WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 that would be continuing in the very sin that God has rescued us from in the first place. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:10.580 You see, God has not just saved us from something, from a life of sin, 00:00:11.200 --> 00:00:12.900 but he saved us for something. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:18.660 An intimate relationship with him, a life spent honoring him. 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:22.420 So the series that we're starting on tonight called Seven Deadly Sins 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:26.500 is all about honoring the God who has bought us at a price. 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:32.659 He didn't buy us so that we can go, awesome, fantastic, I just sit around. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:35.700 He actually bought us to be his people. 00:00:36.700 --> 00:00:39.560 He didn't just save us from something, but he has saved us for something. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:44.060 He saved us from a life that dishonored him to a life that actually honors him. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:47.879 And so church, friends, is not a holding pen for Christians. 00:00:48.379 --> 00:00:50.859 It's not the sort of like the garage that God sort of shoves us in 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:52.579 until one day he gets interested in us again 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:55.280 and sort of takes us back home to heaven or something like that. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:00.760 The Bible says that God has forgiven our sin and now he wants to kill it in us. 00:01:01.539 --> 00:01:03.439 He's removed the penalty for our sin 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:05.760 and now he wants to remove the presence of it as well. 00:01:05.820 --> 00:01:09.200 The Bible says this, we need to put sin to death in Colossians 3.5. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:12.659 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature, 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:18.680 sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:21.620 But Colossians also says that we don't just die a death, 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:23.219 but we actually rise to a new life. 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:24.760 So a few verses earlier says, 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:27.560 Since then we have been raised with Christ. 00:01:27.900 --> 00:01:31.980 Set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated, the right hand of God. 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:35.799 Being a Christian is not just about dying a death, 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.640 it's actually about rising to a new life. 00:01:39.219 --> 00:01:42.500 It's not just Jesus on the cross, it's him resurrected as well. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:47.939 When we became a Christian, one life ends, a totally new one begins. 00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:51.739 One with new priorities, where if Christ is at the center, we follow him. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:55.420 And this is how Colossians 3 verses 9 to 10 puts it, 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:59.299 Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old self with its practices 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:03.980 and have put on the new self which is being renewed in the knowledge of the image of its creator. 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:09.080 In the Christian life, we must first put our trust in Jesus to be forgiven, 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:13.140 and then we must put on the character of Christ and be transformed. 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:17.099 This is what it says in verse 12 of Colossians 3, 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:20.300 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:25.740 clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:29.939 That is, if you're a Christian, then you have this sort of sign which sort of sticks over your head 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:31.980 which says, Under New Management. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:34.040 I'm under new management. 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:39.020 And there are countless changes that God wants to work in your life 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:41.580 before we enter his presence forever. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:47.000 And so this series, if you like, is in effect doing radical surgery. 00:02:47.640 --> 00:02:50.400 This series in the next seven weeks is about going under the knife 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:54.180 and allowing God to open up our lives and to cut out those bits 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:56.599 which are just so deeply held sins. 00:02:58.640 --> 00:03:01.819 And so will you allow God to do a deep work in your hearts? 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:06.120 Will you allow him to radically do surgery on your character? 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:11.939 What is it that needs the most treatment for you right now? 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:16.520 What death and resurrection is most needed in your life? 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:18.920 You see, we can pick on a number of sins from the Bible, 00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:24.159 but the seven we're going to pick on is pride, anger, envy, impurity, gluttony, laziness and greed. 00:03:24.980 --> 00:03:26.420 That's enough to keep us going for a while. 00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:31.080 And maybe this is quite timely for you. 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:32.240 Maybe you've become a Christian. 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:34.360 You've opened the door to Jesus into your life, 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:36.740 but you've sort of opened the front door to him 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:38.580 and you're allowing him in the hallway, 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:40.700 but you're shutting off all the rest of the rooms to him. 00:03:41.100 --> 00:03:42.640 Maybe there's the odd room he's allowed in, 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:45.420 but generally there's a few there that I just want you to stay away from. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:47.140 You've locked the door. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:51.180 Friends, God doesn't want to just forgive your sins. 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:52.060 He wants to kill it. 00:03:54.540 --> 00:03:57.599 Our surgery, I think, needs to start on the sin of pride 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:00.180 because pride is at the heart of all sin. 00:04:01.200 --> 00:04:04.560 It's, in effect, confidence in ourselves rather than confidence in God 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:09.000 and a focus on ourselves rather than a focus on others. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:13.099 And so if we understand pride, then we understand the nature of sin. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:15.879 And pride is behind the birth of sin in Genesis 3. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:17.759 So pick up your Bibles again. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:19.579 I want you to, page 3, it's pretty simple. 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:20.939 Genesis 3, page 3. 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:24.839 And we're going to take a look at this sin. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:29.299 You see, Adam and Eve are being placed in the Garden of Eden by God. 00:04:29.419 --> 00:04:30.219 Life is perfect. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:33.060 That is, it's lived perfectly under the obedience of God. 00:04:33.299 --> 00:04:35.539 It's a life where God knows best because he's God. 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:37.239 And frankly, he still knows best because he's God. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:40.639 God says to them that they can eat of any tree in the Garden 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:42.839 except this one tree which is in the center of the Garden. 00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:44.199 I think it's a significant point. 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:46.039 The tree's in the middle of the Garden of Eden. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:48.959 Adam and Eve, you don't belong in the middle of the universe. 00:04:49.159 --> 00:04:50.779 You don't belong there at all. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:52.139 It's only God who belongs there. 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:54.959 This tree is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:58.339 which is why Adam and Eve have no business from eating for this tree. 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:01.659 The idea of the knowledge of good and evil really means 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:05.000 that they are the determinants of what is good and what is evil. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:09.019 That is, they become the determinants of what is right and what is wrong. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:11.240 And that is God's job again, not ours. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:12.740 He's the one who sets the agenda. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:16.360 And by eating from the tree, Adam and Eve are really saying that, 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:18.259 frankly, God, we want your job. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.620 We want your job. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:25.100 And that is exactly what the serpent offers Eve. 00:05:25.340 --> 00:05:27.500 The serpent casts doubt on God's Word 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:29.800 and that he's always the first step to sin. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:32.000 He says to the woman, Eve, 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:36.939 did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the Garden? 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:40.800 This is followed by a denial of God's Word, 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:42.000 which is the next step to sin. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:44.540 You will not surely die, the serpent said to the woman. 00:05:44.540 --> 00:05:48.120 And the final step is decided to make the rules up for themselves, 00:05:48.760 --> 00:05:52.500 which is the appealing thing to our sinful pride. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:53.980 You can be God. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.960 For God knows that when you eat of it, 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:59.920 your eyes will be opened and you'll be like God. 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:01.020 Oh, that's tempting. 00:06:01.640 --> 00:06:03.140 Knowing good and evil. 00:06:03.139 --> 00:06:06.259 The temptation to sin is here. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:08.519 It's not so much to become a lawbreaker, 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:10.500 but to become the lawmaker. 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:13.560 We become the ruler. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:15.199 We become the determiners. 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:17.360 We make up the rules for ourselves. 00:06:17.979 --> 00:06:19.319 And so what Adam and Eve do? 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:22.279 They eat the tree, the fruit. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:26.359 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food 00:06:26.359 --> 00:06:29.699 and pleasing to eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:31.519 they took some and ate it. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:34.859 She also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate it. 00:06:35.179 --> 00:06:36.879 And so from that point on, 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:40.339 they declare themselves to be the ones who make the rules 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:43.299 and there is no longer any need for God whatsoever. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:45.779 And that is what pride is. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:50.359 It's ascending to the place of ruler of the universe. 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:52.960 The ruler of my universe even, 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:54.540 grasping for God's crown, 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.259 grasping for his throne, 00:06:56.660 --> 00:06:57.920 grasping for his power. 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:01.720 And sin grieves God. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:04.939 But it's not just his law that's broken here, 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:06.600 it's his heart that's broken as well. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:10.939 So he measures out his judgment on his rebel creatures, 00:07:11.460 --> 00:07:15.199 not just the judgment and future destruction that sin brings, 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:17.080 but the present destruction as well. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:18.900 What happens next? 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:23.079 What happens next to these so-called now rulers of the universe? 00:07:23.859 --> 00:07:25.599 They become pretend gods. 00:07:26.239 --> 00:07:27.599 They become proud rebels. 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:30.500 They become self-centered at the core. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:33.159 And you see it as they are accusing each other 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:34.579 and eventually killing each other. 00:07:35.979 --> 00:07:40.239 There is no mercy as we scramble for the controls, 00:07:40.679 --> 00:07:45.079 trying again and again and again to ascend God's throne 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:47.959 and to put ourselves first. 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:52.779 This self-centered pride principle is rampant in all people. 00:07:52.919 --> 00:07:55.120 It's a sin that is at the core of who we are, 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:57.439 where we think about ourselves first, 00:07:57.819 --> 00:08:01.339 even when those who we love the most are involved in it. 00:08:01.339 --> 00:08:05.039 I remember when I was 18, 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:09.500 I sat on a course of study at the local TAFE college in Narebri, 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:13.699 and after six weeks, they gave me an explosive license. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:15.599 That was an awesome thing. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.959 Six weeks is all it took and I could blow up stuff. 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:21.680 And so I got this explosive license 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.620 and naturally I went out and bought a heap of explosives. 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:29.359 And it's a very different day back in those days than what it is now. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:33.559 And I decided, it happened to coincide when my grandmother came and visited us. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:36.840 And so I decided to show her my newfound wisdom 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:39.399 and to blow up something for her. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:42.120 I thought that would impress her. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:45.000 And so about 300 meters from the house, 00:08:45.079 --> 00:08:46.819 there was this old dead tree. 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:48.879 And I thought, well, that's the target. 00:08:49.020 --> 00:08:50.420 I'm going to send this baby to the moon. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:54.080 And so I did the calculations. 00:08:54.260 --> 00:08:55.180 I worked it all out. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:58.660 Five kilos would be enough to get this tree out of the ground, apparently, 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:00.080 according to the calculations. 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:01.280 But what would the calculations know? 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:03.960 So I decided that I put a few more in, 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:06.240 just for old time's sake. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:08.360 And by the end of... 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.360 Yeah, have you ever had one of those moments where sort of, 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:12.440 you know, logic sort of goes out the door 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:15.320 and, you know, something else takes over at the moment? 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:16.400 It was one of those moments. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:18.000 And so by the end of it, 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:21.140 I had put 15 kilos of explosives under this tree. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:23.100 And I thought, this would be good. 00:09:24.140 --> 00:09:25.600 We will definitely send this in the moon. 00:09:25.640 --> 00:09:26.740 You can't put it half out of the ground. 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:27.460 You want it really. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.420 I mean, it's got to be impressive. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:31.440 And so we're there and I lit the fuse, 00:09:31.520 --> 00:09:32.840 two minute fuse, went back to my grandmother. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:35.580 And of course, you're calculating it all in your mind 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:37.120 about how this should work. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:40.720 And then I realised, just as everything went boom, 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:45.440 that 300 metres from the blast site was pretty effective, 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:47.000 I think, for five kilos. 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:50.620 But for 15 kilos, we were way too close. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:54.419 And so as this thing started on its mission to Mars, 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:57.840 we started to get this noise, 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.039 which was like, sort of like, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:04.480 as rocks came raining down around us. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:07.300 And in that moment of panic, 00:10:07.920 --> 00:10:10.740 when my life was flashing before me, 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.399 where I knew that potentially I'm about to die here, 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:16.039 you know what I did? 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:17.800 My grandmother standing beside me? 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:18.920 I ran. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:23.460 I left my grandmother there. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.460 And I hived it off into the shed. 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:29.139 And then, sort of momentary, 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:30.879 you know, and you're sort of justifying yourself 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:31.320 as you're running. 00:10:31.400 --> 00:10:32.120 She's had a good life. 00:10:32.160 --> 00:10:32.920 She's had a long life. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:35.019 I've got, I'm only 18. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:36.040 I've got a lot to live. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:39.879 In that moment where life flashes before you, 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.720 I thought about me first. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.240 Me first. 00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:48.280 Of course, I did sort of grab a sheet of iron 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:49.700 and hold it over my grandmother eventually, 00:10:49.820 --> 00:10:50.879 because I thought it would be quite difficult 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.320 to explain this if she died and I didn't. 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:56.760 But it was an impressive explosion. 00:10:57.680 --> 00:10:59.300 Let me tell you how much danger we're in. 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.940 A size of timber, 00:11:01.020 --> 00:11:02.980 a lump of timber about the size of this lectern here, 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:03.980 went over our heads 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.460 and landed 600 metres passes in the neighbour's paddock. 00:11:07.540 --> 00:11:09.640 So it travelled 900 metres along the ground, 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:12.360 which means technically it went 1.8 kilometres into the air 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.500 to come down that far. 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.200 God was gracious. 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:16.900 But at that time, 00:11:17.380 --> 00:11:18.880 when it's flashing before me, 00:11:19.380 --> 00:11:20.680 as it does with you, 00:11:21.420 --> 00:11:22.400 my thought is me. 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.540 My thought is me. 00:11:24.800 --> 00:11:27.980 Just like a compass needle always points north to the needle, 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:32.340 the needle of our hearts points to me getting my way first. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:37.780 And friends, this is where Jesus is so much different. 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:40.879 Jesus brings the great reversal in history. 00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:41.520 Have a look there. 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:42.540 Philippians chapter 2. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.140 Flip back in your Bibles to Philippians chapter 2, 00:11:45.780 --> 00:11:47.400 page 1139. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:56.579 Let me read these verses from Scripture, 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:59.439 which are just so cutting us to the core. 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:04.840 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:09.259 but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:13.139 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.539 but also to the interests of others. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:17.139 Your attitude would be the same as that of Christ Jesus, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.700 who being in the very nature of God, 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:21.259 did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:24.379 that is, something to be used for his own purposes, 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:26.539 something that he could gain from, 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.580 but made himself nothing, 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:30.019 taking the very nature of a servant, 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:31.460 being made in human likeness. 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:33.379 And being found in appearance as a man, 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:35.360 he humbled himself and became obedient to death, 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.980 even death on a cross. 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:42.039 The answer to sin and pride is found in Jesus. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:46.680 Adam and Eve grasped for that which is not theirs to take, 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:50.460 and Jesus refused to grasp hold of that which was his by right. 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:55.019 Where they grasped for God's crown and his throne, 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.639 Jesus surrenders his. 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:01.720 Jesus counters their ascent with his descent. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:05.820 He replaces their ladder with his cross. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:10.039 Instead of proud, grasping hands, grabbing for self, 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:15.019 there is humbled, nailed, outstretched hands dying for us. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.740 Total reversal of our future. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:24.360 He takes the penalty for our grasping for his crown and his throne. 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:27.159 But Jesus also reverses our present, 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:31.019 because not only does he take our death and our judgment, 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:34.919 but he gives us new life and a new attitude, 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.779 a new self, 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.899 an attitude that is the same as that is Jesus. 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:41.379 Jesus climbed down the ladder into humility, 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:44.219 rung after rung after rung. 00:13:44.339 --> 00:13:46.819 He gave up his majesty and his glory, 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.539 and glory of heaven, 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:50.980 and enters our world as a servant. 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:55.259 He doesn't just give up his comfort, 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.899 he gives up his life, 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.899 not just dying, 00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.779 but crucified, 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.100 not just for his friends, 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:02.000 but for his enemies. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:08.800 And so the model that we are to follow is found in verse 7. 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:12.680 He made himself nothing. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.320 He wasn't pushed. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:17.980 It wasn't an accidental fall. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.620 Step by deliberate step, 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.240 Jesus chose this path. 00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:25.100 The path from the peak of creation 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:27.220 to the shame of the cross. 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:30.180 He embraced the life of giving, 00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:31.379 of serving, 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:32.700 of losing, 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.040 of dying. 00:14:35.280 --> 00:14:38.420 And our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:42.180 The attitude reversal we need here 00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:45.300 is quite simply the difference between up and down. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:48.720 As dying to pride and rising to humility. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:53.260 In an upwardly mobile world, 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:57.660 we follow a downwardly mobile savior. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:02.300 We are to give up our pathetic attempts at being God. 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:04.560 We are to confess that he's at the center 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:06.500 and seek to revolve around him. 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:12.180 And as we continue to grow and grow and grow as Christians, 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:15.220 it means we continue to climb down and down. 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:18.540 And descend into greatness. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:23.520 Dying to pride means that we take up our cross. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.679 As Jesus commanded, 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.379 it means being dead to yourself. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.600 Our wants, 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.519 our desires, 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:31.759 you become alive to the needs of those around you. 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:35.879 You turn from self-centeredness to Christ and other person-centeredness. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:40.199 This is what verses 15 and 16 of Philippians 2 says 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:42.919 about how different we are to be as God's people. 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:47.439 So that you may become blameless and pure children of God 00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:49.740 without fault in a crooked and depraved generation 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:52.500 in which you shine like stars in the universe 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.559 as you hold out the word of life. 00:15:55.079 --> 00:15:56.620 Pure amongst the depraved. 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:57.839 You see the contrast here. 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.979 Pure amongst the depraved. 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.479 Light amongst the darkness. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.120 Life in the world of death. 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.079 And doing what? 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:05.740 Holding out the word of life. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:07.960 Not reaching out to be God, 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:10.340 but reaching out with his word instead. 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.700 Not hands grabbing for me, 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:15.200 but hands turned out to you. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.440 Open hands. 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:18.060 Hands prepared to get nails in them. 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.500 Hands just like Jesus. 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:21.180 And attitude just like Jesus. 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:26.779 It's a pretty huge reversal, isn't it? 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:29.979 Huge reversal. 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:33.539 Because I think if we're honest with ourselves, 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:37.819 we would see exactly how far we are from Jesus. 00:16:41.339 --> 00:16:43.519 And how too much we are like this world. 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.339 Same priorities. 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.419 Same selfishness. 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.740 Same pride. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:53.019 And so this is pretty drastic surgery. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:56.440 But we actually need it to live. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.180 We actually need it to live. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:02.560 The only thing that this world will teach you about sin 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:03.539 is how to do it. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.839 The only mention of sin you will find 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.400 is in things like dessert menus, 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.539 like wicked chocolate and sinful cake 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.380 or something like that. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:13.539 In fact, the actress Kirstie Alley said 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:15.500 on an MTV interview some time ago, 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:17.720 I don't think pride is a sin. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.860 I think some idiot made that up. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.079 Or that would be God you're talking about there, Kirstie. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:28.559 The world thinks it's very different from God 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.900 when it comes to sin and pride. 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:31.539 They think it doesn't matter. 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:33.279 God says we need surgery. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.120 It matters. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.100 It matters enormously. 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:38.959 And so how different are we prepared to be here at St. Paul's? 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:44.680 If there was a Christian convention down at the entertainment center 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:48.120 called Humility Fest 2009, 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.240 would you sign up and go? 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:53.880 Humility Fest 2009, would you go? 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:55.539 Would you sign up for seminars? 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:57.880 God needs you to wash feet. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:00.360 Or another seminar. 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:02.520 Learning to shut up and listen. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:06.880 Or take off your cross without making a big deal about it. 00:18:07.520 --> 00:18:09.820 Would you sign up for seminars like that? 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:13.500 How different are we prepared to be? 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:18.180 You see, if you've come to Jesus, 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:21.319 we cannot be the way we were. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:25.359 Coming first as far as God is concerned 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.819 isn't about winning the argument. 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:29.059 It's not about shouting the loudest. 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.980 It's not about having the sharpest mind. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.460 It's not about having the funniest wit. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.599 It's not about having the truest body. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.680 It's not about having the enviable family. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:38.539 It's not about having the prestigious job. 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:41.139 It's not about the secure investments. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:45.639 Living the Christian life is about forfeiting your rights 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:49.879 and descending, descending, descending, descending 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:53.059 into humility and the greatness of our Savior. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:58.000 Being like the God who has saved you. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:01.379 Man, if we were a church like that, 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.799 what sort of impact would we have? 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:09.000 Let me close by praying a prayer 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.879 for this book called The Valley of Vision. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.539 It's a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:16.819 And the very first words, the very first prayer on it 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:19.559 is actually the prayer, the Valley of Vision. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.240 That's unusual. 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.579 The Valley of Vision? 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:24.119 Is it not the mountaintops of vision? 00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:25.240 Let's pray. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:35.500 Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:39.759 you have brought us to this valley of vision 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:44.640 where we live in the depths but see you in the heights. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:49.319 Hending by mountains of sin, we behold your glory. 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:53.539 And so, Father, let us learn by paradox 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:55.879 that the way down is the way up, 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.960 that to be low is to be high, 00:19:58.159 --> 00:20:00.440 that the broken heart is the healed heart, 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:03.379 that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:06.259 that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:08.779 and to have nothing is to possess all, 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:11.399 that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:13.819 and to give is to receive, 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:16.799 that the valley is the place of vision. 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:19.180 Lord, in the daytime, 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:21.759 stars can be seen from deepest wells, 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.299 and the deeper the wells, 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:25.480 the brighter your star shines. 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:29.960 And so let us find your light in darkness, 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:33.180 your life in our death, 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:36.539 your joy in our sorrow, 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:39.799 your grace in our sin, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:42.579 your riches in our poverty, 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:45.940 your glory in our valley. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.119 And we ask it for your sake. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.220 Amen. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.759 Amen. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.759 Amen. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.759 Amen. 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.720 Amen. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.920 Amen. 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.519 Amen. 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:13.160 Amen. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.779 Amen. 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.039 Amen. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:16.079 Amen. 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:20.839 Amen.