WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 Again, it's a wonderful privilege to be here

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 and to open the Word of God to you this morning.

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 I'd like to, if you have your Bibles still in hand,

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 I would like to invite you to turn to Colossians 2, 13-15.

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 We just read it.

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 I'd like us just to refresh and read it again.

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 Colossians 2, 13-15.

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 And you who are dead in your trespasses

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 and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

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 God made to live together with him,

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 having forgiven us all our trespasses

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 by counseling the record of debt that stood against us,

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 that stood against us with its legal demands.

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 This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

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 He disarmed the rulers and authorities

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 and put them to open shame

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 by triumphing over them in him.

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 Let's pray.

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 Our dear, gracious and heavenly Father,

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 we gather together this morning

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 in your presence with hearts of thanksgiving

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 and gratitude for what you have done

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 for us on the cross.

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 We pray, Lord, that you would soften our hearts,

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 that you would open our ears,

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 enable us by your Spirit to receive your Word this morning.

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 We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,

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 our Savior.

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 Amen.

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 Well, preparing this message,

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 I was reminded of how nothing compares

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 to the thrill and joy

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 of having a personal relationship

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 with God through Jesus.

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 I was reminded of how nothing is more important

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 than cultivating that relationship with Him.

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 And to fully appreciate

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 that nothing in this life is more important

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 than knowing Christ

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 and building that relationship with Him,

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 as forgetful people,

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 we need to be reminded

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 of how this relationship was made possible

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 in the first place.

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 We need to be constantly reminded

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 about what the cross of Christ has accomplished

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 and how it applies to our daily living.

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 In this sermon series,

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 we've been looking at what the cross of Christ

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 has accomplished

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 and what it means for you and I.

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 And this morning,

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 we're going to look to God's Word

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 and see how the cross of Christ

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 is a victory

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 and how this applies,

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 what are the implications

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 of this victory in our life.

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 This brings us to our text

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 in Colossians 2, 13 to 15,

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 where Paul speaks,

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 and here's the main idea,

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 the big idea,

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 of how the cross of Christ

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 opens the way to forgiveness

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 and defeats demonic powers.

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 How the cross of Christ

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 opened the way to forgiveness

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 and defeats demonic powers.

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 Before we get into our text,

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 let me provide you

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 with a brief background

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 to Colossians 2, 13 to 15.

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 Imprisoned in Rome,

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 Paul writes his letter

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 primarily in response

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 to a report of false teaching

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 that had crept into the Colossian church.

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 One commentator notes

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 how this likely revolved

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 around a false teacher

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 who claimed to have

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 some special revelation

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 into the spiritual realm,

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 who insisted on the worship of angels,

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 among other things.

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 Paul gives us a little insight

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 into this in verse,

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 if you look at verse 18,

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 he writes,

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 let no one disqualify you,

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 insisting on asceticism,

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 which is rigorous self-denial,

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 and worship of angels,

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 going on in detail about visions,

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 puffed up without reason

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 by his sensuous mind.

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 Now, ultimately,

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 this false teaching

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 served to diminish,

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 to devalue

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 the sufficiency of Christ

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 and the new identity

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 we have

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 when we put our trust in him.

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 Now, Paul wastes no time

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 reminding the Colossians

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 that Jesus is enough.

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 We are complete in him,

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 and only in him

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 can we experience

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 life in its fullness.

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 As Lord of all creation,

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 Lord of redemption,

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 and triumphant victor

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 over sin and Satan,

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 Christ alone

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 is to be the highest object

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 of our faith.

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 Christ alone

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 is to be the highest object

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 of our affection.

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 As the image of the invisible God,

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 Jesus is sufficient

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 in all things.

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 And with Christ being sufficient

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 in all things,

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 we come to Colossians 2.13,

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 where Paul speaks of

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 how the cross of Christ

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 opens the way to forgiveness.

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 How the cross of Christ

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 opens the way to forgiveness.

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 He writes,

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 Paul says,

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 And you who are dead

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 in your trespasses

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 and the uncircumcision

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 of your flesh,

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 God made alive

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 together with him,

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 having forgiven us

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 all our trespasses.

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 Paul says

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 that we were dead

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 in our trespasses

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 and the uncircumcision

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 of our flesh.

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 In the Old Testament,

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 circumcision

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 was a Jewish sign

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 of God's covenant

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 with his people.

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 By saying

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 that we were uncircumcised

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 in the flesh,

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 Paul means

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 that we were outside

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 of God's covenant care.

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 We were spiritually dead

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 in our trespasses,

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 echoed

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 in Ephesians 2.

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 And when a person dies,

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 they're physically

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 unreceptive.

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 unreceptive.

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 When we were living

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 and studying

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 in Massachusetts

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 and members

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 of a local church,

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 I was once asked

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 by the lead pastor

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 to visit him,

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 to visit a Christian man

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 who was dying of cancer.

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 And in that hospital room

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 in Mass General,

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 downtown Boston,

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 I remember speaking with him

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 and praying with him.

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 He was talkative

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 and receptive,

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 though in considerable pain.

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 And just like that,

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 a few days later,

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 he went to be

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 with the Lord.

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 At the funeral,

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 after the funeral,

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 at the wake,

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 I remember looking

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 into that casket

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 and seeing the same person

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 completely unresponsive

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 and unreceptive.

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 It just didn't seem right.

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 It felt wrong.

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 It seemed wrong.

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 The difference

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 from life

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 to death

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 was like night

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 and day.

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 And I think

00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:37.680
 it's a terrible thing

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 to see,

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 especially

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 for grieving family

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 and loved ones.

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 Now,

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 Paul is saying

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 that prior

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 to conversion,

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 we were spiritually

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 unreceptive

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 to God.

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 So just like

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 we were unreceptive

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 physically,

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 prior to conversion,

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 we were spiritually

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 unreceptive

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 to God.

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 We had no realization

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 that we needed

00:08:04.900 --> 00:08:05.700
 God's forgiveness.

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 No desire

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 or responsiveness

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 to know him,

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 to follow him,

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 and to walk with him.

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 Being dead

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 in our trespasses,

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 we violated

00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:19.759
 God's commands

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 as evidenced

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 in our sin

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 and trespasses.

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 We offended him

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 in thought

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 and word

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 and deed.

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 We were spiritually

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 dead.

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 We were dead,

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 sorry,

00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:38.980
 19th century

00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:39.819
 Anglican missionary

00:08:39.819 --> 00:08:40.460
 to Japan,

00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:41.659
 Barclay Buxton,

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 once said

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 that apart from God,

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 we were like

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 the dead log

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 floating downstream

00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:49.639
 with the flow

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 of this world,

00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.319
 our flesh,

00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.419
 and the devil.

00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:55.399
 We were dead

00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.460
 in our trespasses

00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:57.799
 and the uncircumcision

00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:59.039
 of our flesh

00:08:59.039 --> 00:08:59.939
 until,

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 until a miracle

00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:03.279
 happens

00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:04.240
 in our life.

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 Until a miracle

00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.439
 happens

00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:09.480
 when God

00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.259
 makes us alive

00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:12.340
 together

00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:13.519
 with him.

00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:16.379
 only the triune

00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:16.879
 God

00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:18.340
 can bring us

00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:19.000
 from death

00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.559
 to life.

00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.340
 And when God

00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:24.419
 makes us alive

00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:25.340
 together with him,

00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:27.059
 we become

00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:28.460
 spiritually alive

00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:29.819
 and sensitive.

00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.139
 We can enjoy

00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:33.500
 fellowship with God

00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.720
 and relationship

00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:35.519
 with him

00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.679
 who is creator

00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:37.860
 and sustainer

00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.720
 of everything

00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:39.759
 and everyone.

00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:42.620
 Shortly after

00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.460
 I received Christ,

00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:44.000
 I remember

00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:45.240
 going for long

00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:45.820
 walks

00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:47.600
 and marveling

00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.600
 that I had

00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:49.879
 access to God,

00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:50.720
 that I could

00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:51.539
 pray to him,

00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:52.659
 that I can be

00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.679
 in relationship

00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:54.360
 with him.

00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.500
 It was truly

00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.440
 like being born

00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.240
 again

00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:59.360
 with a newness

00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.019
 of life,

00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:02.159
 a new awareness

00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:03.100
 of his presence

00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:04.919
 and sensitivity

00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:06.320
 to the things

00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:06.840
 of God.

00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:09.360
 When God

00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:10.100
 makes us alive

00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.019
 together with Christ,

00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.500
 we truly love him.

00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:13.639
 and walk

00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:14.179
 with him

00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:15.340
 and seek him.

00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:16.860
 Our hearts

00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:17.299
 are set

00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:18.700
 on knowing him

00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:19.799
 and making him

00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:20.139
 known

00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:20.960
 by pointing

00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.259
 others to Jesus.

00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.019
 When God

00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.679
 makes us alive

00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:26.480
 together with him,

00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:27.639
 our worldview

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.240
 begins to change.

00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.120
 We begin to see

00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.519
 things differently.

00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:33.440
 We begin to see

00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.379
 things as God

00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.200
 sees them,

00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:36.299
 as revealed

00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:37.100
 in his word.

00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.200
 When God

00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:39.879
 makes us alive

00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:40.680
 together with him,

00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:41.079
 we become

00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:41.839
 conscious

00:10:41.839 --> 00:10:42.959
 of our daily

00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:43.579
 need

00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:45.039
 of God.

00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:47.079
 We can't bear

00:10:47.079 --> 00:10:48.219
 the thought

00:10:48.219 --> 00:10:49.039
 of life

00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:49.839
 without him.

00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:51.579
 We recognize

00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:52.179
 that apart

00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:52.879
 from Christ,

00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:54.000
 we can do

00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.500
 nothing

00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.559
 when it comes

00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:56.379
 to bearing fruit.

00:10:57.459 --> 00:10:58.399
 We become

00:10:58.399 --> 00:10:59.159
 aware of his

00:10:59.159 --> 00:10:59.659
 sovereignty

00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.620
 and how our

00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.419
 days are in

00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:02.199
 his hands.

00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.579
 We become

00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:04.659
 aware of God's

00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:05.259
 greatness

00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:06.360
 and our

00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.159
 smallness.

00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:08.899
 Jesus becomes

00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:10.220
 our only hope,

00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:11.460
 our everything.

00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:14.100
 God

00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.659
 made us alive

00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:16.200
 together

00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.319
 with him.

00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.080
 How did he do

00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:18.480
 this?

00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.559
 How did he do

00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:21.419
 this, you ask?

00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:23.919
 He did this

00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:25.879
 by graciously

00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:26.840
 forgiving us

00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:28.480
 of all our

00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.039
 sins

00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.500
 at the cross.

00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:31.759
 Again,

00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.580
 verse 13

00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:33.280
 and 14

00:11:33.280 --> 00:11:33.600
 read,

00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.320
 and you

00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:34.720
 who are

00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.120
 dead

00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.800
 in your

00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:36.600
 trespasses

00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:37.680
 and the

00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:38.420
 uncircumcision

00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:38.759
 of your

00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.160
 flesh,

00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.040
 God

00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:40.660
 made alive

00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:41.040
 together

00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:41.560
 with him,

00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:42.300
 having

00:11:42.300 --> 00:11:42.740
 forgiven

00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.340
 us all

00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:43.500
 our

00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.200
 trespasses

00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.240
 by

00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.560
 cancelling

00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.240
 the record

00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:47.800
 of debt

00:11:47.800 --> 00:11:48.639
 that stood

00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.379
 against us

00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:50.100
 with its

00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:51.139
 legal demands.

00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:51.620
 This

00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.440
 he set

00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:52.980
 aside,

00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.040
 nailing it

00:11:54.040 --> 00:11:54.759
 to the

00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:55.200
 cross.

00:11:56.900 --> 00:11:57.620
 New

00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.000
 Testament

00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.560
 scholar

00:11:58.560 --> 00:11:59.140
 Clinton

00:11:59.140 --> 00:11:59.440
 Arnold

00:11:59.440 --> 00:11:59.860
 notes

00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.539
 how in

00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:00.700
 the

00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.060
 ancient

00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:01.600
 world

00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.840
 the record

00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:03.360
 of debt

00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.500
 was a

00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:04.759
 written

00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.240
 note

00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.019
 of

00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:06.800
 indebtedness.

00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.500
 Roman

00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.139
 authorities

00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.680
 would take

00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:11.440
 this note

00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:12.740
 and fasten

00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.259
 it to the

00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:13.740
 cross,

00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.180
 declaring the

00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:16.220
 crime for

00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:16.620
 which the

00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.840
 criminal was

00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.560
 being executed

00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:18.899
 for.

00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:21.039
 Here in

00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:21.659
 verse 13,

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.580
 Paul illustrates

00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:23.300
 our

00:12:23.300 --> 00:12:24.320
 indebtedness

00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:24.899
 to God

00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:25.779
 because of

00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:26.480
 our sin.

00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:27.940
 A debt

00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:29.220
 so enormous

00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.020
 it could

00:12:30.020 --> 00:12:30.820
 never be

00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:31.480
 paid off.

00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.300
 But God,

00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:34.840
 who is

00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:36.000
 rich in

00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:36.760
 mercy and

00:12:36.760 --> 00:12:37.160
 love,

00:12:37.760 --> 00:12:38.420
 graciously

00:12:38.420 --> 00:12:39.920
 forgives us

00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:41.460
 by taking

00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.560
 our note

00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.540
 of indebtedness,

00:12:44.160 --> 00:12:45.740
 our debt

00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.380
 of sin

00:12:46.380 --> 00:12:48.700
 that we

00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.160
 could never

00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:49.820
 pay off

00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:51.160
 and nails

00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:51.640
 it to the

00:12:51.640 --> 00:12:52.060
 cross.

00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:53.820
 At the

00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:54.140
 cross,

00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:54.880
 Jesus took

00:12:54.880 --> 00:12:55.700
 our punishment,

00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:56.980
 our sin,

00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:59.259
 and he

00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.019
 paid our

00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.399
 debt,

00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:00.940
 literally

00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:01.720
 taking it

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.480
 out of

00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:02.800
 the way.

00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.100
 This is

00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:05.460
 why we

00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.820
 sing those

00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.460
 wonderful

00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:08.080
 words,

00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:08.899
 Jesus

00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.840
 paid it

00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.240
 all,

00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:11.920
 all to

00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:12.720
 him I

00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.100
 owe.

00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.100
 Sin

00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:15.639
 had left

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.200
 the crimson

00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:16.680
 stain,

00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:17.600
 he washed

00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.620
 it white

00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.220
 as snow.

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.159
 Alive

00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.740
 together with

00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.060
 him,

00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:22.820
 forgiven

00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:23.580
 of all

00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:23.720
 our

00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.440
 trespasses,

00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:25.779
 we are

00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.379
 no longer

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:26.899
 like that

00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:27.259
 dead

00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.259
 log

00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.460
 floating

00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:29.960
 downstream.

00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.000
 In

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.320
 Christ,

00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:32.600
 we are

00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:32.960
 more like

00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:33.559
 the fish

00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:34.279
 swimming

00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:34.919
 upstream

00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.139
 against

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.200
 the world,

00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.539
 our flesh,

00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.159
 and the

00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:39.559
 demonic

00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.700
 forces that

00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:41.259
 work against

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:41.700
 us.

00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.080
 Dear

00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.299
 friends,

00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:45.620
 do you

00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.120
 know

00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:48.039
 the freedom

00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:48.740
 of having

00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.639
 all your

00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.419
 sins forgiven?

00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.299
 It is

00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:52.679
 like a

00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:53.139
 freedom

00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.379
 like no

00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:54.819
 other.

00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.480
 To be

00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:57.120
 forgiven by

00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:57.740
 God is

00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.159
 like being

00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.399
 released from

00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.120
 a lifelong

00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.379
 prison sentence

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.799
 where the

00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.399
 chains of

00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.259
 sin are

00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:04.639
 broken.

00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.360
 The cross

00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.000
 of Christ

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.179
 is God's

00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.159
 emancipation

00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:09.840
 proclamation

00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:10.960
 to you

00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.379
 and to

00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:11.720
 I.

00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:13.759
 And even

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:15.100
 after being

00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.039
 liberated from

00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:16.419
 sin,

00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.759
 as you all

00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.220
 know,

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.139
 we still

00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.919
 have a

00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:20.580
 sin nature.

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.360
 In

00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.700
 Christ,

00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.139
 however,

00:14:23.900 --> 00:14:24.440
 we are

00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:24.960
 no longer

00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:25.840
 ruled

00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:26.920
 by sin.

00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.960
 If you

00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.340
 can imagine

00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:30.940
 sin like

00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:31.620
 handcuffs,

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.460
 those handcuffs

00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.160
 are broken.

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.340
 At the

00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:37.720
 cross,

00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:38.840
 Jesus put

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.400
 to death

00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:40.600
 sin's grip

00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.240
 on our

00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:41.620
 life.

00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:43.080
 In other

00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.220
 words,

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:43.580
 we don't

00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.100
 have to

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.720
 go down

00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.560
 that road

00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:46.320
 that we

00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.240
 know we

00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:47.540
 shouldn't

00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.000
 go down.

00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:49.500
 We don't

00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:49.940
 have to

00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.440
 open that

00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:50.880
 door that

00:14:50.880 --> 00:14:51.260
 we know

00:14:51.260 --> 00:14:51.800
 we shouldn't

00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.160
 open.

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.980
 By virtue

00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.420
 of our

00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:55.040
 union with

00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:56.380
 Christ and

00:14:56.380 --> 00:14:56.900
 the power

00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:57.220
 of the

00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.880
 Holy Spirit,

00:14:58.640 --> 00:15:00.180
 we can

00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:00.900
 turn in the

00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:01.200
 opposite

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.100
 direction and

00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.600
 keep that

00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.340
 door closed.

00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.280
 In Christ,

00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:06.620
 we don't

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.060
 have to

00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:08.020
 yield to

00:15:08.020 --> 00:15:08.500
 temptation.

00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:08.980
 We don't

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.600
 have to

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.040
 succumb to

00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:11.560
 sin's

00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.040
 seduction.

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.460
 And if

00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:14.780
 we do

00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.160
 sin,

00:15:15.880 --> 00:15:16.600
 we have

00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:17.200
 an advocate

00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.100
 with the

00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:18.480
 Father,

00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.500
 Jesus

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.039
 Christ.

00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:21.920
 When we

00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:22.800
 confess our

00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.279
 sins,

00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:23.779
 God is

00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.180
 what?

00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.560
 He's

00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.680
 faithful and

00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.279
 just to

00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:27.860
 forgive us

00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.259
 our sins

00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.060
 and cleanse

00:15:29.060 --> 00:15:29.440
 us from

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.820
 all unrighteousness.

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:33.180
 Charles

00:15:33.180 --> 00:15:33.620
 Wesley

00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.740
 described the

00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.340
 freedom of

00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:35.680
 God's

00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.920
 forgiveness in

00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:37.320
 one of the

00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.220
 great hymns

00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.539
 where he

00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:38.899
 wrote,

00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.960
 Long my

00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.480
 imprisoned

00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.420
 spirit lay,

00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.180
 fast bound

00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:45.420
 in sin and

00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:45.920
 nature's

00:15:45.920 --> 00:15:46.300
 night,

00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:48.039
 thine eye

00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:49.099
 diffused a

00:15:49.099 --> 00:15:49.559
 quickening

00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:49.939
 ray.

00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.279
 I woke

00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.259
 the dungeon

00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.139
 flamed with

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.519
 light.

00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:54.979
 My chains

00:15:54.979 --> 00:15:55.579
 fell off,

00:15:55.839 --> 00:15:56.359
 my heart

00:15:56.359 --> 00:15:56.839
 was free,

00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:57.740
 I rose,

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.519
 went forth

00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.559
 and followed

00:15:59.559 --> 00:15:59.919
 thee.

00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:01.579
 Who is

00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.359
 like the

00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:03.039
 Lord our

00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:03.519
 God?

00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.779
 If you

00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.199
 don't know

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:07.699
 Jesus,

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.879
 then come

00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.500
 to him

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.879
 as you

00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.279
 are.

00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:14.379
 consider

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.559
 him who

00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:16.500
 came from

00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.079
 heaven to

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:17.879
 earth to

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.959
 suffer and

00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:19.419
 to die

00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.039
 for you,

00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:22.159
 the God

00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:23.039
 of the

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.439
 universe,

00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.179
 the God

00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.720
 of our

00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.220
 salvation.

00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.980
 He came

00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.519
 to purchase

00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.419
 salvation for

00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:29.740
 you.

00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:30.919
 Come to

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.659
 him who

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.480
 stands ready

00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.740
 to receive

00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.339
 you with

00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:35.220
 open arms

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.539
 if you

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:35.939
 don't know

00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.620
 him and

00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.439
 forgive you

00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:38.319
 when you

00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:38.759
 turn to

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.639
 him in

00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.519
 true repentance

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.519
 and faith.

00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:43.699
 only Jesus

00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:45.220
 can satisfy

00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.919
 the deep

00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:47.000
 spiritual

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.759
 longings

00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.480
 of our

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:48.860
 heart.

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.159
 If you

00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.759
 know Jesus,

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.799
 which many

00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.259
 of you here

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.759
 know him,

00:16:54.839 --> 00:16:56.860
 one way to

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.459
 respond to

00:16:57.459 --> 00:16:57.779
 God's

00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.139
 forgiveness

00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.740
 is with a

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.279
 heart of

00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:00.879
 thankfulness

00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.500
 and praise.

00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.480
 As our

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:03.919
 prayer book

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.259
 reads,

00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.240
 thank God

00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.579
 for the

00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:05.940
 great

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.639
 benefits

00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.799
 you have

00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.359
 received

00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.779
 at his

00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.220
 hands.

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.220
 forgiveness

00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.700
 if you

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.160
 need to

00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.140
 write it

00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.480
 in your

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.000
 smartphone

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.519
 or on a

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.039
 sticky note

00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.339
 where you

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:16.779
 can see

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.600
 it until

00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:17.920
 you no

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.559
 longer need

00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:18.799
 those

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.220
 reminders.

00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:19.839
 Thank

00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:21.019
 God for

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.460
 what he

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.980
 has done.

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.279
 And as

00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.799
 you thank

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.360
 God,

00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:25.900
 as you

00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:26.420
 thank him,

00:17:26.860 --> 00:17:27.860
 never lose

00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.819
 sight of

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.940
 what forgiveness

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.680
 of sins

00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.440
 cost Jesus.

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.580
 forgiveness.

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.620
 Another way

00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.740
 to respond

00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.279
 to God's

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.620
 forgiveness

00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:39.180
 is to

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.480
 forgive

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.500
 as you

00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:40.820
 have been

00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.220
 forgiven.

00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.960
 If you

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.320
 look over

00:17:43.320 --> 00:17:43.880
 to Colossians

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.660
 3.13,

00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.700
 Paul tells

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:45.960
 us,

00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:46.380
 as the

00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:47.279
 Lord has

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.640
 forgiven

00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.059
 you,

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.600
 so you

00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.279
 also must

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.740
 forgive.

00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.680
 And as

00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.140
 we bear

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.620
 with one

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.039
 another's

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.039
 many faults,

00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.680
 God has

00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.400
 called us

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.759
 to forgiveness,

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.460
 to forgive

00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.759
 others as

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.259
 we have

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.480
 been

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:04.920
 forgiven.

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.320
 Perhaps

00:18:08.320 --> 00:18:08.600
 there's

00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.140
 someone that

00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:09.640
 you know

00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:11.100
 that you

00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:12.300
 need to

00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:12.700
 forgive.

00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:15.440
 The cross

00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.060
 of Christ

00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:17.360
 opens the

00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:17.700
 way to

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.060
 forgiveness.

00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:20.580
 I was

00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:20.920
 recently

00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.759
 reminded by

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.840
 my former

00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.460
 New Testament

00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.140
 professor that

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.600
 the victory

00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.420
 of the cross

00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.440
 was not

00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.340
 restricted to

00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:27.980
 our personal

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.160
 individual sins

00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.960
 as important

00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.380
 as that

00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.680
 is.

00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:31.980
 The

00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.340
 victory

00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:32.660
 of the

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.180
 cross

00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.019
 looked to

00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.160
 undo and

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.340
 remake the

00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:37.420
 world in

00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.140
 its entirety.

00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:39.740
 And this

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.360
 brings me to

00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:41.360
 my second

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:41.860
 point where

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.620
 the cross

00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:43.240
 of Christ

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.380
 defeats

00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:44.960
 demonic

00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.559
 powers.

00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.779
 The cross

00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.200
 of Christ

00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.799
 defeats

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.579
 demonic

00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:48.980
 powers.

00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.200
 Verse 15

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.000
 says,

00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.340
 he,

00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.000
 speaking of

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.420
 Jesus,

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.759
 disarmed

00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.579
 the rulers

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.539
 and authorities

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.940
 and put

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.420
 them to

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.180
 open shame

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.920
 by triumphing

00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.559
 over them

00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.639
 in him.

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.599
 Many

00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.440
 scholars agree

00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.299
 that the

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.839
 rulers and

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.599
 authorities

00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:08.180
 likely refers

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.720
 to demonic

00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.819
 rulers and

00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.279
 authorities.

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.460
 The cross

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:13.980
 of Christ

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.339
 is a

00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.980
 decisive

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.759
 defeat

00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.720
 of demonic

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.259
 powers

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.859
 whereby

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:19.000
 Jesus put

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.379
 them to

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.039
 open shame

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.740
 by triumphing

00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.180
 over them.

00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:23.299
 Paul's

00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.039
 imagery of

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.340
 Jesus'

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.080
 defeat of

00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:25.400
 demonic

00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.900
 powers was

00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.880
 written in

00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.519
 the context

00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.060
 of ancient

00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:29.420
 Rome.

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.400
 Now at

00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:31.980
 some point

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.539
 in Paul's

00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.960
 travels in

00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.299
 Rome, he

00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.580
 would have

00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.560
 likely witnessed

00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:37.360
 a Roman

00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.220
 military

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.060
 procession

00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:40.279
 where there

00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.080
 was a lavish

00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:42.400
 parade to

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.500
 celebrate great

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.060
 victories.

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.180
 In this

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.860
 procession,

00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:47.980
 the defeated

00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.380
 king, with

00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:49.940
 all his

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.620
 leaders and

00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.160
 spoils of

00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.920
 war, were

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.460
 paraded through

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:54.960
 the streets

00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.800
 of Rome, a

00:19:56.800 --> 00:19:57.720
 public spectacle

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.300
 for all to

00:19:59.300 --> 00:19:59.600
 see.

00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.680
 In a much

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.400
 greater and

00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.180
 more powerful

00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:06.259
 image, this

00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.080
 is what we

00:20:07.080 --> 00:20:08.100
 see at the

00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:08.600
 cross of

00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.019
 Christ.

00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.240
 On the

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.480
 cross, Jesus

00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.759
 defeated demonic

00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:15.000
 powers and

00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.120
 put them to

00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.900
 open shame.

00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.940
 Jesus defeated

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.060
 or stripped the

00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:21.040
 demonic forces,

00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:21.740
 of their

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.700
 power to

00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.740
 accuse us

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.779
 before God.

00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:26.960
 In 1

00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.680
 Corinthians 2

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.420
 68, we

00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.680
 learn Satan's

00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.140
 plot to

00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.860
 thwart God's

00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:31.300
 plan of

00:20:31.300 --> 00:20:32.400
 salvation was

00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.480
 turned on

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.259
 its head.

00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:38.100
 And though

00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.740
 the demonic

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.380
 forces were

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:42.300
 defeated, they

00:20:42.300 --> 00:20:42.800
 were not

00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:43.960
 totally destroyed.

00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.060
 Their time of

00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:47.160
 destruction will

00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.500
 come.

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.460
 will be

00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.140
 done.

00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.500
 And until

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.259
 that appointed

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:52.339
 time, demons

00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.180
 continue to

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:55.079
 exist and to

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.200
 deceive and

00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.140
 incite evil.

00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.579
 And until, dear

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.240
 friends, we go

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:02.420
 home to Jesus, we

00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:04.380
 are all engaged in

00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.339
 a spiritual battle.

00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:08.059
 So we need to

00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.959
 be sober-minded and

00:21:09.959 --> 00:21:11.799
 watchful because

00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.779
 our adversary, the

00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:14.899
 devil, prowls around

00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.720
 like a roaring

00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:17.619
 lion, seeking whom

00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.839
 or someone to

00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.240
 devour.

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.699
 Though not totally

00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:23.179
 destroyed, the

00:21:23.179 --> 00:21:24.179
 devil is a

00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:25.139
 defeated enemy.

00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.119
 Christians don't

00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.139
 need to be

00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.879
 fearful of the

00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.119
 devil.

00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.059
 Jesus has not

00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.000
 left us as

00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:32.959
 orphans to

00:21:32.959 --> 00:21:33.959
 fend on our

00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.759
 own, but has

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.400
 given us the

00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.400
 power to

00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.519
 stand against

00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.240
 the schemes of

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:38.620
 the devil.

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:41.059
 And we stand

00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.840
 against demonic

00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:43.779
 forces by

00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.259
 submitting ourselves

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.140
 to God daily.

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.700
 We stand

00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.460
 against demonic

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.100
 forces by

00:21:50.100 --> 00:21:51.460
 standing firm

00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.500
 in the faith

00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.640
 that was once

00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:55.160
 for all delivered

00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:55.940
 to the saints.

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.200
 We stand

00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.140
 firm in our

00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:00.440
 faith by

00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.700
 leaning on

00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.579
 God's word.

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.960
 God's word.

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.759
 The accuser

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.700
 can accuse you

00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.240
 no longer.

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.740
 He can accuse

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.460
 you no longer

00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.200
 in Christ.

00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.319
 Romans 8

00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.880
 verses 1

00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.319
 says,

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.680
 therefore,

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.100
 there is no

00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:20.019
 condemnation

00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.420
 for those

00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:21.860
 who are in

00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.299
 Christ.

00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.480
 And if he

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.819
 does accuse

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.200
 you with

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.700
 lying

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.220
 whispers,

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.319
 believers,

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.720
 then, dear

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.000
 friends,

00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.759
 lean on

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.579
 God's word.

00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.640
 Say with

00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.100
 Paul,

00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.980
 who shall

00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.579
 bring a

00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.640
 charge against

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.200
 God's

00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.600
 elect?

00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:44.000
 It is God

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:45.019
 who justifies.

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.839
 If he

00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.519
 accuses you

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.940
 again,

00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.539
 lean on

00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.299
 God's word

00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:51.860
 and say

00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.579
 with Paul,

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.259
 who is to

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.680
 condemn?

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.600
 Christ Jesus

00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:57.180
 is the one

00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.740
 who died,

00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.539
 more than

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:58.920
 that,

00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.660
 who was

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.200
 raised,

00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.660
 who is at

00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.319
 the right

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:01.779
 hand of

00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.180
 God,

00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.500
 who indeed

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.500
 is interceding

00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.079
 for us.

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.480
 And should

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.160
 the devil

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.839
 accuse you

00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.240
 again,

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.039
 hold fast

00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.799
 to God's

00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.460
 word and

00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.180
 say with

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.859
 confidence,

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.759
 who shall

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.680
 separate us

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.339
 from the

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.000
 love of

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.480
 Christ?

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.160
 Shall

00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:21.859
 tribulation

00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.979
 or distress

00:23:22.979 --> 00:23:24.119
 or persecution

00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.279
 or famine

00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.240
 or nakedness

00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.500
 or danger

00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.319
 or sword?

00:23:29.479 --> 00:23:29.679
 No,

00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.279
 says Paul.

00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.659
 No,

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.199
 says Paul

00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:34.639
 in Romans

00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:34.939
 8,

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.699
 33 to

00:23:35.699 --> 00:23:36.159
 39,

00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:36.899
 for in

00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.559
 all these

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.159
 things we

00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.599
 are more

00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.539
 than conquerors

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.539
 through him

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.079
 who loved

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.500
 us.

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.899
 For I

00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.579
 am sure,

00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.099
 I am

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.639
 certain,

00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:45.619
 that neither

00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.319
 death nor

00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:46.799
 life,

00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:47.979
 nor angels,

00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:48.679
 nor rulers,

00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.240
 nor things

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.679
 present,

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.159
 nor things

00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.639
 to come,

00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.660
 nor powers,

00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.180
 nor height,

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.800
 nor depth,

00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.800
 nor anything

00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.300
 else in

00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:55.420
 all creation

00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.840
 will be able

00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.420
 to separate

00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.660
 us from

00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.040
 the love

00:23:59.040 --> 00:23:59.580
 of God

00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.640
 in Christ

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.180
 Jesus our

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.520
 Lord.

00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.100
 Swiss

00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.840
 theologian

00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.480
 Karl

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.160
 Barth once

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.800
 was asked,

00:24:07.520 --> 00:24:07.780
 what was

00:24:07.780 --> 00:24:08.200
 the deepest

00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.380
 truth he

00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:09.840
 had learned

00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.640
 in all his

00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.840
 study of

00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.320
 theology?

00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.520
 To which

00:24:14.520 --> 00:24:15.200
 he replied,

00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.440
 Jesus

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.180
 loves me,

00:24:17.780 --> 00:24:18.220
 this I

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.540
 know,

00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:19.920
 for the

00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.300
 Bible,

00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.259
 tells me

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.560
 so.

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.120
 We need

00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.060
 to stand

00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:26.240
 against the

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.560
 demonic

00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:27.460
 forces by

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.540
 leaning on

00:24:28.540 --> 00:24:28.960
 God's

00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.480
 sustaining

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:29.980
 word.

00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:31.680
 And we

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.520
 can't engage

00:24:32.520 --> 00:24:32.820
 in these

00:24:32.820 --> 00:24:33.600
 spiritual battles

00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:34.020
 alone.

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.000
 We need

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.560
 one another

00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:36.040
 in the

00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:36.460
 body of

00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:36.840
 Christ.

00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.020
 And as

00:24:38.020 --> 00:24:38.480
 a church,

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:38.960
 we can

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.520
 pray for

00:24:39.520 --> 00:24:41.140
 those who

00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.420
 may be

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.100
 going through

00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.180
 some intense

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.240
 spiritual

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.660
 battle.

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.520
 And one

00:24:46.520 --> 00:24:46.720
 of the

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.300
 best places

00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:47.680
 to do

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.980
 this is

00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.220
 in a

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.480
 small

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.819
 group.

00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.000
 If you're

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.440
 not part

00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:52.660
 of a

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:52.860
 small

00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.059
 group,

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.400
 I want

00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.579
 to

00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.079
 encourage

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.980
 you to

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.380
 joining

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.200
 one as

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.819
 they resume

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.680
 in the

00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:57.920
 coming

00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.440
 weeks.

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.299
 But my

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.600
 point,

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.059
 dear friends,

00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.539
 is this,

00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.059
 that we

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.339
 pray for

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:03.860
 one another

00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:05.279
 knowing and

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.920
 believing that

00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.559
 our victory

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.440
 is assured

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.240
 in Christ.

00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.420
 We pray for

00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.019
 one another

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.940
 knowing and

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.420
 believing that

00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.940
 our victory

00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.920
 is assured

00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.640
 in Christ,

00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.820
 who is our

00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.300
 triumphant

00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:18.580
 victor over

00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.600
 sin and

00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:20.040
 the devil.

00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.560
 The cross

00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:23.080
 of Christ

00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:23.420
 is a

00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:23.820
 victory,

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.300
 for it

00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:25.860
 opens the

00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.259
 way to

00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.660
 forgiveness

00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:28.420
 and defeats

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.480
 demonic

00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.040
 powers.

00:25:30.520 --> 00:25:30.820
 Let's

00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:31.080
 pray.

00:25:34.020 --> 00:25:34.759
 Dear

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.080
 Father,

00:25:35.300 --> 00:25:36.380
 we thank

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.020
 you for

00:25:37.020 --> 00:25:38.040
 this great

00:25:38.040 --> 00:25:39.759
 victory on

00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.380
 the cross.

00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.960
 We thank

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.600
 you for

00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:45.039
 your gift

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.740
 of salvation.

00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.759
 We

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:51.439
 pray that

00:25:51.439 --> 00:25:51.879
 you would

00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.559
 enable us,

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:52.859
 Lord,

00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.339
 as long as

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:54.659
 we have

00:25:54.659 --> 00:25:55.279
 breath on

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.379
 this side

00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:56.839
 of heaven,

00:25:57.699 --> 00:25:58.359
 to never

00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:58.939
 cease and

00:25:58.939 --> 00:25:59.480
 never fail

00:25:59.480 --> 00:25:59.839
 to give

00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.379
 thanks and

00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:00.799
 praise for

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.099
 what you

00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.519
 have done.

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.359
 I pray

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.699
 that you

00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.619
 would write

00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.480
 your word

00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.119
 as we

00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.480
 lean on

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.000
 your word

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.099
 on the

00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.619
 tablet of

00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.240
 our hearts

00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.000
 that we

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.219
 may live

00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.920
 to glorify

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.339
 you,

00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.519
 having been

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.059
 gripped by

00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.600
 the gospel,

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.920
 and honor

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.500
 you in all

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:17.799
 that we

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.039
 do.

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.900
 We ask

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.240
 this in

00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:19.420
 the name

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.700
 of your

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:19.880
 son,

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.240
 Jesus.

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:20.980
 Amen.