WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.580 Romans chapter one, and we're going to begin our reading in verse 24. 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:12.200 Therefore, God gave him up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:19.839 ! Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the creator who is blessed forever. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:20.620 Amen. 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:27.879 For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions for their women, exchange natural relations for those that are contrary to nature. 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:33.460 And the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:38.579 men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:44.920 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:49.859 They are filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:54.879 They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. 00:00:54.880 --> 00:01:06.000 They are gossips, slanders, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:15.320 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:16.859 Happy Easter, right? 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:17.620 Let's pray together. 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:23.840 Father God, I pray that you will bless us in our frailty this morning. 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:30.520 Help us, Father, as we study your word to praise a risen king. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:33.359 We pray this in Christ's precious name. 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:34.460 Amen. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:35.540 Please have a seat. 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:44.380 For those of you who are guests with us this morning, I did not pick this text for this morning. 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:52.640 It was kind of a sign to me as we have been preaching through Romans and started, oh, five weeks or so ago. 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:56.440 And we arrived here at verse 24. 00:01:56.440 --> 00:02:02.840 Last week, we saw the characteristics of the fallen man starting in verse 18 through 23. 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:18.780 Those who are not found in Christ rejected God's revelation, fail to give glory to God, is not thankful toward God, thinks foolishly, worships wrongly. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:22.680 And therefore, we saw in verse 20 are without excuse. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:30.300 The judgment, the condemnation that will be due them is right and it's just. 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:33.300 So we come to verse 24. 00:02:34.200 --> 00:02:38.580 I'm going to focus primarily this morning on verse 24, 25 and 32. 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:47.520 Therefore, God gave them up in the lust of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:53.720 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature, rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:54.800 Amen. 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:59.040 So Paul says that that God gave them up. 00:02:59.200 --> 00:03:03.380 I want to read you a quick paragraph from MacArthur's commentary on this. 00:03:03.480 --> 00:03:08.820 The Greek term, therefore, gave up or gave over is paradidimo. 00:03:09.020 --> 00:03:10.719 Excuse me if I'm mispronouncing that. 00:03:11.260 --> 00:03:13.300 And he writes is an intense verb. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:21.040 In the New Testament, it is used of giving one's body to be burned and three times of Christ giving himself up to death. 00:03:21.260 --> 00:03:31.100 It is used in a judicial sense of men's being committed to prison or to judgment and of rebellious angels being delivered to pits of darkness. 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:39.799 It is also used of Christ committing himself to his father's care and of the father's delivering his own son to propitiatory death. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:42.459 So a strong verb is being used here. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:46.879 This idea of giving over man because of man's sinfulness. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:52.400 God has said, I'm going to retract my restraining grace from him. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:56.759 I'm going to let him do what he wants to do because of his sin. 00:03:56.759 --> 00:04:01.039 And it's because of the lusts of their hearts. 00:04:01.459 --> 00:04:04.259 Jesus says in Matthew 15, 19, 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:12.719 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness and slander. 00:04:12.859 --> 00:04:24.620 So because of the condition of fallen man's heart, God removes his restraining grace and gives him over to it to serve the creature rather than the creator. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:29.439 And Paul is referring back to verse 23 from last week. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:32.240 And isn't that really, though, the essence of idolatry? 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:39.980 When we turn and serve anything created versus the one who created them, who is the creator. 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:43.780 It's the very essence of idolatry we see there. 00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:53.539 And I think Paul comes up for air for a moment as he's now half of chapter one talking about man's depravity. 00:04:53.719 --> 00:04:58.299 I think he comes up forever to speak of the creator, to give himself a little lift in his spirit. 00:04:58.419 --> 00:05:00.819 And he says, who was blessed forever. 00:05:01.539 --> 00:05:01.899 Amen. 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:09.539 But I also think in that we can find a great truth because he said who is blessed forever. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:15.939 Not conditional based on man himself, on how we worship God. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:20.520 But God is, in fact, blessed forever in spite of what we do. 00:05:21.520 --> 00:05:21.780 Amen. 00:05:23.080 --> 00:05:26.340 Paul interjects that there for us in verse 25. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:32.680 He then goes on to show us the extent to which man's heart is depraved. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:39.819 I want to define that term for you, that the idea of depravity, depravity is a metallurgical term. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:45.240 When the metal worker would refine metal, he would refine it. 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:50.220 He'd burn off the impurities, would rise to the top, and he'd skim them away. 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:54.460 And he'd heat that metal again, and those impurities would rise to the top, and he'd skim them away. 00:05:54.459 --> 00:06:01.419 And he would pull the good metal out, but eventually he would get to the point where what was left was just the crud. 00:06:01.859 --> 00:06:02.699 Just the leftovers. 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:06.459 And that metal could no longer be refined any longer. 00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:08.539 That metal was said to be depraved. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:10.120 Good for nothing. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:11.599 Worthless. 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:12.579 Of no value. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:16.899 And that's what sin, that's what Adam's sin did to all of mankind. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.019 Left us dead. 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:21.319 Of no value whatsoever. 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:21.439 Whatever. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:26.740 Created in God's image, but totally corrupted because of sin. 00:06:27.620 --> 00:06:30.360 And that's where we find these people. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:31.099 Right? 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:44.500 We see in the following verses, which we're not going to get into, I could list and talk about each one and tell you about all these things and what they mean and how horrid they are. 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:45.680 I'm not going to do that. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:51.120 But what we see in those things is a person who lives in direct opposition to God's law. 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:55.759 Breaks it at every point in this list. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:57.300 He builds. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:03.340 He really exposes the depravity of man to us as he works through these next few verses. 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:06.420 And I think that's a value to us as Christians. 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:14.259 We have been set free from the law of God, but yet we still break it on so many levels. 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:19.140 So I think it's good for us to look at a list like this and hold ourselves up to it. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:24.379 Charles Spurgeon wrote this in a commentary on this text. 00:07:24.460 --> 00:07:24.819 He said, 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:31.180 The law is also very useful because it shows us our defections and stains. 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:37.899 It is like the looking glass, which my lady holds up to her face, that she may see if there be any spot on it. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:41.680 But she cannot wash her face with the looking glass. 00:07:42.159 --> 00:07:46.459 When the mirror has done its utmost, then there are the same stains. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.659 It cannot take away a single spot. 00:07:48.719 --> 00:07:50.240 It can only show where one is. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:57.340 And the law, though it reveals our sin, our shortcomings, our transgressions, it cannot remove the sin or the transgression. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:08:02.480 It is weak for that purpose because it was never intended to accomplish such an end. 00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:06.560 So the law exposes our sinfulness. 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:10.480 And as Christians, that's the value here for us. 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:18.759 And for the lost person, they need the bad news of the law, of the just condemnation of God, 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:20.959 for good news to be good news at all. 00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:24.839 Praise God we get to talk about some good news this morning. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:27.759 I'm going to skip on down to verse 32. 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:31.139 Paul writes, 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:36.879 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:42.639 they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:45.639 He says that they know God's decree. 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:48.240 Romans 2.15, a little bit later, he writes, 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:51.779 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:54.460 while their conscience also bears witness, 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:58.379 and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even accuse them. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:04.019 Paul says to us that mankind is aware of God's law, 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.299 that it's written on their hearts, 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:07.680 that they know what is good and what is bad. 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:12.580 And he takes it a step further to say that they actually know that they deserve to die because they transgressed it. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:14.940 They know that much. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:19.500 They don't have the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:25.780 but they at least know that they deserve death because they have transgressed God's law. 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:28.480 And even though they know that, 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:32.179 they not only do them, but they give approval to those who practice them. 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:37.360 The evidence that the world knows that they have transgressed God's law and they deserve death 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:42.259 is the guilt and the shame that everyone in this world carries around with them. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:45.019 No one in this world is happy. 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:45.879 And you want to know why? 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:50.279 Because they know they're living miserable lives. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:53.159 And what is misery love? 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:54.919 Company. 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:55.799 Right? 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:58.360 So they not only know this, 00:09:58.439 --> 00:10:02.179 but they give approval to those who practice such things. 00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:06.120 And that's where we find ourselves without Christ. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.039 Living in sin. 00:10:10.479 --> 00:10:13.559 Completely aware that we deserve death as a result of it. 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:17.019 Until the gospel intercedes. 00:10:17.719 --> 00:10:20.199 Ignatius, who was a super cool first century martyr, 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:21.939 said, 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:24.520 The life of a man is a continual death, 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.880 unless it be that Christ lives in him. 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:29.060 Isn't that good? 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:31.880 The life of a man is a continual death, 00:10:31.880 --> 00:10:35.440 unless it be that Christ lives in him. 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.300 So let's talk about the gospel. 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:40.460 The good news of Jesus Christ. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:44.120 Martin Luther called it the great exchange. 00:10:45.040 --> 00:10:47.140 That we were unrighteous. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:51.000 And that Christ took his righteousness and gave it to us, 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:51.860 imputed it, 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.240 is the fancy word for that. 00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:55.220 Imputed his righteousness to us, 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:57.580 and took our sin on himself. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:01.500 God couldn't let sin go unpunished. 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:04.559 Otherwise, he wouldn't be completely just. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.500 He's completely just. 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:08.299 That means he must punish all sin. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.639 He couldn't just say, 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.639 Yeah, you guys are forgiven. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:11.480 You're not forgiven. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:11.879 Okay. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.500 Now the score is settled. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.980 He had to punish it all. 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:20.639 So he punished the sins of those who place their faith in Christ, 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.200 in Christ. 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:26.759 He poured out his wrath on Christ for our sins. 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:29.399 Romans 5.8, Paul writes, 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:31.240 But God shows his love for us, 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:33.220 in that while we were still sinners, 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:35.419 Christ died for us. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:40.980 It's kind of a personal rendering of Isaiah 53.4. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:44.480 But he was wounded for your transgressions. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:47.740 He was crushed for your iniquities. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:51.180 Upon him was the chastisement that brought you peace. 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:54.879 And with his stripes, you are healed. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:12:01.759 One of my favorite gospel presentations in all of Scripture is found in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.379 I'd ask that you turn there with me real quick. 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:05.460 I want to show you a few things from it. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.419 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:17.899 I'll start reading in chapter 1. 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:22.860 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:24.639 in which you once walked, 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:26.479 following the course of this world, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:29.099 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:32.879 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:36.500 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:38.659 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:42.539 and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.879 But God, being rich in mercy, 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:48.419 because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:50.700 even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:53.059 made us alive together with Christ. 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:54.879 By grace you have been saved. 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:56.419 And raised us up with him, 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:58.980 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:01.759 so that in the coming ages he might show 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:04.600 the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward us. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.000 In Christ Jesus. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:09.500 So let me show you his logic in reverse. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:10.879 Okay? 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.340 Verse 7. 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:17.379 So that he might show the immeasurable riches of his gracious. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:20.440 So he might make himself great. 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:26.139 So he might show the world his great grace to his church. 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.279 What did he do? 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.500 He raised us up with Christ, 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:33.080 so that we may be made alive together with him. 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:37.700 That truth hinges on the resurrection, doesn't it? 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:40.300 And then verse 4, this phrase, 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:42.520 but God, because we were dead. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.540 Isn't that what verse 1 says? 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:47.020 We were dead in our trespasses and sins. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.840 But then this precious phrase in verse 4, 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.940 But God, 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:54.340 even though we deserve his just wrath, 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.120 condemnation was ours, 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:56.940 but God, 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.259 being rich in mercy, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.560 made us alive together with Christ, 00:14:01.780 --> 00:14:03.840 and raised us up with him. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:06.220 Said he might make himself great. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:09.860 It's one of my favorite gospel presentations. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.379 John Stott once wrote, 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:15.100 Christianity is a resurrection religion. 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:19.120 The concept of resurrection lies at its heart. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.360 Remove it, 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:22.680 and Christianity is destroyed. 00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:25.740 Turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:31.779 I hope that this text is being used all over the world this morning. 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.240 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:37.879 There have been some debates in the Corinthian church 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:41.060 about whether or not it was possible for someone to be raised from the dead. 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:43.960 And Paul begins to address that, 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:48.120 but in his very poignant logic, 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.680 takes it to Christ, 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.159 and gets right at the heart of their religion. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:54.500 Remove the resurrection, 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.659 and Christianity ceases to exist. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.839 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:14:58.939 --> 00:15:00.179 We'll start reading in verse 12. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:02.639 Now, if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:05.399 how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.639 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, 00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:09.699 then not even Christ has been raised. 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.839 So how can you say there is no resurrection? 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.039 Because we know Christ was raised, right? 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.860 That's what he's saying there. 00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:14.419 Verse 14. 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.720 And if Christ has not been raised, 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:18.699 then our preaching is in vain, 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:21.079 and your faith is in vain. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:23.259 We're all wasting our time this morning. 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:23.860 Go home. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.960 If the resurrection didn't happen. 00:15:27.520 --> 00:15:28.120 That's what he's saying. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.600 Forget about it. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.620 Eat, drink, be merry. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.900 This is such a waste of time. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.520 If the resurrection didn't happen. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.080 Verse 15. 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:40.340 We are even found to be misrepresenting God. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:43.720 Therefore, I'm a blasphemer this morning. 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:47.080 Because we testified about God that He raised Christ, 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:48.220 whom He did not raise, 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.480 if it is true that the dead are not raised. 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.680 For if the dead are not raised, 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.360 not even Christ has been raised. 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.620 Verse 16. 00:15:57.280 --> 00:15:58.040 Oh, verse 17. 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.820 And if Christ has not been raised, 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:02.320 your faith is futile, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:05.020 and you are still in your sins. 00:16:09.020 --> 00:16:10.980 That work, that great exchange, 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:13.200 it never happened. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:16.600 That exchange was made null and void, 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:20.660 because Christ was defeated by death. 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.940 Verse 18. 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:26.580 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:29.420 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:32.379 we are of all people most to be pitied. 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:33.600 We are fools. 00:16:34.180 --> 00:16:34.720 Verse 20. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.840 But in fact, 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:38.000 Christ has been raised from the dead, 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:40.180 the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:42.279 For as by a man came death, 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:43.580 being Adam, 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:47.639 by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead, 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.740 being Christ. 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.540 For as in Adam all die, 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:54.620 so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:56.240 Isn't that good? 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:58.279 So Christ, 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:01.960 not only bore the wrath of God for our sins, 00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:05.079 but conquered the death that accompanied our sin. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:09.740 He reigns over death, 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.519 because he was, in fact, 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.740 resurrected. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.480 You know, we're the only religion 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:17.019 with a resurrected king. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:21.339 1 Corinthians 15, 55, and 56, 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.559 later on in that chapter, 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.759 Paul writes, 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.779 O death, where is your victory? 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.920 In jest. 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:31.099 O death, where is your sting? 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.920 The sting of death is sin, 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:35.240 and the power of sin is the law. 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.879 But thanks be to God 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.200 who gives us the victory 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:40.640 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:44.220 It's good stuff this morning. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.839 But back to our text in Romans. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.879 I believe we, 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.460 as Christ Family Church, 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:56.440 as American Christians, 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:58.120 have a bit of a problem 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.360 as we read to this text. 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.880 And I think that problem 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:05.120 is that the things that Paul 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:06.319 is talking about here 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:08.620 aren't too incredibly shocking 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.900 to us. 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.700 I think we read it in passing. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:13.840 They go, 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:14.480 oh yeah, yeah, 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.440 those things, yeah. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.980 Evil, malice. 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.200 Of course. 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.259 Sure. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:22.259 And I think the reason for that 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.559 is that we're not 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.779 that much different 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:27.359 than the people being described here. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.879 I don't think we're that different. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:36.019 I don't think that I'm so different 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.180 that I look at my neighbor 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.640 and go, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.019 whew, 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.140 a depraved man 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:40.079 lives next door to me 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.200 who needs the gospel. 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.099 Look at those across the street. 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.039 Look at my coworkers 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.519 and the way they live. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:49.039 My life looks so drastically different 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.859 from this 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:53.759 that this shocks me. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.099 Oh, 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.619 people do live this way. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.460 Look at the fallen world around us. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:01.680 How horribly entrapped 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:03.400 and enslaved it is by sin. 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.440 Because I think we ourselves 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:09.139 live this way. 00:19:09.140 --> 00:19:10.920 I think that if we 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.860 would allow 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.980 the truth of the resurrection 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:15.540 to crack open 00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:16.880 our cold and hard hearts, 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:18.900 we would live a lot differently. 00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:21.580 If we would actually embrace, 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.900 hold on to 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.020 the truth 00:19:24.020 --> 00:19:25.040 of the resurrection 00:19:25.040 --> 00:19:25.840 of Christ, 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:27.300 we would live as children 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:28.120 of a risen king. 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:31.340 We would actually embrace 00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:33.160 his promises to us 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.020 and live 00:19:34.020 --> 00:19:35.320 in light of them. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:39.720 What are some of those promises? 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.899 Promises that would only be possible 00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:44.559 if Christ has risen. 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:48.019 His promise to be with us 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.299 always 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:51.819 in Matthew 28, 20. 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.119 He has promised that 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:55.399 all those who belong to him 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.019 will be saved 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.899 in John 10, 4. 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.099 He's promised that 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:02.079 those who are saved 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.419 will never be snatched 00:20:03.419 --> 00:20:04.579 from his hand. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.500 In John 10, 29. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.319 He's promised to give us 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:10.879 power 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:12.259 for holy living 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:14.259 in John 15, 5. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.419 And he's promised 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:18.879 to return and reign forever 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:20.700 in Revelation 3, 00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:21.960 11 and 12. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.359 Do our lives 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:27.000 reflect a belief 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.460 in any of these things? 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.799 I think we should 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.599 examine ourselves. 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.819 I think we should 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:35.599 let this light 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:38.939 expose our hearts. 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.119 I think that 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.500 these are the kinds of messages 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.599 that our church needs to hear 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.839 until we start living differently. 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.500 Radically changed people. 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.779 People who read 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:55.279 a text like this 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.119 and weep 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:57.339 for the lost around us. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:21:02.139 that's the power 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:02.740 of the resurrection 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.579 for us today. 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.319 I think the conviction 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:06.119 that it brings 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:09.539 that we live 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.279 like the dead 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:12.039 when we should be living 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.939 like the risen. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.759 Those who have life. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:18.179 Those who have a gospel message 00:21:18.179 --> 00:21:19.799 and like Paul 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.619 should be obligated 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.079 to share it 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.959 with those around us. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.720 Should have a compulsion 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.440 within them 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.980 to do so. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.620 We've tagged 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.559 Christianity on 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.140 to the end 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.400 of all that we are. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.160 Of how we define ourselves. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.079 And recognize 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.259 that that makes us 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.880 idolaters. 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.039 Because I worship 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.900 my job 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:44.600 and my car 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.680 and my house 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.980 and my family. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.900 And I put Christianity 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.460 at the end 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.380 of all those things. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.220 And I'm a guy 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.799 that goes to church 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.259 on Sunday. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.940 We're idolaters. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.440 I think there's 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.059 no better time 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:00.559 than this morning 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.079 to lay that down 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:04.159 and to begin living 00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:06.379 as the children 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:08.559 of a risen king. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.839 In a few moments 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:12.440 we're going to 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.859 worship 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:14.099 in taking the Lord's 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.619 Supper together. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.159 And it's a symbol 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:17.359 of Christ's 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.559 broken body for us 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.200 and his blood 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.059 spilt for us. 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:22.099 I can't even 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.679 eat the cracker. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.619 I'm allergic to wheat. 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.259 And you know 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.639 what I do? 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.500 I crush the cracker 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.079 in my hand 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.460 to remember 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.339 what Christ has done. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.919 And I stick it 00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:30.359 in my cup 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.559 after I've drank 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.480 the juice. 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.099 It's a symbol. 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.819 It's a symbol 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.099 that should be 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.980 taken seriously. 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.240 Understand what 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.679 you're doing 00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.619 is that you're 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.579 joining with 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.839 the body of believers 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.960 in celebrating 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.319 and remembering 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.299 what Christ has done 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.039 for us. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.339 Died. 00:22:47.659 --> 00:22:48.259 Raised again. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.019 And what he's 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.599 promised 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.379 to do for us. 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:52.719 These promises 00:22:52.719 --> 00:22:53.779 that I read to you. 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.939 Looking to his coming. 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.919 Looking to his power 00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.539 in our life. 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.419 So if you take 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:00.939 the Lord's Supper 00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:01.879 while you're harboring 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.259 sin, 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.119 shame on you. 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.899 Have some time. 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.639 Spend a little time 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.439 repenting 00:23:08.439 --> 00:23:09.059 this morning. 00:23:09.719 --> 00:23:10.439 I hope you'll take 00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:11.319 advantage of it. 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.399 But in closing 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.299 I want to read to you 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.079 the lyrics 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:17.799 of a song 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.579 by John Wesley 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.659 called 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.379 Christ the Lord 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.199 is risen today. 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:24.159 I'm not going to read 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.779 the hallelujahs 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.460 if you know the song. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.939 So listen to these lyrics. 00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:29.740 Christ the Lord 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.899 is risen today. 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.179 Son of men 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:33.139 and angels 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:33.899 say 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:35.480 raise your joys 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.460 and triumphs high 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.460 sing ye heavens 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.980 and earth reply. 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.199 Love's redeeming work 00:23:41.199 --> 00:23:41.859 is done. 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:43.039 fought the fight 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:44.099 the battle won. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.740 Lo the sun's 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:47.059 eclipse is o'er. 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.419 Lo he sets 00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.179 in blood 00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:50.000 no more. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.000 Vain the stone 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.679 the watch 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:53.359 the seal. 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.719 Christ hath burst 00:23:54.719 --> 00:23:55.459 the gates 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:56.079 of hell. 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.559 Death in vain 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.659 forbids him rise. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:00.119 Christ hath opened 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:01.039 paradise. 00:24:02.479 --> 00:24:03.059 Lives again 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.159 our glorious king 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:05.279 where of death 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.039 is now 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.919 thy sting. 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.259 Once he died 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.579 our souls to save 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.839 where thy victory 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:12.259 o'er the grave. 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.359 Soar we now 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.720 where Christ hath led 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.659 following our 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.659 exalted head. 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.199 Made like him 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:20.679 like him we rise. 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.159 Ours the cross 00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:23.399 the grave 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.599 the skies. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.559 Let's pray together.