WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.760 Again, let me say welcome to you this morning, and I'm excited to open God's Word together. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:25.800 You know, we all carry around with us certain beliefs and assumptions that we feel are true, 00:00:25.800 --> 00:00:29.820 and yet sometimes to our great chagrin we find out they're not true. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.600 So, for instance, most of us would assume, I think, that toilet seats are covered in germs, right? 00:00:37.640 --> 00:00:43.640 If I told you to eat a meal off a toilet seat, you wouldn't do it, and you'd probably be wise not to do it. 00:00:44.380 --> 00:00:49.480 But research consistently shows that, in fact, toilet seats are relatively clean. 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:55.200 Feels like they would be dirty, that feels true, but in fact they're relatively clean. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:01:02.500 They're regularly cleaned and disinfected, so in terms of surfaces in our lives, they're one of the better surfaces to be in contact with. 00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:07.500 Do you know what has ten times more germs on it than your average toilet seat, though? 00:01:08.600 --> 00:01:09.600 Your smartphone. 00:01:10.820 --> 00:01:11.420 True story. 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:14.040 So that's one kind of example. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.480 Another example would be the claim that Napoleon was short. 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:19.320 Feels true. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:21.079 We've heard it a lot. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:22.760 Not true. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:28.880 In fact, Napoleon was slightly above average in his day in France for a man. 00:01:29.800 --> 00:01:30.579 Feels true. 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:31.820 Not true. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:33.740 Lots of examples like that, right? 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:36.880 Go outside with your hair wet, you're more likely to get a cold. 00:01:37.380 --> 00:01:37.980 Feels true. 00:01:38.380 --> 00:01:39.040 Not true. 00:01:39.100 --> 00:01:41.620 When you swallow chewing gum, it stays in your body for seven years. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:42.600 Feels true. 00:01:44.080 --> 00:01:44.719 Not true. 00:01:45.240 --> 00:01:45.380 Right? 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:46.500 For most of us, not true. 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:47.019 Right? 00:01:47.239 --> 00:01:48.259 So lots of examples. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:54.599 Years ago, Stephen Colbert coined this term that I feel has only gotten more useful with age, 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:56.640 and that's the term truthiness. 00:01:57.379 --> 00:01:58.239 You familiar with this term? 00:01:58.619 --> 00:01:59.179 Truthiness. 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:04.060 Truthiness, the idea that there are things that we believe because they feel true, 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:11.639 or because we want them to be true, rather than because they are known to be true or based in fact. 00:02:11.639 --> 00:02:18.639 And Colbert mainly applied the concept of truthiness to news media and the problem of fake news. 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:25.299 But actually here in 2 Corinthians 11, we see a completely different example of truthiness. 00:02:25.799 --> 00:02:30.219 And this is truthiness when it comes to the gospel itself. 00:02:30.739 --> 00:02:36.839 We're in a series in 2 Corinthians, and this week we're going to come to the crux of the whole issue in Corinth. 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:43.819 The reason that Paul had written all of these letters, the reason he was so concerned and filled with anxiety over the church, 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:48.860 is because of truthiness that was plaguing the church. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:53.900 So whether you're here as a longtime Christian or a new convert, 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.699 whether you're here as somebody who is not sure what you believe, 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:00.780 maybe this is your first time in church in a long time or ever, 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:04.080 regardless of where you find yourself spiritually this morning, 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:09.400 this is perhaps the greatest spiritual danger there is. 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:11.099 And I know that sounds hyperbolic, 00:03:11.860 --> 00:03:14.659 but this is perhaps the greatest, if not the oldest, 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:17.979 spiritual danger that we face in our lives. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:20.920 So we're going to look at this as we look at 2 Corinthians 11. 00:03:21.479 --> 00:03:23.639 First we're going to look at what's the problem, 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:26.520 and then why does it matter, and then what can be done. 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:27.800 So let's pray. 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:30.480 Lord, we thank You for Your Word, 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:34.140 and we thank You that Your Word, because of Pentecost, 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:35.620 isn't just ink and paper. 00:03:36.380 --> 00:03:40.460 We're not here to reflect on human insights or wisdom. 00:03:41.140 --> 00:03:45.540 Lord, we're here because You are a God who dwells in and among Your people. 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:47.380 Your Holy Spirit is here. 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:53.920 Your Holy Spirit can take these ink and paper words 00:03:53.920 --> 00:03:55.600 and turn them into words of flesh. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:59.719 Lord, as we are here not only to read and hear Your Word, 00:03:59.799 --> 00:04:03.319 but to see Your Word, to encounter Your Word in Jesus Christ. 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:07.099 And so, Lord, as we encounter the Word made flesh, 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:11.419 would You turn our hearts from stone to flesh, Lord? 00:04:11.500 --> 00:04:15.979 Would You change us, bless us, mold us, Lord, as only You can. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:17.959 We pray this in Your Son's holy name. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:18.519 Amen. 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:18.639 Amen. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:24.399 So, first of all, what is the problem that we are zeroing in on? 00:04:24.799 --> 00:04:27.479 The context of this, as we've said in earlier sermons, 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:30.279 is essentially years earlier, Paul had come 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.599 and he had started this church in Corinth. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:35.060 He was preaching the gospel, people converted, 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:36.799 and the church was born there. 00:04:37.099 --> 00:04:39.979 And then Paul, when he felt like the church was in good hands, 00:04:40.039 --> 00:04:41.799 he appointed elders to oversee the church, 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:44.519 he moved on to take his mission elsewhere. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:49.779 And then, not long after, other leaders arrived in the church 00:04:49.779 --> 00:04:52.319 and they began to preach and teach. 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:56.620 And a lot of people were very impressed by these new leaders. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:02.459 Verse 5, Paul sardonically refers to these new leaders as super apostles. 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:07.939 And these are highly persuasive and compelling teachers. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.000 They'd all been trained as professional orators, 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:13.459 and rhetoric was a big deal in this day. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:16.259 The way of speaking, your style of speaking, 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:19.079 was a way of signaling that you were highly educated, 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:20.639 incredible, and worth listening to. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:23.459 And so, these were all trained rhetoricians, 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:25.959 and they're speaking in the most impressive ways. 00:05:26.719 --> 00:05:31.120 And the problem is, these super apostles, Paul begins to realize, 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:38.379 are preaching a truthy gospel as opposed to the true gospel. 00:05:38.539 --> 00:05:42.000 They're preaching a truthy version of the gospel. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.300 Paul says in verse 4, 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:47.839 for if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:51.660 or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:55.480 or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:57.060 you put up with it readily enough. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:06:01.439 He's referring to their teaching as a different Jesus, 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:04.040 a different spirit, a different gospel. 00:06:04.040 --> 00:06:08.800 And in this case, a different gospel meant that they were teaching a version 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:12.000 of what we might call Christian triumphalism, 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:18.020 or the theological term would be an over-realized eschatology, 00:06:18.260 --> 00:06:22.920 a version of what we might think of as a prosperity gospel of sorts. 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:26.100 So, according to the Bible scholar D.A. Carson, 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:29.460 they're emphasizing things like spiritual power, 00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:34.520 and exaltation with Christ, and ecstatic spiritual experiences, 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:38.200 and freedom, and triumph, and victorious living, 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.639 and leadership, and religious success. 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:42.060 And they looked the part. 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:44.160 They were successful. 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:45.240 They looked successful. 00:06:45.340 --> 00:06:46.300 They had nice clothes. 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:52.120 They were suppressing, however, those aspects of Christianity 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.800 that stressed things like meekness. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:56.900 They were suppressing the idea of servanthood. 00:06:57.579 --> 00:07:00.040 They rarely mentioned the need for obedience. 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:04.259 They rarely talked about or evidenced humility. 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:09.460 You would never hear a sermon about the need to follow Christ in His suffering 00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:12.800 if you are to follow Him in His crown. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:17.939 Notice they were not denying the gospel altogether. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:21.579 They weren't denying Jesus. 00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:25.460 Some of what they said was true, 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.160 and they could actually point to Bible verses 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.860 to back up the claims they were making. 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:33.300 They could proof text their sermons. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:35.519 But in their teaching, 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.400 they were subtly redefining the gospel 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:41.939 to make it more palatable and attractive, 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:43.219 so not surprisingly, 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:47.899 many of the Corinthians flocked to these teachers. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:51.719 They were excited about these new ideas. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:53.480 They found them very empowering, 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.899 very enlivening. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:58.000 Now, next week, we're going to talk a lot more 00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:59.779 about the relationship between Paul 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:01.779 and these super apostles 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:04.860 and the difference between their ministry credentials, 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:08.339 the ways they boast about their legitimacy. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:09.680 But for now, what I want to do 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.220 is to draw out the implications 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:13.759 of what we've just said before we move on. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:16.300 The problem that we're talking about this morning 00:08:16.300 --> 00:08:17.939 is not the problem of unbelief. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.139 Certainly, that's an issue for some of us. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:21.980 But the problem in view here 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:23.079 is far more subtle 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.699 and far more insidious. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:28.680 These are well-meaning people, 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:31.379 ranging from new converts to mature believers, 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.639 who go to church, 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.139 who listen to this teaching, 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:36.539 and they believe that they're hearing the gospel. 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:38.639 They believe that what they're being taught 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.860 is the true gospel. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.219 For the most part, 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:44.399 they have no idea that they have, 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.219 as Paul says, 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:47.519 bought into a different gospel 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:48.899 than the one Paul proclaimed. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:50.360 And, you know, 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:52.740 the same problem exists today, 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:55.839 only on a much larger scale. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:57.240 Everywhere you look, 00:08:57.339 --> 00:08:59.379 there are prominent speakers 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:01.379 and podcasts 00:09:01.939 --> 00:09:02.919 and thought leaders 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:04.379 and Instagram gurus 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:05.559 and books 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:06.500 and articles 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:09.159 all selling truthy versions 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:11.259 of the gospel. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:11.939 You know, 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:12.840 some examples 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:14.820 that I've sort of personally encountered 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.600 over the years, 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.419 it's very common 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:17.799 to speak with people 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.379 who assume 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:20.740 that the gospel 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.460 is a kind of moral gospel. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:24.279 That's one very common example 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:25.379 of a truthy gospel. 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:26.559 The moral gospel 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:27.579 says something like, 00:09:27.859 --> 00:09:29.459 all good people go to heaven, 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:31.679 and God essentially simply 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:33.179 wants us to be good people, 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:34.639 to be nice people, 00:09:34.719 --> 00:09:35.739 to be decent people, 00:09:35.859 --> 00:09:36.939 to recycle, 00:09:37.239 --> 00:09:37.939 to teach our kids 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:38.299 to say, 00:09:38.359 --> 00:09:39.079 oh my gosh, 00:09:39.359 --> 00:09:39.859 instead of, 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:40.539 oh my God. 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:42.359 And if we are those kinds of people, 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.659 then we will be saved 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:44.719 and go to heaven. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.939 And you hear that, 00:09:46.959 --> 00:09:47.979 and we've heard it so often 00:09:47.979 --> 00:09:48.819 that many people hear that, 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:50.639 and that feels true. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.459 That feels true. 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:54.059 That feels right. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:55.299 But it's not true. 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:56.339 Right? 00:09:56.359 --> 00:09:57.059 If you really penetrate 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:57.959 into what's being said there, 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.259 it's actually the exact opposite 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:01.159 of the gospel. 00:10:01.339 --> 00:10:02.479 Nothing in that statement, 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.339 all good people go to heaven, 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:05.899 is true. 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:06.539 First of all, 00:10:06.599 --> 00:10:07.539 the ultimate promise 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.059 of the gospel 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:09.199 is not that we go to heaven. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:12.059 It's a resurrected body 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.120 and a renewed world. 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:15.000 And the great miracle 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.459 of the gospel 00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:16.539 isn't that good people 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.219 get saved, 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:18.500 it's that bad people, 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:19.279 sinful people, 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:20.979 people who are hopelessly lost, 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:22.139 get saved. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.319 Right? 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.000 And so it's actually 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.080 the opposite of the gospel. 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:27.960 Another thing that you're likely 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:28.879 to hear in our culture 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.000 is some version 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:30.960 of what we might call 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:32.980 a therapeutic gospel. 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:34.679 This says, 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.940 Jesus came to help us 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:37.240 live a happy life, 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:38.399 to be our true selves, 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.820 to live however we want, 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.919 as long as we are happy, 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:42.940 however we define 00:10:42.940 --> 00:10:44.500 that happiness. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:45.740 Again, feels true, 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.820 feels right 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:47.940 to many people. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.220 Not true. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.159 God's ultimate aim 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.819 isn't to make us happy, 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:55.299 it's to make us holy. 00:10:56.219 --> 00:10:56.360 Right? 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:57.480 One day we will be 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.539 completely satisfied 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:59.759 in Jesus, 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:00.579 but until then 00:11:00.579 --> 00:11:01.639 we're probably going to face 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.059 tremendous hardship. 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:05.019 And yet it's often 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:06.620 in those times of suffering, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.659 and this is a really hard thing 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.579 for us to wrestle with, 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:10.139 it's often in those times 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:10.699 of suffering 00:11:10.699 --> 00:11:12.159 that we most experience 00:11:12.699 --> 00:11:13.779 intimacy with Jesus 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:15.799 and grow in holiness. 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:16.839 You say, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.519 where do you see that 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:17.919 in Scripture? 00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:19.059 Paul's entire life. 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:21.039 Paul's entire life. 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:22.239 We'll talk about that 00:11:22.239 --> 00:11:22.939 more next week. 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.799 So there are many more 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:27.000 examples of truthy Gospels 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:28.059 that we could give. 00:11:28.459 --> 00:11:29.859 The prosperity Gospel, 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.819 the idea that if you 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:31.719 give yourselves 00:11:31.719 --> 00:11:32.859 and your money to Jesus, 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:33.899 He'll bless you 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:35.199 with health and wealth 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:35.819 and prosperity. 00:11:36.119 --> 00:11:37.659 The self-improvement Gospel, 00:11:38.359 --> 00:11:39.759 that the Gospel is really 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:40.739 about helping us 00:11:40.739 --> 00:11:42.379 maximize our potential. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:43.879 It gives us six steps 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.779 to a better marriage 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.439 or eight steps 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:46.439 to a healthier lifestyle. 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:48.780 The universal Gospel, 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:50.920 love means acceptance. 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:52.120 Because God is love, 00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.420 He should accept everybody 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:54.660 regardless of who they are, 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:55.620 what they believe, 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:56.340 how they live. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:59.640 The social justice Gospel, 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:00.580 the Gospel is really 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.600 about becoming aware 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.040 of privilege 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:02.700 and overturning 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:03.900 oppressive power structures. 00:12:04.300 --> 00:12:05.500 The political Gospel, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.640 many versions 00:12:07.640 --> 00:12:08.600 of the political Gospel. 00:12:09.520 --> 00:12:10.700 Well, Jesus really 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:11.300 at the end of the day 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:11.960 was a socialist. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:13.680 Well, at the end of the day, 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.220 it's very clear 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.280 that Jesus was a capitalist. 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:17.019 Jesus was obviously 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.740 a refugee. 00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:19.480 Jesus was an immigrant. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.799 Jesus sides with the poor. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.740 Jesus sides with America. 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.059 Right? 00:12:25.079 --> 00:12:26.319 In one way or another, 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.559 Jesus takes sides 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.899 in our politics, 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:29.519 isn't it clear, 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:30.819 from Scripture? 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:32.059 And see, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.179 all of these versions 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:33.620 of the Gospel, 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.879 they all feel true 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.740 to some people, 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.919 but they've all been diluted 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.579 and subtly redefined. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.539 And here's the real issue. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.459 Most people can't tell 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:41.939 the difference. 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.579 Most of us will hear that 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:45.259 and we will just sort of 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:45.940 nod our heads. 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:46.520 Right? 00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:47.460 Not all of them, 00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:48.520 but some of them. 00:12:49.920 --> 00:12:50.700 And so some of us 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.240 might hear this 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:51.560 and say, 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:52.360 okay, that's great, 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:53.639 but why gatekeep the Gospel? 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.160 Right? 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.160 Why police it? 00:12:57.040 --> 00:12:57.220 Right? 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:57.820 We live in a culture 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:58.480 where people are free 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.259 to believe what they want. 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:00.440 Why don't you just let people 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.759 believe what they want to believe? 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.440 And whatever version 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:02.840 of the Gospel 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.540 they want to believe, 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.580 let them believe it. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.400 What's the big deal? 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.860 So why does this matter? 00:13:07.520 --> 00:13:08.360 And from the text, 00:13:08.420 --> 00:13:09.300 we see three reasons 00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:10.700 why this actually does matter, 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:11.500 why the stakes 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.759 are actually fairly high 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.879 with this issue, 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.419 higher than we might think. 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.720 The first reason this matters 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.059 is this. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.899 The true Gospel 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:21.460 isn't just about beliefs. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.759 We're not simply here 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:26.340 to debate theological abstractions. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:27.759 The true Gospel 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:29.139 is actually about a relationship, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.759 a very important relationship. 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:33.759 Paul says in verses 1 and 2, 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:35.240 I wish you would bear with me 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.399 in a little foolishness. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.740 He's being kind of playful here. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.100 Do bear with me, 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:42.000 for I feel a divine jealousy for you 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.180 since I betrothed you 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.259 to one husband 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.320 to present you 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:47.320 as a pure virgin to Christ. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.539 Now, that's no accident 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.740 that he's using this metaphor. 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.060 One of the primary metaphors, 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:53.519 if not the primary metaphor 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.560 in all of Scripture 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:56.600 for the relationship 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:58.480 that God desires to have with you 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:00.019 and with me 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:02.440 is the metaphor of marriage. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:03.879 Right? 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:05.560 When Paul talks about marriage 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:07.200 in Ephesians 5, 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:07.640 he says, 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.940 this mystery is profound 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:10.240 and I'm saying that it refers 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:12.680 to Christ and the church. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.640 What's he saying there? 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.640 Human marriage is itself 00:14:15.640 --> 00:14:17.440 as great as marriage can be. 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.960 One of the greatest relationships 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.600 you can have. 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:24.420 But even that is a pale shadow. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.379 It's an icon. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.400 It's a picture of something 00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:29.560 far greater, 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:30.660 infinitely greater. 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:32.879 The relationship that God 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.860 desires to have 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:35.140 with you, 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.439 the people he made. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:39.460 And that's a profound thought 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:41.100 that even the best marriages 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.960 on this planet 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:44.019 pale in comparison 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.139 to the kind of relationship 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.639 that God wants to have 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.080 with his people. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.679 And guess what? 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:49.259 A lot of people want to be married, 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.120 can't be married. 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.519 A lot of people want to be 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.080 in a good marriage, 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.980 they're in a hard marriage. 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.019 But this relationship, 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.179 this is a relationship 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:56.960 that is open to 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:58.199 every single person 00:14:58.199 --> 00:14:59.259 on the planet 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.740 if they come and ask. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.539 So the stakes are fairly high. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.100 You know, there's a reason 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.620 why we have so many longings 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.759 that will never be satisfied 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.460 in this life. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.240 There's a reason why 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.899 no matter how great 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.639 your marriage is 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:12.179 or how great your job is 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.480 or how successful you are 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:15.259 or how much acclaim 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:17.720 or fame you receive, 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.220 there's a reason why 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.139 it's never enough. 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.939 There's a reason why 00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:22.639 people get to the end 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.220 of their lives 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.460 of striving and fighting 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.460 and climbing the ladder 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.300 only to realize 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:28.680 they still feel empty. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.400 They still feel regret. 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.540 St. Augustine famously said 00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.560 in his confessions, 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:36.040 you've made us for yourself, Lord, 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.540 and our heart is restless 00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:39.940 until it rests in you. 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.660 Why the restlessness? 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.740 Because you were made 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.840 for this relationship with God 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.600 and until you know that, 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.960 your life is not going 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.540 to make sense. 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.560 When someone repents 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.720 and believes the true gospel, 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.680 they become, in a sense, 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:56.019 betrothed to Christ, 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.959 meaning there's a promise. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.299 One day that restlessness 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:04.019 will be satisfied in Him. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.000 Right? 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:06.639 So the true gospel 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.819 is not just about beliefs. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.120 It's about a relationship. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.899 The second reason 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:11.019 this matters so much 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:13.219 is that truthy gospels 00:16:13.219 --> 00:16:15.500 inoculate people 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.779 against the true gospel. 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:18.859 Right? 00:16:18.859 --> 00:16:20.039 You know, inoculation 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.919 means giving somebody 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.899 a mild version of something, 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.879 a diluted version of something, 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.299 that then makes them 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:29.519 immune to the real thing. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.139 Right? 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:32.439 And that's what we see here. 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.319 When… 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:34.419 After the Corinthians 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:36.319 bought into this exciting, 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.959 revised, updated, 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:40.740 evolved version of the gospel, 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:42.719 they begin to reject Paul 00:16:42.719 --> 00:16:43.620 and his gospel. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.699 They were immunized 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:47.279 against Paul's gospel. 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:47.539 Right? 00:16:47.599 --> 00:16:48.959 So these super apostles, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.500 they would wax eloquent 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.780 about how Jesus 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:53.000 is going to give you victory. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.519 Jesus is going to overcome 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.040 all of your adversaries. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.620 Jesus is going to heal 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.960 all of your ailments. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.139 He's going to take away 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.200 all of your suffering. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.920 He's going to make you successful. 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.720 He's going to give you 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.259 the spouse 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.539 that you've always wanted. 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.980 He's going to fill you 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:08.000 with spiritual power. 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.900 And they would go week 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.380 after week 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:10.720 and hear that kind of teaching. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.860 And then you have Paul. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:13.960 Right? 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.019 Paul's poor. 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.759 Paul's weak. 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.619 Paul's not speaking 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:20.240 like a trained orator. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.599 Paul's, 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.000 in many people's opinions, 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.940 a rather boring public speaker. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.339 And Paul has suffered. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.799 Paul… 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.759 The only thing people 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.599 know about Paul, 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.039 if they've never known 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:33.019 anything else about Paul, 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.539 man, that guy suffered. 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.740 And so these people, 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.759 they hear all this preaching 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.759 and then they look at Paul. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.660 And then they hear Paul 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.420 say things like, 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.640 well, actually, 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.680 suffering and weakness 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.660 are a central part 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.539 of the Christian life. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.440 Actually, 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.660 Jesus was more blessed 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.420 than anyone. 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.220 And yet, 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.079 Jesus suffered more 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.539 than anyone. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.440 Why would we think, 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.700 as Jesus' followers, 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.180 that our lives would be 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.240 any different? 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.160 And they would hear 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:57.720 that sermon 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.960 and they would say, 00:17:59.500 --> 00:17:59.940 no thanks. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.940 I want to go back 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.079 and hear this preaching 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:04.680 over here. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.420 At the end of a sermon 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:06.759 like that, 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.400 I feel great. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.759 I'm ready to tackle my day. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.480 Paul, 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.980 you're kind of bumming me out. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:13.000 You're kind of a downer. 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:14.839 You know, 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:15.680 there's an old saying, 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:17.279 whatever you convert people with, 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.759 you convert them to. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:21.320 If you convert people 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:23.380 to a truthy gospel, 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.259 then that's what they're 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.519 going to want to hear 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.539 week in and week out. 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:32.200 The third reason this matters 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:34.440 is that truthy gospels 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.960 are actually profoundly 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:37.220 spiritually dangerous. 00:18:38.060 --> 00:18:38.980 And here's where we really 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.920 get into the implication 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.060 of what Paul's saying here. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.259 Verse 20, 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:44.059 Paul says that by bearing 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.539 with a false gospel, 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.900 these believers 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:48.160 are actually allowing 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.859 themselves to be enslaved. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.759 They're allowing themselves 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.799 to be devoured 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:54.319 and taken advantage of. 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:57.000 This is strong language here. 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.440 I'll give you an example 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.140 of what that means. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.279 If somebody believes 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.379 the prosperity gospel, 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.339 then they believe the idea 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.500 that the more I give myself 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.400 and more importantly 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:07.019 my money to Jesus, 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.680 meaning this certain 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.480 televangelist, 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.920 the more I'm going 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.360 to be blessed 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.559 with money and riches 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.620 and health and prosperity 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.200 in return. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.740 But that promise 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.180 is never actually fulfilled 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:20.120 in the way that it is laid out. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.860 And so what happens? 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.680 People give more 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.400 and they give more 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.140 and they give more 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.940 and they give more 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:26.019 and they never quite get 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.819 what's promised in return. 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.640 They're being taken advantage of, 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.860 as Paul would say. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.660 If someone believes 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.539 the therapeutic gospel, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.960 they believe that following Jesus 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.779 is about happiness 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.720 and contentment, 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.779 what happens when the bottom 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.640 drops out of life? 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:42.360 What happens when they get fired, 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.620 when their marriage falls apart, 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.839 when their kids hate them 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.380 and don't want to talk 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.839 to them anymore? 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.500 What happens then? 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.799 Right? 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.839 They look at all the promises 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.420 that were made, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.319 Jesus is going to give you 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.740 a happy life full of contentment, 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.420 and they say, 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.620 well, this whole thing 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.279 must be bunk. 00:19:55.600 --> 00:19:57.200 There must be nothing true to this. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.960 And they're very likely 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.759 to probably just leave 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.559 the faith altogether. 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.500 If people are sold 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:05.839 some version of a political gospel, 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.480 what happens? 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.799 What does the political gospel do? 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.880 Does it create life, 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.299 flourishing, 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.120 unity, 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.620 joy, 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.779 togetherness? 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.519 No. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.860 People become divided 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.460 from one another. 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:17.460 Churches are ripped apart. 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:19.240 Families are split apart. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.579 Friendships that have lasted years 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:24.240 end in fiery ruin 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.039 because people no longer 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.220 have anything to talk about 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.400 that doesn't create conflict. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.700 We've all experienced that 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.200 in the last couple of years. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.039 You know, 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.839 there's this great term, 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:34.039 I think it came from Andy Crouch, 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.980 that we're all experiencing, 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:37.059 diminishing circles of trust. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.379 Who can I really talk to 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:42.659 about these issues? 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:44.180 Who are my people? 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.759 Who can I be myself around? 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.899 Who can I not tiptoe around? 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.539 Who… 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.859 What can I say around whom 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.599 without fear 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:52.240 of some sort of blowback? 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.220 Diminishing circles of trust. 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.619 It's because the political gospel, 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.759 for many of us, 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.879 has taken root. 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:00.080 And Paul's very clear 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:02.220 about who's behind all of this. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.080 In verse 3 he says, 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.860 but I'm afraid that 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:06.400 as the serpent deceived Eve 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.220 by his cunning, 00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:08.820 your thoughts will be led astray 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.660 from a sincere 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:11.040 and pure devotion to Christ. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.880 And then he says 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:13.040 in verses 14 and 15, 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:15.160 even Satan disguises himself 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.300 as an angel of light. 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:18.040 So it is no surprise 00:21:18.040 --> 00:21:18.920 if his servants 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:20.460 also disguise themselves 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.780 as servants of righteousness. 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:25.460 Here's what Paul's saying. 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:28.440 This kind of deception 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.700 has been happening 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:32.160 since the very beginning of time. 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:36.079 When the serpent first said to Eve, 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:40.340 did God really say? 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:44.620 This is the insidious power 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:46.740 behind truthy gospels. 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.559 Why does it matter? 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.940 Because we're not standing 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.220 on neutral ground. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:53.600 This is contested territory. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:55.779 There is one gospel 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.599 that makes freedom possible. 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:59.219 All other gospels 00:21:59.219 --> 00:22:00.919 return us to chains, 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.719 return us to slavery. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:06.659 Stephen Colbert may have coined 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.819 the term truthiness, 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.519 but Satan invented it 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:11.879 a long time ago. 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.219 Right? 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.259 So that's the problem, 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:17.059 is that there are 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:19.579 truthy versions of the gospel, 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.759 truthy Christianity, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.819 biblical truthiness. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.699 It's out there. 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.240 It's everywhere. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.779 Most of us have a very hard time 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.740 telling the difference 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:30.279 between the true gospel 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.279 and a truthy version 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.860 of the gospel. 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.860 And the stakes are very high. 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.200 Our relationship with God 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.380 is at stake. 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:37.960 Right? 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.160 Our ability to hear 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.380 and accept the true gospel 00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.340 without being inoculated 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.640 against it is at stake. 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.539 And there is actually 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:48.140 spiritual power, 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:49.779 malevolent spiritual power, 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.340 behind all of this. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.839 The stakes are very high. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.859 So what can be done? 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:56.419 How do we respond 00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:58.059 to this issue 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.399 in our own church? 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.959 Well, if you look at Jesus, 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.339 after His baptism, 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:04.139 Jesus goes into the wilderness. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:06.379 And Satan comes 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:08.039 to Jesus in the wilderness 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.579 and begins to tempt Him. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.919 We know about three things, 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.579 three attempts, 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.240 but it could have been 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.099 many more than that. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.659 And of course, 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:17.039 the purpose of the temptation 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.859 is to convince Jesus 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.799 one way or another 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.639 to forsake His identity 00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:23.559 and to forsake His purpose 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.180 in the world. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.099 By the way, 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.539 it's the exact same reason 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.379 that Satan first tempted 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:32.000 Eve and Adam in the garden, 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.180 to convince them 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:33.940 one way or another 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.859 to forsake their identity 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:37.960 and purpose in the world. 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:40.220 And Satan had succeeded 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.399 in doing this 00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.779 with Adam and Eve 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:45.200 using truthiness. 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:47.059 Did God really say? 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.299 And so he tries 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.420 the same tactics 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.599 with Jesus. 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.599 He actually tries 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:54.019 to twist God's words. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.740 He uses Scripture. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.940 He uses proof texts. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.160 But he takes these verses 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.379 out of context. 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.519 Psalm 91, for instance, 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:07.119 he takes it out of context 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.200 and he applies it 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:10.059 in twisted ways 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:11.420 that align with his agenda 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.840 rather than with 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:14.600 what God is actually saying. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.519 And by the way, 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.880 this is just a great time 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.800 to point out proof texting. 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.500 And by that, 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.660 I mean making a claim 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.340 and then quoting 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.140 one or two verses 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.340 to back that claim up. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:27.820 That allows truthy Gospels 00:24:27.820 --> 00:24:29.519 to spread like wildfire. 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:32.680 But the good news 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.300 of the Gospel 00:24:33.300 --> 00:24:35.720 is that where Adam and Eve failed, 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.860 Jesus actually succeeds. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.700 And we say, 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.800 well, how does Jesus 00:24:39.800 --> 00:24:41.039 refute this temptation? 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.559 How does he persevere 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:44.139 in his identity and mission? 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:45.079 And the answer is 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:46.480 he uses Scripture. 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.779 And you say, 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.980 well, isn't Jesus 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.460 the Word of God incarnate? 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.579 Isn't he the voice 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.339 in Scripture 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.159 that we're hearing? 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:55.819 Absolutely. 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:57.879 Jesus knew all Scripture. 00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.460 Jesus also knew 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.779 how it all fits together, 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:03.119 and yet Jesus uses Scripture. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.279 In fact, 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.299 you'd be hard-pressed 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.319 to find anywhere 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.759 where Jesus is doing 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:09.180 anything in his ministry 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.100 where he is not 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:12.080 quoting Scripture regularly. 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.100 He quotes Scripture 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.500 all of the time, 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.279 all the way up 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.660 until the moment of his death. 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:18.820 He chooses Scripture 00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:21.799 to express himself. 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.900 And what this shows us 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:26.620 is the way that we need 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:27.420 to think about 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:29.860 the issue of truthy Gospels 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:31.240 and biblical truthiness 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.560 in the church. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.399 we always need to allow Scripture 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:36.240 to interpret itself, 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.759 to interpret itself. 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:39.960 In other words, 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.039 we always need to interpret 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.639 Scripture in context. 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.419 And by that, 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.220 I don't just mean 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:46.460 the paragraphs around it. 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:48.720 I mean the larger context 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.599 of Scripture as a whole. 00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:51.399 You know, 00:25:51.419 --> 00:25:52.319 the amazing thing 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.200 about the Bible is, 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.960 on the one hand, 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.059 the Bible is not a book. 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:56.099 It is a library. 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.399 It was written 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:59.279 over thousands of years. 00:25:59.399 --> 00:25:59.839 It was written 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:01.119 in many genres 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.759 from history to wisdom 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.599 to poetry. 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.379 It was written 00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:05.980 in a variety of languages. 00:26:06.179 --> 00:26:06.539 It was written 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.339 by as many as 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.959 40 different authors. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.059 And yet it all fits together 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:15.119 to tell one story. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.079 And that story 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.220 is what we mean 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:20.000 when we say the Gospel. 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:22.379 The whole story, 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.839 beginning with God's creation 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.859 of all things. 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:27.439 The fall in human sin 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:28.019 and rebellion. 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.500 God's redemption 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.279 of the world 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.480 through Jesus Christ, 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.460 His life, death, 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.059 and resurrection. 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:35.039 And then the eventual renewal 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.059 of all things. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.160 The whole story, 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.279 soup to nuts, 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:40.099 from Genesis to Revelation. 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.240 That's what we have 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.920 in mind here. 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.460 Now, we can try 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.960 to summarize the Gospel. 00:26:45.639 --> 00:26:45.839 You know, 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.980 I grew up with a summary 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.539 of the Gospel 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.359 that said the Gospel 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.339 is about salvation 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:51.799 by grace through faith. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:52.779 Right? 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.960 We can summarize the Gospel. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.180 Jesus died to save us 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.839 from our sin. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.319 Repent and believe in Him. 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:58.359 These are summaries 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.579 of the Gospel. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:01.240 That's the gist of it. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.619 But you actually need 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.700 all of Scripture 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.240 from Genesis to Revelation 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:08.319 to really draw out 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:10.119 the meaning of the Gospel. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.879 You need the whole story. 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.299 One of my favorite quotes 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.460 from Flannery O'Connor, 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.539 she says, 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.859 a story is a way 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.659 to say something 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.859 that can't be said 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.960 any other way. 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:23.720 And it takes every word 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.700 in the story 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:26.640 to say what the meaning is. 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:29.720 It takes every word 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.519 in Scripture 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:32.620 to tell what the meaning 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:34.660 of the Gospel is. 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:37.440 Every single word matters. 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.819 And the more we know 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.980 the story of Scripture, 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:42.740 the more it is 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:44.259 in our blood and bones, 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.500 the more we pray it 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:47.140 and speak it together 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:48.420 and speak it privately 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.180 and read it 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.799 and study it 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.799 and teach it to our kids, 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:52.819 the more it is in us 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.839 and forming us, 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.599 the more we develop 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:56.099 a kind of Gospel instinct. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.599 You know, 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.099 one of my great 00:27:59.099 --> 00:28:00.399 favorite illustrations 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:01.359 is the Chicago 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:03.039 Shakespeare Improv Company. 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.299 And they're known, 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.019 they're kind of famous 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.700 for their ability. 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.419 They will stand up 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.240 at the beginning of the night 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.399 and they'll ask 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:09.059 for a title 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.799 from the audience 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.859 and they give two 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.099 90-minute performances 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.700 every night 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.659 and they will say, 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.279 give us a title 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.759 and the audience 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.579 shouts out a title 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.919 and based on a title alone, 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.060 they will improv 00:28:18.060 --> 00:28:21.500 a 90-minute Shakespearean play 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:23.880 done in a Shakespearean style. 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.519 And you say, 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.300 well, how in the world 00:28:25.300 --> 00:28:26.380 could people pull that off 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.840 with no prior planning? 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.560 It is because 00:28:28.560 --> 00:28:29.740 they devote themselves 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.080 to the study of Shakespeare. 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.900 They read it, 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.640 they mark it, 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.320 they learn it, 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.740 they inwardly digest it, 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:37.840 they marinate in Shakespeare 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:39.039 until they develop 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.480 a Shakespearean instinct 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.920 and they can speak 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:43.440 in a Shakespearean way 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.920 and they can recognize instantly 00:28:45.560 --> 00:28:46.860 when they're reading something 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:48.319 that is of Shakespeare 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.119 and we need to have 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.879 the same approach 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.699 to Scripture. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.299 We need to develop 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:54.419 a kind of gospel instinct 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:56.000 so that we are able 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.279 to speak in ways 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.879 that are shaped 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:59.059 and formed by the gospel 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.019 and recognize 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.479 when that has not happened. 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:03.919 Right? 00:29:03.959 --> 00:29:05.099 This is what we see here 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:06.419 and this is how Jesus 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.799 is able to overcome 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.839 this temptation. 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.459 And of course, 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:11.099 the very essence of the gospel 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:12.879 is Jesus Christ Himself. 00:29:14.459 --> 00:29:14.859 Right? 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:15.619 It's not about anything 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.799 that we do for Jesus. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:19.359 But what Jesus has already done 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:21.119 and will do for us. 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.459 And so the last thing 00:29:22.459 --> 00:29:23.659 I'll say about it is this. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:27.059 If any version of the gospel 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.719 you hear 00:29:27.719 --> 00:29:29.939 either adds to 00:29:29.939 --> 00:29:31.159 what Jesus has done. 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:32.579 Right? 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.500 You've got to believe in Jesus 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.199 but you also need 00:29:34.199 --> 00:29:34.919 to speak in tongues. 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.740 Or takes away 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:39.000 from what Jesus has done. 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.019 You don't need to really 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.740 worry about sin. 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.379 You just need to get 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.040 yourself together. 00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:46.620 Pull yourself up 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.340 by your bootstraps. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.820 If any gospel you hear 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:51.100 either adds to what Jesus 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.520 has done 00:29:51.520 --> 00:29:52.220 or takes away 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.300 from what Jesus has done, 00:29:53.780 --> 00:29:55.000 it's not the gospel. 00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:56.920 You're hearing something else. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.120 I'll close with one 00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.880 of my favorite prayers 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.040 from our book of common prayer. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.059 Amen. 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.440 Blessed Lord 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.379 who caused all 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:04.980 holy scriptures 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.539 to be written 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.319 for our learning, 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.480 grant us so to hear them, 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.519 read, 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.420 mark, 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.420 learn, 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.980 and inwardly digest them 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.680 that we may embrace 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.599 and ever hold fast 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.480 to the blessed hope 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:18.019 of everlasting life 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.879 which you have given us 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.960 in our Savior, 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.799 Jesus Christ, 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.339 who lives and reigns 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.819 with you 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:25.019 and the Holy Spirit, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.220 one God, 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.180 forever and ever. 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.980 Amen.