WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.960 I could never do that. They pray for two hours a day and when they say they've been praying for me, 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:14.300 they actually mean it. I could never do that. They're the parent who reads the Bible with 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:21.080 their kids every day and their kids look like little saints. I could never do that. They've 00:00:21.080 --> 00:00:25.019 just completed reading the Bible for the fourth time this year from cover to cover. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:31.300 They talk about Jesus with every single person they've ever met. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:40.500 I've had people say to me in the past, can you pray to God for me because God's more likely to 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:49.299 hear from you than he is from me. I wonder, can we make a separation between people that we think 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:54.320 are good Christians and people we think are not so good or maybe bad Christians? 00:00:55.480 --> 00:00:59.580 Sometimes I wonder if we can see people who look like amazing Christians and think, 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:08.659 I just can't be like that person. I don't have the time or the effort. Or maybe they just look a 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:16.620 little bit weird. They're so zealous and fanatical. I wonder if sometimes we can see Christians and 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:24.439 compare ourselves and think, is that what I should be looking like? I wonder then if it makes us feel 00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:30.540 a bit depressed about our relationship with God. I'm not nearly as good as them. I'm not a real 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:37.780 Christian. Or maybe it does the opposite. It makes us strive harder and to set the bar higher about what 00:01:37.780 --> 00:01:45.900 our lives are to look like. We are in the middle of a series in the book of Romans called Made New, 00:01:46.019 --> 00:01:52.099 seeing that we've been made new by God's grace in Jesus. We've seen that we all deserve punishment for 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:58.180 our sins, that we have rebelled against God, but he has justified us. He has offered us his grace 00:01:58.180 --> 00:02:05.400 freely at the cross. And as Steve has showed last week, that our God is sovereign. He is in control 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:14.460 of all things. And he offers salvation to those he chooses. And we saw last week that Paul loves 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:18.860 the people that he came from, the Jewish people, the Israelites. And we're going to see that again 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:28.360 today. But now we come to see the reality of a free gospel, that it comes to people who have no history 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:34.400 of relationship with God. It went to the Jews first and now to the Gentiles. And we're going to see that 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:42.400 this causes a challenge for the Jewish people, that they were people who were passionate. They strove hard 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:49.879 to follow their God. But Paul is going to question today who they are actually trusting in. And today, 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:57.319 the challenge for us will be similar. Are we just seeking and striving ourselves to have a particularly 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:01.780 good view of ourselves as Christians? Maybe we are challenged by other Christians and go, 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:07.560 I want to look like that Christian. I want to strive hard. And so today, we're going to be challenged 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:13.479 by what Paul has to say to think, who are we actually trusting in? And to see if our life is 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:18.439 shaped by that. Let me pray for us as we have a look at Romans 9 and 10. Our Heavenly Father, 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:25.460 I thank you for your word to us today. I thank you that it speaks to us every day and in every season. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:31.840 And I ask that you would be with us to hear your word today, Lord. Pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:39.920 As we have a look at this part of the Bible, we have two points. The first point this morning is that 00:03:39.920 --> 00:03:47.680 belief is not enough. And our second point this morning is that belief is enough. But that might 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:52.879 seem like a contradiction, but we will get there. First of all, we've seen that Paul has explained 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:58.640 that God is sovereign. He is in control of all things. He is the one who chooses who gets to come 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:06.000 into his kingdom. And Paul answers the question of why those outside of God's family get chosen and 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:12.059 not all of God's people. Have a look at verse 30 with me of Romans chapter 9. 00:04:13.059 --> 00:04:18.899 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, those who are not Israel, Jewish people, 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:26.019 that the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:32.859 But the people of Israel who pursued the law as the way of righteousness have not attained their goal. 00:04:33.779 --> 00:04:38.139 Paul's saying that there are those people, the Gentiles, who have had such wicked lives, 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:44.599 they've been more open to the gospel compared with those people who have been pursuing righteousness. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:49.439 The Jews knew that they had a deep need for righteousness. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:57.100 But everybody else outside of Israel had no idea how much they needed from God. 00:04:58.100 --> 00:05:01.459 But even though the Jews knew they needed righteousness from God, 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:04.339 they've pursued it in the wrong way. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.899 Why haven't they obtained their goal? Verse 32, 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:12.500 because they pursued it not by faith, but by works. 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:15.600 They stumbled over this stumbling stone. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:16.740 As it is written, 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:22.519 See, I lay a stone in Zion that causes people to stumble, 00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:24.740 and a rock that makes them fall, 00:05:24.860 --> 00:05:28.120 and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:33.199 A stumbling block has been put in the way of the Jewish people. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:36.660 Now, as a parent of children who have Lego, 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:41.459 I constantly have stumbling blocks around my house. 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:44.959 I love Lego deeply, and a lot of it's my own fault, 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:48.259 because I carried over a good couple of boxes from my own childhood. 00:05:48.899 --> 00:05:51.699 And there's nothing like finding a piece of Lego in the middle of the night. 00:05:52.839 --> 00:05:55.740 But this stumbling block is far more painful, 00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:59.779 far more significant than just an hour moment in the middle of the night. 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:03.139 This stumbling block has stopped the Jewish people 00:06:03.139 --> 00:06:05.959 reaching the righteousness that they've been pursuing. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:08.500 And this stumbling block is Jesus. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:13.899 This stumbling block has required them to put their works down 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:16.600 and have faith in him. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:20.879 Because faith in Jesus demands humility. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:25.939 As long as anyone pursues faith by works, 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:27.360 as verse 32 said, 00:06:27.699 --> 00:06:31.019 they're going to stumble pursuing this goal. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:36.360 Imagine you were to die today. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:37.480 This is a classic question. 00:06:37.580 --> 00:06:38.840 Imagine you were to die today. 00:06:39.340 --> 00:06:40.800 Let's say it's not COVID-related. 00:06:42.340 --> 00:06:44.420 I won't pick anything in particular then. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:45.780 Let's say you were to die today, 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.420 and you were to stand before God, 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:48.680 and God asked you, 00:06:49.460 --> 00:06:51.420 why should I let you into my heaven? 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.199 What would you say? 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:55.139 Just for a brief moment, 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:56.220 turn to the person next to you, 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:56.960 ask them, 00:06:57.000 --> 00:06:57.680 what would you say? 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:58.620 God says, 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:01.240 why should I let you into my heaven? 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:02.280 What would you say? 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:27.120 Okay, I think that's enough. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:29.220 Now, I would usually at this point 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:31.160 ask for people to shout out things, 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.660 but I'm not going to do that this week. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:35.379 It could have been things like, 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:39.060 I've loved God. 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:42.259 I've gone to church every single week. 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:44.620 I've read my Bible cover to cover. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:46.220 I've followed him. 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:47.160 I've been a good student. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.000 I've been a good parent. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:48.899 I've worked hard. 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:52.139 I wonder if the things we say 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:55.839 would start with that little letter I, 00:07:57.199 --> 00:08:00.279 because that's the challenge of the Jews. 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:02.719 If they were to answer this question, 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.139 their answer would start 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:05.539 with that little letter I. 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.919 I've been pursuing righteousness. 00:08:09.799 --> 00:08:13.079 I have worked hard in following God. 00:08:13.359 --> 00:08:15.719 I have used all of my energy 00:08:15.719 --> 00:08:18.359 and all of my effort to follow God. 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:21.759 And God has placed a rock before us, 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:23.019 a stumbling stone. 00:08:24.099 --> 00:08:25.339 This stumbling stone 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:28.799 can either be something that stops us 00:08:28.799 --> 00:08:29.859 in the way, 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.659 or it can be a foundation 00:08:31.659 --> 00:08:33.459 which we build our lives on. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.240 The Jews had everything they needed 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:37.159 for salvation, 00:08:38.079 --> 00:08:40.340 but they've tripped over their desire 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:43.379 to follow their own path to salvation. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:47.779 Last week, we saw that Paul put the responsibility 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:50.320 of belief and unbelief 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:52.840 in God's sovereign control. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:56.019 And it seems that what Paul is now saying 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:56.639 is contradictory. 00:08:57.439 --> 00:08:58.299 On the one hand, 00:08:58.539 --> 00:08:59.240 Paul is saying, 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:00.919 God is sovereign. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.279 He chooses who he will. 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:05.039 But now he's saying, 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:08.240 well, the Jews pursued the wrong path. 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:10.879 There was a stumbling stone in front of them 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:13.000 and they chose the wrong way. 00:09:13.219 --> 00:09:14.279 So which one is it? 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:17.839 Well, both of these things are true. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.299 God's sovereignty 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:22.259 and human responsibility 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:24.399 both stand together. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:26.879 There's a quote, 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:27.679 it's a wonderful quote 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:30.919 from preacher Martin Lloyd-Jones. 00:09:31.739 --> 00:09:32.319 He said, 00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:34.559 we are responsible 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:37.079 for our rejection of the gospel, 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:40.099 but we are not responsible 00:09:40.099 --> 00:09:41.039 for our acceptance. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.879 This is how God's sovereignty 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:47.399 and human responsibility work together. 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:49.819 We are all responsible 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:52.120 for rejecting God, 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:54.399 for choosing to not follow him, 00:09:54.699 --> 00:09:55.939 choosing our own path. 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:58.580 But God is the only one 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.280 who is responsible 00:09:59.280 --> 00:10:01.440 for calling anybody to himself. 00:10:03.380 --> 00:10:04.100 And for Paul, 00:10:04.920 --> 00:10:07.140 this is not just a piece of cold doctrine. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:10.920 This is not just something he theologizes. 00:10:11.640 --> 00:10:14.000 He's just not just talking about predestination 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:16.180 in a very cold clinical context. 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:19.020 You can see Paul's pain 00:10:19.020 --> 00:10:21.700 and his heart for people in verse 10. 00:10:23.160 --> 00:10:24.140 Brothers and sisters, 00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:25.640 sorry, in chapter 10, verse 1. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:26.900 Brothers and sisters, 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:30.360 my heart's desire and prayer to God 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.980 is for the Israelites 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.040 that they may be saved. 00:10:34.280 --> 00:10:35.280 I think for us, 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:36.640 when we talk about the Jews, 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:38.680 it's just a group of people 00:10:38.680 --> 00:10:39.520 who are of the Bible. 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:41.860 We are in a part of Sydney 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.140 where I don't know 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:44.020 a lot of Jewish people. 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:45.900 I know I have Jewish people 00:10:45.900 --> 00:10:47.740 a couple of generations back 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:49.460 in my family lineage. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:52.320 But when I think of the Jews, 00:10:52.380 --> 00:10:53.680 I just think of the biblical people. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.620 I don't know many people 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.339 who are Jewish. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:57.000 But for Paul, 00:10:57.819 --> 00:10:59.459 this is family. 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.979 This is brothers and sisters, 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.319 his parents, 00:11:02.599 --> 00:11:03.299 his cousins, 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.299 the people he worked with, 00:11:05.859 --> 00:11:07.039 the people he taught, 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:09.339 the people in the shops. 00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:11.699 This is all of the people 00:11:11.699 --> 00:11:13.699 who were very close to him 00:11:13.699 --> 00:11:14.639 that he cared for. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:17.179 And for Paul, 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:19.659 this is just like us 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:20.419 being concerned 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.500 for our family and friends 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.539 who don't know Jesus. 00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:24.960 And it's heightened 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.899 because these people 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:27.500 have been longing for Jesus. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:29.179 They've been waiting for him. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:31.199 They've been zealous 00:11:31.199 --> 00:11:34.259 and desiring God to come. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:39.500 And Paul speaks positively 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.200 of these people. 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.299 He sees how much passion 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:43.340 they have towards God. 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:44.439 Verse 2 of chapter 10, 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:46.600 for I can testify about them 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:49.200 that they are zealous for God. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:51.040 I love this word, zealous. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.300 Zeal can be defined 00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:55.420 as great energy 00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:56.820 or enthusiasm 00:11:56.820 --> 00:11:58.700 in pursuit of a cause 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.500 or an objective. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:02.000 I love talking to people 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.420 who are zealous about things. 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:04.200 You know, 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:04.780 there's some people 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:05.620 in our church 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:07.860 who are zealous about running. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.640 And that's always fun 00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:10.260 to talk about. 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.280 You can see their passion 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:12.460 just exploding out of them. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:14.019 If you talk to me 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.259 for more than about eight seconds, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:17.620 my zeal for Star Wars 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.280 will come out 00:12:18.280 --> 00:12:19.180 and it's begun 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:20.519 to infect my children. 00:12:21.400 --> 00:12:22.500 I'm sorry, children. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:24.700 That's just how it is for you. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:26.580 And there, 00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:27.280 you can hear them 00:12:27.280 --> 00:12:28.280 shouting out with joy 00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:29.259 for Star Wars. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.100 We're all zealous 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:32.360 and passionate about something. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.940 Zeal is energy 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:35.240 and enthusiasm 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.860 in pursuit of a goal. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:39.220 And it's contagious. 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:41.240 And Paul can see 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.500 that the Jews 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.740 have been zealous. 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.340 They have used 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:45.060 their energy 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:46.139 and enthusiasm 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:47.440 to pursue the goal 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.519 of righteousness with God. 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:51.399 They've been so zealous. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.259 They've been willing 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:54.340 to go to any lengths 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.759 to obey God. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:57.360 Think of the Old Testament laws. 00:12:59.560 --> 00:12:59.879 You know, 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:01.000 sacrificial laws, 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.399 laws about the Sabbath, 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.200 cleansing, 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:03.960 sacrifices. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.560 The Jews were so zealous 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.100 about the laws 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:06.879 that they put laws 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.540 on top of laws 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.379 on top of laws. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.280 They were so concerned 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:11.200 with not breaking the laws, 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.120 they protected those laws 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.680 by making sure 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:14.700 they didn't even get close 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:15.379 to those laws, 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.780 which ended up being 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.420 their downfall 00:13:17.420 --> 00:13:18.180 when Jesus came 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:19.060 because they didn't know 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:20.440 the heart of the law. 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:22.940 They were extremely focused 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:24.240 on pleasing, 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.060 honoring, 00:13:25.320 --> 00:13:26.500 and serving God. 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:29.040 But, 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:31.379 the rest of verse 2, 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.560 but their zeal 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:34.879 is not based on knowledge. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:37.119 Since they did not know 00:13:37.119 --> 00:13:38.459 the righteousness of God 00:13:38.459 --> 00:13:39.759 and sought to establish 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.339 their own, 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.799 they did not submit 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:42.759 to God's righteousness. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:45.019 Christ is the culmination 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:45.519 of the law 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.959 so that there may be righteousness 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:47.879 for everyone 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.939 who believes. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.959 This is the complete opposite 00:13:51.959 --> 00:13:54.079 of the modern thought, 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.699 it doesn't matter 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.659 what you believe 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.879 as long as you believe it. 00:13:58.459 --> 00:13:59.679 Have you heard this 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.559 in talking with people? 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.299 Oh, you know, 00:14:01.359 --> 00:14:02.059 I'm glad you've got 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:02.619 your beliefs. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.899 I'm happy for you 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.579 to have your beliefs. 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.439 It's good that you've got 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:05.919 your beliefs. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.679 And I've got my beliefs. 00:14:08.119 --> 00:14:09.379 And so it's good for us. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.000 As long as you believe 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.879 what you believe, 00:14:13.459 --> 00:14:15.019 I'll believe what I believe, 00:14:15.739 --> 00:14:16.479 as long as, 00:14:17.239 --> 00:14:17.459 you know, 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:19.079 you try not to force 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:19.939 your beliefs on me. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.939 You keep yours over there, 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.799 I'll have my beliefs 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:22.399 over here. 00:14:22.839 --> 00:14:24.359 This is what the modern day 00:14:24.359 --> 00:14:25.699 view of faith 00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:26.539 and belief is. 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:27.639 And Paul says, 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.000 no, 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:28.960 it doesn't work. 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.960 Because the Jews 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:32.240 were very sincere 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.340 and devout. 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.480 They were zealous 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.559 about their beliefs. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.939 They believed 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:39.919 and they would have looked 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.340 far more devout, 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.980 far better 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:46.580 than many Christians today. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.860 The same could be said 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.419 of Buddhists 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.120 and Muslims. 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.340 We can see people 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:51.639 and think, 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.819 you are so devout, 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:54.000 you are pursuing 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.080 righteousness 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.639 with all of your energy, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.680 with all of your zeal. 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.460 But Paul is saying, 00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:01.060 it doesn't matter 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:02.460 how much you believe, 00:15:02.660 --> 00:15:03.379 it doesn't matter 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:05.220 how committed you are, 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.120 it doesn't matter 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.639 how much of your life 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.460 or your money 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.540 you give away, 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:11.440 if it is all 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.560 a mistake. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.500 If your zeal 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.960 is not based on knowledge, 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:17.060 you're just 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:19.040 running very hard 00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:20.320 down the wrong path. 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:22.260 The truth is 00:15:22.260 --> 00:15:22.840 that zeal 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.740 without knowledge 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.720 is just fanaticism. 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.840 It is my wife 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.600 Alyssa's birthday 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.400 this Friday. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.900 She's turning 00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:33.640 very young again. 00:15:34.400 --> 00:15:34.940 You thought I was 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.540 going to get in trouble 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.180 then, didn't you? 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:39.400 And let's say 00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:40.879 out of my love 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.140 and zeal for her, 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.740 I made her 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.580 a birthday cake. 00:15:44.260 --> 00:15:44.720 I know, 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.660 great husband, right? 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.720 And I'm going to pour 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.540 a lot of my time 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:48.320 and my energy 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.520 into this cake. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.659 And it gets 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.299 to her birthday 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.000 and I've made 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.879 an amazing sponge cake. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.120 One of my favourites. 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.559 Loads of cream 00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:59.679 because that's 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.120 what I like. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.480 And as she's eating it, 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:02.639 you know, 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:03.860 at first she's joyful 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.360 and happy 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.819 and thankful 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.439 that her husband 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.480 has not only made the cake 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.100 but cleaned up 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.740 after the cake. 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.179 And as she's eating it, 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:09.679 her face 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.360 slowly changes, 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:13.179 getting more 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.360 and more concerned 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.139 with each chew. 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:16.840 And Alyssa says, 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.079 this doesn't have dairy 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.800 in it, does it? 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.680 You know 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:23.280 I'm intolerant 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:24.000 to dairy. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:25.900 It turns out 00:16:25.900 --> 00:16:26.840 I've ruined her day 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:28.240 in the next couple of days. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.780 In that situation, 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.360 I've had zeal 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.240 and passion 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:34.220 and love 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.080 and works 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.780 and I can say, 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.220 yes, 00:16:36.280 --> 00:16:37.200 I'm an awesome husband, 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.100 I'm a great husband. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.320 But I haven't had knowledge. 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:44.040 And it's disastrous. 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.500 Belief 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.600 is not 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.379 enough. 00:16:50.640 --> 00:16:51.320 The Jews, 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:51.820 Paul says, 00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:52.800 they've pursued 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.980 the wrong thing. 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.140 And so it doesn't matter 00:16:56.140 --> 00:16:56.879 how hard 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.420 we run 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:58.260 down a path 00:16:58.260 --> 00:17:00.680 if it's the wrong path. 00:17:02.140 --> 00:17:03.940 What are our lives 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.700 built on? 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:07.220 Will Jesus 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.900 be a stumbling block 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:10.559 or will he be 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.360 the foundation 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.299 of our lives? 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:15.019 The hard truth is 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.980 that it is possible 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.700 to come to church. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.279 It is possible 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.660 to have 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:19.519 all outward appearance 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:21.259 of following Jesus. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.279 But to still 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.700 in effect 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.900 be like the Jews, 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.539 trusting ourselves. 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:28.660 When we come 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.400 with humility, 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.860 then we see 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.360 that we bring 00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:31.779 nothing 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:33.279 except our need. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.460 And so 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.639 on that day 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:37.180 when we get 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.879 to meet Jesus, 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.680 on that day 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.519 when we stand 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.119 before God 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.119 and he says, 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.619 why should I let you 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.220 into my heaven? 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.299 I can truthfully say, 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:45.879 do you know what God? 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.180 There is no reason 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.240 why I should come in. 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.279 You know me 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.200 far better than I do. 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.259 You know that I have 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.220 rebelled against you. 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:57.099 You know that I have 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:58.960 hurt you. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:17:59.839 I've hurt 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.779 my own family, 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.759 my loved ones. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:05.339 I've disobeyed you. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.359 There is 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.980 no reason 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.779 why you should 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.379 let me in. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.799 Except Jesus said 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.420 I can come in. 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.839 Just believing 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.740 really hard 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.299 in something 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.379 is not enough. 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.740 And yet, 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.240 brothers and sisters, 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.940 belief is 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:25.680 enough. 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.119 Paul says 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.680 we don't need 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.599 works to save us. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.019 And he uses 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:30.779 language from 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.460 Deuteronomy 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.399 in verse 6 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.039 of chapter 10. 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.379 Who will ascend 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:34.960 to heaven 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.700 to bring Christ down? 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.480 Or who's going 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.079 to descend 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.859 into the deep? 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:39.539 That is, 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.259 to bring Christ 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.160 up from the deep. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.339 This is a, 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.099 it's a picture 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.720 of what we have 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.279 to do to get 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.639 into heaven, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.579 to deal 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.619 with our sins 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:49.839 or to be good 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.359 enough to get 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:50.859 into heaven. 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:52.319 But instead, 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.019 what we have 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.740 to do, 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.799 what needs 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.399 to be done 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.440 is very near. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.140 verse 9, 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.539 if you declare 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.400 with your mouth 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.860 Jesus is Lord 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:03.680 and believe 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.220 in your heart 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.700 that God 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.140 raised him 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.660 from the dead, 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.640 you will be saved. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.900 I love 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.059 this explanation 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.840 by Paul 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:10.360 of the gospel. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:10.840 It is this 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:12.140 wonderful little 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.080 summary of 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.840 everything in the 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:14.500 gospel in these 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.220 two phrases. 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.900 To say that 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:18.019 Jesus is Lord 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.160 is such a 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.440 significant claim. 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.320 The word 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:22.980 for Lord 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.340 here, 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.500 it's 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.120 Kyrios. 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:25.739 You know, 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.879 think all 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.159 of our 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.419 favorite 00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:28.059 tennis player, 00:19:28.199 --> 00:19:28.879 Nick Kyrios. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.619 Nick Kyrios 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.000 sees himself 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.619 as a Lord. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.319 That's what 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.899 his name means. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.679 Kyrios means 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:35.299 Lord. 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.039 But it's not 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.599 just someone 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.319 who's good 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.199 at something 00:19:39.199 --> 00:19:39.699 or who's 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:40.679 got authority. 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.759 This word 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.359 for Lord 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.559 is supreme 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.579 being. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.859 This is 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.519 the Lord 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.199 of all things. 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:47.879 This has 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:49.059 power over 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.559 everything. 00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:50.439 And while 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:50.919 Nick Kyrios 00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:51.419 might think 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.059 that of himself, 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:52.899 that is not 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:53.199 him. 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:53.959 But to say 00:19:53.959 --> 00:19:54.479 that Jesus 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.500 is Lord, 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.680 that declaration 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.860 means I 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.559 believe Jesus 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.559 is the one 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.140 who sits 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:00.900 on the throne 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.460 above every 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.799 throne. 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.660 He is the 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.160 one who has 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:05.059 supreme claim 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.400 over the 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.200 world and 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.819 my life. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:08.900 And then the 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.480 second part of 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.000 this phrase, 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.019 to believe that 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:11.779 he was raised 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.539 from the dead, 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.559 is to believe 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.980 that he died. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.960 His death 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.720 was purposeful. 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.860 And that death 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:19.680 couldn't hold him 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.440 and so he was 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.960 raised. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:22.819 And so to 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.539 believe in these 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.119 two little 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.759 phrases, 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.740 is that 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.220 Jesus, 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.519 that person, 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.279 is God 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:29.559 who has 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.180 control over 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.759 all things. 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.460 And that 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.639 God died 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.619 for me 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.619 in my 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.079 place. 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:35.920 And he 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.460 has taken 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.079 my sin. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.359 Now we 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.319 might balk at 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.940 this a little 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.980 bit when Paul 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.159 says all we 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:43.680 need to do 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.339 is say some 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.799 words. 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.000 We might 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.980 recoil slightly 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.619 as if Paul 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.139 is saying we 00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:48.500 need to do a 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.119 magic formula, 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.299 as if we 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.740 could walk 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.359 down the street 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.259 with a piece of 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.640 paper that 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.119 says Jesus 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.599 is Lord 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:53.920 and say, 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:54.680 say this 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.099 for me. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.799 And if people 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.240 say it, 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.579 yes, 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:56.920 you're a 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.299 Christian and 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:57.660 you're in. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.500 It's not 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.079 quite that. 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.539 In the 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:00.980 ancient world, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.680 these are two 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.819 sides of the 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.339 same coin, 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.059 speaking and 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.440 believing. 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.259 Confessing with 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.200 the mouth and 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.819 believing with 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.680 the heart are 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.319 not two different 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.759 things. 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.200 Anyone who 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.099 does one 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.059 will do the 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.259 other. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.140 And so Paul 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.059 is not adding 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.980 a work as if 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.160 we have to say 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.839 this particular 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.779 phrase to get 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.000 in. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.779 But it's a 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.279 picture of the 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.579 Christian who 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.720 hands over their 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.720 hopes into the 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.799 hands of Jesus. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.039 No longer like 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.240 the Jews trying 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.039 to seek their 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.859 own righteousness 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.920 apart from God, 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.279 but handing that 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.019 over to Jesus, 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.619 trusting that he 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:39.839 is the Lord and 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.720 his death is 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.240 sufficient. 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.259 This is a 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.160 wonderful picture 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.819 and it goes out 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.460 to everyone. 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.500 Verse 13, 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:49.799 everyone who 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:51.119 calls on the 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.359 name of the 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.579 Lord will be 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:53.980 saved. 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.119 The Jews' 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.140 life, their 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.019 life was shaped 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.559 by their 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.000 belief. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.079 They believed 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.960 that to be 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.859 saved, to be 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.700 righteousness, they 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.519 had to pursue it 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.359 with zeal and 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.039 energy and 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.740 everything they 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.339 had every 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.799 moment. 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:09.619 But for the 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.119 Christian, well, 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.519 what is the 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.180 Christian's life to 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.640 look like? 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.960 If we believe 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.359 that our 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.900 righteousness is 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.440 not found in 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.380 our striving but 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:16.940 in what Jesus 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.940 has done, what 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.580 is our life to 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.039 look like? 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:19.860 What does it 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.500 look like then 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.600 to be a 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:21.980 zealous 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.519 Christian? 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.220 To be a 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.620 Christian with 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.360 energy and 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.860 enthusiasm? 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:28.799 It looks like 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.920 one responding 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.779 to the call, 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.279 seeking to 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.420 call others. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.580 Have a look at 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:37.039 verse 14 and 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.039 15 here with 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.960 me, where Paul 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.980 pushes the 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.519 absolute necessity 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:43.259 of evangelism. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.600 Seeing the 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.559 call go from 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.100 those who are 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.199 saved out to 00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:47.679 other people. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.559 We're going to 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.259 read it forwards 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.099 as it's written 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.779 and then I'm 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.259 going to read it 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.299 backwards for us. 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:54.359 How then can 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.899 they call on 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.619 the one they 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:56.919 have not 00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.459 believed in? 00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:58.359 How can they 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.199 believe in the 00:22:59.199 --> 00:22:59.779 one whom they 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.379 have not heard 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.099 and how can 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.219 they hear without 00:23:02.219 --> 00:23:03.000 someone preaching 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.399 to them? 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.699 How can anyone 00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:05.959 preach unless 00:23:05.959 --> 00:23:07.019 they are sent? 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.779 Let me take that 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.099 backwards. 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:12.099 We send people 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.099 to go and 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.599 preach so that 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.119 people would 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.599 hear so they 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.319 would understand 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.519 and believe in 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:18.899 Jesus. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.719 I think for 00:23:21.719 --> 00:23:22.259 many of us 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.719 evangelism seems 00:23:23.719 --> 00:23:25.139 like this really 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:26.939 difficult, scary, 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:29.059 big thing that 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.839 is really 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.319 difficult. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.939 And Paul just 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:32.699 pulls it all the 00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.899 way back down and 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.740 makes it quite 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.480 straightforward. 00:23:35.959 --> 00:23:37.299 Go, speak, 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.579 explain things, 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.919 and people will 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.519 believe. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:41.579 believe. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.519 This is what 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.700 happens when we 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.559 believe that God 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:47.039 is sovereign and 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.940 in control of all 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.400 things. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.319 God invites us 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:53.019 into his work to 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.160 speak his word and 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.839 people will be 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.259 saved. 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.740 I find there's 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.599 this fascinating 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.379 little irony. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.839 We don't do any 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.740 work to save 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:04.119 ourselves, but God 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:06.319 invites us into 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.940 his work to see 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.960 other people saved. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:13.100 people will not 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:14.059 hear about Jesus 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.819 unless someone 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.980 does the work of 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.380 calling. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.400 Now this might 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.180 sound daunting. 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.500 It might sound 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.799 like it's a call 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.500 into full-time 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.860 ministry. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.319 You've got to 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.600 become a preacher. 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.519 And for my 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.759 father, who is a 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.680 minister, this is 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.819 the passage that 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.640 God used to call 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.279 him into full-time 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.680 ministry. 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.480 He heard this and 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.259 went, yes, you're 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.579 right. 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:39.619 If people aren't 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.659 trained to preach 00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:42.199 and then there's no 00:24:42.199 --> 00:24:42.919 preaching, well, how 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:43.480 are people going to 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.759 hear? 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.740 And so this part of 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.500 the Bible, God used 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.439 wonderfully to call 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:48.240 him into ministry, and 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.859 I'm thankful for 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.059 that. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.439 But that's not 00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:52.019 exactly what it's 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.679 describing here. 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:54.960 It is that, but it's 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.819 not only that. 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.480 It's not just for 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.559 full-time ministers of 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.199 the gospel, but the 00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:01.000 word for preaching 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.240 here is done by 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.899 heralds. 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.059 Think the ancient 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.639 world, how 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.639 announcement and 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.240 news would go 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.460 out. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.639 You would send a 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:11.779 herald, a news 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.919 person to go to a 00:25:12.919 --> 00:25:13.220 town. 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:13.819 And so, you know, 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.099 think there's news 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.740 that needs to get 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.559 out to the empire. 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.700 You would send a 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.000 herald. 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.679 And they'd run to 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.659 the town and they 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.879 would say, the 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.980 emperor is dead. 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:22.980 There's a new 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.339 emperor. 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.599 And then they'd run 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.500 to the next town and 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.279 do the same thing. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.500 This is the role of 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:27.899 preaching. 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.039 This is the word, to 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.879 be a herald, to go 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:31.000 out and spread the 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.339 news. 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:34.519 And so it's kind 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:37.500 of like a living 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:37.959 newspaper. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.099 They had the news and 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.019 they would go to a 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:41.480 town with the news for 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.480 everybody and they 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.079 would stand on the 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.079 street corner and they 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.839 would shout it for 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.579 everyone to hear. 00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.079 But we don't even 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.079 really have newspapers 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.439 anymore. 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.379 Does anybody still get 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:49.859 newspapers? 00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:51.399 Does anybody still 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:52.179 read newspapers? 00:25:52.459 --> 00:25:53.699 It's all online these 00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:53.919 days. 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:55.119 So for us, it's a 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.779 little bit more like 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:58.119 being a living version 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.019 of Twitter or 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.439 Instagram. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.779 I don't know where 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.500 people to go to get 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.920 news if you get 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.779 news anymore. 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:06.539 This is a really 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:10.279 normal picture of 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.960 news. 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.860 So we are to be the 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.720 thing that people are 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.080 scrolling. 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.720 Instead of people being 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.200 influenced by the 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.779 latest fitness 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.380 influencer or Instagram 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:23.500 chef, people are to 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.720 go to the Christian to 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.360 be influenced. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.640 And the messengers 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.460 must be sent. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.880 And so from this 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:33.039 church, a number of 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.940 years ago we sent 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.340 Sam and Sally Lowe. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.600 They were sent from 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:36.880 us. 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.900 They went to the Gold 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:40.400 Coast and they have 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.640 been going out, 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.820 preaching the word and 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.860 growing a church. 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:47.880 But tomorrow, this 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.059 church is also sending 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.720 all of us. 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.160 I wish it was to the 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.519 Gold Coast. 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.320 It sounds much warmer 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.779 up there at the 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:52.980 moment. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:55.779 But we're all going. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.059 We're all being sent 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.420 tomorrow. 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:00.299 We're all going to our 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:02.099 families, to our 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:04.660 friends, to the front 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.940 lines in particular that 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.740 we have. 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.299 We're going to 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.299 universities. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.460 We're going to school. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.680 We're going to our 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.519 places of work. 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.140 Now we're not going to 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.680 go and get a soapbox 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.640 like the Herald and 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.640 stand and say, 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.420 Jesus has died for your 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.539 sins and he was raised. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.879 If you'd like to do 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:22.599 that, I've got a 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.299 soapbox for you. 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.899 That's still a good 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.619 and valid thing. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:29.879 But we're going to 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:32.099 talk about this Jesus 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:33.720 who is the Lord. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.740 About this Jesus who 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:37.480 has died in our place. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:40.319 Because we believe that 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.339 he is the Lord. 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:43.000 And if he is the Lord, 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.079 well he's got sovereignty 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.460 over my life and 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.980 everybody that we know 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.759 and their life. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.339 And there's this 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.519 wonderful picture of 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.500 the impact of those 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.539 who share the gospel. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:54.019 Verse 15, as it is 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.779 written, how beautiful 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.639 are the feet of those 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.759 who bring good news. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.000 Now that sounds 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.339 really nice, doesn't 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:01.559 it? 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.639 How beautiful are the 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.200 feet of those who 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.779 bring good news. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.920 Until you remember 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.660 the first century 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.779 heralds going from 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.379 town to town. 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.639 With cobblestone 00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:12.500 paths and dusty 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:14.559 roads and horses and 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.400 camels and everything 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.139 that they bring. 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.660 Their feet would have 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:20.299 been anything but 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:20.819 beautiful. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.299 They were most likely 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.639 some of the grossest, 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.419 cracked heels, 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:28.259 smelliest feet you've 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.799 ever seen. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.419 And yet, can you 00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:32.819 imagine receiving the 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:34.240 very best news from 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.539 them? 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:37.180 You've been set free. 00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:39.440 War is over. 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.700 There is peace. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.720 You'd fall at their 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.639 feet and grab them 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.419 out of joy. 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:49.120 The news is so good 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.640 that it makes 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.700 something disgusting 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.720 amazing. 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.400 The hard part of the 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.320 remaining verses of 00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:56.720 chapter 10 is what 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.460 happens when this 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.580 beautiful message goes 00:28:58.580 --> 00:29:00.640 out and it goes 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.220 unheard. 00:29:02.320 --> 00:29:03.940 Verse 21, Paul talks 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.660 about what's happened 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.279 with the Jews. 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.800 From God's perspective, 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.220 he says, 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.960 all day long, I've 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.640 held out my hands to 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:12.039 a disobedient and 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.940 obstinate people. 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.360 Not all of Israel 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:17.440 will accept the 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:17.759 news. 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.460 Not all of those 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.220 who hear the gospel 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.180 will understand. 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.720 Not all will 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.279 believe. 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.200 And that's the 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.539 heartbreaking reality 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.140 of the gospel. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.860 We know from the 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:31.019 outset that all are 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.799 responsible for 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.759 rebelling against God 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:34.059 and God is 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.920 responsible for 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.539 bringing in who 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.019 he chooses. 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.720 But we never know 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.079 who is going to 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.680 come in when we 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.240 share the gospel. 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:42.900 And so there is a 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.000 wonderful beauty 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.799 that we share it 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.440 knowing that God 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.579 does work and he 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.379 does save. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.420 But we also know 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.420 that some are 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:52.180 hardened, just like 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.700 the Jews. 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.519 No matter how 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.259 often the gospel 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.160 is held out to 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.059 them, some people 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:57.839 will never believe. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.640 But it is 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.839 absolutely necessary 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.539 to share the 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:02.819 gospel. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.720 Not for us to be 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.500 right with God. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.879 Not out of 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:08.119 compulsion to be 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.960 forgiven by him. 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.819 But for their 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.159 sake. 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.720 Because just like 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.779 us, how will 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.180 people know God 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:16.200 unless they hear 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.319 the call? 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.379 How will they 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:19.379 hear the word 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.740 unless someone 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.460 takes it to them? 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.899 I read a story 00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:25.019 about the former 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.259 US President 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.039 Jimmy Carter 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.659 recently. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.899 I don't know if 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.500 you care at all 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:29.980 about American 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.420 politics. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.779 But Jimmy Carter 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.559 is an 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.000 evangelical 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.460 Christian. 00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:34.859 And as a 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.759 Christian, before 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.319 becoming the 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.259 president, he 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.319 shared one of 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.660 his issues when 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.759 he realised how 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.799 zealous he was 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.899 for himself and 00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:43.599 not for God. 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.819 As a part of his 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.399 church, he would 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:48.139 visit a few people 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.839 on a Sunday 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.079 afternoon and he'd 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.720 read the Bible 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.759 with them and he'd 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.160 pray and have a 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:54.299 bit of a chat and 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.359 then he'd go on 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.079 with his day. 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.539 And he said he 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.319 was always so 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.119 proud of his 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.419 efforts and it 00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:01.359 left him with a 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.220 clear conscience 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.679 throughout the 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.919 week as if he'd 00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:04.500 been doing this 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.240 really good thing. 00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:06.699 And he counted 00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:07.500 up his visits one 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.519 day and figured 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.519 out that in 14 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.199 years he'd done 00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:11.980 140 visits. 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.419 And he was quite 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.179 chuffed at that. 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.799 And then in 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.659 comparison he 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.559 reflected that when 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:19.399 he was running as 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:21.279 governor in 1966, 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:24.079 he spent 16 to 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.960 18 hours a day 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.759 trying to reach as 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:29.259 many voters as 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.680 possible. 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.639 In the end of his 00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:33.399 campaign, he had 00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.180 met with more than 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.940 300,000 people. 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:38.700 And he said, the 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.720 comparison struck 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.000 me. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:43.180 300,000 visits for 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:44.200 myself in three 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:46.420 months and 140 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.819 visits for God in 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:49.119 14 years. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.240 Now we can easily 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.139 start to think that 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.240 evangelism is going 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.639 to earn our place 00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.899 into heaven as if 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:58.180 somehow it's the 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.899 deed that we need 00:31:58.899 --> 00:31:59.539 to do to make us 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.319 righteous before God. 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.379 Don't hear that 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:01.799 from me. 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.740 But brothers and 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:05.339 sisters, where is 00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.000 our zeal? 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.980 Where are we 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.059 placing our energy 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:10.160 and enthusiasm? 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.839 Is our zeal for 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.940 ourselves like Jimmy 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.839 Carter realized? 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:16.240 So we spend our 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.139 time and our 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:18.339 efforts making 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.359 ourselves look good. 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.160 Is it running to 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.640 a particular 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.540 finish line of 00:32:22.540 --> 00:32:23.060 success? 00:32:23.800 --> 00:32:24.600 Following God 00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:25.620 gets put to one 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:27.160 side as we pursue 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:28.840 best marks at 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:29.980 school, best marks 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.840 at university, the 00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:33.740 highest amount of 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:35.019 work we can do to 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.500 get the next 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:35.980 promotion. 00:32:38.320 --> 00:32:39.060 Are we running 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:39.860 towards a finish 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.360 line of joy and 00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:43.160 success in only 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:44.320 temporary things? 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:47.360 Maybe we see this 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:48.519 zealous Christian 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:49.640 life, you know, 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.500 this Christian life 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:52.560 who shares the 00:32:52.560 --> 00:32:53.340 gospel with their 00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:54.280 friends and family 00:32:54.280 --> 00:32:55.980 in a world of you 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.759 believe what you 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.440 believe and I'll 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.000 believe what I 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.720 believe and don't 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.440 you talk about 00:32:59.440 --> 00:32:59.720 them. 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.560 And we see some 00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:02.400 Christians who are 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.080 zealous and think, 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.980 ah, they just look a 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.580 bit weird. 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.080 I don't want to be 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:06.840 like that person 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:07.420 standing on the 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.000 soapbox. 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:09.660 And we go, I'm not 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.200 going to be like 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.520 that. 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.660 So I'm just going to 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.420 have a bit more of a 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:13.100 mundane life. 00:33:13.580 --> 00:33:14.380 Unaware of how 00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:15.600 beautiful are the 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.900 feet of those who 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.780 bring good news. 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.400 Where are you 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.360 putting your energy 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:22.900 enthusiasm? 00:33:26.540 --> 00:33:27.100 I've got a 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:27.680 challenge for you 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.120 this week. 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.980 Just a very small 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.960 taste of what it 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.760 would look like to 00:33:32.760 --> 00:33:34.120 be zealous for God. 00:33:35.260 --> 00:33:36.420 To pursue his 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.660 call to love other 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:37.980 people. 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:39.300 To see that call 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:39.860 go out. 00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.580 A very small 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.059 challenge. 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.699 I'd like you to 00:33:43.699 --> 00:33:45.919 reflect on one 00:33:45.919 --> 00:33:48.779 aspect of God's 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.599 love for you this 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:49.839 week. 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:51.480 What is, how has 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.960 God been good to 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.259 you? 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:55.379 It could be that 00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:56.019 you've been 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.079 reflecting on how 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.779 sinful you are and 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.759 how much you need 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.339 his love and how 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.079 good he is. 00:34:01.699 --> 00:34:02.779 It could be that 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.519 you're so thankful 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.799 for this community 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.559 of Christians that 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.339 God has given you. 00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:07.759 One aspect of how 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.880 God has been good to 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.960 you and to share 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.519 that with someone 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.840 else. 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.539 Someone who is not 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.340 a Christian. 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:18.780 God is calling 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:20.539 you to trust in 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.940 Jesus as the 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:23.840 Lord and to 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.800 call others to 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.519 this same Lord 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.880 because he is 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.139 good. 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.579 Let me pray. 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:30.800 Dear Heavenly 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:34.639 Father, we thank 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.659 you, Lord, that 00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:37.579 you do indeed 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.800 call us who are 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:39.460 unrighteous. 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:41.699 we are all 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.599 responsible for 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.340 rebelling against 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.860 you, but God, we 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.519 thank you that you 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.480 call people and 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:47.179 God, we thank you 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:48.440 that you invite us 00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.820 into your work. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.220 Heavenly Father, 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:54.000 equip us, give us 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:55.079 words to speak, help 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:56.559 us take a moment to 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.699 reflect on how good 00:34:57.699 --> 00:34:58.440 you have been. 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.519 And Lord, we ask 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.240 that this week you 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:02.260 would put one person 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:03.039 in our lives that we 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.780 get to share it. 00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:08.760 Father, we know 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.280 that you are 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:10.700 preparing people to 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.940 come to know and 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.460 love you. 00:35:13.680 --> 00:35:14.800 Help us to see 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:16.519 them for your 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.080 glory, Lord. 00:35:17.580 --> 00:35:18.440 We pray this in 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.100 your son's name. 00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:19.900 Amen. 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.000 Amen. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.080 Amen. 00:35:20.080 --> 00:35:20.320 Amen. 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.180 Amen. 00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:21.420 Amen. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.000 Amen. 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.100 Amen. 00:35:22.100 --> 00:35:22.200 Amen. 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:24.120 Amen. 00:35:24.120 --> 00:35:24.740 Amen. 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:24.840 Amen. 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.000 Amen. 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.000 Amen. 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.240 Amen. 00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:26.800 Amen. 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:29.400 Amen. 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:29.880 Amen. 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.200 Amen. 00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:30.760 Amen. 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:30.780 Amen. 00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:31.420 Amen. 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:31.920 Amen. 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:31.940 Amen. 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.260 Amen.