.939 which results in their parting ways. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:33.199 Now we noted last week that the good result of this, 00:03:33.539 --> 00:03:35.840 what I would suggest, sinful conflict, 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:37.919 was missionary multiplication. 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:39.659 The one band of missionaries 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:43.000 has now turned into two bands of missionaries 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:46.659 as Barnabas goes west with John Mark 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:48.120 to the island of Cyprus, 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:52.259 and Paul heads north with Silas. 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:55.920 Now Silas was one of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. 00:03:56.680 --> 00:03:59.200 He was both a Jew and a Roman citizen, 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:00.360 so like Paul, 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:02.520 he had the protection of the empire 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:06.460 and could get entrance into the Jewish synagogues. 00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:11.840 Silas was a perfect partner for Paul's second missionary journey, 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:13.960 but Paul, and I'm going to guess, 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:16.500 say likely due to his division with Barnabas, 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:19.720 now seems to have a mind toward multiplication. 00:04:20.340 --> 00:04:24.480 What happens when Silas and I part ways? 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:26.000 What would come of that? 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:29.720 So he seems to have a mind now toward multiplication. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:32.740 And so we see at the beginning of Acts chapter 16, 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:34.780 verses 1 through 5, 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:37.800 this bridge in our story. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:38.220 Beloved, 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:40.740 this is God's Word to us. 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:44.080 It was written for His glory and our good. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:46.520 We would all do well to listen to it 00:04:46.520 --> 00:04:48.200 in order to believe its promises 00:04:48.200 --> 00:04:51.460 and obey its commands. 00:04:51.820 --> 00:04:55.380 His promises are sure and His commands are good. 00:04:56.520 --> 00:04:57.780 Beginning in verse 1, 00:04:58.820 --> 00:05:02.960 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. 00:05:03.760 --> 00:05:05.800 A disciple was there named Timothy, 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.380 the son of a Jewish woman 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:08.540 who was a believer, 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:11.040 but his father was a Greek. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:13.740 He was well spoken of by the brothers 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:15.300 at Lystra and Iconium. 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:18.139 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:20.680 and he took him and circusized him 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:23.219 because of the Jews who were in those places, 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:26.839 for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:29.279 As they went on their way through the cities, 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:31.180 they delivered to them for observance 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:32.699 the decisions that had been reached 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:34.740 by the apostles and elders 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:35.740 who were in Jerusalem. 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:38.920 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:42.019 and they increased in numbers daily. 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:45.800 Now this morning, I just have two points. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:48.480 One, the first point we'll spend some time on, 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:50.280 and the second will be very brief. 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.160 The two points are, 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:51.660 number one, 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:55.600 the freedom to circumcise Timothy. 00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:57.379 And number two, 00:05:57.760 --> 00:06:01.980 the effect of circumcising Timothy. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:05.220 But before we get to those two points, 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:06.740 let's first spend a little time 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:08.960 on some textual explanations. 00:06:09.260 --> 00:06:11.460 We'll look at the first two verses. 00:06:12.200 --> 00:06:13.300 Now for your sake, 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:14.860 on the back of the bulletin, 00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:15.939 I asked Andy this week 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:17.800 to put a map of Paul's 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:19.720 second missionary journey. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:21.160 I don't know if you're like me, 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:22.160 but it really helps me 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:23.660 to be able to wrap my mind 00:06:23.660 --> 00:06:25.980 a bit around what's going on. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:29.740 I asked Andy to do this yesterday, 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:30.680 and he did a great job 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:32.460 of finding a map 00:06:32.460 --> 00:06:34.300 that the kids would enjoy coloring. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:37.280 We think that it's in Italian. 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:40.120 So if you're looking at the odd spellings 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.140 across the map, 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:42.480 I think you're smart enough 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:43.560 to figure out the locations, 00:06:43.700 --> 00:06:44.440 but we're pretty sure 00:06:44.440 --> 00:06:45.740 it's an Italian map 00:06:45.740 --> 00:06:47.460 of these locations, 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:48.439 which is why you may see 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:50.279 some spellings a tad different, 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:51.419 like check out Jerusalem 00:06:51.419 --> 00:06:53.180 down at the bottom. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:55.199 Gerusalemme is what it looks like. 00:06:56.099 --> 00:06:56.579 So anyway, 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.719 that's what's happening here. 00:06:59.659 --> 00:07:01.299 So you've got, 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.560 the island of Cyprus 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:03.699 is not labeled on this map, 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:04.339 but it's out there 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:07.019 just up in that far right-hand corner, 00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:08.019 high right-hand corner 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:09.060 of the Mediterranean Sea. 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:09.740 This is the place 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:10.679 that Barnabas was from. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:11.539 This is the place 00:07:11.539 --> 00:07:12.699 that the missionary journey 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:13.679 of Paul and Barnabas 00:07:13.679 --> 00:07:14.419 started out. 00:07:14.539 --> 00:07:15.419 They crossed over 00:07:15.419 --> 00:07:17.060 and went to the island of Cyprus. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:20.100 And then from the western coast of Cyprus 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:21.360 headed north 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:22.560 into the region 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.259 where they finally 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:24.500 ended their missionary journey 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:26.839 and circled back down and around. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:28.860 This time, though, 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:30.459 Barnabas heads to Cyprus. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:33.300 Paul and Silas head north 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.959 and then hook a hard left 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:36.300 to head their way 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:38.879 to Derbe and Lystra. 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:39.899 So that gives you some idea 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:40.819 of where they are. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:42.639 If you think of the first missionary journey 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:43.720 as going clockwise, 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:46.360 they're going now counterclockwise. 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:49.000 back the other way. 00:07:49.400 --> 00:07:50.939 And it's possible, 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:52.980 it's probable, 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:54.400 they do this 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:56.280 so that they could pick up Timothy. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:57.600 Paul now having this mind 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:58.259 toward multiplication, 00:07:58.780 --> 00:07:59.720 picking up Timothy 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:00.699 to accompany them 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:03.139 on the rest of that journey. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:05.040 We find out a little bit 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:06.439 about Timothy in this text. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:08.680 Timothy was a believer in Christ. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:10.759 The text says he was a disciple. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:12.600 In the Greek term for disciple, 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.300 there simply means believer. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.360 In fact, other places in the text. 00:08:16.840 --> 00:08:17.720 Referring to his mother, 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:20.660 believer is the exact same Greek word. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.240 Likely converted 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:24.960 on Paul and Barnabas' first trip. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:25.860 So when they traveled 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:26.879 into this region before, 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.620 it's been a couple of years now, 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:31.300 it was likely when he was converted. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.139 We don't know that for sure. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:34.419 Certainly Christian ministry 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:35.560 has been going on 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:36.560 in this community 00:08:36.560 --> 00:08:38.460 since Paul and Barnabas' departure. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:39.779 But it's likely 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:41.299 that that was the case 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:43.839 because in Paul's first letter to Timothy, 00:08:43.839 --> 00:08:44.699 he writes, 00:08:44.819 --> 00:08:45.699 1 Timothy 1-2, 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:46.419 to Timothy, 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:49.879 my true child in the faith. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:52.539 We can't know for sure 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:53.779 that that's the case. 00:08:53.939 --> 00:08:55.079 Certainly Paul played 00:08:55.079 --> 00:08:57.259 a very fatherly role in his life. 00:08:57.339 --> 00:08:58.059 But it's likely 00:08:58.059 --> 00:08:59.479 that he was the one 00:08:59.479 --> 00:09:00.740 that proclaimed the gospel to him 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:03.439 and Timothy came into the faith family 00:09:03.439 --> 00:09:06.399 as a result of his tutelage of him. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:07.979 We also find out 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.460 that Timothy's mother 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:10.659 was a believer. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:13.980 Her name was Eunice. 00:09:14.420 --> 00:09:15.159 We see in our text 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:16.180 the son of a Jewish woman 00:09:16.180 --> 00:09:17.820 who was a believer. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:20.639 We find out in 2 Timothy 1-5, 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:21.399 her name is Eunice, 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:22.759 as well as the fact 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.580 that his grandmother 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:25.460 was also a believer. 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:26.779 2 Timothy 1-5, 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.500 Paul writes, 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:28.740 I am reminded 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:30.180 of your sincere faith, 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:32.180 a faith that dwelt first 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.500 in your grandmother Lois 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:35.019 and in your mother Eunice, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:36.300 and now I am sure 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:38.879 dwells in you as well. 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:41.679 We also find out 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.579 that his father 00:09:42.579 --> 00:09:45.120 was not a believer in Christ 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:48.099 and that he was likely dead. 00:09:49.079 --> 00:09:50.059 So we get a little phrase 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:51.079 in verse 1, 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.659 but his father was a Greek. 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:56.399 The conjunction, but, 00:09:56.979 --> 00:09:59.599 refers both to Eunice's ethnicity 00:09:59.599 --> 00:10:02.379 and her faith. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.559 So you could read it this way, 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:05.419 but his father was not a believer 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:08.799 and his father was not a Jew. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.219 It refers to both things. 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:10.799 Not a believer 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:12.559 and not a Jew. 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:15.799 His father was a Greek. 00:10:15.959 --> 00:10:17.379 And the imperfect form 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.860 of the verb was, 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.819 rather than the present tense 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:21.699 of the verb, 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:23.559 suggests that he was dead. 00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:25.259 He's already moved off the scene. 00:10:25.339 --> 00:10:26.599 So Timothy, as a young man, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:28.240 does not have a father, 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:30.059 and Paul, in some sense, 00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:31.279 adopts him 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:33.339 and takes him on this journey. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:35.240 We also find out 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.100 in verse 2 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.300 that Timothy 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.759 was faithful. 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:40.759 Verse 2 says, 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:42.960 he was well spoken of 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:43.759 by the brothers 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:45.100 at Lystra 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:46.280 and Diconium. 00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:47.759 Luke records this for us 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.680 in the specific way 00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:49.720 to say of the brothers, 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:51.200 because the brothers 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:52.060 are speaking well 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:52.800 of a man 00:10:52.800 --> 00:10:54.000 because he's a brother, 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:54.740 not because he was 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:56.280 good at some particular skill. 00:10:56.420 --> 00:10:57.960 Like his bow staff skills 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:58.620 were not excellent, 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.360 and so he was spoken 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:00.400 well of. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.220 But he was a man 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.819 full of faith. 00:11:02.939 --> 00:11:03.579 The brothers 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:06.139 considered him faithful. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.459 And because 00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:09.959 Timothy's father 00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:11.220 was Greek, 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.699 he had not allowed 00:11:12.699 --> 00:11:14.000 Timothy to be circumcised. 00:11:14.299 --> 00:11:15.319 It's likely that his mom 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.059 and his grandmother 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:16.819 would have wanted him 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:17.639 to be circumcised, 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:18.259 but his father 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:19.439 prevented this 00:11:19.439 --> 00:11:20.699 from happening, 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:21.679 which brings us 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:22.559 to our first point 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:23.319 from our text 00:11:23.319 --> 00:11:23.860 this morning. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.179 Number one, 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.039 the freedom 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:27.299 to circumcise 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:28.859 Timothy. 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:31.620 So we see in verse 3, 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.740 Paul wanted Timothy 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.699 to go along with him, 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:36.259 this faithful follower 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:37.319 of Jesus, 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.039 to go along with him. 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.659 And he takes him 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:42.339 and he circumcises him. 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:43.659 It seems that Paul 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.479 actually performs 00:11:44.479 --> 00:11:45.079 a circumcision, 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:45.740 although we can't 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.319 be too sure. 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:47.679 He takes him 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.859 and he circumcises him 00:11:48.859 --> 00:11:50.939 because of the Jews 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:51.839 who were in those places, 00:11:51.959 --> 00:11:53.059 for they all knew 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.159 that his father 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.819 was a Greek. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.240 That is, 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:55.879 they all knew 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.799 that he was not 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:58.279 circumcised. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:00.220 So these Jews 00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:00.779 would have been aware 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:01.860 of this fact 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.379 that he had not 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.240 been circumcised 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.019 on the basis 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:05.080 of who his father was. 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:06.460 And this fact 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.700 is what causes Paul 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:10.080 to circumcise him. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.720 But why? 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:12.259 Why? 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:14.919 Paul was an ardent 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.560 defender 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:17.060 of salvation 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.159 by grace alone, 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:19.720 through faith alone, 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.180 in Christ alone. 00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:22.480 He stood firm on that. 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.659 There were no works. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:25.459 His whole trip 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:26.319 to Jerusalem, 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.039 the whole Jerusalem 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.879 council thing 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:28.799 was about him 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.659 affirming what he 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.459 had been teaching 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:32.799 Gentile believers. 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:35.659 Listen to some of his words 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.039 to the Galatian believers. 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.139 This is a group, 00:12:38.219 --> 00:12:38.699 a church, 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.620 who were beginning 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.839 to believe the false 00:12:40.839 --> 00:12:41.639 teaching that they 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:43.159 must be circumcised 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.839 to be saved. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:44.919 This is some years later 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.579 when Paul writes 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:46.699 his letter to the 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.500 Galatian church. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.500 Join me, if you will, 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.339 in the book of Galatians. 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.139 I think you'll appreciate 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.120 being there 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.620 and seeing these texts. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.860 Remembering that Paul 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.320 was a defender 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.580 of salvation 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.120 by grace alone, 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.620 through faith alone, 00:12:58.960 --> 00:12:59.960 in Christ alone. 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.740 And the question before us is, 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.240 so why did he 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:05.919 circumcise 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:07.460 Timothy? 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.840 So let's start 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.879 in Galatians chapter 2, 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:12.700 verses 15 and 16. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.500 So the scene is, 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.159 what was often called 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:15.919 the Judaizers, 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:16.620 have come into 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.460 the Galatian church 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.600 and they've led 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.160 them astray 00:13:19.160 --> 00:13:19.639 saying, 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.280 oh no, no, 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:21.200 believing in Jesus 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:21.560 is good, 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:22.600 but you must also 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.379 be circumcised 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.040 to be saved. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.200 And Paul writes, 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:27.580 we ourselves 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.500 are Jews 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.480 by birth 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.300 and not 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:31.560 Gentile sinners. 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.560 Yet we know 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.220 that a person 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.180 is not justified, 00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:36.780 found right before God, 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:38.740 by works of the law, 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:39.920 but through 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:42.139 faith in Jesus Christ. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.120 So, 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.360 we also, 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:44.660 right, 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.879 these people 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:46.700 being Jews 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:47.060 by birth, 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:48.079 we also have 00:13:48.079 --> 00:13:48.879 believed in 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.599 Christ Jesus 00:13:49.599 --> 00:13:50.199 in order 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.479 to be justified 00:13:51.479 --> 00:13:53.339 by faith in Christ 00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:54.119 and not 00:13:54.119 --> 00:13:55.000 by works 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:56.019 of the law. 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:57.659 Because by works 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.419 of the law, 00:13:58.819 --> 00:13:59.659 no one 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.339 will be 00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:01.199 justified, 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:01.659 right? 00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.139 So justification 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.000 comes 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.339 by grace alone 00:14:04.339 --> 00:14:04.879 through faith alone 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.199 in Jesus Christ 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.719 alone. 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:07.500 Further, 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:08.579 Galatians chapter 3, 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:10.279 verses 1 through 3. 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.399 Paul writes, 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:14.299 oh foolish Galatians, 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:16.059 who has bewitched you? 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.879 It was before your eyes 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.779 that Jesus Christ 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.599 was publicly 00:14:19.599 --> 00:14:20.739 portrayed 00:14:20.739 --> 00:14:22.059 as crucified. 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.959 Let me ask you 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:24.919 only this. 00:14:25.739 --> 00:14:26.439 Did you receive 00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:26.939 the Spirit 00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:27.599 by works 00:14:27.599 --> 00:14:28.299 of the law 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:29.459 or by hearing 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:30.959 with faith? 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:33.359 Are you so foolish? 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.439 Having begun 00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:35.019 by the Spirit, 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:35.899 are you now 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.219 being perfected 00:14:37.219 --> 00:14:38.839 by the flesh? 00:14:39.219 --> 00:14:39.699 Again, 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.319 this defense 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:41.059 against them 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:42.039 altering their 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.439 physical being 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.500 to be found 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.400 right before God. 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:48.100 Galatians chapter 5, 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.760 verse 1. 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:50.480 Paul writes, 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.840 for freedom 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:54.960 Christ has set us free. 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:57.280 Stand firm, 00:14:57.640 --> 00:14:58.060 therefore, 00:14:58.560 --> 00:14:59.520 and do not 00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:01.020 submit again 00:15:01.020 --> 00:15:02.260 to a yoke 00:15:02.260 --> 00:15:03.500 of slavery. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.340 Strong language, 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:05.680 right? 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.340 It's for freedom 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:06.760 that Christ 00:15:06.760 --> 00:15:07.420 has set us free. 00:15:07.780 --> 00:15:08.520 Stand firm, 00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:08.900 therefore. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.299 He's saying 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.179 refuse 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:11.879 to be circumcised 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.399 because if you are 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:15.259 thinking that you'll be saved, 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.079 you're submitting yourself 00:15:16.079 --> 00:15:16.519 again 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.579 to a yoke 00:15:17.579 --> 00:15:18.939 of slavery. 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:20.799 Paul 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:22.819 had gone so far 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:23.779 as refusing 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.319 to have Titus 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:26.179 circumcised. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.639 If you turn back 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.299 a few pages now 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.559 to Galatians chapter 2, 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.259 verse 1. 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.600 Paul is telling 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.179 the story 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.000 of traveling 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.460 to Jerusalem, 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.439 to the Jerusalem council 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.399 that we have learned 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.620 about in chapter 15. 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:38.059 So he's now, 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.840 many years later, 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.019 he's recounting 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.879 what he did 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.799 that's recorded 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.559 by Luke 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:44.079 in Acts chapter 15. 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.939 So Galatians chapter 2, 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.279 verses 1 through 5, 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.059 he says, 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:48.159 Then after 14 years 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:48.939 I went up again 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.519 to Jerusalem 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.720 with Barnabas, 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:51.799 taking Titus 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.480 along with me. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.299 That's that trip 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.379 beginning of chapter 15. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.139 I went up 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.579 because of a revelation 00:15:58.579 --> 00:16:00.480 and set before them, 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.059 though privately 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.579 before those 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.360 who seemed influential, 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:03.620 the gospel 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.539 that I proclaim 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.079 among the Gentiles 00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:07.379 in order to make sure 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.259 I was not running 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.360 or had not run 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.580 in vain. 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.960 So I talked about that 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.899 briefly a minute ago. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.240 He's preaching 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.840 a gospel 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.159 of justification 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.220 or salvation 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:17.960 by grace alone 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.439 through faith alone 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.240 in Christ alone. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.200 This is what he's preaching. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.019 And because these 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.100 Judaizers have come 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.860 from Judea 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.939 and made their way 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.740 to Antioch, 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.139 he wants to make sure 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.799 that the message 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.679 that they're preaching 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.480 didn't come from 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.039 the apostles 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:30.720 and the elders 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.319 in Jerusalem. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.080 He wants to go 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.840 affirm that. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.080 Have I screwed this up? 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.160 Am I preaching 00:16:35.160 --> 00:16:36.680 the right and true 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:37.660 gospel? 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.500 The answer to that 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:39.940 is yes. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.240 But verse 3, 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:41.980 he says, 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:43.440 But even Titus, 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.100 who was with me, 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.620 was not forced 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.660 to be circumcised, 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.040 though he was 00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:50.360 a Greek. 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.060 So Titus, 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.820 they refused 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.560 to circumcise Titus. 00:16:54.900 --> 00:16:55.520 In one case 00:16:55.520 --> 00:16:56.040 with Timothy, 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.060 Timothy is circumcised. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.700 In the other case, 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.800 Titus is withheld 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.220 from him. 00:17:01.400 --> 00:17:02.400 He was not forced 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.459 to be circumcised. 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:03.959 Verse 4, 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.079 Yet because a false 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.859 brother secretly 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.460 brought in, 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.539 who slipped in 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.460 to spy out 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.220 our freedom 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.859 that we have 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.619 in Christ Jesus 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.799 so that they might 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.879 bring us into slavery, 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.460 to them we did not 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.480 yield in submission 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.859 even for a moment 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.680 so that the truth 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.619 of the gospel 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:19.799 might be preserved 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.039 for you. 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.259 So men have come in 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.139 and they're teaching, 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.879 you must be circumcised 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:26.539 to be saved. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.660 Works of the law 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:29.379 justify you 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.359 before God. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.779 And Paul, 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.319 I'm assuming 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.439 Barnabas and Titus 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.159 and many others 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.659 in the church, 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.599 refused for Titus 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.779 to be circumcised. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.720 They stood their ground. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:39.980 They did the very thing 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.639 that he encouraged 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.619 them to do 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.879 in Galatians 5.1. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.259 Stand firm, 00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:44.799 therefore, 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.000 and do not submit 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.500 again to a yoke 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:49.179 of slavery. 00:17:50.919 --> 00:17:52.139 So that's the scene. 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.359 This is that Paul. 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.460 So why 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.759 did Paul 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.799 have Timothy 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:59.159 circumcised? 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.419 Wouldn't it have been 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.259 better to prove 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.039 that salvation 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.960 is by grace alone, 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.600 through faith alone, 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.360 and Christ alone 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.519 by making Timothy 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.360 a case study? 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.180 He could have 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.380 traveled the region 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:09.900 and said, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.779 point proven. 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.820 This is Timothy. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.000 You may not know it, 00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:15.259 but he's not circumcised. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:17.800 To make the very case? 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.800 Paul doesn't seem 00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:21.279 to think so. 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:23.180 And so we find 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.080 an example here 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.740 of Christian liberty 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.480 being exercised 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.519 properly. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:31.419 Freedom in Christ 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:34.639 properly being exercised. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:35.939 Timothy 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:37.500 was free 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.399 not 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:40.059 to be circumcised. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.779 But for the sake 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.579 of the souls 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.659 of Jews 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.339 in the region, 00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:45.980 he was. 00:18:47.419 --> 00:18:48.220 False teachers 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.740 would have had 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.639 Titus circumcised 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.500 for his salvation, 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.379 and Paul refused 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:51.960 such a thing. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:53.880 But for the unbelieving 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.340 Jews 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.720 of the region, 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.759 Timothy's uncircumcision 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.900 would have proven 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.900 to be a barrier 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:01.039 for the understanding 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.160 of the gospel 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.220 of grace. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.340 They wouldn't have 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:05.440 even wanted to hear 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:07.460 what they had to say 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.579 traveling around 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.380 with a man 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.079 whose father 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.799 was a Greek 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.920 who was uncircumcised. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.279 It would have been 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.200 a stumbling block 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.880 for them 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.480 to hear 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.559 the gospel 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.860 of Christ. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:19.899 While Paul 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:20.319 was sent 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:20.979 by God 00:19:20.979 --> 00:19:22.059 as the apostle 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.000 to the Gentiles, 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.619 he maintained 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.319 in the midst 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.019 of all of his 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.979 missionary journeying, 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.839 he maintained 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:29.119 an unwavering 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:29.639 commitment 00:19:29.639 --> 00:19:30.879 to the Jewish 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.819 people. 00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:33.459 Listen to his words 00:19:33.459 --> 00:19:34.659 from Romans 9, 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:35.779 verses 1-3. 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.359 I am speaking 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.159 the truth in Christ. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.099 I am not lying. 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.199 My conscience 00:19:39.199 --> 00:19:40.419 bears me witness 00:19:40.419 --> 00:19:41.659 in the Holy Spirit. 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.099 It's great, 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:42.879 like he's loading 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:43.500 that up, right? 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:43.959 I'm speaking 00:19:43.959 --> 00:19:45.159 the truth in Christ. 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.500 I am not lying. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.539 My conscience 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.940 bears me witness 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.599 in the Holy Spirit. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:49.759 He's saying, 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.700 I am telling you 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.279 the truth, 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.880 verse 2, 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:53.599 that I have great sorrow 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:55.440 and unceasing anguish 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.240 in my heart, 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.720 for I could wish 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.200 that I myself 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.299 were accursed 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.319 and cut off 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.039 from Christ 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.180 for the sake 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.240 of my brothers, 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.640 my kinsmen, 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.279 according to the flesh. 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.140 Oh, beloved, 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.839 that we would have 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.839 a heart for people 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:12.099 like that. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.660 That we would gladly 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:15.019 give up our position 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.720 in the kingdom 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.360 that others 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.299 might have 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.259 a standing, 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.259 a right standing 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.660 with the Lord. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.319 So, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.920 Timothy 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:26.000 exercises his freedom 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.000 by giving up 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.180 a little thing 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.779 for the sake 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:31.100 of others. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.680 By giving up 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.759 a little thing 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.579 for the sake 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.480 of others. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:36.740 Now, 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.360 a little thing, 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.420 of course I'm speaking 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.700 relatively here. 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.079 It feels pretty weighty 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.419 to me, 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.220 what Timothy 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.000 was willing 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.019 to do 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.099 for the sake 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.079 of others. 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.379 And so, 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.119 I want to just 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:50.679 take you to an 00:20:50.679 --> 00:20:51.480 Old Testament example 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:51.839 of this 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.240 so that we don't 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.199 have to talk 00:20:53.199 --> 00:20:53.879 about the anatomy 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.539 of what happened, 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.539 but to show you 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.759 the extent 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.039 of what happened. 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.220 So, 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.759 turn to Genesis 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.839 chapter 34. 00:21:02.199 --> 00:21:02.899 This is one of my 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.619 favorite Old Testament 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:05.299 Bible stories. 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.759 I can't tell you 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.359 all that it means 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.339 because I don't 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:10.740 know. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.599 But this one 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:15.720 rivals the 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.180 she-bears, 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.640 if you're familiar 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:16.879 with the 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.539 she-bear story. 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.519 Two things 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.240 I want you to get 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.579 from this. 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.039 I am actually 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.480 going to read it 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.539 because it's always 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.319 good when there's 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:31.759 a long story 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.500 to summarize it. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.920 I think it's 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.779 best summarized here. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.539 I want you to 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.200 appreciate the 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.660 Old Testament. 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.720 If you're not 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.240 an Old Testament 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.660 reader, 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.200 I hope you just 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.380 go, 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:41.100 whoa, 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.620 what? 00:21:42.060 --> 00:21:42.740 And you appreciate 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.019 that, 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.460 so it's like a 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.660 side hope 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:46.000 for this. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.660 But then I also 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.480 want you to know 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.560 that what Timothy 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.360 did as an adult 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.120 man was kind 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.540 of a big deal. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:51.860 So, 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.900 beginning in 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.300 verse 1 00:21:54.300 --> 00:21:55.000 of chapter 34, 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.040 now Dinah, 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.720 the daughter of 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:56.980 Leah, 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.860 whom she had 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.700 borne to Jacob, 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.040 went out to see 00:22:00.040 --> 00:22:00.720 the women of 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.160 the land. 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.580 And when Shechem, 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.140 the son of Hamor, 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.840 the Hivite, 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.920 the prince of the 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.140 land, 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.779 saw her, 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.180 he seized her 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.319 and lay with her 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.539 and humiliated her. 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.559 He raped her. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:12.980 Verse 3, 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.660 And his soul was 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.500 drawn to Dinah, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.059 the daughter of 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.319 Jacob. 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.319 He loved the 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.899 young woman and 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:18.700 spoke tenderly to 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:18.920 her. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.299 So Shechem spoke 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:20.940 to his father, 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:21.500 Hamor, 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.180 saying, 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.940 Get me this girl 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.000 for my wife. 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.160 Now Jacob heard 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.660 that he had 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.299 defiled his 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.920 daughter Dinah, 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.879 but his sons 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.819 were with his 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.539 livestock in the 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:31.720 field, 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.440 so Jacob held 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:32.980 his peace 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.019 until they came. 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.359 Adult sons. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.319 And Hamor, 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:36.859 the father of 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.059 Shechem, 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.479 went out to 00:22:37.479 --> 00:22:37.959 Jacob to speak 00:22:37.959 --> 00:22:38.279 with him. 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.240 The sons of 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.799 Jacob had come 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.259 in from the 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.819 field as soon 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.240 as they heard 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.519 of it, 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.359 and the men 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:43.019 were indignant 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.039 and very angry 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.559 because he had 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.399 done an outrageous 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:46.199 thing in Israel 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.079 by lying with 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.759 Jacob's daughter, 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.779 for such a 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.699 thing must not 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:50.219 be done. 00:22:51.219 --> 00:22:51.939 But Hamor spoke 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:52.179 with him, 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.519 saying, 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.099 The soul of my 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.539 son Shechem 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.539 longs for your 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:54.779 daughter. 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.479 Please give her 00:22:55.479 --> 00:22:56.339 to him to be 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.779 his wife. 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.159 Make marriages 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.559 with us. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:58.879 Give your 00:22:58.879 --> 00:22:59.459 daughters to us 00:22:59.459 --> 00:22:59.919 and take our 00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.299 daughters for 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.699 yourselves. 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:01.719 You shall dwell 00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.279 with us and the 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.679 land shall be 00:23:02.679 --> 00:23:03.219 open to you. 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.479 Shechem also 00:23:06.479 --> 00:23:07.059 said to her 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.679 father and to 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.079 her brothers, 00:23:08.459 --> 00:23:08.839 Let me find 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.379 favor in your 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:09.779 eyes and 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.179 whatever you 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:10.659 say to me 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.379 I will give. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.439 Ask me for 00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:14.159 as great a 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:15.039 bride price as 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.579 gift as you 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.119 will and I 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.459 will give you 00:23:16.459 --> 00:23:16.899 whatever you 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:17.399 say to me. 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.359 Only give me 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:18.740 the young 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.659 woman to be 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.199 my wife. 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.479 The sons of 00:23:21.479 --> 00:23:22.119 Jacob answered 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.559 Shechem and 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:22.899 his father 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.839 Hamor deceitfully 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.399 because he had 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.000 defiled their 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.959 sister Dinah. 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.939 This is where 00:23:26.939 --> 00:23:27.259 it gets really 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.459 good. 00:23:28.159 --> 00:23:28.559 They said to 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.799 them, 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:29.819 We cannot do 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.399 this thing to 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:30.779 give you our 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.539 sister to one 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.740 who is uncircumcised 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.279 for that would be 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.339 a disgrace to us. 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.500 Only on this 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.419 condition will we 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.119 agree with you 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.839 that you will 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.659 become as we 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.559 are by every 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.339 male among you 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.339 being circumcised. 00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.259 Then we will 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.699 give our 00:23:42.699 --> 00:23:43.459 daughters to you 00:23:43.459 --> 00:23:43.899 and we will 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.319 take your 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.799 daughters to 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.220 ourselves. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.079 We will dwell 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.619 with you and 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.079 become one 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.419 people. 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.039 But if you 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.519 will not listen 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.019 to us and 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.799 be circumcised, 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.500 we will take 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.480 our daughter and 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.799 we will be 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.000 gone. 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.319 So they asked 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.679 the entire 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:53.720 city, like 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.699 Hamor and 00:23:54.699 --> 00:23:55.720 his son rule 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.639 over to be 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.039 circumcised, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.419 all the males. 00:23:58.699 --> 00:23:59.000 All right, 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.539 verse 18. 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.839 Their words 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:03.179 pleased Hamor and 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:03.679 Hamor's son 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.019 Shechem. 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.919 And the 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.399 young man did 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:05.879 not delay to 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:06.439 do the thing 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.039 because he was 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.199 delighted. 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:07.619 I love that, 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.220 to do the 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:10.019 thing, because 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:12.699 he delighted in 00:24:12.699 --> 00:24:13.299 Jacob's daughter. 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.939 Now he was the 00:24:14.939 --> 00:24:15.740 most honored of 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.519 all his father's 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.819 house. 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:17.539 So Hamor and 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.079 his son Shechem 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.639 came to the 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.159 gate of their 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.799 city and spoke 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.379 to the men of 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:20.659 their city, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.000 saying, 00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:21.779 These men are 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.199 at peace with 00:24:22.199 --> 00:24:22.419 us. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:22.939 Let them dwell 00:24:22.939 --> 00:24:23.319 in the land 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.639 and trade in 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:24.819 it. 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.379 For behold, 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:25.980 the land is 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.599 large enough for 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:26.819 them. 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.480 Let us take 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:27.819 their daughters 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.359 as wives and 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.659 let us give 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:28.899 them our 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.199 daughters. 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.980 Only on this 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.539 condition will the 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.039 men agree to 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.599 dwell with us 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.119 to become one 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.939 people, when 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:33.539 every male among 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.559 us is circumcised 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.219 as they are 00:24:35.219 --> 00:24:35.799 circumcised. 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:36.740 Will not their 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.399 livestock, their 00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.199 property, and all 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:38.779 their beasts be 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.159 ours? 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.459 Only let us agree 00:24:40.459 --> 00:24:41.079 with them and 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.419 they will dwell 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:41.859 with us. 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:42.879 And all who 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:43.319 went out of the 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.779 gate of his 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.459 city listened to 00:24:44.459 --> 00:24:45.099 Hamor and his 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.759 son Shechem, and 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.419 every male was 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.359 circumcised, all 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.639 who went out of 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.539 the gate of his 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:49.779 city. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:51.519 And here's the 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:51.899 punchline. 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.420 On the third 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:57.039 day, when they 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:59.039 were sore, two 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.599 of the sons of 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.639 Jacob, Simeon and 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.519 Levi, Dinah's 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.279 brothers, took 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.139 their swords and 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.839 came against the 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.480 city while it 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.799 felt secure and 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:07.160 killed all the 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.460 males. 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.500 They killed 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.099 Hamor and his 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:10.000 son Shechem with 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.779 a sword and took 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.500 Dinah out of 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.099 Shechem's house and 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.519 went away. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.720 I don't know 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.160 what it means. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:23.980 But, a bunch of 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.819 men who had been 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.720 circumcised, adult 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.259 men who had been 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.420 circumcised, were 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.759 slain by two guys. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.980 It could not have 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.559 been pleasant. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.240 So Timothy gives 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.879 this up for the 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.420 sake of others. 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.160 Are you with me? 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.859 Like, Paul says, 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.579 hey, I want you to 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.160 come with me, but 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.899 there's this thing I 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.599 need you to do. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.019 And Timothy lays 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.559 that down. 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.980 For the sake of 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.220 others. 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:47.980 He was free to 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.539 say no. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.379 He could have 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:50.940 refused. 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.339 The gospel allowed 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:54.200 that of him. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.259 But he was 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.940 willing to do 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.799 this for others. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.740 Beloved, the 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.920 grace of God 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.579 to us is free, 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.259 or else it would 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.579 not be grace at 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:05.839 all. 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.079 But the call to 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.379 follow Christ is a 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.660 costly call. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:12.180 He requires all 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.639 of us. 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.740 Every bit of 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.019 us. 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.619 Timothy's 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.519 sacrifice was a 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.139 little thing. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.520 But it was 00:26:19.520 --> 00:26:20.040 only little in 00:26:20.040 --> 00:26:20.780 comparison to the 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:22.820 eternal state of 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:25.080 unbelieving Jews. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.900 Paul makes 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.920 sacrifice as well 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.580 in the same and 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:30.800 many various 00:26:30.800 --> 00:26:31.640 ways. 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:32.540 You can read 00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:33.040 about this in 00:26:33.040 --> 00:26:33.600 1 Corinthians 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.800 chapter 9 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:36.040 verses 19 00:26:36.040 --> 00:26:37.520 through 22. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.020 Paul said 00:26:38.020 --> 00:26:38.460 this, 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.460 verse 19 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.500 for though I 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.579 am free from 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:43.660 all, I have 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.519 made myself a 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.940 servant to 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.319 all that I 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.819 might win more 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.180 of them. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.160 You see what he's 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.400 saying? 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:53.579 Even though the 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.500 regulations that 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:54.940 people want to 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:56.600 place on me, the 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.299 rules that they 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:59.019 want to follow, I'm 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.819 free from those 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:01.680 things, but yet I 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.019 submit myself to 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:05.019 them that I might 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.859 win more of 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.079 them. 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:08.879 Verse 20, 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.119 to the Jews I 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:11.139 became as a 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:12.099 Jew in order to 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:13.720 win Jews. 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.799 To those under 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.220 the law I 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.700 became as one 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.480 under the law, 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.740 though not being 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.900 myself under the 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.660 law, that I 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:21.000 might win those 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:22.500 under the law. 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.339 To those outside 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.960 the law I became 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.519 as one outside 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.200 the law, not 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.279 being outside the 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.839 law of God, but 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.599 under the law 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.900 of Christ, that I 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.960 might win those 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.879 outside the law. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:36.000 to the weak I 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.320 became weak, that 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:39.200 I might win the 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.480 weak. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.380 I become all 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.740 things to all 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.860 people, that by 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.480 all means I 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:45.700 might save some. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.280 So what Paul is 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:47.860 saying is for the 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:49.180 sake of weaker 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:52.320 faith people, we 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:53.260 make decisions, we 00:27:53.260 --> 00:27:54.160 practice our 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.920 Christian liberty in 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:57.460 a way that's good 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:59.980 for their soul. 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.760 There are many 00:28:01.760 --> 00:28:02.240 examples. 00:28:02.520 --> 00:28:02.900 You can go 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.060 almost an endless 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:05.180 list of gray 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.019 areas that we 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.680 have to navigate 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.880 as followers of 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.580 Jesus Christ. 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.380 I just want to 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.540 give you two in 00:28:10.540 --> 00:28:11.200 brief. 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.420 The first one is 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.240 the matter of 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.960 alcohol. 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:16.759 Much talked about 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.440 in Southern 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.720 Baptist denomination. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.000 There's always a 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.860 new article, there's 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.700 always some new 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.900 motion being 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.280 passed. 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.240 You almost can't 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.840 go to a Southern 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.480 Baptist meeting 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.540 without some talk 00:28:26.540 --> 00:28:28.920 of just saying 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.220 no, 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:29.900 to alcohol. 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.420 alcohol. 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.060 The Bible doesn't 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:33.860 do that to us. 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.100 It doesn't do 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:35.200 that. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.800 It doesn't place 00:28:35.800 --> 00:28:37.140 that as a law on 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.320 us. 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.360 So those of you 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:38.740 who are under 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.800 21, this is not 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.780 permission to drink. 00:28:41.280 --> 00:28:42.660 Obey the law of 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.060 our land. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.200 But for those of you 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.740 who are over, you 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.740 have the freedom to 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.320 drink. 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.720 Alcoholic beverages, 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:48.259 right? 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:49.200 Not to become drunk, 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.259 but to drink. 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.519 This is permissive. 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.200 And there are many 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:55.460 people in our age that 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.640 in order to practice 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.660 their Christian liberty, 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:59.300 make a real big deal 00:28:59.300 --> 00:28:59.860 about a drinking 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.680 alcohol, right? 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:02.519 As if they're trying 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:04.640 to show how glorious 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.740 the gospel is because 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.580 they get to drink 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.380 lots of beer. 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.019 Ridiculous. 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.259 And in fact, I think 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.380 a lot of the strong 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:14.800 response within the 00:29:14.800 --> 00:29:15.200 Southern Baptist 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.960 Convention against 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.880 alcohol is because 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:18.100 of those idiots. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:22.080 I know someone who 00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:22.820 has stated, and I 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.779 hope he's grown past 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.360 this, but that his 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.940 mission is to redeem 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.100 beer drinking. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.439 What does that mean? 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.139 What does that even 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:31.839 mean redeem beer 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.199 drinking? 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.919 So we're given 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:36.240 permission, but oh, 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.019 we should be careful 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.799 about the how. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.859 There are many people 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:43.319 who will sit in rows 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:45.259 in our churches who 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.099 would be offended by 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:47.019 me even suggesting 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:50.459 that it's okay, who 00:29:50.459 --> 00:29:51.240 would say, I can't 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.039 even listen to this 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.359 guy. 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.299 I'm sorry. 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:53.980 All I know is to 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.539 preach the Bible. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:57.980 But we ought not 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.139 rub things in other 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:00.680 people's faces because 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.339 we can. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.720 You are practicing your 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:06.000 Christian liberty in not 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.019 drinking as well. 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.519 In deciding that a 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.920 circumstance is not the 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.879 best circumstance for 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.420 such a thing. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.879 We're deciding altogether 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:14.720 that you may not. 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:17.019 And so we practice 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.440 Christian liberty in many 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:20.220 varied ways, but it's 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:22.039 always aimed, rightly 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:24.240 practiced, at gospel 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:26.039 proclamation, at gospel 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.980 advancement. 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.720 So we don't feel like 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.920 someone has their thumb 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.880 down on us because 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.960 they're weaker in the 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.299 faith than we are. 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.980 But we pick that up and 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.100 we accept it for the sake 00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:38.059 of their soul. 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:41.539 The way I dress on Sunday 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.399 is much simpler, much 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:43.539 less complicated, right? 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.379 Topic. 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:47.119 I have the freedom to 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:49.779 preach in flip-flops and 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.899 shorts and a t-shirt. 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:54.200 God does not look at what 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.319 I'm wearing on a Sunday 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.619 morning and then empower 00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:58.779 my preaching because I'm 00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:01.980 wearing a jacket or a tie 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.099 occasionally with my 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.960 shirt's tucked in. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.539 I could be much more 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.500 comfortable on a Sunday 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:07.779 morning. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:09.039 I have the freedom to do 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:11.599 that, but I am legitimately 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:13.420 concerned that someone 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:15.500 comes in amongst us and 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.899 can't even hear the words 00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:17.799 coming out of my mouth 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.899 because they see me as 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.259 disrespectful to the 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.299 position that I hold. 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.019 We live in a culture that 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:24.079 thinks in those terms. 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.119 We live in a culture where 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:25.819 many people grew up in 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.539 churches where the pastor 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:28.500 always had on a suit. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.619 Usually an ill-fitting 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.339 suit because he doesn't get 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.180 paid enough to buy nice 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.440 suits. 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:36.500 I would wear a suit every 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.759 Sunday morning for the 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.359 sake of your soul. 00:31:39.140 --> 00:31:40.339 And I hate wearing suits, 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.819 but I would do it for the 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:43.579 sake of your soul because I 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.440 don't think that this is a 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.339 crowd that typically cares 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.019 about such a thing. 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:46.500 I don't. 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.720 If I began to think that 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:50.319 that was the case, I 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.000 definitely would. 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.619 So we consider, we 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:55.799 practice liberty, and I'm 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:57.379 not practicing my liberty 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.299 when I put on a jacket 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.839 Sunday morning. 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.379 Did you guys notice I have 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.119 one jacket I wear on 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.379 Sundays? 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:03.960 Because I like it. 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:06.720 But I'm practicing my 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.440 Christian liberty when I 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:07.920 put it on. 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.560 Right? 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:10.120 I've been set free. 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.400 I've been set free from the 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:12.720 law. 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.520 So putting on this jacket 00:32:14.520 --> 00:32:16.100 is a practice of liberty, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:19.200 not a neglect of Christian 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.300 liberty. 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:24.740 So, Paul circumcises 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:26.599 Timothy for this reason, 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:28.180 for the sake of people's 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:30.940 souls, so that Timothy would 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.599 not be a stumbling block in 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:34.419 their traveling and in their 00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.980 entrance into the 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.500 synagogues. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.399 Timothy would not have been 00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:38.460 allowed in the synagogues 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:40.079 having been uncircumcised. 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:41.079 So he's able now to 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:43.460 participate fully in that 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:46.240 tradition and share the 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.779 gospel with people. 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:49.599 So he circumcises 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:51.399 Timothy and then verse 4 00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:53.099 says they went on their 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:53.879 way through the cities and 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.299 it's so fascinating that the 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.700 way Luke records this, that 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.899 what they're doing is they're 00:32:57.899 --> 00:33:00.500 delivering to them for 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.799 observance the decisions that 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.480 have been reached by the 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.299 apostles and elders who were 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:03.639 in Jerusalem. 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:04.740 The thing they're going and 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.899 doing is teaching all of the 00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:06.720 churches that they don't 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.759 have to be circumcised. 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.220 It's the very thing that 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:09.740 they're teaching them. 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.720 Hey, don't be circumcised, 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:13.460 but be culturally sensitive. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:16.660 Wasn't that the drive of that 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.200 message? 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:19.019 Remember, abstain from what 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.779 has been sacrificed to 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.779 idols and from blood and 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.220 from what has been 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.740 strangled and from sexual 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.900 immorality. 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.740 These cultural considerations, 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:28.759 matters of offense to the 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:30.519 Jews and this one moral 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.420 obligation. 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.860 You see, Paul understands the 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:34.660 spirit of the letter. 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.960 Paul doesn't accept it as 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:38.799 just a mere list, a new law, 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.799 but he understands the 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:41.100 spirit of the letter. 00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.920 And he applies this idea of 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.259 cultural consideration of not 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.779 being stumbling blocks for the 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:47.839 Jews to the very matter that the 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:50.039 letter sought to unburden the 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:51.879 Gentile believers from. 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:54.839 He takes along a young man who 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:56.559 will be a leader in the church and 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:58.980 a missionary companion for him and 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:01.660 has him circumcised to aid in 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:04.399 bringing people to faith in Christ. 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:07.360 On your bulletin, the quote from A.W. 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:10.559 Tozer, who was a 20th century pastor and 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.440 author, he said this, 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:14.340 Be hard on yourself and easy on others. 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:17.740 Carry your own cross, but never lay one on 00:34:17.740 --> 00:34:19.059 the back of another. 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:23.300 Paul preached in delivering this message 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.180 for observance. 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:27.000 Paul preached salvation by grace alone, 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:31.360 through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:35.900 And all of that lived out in love. 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:38.800 It becomes the grateful response to what 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:40.780 God has done for us in Christ, 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:44.420 that we then turn and love others. 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:48.539 And we lay down our own will for the sake of 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:48.840 others. 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:52.880 So this is the freedom that was exercised in 00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:55.019 the circumcision of Timothy. 00:34:55.019 --> 00:35:00.119 And then second and brief, the effect of 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:01.320 circumcising Timothy. 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:04.579 It's not really an entirely fair second point 00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:08.800 because the effect we see in verse 5 is not 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:12.719 just because Timothy is circumcised. 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.480 So I hope you'll catch what I'm trying to say. 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:19.519 Paul's missionary troop is traveling about. 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:21.619 They're delivering a message. 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:23.559 It's a gospel message. 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:29.320 And the gospel preached and practiced 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:32.960 always results in fruit. 00:35:33.239 --> 00:35:35.900 The gospel preached and practiced 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:39.059 always results in fruit. 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:42.579 Verse 5, so because of, right? 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:44.619 Not just because of Timothy's circumcision, 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:47.119 but because of his circumcision 00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:49.619 and the message being preached. 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:53.559 So, the churches were strengthened in the faith 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:57.679 and they increased in numbers daily. 00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:02.000 So the gospel preached and practiced 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:05.159 always results in fruit. 00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:06.980 The fruit of what? 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:09.199 The fruit of increased faith. 00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:12.099 The church is being built up in faith. 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:15.619 And the fruit of new faith. 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.179 Faith. 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:18.779 They're increasing in numbers as well. 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:21.380 Not only are they growing in their depth, 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:23.739 but they're also growing in their breadth. 00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:28.799 as the gospel is both preached and practiced. 00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:31.619 I hope it's becoming familiar to you. 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:33.019 There it is up on the screen. 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.979 The vision statement of our church, 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:36.579 which is not unique for our church, 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:37.719 shouldn't be anyway, 00:36:37.939 --> 00:36:40.659 that our church exists to glorify God, 00:36:40.879 --> 00:36:42.319 to magnify His name, 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.720 by experiencing, 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.200 proclaiming, 00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:46.500 and displaying the supremacy of Jesus Christ 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:48.160 in all things, 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.880 to all peoples. 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:52.840 And that derives at the very point 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:54.680 that I'm making now. 00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:57.420 That we both know that Jesus Christ is supreme 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:58.640 to anything else, 00:36:59.180 --> 00:37:02.160 to anything we might be able to do 00:37:02.160 --> 00:37:03.240 under Christian liberty. 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:04.780 Christ is better. 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:07.300 And all that I have should be leveraged 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:08.940 to have more of Him. 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:11.120 To experience Him deeper. 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:13.599 To be known by Him greater. 00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:15.960 All of this should be leveraged 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:17.400 at that very point. 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:20.199 That we would know Christ as supreme 00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:21.539 in our experience. 00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.219 And that will move us, 00:37:23.279 --> 00:37:24.119 it will drive us out 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:25.739 to both say that to be true 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:28.139 and to live it to be true as well. 00:37:28.339 --> 00:37:31.339 Practiced and preached. 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:33.579 And I am so challenged 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:36.980 by verses like verse 5 of chapter 16. 00:37:38.319 --> 00:37:40.420 As they're doing these very simple things, 00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.039 traveling around, 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:42.139 preaching the gospel, 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:44.259 Timothy is now circumcised, 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:48.619 and they're strengthened in the faith, 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:52.519 and they increased in numbers daily. 00:37:53.239 --> 00:37:54.839 What a phenomenal thing 00:37:54.839 --> 00:37:57.940 to have happen in the life of our church. 00:37:57.940 --> 00:38:01.119 So here's some simple application for you. 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:05.599 First, 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:08.440 are you saved 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:10.159 by grace alone, 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.820 through faith alone, 00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:14.079 in Jesus Christ alone? 00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:15.420 beloved, 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:17.779 I fear that we live in a day and age 00:38:17.779 --> 00:38:19.719 where people have been sold 00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:21.360 a cheap grace gospel, 00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:24.900 a crossless Christianity, 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:26.139 Christianity, 00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:27.039 and a crossless Christianity, 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:28.680 it's a Christless Christianity, 00:38:28.680 --> 00:38:30.400 and it's not Christianity at all. 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:33.019 That you have been told, 00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:34.280 growing up, 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.200 young, 00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:36.280 likely, 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:36.940 possibly, 00:38:36.940 --> 00:38:37.619 in churches, 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:39.000 that simply, 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:40.440 going through some motions, 00:38:40.679 --> 00:38:41.780 taking some steps, 00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:43.119 doing a few things, 00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:44.440 repeat after me, 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.900 sign a card, 00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:47.679 get dunked in water, 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:49.399 and you're a follower of Jesus. 00:38:50.859 --> 00:38:51.960 And all of those things 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:53.699 may have been part of your story 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:54.500 of coming to faith 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:55.879 in Jesus Christ, 00:38:56.339 --> 00:38:57.659 but I fear that there are 00:38:57.659 --> 00:38:58.980 countless people 00:38:58.980 --> 00:39:00.440 who believe they're Christians 00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:02.299 and are not Christians at all. 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:03.859 So you have to ask yourself 00:39:03.859 --> 00:39:04.619 an honest question. 00:39:05.399 --> 00:39:06.519 When I think about 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:08.039 why it is I'm a Christian, 00:39:08.299 --> 00:39:09.679 is that because of things 00:39:09.679 --> 00:39:10.779 that I did 00:39:10.779 --> 00:39:12.960 or because God saved me 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:13.839 by His grace? 00:39:14.779 --> 00:39:16.000 The picture is, 00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:17.800 those of you who like 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:19.139 good rap music, 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.480 Shilin, 00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:23.500 we're not drowning in the ocean, 00:39:23.900 --> 00:39:25.219 and God throws us a rope, 00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:26.559 and we reach out and grab it. 00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:28.699 The picture is that we are dead 00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:30.460 on the bottom of the ocean, 00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:32.880 and Christ leaps in, 00:39:33.260 --> 00:39:34.340 and He swims down, 00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:35.340 and He pulls us up, 00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:37.000 and He breathes life 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:38.699 in our lungs, right? 00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:40.360 As that's your experience, right? 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:43.619 I was a wretched enemy of God, 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:45.820 and God woke me up 00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:47.380 in Christ. 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:49.420 He saved me. 00:39:52.180 --> 00:39:53.740 Are you saved by grace alone 00:39:53.740 --> 00:39:54.480 through faith alone 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:56.039 in Jesus Christ alone? 00:39:56.740 --> 00:39:57.800 Is your righteousness 00:39:57.800 --> 00:39:59.600 in Christ's person 00:39:59.600 --> 00:40:01.240 and work 00:40:01.240 --> 00:40:03.140 or in your working? 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:05.800 Secondly, 00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:07.940 if you are saved by grace alone 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.460 through faith alone 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:10.120 in Jesus Christ alone, 00:40:10.120 --> 00:40:11.120 I hope you have a confidence 00:40:11.120 --> 00:40:12.300 of that this morning. 00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:15.740 What might God be requiring of you 00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:17.420 in order that some 00:40:17.420 --> 00:40:19.019 might be saved? 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:22.140 How could God be suggesting to you 00:40:22.140 --> 00:40:24.280 that you reorient your life 00:40:24.280 --> 00:40:26.220 so that some 00:40:26.220 --> 00:40:28.080 might be saved? 00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:30.260 Is there anything you can think of now 00:40:30.260 --> 00:40:31.260 that you would be unwilling 00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:32.000 to give up? 00:40:34.080 --> 00:40:34.640 Anything. 00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.980 Would you be unwilling 00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:37.139 to give up 00:40:37.139 --> 00:40:38.699 in order to see the church 00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:39.759 strengthened in the faith 00:40:39.759 --> 00:40:41.019 and increasing 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:42.400 in numbers 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:43.119 daily? 00:40:44.139 --> 00:40:45.159 I would suggest to you 00:40:45.159 --> 00:40:46.099 that there are things 00:40:46.099 --> 00:40:46.719 like that. 00:40:47.059 --> 00:40:47.599 That if you would 00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:48.420 ask God 00:40:48.420 --> 00:40:49.159 to search your heart 00:40:49.159 --> 00:40:50.659 and take some time 00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:51.339 to consider 00:40:51.339 --> 00:40:52.579 what you might 00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.420 hold on to 00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:54.339 that's not Jesus, 00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:56.059 things that you worship 00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:56.920 instead of Him, 00:40:57.259 --> 00:40:58.259 and if you would by grace 00:40:58.259 --> 00:40:59.400 let those things go, 00:40:59.559 --> 00:41:00.279 we would see 00:41:00.279 --> 00:41:01.859 things begin to happen. 00:41:02.339 --> 00:41:03.279 The church strengthened, 00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:05.220 increasing in numbers 00:41:05.220 --> 00:41:06.580 daily. 00:41:07.060 --> 00:41:07.660 Wouldn't that be 00:41:07.660 --> 00:41:09.120 a wonderful blessing? 00:41:09.820 --> 00:41:10.440 Let's pray together.