WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.600 Well, good morning and happy Mother's Day. I do hope you have a copy of God's Word with you this morning and that you'll join me in John chapter 1. 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:24.679 ! Our text for today will be, again, John chapter 1, verses 14 through 18. And yes, we're doing a part two expositional sermon on Mother's Day. 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:42.480 Because, yep. Last week we began a look at verses 14 through 18, which we didn't quite complete. So today we have the privilege of setting our minds once again on the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:52.640 It's not just a thing to be done at Christmas time. The word incarnation originates in Latin and means literally in flesh. 00:00:53.339 --> 00:01:04.340 It is most regularly used to speak of the embodiment of a deity. Christians most regularly refer to Jesus' incarnation as the incarnation. 00:01:04.340 --> 00:01:13.320 Because it is not understood to be one amongst many, but to be the only time that deity took on humanity. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:21.240 Last week I hope that I clearly established that the errors concerning the incarnation are plentiful. 00:01:21.820 --> 00:01:31.200 Which means that this doctrine is incredibly important to the Christian faith and to understand its nature accurately deserves our careful attention. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:37.200 We had time last week for the first two of three points. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:40.020 And they were the reality of the incarnation. 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:44.700 And secondly, the witness to the incarnation. 00:01:46.020 --> 00:01:54.060 And considering the first point I read to you, the Chalcedonian Creed, and then issued six summary points from it. 00:01:54.120 --> 00:02:00.219 We thought together about the nature of what it means for Christ to indwell flesh. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:02.299 So quickly those six points. 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:07.439 Jesus Christ is one person with two natures. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:13.219 And the important phrase here is he is truly God and truly man. 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:19.579 Some people will say fully God and fully man, which is roughly equivalent. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:25.539 Not half God and half man, but fully both. 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.560 This is often referred to as the hypostatic union. 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:33.259 100%, 100%, 100%, dwelling in one. 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:42.259 The divine nature was not diluted by the incarnation, nor was the human nature abstract or incomplete. 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:50.780 Secondly, two natures united without confusion, change, division, or separation. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:56.659 His divine and human natures are distinct, yet united. 00:02:56.659 --> 00:03:03.439 They're not mixed, not divided, not reduced into some kind of third nature. 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:08.680 Thirdly, the human nature was fully assumed. 00:03:09.579 --> 00:03:13.620 Jesus had a real human body, mind, soul, will. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:16.939 Everything essential to true humanity. 00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:18.740 He really hungered. 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:19.840 He really thirsted. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:20.939 He really got tired. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.039 He was really tempted. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:28.400 Fourth, the divine nature remained fully intact. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:35.739 In the incarnation, Christ did not in any way lay aside his divine attributes. 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:42.159 Fifth, the person of the Son is the subject of both natures. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:43.639 Hear me here carefully. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:46.979 Jesus is not two persons or a split consciousness. 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:54.599 The eternal Son is the acting subject of both divine and human experiences. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:04:03.939 So, like I said before, hungered as a man, forgave sins as God, yet always the Son of God. 00:04:04.799 --> 00:04:09.659 And then lastly, the incarnation was for our salvation. 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:11.599 It was purposeful. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:22.019 Jesus became man, not merely to reveal God, but to redeem sinners through his substitutionary death and victorious resurrection. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:28.680 The unity of his person ensures the efficacy of his work. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:35.399 It means that the thing he came to do was, in fact, accomplished because of who he is. 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:39.259 And we'll have more on this in today's concluding point. 00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:48.339 Then, in considering the second point, we took a brief look at John the Apostle's insertion in verse 15. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:53.500 Translators put it in parentheses, so it's a parenthetical insertion. 00:04:54.300 --> 00:05:01.839 When John the Apostle wrote his gospel, there was still a group that claimed John the Baptist as the Messiah. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:06.639 John makes clear in verses 7 and 8 that John the Baptist was not the Christ. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:13.279 And he does so again here in verse 15, but this time in John's own words. 00:05:14.219 --> 00:05:15.240 John the Baptist said, 00:05:15.539 --> 00:05:17.339 This was he of whom I said, 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:23.519 He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:34.360 John the Baptist acknowledged the supremacy of Jesus Christ and boldly proclaimed so by appealing to his eternal pre-existence. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:39.460 In some small measure, this catches us up. 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:50.360 So, let's read our text in its entirety and turn our attention to the final point, which is the accomplishment of the Incarnation. 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:55.259 What is it that the Incarnation set about to accomplish? 00:05:55.520 --> 00:05:57.160 And John tells us here. 00:05:57.160 --> 00:06:01.220 So, this is John chapter 1, verses 14 through 18. 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:08.400 Before I read it, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us, written for his glory and our good, 00:06:09.020 --> 00:06:16.020 that we might believe its promises, obey its commands, have affection for its author. 00:06:16.940 --> 00:06:20.200 May we hear it and respond accordingly to it. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:22.000 John writes, 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:32.779 And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:35.599 John bore witness about him and cried out, 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:36.939 This was he of whom I said, 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:40.759 He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. 00:06:41.539 --> 00:06:47.620 For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:54.379 For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:59.180 No one has ever seen God, the only God who is at the Father's side. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:02.120 He has made him known. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:12.639 So, let's think together about the accomplishment of the Incarnation that we find in verses 16, 17, and 18. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:18.639 Remember that verse 15, right, is that parenthetical insertion. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:27.319 So, John at the beginning of verse 16 is continuing his thoughts from the end of verse 14. 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:33.560 There he said that Jesus is full of grace and truth. 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:40.560 In verse 14, John uses the adjective full in describing Jesus. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:41.800 Full. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:48.120 That is, he is filled up with grace and truth. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:56.540 The Greek word translated grace in these verses is the same word that we get charity from. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:08:02.259 Grace is undeserved benevolence. 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:08.539 It is kindness shown where kindness cannot be expected. 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:14.279 This word only exists in John's gospel in this paragraph. 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:21.819 Once in verse 14, twice in verse 16, and then once again in verse 17. 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:33.819 Although it is only used in this place, the repetition of it suggests that we should not neglect it as it is an important idea in the framing of John's account. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:34.819 Right? 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:37.819 Grace comes through Christ. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:40.419 He is full of it. 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:43.799 He is filled up with grace. 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:51.179 Now, the word truth is used very often in John's gospel. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:56.599 It brings together the Hebrew and Greek concepts of truth. 00:08:56.600 --> 00:09:06.480 The Hebrew word for truth represents firmness, stability, steadfastness, or trustworthiness. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:11.480 John's Hebrew readers would have understood the Greek word. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:23.259 John's Hebrew readers would have understood the Greek word he uses, aletheia, in the same way as their Greek translation of what we call the Old Testament would have used this very same word. 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:29.980 So they understood it as firmness, stability, steadfastness, or trustworthiness. 00:09:31.059 --> 00:09:41.840 Among Greeks, the word aletheia denotes that which really is eternal reality as revealed to men. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:48.620 So as John is writing to both audiences, he is pulling those two ideas together. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:57.639 Don't lose the significance of John stating that Jesus is full of grace and truth. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:07.840 Jesus is the ultimate reality, the steadfast, the trustworthy, the kindness of God expressed to mankind. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:13.919 Now, in verse 16, he uses the noun fullness. 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:17.879 So verse 14, he is full of grace and truth. 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:24.379 And then the following idea is that it is from his fullness. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:33.399 The noun fullness to speak of his previous explanation of the character of Jesus definitively. 00:10:33.819 --> 00:10:37.199 He is now giving him, in some sense, a title. 00:10:37.579 --> 00:10:42.099 He is the fullness of grace and truth. 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:44.460 That is to say, right? 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:46.800 He is those things. 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:51.080 He cannot be separated from these qualities. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:59.100 Perhaps you are seeing just a little of why it is proper to get the incarnation right, 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:02.399 to understand the nature of Jesus. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:09.460 Understanding it correctly is the foundation on which our salvation sits. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:12.540 And so it is so very important. 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:23.540 John goes on, for from his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. 00:11:25.420 --> 00:11:28.300 Grace upon grace. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:32.000 What a beautiful term that is. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:35.660 Grace upon grace. 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:36.659 Grace upon grace. 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:41.439 The idea of this phrase is that as soon as grace is received, 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:47.679 there is a new, a fresh supply of grace to be received. 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:53.819 So it is received and supplied and received and supplied and received and supplied. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:57.659 This is inexhaustible grace. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:58.740 Right? 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:02.580 Kindness of God shown to us in Jesus Christ, 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:07.519 overflowing abundantly for all who believe in him. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:11.000 The grace comes and it comes and it comes. 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:11.279 Right? 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:13.799 Undeserved benevolence. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:17.639 Kindness shown where kindness cannot be expected. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:21.460 Again and again and again and again. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:27.019 Another place that we can see this is in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:12:27.180 --> 00:12:29.280 And so I would invite you to join me there. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:32.960 We'll look at a few verses and then come back to our text. 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.360 There Paul writes, 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:40.019 You were dead in the trespasses and sins. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:40.980 Dead. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.560 Spiritually dead. 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:45.659 In which you once walked, 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.639 following the course of this world, 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:50.840 following the prince of the power of the air. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.320 That's Satan. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:57.539 The spirit that is now in work in the sons of disobedience. 00:12:57.919 --> 00:13:01.259 Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:03.980 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:07.620 and were by nature children of wrath, 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:10.159 like the rest of mankind. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:15.899 Paul is dividing mankind into two categories. 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:18.720 And he's speaking to these Ephesian Christians 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:21.720 about who they once were. 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:24.659 He characterizes them in various ways. 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.100 Dead. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.700 Walking in sin. 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.600 In the way of the world. 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:33.800 A worshiper of God's enemy. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:38.759 Living in passions of the flesh. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:43.100 And by nature children of wrath. 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:46.519 Categorically enemies of God. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:51.399 And therefore deserving of God's due wrath. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:54.000 But then, 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:56.500 the beginning of verse 4, 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.579 there's a precious, 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.959 and I think too often ignored, 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.179 conjunction. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:03.740 But, 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:06.860 even though that is true, 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:09.639 even though it is the case 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.579 that before believing in Christ, 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:12.980 you were an enemy of God, 00:14:13.459 --> 00:14:13.980 God. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.500 But, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.700 God, 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:18.580 being rich in mercy, 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:21.600 because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:24.860 even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:29.519 made us alive together with Christ. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.200 Did it. 00:14:30.420 --> 00:14:32.399 Brought dead people to life. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:35.559 The greatest miracle we see happening today, 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:35.919 right? 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.500 We were once dead, 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:41.000 we have been made alive with Christ. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:43.120 By grace, 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:45.799 you have been saved. 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:49.500 Undeserved benevolence. 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.659 Kindness being shown, 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:54.340 where kindness cannot be expected. 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:56.519 By that grace, 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:59.259 you have been saved. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.200 And raised us up with him, 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:03.200 and seated us with him in the heavenly places, 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.460 in Christ Jesus. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.059 Why? 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.240 So that, 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.340 in the coming ages, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:15.019 he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us, 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:17.679 in Christ Jesus. 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:17.879 In the coming ages, 00:15:18.239 --> 00:15:21.479 immeasurable riches of his grace. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:25.239 That he might put on display his graciousness. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:28.819 Grace upon grace. 00:15:29.979 --> 00:15:31.439 If you're in Christ this morning, 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:34.259 this is why you are in Christ. 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:40.399 God is showing himself to the world to be a gracious God. 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:43.959 And he supplies it in plenty. 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:44.160 Now, 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:48.879 the astute watcher of me, 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:51.580 probably notices when I come up with another book. 00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:53.740 So here it is. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.680 I read to you from it last week. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.720 This is the Pilgrim's Progress. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.680 Aside from the scripture, 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.820 it's my favorite book. 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.680 If you don't get it, 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.720 spend some time with me. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.100 I'll convince you otherwise. 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:07.440 Or I'll try it very least. 00:16:08.540 --> 00:16:10.920 I don't want to read to you just a little excerpt from it. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:12.699 This is to speak of this term, 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:17.579 grace upon grace in the life of a Christian. 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:20.079 What does it look like? 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.459 And there's a little picture 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:23.219 as the main character, 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.699 whose name is Christian, 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:27.479 goes to the house of the interpreter. 00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:29.159 And the interpreter takes him around the house 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:31.579 and teaches him some things 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:33.860 of what it means to follow Christ. 00:16:33.979 --> 00:16:35.480 And so this short little bit. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.960 Then I saw in my dream 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:40.420 that the interpreter took Christian by the hand 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:41.779 and led him into a room 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:44.139 where there was a fireplace. 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:46.740 The flames from the fireplace 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.560 grew larger and hotter, 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.340 even though there was someone 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:52.159 continually throwing water on it 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:54.000 to try to quench it. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.960 Then said Christian, 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.379 what does this mean? 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.920 The interpreter answered, 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.860 this fire is the work of grace 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.940 that God accomplishes in the heart. 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:07.039 He who throws water on the flames 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.420 to try to extinguish it 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.799 is the devil. 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.660 But as you see, 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:14.200 the fire burns higher and hotter 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.799 despite his efforts to put it out. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:20.980 Now, let me show you the reason for that. 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.480 So the interpreter took Christian 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.599 to the other side of the wall 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.779 where he saw a man 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:28.079 with a vessel of oil in his hand 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:30.779 from which he secretly funneled oil 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.220 into the fire. 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:34.200 Then Christian asked, 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.400 what does this mean? 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.600 The interpreter answered, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.640 this is Christ 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:42.460 who continually with the oil of his grace 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:45.100 maintains the work already begun 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:46.360 in the heart. 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:48.740 No matter what the devil tries to do, 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:50.660 the gracious work that Christ is doing 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.079 in the souls of his people 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.779 only increases. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:56.940 You saw that the man stood behind the wall 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.980 to maintain the fire? 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:59.660 That is to teach you 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:02.099 that it is hard for the one being tempted 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:04.420 to see how this work of grace 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:07.000 is maintained in the soul. 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:10.440 Whether or not we acknowledge it to be true, 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.880 if God has begun a good work in you, 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.720 he will bring it to completion 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:17.220 at the day of Christ. 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.980 That's Philippians 1.6. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:21.579 Grace upon grace. 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:25.200 Immeasurable, abundant grace 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:29.319 is received from Christ. 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:33.200 The fullness of grace and truth. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:37.120 John, to further exalt this work of Christ, 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:39.480 underscores it with a comparison 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.539 in verse 17. 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:45.039 A comparison to the law of Moses. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:47.519 For the law was given through Moses, 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.680 grace and truth came 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:52.220 through Jesus Christ. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:54.720 The law was given through Moses. 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.279 It's what we often refer to as 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:58.619 the Old Covenant. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:01.359 That covenant that was 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.960 God would be Israel's people 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:06.920 if they would keep his law. 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:09.740 Much of the Old Testament's aim 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:12.440 is to show us that they did not keep his law 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:14.619 and that they were not able 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:17.240 to keep his law. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.519 The law's ultimate 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.319 purgifies that law 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.519 that is written on our hearts 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:24.379 so that when we are confronted by it, 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:28.519 we cannot flee to frail excuses. 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:33.119 The law is an exposer of our sin. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.639 It is an accuser. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:39.319 It's meant to serve us in this way. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:42.839 It's to show us our deadness. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.819 We're walking in the way of the world, 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.740 not in the way of God, 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:49.759 that we would flee to Christ 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.339 for our salvation. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:54.019 I read to you last week, 00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:55.039 kind of in a sweeping, 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:58.399 hurried summary from Galatians chapter 3. 00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:01.359 I'll do so again to make the point. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.159 There Paul writes in verse 23, 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:05.180 Now before faith came, 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:08.779 we were held captive under the law, 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:12.200 imprisoned until the coming faith 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:14.320 would be revealed. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:20.000 The law was given through Moses. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:22.019 It does not set us free, 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:24.940 but rather makes us captives. 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:27.900 If you try to justify yourself before God 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.900 by the standard of the law, 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.539 on your own, 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:34.160 you will miserably fail. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.860 You have failed even probably 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:38.980 in the moments you're sitting here. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.700 Praise God, 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:44.019 grace and truth 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:47.640 came through Jesus Christ. 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:50.019 Paul goes on in Galatians 3, 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.220 verse 24, 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:53.660 So then the law 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:55.620 was our guardian 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:58.440 until Christ came. 00:20:58.620 --> 00:21:00.180 And the picture here 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:02.340 is of a schoolmaster 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:04.300 or of a person hired 00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:06.519 to oversee a young man 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:09.660 while he's being taken to adulthood. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.279 Kind of a tutor, 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.720 a guardian, 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:15.480 until Christ came 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.779 in order that 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:19.660 we might be justified 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:22.200 by faith. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:24.799 declared righteous 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.779 by faith. 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.519 He goes on, 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.920 But now that faith has come, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.900 we are no longer under a guardian, 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.539 for in Christ Jesus 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:37.620 you are all sons of God 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:39.759 through faith. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:43.660 Now, let's not lose sight of the fact 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:46.980 that John is still talking about 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.279 the incarnation. 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.480 incarnation. 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.799 I have argued that 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.119 it is of vital importance 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:53.160 to get the incarnation 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.240 of Jesus right 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.399 as a foundation 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:57.519 for our salvation. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.819 I said, 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:02.200 the unity of Jesus' person 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:04.000 ensures the efficacy 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:06.500 of his work. 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.559 Maybe you'll remember me 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.599 using that word. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.799 But how so? 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:13.579 Why make such a fuss 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:15.180 about all of this? 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.680 Why have Christians 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.700 throughout the history 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.339 of the church 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.480 contended for 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:21.019 a proper view 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.240 of the incarnation 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.779 of Christ? 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.599 The nature of the embodied 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.659 Son of God 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.519 matters 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:30.139 because of the nature 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.980 of God the Father 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.639 who, 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:35.059 in his simplicity, 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.339 is always just 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.439 blessed 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:39.419 and always 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:40.299 merciful. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.559 Now, 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.699 when we speak of God's 00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:44.319 simplicity, 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:46.079 we don't mean simple 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.619 in that he's dumb. 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:48.740 It's not at all 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.740 what we're referring to 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.419 at all. 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.579 In another sense, 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.519 we could speak of God's 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.539 great complexity 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.980 not even to be understood. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.399 His ways are above 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.539 our ways. 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.859 What we mean 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.439 when we talk about 00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:01.199 God's simplicity 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:03.059 is that he doesn't change. 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.799 He is always 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.839 who he is 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:08.319 at all times. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.119 We've developed this a lot 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:12.200 even in John chapter 1. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.339 We're becoming 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.419 he is not. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.379 He is. 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.779 Always what he is 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.700 at all times. 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:20.079 He can't set aside 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.240 part of who he is 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.119 at one time 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.779 and then another. 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:26.180 He's always just. 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.799 He's always 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.779 merciful, 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.579 gracious, 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.599 kind, 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.399 loving. 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:33.940 All at the same 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.440 time. 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.340 So, 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.539 if God, 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.160 the Father, 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:41.799 is going to 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.980 forgive sin, 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.200 he has to be 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.100 who he is 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.039 all the time 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.320 when he does it. 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.200 So, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.880 when he forgives 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.320 our sin, 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.680 beloved, 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.180 he doesn't merely 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.440 pass over it 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.539 and forget about it. 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.940 He doesn't cast it 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.860 off to the side 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:59.000 because if he does, 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.100 then he'd be 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:01.200 betraying his 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:02.259 justice, 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.740 part of his 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:05.180 very nature. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.099 He must 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.240 punish 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.420 sin. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.299 It's right 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.140 and proper 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.900 that he 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.400 does so. 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.779 There's a trend 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.319 right now 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.660 amongst parents. 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.460 It's often called 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.599 parenting with grace 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.279 or you might hear 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.180 gentle parenting 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.759 is sometimes 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.319 the nomenclature. 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.019 And the suggestion 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.579 is that we can 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.379 teach our children 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.120 something of 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:29.440 the gospel 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.180 by 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:32.360 forgetting about 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.860 their infractions 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.620 against us, 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.500 which is not 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:35.900 a display 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.480 of the gospel 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.040 at all. 00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.700 A proper display 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.140 of the gospel 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.900 if even one of my 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.700 sons disobey 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:43.240 and I'm telling 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.080 that they disobeyed, 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:44.920 I snatch one 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.420 of their brothers 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.100 and I give them 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:46.640 the punishment 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.780 that is due 00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:48.460 them. 00:24:48.780 --> 00:24:49.400 I maintain 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:51.020 justice in the home 00:24:51.020 --> 00:24:52.860 while also being 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:54.120 merciful. 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:56.619 God cannot 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.699 stop being 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.759 who he is 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.579 at any 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.359 given 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.719 point. 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.179 And frankly, 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.699 he would cease 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.279 to be God 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.859 if this 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:05.219 was the case. 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.859 So God 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:08.659 has to 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:09.159 punish 00:25:09.159 --> 00:25:10.000 our 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.279 sin. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.739 Has to do it. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.299 He has to 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.759 maintain his 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.219 justice 00:25:14.219 --> 00:25:16.359 as he's being 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.339 merciful. 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:18.939 So how is this 00:25:18.939 --> 00:25:19.259 accomplished? 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.339 He sends 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:21.859 his very 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.579 own 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.559 son. 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.359 Jesus Christ. 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:26.639 Fully 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.039 God 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.319 and 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.000 fully 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.759 man. 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:29.699 Now, 00:25:29.939 --> 00:25:30.839 it matters, 00:25:30.979 --> 00:25:31.619 his humanity 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.519 matters, 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.939 because he 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.399 needed to 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:35.119 step into 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.019 our place, 00:25:36.479 --> 00:25:36.859 be a 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.879 propitiation 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.759 for us, 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.699 bear God's 00:25:39.699 --> 00:25:40.199 wrath on 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.219 our behalf. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.199 He has to 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:42.659 be a 00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.259 substitute 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.599 for us. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.139 We're going 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:45.439 to read a 00:25:45.439 --> 00:25:45.859 text that 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.319 speaks about 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.419 this in 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:47.739 just a 00:25:47.739 --> 00:25:48.039 moment. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.119 Further, 00:25:51.199 --> 00:25:51.659 for him 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.219 to die 00:25:52.219 --> 00:25:52.519 and pay 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:52.919 the penalty 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:53.579 for our 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.099 sin 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.099 wasn't 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.919 quite 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.439 enough. 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:56.919 Hear me 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.159 out. 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.480 Don't 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.059 clip that. 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.319 Hear me 00:25:59.319 --> 00:25:59.559 out. 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.480 We also 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.399 need to 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.639 keep God's 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.319 law. 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:04.720 Remember that 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.299 Old Testament 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.139 covenant that I 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.000 quickly mentioned 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.539 before? 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.179 God will be 00:26:08.179 --> 00:26:08.579 our God 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.220 if we keep 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.319 his law. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.839 The law 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.379 has a 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:12.839 function. 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:13.759 It serves 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.039 in our 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.799 lives as a 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.559 guardian to 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.559 bring us 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.599 to Christ 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.299 because we 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.199 need 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:21.299 righteousness 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.079 to be 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.700 before God. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.440 Having our 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.240 sin 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.859 canceled 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.460 brings us 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.799 up to 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.259 zero. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.339 We now 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:27.579 have 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.079 nothing 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.619 in the 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.099 account, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.759 but we 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.000 need 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.799 perfection 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.000 credited 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.220 to us. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.819 A thing 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.500 we cannot 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.119 do. 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.119 We can't 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.659 accomplish it. 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.019 We've 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.680 proven that 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.200 we cannot 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.919 accomplish it. 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:40.799 And so 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.119 Jesus, 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:41.680 in his 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.460 humanity, 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:43.740 kept 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.839 the law. 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.859 It's so 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.240 important. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:46.980 Sacrificial 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.539 death, 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.660 perfect 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.539 life. 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:49.980 He did 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.480 it on 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.099 our 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.480 behalf. 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.019 That's 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.259 why the 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.640 humanity 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.539 matters so 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.860 much for 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.259 the gospel 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.539 of Jesus 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.039 Christ. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:00.079 How about 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.420 the deity? 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.620 Why does 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:01.980 the deity 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.900 matter so 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.220 much? 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.319 It's 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.620 because when 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.180 God poured 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.599 out his 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.120 wrath for 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.740 our sin, 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.620 our sin 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.579 was due 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.799 infinite 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.740 wrath. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.500 It was due 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.880 wrath forever. 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.019 So how do 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.000 you pay that 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.360 penalty? 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.919 three hours 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:19.279 on a cross. 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.459 It's not 00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:21.179 something you 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:21.719 and I 00:27:21.719 --> 00:27:22.639 could possibly 00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.579 accomplish. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.039 We don't 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.399 have the 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.339 ability because 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.199 we're not 00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:27.539 infinite. 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.939 Christ 00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.479 himself, 00:27:29.979 --> 00:27:31.099 fully God, 00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:32.500 is 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.559 infinite. 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.099 And therefore 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.419 he could 00:27:34.419 --> 00:27:35.679 drink up 00:27:35.679 --> 00:27:36.719 all of that 00:27:36.719 --> 00:27:37.319 infinite 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.899 wrath 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:38.959 on our 00:27:38.959 --> 00:27:39.419 behalf. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.299 We couldn't 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.699 do it. 00:27:41.459 --> 00:27:42.039 He had to 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.439 do it 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:43.879 for us. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.439 Christ's 00:27:45.439 --> 00:27:46.219 deity and 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.240 his humanity 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.180 must be 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.039 understood for 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.460 the gospel 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:49.860 to make 00:27:49.860 --> 00:27:50.920 any sense 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.400 whatsoever. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.579 Let me 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:54.980 take you to 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.600 Romans chapter 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.059 three. 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:56.700 You may 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.360 appreciate being 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:59.000 there with 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.240 me. 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:08.500 I'm jumping 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:08.940 into the 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.880 middle of an 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.740 argument that 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.720 Paul began 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.539 back in 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.620 chapter one 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.079 and verse 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.599 sixteen. 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:16.059 So you won't 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.579 have it in its 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:16.960 completion. 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:17.620 I'd really 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.240 encourage you to 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.660 study this 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.519 more if it's 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.259 foreign to 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.599 you. 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:22.920 I'm going to 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.279 pick up in 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.940 verse twenty-one 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.319 of Romans 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:24.660 three. 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.680 There Paul 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:26.900 says, 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.400 but now 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.720 the righteousness 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.539 of God 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:31.000 has been 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.900 manifested 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.240 apart from 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.860 the law, 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.380 although the 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.980 law and the 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.799 prophets bear 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:37.440 witness to 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:37.779 it, 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.500 the righteousness 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.620 of God 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:42.220 through faith 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.100 in Jesus 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.580 Christ. 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:43.880 What he's 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.320 saying is we 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.140 become righteous 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:46.320 not through 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:46.940 the law, 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.660 although the 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:47.940 law and 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.460 prophets 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:50.120 point us to 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.880 the way we 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.779 do become 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.100 righteous. 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:52.519 We become 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.960 righteous through 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.759 faith, 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.980 verse twenty-two, 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.720 in Jesus 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.620 Christ for 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.019 all who 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.480 believe. 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.200 For there is 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.880 no distinction 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:04.340 between Jew 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.000 and Gentile. 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:05.880 Verse twenty-three, 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.980 for all have 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.519 sinned and 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.500 fall short 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.880 of the glory 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.500 of God. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.120 We did not 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.860 keep, right? 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.740 It's impossible. 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.440 Every single 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:16.980 one of us 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:17.960 have sinned 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.460 and we fall 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.160 short of 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.400 that standard, 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.220 the righteousness 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.079 of God 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.299 through the 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.600 law. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.079 Praise God, 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.440 it's been 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.220 manifested 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.759 apart from 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.900 the law. 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:31.839 And are 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.400 justified, 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.200 verse twenty-four, 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:33.960 justified, 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.799 declared righteous, 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.319 this is a 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.160 judicial term, 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.819 justified 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:40.039 by his 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.019 grace. 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.360 There it is 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:41.559 again, 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.339 grace upon 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:42.640 grace, 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.559 grace as 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.900 a gift 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:46.339 through the 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.759 redemption 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:48.240 that is in 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.680 Christ Jesus, 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.120 whom God 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.039 put forward 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.639 as a 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.559 propitiation 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.639 to be 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.440 received 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.480 by 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.740 faith. 00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.480 This 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.700 was to 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.279 show 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.019 God's 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.500 righteousness 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:04.059 because in 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.000 his divine 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.779 forbearance 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.079 he had 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.700 passed over 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.519 former sins, 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.019 that is he 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.559 was dealing 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.440 with Israel 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.159 patiently, 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:11.799 they were 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.460 hoping in 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.000 a future 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.839 promise. 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.139 It was to 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.659 show his 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.619 righteousness 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.279 at the 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.279 present time 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.379 so that he 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.119 might be 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.039 just 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:23.099 and the 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.159 justifier, 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:24.779 merciful, 00:30:24.959 --> 00:30:25.619 just and 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.019 merciful, 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.659 of the 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:27.139 one who 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:28.139 has faith 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:28.919 in 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:30.159 Jesus. 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:30.659 Right? 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.619 So righteousness, 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.359 right, 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.199 apart from the 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:33.419 law, 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.479 in Christ 00:30:34.479 --> 00:30:35.000 because he 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.419 kept the 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.139 law and he 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:36.479 was put 00:30:36.479 --> 00:30:36.979 forward as 00:30:36.979 --> 00:30:37.500 a sacrifice 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.219 on our 00:30:38.219 --> 00:30:39.099 behalf. 00:30:39.199 --> 00:30:39.619 I think you 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.219 can maybe 00:30:40.219 --> 00:30:40.699 see why I 00:30:40.699 --> 00:30:41.219 gave you a 00:30:41.219 --> 00:30:42.039 clearer, 00:30:42.239 --> 00:30:42.479 simpler 00:30:42.479 --> 00:30:43.000 explanation 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.059 before reading 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:45.259 this text. 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.779 Verse twenty-seven, 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.859 then what 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.259 becomes of 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.399 our 00:30:48.399 --> 00:30:48.700 boasting? 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.039 It is 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.139 excluded. 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:52.839 By what 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.160 kind of 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.420 law? 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.460 By a 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.740 law of 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.139 works? 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.460 No, 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.940 but by 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.059 the law 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.680 of faith. 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:01.960 For we 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.500 hold that 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.819 one is 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.279 justified 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.779 by faith 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.420 apart 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.700 from works 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.759 of the 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.019 law. 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.180 We bring 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.920 nothing to 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.480 the equation, 00:31:10.619 --> 00:31:10.859 we have 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.619 nothing to 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.220 boast in. 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.420 I can't 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.879 boast in 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.579 my faith, 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.359 God 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.139 has 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:17.379 saved 00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:17.740 me. 00:31:18.219 --> 00:31:18.779 To what 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.159 end? 00:31:20.419 --> 00:31:21.459 The glory 00:31:21.459 --> 00:31:22.679 of God. 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.240 The glory 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.559 of God. 00:31:25.659 --> 00:31:26.079 Back in 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:27.039 our text 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.619 and verse 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.740 eighteen, 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.299 there John 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.599 writes, 00:31:30.699 --> 00:31:31.059 no one 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.699 has ever 00:31:31.699 --> 00:31:32.719 seen God, 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.439 the only 00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:33.839 God, 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.419 who is 00:31:34.419 --> 00:31:35.199 at the 00:31:35.199 --> 00:31:35.779 Father's 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.399 side. 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:36.899 He 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:38.099 has made 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:38.419 him 00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:39.679 known. 00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.519 When we 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.179 behold 00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:43.139 Jesus, 00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:44.799 we behold 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:46.259 God. 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:47.799 John's 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.039 gospel 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.480 records 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:48.779 Jesus 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.220 making 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.559 this 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:49.980 case 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.759 again 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.519 and 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.720 again. 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.019 Do you 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.480 want access 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.000 to God, 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.700 Jesus says? 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.740 Come 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.720 to 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:59.000 me. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.119 Colossians 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.419 one 00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:01.720 and verse 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.419 fifteen, 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.299 there Paul 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:03.740 declares 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.599 that Jesus 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:05.859 is the 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.639 image 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.619 of the 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.240 invisible 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.559 God. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.099 He 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.680 has 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.259 made 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.899 him 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:14.259 known. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.500 Some 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.000 translations 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:17.079 say he 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.480 has 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.399 explained 00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:18.879 him. 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:19.980 That's 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.940 because the 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.419 Greek word 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:21.779 here is 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.319 where we 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.779 get our 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.099 word 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:24.079 exegesis 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:24.700 from, 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.139 which is 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.359 the way 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:25.720 we try 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.339 to preach, 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:26.799 open a 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.039 text, 00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:27.700 explain to 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.059 you what 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.779 the text 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.859 means. 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.240 So think 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.619 of it in 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.819 those terms, 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.220 right? 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:32.919 Jesus 00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.579 Christ has 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.519 explained 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.440 to us 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.940 God, 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.039 shown to 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.460 us 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.339 God's 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.399 character 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.960 in the 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.299 saving 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:42.039 of a 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.379 people 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:43.760 for 00:32:43.760 --> 00:32:43.960 his 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.420 praise. 00:32:45.860 --> 00:32:46.760 So in 00:32:46.760 --> 00:32:47.440 closing 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.540 and briefly, 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:49.640 there's 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.320 three things 00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:50.560 to be 00:32:50.560 --> 00:32:50.880 thinking 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.340 about 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.580 applying 00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:54.680 in this 00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:54.920 coming 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:55.280 week. 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.820 First, 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.160 I want to 00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:57.840 strongly 00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.560 encourage you 00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.460 to behold 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.460 God 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.640 in the 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.020 Bible. 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.540 This 00:33:03.540 --> 00:33:04.140 book 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:05.100 is where 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:05.400 we get 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.120 to take 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:06.740 up and 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.300 see 00:33:07.300 --> 00:33:08.340 the life 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:09.020 of Christ. 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:10.379 both Old 00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:10.779 Testament 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.639 and New 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:12.160 is pointing 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.900 us to 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.440 him, 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.000 that we 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.259 might 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.900 behold 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:15.440 him and 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.019 have our 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.740 affections 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.259 turned 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.400 toward him. 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:18.879 Be 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:19.599 regularly 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.819 in this 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.700 book. 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:22.680 If you 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.299 have the 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.900 spirit of 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.339 Christ, 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:25.259 he is 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.200 very pleased 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.859 to exalt 00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:27.519 Christ as 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:27.839 you take 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.160 up this 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.839 word and 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.200 read. 00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.359 It's not 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:31.980 enough. 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.279 Perhaps 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.660 40. 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.420 It's not 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:34.859 enough. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.740 This is the 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.759 broadest way 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.240 that the 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.700 church can 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.480 be discipled. 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:39.740 It's 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.740 extremely 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.519 important. 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.140 Coming 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:42.660 together and 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.120 opening God's 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:43.640 word together 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.779 is central, 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.180 but it 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.160 can't be 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:47.099 it. 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:47.940 You need 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.120 to be 00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:49.039 regularly in 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.539 this word, 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.299 taking up 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.099 and reading, 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.200 beholding 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.539 God, 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.539 meeting with 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:54.180 him in 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.279 the text 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:55.940 on a 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.180 regular 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.700 basis. 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.859 I've told 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.420 you before, 00:33:59.079 --> 00:33:59.859 most of 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:00.380 the counseling 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.079 that I do, 00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:01.819 I ask the 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.180 question, 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:02.740 how regularly 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.059 are you 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.500 reading the 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:03.779 Bible? 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:04.640 And the 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.339 regular answer 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:05.900 is not 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.480 very much. 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.420 Not very 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.660 much. 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:07.880 Let's 00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:08.460 start there. 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.160 Take up 00:34:09.160 --> 00:34:09.539 and read. 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.220 See how 00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:10.780 it shapes 00:34:10.780 --> 00:34:12.079 you into 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.599 the image 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.720 of Christ. 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:15.860 Secondly, 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.320 behold God 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.880 in the 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.480 church. 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:21.440 And by 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.720 that I 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.059 mean the 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.920 local assembly 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.500 of those 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.860 who God 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:25.559 has saved. 00:34:26.160 --> 00:34:26.760 If we 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.420 will have 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.599 the proper 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.440 eyes for 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:29.579 it, 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:29.940 when we 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.940 come together, 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.960 there are 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.960 myriad, 00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.340 lots of 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:35.380 pictures of 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.740 God's saving 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.400 work. 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:39.400 God's 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:38.260 work all 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:38.940 around us. 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.619 So many 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.260 people are 00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:41.940 seeking for 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.440 experience when 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.680 they come to 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:45.079 church. 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.119 Should church 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:46.760 be lively? 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.300 Should it be 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:47.740 compelling? 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.280 Sure. 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.360 Any of those 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:49.700 things. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.280 But is the 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:51.880 point that we 00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:52.360 put on a 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:53.019 show that you 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.480 come and 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:53.980 consume? 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:54.840 No. 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:55.800 No. 00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:58.119 Who is in 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.840 this room 00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:00.840 together matters. 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:01.920 Because as you 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.480 are members of 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:02.860 our church, 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.619 most of you 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:05.659 are your 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:06.639 pictures of 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:08.579 God's grace. 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.599 You see the 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.420 way that Christ 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:11.340 has worked in 00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:13.199 you across 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.260 time, in 00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:14.760 this past 00:35:14.760 --> 00:35:15.280 week. 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.699 It matters 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.260 that you 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:18.460 come and 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:20.460 participate in 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:20.980 the worship of 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.280 God. 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:21.960 It naturally 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:23.460 grows his 00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:23.920 people, 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:25.099 day in, 00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:25.659 day out, 00:35:25.820 --> 00:35:26.980 practicing these 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.960 types of 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.300 habits. 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:30.300 And then 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:30.640 lastly, 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.640 behold God 00:35:31.640 --> 00:35:32.720 in your 00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:34.039 proclamation 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:35.519 of the 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:35.860 truth. 00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:38.680 We need 00:35:38.680 --> 00:35:39.260 to be sharing 00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:39.600 the good 00:35:39.600 --> 00:35:39.900 news of 00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:40.600 Jesus Christ. 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:41.960 Our 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:42.800 affection should 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:43.620 be high for 00:35:43.620 --> 00:35:44.100 him and we 00:35:44.100 --> 00:35:44.620 should want 00:35:44.620 --> 00:35:45.539 to talk about 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:45.940 him. 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.060 And we're 00:35:47.060 --> 00:35:47.800 either going 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:48.880 to experience 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:50.580 seed sown 00:35:50.580 --> 00:35:51.280 on good soil 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:51.760 that bears 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:52.220 fruit, 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.200 seeing the 00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:53.800 spirit of 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:55.380 Christ change 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:55.860 the hearts 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.400 of people, 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.539 see them turn 00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:57.960 away from 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.420 their sin, 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.079 turn toward, 00:35:59.179 --> 00:36:00.079 embrace Christ, 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:01.079 faith in 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:02.720 him, or 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:04.079 we're going 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.619 to suffer for 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.039 the name. 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.220 People are 00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:06.840 not going to 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.240 want to hear 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:08.039 what we have 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:08.480 to say. 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.220 They're going 00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:09.960 to want to 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.340 go the way 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:10.880 of the world 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.240 and they're 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:11.619 going to hate 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:11.960 us because 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.440 Jesus has 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:12.860 called us 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.639 out of the 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:13.840 world. 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.579 And either 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:16.240 way, we 00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.159 get to see 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:18.659 God as we 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.900 go forth and 00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.500 share this 00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:22.340 good news of 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:23.019 Jesus Christ. 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:24.320 So behold 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:24.699 God in the 00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:25.280 Bible, behold 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:25.699 God in the 00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.280 church, behold 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.940 God in your 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.960 proclamation, 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.940 and let's be 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:31.019 sure that we 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.440 get the 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:33.539 incarnation right. 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:34.679 Let's pray. 00:36:34.679 --> 00:37:04.659 Thank you.