WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:04.379 Good morning, Church of the Advent. Merry Christmas to you and to your family. 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:10.560 Merry Christmas from Candace and myself, and from your sister church, St. John's, up here in Southampton, Pennsylvania. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:13.839 It's good to be with you this morning, this Christmas season. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:19.740 This season where we can celebrate. Celebrate God becoming man and dwelling among us. 00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:26.039 Celebrating God being willing to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live the life we should have lived. 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:34.960 To die the death we should have died, to rise again conquering hell and death and Satan by His life, death, and resurrection. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:39.780 And celebrating that with the inauguration of it all, which is His birth. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:45.420 This morning I want to invite you into the middle of a sermon series we're working through up here at St. John's. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:47.659 And that is a sermon series in the book of Colossians. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:50.920 We find ourselves this morning in Colossians chapter 3. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:55.299 We're going to spend our time in verses 5 through 11, but in order to do so, 00:00:55.299 --> 00:00:59.339 I just want to sum up what Paul says in verses 1 through 4, and that is this. 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:03.339 Set your mind on things above, not things on earth. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:09.579 What he's calling the Colossian church and you and me to in this statement is simply this. 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:11.699 Focus your eyes. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:14.920 Set your gaze on Christ and who He is. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:18.239 Set your focus on what He has done for you. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:22.479 Not your day to day, but His eternal gift to you. 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:26.099 His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection. 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:34.819 The very life, the very person, the very deity that gave us hope, that gives us hope and joy in a future. 00:01:36.199 --> 00:01:38.739 Having done that then, he says, you have an identity. 00:01:39.319 --> 00:01:41.899 Your identity is no longer what you fight for day by day. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:45.660 It's what's been given you, a free gift of grace in Jesus Christ. 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:48.420 Now wear this identity. 00:01:49.620 --> 00:01:52.660 Having established that, he says, now in order to wear this identity well, 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:56.020 you must take off the old that you might put on the new. 00:01:57.660 --> 00:02:01.280 Now I don't know about you, but when I was younger, I worked a multitude of odd jobs. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:02.960 Odds and ends jobs here and there. 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:05.120 Some jobs more pertinent than others. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:08.080 Some jobs because I couldn't find a career job just yet. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:10.540 One of those jobs was in construction. 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:15.440 During college, just post-college, I found myself building pole barns and horse barns. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:20.720 Now this morning, we're not going to talk about construction, but about work attire. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:25.580 When I was working construction, my work wardrobe required heavy jeans, 00:02:26.060 --> 00:02:29.720 which quickly became worn and torn and grease laden. 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:35.939 I also was required to wear steel-toed boots, work gloves, hoodies, a Carhartt jacket, 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:42.319 overalls in the winter, a face mask in the bitter cold, a hard hat, and a tool belt. 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:47.859 Having become a pastor later in life, I was required to get an entirely new wardrobe. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:53.439 No longer are well-worn greased jeans and steel-toed work boots appropriate. 00:02:53.620 --> 00:02:58.659 No longer am I required to wear a hard hat and a face mask, pandemics notwithstanding, 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:01.240 a Carhartt jacket or a tool belt. 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:06.000 These are no longer acceptable or representative of my new career. 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:13.300 Now my wardrobe is slacks or khakis, wingtip dress shoes, an overpriced button-up shirt 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:18.860 that comes without a collar, so I have to buy a hard, almost plastic-like collar 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:22.280 that is attached by metal buttons known as collar buttons. 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:24.580 I digress. 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:26.200 But the point is this. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:29.399 When our identity changes, so too does our wardrobe. 00:03:30.019 --> 00:03:34.679 Going from pole barns to pulpits required a complete overhaul of my work attire. 00:03:35.459 --> 00:03:40.719 For Paul, writing to the Colossian church, he saw this very same need in their Christian lives. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:46.899 Having come to a new identity in Christ, setting their minds on things above, not on earth, 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:52.819 the church needed clear direction about what of their old lives had to be put off 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:57.120 so that their new identity in Christ might rightly and fully be put on. 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:01.780 For Paul, this meant certain old behaviors, old lifestyles, 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:05.620 having to do with sexuality and speech as we see in the text for today. 00:04:06.739 --> 00:04:12.419 Two central areas, as it were, of human life, both in Colossa and our lives today. 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:15.419 Both had to be dealt with. 00:04:16.219 --> 00:04:21.500 Both of these areas come with the capability for great good when used in Christ 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:25.319 or great evil when abused by the enemy and in the world. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:30.800 When it comes to the old lifestyle, the worldly use of sexuality and speech, 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:33.199 we aren't to treat it lightly, Paul says. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:38.819 It isn't suggested that we slowly wean ourselves off these old behaviors and lifestyles. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:42.319 It isn't suggested that we avoid them as often as possible 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:47.019 or toy with them as continuing possibility for some time later in life. 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:50.000 Paul says very emphatically, 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:57.860 put these to death because God's wrath is coming on account of these behaviors and lifestyles. 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:01.920 These parts of our old life, of our old identity, 00:05:02.100 --> 00:05:05.819 before claiming our identity in Christ, they have to be killed. 00:05:06.159 --> 00:05:07.500 They have to be put to death. 00:05:07.500 --> 00:05:12.420 So this morning we're going to look at these two categories of sex and speech 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:14.720 and what it means for us to put them off, 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:18.579 that we might fully and completely put on our identity in Christ 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:22.220 and grow in maturity in this new identity in Him. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:27.240 Before we do that, let us pray for God's help in understanding and applying this text. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:30.620 Heavenly Father, God, we thank you for this Christmas season. 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:34.939 We thank you for the gift of your Son incarnate coming to earth, 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:38.920 coming to live the life we should have lived, to die the death we should have died. 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:46.500 We thank you for the joy, the hope, and the guaranteed future that comes with this season and Easter season alike. 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:52.399 We ask God as we work through this scripture, these set of verses, that you might open our hearts and minds, 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:57.259 dig out our ears, let these words be not my words, but your words. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:01.339 We ask that as we apply them to our lives, that they might take effect, 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:09.199 that they might root themselves deeply in us and change the way we walk, we talk, and we live in the world around us. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.060 In your name we pray. Amen. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:17.240 So this morning, starting in chapter 3, verse 5, we see Paul saying, 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:25.720 put to death, put to death sexual behavior, put to death sexual misbehavior, I should say. 00:06:26.340 --> 00:06:31.319 And Paul gives us a list of five things that contains both actions and thoughts. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.779 It's not just what we do, but what we think. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:39.139 It's our head, our heart, and our hands that shows who we are and whose we are. 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:47.060 And he says, put to death sexual immorality, put to death impurity and passion and evil desires and covetousness, 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:49.819 for these are the things that are bringing God's wrath. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:57.300 A very dear friend of mine and Christian brother who has done ministry with me in the past, 00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:04.800 who has walked through many parts of life with me, the good, the bad, the ugly, the redeemed, and the still being redeemed. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:12.860 This friend of mine, about 40 years ago, for the first time in his life, finally admitted that he was sexually broken. 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:18.120 Not sexually struggling, not sexually working things out, but broken. 00:07:18.960 --> 00:07:24.220 Now, he wasn't out picking up prostitutes on street corners, nor was he engaging in regular promiscuous encounters, 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:26.319 but he was addicted to porn. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:36.339 And at the same time, he had reached a point in his life where his faith has now mattered more to him than his own desires of the flesh. 00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:43.240 And even though he had reached this point, his addiction didn't just cease to exist because he had made a commitment. 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:49.579 He had also reached a point in his life where he longed to be married, and to be married to a godly woman. 00:07:49.579 --> 00:07:52.599 But he was confronted with the reality. 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:58.000 The reality that until he took off his lifestyle of instant sexual gratification, 00:07:58.479 --> 00:08:01.259 he could never enter into a relationship well. 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:07.339 He could never look at a woman rightly without his brokenness creeping in and objectifying the lady, 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:13.199 even if only for a moment, ruining his ability to see her as fully human. 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:19.019 Seeing her as a child of God and not an object for fulfilling his desires and passions. 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:26.539 Desires and passions, by the way, words Paul uses to call out sexual misbehavior of the world in verse 5. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:30.259 So my friend got rid of his TV. 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:31.740 He gave it away. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:32.860 He shut off his internet. 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:35.579 He traded in his iPhone for a flip phone. 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:42.179 He began to, in his own way, put off the things of the world that drove him to sexual misbehavior. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:46.139 And he signed up for Sexaholics Anonymous. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:52.279 He also went to his pastor and to his Christian brothers and confessed his sin and asked for accountability. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:57.840 He walked in this for three plus years. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:04.679 He's still walking in it, but as a man on the right side of the addiction, of the misbehavior. 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:10.500 A man with a new identity in Christ, able to live in it more fully and well. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:13.799 Three years into this journey, he met a woman. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:17.679 And for the first time in his life, he was able to enter in. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:25.559 His newfound identity in Christ, paired with his putting to death the old behaviors of sexual brokenness, 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:33.080 allowed him to put on Christ and to be as Christ for this young woman who had just lost her mother to cancer. 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:38.960 One year later, as they were dating, she was baptized as an Anglican, nonetheless. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:41.560 And six months later, they were married. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:49.740 But this man still would tell you he could not have gotten to where he was when he met his would-be wife, 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:53.200 nor to where he is today in his Christian walk, 00:09:53.200 --> 00:10:00.140 without taking the words and the message of Colossians 3, 5-6 extremely seriously, 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:06.460 and committing nearly a half a decade of his life to putting to death the sexual sin in his life. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:10.040 And while we don't all have a past like his, 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:15.379 I think we can all be challenged and encouraged by the intentionality that he showed 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:21.120 in throwing off the sin that kept him from fully embracing his identity in Christ. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:25.779 We must be honest and intentional in our own lives, in the same way that he was. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:30.539 If you're single, have you found yourself struggling with this question, 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:34.340 how far is too far in your dating relationship? 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:37.560 It's the wrong question. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:40.620 I've asked that question when I was a younger man. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.460 But if we're being honest with each other, 00:10:42.940 --> 00:10:44.500 if we're willing to be honest, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:48.919 it's just pushing the boundaries to fulfill our own desires and passions. 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:52.319 As soon as we must ask questions about boundaries, 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:56.419 our intentions aren't truly pure. 00:10:57.079 --> 00:10:59.559 They're being tainted by our desires, 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:01.639 by our passions, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.899 by what we want. 00:11:03.719 --> 00:11:05.879 We want to put the cart in front of the horse, 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:08.279 even though in our hearts we know that it doesn't work. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:11.899 If you're married but find yourself fantasizing, 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.599 or from time to time starting, 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:14.719 sorry, 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:17.740 staring at a man or woman who is not your spouse, 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:21.560 then you're not really putting to death the old self. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:26.480 You're letting the old self hang around as a backup plan of sorts. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.919 A teacher of mine, 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:31.019 the Christian high school I went to, 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:33.740 used to often say to the men in the class, 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:35.080 the boys truly, 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.139 look, 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.280 even if you're on a diet, 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.720 you can walk past the bakery 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:44.139 in regards to looking at attractive women in the mall while his wife shopped. 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:47.860 But I think if Paul were standing next to him today, 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:49.720 or back in those days in the classroom, 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:52.700 he would take him by the scruff of the neck and shake him and say, 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:53.139 no, 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.500 you can't. 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:56.400 It doesn't work that way. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:58.659 You must put out of your mind, 00:11:58.819 --> 00:11:59.759 out of your life, 00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:01.220 out of your routine, 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:02.319 any impurity, 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:03.360 actions, 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:07.879 and thoughts that keep you in your old lifestyle's clothing. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:11.439 If you're struggling with internet porn, 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.500 or infidelity in your relationships, 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:17.539 it will eventually tear apart your relationships. 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:20.439 And it cannot be handled by treating it with kid gloves, 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:21.199 Paul says. 00:12:21.959 --> 00:12:24.099 It must be put to death, 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:27.259 so that we can put on Christ as our new identity more fully. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.139 We have to take it seriously, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:33.259 as a matter of spiritual life and death, 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:33.980 friends. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.019 Again, 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.219 the expulsive power of a new affection. 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:40.439 He doesn't start by saying, 00:12:40.599 --> 00:12:41.620 throw away the old. 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:42.980 He starts by saying, 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:44.199 you are new, 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.259 you are renewed, 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:46.879 and being renewed in Christ, 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:50.559 and he'll repeat that again in a little while in the text we're looking at today. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:53.080 But knowing where our gaze is, 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.759 knowing what our identity is, 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:57.000 we're called to put off the old, 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.939 that we might embrace the new, 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:01.939 because of the grace already given us 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.740 in the person, 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:06.080 in the work of Jesus Christ. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:09.539 But Paul doesn't stop here at sexual brokenness. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:12.059 He moves on to speech. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:14.340 And I think we should note here, 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:16.480 he is equally concerned with speech, 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:18.060 as he is with sexual sin. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.680 It would do the church well 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:22.259 to engage this, 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:23.379 to sit with this, 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:26.200 to actually wrestle with this a little more deeply. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:29.379 It's easy for us to point out sexual brokenness, 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:33.540 and to slide poor speech ethics under the rug, 00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:34.940 or to hide them. 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:38.300 But Paul says both inflict serious damage, 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:39.840 not only on the individual, 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:41.420 but on the whole community. 00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:44.540 And in regards to sinful speech patterns, 00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:45.140 Saul says, 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:46.680 put them all away. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:47.840 Anger, 00:13:48.400 --> 00:13:48.880 wrath, 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.700 malice, 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:50.860 slander, 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:52.160 obscene talk. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:54.340 And if these words don't wring your belly, 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.180 he goes on and says, 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:57.040 don't lie to each other. 00:13:57.380 --> 00:13:58.720 Stop lying. 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.760 Why does he say this? 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:03.360 Because time and time again, 00:14:03.439 --> 00:14:04.799 the gospel teaches us, 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:07.059 the words of Paul and the other apostles 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:08.379 in the New Testament teach us, 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:10.659 that the gospel is about truth. 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:13.659 And there is no place for untruths 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.679 in the Christian community. 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:17.559 If we look at the world around us, 00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:20.480 it is quickly and clearly obvious 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.939 how rampant anger, 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:23.200 wrath, 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.340 malice, 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.539 slander, 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.779 and lying are 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.579 in a culture 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:29.019 and a world 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:30.659 that haven't put off 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.740 the old self. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.799 And it can be easy 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.480 for ourselves 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.879 to get wrapped up in it as well 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.919 and join in this way 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.500 of speaking 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.720 or relating 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.899 or talking about those 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.379 who are outside of our circles. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.740 Look at all the Facebook warriors 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.360 out there, 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.100 both for or against 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.980 mask wearing, 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.360 for or against 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.879 the past or future president, 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.500 for or against 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:53.019 taking a vaccine, 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.500 for or against 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:58.259 our culture tells us 00:14:58.259 --> 00:15:00.019 we have to be on one extreme 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:00.860 or the other 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:02.080 in order to fit in. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.139 It shapes our culture's 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.019 public voice 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.860 and it is built on the back 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.779 of slanderous 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.000 and malicious speech. 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.480 Think about our political landscape, 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:13.240 even in our own lives, 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.659 regardless of what side 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.639 you fall on 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.720 when it comes to political issues. 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:19.159 Do you allow yourself 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.879 to speak, 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.240 to write, 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.919 or to think slanderously, 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.480 maliciously, 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.279 or angrily 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.659 about the opposite side? 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.440 Are you quick to say 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.659 you couldn't be Christian 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.100 if, 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:32.000 or you shouldn't be Christian 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.519 if, 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.440 how could you vote this, 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:36.440 how could you stand for that? 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.840 On a more personal note, 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.240 in your personal relationships, 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.840 relationships, 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:43.460 even within the church 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:45.000 or your nuclear families, 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:46.480 as we find ourselves 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.539 in holiday season, 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:49.019 is there that person 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.220 who gets talked about 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:52.299 in your church circles? 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.980 Is there that one crazy 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.539 aunt, 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.240 uncle, 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.980 or in-law 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.879 who gets put down 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.680 behind their back 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.539 on the way to 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.299 or from 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.200 Thanksgiving 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.039 or Christmas 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.019 or New Year's 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.120 family get-togethers? 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.539 Do you get home 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.279 from work 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.360 and tear down 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.039 your boss 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.799 or co-workers 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:08.500 to your spouse 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.159 or friends? 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.479 Paul says, 00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:12.299 put it away. 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.740 Give it up. 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.519 In order to fit 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.599 into your new clothes, 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.579 into your new identity 00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:18.199 in Christ, 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.339 that malarkey 00:16:19.339 --> 00:16:20.659 has got to stop. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.039 It has to go 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.159 the way of the dodo bird. 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:25.039 It has to become extinct 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:26.079 in your speech patterns 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:26.699 and habits. 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.099 Those things 00:16:28.099 --> 00:16:29.319 aren't for building up, 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:30.939 which is the role 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:32.019 of the Christian community, 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.860 but they are 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.759 for tearing down, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.659 which is the mark 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.519 of the work 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.079 of the devil. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.759 To tear apart 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.419 relationships 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.779 is his ultimate goal. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.819 Between us and God, 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:43.019 between us and ourselves, 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.259 between us and our neighbor 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.879 and us and creation, 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.840 that is the devil's work, 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.799 to destroy 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:49.879 those relationships. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.840 To be in Christ 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.179 then is to rebuild them, 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.319 to build them up, 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.879 to fortify those relationships 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.079 and to mend them. 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.860 And when we are 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.740 not intentional 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.039 about using our language 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.259 to build one another up, 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.980 we lend a hand 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.319 to the opposition's goal. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.659 So Paul says, 00:17:10.659 --> 00:17:11.740 throw off 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:13.079 sexual brokenness, 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:15.000 that you might put on 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.099 your identity 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.339 in Christ more fully 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:19.720 and use sexuality 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.079 in a way 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.379 that glorifies him, 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.799 that glorifies his creation, 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.099 that sees his brothers, 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.759 his children, 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:26.980 your brothers and sisters 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.339 as image bearers 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.920 of the king. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:31.779 put off 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:33.360 slanderous speech 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:35.080 and speech habits 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:36.380 that are from the old life. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.480 Put off 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.460 tearing people 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.320 and perspectives down 00:17:40.320 --> 00:17:41.640 and spend your time 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.400 building up 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.039 in love 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.779 and truth 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.580 in the gospel. 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.259 And yet he says, 00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:49.120 I understand 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:50.519 that while you work 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.380 on these things, 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:53.420 you're not fully there. 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:55.140 And that's okay. 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.920 Take notice 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.580 to what he says 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.420 in verse 10. 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.100 Because if you're anything 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.620 like me, 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.480 this is good 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.920 and necessary news 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.960 in the context 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.800 of this passage. 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.160 In verse 10, 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.779 it says 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:08.300 that although we try, 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:11.160 we aren't 100% successful. 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:13.000 In fact, 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:14.060 sometimes it feels like 00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:15.140 we're batting 400, 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.680 which is Hall of Fame 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.560 worthy in baseball, 00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.519 but we're not talking 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.720 about baseball this morning. 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:21.560 And yet it seems like 00:18:21.560 --> 00:18:22.259 it might be asking 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.800 too much 00:18:22.800 --> 00:18:23.660 on a given day. 00:18:24.300 --> 00:18:25.800 But here's the good news. 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.839 Here's the good news 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:28.299 that Paul reminds us of 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.220 in chapter 10. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.940 This new self, 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.180 this new identity, 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.440 the putting off 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.480 and the putting on 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.539 is a process. 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.519 It's not an event. 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.279 It didn't happen 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.539 only at your baptism, 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.619 only at your confirmation, 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.220 only at your renewal 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.119 of confirmation, 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.519 your renewal of vows. 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:46.859 You are not 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.619 a finished product. 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.740 We are not 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.559 finished products. 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:51.240 We are still wet clay 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.960 in the hands 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.919 of the great potter. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.579 He is fashioning 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.299 and shaping us 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.139 day by day. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.619 So today, 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.519 put to death 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.480 the ways of the world 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.179 in your life 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:01.579 more than yesterday 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:03.079 and tomorrow 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.279 more than today 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.779 and continue 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.919 to grow in knowledge. 00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.519 Christians are to be 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.759 the most critical thinkers 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.519 as we apply 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:12.039 these lifestyle changes. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.799 So process 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.619 the difference 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.339 that shows up 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.179 in your lives 00:19:16.179 --> 00:19:17.500 and how life 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.339 can and will be 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.419 with your new clothes, 00:19:19.699 --> 00:19:20.859 with your new identity 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.039 fully put on. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:24.159 When you fall short, 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.220 remember Christmas. 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.399 Your identity 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.359 is given to you, 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.680 a gracious gift, 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.119 because God became 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.759 man to dwell among us, 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.899 to live as one of us, 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:35.240 to die that we 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.500 might not have to. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.619 It's this identity, 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.759 rooted in Christmas 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.559 and fulfilled 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.359 in the resurrection 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.980 at Easter, 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.259 that we are invited 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.359 to put on 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.639 Christ 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:47.399 when we put to death 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.259 the old identity 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.920 of sin 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.859 and death. 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.919 Amen? 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.859 Let's pray. 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.319 Heavenly Father, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:54.619 God, 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:55.199 we thank you 00:19:55.199 --> 00:19:55.779 for the gracious 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.979 gift of Christmas, 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.979 fulfilled and completed 00:19:58.979 --> 00:20:00.019 in the work of Easter. 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.299 God, 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:01.859 we thank you 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.399 for coming 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.699 and dwelling among us, 00:20:03.979 --> 00:20:05.059 to be a God 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.959 who's not too big 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:08.379 or too out there 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.399 to become man, 00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:11.459 to take on our sin 00:20:11.459 --> 00:20:12.279 and our brokenness 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.240 that we might live 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.240 and live eternally 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.099 and live with you. 00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.159 Thank you 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:16.819 for rebuilding 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.539 our relationship, 00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:18.240 for repairing 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.240 and redeeming us 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.180 as your creation. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.120 God, 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.900 help us so 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.759 to throw off 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.700 the way of the world 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:25.079 that we might put on 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:26.200 our identity in Christ, 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.559 that as the world 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.380 around us sees us, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.019 they might begin 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.180 to ask questions 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:32.220 about what makes us 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.920 so unique, 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.140 so loving, 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.319 so gentle, 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.380 so tenderhearted, 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:38.140 and so full of truth. 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.140 God, 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.620 we thank you 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:41.140 for the gift of Christ. 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.180 In your name we pray. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.000 Amen.