WEBVTT 00:00:00.740 --> 00:00:06.240 Well, I bring you warm greetings from your sister church, Church of the Resurrection down on Capitol Hill. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:13.280 I've known a few of you for a couple years at vigils or other various Renew DC events. 00:00:13.380 --> 00:00:16.080 I hope to get to know some more of you after the service today. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:23.620 If you've got a Bible, turn back to Hebrews 12, which is going to be our text today. 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:27.600 Hebrews 12, verses 3 through 14. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:31.620 As you're getting there, I want to kind of set this passage up a little bit for you guys. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:38.520 I know that you have been doing your own sermon series through Colossians about being made alive in Christ. 00:00:39.400 --> 00:00:41.060 Christ is at the center of Colossians. 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:42.480 Christ is the highest. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:44.299 Christ is the best. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:45.320 He is the reason. 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:46.340 He is the everything. 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:54.700 Through him, we are made alive, truly alive in every aspect of our heart and our mind and our body in all facets of our life. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:57.280 I wanted to piggyback a little bit on this. 00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.960 And offer a bit of a companion piece this week. 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:03.260 I wanted to talk about discipline and hard times. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:08.939 About what happens when, even though we are alive in Christ, we still face adversity. 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:19.579 So, in Hebrews, like Colossians, we get chapter after chapter where Jesus is shown as the author, the perfecter, the center, the everything of our faith. 00:01:19.579 --> 00:01:24.799 If you're not familiar with the book of Hebrews, here's a 30-second summary. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:29.280 Hebrews was in all likelihood meant to be heard as a sermon. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:32.219 So, they would have heard the entire thing as one. 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:41.939 So, people hearing this passage tonight on God disciplining us would have first heard chapters 1 through 11, where they would have heard that Jesus is better than angels. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:43.780 Jesus is better than Moses. 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:45.640 Jesus is better than Joshua. 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:48.019 Jesus is our great high priest. 00:01:48.079 --> 00:01:54.739 So, with confidence, let us draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 00:01:55.540 --> 00:01:58.219 Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:01.460 He is the mediator of a new covenant that we have with God. 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:03.979 Jesus is our tabernacle. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:08.000 He is our holy place that goes with us throughout the world. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:10.639 Christ's sacrifice was sufficient. 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:11.939 It was all-encompassing. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:12.939 It was perfect. 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:18.919 And it was through that that God will say, I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. 00:02:19.359 --> 00:02:26.599 We can be confident through our faith in Christ, and we can be confident in our faith in Christ. 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:28.280 Christ's sacrifice is our God. 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:41.840 So, this is what we've set up as we come to chapter 12 to talk about what's called in Bible studies the imperative, the implication, the what are we supposed to do in light of all this. 00:02:42.539 --> 00:02:45.180 As we prepare to dive into this, will you pray with me? 00:02:47.180 --> 00:02:51.219 Father, we thank you for your word and the privilege to sit under it. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.780 Your word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:02:59.340 Will you use it to pierce through our dull senses tonight? 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:04.379 Will you use it to reshape our minds and our attitudes and our hearts 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:08.659 and our steps ever toward Jesus? 00:03:09.139 --> 00:03:11.620 And it's in his name that we pray. Amen. 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:20.939 There's a lot of times when things can happen to us because of things that we did. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:25.939 And everybody knows that person in their life who, no matter what happens, 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:28.979 will always say, well, you know, everything happens for a reason. 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:32.939 One of my favorite bumper stickers I've ever seen is, 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:34.620 everything happens for a reason. 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:38.219 Sometimes that reason is that you are stupid and make bad choices. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:44.740 Not all the knocks that we get in life are God disciplining us. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:46.680 Some of them are just us. 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:51.560 But sometimes, sometimes God will take things away from us that we love. 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:55.680 Sometimes God will give us things that he doesn't think we can handle. 00:03:56.760 --> 00:03:59.080 Why? Why does he do these things? 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:03.640 Well, look with me at verses 5 and 6 of our passage tonight. 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:04.900 This is a great place to start. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:09.300 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:11.680 nor be weary when reproved by him. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:14.480 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:18.000 and he chastises every son whom he receives. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:20.639 That comes from Proverbs in the Old Testament. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:23.920 It's Proverbs 3.11 if you want to read it later. 00:04:24.900 --> 00:04:26.340 So why does God discipline us? 00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:30.259 Well, one really good reason is because he loves us. 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:33.319 Because to demonstrate that love for us, 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:37.439 he disciplines us to shape us into a better version of ourselves. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:39.980 And that's one of the two things that this passage talks about, 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:43.439 is what to do when God disciplines us. 00:04:43.480 --> 00:04:44.920 And the other one, which we'll get to later, 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:46.800 is how do we discipline ourselves? 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:50.720 But first, why is God disciplining us? 00:04:51.339 --> 00:04:53.839 It's because he's our Father and he loves us. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:59.180 I think that most people probably knew that kid growing up who had no rules, 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:01.759 who could stay out as late as he wanted, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:03.540 who could watch whatever he wanted on TV. 00:05:04.740 --> 00:05:06.500 He didn't really have to do any homework. 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:08.899 There were just seemingly no boundaries for him. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:11.839 And his parents must have been the coolest people 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:15.259 because they just let him get away with whatever they wanted to. 00:05:15.339 --> 00:05:17.100 They certainly were a lot cooler than mine. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:22.379 I'm not going to lie to you. 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:25.439 I wrote this before I realized my father was going to be in the congregation today. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:31.720 But seriously, let me ask you this. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:35.000 You probably knew one of those kids. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.779 So, if you flash forward to today, 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:44.759 how do you think that person reacts today when he is told no? 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:49.240 What do you think would have been more loving, ultimately, 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:51.759 for his parents to have given him no boundaries 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:55.339 or for his parents to have provided him discipline? 00:05:55.339 --> 00:05:57.619 Verse 5. 00:05:57.619 --> 00:06:02.539 When God disciplines us, he is doing so because he sees us as sons. 00:06:02.679 --> 00:06:03.979 He sees us as his children. 00:06:05.099 --> 00:06:08.500 When you're a Christian, the Holy Spirit is daily shaping you 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:10.719 into a person who looks more like Jesus. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:13.719 This is seen in your study on Colossians last week. 00:06:14.059 --> 00:06:17.979 Part of that discipline is living in the way that Christ would have us live. 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:20.439 Husbands, love your wives. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:21.479 Wives, love your husbands. 00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:23.159 Children, honor your parents. 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:24.760 Parents, honor your children. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:27.420 Employers, honor your employees. 00:06:27.880 --> 00:06:29.340 Employees, honor your employers. 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:33.860 We are called to do these things with no promise of reward 00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:36.340 because they are good works, 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:38.540 and God is glorified when we do them. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.000 So, what does that mean? 00:06:41.080 --> 00:06:44.120 Why is God glorified when he disciplines us? 00:06:44.700 --> 00:06:49.260 God doesn't necessarily discipline us because we screw up. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:52.480 Jesus himself talks about this in John 9. 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:54.539 He and his disciples are walking. 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.319 John 9, 2 specifically. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:57.579 He and his disciples are walking. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:06:59.539 The disciples see a blind man, 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:00.879 and they say to him, 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:04.539 Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, 00:07:04.599 --> 00:07:05.560 that he was born blind? 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:07.719 Jesus answered, 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:10.680 It was not that this man sinned or his parents, 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:14.079 but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:18.680 That the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:20.680 That God would be so glorified 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:24.099 because the hardship that this man had been given 00:07:24.099 --> 00:07:28.779 gave Jesus a chance to display his grace and his mercy 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:31.240 and his power and his own glory 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:33.379 by healing the man in the sight of all. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:35.759 Why was this man blind? 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:37.339 Why had he been afflicted since birth? 00:07:37.719 --> 00:07:39.019 Because of something he did? 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.000 No, so that God could be more glorified. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:45.259 Why was Jesus sweating blood 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:46.779 in the Garden of Gethsemane 00:07:46.779 --> 00:07:48.040 in our Gospel text tonight? 00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:51.199 Because he was about to go to the cross 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:53.180 for all of our sins. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:54.319 Was he going to the cross 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:56.399 because he had done something wrong? 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:57.560 No. 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:00.199 It's so that God could be more glorified 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.800 in his plan to redeem us. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:06.360 So, what does that have to do with you and me? 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:09.860 Well, it's really simple, fortunately. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:12.759 This is not always a good thing 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:14.379 because sometimes simple things 00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:15.379 don't mean that they're easy. 00:08:16.080 --> 00:08:16.680 And it isn't. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:17.819 This is no exception. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:19.939 This is not easy, but it's actually very simple. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.920 Verse 11 of our text tonight. 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:24.939 For the moment, 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:27.379 all discipline seems painful 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:28.480 rather than pleasant. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:29.939 But later, 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:32.539 it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:34.779 to those who have been trained by it. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:38.899 Stop assuming 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.179 that the hard stuff in your life 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:43.740 is nothing more than an inconvenience. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:48.379 Look for ways that God is working on you 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:51.039 and praise him for it. 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:53.379 And this sounds ridiculous. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:55.100 Bless him for it. 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:56.879 And that sounds absurd. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:58.579 The Lord gives 00:08:58.579 --> 00:08:59.879 and the Lord takes away. 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:02.779 And blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:05.339 Look at those areas 00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:07.120 where you can clearly feel God 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:08.639 kind of working on you 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:12.639 and rounding off the hard edges of your soul. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.600 Look for those areas in life 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:17.600 where he's clearly guiding you away from something 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:18.959 or guiding you towards something. 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:20.679 God trains us 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:21.899 and he shapes us. 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:24.399 Why does he do this? 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:26.120 Because he is our Father. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.059 Why does he do this? 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:30.039 Some of you might really bristle 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.939 when you hear language like that, 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:33.180 when God is called our Father. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.120 I get that. 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:35.800 I do. 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:37.960 Many of you had fathers 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:38.960 who disciplined you. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:40.520 Maybe not so much 00:09:40.520 --> 00:09:43.400 so that you could eventually flourish, 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:45.480 but to vent their own anger 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:47.600 and soothe their own twisted souls. 00:09:48.760 --> 00:09:49.740 Maybe you had a father 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:50.680 who abandoned you. 00:09:50.760 --> 00:09:52.220 He didn't want to have anything to do with you. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:54.620 Now, if you had a father 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.220 who modeled 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:57.200 what our Heavenly Father is to us, 00:09:57.280 --> 00:09:58.080 then praise God. 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.180 Go and call him today. 00:10:00.300 --> 00:10:00.720 Thank him. 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:02.900 But, 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.520 if you didn't, 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.300 please know 00:10:06.300 --> 00:10:07.680 you can look to God 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:08.920 to be the perfect father 00:10:08.920 --> 00:10:09.900 that you always wanted 00:10:09.900 --> 00:10:10.700 but never got. 00:10:11.540 --> 00:10:13.200 God is our perfect father. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.500 He disciplines us 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:16.200 in order to shape us. 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:18.360 And he allows us 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.620 and he shows us 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:21.040 how to discipline ourselves. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.500 And that brings us to question two. 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.620 How do we discipline ourselves? 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:29.159 You can't be in one of our churches 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:29.860 too long, 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:32.539 either sitting under the preaching 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:34.320 of Tommy or Dan, 00:10:34.659 --> 00:10:36.399 or Dan Clare and Sean 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.460 back in my church. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:39.600 You can't be around us too long 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.879 without running into the name 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:41.539 Jamie Smith. 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:43.779 James K.A. Smith 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:44.639 wrote a book called 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.879 Desiring the Kingdom. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.820 It's all about the liturgies 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.940 of culture around you, 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:50.919 about the spiritual power of habit. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.419 Throughout the book, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.639 Smith asks the question, 00:10:54.599 --> 00:10:55.579 do we love the things, 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.259 how do we know 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.099 that we love the things 00:10:57.099 --> 00:10:58.199 that we say that we love? 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:00.179 How can we tell? 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:02.339 It actually can end up 00:11:02.339 --> 00:11:03.639 being a very uncomfortable question. 00:11:04.439 --> 00:11:05.240 How can we tell 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.240 the things that we love? 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.719 We can tell it 00:11:07.719 --> 00:11:09.740 by what we spend our time on, 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:11.699 by what we spend our energy on. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.240 Again, 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:13.079 it's one of those things 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:13.639 that's simple, 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:15.000 but that doesn't necessarily 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:15.720 make it easy. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:18.919 There's a phrase 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.559 that I used to hear 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:21.519 in seminary 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.939 that you'll occasionally hear 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:24.100 in talking about worship, 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:26.080 and I think it really applies here. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:28.139 It's a really fun Latin phrase, 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.500 and it's 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:30.500 lex arendi, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:31.740 lex credendi. 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:33.939 It's really easy to remember, 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:35.519 what you pray 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.980 is what you believe. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:38.340 And this is often 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.319 kind of expanded 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:40.240 to be 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.679 what you worship 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.539 is what you believe. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.500 How you worship 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:46.679 shows the things 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:47.360 that you believe. 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:49.419 What you truly believe in 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:51.019 will be shown 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:52.879 by what you worship. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.960 This is at the core 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:55.120 of what Jamie Smith 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:55.679 talks about. 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.080 You can tell 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.759 what you worship 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:59.360 by the liturgies 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:00.100 that you create 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:00.699 in life. 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:02.240 So as we are called 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:03.319 to cast off sin, 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:04.620 to put aside 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.480 sinful ways, 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:06.639 to choose 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.620 the path of Christ, 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.419 this is very difficult. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.460 Remember that quick 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:12.419 highlight reel 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.159 that I gave 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.100 of Hebrews. 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:15.819 Right before this chapter 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:17.139 in Hebrews 11 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:17.839 is something called 00:12:17.839 --> 00:12:19.279 the Great Hall of Faith 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.919 where all of the, 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:22.439 or many of the standouts 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:24.299 of the Old Testament 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:25.819 are named. 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:27.639 If you look at that list, 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:27.819 though, 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.480 if you're familiar 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.360 with the Old Testament, 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.879 one thing is abundantly clear. 00:12:31.839 --> 00:12:32.959 Everyone on that list 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:34.559 is every bit as messed up 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:35.500 as you or I. 00:12:36.459 --> 00:12:37.259 Everyone on that list 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:37.779 is a sinner 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.360 whom God used 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.199 for his purpose 00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:41.299 and his glory. 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.019 And even so, 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:45.039 with this grandstand 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:46.439 of sinners 00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:47.759 watching us, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.399 we are still exhorted, 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:50.939 the writer of the Hebrews 00:12:50.939 --> 00:12:51.500 tells us, 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.480 to press on 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.079 to the goal. 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.179 Verse 3, 00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:56.100 consider him 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.539 who endured 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.659 that is considered Jesus. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:12:59.659 This is all 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:01.159 like Colossians, 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:04.240 like the entire Bible, 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.199 the book of Hebrews. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.460 Everything Points to Christ. 00:13:06.900 --> 00:13:07.300 Consider him 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:08.580 who endured 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.180 from sinners 00:13:09.180 --> 00:13:10.160 such hostility 00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:11.000 against himself 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.420 that you may not 00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:12.980 grow weary 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:13.840 or faint-hearted. 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:15.759 In your struggle 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.580 against sin, 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.440 you have not yet resisted 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:18.960 to the point 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:20.020 of shedding your blood. 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:22.700 Consider whom? 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.520 Consider who? 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:24.400 Consider Jesus. 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:26.480 Jesus, 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.220 the God-man, 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:28.080 fully God 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.440 and fully man, 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:30.980 prayed in the garden 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.080 that God would find 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:32.960 some other way 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:33.379 if there were 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.440 any other way 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.700 that we could 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.640 fulfill your plan 00:13:37.640 --> 00:13:39.800 without going to the cross 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:40.800 and taking on 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:42.220 the sin of the world. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.540 Can we please 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:44.340 do it that way? 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.580 And he prayed 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.340 so fervently 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.400 that he sweat blood. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.560 Even before 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.400 he shed his blood 00:13:50.400 --> 00:13:51.060 on the cross, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.480 he was bleeding 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.300 under the weight 00:13:53.300 --> 00:13:54.560 of God's discipline. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.420 And there appeared 00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:57.820 to him 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:58.940 an angel from heaven 00:13:58.940 --> 00:13:59.880 strengthening him. 00:14:00.380 --> 00:14:01.260 And being in agony, 00:14:01.380 --> 00:14:02.480 he prayed more earnestly 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.659 and his sweat 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:04.600 became like great 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.259 drops of blood 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.120 falling to the ground. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.779 And as he rose 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.220 from prayer, 00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:09.180 he came to his disciples 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:10.120 and he found them 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.240 sleeping for sorrow 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.320 and he said to them, 00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:14.180 Why are you sleeping? 00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:15.580 Rise 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.680 and pray 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.320 that you may not 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:18.500 enter into temptation. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.899 As I was thinking 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.200 about these two passages, 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:24.139 I realized 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:24.860 that 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.480 Jesus' 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.019 instructions here 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.740 are very good 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.500 for us as well. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.700 There is no better 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:32.000 daily discipline 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.200 to get into 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:33.759 than prayer. 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.899 It isn't 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.539 glamorous. 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.340 It isn't 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.139 there's no 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.879 lightning bolt. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:43.679 It isn't 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.620 world changing. 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.919 It is just simply 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.220 a conscious effort 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.919 every day 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:49.139 in those little 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.440 everyday ways 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.600 to 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.320 discipline ourselves, 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.840 to follow more 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:55.500 after Christ. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:55.899 And I think 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:57.159 that prayer 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:57.759 and making 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.000 a routine 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.500 habit 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.519 of prayer 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.360 throughout the day 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.399 is one of the 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:02.799 best ways 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.279 to do it. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.079 It's not just 00:15:09.079 --> 00:15:09.620 about changing 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.259 our minds. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:11.879 It's about 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.819 examining our hearts 00:15:12.819 --> 00:15:13.419 and our hands 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.000 and seeing where 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.959 we spend our time. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.120 Maybe it's about 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:18.679 on a pragmatic 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.139 level 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:21.399 the self-discipline 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.399 that God calls us 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:22.759 to do, 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.759 figuring out 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.500 where our 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.419 worship is, 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.460 where our 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.279 allegiances lie. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.340 That can be done 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.340 with figuring out 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.080 how we really 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.779 spend our money, 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:33.259 taking a really 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.700 hard and 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.539 unflinching look 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:35.899 at that. 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:36.740 It can be done 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.419 figuring out 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:39.159 how we spend 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.860 our time, 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:40.960 taking a really 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.600 hard and 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.320 unflinching look 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:42.700 at that. 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.200 Our passage 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:46.659 ends 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:48.080 tonight by 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.779 talking about 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.559 the kind of 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.240 self-discipline 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.679 that we are 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.460 called to do, 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.039 that we are 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:53.059 empowered to do. 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:54.639 Lift your 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.619 drooping hands 00:15:55.619 --> 00:15:56.339 and strengthen 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:57.219 your weak knees 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:58.399 and make 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.139 straight paths 00:15:59.139 --> 00:15:59.839 for your feet 00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:01.019 so that what 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.579 is lame 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.259 may not be 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.839 put out of 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:03.139 joint, 00:16:03.739 --> 00:16:04.339 but rather 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:04.739 healed. 00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:07.079 So, 00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:07.839 before this all 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:08.399 becomes about 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:08.979 how we are 00:16:08.979 --> 00:16:09.539 all each 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.000 getting better 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.459 and stronger 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:11.119 and faster, 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.500 what does 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.159 this all mean? 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:14.599 It's no surprise 00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:15.699 if you have 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.039 read 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.219 Colossians, 00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:17.739 if you have 00:16:17.739 --> 00:16:18.719 read Hebrews, 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.519 if you've 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.279 read the Bible. 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.339 This is all 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:21.879 about Jesus. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:25.279 God disciplines 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:25.740 us because 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.120 he's our 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.460 father, 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.559 and sometimes 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.139 he has to 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.820 discipline us 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.340 in order to 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:30.779 mold us 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.279 into the 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:31.620 mold of 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:31.980 Christ. 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.259 And he 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.220 disciplines us 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.620 because we 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.120 are sons. 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.500 The writer of 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.080 Hebrews is 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.179 clear to say 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.720 sons and 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.860 not sons 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.419 and daughters, 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.559 although there 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:44.000 are other 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.580 places in the 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.039 New Testament 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:45.500 where that 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.039 language is 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.340 used. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.379 This can 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:47.980 really trip 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.480 us up. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.399 In a modern 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:49.899 day, we 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.600 often want 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.559 to just 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:51.980 kind of 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.439 inherently 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:53.799 say sons 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.319 and daughters. 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:55.819 My wife 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.000 and I 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.259 are in the 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.759 process of 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.220 adopting our 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.720 first kid. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:58.659 We have 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.259 been reading 00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.720 a bunch of 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.100 books on 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.519 adoption. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:01.779 Baptist 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.319 theologian 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:03.019 Russell Moore 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.600 in his book 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.059 on adoption 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.879 actually addresses 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.819 this exact 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.759 thing, and I 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.339 just wanted 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.879 to point out 00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:09.759 what this 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.460 discipline that 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:10.980 God gives 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:12.960 us is for 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.779 and what it 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.099 means. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.019 In a modern 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.759 context, we 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.240 do want to 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.980 put and 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.500 daughters on 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.799 the end of 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.399 any sentence. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.539 When we 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:19.899 are in 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.440 Christ, we 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.039 are truly 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.879 sons and 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.339 daughters of 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:22.700 God, but 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.000 there is a 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.740 bigger component. 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.180 In the 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.940 ancient world, 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:26.119 what did 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.799 sons do? 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.599 They 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.339 inherited. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.299 They 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.720 received the 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.480 riches of 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.579 the household, 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.240 the estate, 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.019 the land. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.680 How great 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.099 is it that 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:36.779 all Christians, 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:37.500 this is 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:37.940 Russell Moore, 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.399 how great 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:38.720 is it that 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.339 all Christians, 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:39.799 men and 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.639 women, are 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.339 adopted by 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:42.240 God and 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.819 gifted the 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:44.119 inheritance of 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.680 peace with 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.440 God, the 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.359 inheritance of 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:46.899 union with 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.720 Christ, the 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.480 inheritance of 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:50.000 eternal life in 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.380 a new 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.460 recreated heavens 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.079 and new 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.079 earth with 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.940 new resurrected 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.440 bodies. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.339 How amazing 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.039 is that, that 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.779 that is our 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.220 inheritance. 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.039 God is our 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.860 father and we 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:01.240 are his sons, and 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.059 that is possible 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.360 only through the 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:03.940 work of Jesus 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.400 Christ. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.440 That great 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.140 inheritance that 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.759 we have was 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.180 won for us by 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.059 the suffering of 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.620 Christ on the 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:09.940 cross. 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.640 When he who 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.620 was not sin 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:14.259 became sin so 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:14.900 that we might 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.960 become the 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.759 righteousness of 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.079 God. 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.839 part of 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.500 becoming the 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.279 righteousness of 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.579 God is God 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.420 disciplining us 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.220 and us 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.700 disciplining 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.180 ourselves. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.039 We are called 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.500 to do it. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.559 We are empowered 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.200 to do it. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.160 Why shouldn't we 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.480 do it? 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.740 Becoming more and 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.480 more like Christ 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.980 is one of the 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.779 greatest things in 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.160 the world. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.799 And there are 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.559 times, there are 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.600 days where, I'm 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.120 not going to lie, 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.539 my fallen mind 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.480 and my sinful 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.680 appetites would 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.799 buck against that 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.579 and would say 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.659 that being 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.440 disciplined by 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.059 God, that 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.759 becoming more 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.759 Christ-like, that 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.399 there are a lot 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:52.899 of things that 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.379 are better than 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:53.639 that. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:56.119 But it's not 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.980 because it's not 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:58.000 glamorous, because 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:02.079 it's not the kind 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:03.919 of thing that is 00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:04.839 going to get 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.539 noticed or 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.000 remembered. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.500 It's often easy 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.019 to overlook. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.940 But for the 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.680 Christian, for the 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.659 one who knows 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:12.700 that what we have 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:14.640 as inheriting 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.759 children of God, 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.799 there truly is 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.360 nothing better. 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.140 There's a great 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:20.860 film from a few 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:22.160 years ago called 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.200 Man on Wire. 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:25.059 It's a story about 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.960 a guy who strung a 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.720 tightrope between 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.059 the two towers of 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.620 the World Trade 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.039 Center in the 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.259 1970s and walked 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.779 across them. 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.880 It is an absolutely 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.779 amazing film. 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.279 If you've ever read 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.900 anything about 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.700 tightrope walking, 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.460 you'll always hear the 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.059 same thing when 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.740 someone is learning. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.940 They'll just tell you 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.680 the same thing over 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.259 and over again. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.019 Don't look down. 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.320 Never look down. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.240 Never look at your 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.480 feet. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:48.000 Never look at what 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.600 you're doing. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.539 Look at where 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:50.019 you're going. 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:52.000 And I think that 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.640 that's true in 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.560 everyday life as 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:53.779 well. 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.680 If I'm walking 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.779 along this stage, 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.840 I'm only looking at 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.180 my feet. 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.840 If I'm not looking 00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:00.539 at where I'm going, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.299 I'm going to trip 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.000 down the stairs and 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.580 I'm going to fall. 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.039 How much more true 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.140 is that when somebody 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.060 who's walking across 00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:07.420 a wire one inch thick 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:09.860 suspended 105 stories 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.580 above the ground, 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.220 which is about a 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.799 quarter mile. 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.180 When you're walking 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:14.980 on a tightrope, 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.059 if you look down, 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.799 if you look at what 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.559 you're doing and not 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.339 where you're going, 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.880 you're going to fall. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:24.380 Read verses 12 and 13 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:26.539 with me. 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.839 Lift your drooping heads. 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.460 Strengthen your weak 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:29.799 knees. 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:31.120 Redouble your efforts. 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.500 Call on the body of 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.480 Christ for help if you 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.620 need it. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:39.319 please call on the body 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.279 of Christ for help. 00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:42.639 Do not do this alone. 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.679 Don't look to yourself. 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.519 Don't look to your own 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:45.979 devices. 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.299 Look to Jesus. 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:50.139 He is the point of 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.799 this whole thing. 00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:51.899 He's the center of this 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.399 whole thing. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.919 In a culture where 00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.979 happiness is everything 00:20:55.979 --> 00:20:57.199 and comfort is king, 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:59.299 the idea of willingly 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.399 submitting to a plan 00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:02.839 of discipline is just 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.399 ridiculous. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.600 ridiculous. 00:21:04.560 --> 00:21:06.040 It's utter foolishness 00:21:06.040 --> 00:21:07.380 to submit to someone 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.120 else's discipline when 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.120 it comes to my thoughts 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:11.880 and my desires and my 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.259 heart. 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:14.920 But the church is 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.000 supposed to look foolish 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:18.440 because Jesus Christ, 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:20.080 God and man in one 00:21:20.080 --> 00:21:21.860 person, went to the 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:23.860 cross and died for 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:25.940 millions and billions 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:28.300 and trillions of sins 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:30.120 that he didn't deserve. 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.240 And he did it out of 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.000 love for us. 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:35.980 I want to end by going 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.000 back to our Old Testament 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.660 text for a moment. 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.579 In Deuteronomy, 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.839 Deuteronomy chapter 8, 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:45.299 tonight we heard verses 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:46.220 1 through 6. 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.900 And this is really about 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.240 not looking at what we're 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.279 doing but keeping our 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.319 eyes focused on where 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.799 we're going. 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.680 I chose this chapter, 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.319 I chose this passage of 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.019 Deuteronomy 8, 1 through 6 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.579 because it's a great word 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.920 about God discipling. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.500 I'm sorry about God 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.960 disciplining. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.300 I would have kept going 00:22:04.300 --> 00:22:05.580 to the end of this 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:07.140 passage but I was afraid 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.720 that if I did, 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:10.720 no one would have heard 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.519 what came in the middle. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.180 What came in the middle 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.920 and where we ended our 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:15.160 reading on was, 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:17.560 Know then in your heart 00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:19.340 that as a man disciplines 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:21.100 his son, the Lord your 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.120 God disciplines you. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:24.159 So you shall keep the 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:25.279 commandments of your Lord 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:27.000 by walking in his ways 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.919 and by fearing him. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.079 But then it continues 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.439 and it gives us a picture 00:22:32.439 --> 00:22:35.539 of what eternal life 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:38.519 in the presence of God 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:40.539 through Christ will look like. 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.699 For the Lord your God 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:44.699 is bringing you into a good land, 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.299 a land of brooks, 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.719 a land of brooks, 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.319 of water, 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.839 of fountains and springs, 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.819 flowing out of the valleys 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.399 and hills, 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:54.319 a land of wheat and barley, 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:56.639 of vines and fig trees 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.599 and pomegranates, 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.019 a land of olive trees 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.559 and honey, 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:01.859 a land in which you will 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.459 eat bread without scarcity, 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:05.159 a land in which you will 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:05.899 lack nothing, 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.819 a land whose stones 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.500 are iron 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:10.579 and out of whose hills 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.679 you can dig copper. 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.799 And you shall eat 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.699 and be full 00:23:14.699 --> 00:23:16.579 and you shall bless 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.559 the Lord your God 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.940 for the good land 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.759 he has given you. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.539 God disciplines us 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:26.359 because he is our good shepherd. 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.779 God disciplines us 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:30.839 because he is shaping us, 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.700 he is guiding us, 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.919 he is driving us 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:36.119 into this great land 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:37.000 that we will all 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.480 eventually inherit. 00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.859 Will you pray with me? 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:40.919 Amen. 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:40.960 Amen.