WEBVTT

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 Please take your Bibles and open them up to the book of Exodus, chapter 19.

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 The book of Exodus.

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 We're moving just one book over from Genesis.

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! Flip a few pages to the right.

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 I guess you're flipping to the left.

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 You're moving to the right.

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 And you'll find Exodus there, chapter 19.

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 Our verses this morning are verses 1 through 9.

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 And then when you find that, put your finger there and flip to the New Testament in the

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 book of Romans.

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 Chapter 3, verses 19 through 26.

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 We're continuing our Advent series this morning covering the promises of God.

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 And today we're looking specifically at what we call the Mosaic Covenant.

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 It's this covenant of law.

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 And I'll be honest with you, this sermon title is a little bit misleading this morning.

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 It's the promise of perfect righteousness.

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 You know, the problem is the law does not promise perfect righteousness.

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 The law presents perfect righteousness.

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 But it cannot promise perfect righteousness.

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 The gospel is the only thing that both presents and promises and even produces perfect righteousness

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 in those who believe.

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 So, we'll see that unfold this morning.

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 When you founded Exodus chapter 19, verses 1 through 9.

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 Let's stand in honor of the reading of God's word this morning.

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 Let's stand in honor of the reading of Exodus chapter 19.

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 Let's stand in honor of the reading of Exodus chapter 19.

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 Let's stand in honor of the reading of Exodus chapter 19.

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 On the third new moon, after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt,

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 on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

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 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai,

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 and they encamped in the wilderness.

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 There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God.

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 The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying,

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 Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel,

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 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians,

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 and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

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 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant,

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 you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples.

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 For all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

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 These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.

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 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them

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 all these words that the Lord had commanded him.

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 All the people answered together and said,

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 All that the Lord has spoken, we will do.

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 And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

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 And the Lord said to Moses,

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 Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud,

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 that the people may hear when I speak with you,

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 and may also believe you forever.

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 Flipping to Romans chapter 3, 19 through 26.

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 Now we know that whatever the law says,

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 it speaks to those who are under the law,

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 so that every mouth may be stopped,

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 and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

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 For by works of the law,

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 no human being will be justified in his sight,

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 since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

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 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,

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 although the law and the prophets bear witness to it.

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 The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

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 For there is no distinction.

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 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

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 and are justified by his grace as a gift

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 through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

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 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood

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 to be received by faith.

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 This was to show God's righteousness,

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 because in his divine forbearance,

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 he had passed over former sins.

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 It was to show his righteousness at the present time

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 so that he might be just

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 and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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 The grass withers and the flower fades,

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 but the word of the Lord endures forever.

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 Father, we praise you for your word,

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 Old Testament and New Testament,

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 and the ways that every word, every line,

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 every page, every chapter draws us to Christ Jesus,

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 who is the fulfillment of all your promises.

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 We pray, Lord, fix our eyes on him this morning.

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 Put our trust in him this morning,

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 away from us and our efforts

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 and entirely on him and his completed work on the cross.

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 We pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 You may be seated.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Christmas season is here,

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 which means it is also the season of holiday giveaways.

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 I don't know if it's true for you,

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 but I love a good giveaway.

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 I entered one this week.

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 One company is giving away, quote,

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 an unforgettable five-day, four-night trip to Sweden

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 featuring round-trip flights,

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 one night in a legendary ice suite.

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 Don't know what that means.

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 Winter activities.

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 Who knows what that holds?

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 $500 in spending money.

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 I can get on board with that.

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 Tomorrow, a well-known worldwide global coffee company

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 will start their annual sweepstakes

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 where you can win burnt-tasting coffee for life.

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 A $1,000 Delta gift card,

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 $500 in Marriott points, amongst other things.

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 Everybody loves to dream about winning the grand prize,

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 but the more you enter these things,

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 the more you learn to pay attention

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 to four key words down at the bottom of the page.

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 Terms and conditions apply.

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 Those four words are important, aren't they?

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 You can dream all you want about the grand prize,

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 but if you don't meet those terms and conditions,

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 guess what?

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 You will not be receiving the grand prize.

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 Those terms and conditions are essential.

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 And as we look at our passage this morning,

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 here in the book of Exodus,

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 what we see is that those four words

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 are also deeply important for the people of Israel.

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 Israel.

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 Those four words, they're not hidden at the bottom of the page.

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 They're not printed in small text.

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 They're not read at super speed at the end of a commercial.

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 They are literally shouted out loud from the mountaintop.

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 Here in the book of Exodus,

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 what we see is that God makes these incredible promises to his people Israel,

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 but terms and conditions apply.

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 So let's take a look together at what's being held out here.

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 What's the offer that's on the table?

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 First, what we see,

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 God graciously promises to bless his people.

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 It's our first point this morning.

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 First, we see God graciously promises to bless his people.

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 And if that sounds familiar to you, that's good.

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 That means you were paying attention last week.

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 And what we're really doing is we're picking right up where we left off last time

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 with this promise of great blessing.

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 Do you remember what God promised to Abraham?

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 Abraham, this threefold promise of great prosperity,

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 of a place where he could dwell with God,

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 this promise of posterity.

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 Well, this same general promise is now regulated by law in the book of Exodus.

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 We zoom ahead some 430 years later,

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 and what we see is that God has indeed multiplied Abraham.

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 His descendants have multiplied.

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 But as we come to Exodus, we find them enslaved in Egypt.

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 They aren't really prosperous.

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 They're at the bottom of the social totem pole.

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 They don't have their own place.

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 They're there in somebody else's kingdom.

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 They're suffering under a harsh taskmaster, Pharaoh.

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 They are oppressed.

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 But we know from going through Genesis that even this is part of the plan, isn't it?

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 Do you remember what God promised Abraham in chapter 15, verse 13?

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 Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs,

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 and will be servants there.

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 They will be afflicted for 400 years.

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 That sounds specific.

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 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve,

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 and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

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 And so what we see now in the first half of Exodus,

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 it shows us 10 plagues and 430 years later,

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 God has fulfilled His promise.

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 God has judged Egypt.

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 God has delivered Israel.

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 And so now here in Exodus 19,

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 they have come to the foot of Mount Sinai,

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 where God will deliver them the law.

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 But notice what He does before that.

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 Look there starting in verse 4.

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 Before He tells them anything to do,

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 any steps to take,

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 He reminds them of everything that just happened.

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 I mean, how quickly do we forget, right?

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 He reminds them of His grace.

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 He says, I just delivered you miraculously.

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 You were slaves.

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 Don't forget it.

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 You were hungry.

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 Don't forget it.

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 You were mistreated.

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 Don't forget it.

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 But I rescued you.

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 I bore you up on eagle's wings,

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 it says.

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 I brought you to Myself.

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 So everything that follows,

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 all of this law that follows,

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 even though it is law,

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 all of it is rooted in grace.

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 All of it is rooted in God's eternal plan of redemption,

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 of His people.

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 God says,

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 whatever obedience I'm going to require of you

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 is a response to my work of redemption.

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 The law was never meant to be a ladder

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 to climb our way up to God.

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 But even so,

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 even so,

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 obedience is the path to blessing.

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 So He says,

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 if you indeed will obey My voice,

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 and if you will keep My covenant,

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 here's what I'm going to do.

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 I'm going to bless you in five distinct ways.

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 Look at what He promises here.

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 First,

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 He says,

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 you will be My treasured possession.

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 I mean,

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 wow.

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 Wow.

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 Already,

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 that is mind-blowing grace,

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 isn't it?

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 When you think about,

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 what is your most treasured possession?

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 If you just picture it in your mind right now,

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 I bet you can imagine it.

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 You know exactly what it looks like.

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 Maybe it's your Bible.

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 Maybe it's a family heirloom.

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 It's something that you treasure.

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 Nobody else in the world may think about it that way,

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 but you treasure that.

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 You know exactly where it is at all times.

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 You keep it safe.

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 You keep it tucked away.

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 You watch over it.

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 You care for it.

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 You love this treasured possession.

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 God says,

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 you will be My treasured possession.

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 I will treasure you.

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 Second,

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 notice He gives them this place of distinction.

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 He elevates them.

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 He makes a distinction between them and everybody else.

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 He says,

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 they will be His distinct people.

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 My treasured possession among all peoples.

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 This is not equality.

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 They are elevated,

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 lifted up by God's own choosing,

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 by His grace,

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 to this distinct place of honor and blessing.

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 Most of you love children in general.

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 I like children.

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 I'll be honest.

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 I love my children more.

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 I have a special affection,

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 a special love,

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 a special inclination

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 towards my children.

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 That's right.

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 That's good.

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 It's because they're mine.

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 They have this special place of distinction.

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 And here God says,

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 you, Israel,

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 you will be My people

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 amongst all the peoples of the earth.

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 There's this distinction.

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 He gives them.

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 Third blessing.

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 He says,

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 you will be a kingdom.

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 I mean,

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 can you imagine

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 the reversal

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 that they're experiencing here?

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 They were just slaves

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 in somebody else's kingdom.

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 They were the lowest

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 on the totem pole.

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 They were bossed around

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 and tossed around

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 and discarded.

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 But now,

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 He says,

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 you're not going to be

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 at the bottom

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 of somebody else's totem pole

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 and somebody else's kingdom anymore.

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 You're no longer slaves.

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 I've brought you out.

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 You are going to be a kingdom.

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 I will establish you

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 as a kingdom.

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 Because even better than that,

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 fourth blessing,

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 you're not just a kingdom.

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 Fourth,

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 you'll be a kingdom of priests.

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 You,

00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.240
 from the greatest to the least,

00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.840
 will be rulers.

00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.680
 From the greatest to the least,

00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:34.700
 you will be worshipers.

00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.220
 You will all,

00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.940
 from the greatest to the least,

00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:40.259
 you will all commune with me

00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.120
 in worship.

00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:44.279
 You'll be a people of prayer

00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:46.180
 and a people of worship

00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:47.940
 and a people of sacrifice.

00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.220
 Your attention won't be

00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.000
 on your work

00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.860
 or on your labor

00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:52.580
 or on building bricks

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.420
 out of straw.

00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.899
 Your focus,

00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.379
 from the greatest to the least,

00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.399
 will be on me.

00:13:58.599 --> 00:13:59.879
 You'll lead one another

00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.939
 in worship.

00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.719
 You'll be a kingdom

00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:03.279
 of priests.

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.399
 And fifth blessing,

00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.019
 he promises,

00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:08.639
 you will be a holy nation.

00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.219
 Not just a nation.

00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:13.639
 Not just a kingdom.

00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:16.539
 You will not be like

00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:18.120
 any of the other kingdoms

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.980
 of the earth.

00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:19.519
 You know what's going to

00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.699
 set you apart?

00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.879
 You will be with me,

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.560
 God says,

00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:25.860
 and you will be like me.

00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:27.700
 You will be holy

00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.980
 as I am holy.

00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:29.300
 See,

00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.040
 God's people

00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:32.400
 are not like everybody else,

00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:32.820
 are they?

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.720
 We are distinct.

00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:38.020
 That's the nice way to say it.

00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.460
 You know what the honest way is?

00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.560
 We're weird.

00:14:42.520 --> 00:14:44.280
 We stand out

00:14:44.280 --> 00:14:45.800
 in the midst of the world.

00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:46.240
 Why?

00:14:46.900 --> 00:14:48.420
 What's this defining quality

00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.399
 of holiness?

00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.659
 You want to stick out

00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.819
 in the midst of darkness?

00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:52.819
 We're called lights

00:14:52.819 --> 00:14:54.240
 in the midst of darkness, right?

00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.479
 Holiness

00:14:56.479 --> 00:14:58.219
 causes God's people

00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:59.860
 to be distinct,

00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.599
 set out.

00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:04.299
 We're this chosen,

00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.399
 holy,

00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:06.679
 redeemed,

00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:08.120
 distinct people

00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.419
 treasuring God

00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.339
 above all else

00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:11.079
 and treasured

00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:12.199
 by God

00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:13.279
 above all others.

00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:13.959
 This is

00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:15.299
 incredible blessing

00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.139
 that God holds out

00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:16.559
 for them there,

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:16.980
 isn't it?

00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:19.299
 A special offer.

00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:21.259
 Come and get it.

00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:24.120
 You can have this blessing too.

00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.879
 All this can be yours,

00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.460
 he says.

00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.080
 It's all rooted in grace.

00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.279
 I've brought you out.

00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.059
 I will fulfill my promises.

00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.259
 It is guaranteed,

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.340
 but

00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:37.559
 for you to enjoy

00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.360
 these blessings,

00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:41.360
 terms and conditions

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.799
 apply.

00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:45.799
 Second point

00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.339
 this morning.

00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:46.699
 Second,

00:15:46.859 --> 00:15:47.299
 we see

00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.699
 enjoyment

00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:50.139
 of God's blessings

00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.620
 is conditional.

00:15:53.359 --> 00:15:53.879
 Enjoyment

00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.000
 of God's blessings

00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.679
 is

00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:57.059
 conditional.

00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.679
 Look there again

00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.339
 to verse 5.

00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.439
 There's a key word there

00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.120
 that we need to notice

00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.759
 in verse 5.

00:16:01.839 --> 00:16:02.439
 You see what it is?

00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:03.899
 It's that

00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:05.279
 two-letter word

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:05.879
 if.

00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.000
 That if

00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.659
 is important,

00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.079
 isn't it?

00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:09.719
 If

00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.860
 you will indeed

00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.899
 obey my voice

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.220
 and

00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.040
 if

00:16:13.040 --> 00:16:13.899
 you will keep

00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.560
 my commandments,

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.040
 all of this

00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:17.180
 will come to you.

00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.980
 God is going to

00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.960
 fulfill his promises

00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.720
 with or without

00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.879
 you specifically.

00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:22.840
 It's all rooted

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.700
 in grace again,

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:25.060
 but for you

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.720
 individual

00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:27.279
 personally to enjoy it,

00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.000
 there's this big

00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.420
 fat

00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.320
 if.

00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.940
 Enjoyment

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.940
 of God's blessings

00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:33.460
 is

00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.779
 conditional.

00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.779
 Look there to verse 7.

00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:36.960
 Now,

00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:37.660
 Moses sets

00:16:37.660 --> 00:16:38.600
 before the people

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.360
 all the words

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:39.800
 that the Lord

00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.600
 had commanded him

00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:40.920
 and so

00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:41.820
 in response,

00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.500
 verse 8,

00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.580
 what do they say?

00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.399
 They said,

00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.759
 we'll do it,

00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:46.139
 God.

00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.080
 We will

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.840
 obey.

00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.519
 All you've said,

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.639
 we're going to do it.

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.940
 We'll do everything

00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:54.519
 you ask.

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:54.840
 And so,

00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.940
 look what happens next.

00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.379
 I didn't read

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.639
 the next 15 chapters

00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.100
 of Exodus,

00:16:59.320 --> 00:16:59.820
 but I'm going to

00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.500
 summarize it here

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.279
 in about five seconds

00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.639
 for you.

00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:01.920
 Okay?

00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:03.420
 Moses

00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.559
 takes that

00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.599
 yes back

00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.620
 up the mountain,

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.620
 up to God.

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.199
 God says,

00:17:08.479 --> 00:17:08.759
 okay,

00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:10.219
 here's ten commandments.

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.759
 He speaks those ten

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.859
 in the hearing

00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.159
 of all the people.

00:17:15.459 --> 00:17:16.479
 They all hear

00:17:16.479 --> 00:17:17.059
 his voice,

00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.259
 but as he speaks

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.059
 those ten words,

00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.359
 the people hear it,

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.459
 they are absolutely

00:17:21.459 --> 00:17:22.679
 mortified

00:17:22.679 --> 00:17:23.159
 at the voice

00:17:23.159 --> 00:17:23.679
 of the Lord.

00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:26.219
 They are undone.

00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:27.919
 And they say

00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:28.319
 to Moses,

00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:30.119
 you've got to be

00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.079
 the in-between for us.

00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.019
 We can't stand

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.959
 to be in his presence.

00:17:33.219 --> 00:17:34.059
 It's like they recognize

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:35.079
 the main point already,

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:35.459
 don't they?

00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:37.920
 They understand

00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.840
 at this powerful

00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:40.259
 voice of the Lord

00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:42.220
 that they are sinners

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.460
 in the presence

00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.740
 of a holy God.

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.700
 And sin

00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.600
 and holiness

00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:49.000
 simply do not mix.

00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.160
 It's like oil and water.

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.900
 Except in this case,

00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:53.279
 this holy God

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.980
 is full of

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.440
 righteous wrath,

00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.840
 righteous anger

00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:58.059
 towards sin

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.180
 and sinners.

00:17:59.180 --> 00:17:59.460
 sinners.

00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.680
 Their sin

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.720
 and our sin

00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.259
 it puts us

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.060
 in danger.

00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.920
 It puts us

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.519
 in danger

00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.220
 of the wrath

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.920
 of God.

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.440
 They seem

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.460
 to understand this.

00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.320
 So they say,

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.640
 Moses,

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.320
 you're the man.

00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.700
 You go up.

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.620
 We're not going up.

00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.860
 We can't be here.

00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.980
 We can't hear

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.039
 this voice of the Lord.

00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.440
 And so,

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.259
 God,

00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.920
 Moses goes up.

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.019
 He sees,

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:25.960
 he meets

00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.440
 with the Lord.

00:18:26.560 --> 00:18:27.100
 God delivers

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.019
 the rest of the law

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.579
 to Moses

00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.500
 who then,

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.019
 again,

00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:30.719
 as they go between,

00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.480
 he brings it

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.219
 to the people

00:18:32.219 --> 00:18:33.139
 and the people

00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:33.619
 of God,

00:18:33.719 --> 00:18:33.919
 again,

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.059
 they give their yes.

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.240
 They say,

00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.759
 we will do this law.

00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.579
 We want the blessing.

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.719
 We'll keep your word.

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.419
 We promise.

00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.159
 Chapter 24,

00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.159
 they seal it

00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.919
 in a covenant.

00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.319
 You remember

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.519
 chapter 15 of Genesis?

00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:49.679
 And this covenant ceremony

00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:51.639
 as God passes through

00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.679
 the aisle

00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:53.719
 with the severed animals

00:18:53.719 --> 00:18:54.579
 on either side

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.539
 as if to say,

00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.799
 may I be

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.799
 like these animals,

00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.440
 Abraham,

00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.879
 if I don't fulfill

00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.960
 my covenant with you.

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.339
 If I don't fulfill

00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.159
 my word to you,

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.819
 may I be

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.859
 slaughtered

00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.599
 like these animals.

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:05.899
 Well,

00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.299
 here,

00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.539
 chapter 24,

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.919
 in the same way,

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.159
 the people of God

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.460
 enter into

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.480
 an oath,

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.379
 this promise

00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.019
 of obedience

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.700
 to the Lord.

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.659
 Moses builds

00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.099
 an altar,

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.839
 he makes sacrifices,

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.619
 and as he reads

00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:22.039
 aloud the law,

00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.940
 he slaughters

00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.839
 the animals,

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.740
 he throws

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.420
 the blood

00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.759
 all over the altar,

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.000
 and all over

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.720
 the people.

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.599
 What does that mean?

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.620
 Again,

00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.059
 it's the people

00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:35.000
 saying,

00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.779
 may we be like

00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.640
 these oxen,

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.059
 slaughtered,

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.680
 and destroyed.

00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.039
 May we be

00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.000
 mutilated

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.180
 if we fail

00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.880
 to keep covenant

00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.680
 with you, God.

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.599
 May we be

00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.819
 completely destroyed

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.880
 if we disobey.

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.059
 They recognize,

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.559
 don't they,

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.679
 obedience is

00:19:53.679 --> 00:19:54.440
 essential

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:56.099
 for enjoying

00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:56.679
 the blessings

00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:57.319
 of the covenant.

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.039
 They put their

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.619
 own blood

00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.240
 on the line

00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.619
 here.

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.359
 Yet again,

00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.799
 they profess

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.639
 with their lips.

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.000
 They say,

00:20:04.179 --> 00:20:04.700
 we're going to

00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.240
 do it.

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.379
 We will obey

00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.419
 every word

00:20:08.419 --> 00:20:08.940
 of the law.

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.819
 We promise.

00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:10.599
 And it seems

00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.359
 like they mean it,

00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:11.879
 doesn't it?

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.200
 You know what

00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.899
 happens next?

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.940
 Moses goes

00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.879
 back up.

00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.740
 He receives

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.299
 the law

00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.960
 written on

00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.000
 tablets of stone

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.640
 by the very

00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:24.039
 fingers of God.

00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.180
 He comes back

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.160
 down the mountain

00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:27.039
 and what does

00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.599
 he find

00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.599
 the people doing?

00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.559
 Exodus 32.

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.539
 They are

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.700
 worshiping

00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.700
 an idol.

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.779
 They have

00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.240
 fashioned

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.319
 for themselves

00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.380
 a golden

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.940
 calf to worship.

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.839
 Moses can't

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.460
 believe it.

00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:43.740
 He's like,

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.160
 what are you

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:45.039
 guys doing?

00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.519
 He gets

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.559
 so angry.

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.539
 He smashes

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.279
 the tablets.

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.900
 He grinds

00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.400
 them up

00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.140
 into a powder.

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:52.960
 He makes

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.460
 the people

00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.359
 drink it.

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.019
 I don't

00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.559
 blame them.

00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.779
 He's like,

00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.640
 what is wrong

00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.299
 with you people?

00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:58.700
 How could

00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.400
 you be so

00:20:59.400 --> 00:20:59.940
 foolish?

00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.420
 All this

00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.259
 blessing was

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.079
 held out

00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.660
 to you

00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.000
 and you

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.680
 promised

00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.019
 you would

00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.359
 obey.

00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.420
 You did

00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.759
 the thing

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.019
 with the

00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:08.440
 blood.

00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.079
 You put

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.339
 it all

00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.039
 over yourself.

00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:12.039
 You swore

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.620
 your allegiance

00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.180
 to the Lord.

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.680
 What

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.480
 happened

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.059
 to you?

00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.960
 Why can't

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.440
 you obey

00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:16.839
 like you

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.240
 said you

00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.579
 would?

00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.259
 You see

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.759
 this sometimes

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.440
 with children,

00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.039
 don't you?

00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.620
 Not my kids.

00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:22.940
 My kids

00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.420
 are perfect.

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.339
 This never

00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.980
 happens in my

00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.640
 house, right?

00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.079
 Sometimes in

00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.680
 other people's

00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.299
 houses, they

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.559
 talk to their

00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.200
 kids, you tell

00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.000
 them one thing,

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.579
 they look you

00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.160
 right in the

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.700
 eye, they say,

00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.680
 okay, dad, I

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.120
 got it.

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.079
 Dad turns his

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.680
 back, goes to

00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.220
 the other room,

00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.720
 and it's like

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.480
 that conversation

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.420
 never happened.

00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.839
 What is

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.339
 that?

00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.339


00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.339


00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.220
 Church, haven't

00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.660
 we done the

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.140
 same thing?

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:48.940
 we say

00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.280
 with our

00:21:49.280 --> 00:21:50.280
 lips, okay

00:21:50.280 --> 00:21:50.840
 God, this

00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:52.140
 is it, I

00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.840
 promise I'll

00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.160
 obey.

00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.340
 This time is

00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:56.040
 different, I'm

00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:58.480
 done lying, I

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.560
 am done cheating,

00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.360
 I am done

00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.300
 drinking myself

00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:02.900
 drunk, no

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.500
 more, I'm

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.060
 done, I'll be

00:22:04.060 --> 00:22:04.759
 nicer to my

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.120
 brother.

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.040
 And then

00:22:07.040 --> 00:22:07.860
 some time goes

00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.480
 by, it's like

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.480
 you get amnesia,

00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:09.940
 and you're just,

00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:10.840
 you're right back

00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.680
 in it again.

00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:13.020
 What is that?

00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:14.060
 Why can't we

00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.360
 obey?

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.160
 I'll tell you

00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.460
 why.

00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:18.160
 The reason

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:20.280
 is our sin.

00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.420
 Our sin.

00:22:22.520 --> 00:22:22.900
 Here's our

00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.320
 problem.

00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.240
 Everyone who

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.500
 is born of

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:28.500
 Adam is

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.660
 born into

00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.540
 this world

00:22:30.540 --> 00:22:31.640
 with a sin

00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.480
 nature.

00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.140
 And what

00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:35.380
 that is, is

00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.259
 a nature that

00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.820
 is both

00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:38.200
 hostile to

00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.780
 God, we

00:22:38.780 --> 00:22:39.640
 are against

00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.880
 God, anti

00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.220
 God, and

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.520
 we are unable,

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.440
 despite our

00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.360
 hardest efforts,

00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.959
 unable to

00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:48.299
 please God.

00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.359
 We literally

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.240
 cannot

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.259
 obey.

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.199
 That's our

00:22:52.199 --> 00:22:52.699
 problem.

00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.459
 That's what Paul

00:22:54.459 --> 00:22:55.159
 says in Romans

00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:55.459
 8.

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:55.939
 He says, the

00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:56.819
 mind that is

00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.439
 set on the

00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:58.240
 flesh is

00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.219
 hostile to

00:22:59.219 --> 00:23:00.319
 God, for it

00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.959
 does not

00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:01.719
 submit to

00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.519
 God's law.

00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.419
 Indeed, it

00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:04.059
 cannot.

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.240
 Those who are

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.059
 in the flesh

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:09.399
 cannot please

00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.000
 God.

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.119
 God, it's

00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:12.440
 not just

00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:14.000
 you, it's

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.279
 not just

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.839
 me, this

00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.160
 is a

00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.980
 universal,

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.880
 worldwide,

00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.960
 global problem.

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.380
 This is the

00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.859
 point that Paul

00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.259
 makes in

00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.039
 Romans 3.

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.619
 So go ahead

00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:20.900
 and flip

00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.819
 there with

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.279
 me, Romans

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.039
 chapter 3.

00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.319
 Hopefully you

00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.740
 had your

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:26.180
 thumb right

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.660
 there in that

00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.039
 passage.

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.559
 And I want

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.140
 you to back

00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:29.000
 it up a

00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.420
 little bit,

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.980
 because right

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.559
 before our

00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.259
 text, God

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.720
 through Paul,

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.500
 he's quoting

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:33.819
 from the

00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.900
 Psalms here,

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.400
 starting in

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.900
 verse 10,

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.359
 to make this

00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:37.660
 point.

00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.080
 He says,

00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.460
 none is

00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.040
 righteous.

00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.940
 No, not

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.480
 one.

00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.100
 You say, well,

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.380
 what about

00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:43.640
 me?

00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.320
 None.

00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.440
 No one

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.259
 understands.

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.840
 No one

00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.759
 seeks for

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.120
 God.

00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:50.600
 All have

00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.500
 turned aside.

00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.860
 Together they

00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.360
 have become

00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:54.220
 worthless.

00:23:54.820 --> 00:23:55.380
 No one

00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:56.220
 does good.

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.740
 Not even

00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.759
 one.

00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.660
 Verse 18

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.180
 sums it up

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.720
 like this.

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.360
 There's no

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.259
 fear of God

00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.800
 before their

00:24:03.800 --> 00:24:04.279
 eyes.

00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.920
 Israel's

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.480
 problem

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.160
 our

00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.920
 problem

00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.500
 is that

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.240
 we, by

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.779
 nature,

00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.839
 are in

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.620
 Adam.

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.620
 And if

00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.019
 we are

00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.700
 in

00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.460
 Adam,

00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:17.880
 then we

00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.599
 are in

00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.279
 sin.

00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:19.579
 And if

00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:19.860
 we are

00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.400
 in

00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.019
 sin,

00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.360
 then we

00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:21.920
 are in

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.460
 trouble

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.240
 with God.

00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:24.960
 And the

00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.400
 law,

00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:26.920
 as good

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.220
 as it

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.500
 is,

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:27.960
 the law

00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.420
 can't

00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.099
 help us

00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.360
 because

00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:30.000
 verse 20,

00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:30.980
 chapter 3,

00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.460
 verse 20,

00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:31.740
 it says,

00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.339
 by works

00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.680
 of the

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:32.920
 law,

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.160
 no human

00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:34.759
 being will

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.579
 be justified

00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.140
 in his

00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.559
 sight.

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.299
 Do you

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.579
 see the

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:37.919
 problem?

00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.679
 It is a

00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.139
 big one.

00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.119
 God's

00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.200
 people must

00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.339
 be perfect

00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.279
 to enjoy

00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.000
 these blessings

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.759
 and yet

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.659
 none of us

00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.159
 qualify.

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.859
 And the

00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.159
 law,

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.559
 as good

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:50.799
 as it

00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.099
 is,

00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.240
 it can't

00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.720
 get us

00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.039
 there

00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.519
 either.

00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:55.919
 And so

00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.159
 then I

00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.440
 got a

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:56.819
 question,

00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.240
 and maybe

00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:57.579
 you do

00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:57.819
 too,

00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.079
 as you

00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.460
 think about

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.700
 this.

00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.220
 You might

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.579
 ask,

00:24:59.659 --> 00:24:59.720
 well,

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.799
 if the

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.579
 law can't

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.399
 produce this

00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:02.880
 righteousness

00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.640
 in us,

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.380
 and the

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.900
 law can't

00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:05.660
 change our

00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.400
 sin nature,

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.340
 and the

00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:07.960
 law can't

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.860
 justify us

00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.519
 before God

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:09.800
 if we

00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:10.360
 obey and

00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:10.759
 obey and

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:10.980
 obey.

00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.220
 What good

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.560
 is the

00:25:12.560 --> 00:25:12.980
 law?

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.600
 What good

00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:14.920
 is it?

00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.360
 Why is it

00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:15.880
 even here?

00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.460
 It's worthless,

00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:17.880
 right?

00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.040
 Let me stop you

00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:19.420
 right there

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:19.960
 because first

00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.240
 of all,

00:25:20.300 --> 00:25:20.780
 the law is

00:25:20.780 --> 00:25:21.060
 not the

00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:21.420
 problem.

00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.560
 God's

00:25:23.560 --> 00:25:24.860
 word is

00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.920
 not the

00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.420
 problem.

00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:27.440
 The Psalms

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:27.840
 make this

00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.280
 abundantly

00:25:28.280 --> 00:25:28.600
 clear.

00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:28.960
 The law

00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.960
 is good.

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.519
 The law

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:31.799
 of the

00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.140
 Lord is

00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.860
 perfect,

00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.019
 David says

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.400
 in Psalm

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.840
 19,

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.539
 reviving

00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.480
 the soul.

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.819
 The law

00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.900
 is good.

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.860
 We are

00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.440
 the problem.

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.740
 We are

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.299
 unable.

00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.100
 The law

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:46.840
 itself is

00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.840
 useful,

00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:48.340
 and it's

00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:48.799
 useful in

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.319
 three main

00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:49.779
 ways.

00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.420
 The reformers

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.400
 would present

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.019
 these three

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.880
 main ways.

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.500
 John Calvin,

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:53.779
 I think,

00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.259
 was the first

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.200
 to present

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.799
 this in his

00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.420
 institutes.

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.660
 Three uses

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.680
 of the law

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.259
 for one.

00:25:59.360 --> 00:25:59.799
 The law

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.960
 serves as

00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.539
 a mirror.

00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.380
 It serves

00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.060
 as a mirror.

00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:05.820
 When we

00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.940
 look into

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.180
 it,

00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.460
 what it

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.960
 does is

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.920
 it reflects

00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.860
 back on

00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.640
 us and

00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.480
 our sinfulness.

00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:11.980
 When we

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.640
 look into

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.200
 the law,

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.680
 we see

00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.420
 our own

00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.259
 inability.

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.060
 We see

00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:19.400
 our wickedness

00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.340
 on display.

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.620
 You know,

00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.060
 when you have

00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:22.279
 a big zit

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.840
 right in the

00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:23.240
 middle of your

00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.560
 forehead,

00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.180
 okay,

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.680
 think back to

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:24.980
 your teenage

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.320
 years,

00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.620
 guys.

00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.799
 You got

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.340
 this big

00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:28.080
 zit right in

00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:28.299
 the middle

00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.519
 of your

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.940
 forehead.

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.759
 The last

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.279
 place you

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.579
 want to

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:30.859
 look,

00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:31.259
 where is

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.399
 it?

00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.059
 You avoid

00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.519
 that mirror

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.039
 at all

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.579
 costs,

00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.000
 don't you?

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.440
 It's not

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:36.960
 the mirror's

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.379
 fault that

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:37.619
 you have

00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.000
 is it.

00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.680
 It's not

00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.279
 the mirror's

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.519
 fault.

00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:41.139
 The law

00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:42.859
 itself is

00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.579
 good and

00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.980
 holy and

00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.480
 pure,

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.619
 but we

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.399
 are not.

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:47.700
 As we

00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.279
 look into

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.460
 it,

00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.919
 we see

00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.539
 our own

00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.919
 imperfections

00:26:50.919 --> 00:26:51.500
 highlighted.

00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:51.980
 It serves

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.500
 as a mirror.

00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.259
 Another use

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.220
 is as a

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.259
 restrainer of

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.799
 evil.

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.839
 The law

00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.079
 serves as

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.200
 a restrainer

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.579
 of evil.

00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:02.819
 Now,

00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.140
 again,

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.740
 the law,

00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:05.000
 it doesn't

00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.220
 regenerate the

00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.460
 heart.

00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.220
 It cannot

00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.000
 justify.

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.500
 It cannot

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.339
 change our

00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.180
 sin nature,

00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.619
 but it

00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.220
 does in

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.099
 some ways

00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.759
 restrain

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.879
 wickedness.

00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.799
 Wherever the

00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:19.039
 law exists,

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.420
 whether externally

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.039
 in a written

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.879
 code or

00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:23.220
 internally on

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.000
 our conscience,

00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.279
 the law

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.779
 itself,

00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.900
 it restrains

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.700
 wickedness.

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.039
 It's like

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.299
 when you're

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.799
 driving up

00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.120
 and down

00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:29.600
 17.

00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.600
 You're

00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.539
 running late.

00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.160
 When there

00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:34.600
 are no

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.220
 police,

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.960
 you feel

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.460
 the freedom

00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.120
 to go a

00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.640
 little bit

00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:40.819
 faster and

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.600
 speed and

00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.079
 get to your

00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.700
 destination

00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.240
 sooner,

00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:43.799
 but if you

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.460
 see that

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:45.079
 little hood

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.680
 of the car

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.360
 sticking out

00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:46.660
 from a

00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.079
 driveway,

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.620
 you know

00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.380
 the lights

00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:48.860
 are there,

00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.360
 what are

00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:49.559
 you going

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:49.920
 to do?

00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:51.620
 It slows

00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.299
 you down.

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:54.099
 It restrains

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.200
 your wickedness.

00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.079
 And then if

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.519
 you know

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.279
 that police

00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.960
 car is there

00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.659
 day after

00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.339
 day after

00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.000
 day after

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.419
 day in

00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:00.919
 that same

00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:02.019
 spot right

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.419
 there on

00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:03.180
 Highway 17,

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.839
 it restrains

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.919
 your urge to

00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:06.460
 break the

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.839
 law,

00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.119
 at least until

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.700
 you get past

00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.980
 it and you

00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.399
 do what you

00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:10.700
 want.

00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.240
 The law

00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.419
 functions in

00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:13.940
 this way.

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.159
 It restrains

00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:15.639
 evil,

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.299
 but again,

00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:16.960
 again,

00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.879
 restraint does

00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.419
 not mean

00:28:18.419 --> 00:28:19.000
 regeneration.

00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:21.119
 Those first

00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.759
 two uses

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.140
 are for

00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:23.839
 believer and

00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.420
 non-believer

00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:24.799
 alike,

00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.259
 but for the

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:25.720
 believer,

00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.460
 there's this

00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.140
 third use

00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:28.140
 of the law

00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.440
 and it's

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:28.819
 this.

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.559
 The law

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.680
 reveals for

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.319
 us what

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.940
 holiness

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:34.379
 looks like.

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.660
 The law

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.079
 reveals God's

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.500
 will for

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:39.940
 us.

00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:41.779
 See,

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.140
 the believer

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.920
 doesn't use

00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.379
 the law

00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.099
 as a ladder

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.180
 to climb

00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.619
 their way

00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:45.980
 up to

00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.299
 heaven,

00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:46.700
 but we

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.460
 do absolutely

00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.160
 use it as

00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.940
 a map

00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.559
 and a

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.440
 guide to

00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.000
 show us

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.660
 the pathway

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.299
 of holiness.

00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.779
 Having been

00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.019
 made new,

00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.519
 having been

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.360
 reborn,

00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.019
 now we

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.740
 can look at

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.180
 the law

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.559
 and say,

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:01.740
 well,

00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.220
 what does it

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.900
 look like

00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.580
 practically to

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:03.920
 love my

00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.180
 neighbor?

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.320
 What does it

00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:07.120
 look like

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.519
 practically for

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.600
 me to reflect

00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.200
 the holiness

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.799
 of God?

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.580
 What does it

00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.220
 look like for

00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.900
 me practically

00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.940
 to resemble

00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.620
 the image of

00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.180
 God as we

00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.559
 were made

00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.019
 to do?

00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.659
 What is

00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.319
 God by

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.079
 His Spirit

00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.460
 empowering me

00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.399
 to be and

00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:21.899
 to do?

00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.099
 Well,

00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.599
 the law,

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.119
 it shows

00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.619
 us.

00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.220
 But do you

00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.700
 know ultimately

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.359
 the main

00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.079
 purpose of

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.399
 the law?

00:29:30.179 --> 00:29:31.099
 Above all

00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.659
 of these,

00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:33.460
 the main

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.480
 purpose of

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.000
 the law

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.079
 is that it

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.339
 might drive

00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.519
 sinners to

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.179
 Christ,

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.519
 who is the

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.960
 fulfillment

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:42.119
 of the

00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.440
 law.

00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:46.039
 God offers

00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.799
 incredible

00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.920
 blessing here

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.279
 to His

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.680
 people.

00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.680
 Enjoyment

00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.119
 of these

00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.980
 blessings is

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.859
 conditional,

00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.539
 and we

00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.000
 could add,

00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.839
 none of

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.139
 us have

00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:55.000
 met the

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.500
 conditions,

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.379
 but here's

00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:56.700
 the good

00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.119
 news of

00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.659
 the gospel.

00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:58.159
 Third,

00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.119
 Christ,

00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.119
 Jesus,

00:30:01.559 --> 00:30:02.799
 meets all

00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.639
 the conditions.

00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.599
 Look again

00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:06.940
 to Romans

00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.279
 3,

00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.319
 starting in

00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.859
 verse 21.

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.180
 Paul just

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.659
 said,

00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:12.859
 no one will

00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.420
 be justified

00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:13.920
 by works

00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.319
 of the law.

00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.359
 it cannot

00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.039
 be done.

00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.659
 You cannot

00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.500
 use it as

00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.079
 a ladder to

00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.500
 climb your

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.859
 way to

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.119
 God.

00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.599
 It is

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.240
 impossible

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.919
 for you,

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.419
 and he

00:30:23.419 --> 00:30:23.759
 made it

00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.359
 pretty clear,

00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.559
 all of us

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.019
 are in this

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.639
 condition of

00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:26.939
 sin.

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.259
 This sin

00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:28.799
 problem is

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.700
 all of our

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.159
 problem.

00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:30.980
 The law

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.779
 can't make

00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.299
 us right

00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:32.939
 with God,

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.639
 but,

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.439
 verse 21,

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.139
 but now

00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:39.579
 the righteousness

00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.720
 of God

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.419
 has been

00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:42.259
 manifested

00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.439
 apart from

00:30:43.439 --> 00:30:43.980
 the law.

00:30:45.159 --> 00:30:45.819
 Apart

00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.519
 from the

00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:46.839
 law.

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.339
 Although the

00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:48.839
 law and the

00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.659
 prophets bear

00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:50.460
 witness to

00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.299
 it, what is

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.519
 it?

00:30:52.199 --> 00:30:52.919
 Verse 22,

00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:54.659
 the righteousness

00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.500
 of God

00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.359
 through faith

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.099
 in Jesus

00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.859
 Christ for

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.579
 all who

00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.240
 simply

00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.319
 believe.

00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.859
 The

00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:03.339
 righteousness

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.659
 that the

00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:06.179
 law demands,

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.619
 but cannot

00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:08.519
 produce,

00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:10.239
 the true

00:31:10.239 --> 00:31:10.939
 perfect

00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:11.759
 righteousness

00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.979
 now is

00:31:12.979 --> 00:31:14.199
 manifested

00:31:14.199 --> 00:31:15.419
 apart from

00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.019
 the law.

00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:16.519
 How?

00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:18.919
 Galatians

00:31:18.919 --> 00:31:20.339
 4 tells

00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:20.719
 us.

00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.419
 It's the

00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:22.979
 story of

00:31:22.979 --> 00:31:23.379
 Christmas.

00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:25.679
 He says,

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.459
 we were

00:31:26.459 --> 00:31:27.779
 enslaved like

00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.159
 Israel.

00:31:28.719 --> 00:31:29.299
 We were

00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.179
 enslaved to

00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:30.739
 the elementary

00:31:30.739 --> 00:31:31.779
 principles of

00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.259
 the world,

00:31:32.439 --> 00:31:33.339
 but when the

00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:34.119
 fullness of

00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.819
 time had

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.219
 come,

00:31:35.679 --> 00:31:36.659
 God sent

00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.539
 forth his

00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:37.980
 son,

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.759
 born of

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.180
 a woman,

00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:42.139
 born under

00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:42.940
 the law,

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.019
 to redeem

00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.720
 those who

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.299
 were under

00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:45.920
 the law,

00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.339
 so that we

00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.960
 might receive

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.859
 adoption as

00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.259
 sons.

00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:49.579
 See,

00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.259
 true righteousness

00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.420
 has come in

00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:52.960
 Christ,

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.879
 and it is

00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:56.299
 received simply

00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.579
 by faith in

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:57.960
 him.

00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:00.460
 Do you know

00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:00.859
 why we make

00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:01.220
 such a big

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.700
 deal about

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.319
 the virgin

00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:02.859
 birth?

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.000
 It's a

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.899
 central part of

00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:06.279
 the Christmas

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.839
 story,

00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.200
 right?

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.920
 The virgin

00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.700
 birth,

00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.319
 Matthew 1,

00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:09.799
 23,

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.420
 behold,

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.080
 the virgin

00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:12.140
 shall conceive

00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.940
 and bear a

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.220
 son.

00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:13.799
 They shall

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.319
 call his

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.279
 name Emmanuel.

00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:15.940
 He's quoting

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.519
 Isaiah.

00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:17.519
 He prophesied

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.960
 that some

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.200
 700 years

00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:19.759
 before it

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.120
 happened,

00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:21.360
 but why is

00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:21.819
 it so

00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.500
 important?

00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.620
 Outside of

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.440
 just being a

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.160
 miracle of

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.720
 God's power,

00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:29.600
 it's important

00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:30.180
 because it

00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.000
 shows us

00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:33.680
 this child,

00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:35.380
 this baby,

00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:37.299
 is not born

00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.279
 like you

00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.000
 and I.

00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:41.299
 He is not

00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:43.099
 born of

00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.900
 Adam.

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.519
 He's not

00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:47.200
 born in

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.980
 Adam.

00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:48.880
 He does not

00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:50.160
 inherit Adam's

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.180
 sin nature

00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:52.019
 as we do.

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.500
 He does not

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.740
 inherit Adam's

00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.119
 curse as we

00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:56.359
 do.

00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.859
 He does not

00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.980
 inherit Adam's

00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.420
 guilt as we

00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:00.580
 do.

00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:00.980
 He's not

00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.800
 born with

00:33:01.800 --> 00:33:02.480
 this big

00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.440
 banner hanging

00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.039
 over his

00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.620
 life of

00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.820
 unable to

00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:06.740
 please God.

00:33:07.580 --> 00:33:08.500
 He is not

00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.140
 born as a

00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.160
 slave to sin.

00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:10.460
 No,

00:33:10.560 --> 00:33:11.580
 he's born with

00:33:11.580 --> 00:33:12.279
 the potential

00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.680
 to be the

00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.900
 second Adam,

00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.740
 the one who

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.759
 will perfectly

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.640
 obey in our

00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:19.600
 place where

00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.060
 all of us

00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:20.620
 have failed.

00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.360
 In fact,

00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.420
 he is born

00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:24.000
 as the true

00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.440
 and better

00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.000
 Israel.

00:33:26.060 --> 00:33:26.920
 He is the

00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.620
 one who will

00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.440
 keep covenant

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.259
 where they and

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.100
 where we all

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.699
 have broken

00:33:30.699 --> 00:33:32.199
 covenant with

00:33:32.199 --> 00:33:32.619
 the Lord.

00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.719
 Christ Jesus

00:33:33.719 --> 00:33:35.019
 is born not

00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.579
 to do away

00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.199
 with the law

00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:36.779
 but to

00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.619
 fulfill it

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:39.059
 and in

00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.579
 doing so

00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.399
 to earn by

00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:41.839
 right all

00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.599
 the blessings

00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.079
 of the

00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.419
 covenant.

00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.980
 Here's what

00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.339
 makes the

00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:46.859
 gospel so

00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.579
 shocking.

00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:49.879
 Church,

00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.679
 what Jesus

00:33:50.679 --> 00:33:51.719
 has earned

00:33:51.719 --> 00:33:52.679
 by right,

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.519
 he gives

00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.399
 to us

00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:56.519
 by grace

00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:58.740
 and we

00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.379
 receive it

00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:00.180
 all not

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.420
 by obeying,

00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:01.879
 not by

00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:02.559
 working,

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.139
 not by

00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:03.980
 laboring,

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.519
 not by

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.119
 earning,

00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.000
 we receive

00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.220
 all of his

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.940
 righteousness,

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.159
 all of the

00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:09.900
 blessings of

00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.860
 God simply

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.880
 by coming to

00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.519
 him in

00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.280
 faith.

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.340
 The child

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.599
 that we

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.139
 celebrate at

00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.500
 Christmas

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.519
 came to

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.019
 die,

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.360
 to take

00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:20.960
 away our

00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.940
 curse that

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.360
 we've earned

00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:22.800
 for our

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.579
 disobedience,

00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.299
 but church,

00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.779
 we need to

00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:25.340
 also know

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.039
 he came to

00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:27.739
 live perfectly

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.159
 in our

00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.639
 place.

00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.460
 We need

00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:30.599
 both for

00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.279
 our salvation.

00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:33.159
 We need

00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.860
 his death

00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.239
 in our

00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:34.579
 place,

00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.039
 we need

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.079
 his resurrection

00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:36.819
 but we

00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:37.480
 also need

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.299
 his sinless

00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:38.940
 life.

00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.659
 We need

00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:40.920
 him to

00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:41.420
 take our

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.460
 curse but

00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.019
 we also

00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:43.480
 need him

00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.059
 to provide

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.059
 our blessing.

00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.159
 That's

00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:47.920
 exactly what

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.380
 he came

00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.840
 to do,

00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.219
 that's what

00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.860
 we celebrate

00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.259
 with his

00:34:50.259 --> 00:34:50.980
 arrival here

00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.500
 at Christmas

00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.960
 in Jesus

00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.659
 Christ.

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.559
 God has

00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.380
 given to

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.340
 us freely

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:56.980
 what he

00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.880
 demands of

00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.360
 us,

00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.740
 namely the

00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.260
 perfect

00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:01.619
 holiness,

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.500
 perfect

00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:04.639
 righteousness,

00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.159
 what the

00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:07.039
 law demands,

00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:07.820
 the gospel

00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.240
 supplies.

00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:11.980
 Friend,

00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.699
 apart from

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:12.940
 him,

00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.159
 you know

00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.440
 what we

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:13.659
 are?

00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:16.199
 We,

00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.139
 like Israel,

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:18.360
 are slaves

00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:20.400
 in a

00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:20.980
 truer and

00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.360
 a greater

00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:21.800
 way.

00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.840
 we are

00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.640
 slaves to

00:35:23.640 --> 00:35:24.160
 sin,

00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.680
 but in

00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:26.200
 him,

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.820
 in him

00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:28.660
 by faith,

00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:29.740
 we are

00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:30.740
 redeemed,

00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.180
 we are

00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:32.519
 brought out,

00:35:32.640 --> 00:35:32.940
 we are

00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:34.140
 plucked out

00:35:34.140 --> 00:35:34.940
 and rescued

00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.960
 from slavery,

00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:36.900
 we're brought

00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.300
 out of

00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:37.940
 darkness.

00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.539
 Apart from

00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:40.920
 him,

00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:41.560
 we are

00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:42.320
 enemies of

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:42.680
 God,

00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.539
 destined for

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:43.920
 wrath,

00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.840
 but in

00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.280
 him,

00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.400
 we are

00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.140
 his treasured

00:35:47.140 --> 00:35:47.580
 possession.

00:35:48.580 --> 00:35:49.620
 The very

00:35:49.620 --> 00:35:50.340
 bride of

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.019
 Christ.

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.200
 He loves

00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:53.740
 us and

00:35:53.740 --> 00:35:54.960
 gave himself

00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.780
 up for

00:35:55.780 --> 00:35:56.079
 us,

00:35:56.140 --> 00:35:57.059
 he cherishes

00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:57.740
 us and

00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:58.860
 watches over

00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.340
 us and

00:35:59.340 --> 00:36:00.340
 cares for

00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:00.720
 us and

00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.460
 will do

00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:01.840
 so for

00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.260
 the rest

00:36:02.260 --> 00:36:02.400
 of

00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:02.960
 eternity.

00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:05.660
 Apart from

00:36:05.660 --> 00:36:05.980
 him,

00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:06.700
 we are

00:36:06.700 --> 00:36:07.620
 just like

00:36:07.620 --> 00:36:08.840
 every other

00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.820
 sinner born

00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.480
 in Adam,

00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:11.480
 but in

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.120
 him,

00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.260
 we are

00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.200
 his distinct

00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:14.820
 people,

00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.900
 chosen by

00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:17.500
 grace.

00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:18.760
 out of

00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.239
 all the

00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:19.760
 peoples of

00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:20.139
 the earth,

00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.639
 we are

00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.920
 uniquely and

00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:22.679
 distinctly

00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.460
 his.

00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:23.800
 We are

00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.780
 his own

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.639
 children and

00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:26.199
 he loves

00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:26.699
 us with a

00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.480
 special

00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.179
 fatherly

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.659
 love.

00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.159
 Apart from

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:31.420
 him,

00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.179
 we belong to

00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:32.599
 the kingdom

00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.480
 of darkness,

00:36:33.719 --> 00:36:34.280
 but in

00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.840
 him,

00:36:35.219 --> 00:36:35.860
 we are

00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:37.019
 a kingdom.

00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.099
 We are

00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:39.980
 citizens and

00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.500
 saints of

00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:41.980
 the kingdom

00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.539
 of God.

00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.000
 We are

00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:44.500
 ambassadors of

00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.239
 the king,

00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:46.219
 the one to

00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:46.659
 whom all

00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:47.399
 authority in

00:36:47.399 --> 00:36:47.799
 heaven and

00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.480
 on earth

00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:48.779
 has been

00:36:48.779 --> 00:36:49.199
 given,

00:36:49.379 --> 00:36:49.980
 has given

00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:50.920
 that authority

00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:52.019
 to us.

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.119
 The church

00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.539
 is an

00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.339
 embassy of

00:36:55.339 --> 00:36:56.319
 the kingdom

00:36:56.319 --> 00:36:56.779
 of heaven

00:36:56.779 --> 00:36:57.219
 here on

00:36:57.219 --> 00:36:57.480
 earth.

00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.379
 We here

00:36:58.379 --> 00:36:58.659
 as we

00:36:58.659 --> 00:36:59.219
 gather is

00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:00.019
 a foretaste

00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.719
 of glory

00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.019
 of the

00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.460
 kingdom to

00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:01.839
 come.

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:04.179
 Apart from

00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.420
 him,

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.099
 we cannot

00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.619
 know God,

00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:07.519
 but in

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.059
 him,

00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:08.920
 we are a

00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:09.579
 kingdom of

00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.539
 priests.

00:37:11.839 --> 00:37:12.719
 We offer

00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.500
 ourselves up

00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.420
 as living

00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:15.379
 sacrifices,

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.179
 holy and

00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:17.099
 pleasing to

00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.399
 him,

00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.039
 our spiritual

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.559
 act of

00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:18.899
 worship.

00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.679
 We offer

00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:20.099
 up the

00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:20.940
 sacrifice of

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.960
 our lives.

00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:22.339
 We offer

00:37:22.339 --> 00:37:22.940
 up a

00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.679
 sacrifice of

00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:24.359
 thanksgiving.

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.099
 We offer

00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:25.419
 up the

00:37:25.419 --> 00:37:26.419
 sacrifice of

00:37:26.419 --> 00:37:26.799
 our very

00:37:26.799 --> 00:37:27.539
 own hearts.

00:37:27.799 --> 00:37:28.639
 We live

00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.460
 in communion

00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:29.940
 with the

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.239
 Lord.

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:30.879
 We are

00:37:30.879 --> 00:37:31.460
 the temple

00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:31.859
 of the

00:37:31.859 --> 00:37:32.599
 living God,

00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:33.819
 his own

00:37:33.819 --> 00:37:35.299
 spirit dwelling

00:37:35.299 --> 00:37:36.119
 within us.

00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.719
 Apart from

00:37:38.719 --> 00:37:39.099
 him,

00:37:39.319 --> 00:37:39.859
 we are

00:37:39.859 --> 00:37:40.739
 ruined by

00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.259
 the curse

00:37:41.259 --> 00:37:41.879
 of sin,

00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:43.159
 unable to

00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.799
 please him,

00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:43.800


00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:45.880
 but in

00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.200
 him,

00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.080
 despite all

00:37:48.080 --> 00:37:48.660
 our faults,

00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:49.060
 church,

00:37:49.200 --> 00:37:50.120
 we are a

00:37:50.120 --> 00:37:51.539
 holy nation,

00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:53.820
 shining like

00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:54.460
 lights in

00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:54.980
 the midst of

00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.360
 a crooked

00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:55.940
 and twisted

00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.039
 generation,

00:37:57.220 --> 00:37:58.340
 reflecting the

00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:59.140
 holiness of

00:37:59.140 --> 00:38:00.519
 the glory of

00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.460
 God in the

00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:01.740
 world.

00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.480
 We are being

00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:04.060
 remade into

00:38:04.060 --> 00:38:04.840
 the image of

00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:05.440
 Christ who

00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.400
 is the image

00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.060
 of God.

00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:09.100
 And as we

00:38:09.100 --> 00:38:09.680
 look to him

00:38:09.680 --> 00:38:10.380
 who obeyed

00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:11.060
 for us in

00:38:11.060 --> 00:38:11.560
 our place,

00:38:11.640 --> 00:38:12.140
 we then look

00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:12.519
 to his

00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.199
 word and

00:38:13.199 --> 00:38:13.940
 the law

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.719
 to guide

00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.099
 us and

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:15.799
 direct us

00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:16.059
 on the

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.379
 way.

00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:19.500
 So 1 Peter

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.819
 tells us,

00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:22.659
 as you

00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.059
 come to

00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:23.339
 him,

00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:24.920
 a living

00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:26.019
 stone rejected

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.819
 by men,

00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.619
 but in the

00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.219
 sight of God

00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.059
 chosen and

00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.500
 precious,

00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:31.119
 you yourselves

00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:31.859
 like living

00:38:31.859 --> 00:38:32.879
 stones are

00:38:32.879 --> 00:38:33.759
 being built

00:38:33.759 --> 00:38:34.759
 up as a

00:38:34.759 --> 00:38:35.279
 spiritual

00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:37.159
 house to

00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:37.900
 be a holy

00:38:37.900 --> 00:38:38.819
 priesthood,

00:38:39.219 --> 00:38:40.219
 to offer

00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:40.879
 spiritual

00:38:40.879 --> 00:38:41.719
 sacrifices,

00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:42.699
 acceptable to

00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:43.639
 God through

00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:44.659
 Jesus Christ.

00:38:44.759 --> 00:38:45.019
 Listen to

00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.500
 what he says

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.779
 to believers.

00:38:47.839 --> 00:38:48.759
 You are a

00:38:48.759 --> 00:38:49.679
 chosen race,

00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:51.399
 a royal

00:38:51.399 --> 00:38:52.239
 priesthood,

00:38:52.879 --> 00:38:53.719
 a holy

00:38:53.719 --> 00:38:54.399
 nation,

00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:55.699
 a people

00:38:55.699 --> 00:38:56.159
 for his

00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:57.199
 own possession

00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.719
 that you

00:38:58.719 --> 00:38:59.599
 may proclaim

00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:00.699
 the excellencies

00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:01.419
 of him who

00:39:01.419 --> 00:39:02.419
 called you out

00:39:02.419 --> 00:39:03.079
 of darkness

00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:04.039
 into his

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.959
 marvelous light.

00:39:05.339 --> 00:39:05.759
 Once you

00:39:05.759 --> 00:39:06.439
 were not a

00:39:06.439 --> 00:39:06.739
 people,

00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.759
 now you are

00:39:07.759 --> 00:39:08.579
 God's people.

00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:10.000
 Once you

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.500
 had not

00:39:10.500 --> 00:39:11.379
 received mercy,

00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:12.260
 now you

00:39:12.260 --> 00:39:13.840
 have received

00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:14.539
 mercy.

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.900
 Every promise

00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:16.840
 made is

00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:17.660
 fulfilled in

00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:18.220
 this baby

00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:18.500
 in the

00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:20.840
 manger and

00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.380
 given to

00:39:21.380 --> 00:39:21.840
 us by

00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.440
 grace,

00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:24.860
 simply through

00:39:24.860 --> 00:39:25.440
 faith in

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:25.740
 him,

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:27.039
 all because

00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:27.980
 this child

00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:28.920
 was born

00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:30.039
 to live,

00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.320
 to die,

00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:32.619
 to rise

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.500
 for sinners

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.380
 like us.

00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:37.119
 and there's

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.519
 a poem

00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:37.880
 that I

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.660
 think about

00:39:38.660 --> 00:39:39.000
 often,

00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:39.320
 I know

00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:39.700
 I've quoted

00:39:39.700 --> 00:39:39.980
 it here

00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:40.539
 before by

00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:41.740
 John Bunyan.

00:39:42.740 --> 00:39:43.099
 Run,

00:39:43.240 --> 00:39:43.559
 John,

00:39:43.700 --> 00:39:44.000
 run,

00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:44.460
 the law

00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.119
 demands,

00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:46.920
 but gives

00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.539
 us neither

00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.380
 feet nor

00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:49.079
 hands.

00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:50.960
 Far

00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.660
 better news

00:39:51.660 --> 00:39:52.240
 the gospel

00:39:52.240 --> 00:39:52.940
 brings,

00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:53.880
 which bids

00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.660
 us fly

00:39:54.660 --> 00:39:55.500
 and gives

00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:56.599
 us wings.

00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.160
 Christmas

00:39:59.160 --> 00:39:59.880
 is the

00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.420
 announcement

00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:01.659
 that Christ

00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:02.559
 has come

00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:03.539
 to fulfill

00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.280
 the law's

00:40:04.280 --> 00:40:04.840
 demands

00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:06.159
 and to

00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:06.920
 earn for

00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.920
 us the

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:09.119
 blessing of

00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.720
 perfect

00:40:09.720 --> 00:40:10.500
 obedience.

00:40:11.019 --> 00:40:11.360
 He has

00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:12.240
 come to

00:40:12.240 --> 00:40:13.139
 give what

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:13.780
 the law

00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:14.740
 demands.

00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:17.099
 Friend,

00:40:17.180 --> 00:40:17.460
 have you

00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.500
 come to

00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:18.760
 him?

00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.659
 Are you

00:40:21.659 --> 00:40:22.680
 walking with

00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.360
 him in

00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:23.820
 holiness?

00:40:23.820 --> 00:40:24.039
 righteousness?

00:40:25.600 --> 00:40:26.260
 As you

00:40:26.260 --> 00:40:26.940
 look to

00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.380
 the law,

00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:27.760
 do you

00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:28.559
 use it

00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:28.880
 as a

00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:29.220
 ladder

00:40:29.220 --> 00:40:29.820
 to climb

00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:30.160
 your way

00:40:30.160 --> 00:40:30.660
 to God

00:40:30.660 --> 00:40:31.000
 by your

00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:31.740
 own effort

00:40:31.740 --> 00:40:32.280
 to try

00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:32.580
 and to

00:40:32.580 --> 00:40:33.120
 strive

00:40:33.120 --> 00:40:33.620
 and to

00:40:33.620 --> 00:40:34.059
 earn

00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:34.380
 and to

00:40:34.380 --> 00:40:34.700
 work?

00:40:34.780 --> 00:40:35.000
 Or do

00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:35.519
 you see

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:36.260
 yourself

00:40:36.260 --> 00:40:36.740
 in it

00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:37.460
 as a

00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:37.800
 mirror

00:40:37.800 --> 00:40:38.240
 showing

00:40:38.240 --> 00:40:38.600
 your

00:40:38.600 --> 00:40:39.120
 weakness

00:40:39.120 --> 00:40:39.480
 and

00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:40.100
 ultimately

00:40:40.100 --> 00:40:40.980
 Christ's

00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:41.700
 strength?

00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.760
 Do you

00:40:43.760 --> 00:40:44.080
 lean on

00:40:44.080 --> 00:40:44.440
 your own

00:40:44.440 --> 00:40:44.980
 righteousness

00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.600
 this

00:40:45.600 --> 00:40:46.000
 Christmas?

00:40:47.120 --> 00:40:47.900
 Or have

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:48.559
 you received

00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:49.180
 true

00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:50.240
 righteousness

00:40:50.240 --> 00:40:51.240
 through faith

00:40:51.240 --> 00:40:52.160
 in Jesus

00:40:52.160 --> 00:40:52.720
 Christ?

00:40:53.820 --> 00:40:54.660
 are you

00:40:54.660 --> 00:40:55.140
 resting

00:40:55.140 --> 00:40:57.120
 and rejoicing

00:40:57.120 --> 00:40:57.900
 this Christmas

00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.240
 in the

00:40:59.240 --> 00:40:59.860
 true

00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.600
 promise

00:41:00.600 --> 00:41:01.620
 of perfect

00:41:01.620 --> 00:41:02.500
 righteousness

00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:03.840
 apart from

00:41:03.840 --> 00:41:04.440
 the law

00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:05.440
 by faith

00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:06.940
 in Christ?

00:41:07.340 --> 00:41:07.700
 Let's pray.

00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:08.120
 Father,

00:41:09.559 --> 00:41:11.700
 it is good

00:41:11.700 --> 00:41:12.539
 news that

00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:13.039
 the righteousness

00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:13.640
 of God

00:41:13.640 --> 00:41:13.960
 has been

00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:14.539
 manifested

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.160
 apart from

00:41:15.160 --> 00:41:15.580
 the law.

00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.660
 It is

00:41:17.660 --> 00:41:18.700
 good news

00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:19.180
 that Jesus

00:41:19.180 --> 00:41:19.880
 has come

00:41:19.880 --> 00:41:21.280
 to fulfill

00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:21.860
 the law

00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.160
 in our

00:41:22.160 --> 00:41:22.660
 place.

00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:24.119
 it is

00:41:24.119 --> 00:41:25.019
 good news

00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:25.920
 that Christ

00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.379
 has come

00:41:26.379 --> 00:41:26.940
 to take

00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:27.619
 away our

00:41:27.619 --> 00:41:28.119
 curse

00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.539
 and our

00:41:28.539 --> 00:41:28.980
 shame

00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.319
 and to

00:41:29.319 --> 00:41:30.339
 replace it

00:41:30.339 --> 00:41:30.759
 with all

00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:31.399
 the blessings

00:41:31.399 --> 00:41:32.179
 of God.

00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:33.539
 It is

00:41:33.539 --> 00:41:34.119
 good news

00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:34.480
 that we

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.119
 can't earn

00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:35.299
 it,

00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:35.599
 Lord,

00:41:35.699 --> 00:41:36.420
 but we

00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:36.699
 simply

00:41:36.699 --> 00:41:37.279
 receive it

00:41:37.279 --> 00:41:37.899
 by faith.

00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:38.519
 We pray,

00:41:39.659 --> 00:41:39.920
 Lord,

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.239
 would we

00:41:40.239 --> 00:41:40.819
 look to

00:41:40.819 --> 00:41:41.239
 you with

00:41:41.239 --> 00:41:41.779
 eyes of

00:41:41.779 --> 00:41:42.099
 faith?

00:41:43.139 --> 00:41:43.699
 Would we

00:41:43.699 --> 00:41:43.940
 give you

00:41:43.940 --> 00:41:44.440
 the praise

00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:44.719
 that you

00:41:44.719 --> 00:41:45.199
 do for

00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:45.579
 this work

00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.079
 of redemption?

00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:47.759
 We pray

00:41:47.759 --> 00:41:48.000
 this in

00:41:48.000 --> 00:41:48.239
 Jesus'

00:41:48.399 --> 00:41:48.619
 name.

00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:49.899
 Amen.

00:41:49.899 --> 00:41:50.019
 Amen.