WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.080 I'm going to ask that you turn in your Bibles this morning to Ephesians chapter 5. 00:00:09.140 --> 00:00:15.960 ! Ephesians chapter 5, as we study together the passage that we have set before us by prayer 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:22.940 ! And in our deliberate work through the book of Ephesians, I want to begin, if I may, in Ephesians 00:00:22.940 --> 00:00:29.480 chapter 5, verse 1, to kind of set the frame in which our study this morning is going to 00:00:29.480 --> 00:00:36.120 find itself. Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ 00:00:36.120 --> 00:00:43.859 loved us and gave Himself for us, a fragrant offing and a sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:49.439 all impurity of covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper among saints. 00:00:51.380 --> 00:00:59.000 Let there be no foolishness, or no filthiness, no foolish talk, nor crude joking, which are out of 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:05.459 place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is 00:01:05.459 --> 00:01:11.859 sexually immoral or impure or who is covetous, that is, an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:19.219 of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things the wrath of God 00:01:19.219 --> 00:01:28.739 comes on the sons of disobedience, therefore, do not be partakers with them. For at one time you were 00:01:28.739 --> 00:01:36.359 darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:44.460 in all that is good and right and true. And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:51.459 I want you to join me in prayer as we come to Him and ask for His help in both the preaching of the 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:59.079 Word of God and then its attention in the lives of God's people. Our Father God, this morning, 00:01:59.759 --> 00:02:11.919 we are aware of the value and the power and the significance of Your Word. We are dependent upon 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:20.099 the Spirit that You have given to every believer. And our request this morning is not a matter of 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:27.519 habit, but a recognition of Your sufficiency and our frailty and a thankfulness that You answer prayer 00:02:27.519 --> 00:02:35.539 as You do. We understand that it is Your intention that the Word be preached with clarity and the force 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:42.159 of the Spirit of the Spirit of God. And that people who have been called by Your name and given the high 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:48.299 and holy purpose of being examples of the Lord of glory would have their hearts molded and informed by 00:02:48.299 --> 00:02:57.060 the Word and leave here with a passion to be effective in a dark and hopeless state. We thank You for the Lord 00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:03.599 Jesus Christ. We thank You for what He has done in our lives and for the divine appointment that He has 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:09.500 given to us of being the light of the world. And so help us as we hear the Word of God to be affected 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:15.780 by it this morning and to grow in grace. And we ask this because of You. Amen. 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:23.420 Now, if you were to take the book of Ephesians and break it down into a very, very terse or short 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:29.259 summary, you would say that the first part of the book of Ephesians is about God's work of saving us. 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:34.339 And we recognize one of the songs that we sang this morning talked about the fact that God was the one 00:03:34.339 --> 00:03:39.259 who did this in us. And if you're sitting here this morning and you know the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:45.799 you would say that you, when you look back across the path, you recognize He was the one who has drawn 00:03:45.799 --> 00:03:51.859 you to the cross and brought you to the place of conviction and burden and recognition of your need. 00:03:51.860 --> 00:03:58.120 And you, in faith, cried out and said, I believe that I'm a sinner and I need Christ. And He saved you. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:04.740 The second part of the book of Ephesians really deals with the character or the behavior of the believer. 00:04:05.220 --> 00:04:12.420 So He saves us. What is the result or the outcome of that salvation in practical daily living? 00:04:13.100 --> 00:04:19.340 And as you look back for just a moment to Ephesians chapter 4, you remember the apostle says this, 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:25.560 Listen, I, a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you've been called. 00:04:25.679 --> 00:04:31.819 We have a walk or a life to live in front of the world that we've been placed before. 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:39.339 And I would like to believe that the Christian life is really kind of broken down into two very, very simple pieces. 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:46.839 One would be the idea that by grace you come to salvation and then here's the happy part that's not true. 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:50.839 And that after you're saved, it's all over and you're just kind of drifting on towards heaven. 00:04:51.659 --> 00:04:57.099 How many of you realize that after salvation and God does a miraculous work in saving us, 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:05.659 nevertheless, there is the ongoing process of Him forming our life to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:09.240 It is a process of progressive sanctification. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:17.540 And as you read in the scriptures over and over again, you get very clear indications that this is not a once and done issue. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:22.879 It's something that takes place over time and He continues to work in us. 00:05:23.580 --> 00:05:26.200 That's one of the reasons why there in chapter 4 it says, 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:29.780 Walk worthy of the calling to which you've been called. 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:34.559 And then in chapter 5 he says, Listen, be an imitator of God. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:36.219 In other words, act like your father. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:41.099 And he, after having made that general statement, he comes down and says, Listen, 00:05:41.539 --> 00:05:47.059 And you who are the children of God have no business being involved in immorality. 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:52.219 It is so unbecoming of a child of God to say in one hand, 00:05:52.219 --> 00:05:59.019 Hey, listen, I know Jesus and He is my Savior and He has blessed me with salvation and He's changed me. 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:04.339 And then to go ahead and live like the rest of the unbelieving world who don't know any better. 00:06:05.299 --> 00:06:11.899 Those who are the children of God have every reason to be different because our life has been changed from the inside out. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:22.799 That being true, we also recognize that the process of growing in grace and growing to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ takes place over time. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:28.639 And we find repeated reminders that we have responsibility in relationship to this. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:32.660 And we have choices we have to make in regards to that. 00:06:32.699 --> 00:06:39.139 And so I want us to think this morning about what this passage deals with, namely choosing between darkness and light. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:41.699 Look at the passage there in verse 7. 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:42.019 It says, 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:55.479 And when Paul wrote this, he wrote it to people who were in a very wicked city. 00:06:55.959 --> 00:07:00.500 He wrote it to people who were caught up in the culture just the way we are. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:02.360 And he was writing to them saying, 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:07.720 Hey, listen, don't let the world draw you into its seductive pattern of living. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:12.500 And actually by becoming involved with them, you become a partner with what's going on. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:20.439 And so whether we realize it or not, we who are believers are called to be different than the unbelieving world. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:22.100 I'm not talking about how we part our hair. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:25.920 I'm talking about the attitudes that we have and the life that we live. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:31.620 And I'm curious this morning whether or not your neighbors would say there's something different about you 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:36.300 besides the fact that you're about the only one on the block who leaves on Sunday morning 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:38.819 and goes somewhere for something other than coffee. 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:42.259 I trust that neighbors would say, 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:42.860 You know what? 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:45.600 That is the friendliest guy on the neighborhood. 00:07:46.020 --> 00:07:47.420 He is the kindest. 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:49.139 He is the most considerate. 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:52.500 He is the person who is interested in the well-being of other people. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:58.180 I've got to tell you, later on today, this is a little solicitation in case you're wondering. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:01.339 Later on today, Caleb, you're going to be moving somebody? 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:02.000 Is that the deal? 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:03.439 You are? 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.199 Oh, amazing. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:08.439 And you have maybe four or five people that are willing to help do this move? 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:11.300 A lot more. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:12.779 Could you use any others? 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:17.079 There's a nod that means yes. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:18.160 Okay. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:19.439 Here's what I'm asking. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.800 Or here's what I'm saying. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:22.420 Guess what? 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:26.220 The testimony is going to be in this neighborhood when people... 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:29.220 How many of you have seen the way the average neighborhood move goes? 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:35.019 It's a man and his wife who's struggling to carry the other end of the couch, right? 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:39.440 And they make about 37,000 trips on and off and on and off. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.539 And guess what's going to happen this afternoon? 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:47.019 We're going to have an opportunity to demonstrate to an unbelieving world that we're different. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.340 And guess how we're going to do that? 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:50.639 We're going to be involved in moving. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:51.799 Lots of us are going to be... 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:56.559 It's going to happen so quickly that if you don't show up at the right time, you'll miss it. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:58.459 What's the right time, Caleb? 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:05.000 Let me try that again. 00:09:05.180 --> 00:09:06.400 Charity, what's the right time? 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.180 1.30. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:15.559 I actually said to Eddie, I said, Eddie, text me so I know for sure. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:17.879 That's me too, that pastor talking about it this morning. 00:09:18.239 --> 00:09:20.500 Text me so I know where we're supposed to be for the move. 00:09:20.859 --> 00:09:22.239 My point is this, is listen. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:27.899 The unbelieving world should see a difference in us and the way we go about doing things. 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:28.699 Am I right or wrong? 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:32.400 And that's what Paul is talking about this morning. 00:09:32.400 --> 00:09:34.580 He takes it, first of all, in a little negative drift here. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:38.320 And he says, listen, don't be a partner with the unbelieving world. 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:44.240 And when he says that, he is saying, don't partner with the darkness of this world, with 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:48.420 the mess and the ugliness and the difficulties that you see around you. 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:52.500 Turn back in your Bible just for a moment to a passage in Psalm 1. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:10:00.699 Psalm 1, and the psalmist there begins the songbook of the Old Testament with a very, 00:10:00.839 --> 00:10:06.559 very pointed reminder of the fact that we who know Christ are really to be substantially 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:07.120 different. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:12.039 It says, blessed is the man who walks not in the, what? 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:19.879 In the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:20.959 scoffers. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.240 So let me ask you this. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:31.019 Is it easy to get caught up in the worldview and the philosophy of the unbelieving world that 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:31.779 lives around us? 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:32.959 And the answer is yes. 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:34.779 Yes. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:39.659 The world's attitude today is that athletics is of supreme importance. 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.519 Am I right or wrong? 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:43.460 And the world gets caught up in that. 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:47.679 The world gets caught up in the idea of retirement, and after retirement, guess what we ought to 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:47.899 do? 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:50.379 We ought to spend all our time being what? 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:52.299 Self-focused, self-indulged. 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:57.460 The world is caught up in thinking about themself and that which is of benefit to them. 00:10:57.460 --> 00:11:04.039 And we who are called by God to be different are not to be caught up with the world's ideas. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:08.860 And here the psalmist says, hey, don't be caught up with the world's philosophy. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:13.940 Well, once we're caught up and we begin listening a little bit, then we begin to stand and talk 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:15.720 a little closer and be a little more involved. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:19.899 And then finally, as it says there at the end of verse 1, it says, or sit. 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:25.480 We're actually seated there listening and caught up and involved in the unbelieving world's logic. 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:30.379 And as you look at the passage going back to Ephesians, you remind yourself there, it says, 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:38.960 Paul says, do not be a partner with those who in their unregenerate state have a worldview 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:41.139 that is contrary to the Scriptures. 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:44.840 Well, look at what he goes on there and says in that passage. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:46.840 He says that we are to be different. 00:11:47.180 --> 00:11:48.100 And how is that? 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:54.899 Every true believer is to be different because we are different by virtue of our nature and 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:56.040 what God has done in us. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:59.220 We're different than what we once were. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:01.920 Now, look at the passage in Mark, what it says. 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:04.340 It says that we were once actually darkness. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:07.740 We were part of the dark. 00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:12.759 And Paul's statement is a reminder of where the Bible stands on the question of what man's 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:14.560 nature really is like. 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:19.319 You know, I think the unbelieving world would like to think that men are basically what? 00:12:19.979 --> 00:12:20.579 Pretty good. 00:12:21.079 --> 00:12:21.639 Pretty good. 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:27.179 And just given a little better environment or a little better education or a little better 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:33.399 opportunity, men would just, of their own nature, just become wonderful, nice, cute people. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:36.439 And the truth of the matter is that's not the nature of man. 00:12:37.459 --> 00:12:43.239 Over in John chapter 3, verse 19, I want you to look at a passage that clarifies what the 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:46.060 unbelieving heart is like in its attitude towards the light. 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:52.060 John chapter 3, verse 19 and 20, Jesus makes a comment about man's heart. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.960 And this is the judgment. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:05.639 The light has come into the world and people love the darkness rather than the light because 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:07.840 their works were evil. 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:18.319 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light unless 00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:19.819 his work should be exposed. 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:23.899 How does the unbelieving world react when the light is turned on? 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.819 They don't respond to it favorably. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:29.980 They're not interested in hearing what is true. 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:31.500 They object to it. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:35.539 In fact, they resent that which exposes the darkness of their heart. 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:39.919 And so if you're sitting here this morning and you kind of find yourself bristling at the 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:45.379 description in the book of Ephesians that says that unbelievers live in darkness, I want to remind 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:52.440 you that that is the natural reaction of an unregenerate heart to the exposure to the reality of what their 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.639 heart is really like. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:57.799 But I want you to recognize that Paul goes on and he says something else. 00:13:57.799 --> 00:14:04.519 He says, you were darkness, but now, now you are light in the Lord. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:09.539 And what he's saying is that the believer is light in the Lord. 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:13.240 Now the term light in the Lord may be a little strange to us. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:17.620 In fact, I was thinking this morning through the week actually, I was thinking of how to 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:22.399 best illustrate it and I really couldn't come up with a good way without being overly dramatic. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:25.199 So let me just kind of have you imagine for a moment. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:31.440 How many of you remember the last time that the power went out somewhere in Columbus and you were without power? 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:32.940 Come on. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.379 You've had that happen, right? 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:42.280 What happens at night when the power goes off and you have no electricity in your house? 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:42.840 What do you do? 00:14:43.920 --> 00:14:46.040 How many of you go try to find candles? 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:51.960 How many of you grab a lantern or a flashlight or something like that? 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:54.120 Light is pretty critical. 00:14:54.540 --> 00:15:00.040 And when Paul was speaking at that time, they didn't have electricity like we have today. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:06.139 When the sun went down, guess what happened to life in human terms? 00:15:06.900 --> 00:15:15.500 It came to a rather pedestrian plod and everything was revolved or revolved around the few lights that were in the home. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.860 I remember growing up in India. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:18.500 We did not have electricity. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:39.460 And one of the things that would begin to happen around dusk is we would go through the process of being sure that the kerosene lanterns and the Aladdin lamps were ready for dark. 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.400 And guess what that meant? 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:46.759 That meant being sure that the kerosene was in them, that the wicks were ready, that the globes were clean. 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:52.200 And before it got too dark, you had to light them because guess what happened when it got dark? 00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:54.120 You didn't have any light. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:16:02.460 And we did not have, it's like in America here, how many of you have only one bulb in your living room? 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:04.259 You've got one over here. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.280 You've got one over there. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.519 You've got one at the other place. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:09.360 Some of them are just there for decoration, right? 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:11.539 Kind of add a little bit of ambiance to the room. 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:16.279 In the good old days growing up, we had one Aladdin in the room. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:21.139 And when that lamp moved, guess what happened with everybody else in the room? 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:26.579 Like magic, they followed where the lamp went. 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:31.120 Because if you didn't go where the lamp went, guess what you were doing? 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:36.840 You were sitting in a very dark room wondering if anybody was moving furniture around on you 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:40.440 because as soon as you tried to leave the point, you were going to bump into something. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:43.519 And generally, it was not a happy experience. 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.279 Desperately needed the light. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.340 And Paul says, hey, you are light. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.940 You are light. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:52.799 And he says that we are light in the Lord. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:17:01.079 The imagery in the scriptures of being light in the Lord is something that we find a number of different places. 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:06.059 For one, over in John chapter 1, it refers to Jesus as being the light. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:08.159 Turn back there, if you will, for a moment. 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.379 John chapter 1. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:14.279 It says that the light of the world is Jesus. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:23.279 In verse 4, it says, 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:27.500 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:37.359 Beloved, I want you to understand that apart from Christ, we would be living in dark and miserable days. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:45.419 Judith and I, as we were having prayer and devotions this morning, we were thinking back over our past. 00:17:45.719 --> 00:17:51.899 And I remember at a time in my life, actually sitting there, kind of pondering my life, 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:56.740 and just imagining my heart to be an incredibly black little ball. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:03.279 Judith, at another point in her own life, had a very similar thought. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:06.819 And both of us, as we were sitting there this morning, we were stopping to think, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:13.039 what was it like to be at that point where our hearts were darkened and hopeless, 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:18.420 and Christ brought light into our lives through salvation? 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.839 Here, John says this. 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.279 He says, 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:25.680 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:30.960 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.940 Aren't you glad for that? 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:37.360 You who have received the Lord Jesus Christ, there was a time in your life where you were floundering around 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:43.059 in the absolute misery and despair of sin, in the absolute darkness of the condition you were in, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:48.299 and the grace of God got a hold of you, and not only brought light, but he made you light. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:51.480 You're different than you once were. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:55.900 And we look at this passage, and he says, hey, Jesus is the light. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:19:00.100 But then he goes on, and he says, not only is Jesus the light, but we're light. 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.099 We're light. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:04.939 And we see that we are that because of our relationship with Christ. 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:09.679 Our nature has been changed from being dark to being light. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:17.799 Not because we learned some positive mental attitude to kind of hold on to, or a set of rules that we were to follow, 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:21.180 but really because he changed our nature in salvation. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:25.600 I want you to look, if you would, just for a moment over to 1 Peter 2, verse 9. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:31.380 Turn to the passage where the apostle speaks about the matter of conversion. 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:34.720 1 Peter 2, verse 9, he says this, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:40.980 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, 00:19:41.260 --> 00:19:48.260 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:50.340 Where were you prior to your conversion? 00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.740 Listen to me. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:20:00.440 The believer should never in one sense really get over remembering where he used to be prior to his conversion. 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:03.720 Paul reminds us of this. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.400 Peter reminds us of this. 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:09.299 He says, listen, he called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:14.880 And if we do not remain with an appreciation of the darkness that we once were in, 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:19.880 there's probably a lack of affection and passion for the light that we now enjoy. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.600 Well, what does being light really look like? 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.840 Turn back, if you would, now. 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:29.519 You're there in 1 Peter, but I want you to go to Matthew chapter 5. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:34.659 We're going to look at a passage there where Jesus addresses this with his disciples. 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:38.919 Matthew chapter 5, verse 14 through 16. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:45.720 Matthew chapter 5, verse 14 through 16. 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:47.259 You are the light of the world. 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.279 Is it a question? 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:53.339 Is he asking us to be something exceptional? 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:56.519 Is he speaking just a small category of believers? 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.399 Or is he talking to all of us? 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.259 What is he talking to? 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.039 Who is he talking to? 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:09.259 Every person here who is a believer, who has come to Christ by faith, is by definition a light. 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.579 That's what we are. 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.559 That's what Jesus says. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.779 You're a light. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:24.220 And so I want you to keep that in mind as we think a little bit further on what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 5. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.879 He says, you are a light. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:29.680 Then he says, walk as children of light. 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:36.019 In other words, he says, do something with the nature that you have and with the appointment that you've received from him. 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:39.299 Walk as children of light. 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:44.920 Then in verse 9, he says, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:53.000 So having reminded us once again that we are believers and reminding us that we are believers by his power and his grace, 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:59.420 we are given specific responsibility in relationship to what that means. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:08.759 You're there in Matthew chapter 5, and I want to draw several things from this passage to apply to this issue of walking as children of the light. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:16.680 I want you to recognize that being a light means being of use to other people, being used for the good of others. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.960 Why did he save me? 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.539 Why did he save you? 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.579 Why did he die for me? 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:24.460 Why did he lift me up out of the pit? 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:32.180 Was it so that I could live just a comfortable and kind of pain-free life and kind of drift on eventually into the sunset, 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:35.060 everything working perfectly for me? 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:35.940 No. 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:43.440 He saved me for the sake of his glory, and he saved me to help other people see their need. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:48.039 So I want you to recognize a couple practical facts in relationship to being light. 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:51.259 Number one, if you are light, you're going to get put in dark places. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.980 I want you to think about that. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.080 Listen to me. 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:57.340 We have a tendency of thinking, I don't want to be in those hard places. 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:57.840 Isn't that right? 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.039 How many of you like hardship? 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.960 Raise your hand. 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.019 I like it. 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:01.519 I like it. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:01.700 No. 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.319 Here's the deal. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:07.579 If he made you light, he will put you in dark places. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:16.019 Some of you are dealing with people at work, and they are incredibly insufferable, 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:23.900 and you wish that they would get saved, or at least that they would be extracted from the place. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:27.860 God puts you in a dark place. 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:41.099 The dark place happens to be a person who is now presently where you used to be, and he puts you there to minister the grace and the power of salvation in that dark corner. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:48.039 Now, by the way, go back, if you would, at that Matthew chapter 5 passage and recognize what it says there. 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:51.180 He says, you are the light of the world. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:55.980 And then in verse 15, he says, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:58.119 Guess what you do when you light a lamp? 00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:59.859 You put it in a dark place. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:02.480 And so, you don't have a choice. 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:06.700 If he lit you, he's got a reason for it, and he's going to put you in a dark place. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:09.920 And so, when he puts you there, you say, all right, this is your choice. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.119 I accept it. 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:14.099 Now, help me be what you've designed me to be. 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:17.439 I want you to recognize the second thing about being a light. 00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.619 You get used up. 00:24:19.459 --> 00:24:20.199 Did you hear me? 00:24:21.239 --> 00:24:22.359 Light gets used up. 00:24:23.939 --> 00:24:30.179 That means that you will be spent if you are the light that he's called you to be. 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:39.920 I have to tell you, I was blown away Thursday evening by trunk or treat in a gymnasium. 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:42.740 We had seven, I think it was 17. 00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:43.500 Where are you, Tim? 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.380 You're back there somewhere. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.660 Okay. 00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:49.539 We had 17 different candy stations. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.700 We had a pirate. 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:54.320 Can we get the pirate up there or not? 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.019 Is that doable? 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.380 David, pirate. 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.820 Ah! 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:05.120 Do you know who that is? 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.680 That's the vice chairman of the deacons. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.660 I can't believe it. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.940 We had a gorilla. 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:18.600 We had a duck commander. 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:25.640 It was 17 candy stations, and we had six game stations. 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:35.240 We had more people from our community on our property than at any time in all the time I've been a pastor here. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:39.579 I was blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed to see what God did. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:45.559 Now, we could have probably done the same thing with dollar bills thrown on the floor. 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:49.940 But, did I hear an amen to that? 00:25:49.940 --> 00:26:05.500 The thing that I was really just blessed by was how many of our fellowship were just on point talking with strangers, visiting with people they'd never met before. 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:11.839 There were five of our young people that had specific opportunities to share the gospel with people they'd never seen before. 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:16.679 That's what being light means. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.819 You know what? 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:40.700 Does it cost something to be light? 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:45.500 You may not think so until you start doing it. 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:49.940 And when you are light, guess what you will find? 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:54.039 There is a process of some self-consumption. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:57.640 You get spent being what he's called you to be. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:01.319 That brings me to one other point that I want you to understand. 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:09.400 You will get used up as light, but you can be renewed in him through his spirit. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:19.320 And if you are not being renewed in him, in his spirit, you will very quickly be drained if you're doing it in your own power. 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.860 Turn back. 00:27:20.320 --> 00:27:22.060 You're there in Matthew chapter 5. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.940 Well, go to John chapter 15. 00:27:25.280 --> 00:27:35.340 There is nothing that is more revealing of what we are relying upon to pull off ministry than being actively engaged in it. 00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:39.040 Because if we're relying upon our flesh, guess what happens pretty quickly? 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:41.500 You drain out. 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:45.500 And in John chapter 15, Jesus made the statement. 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:47.259 He says, I am the vine. 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.180 You are the branches. 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:52.480 And then he goes on there in verse 5 and he says, without me you can do what? 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:53.880 Nothing. 00:27:55.280 --> 00:28:00.340 There are some of you actually sitting out here this morning that really have not been very involved in anything at all. 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:10.899 You're like that light that is being reserved by your own self-interest for nothing other than yourself. 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:17.539 God who saved you intends for your life to be spent for other people. 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:21.859 Now go back to Matthew chapter 15. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:25.159 Or Matthew chapter 5 verse 16. 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.619 And I want you to notice one other thing. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:32.859 Being light means deliberately doing things that reflect well on him. 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.799 Verse 16. 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:42.939 In the same way let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:50.519 It's interesting that the point Jesus is making is it's the unbelievers who are to see the things we do. 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:56.519 Now are we to go around blowing our own horn and saying, hey, guess what? 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.299 I'm special. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:57.980 No. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.019 No. 00:28:58.779 --> 00:29:07.700 But just try being kind and generous and enthusiastic and loving and does the world notice the difference? 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.880 And the answer is yes. 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.420 How many of you know that I love my wife? 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.819 Have you heard me talk about loving my wife before? 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:20.920 Any of you women here ever heard me talk about loving Judith? 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.559 She's at home sick today. 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:25.620 But I do that on a regular basis. 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:29.559 I was in a doctor's office a month ago. 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:35.379 And Judith actually came into the doctor's office about two weeks after I had been there. 00:29:36.239 --> 00:29:37.739 I was having a procedure. 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:40.859 And afterwards Judith was there two weeks later. 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:48.279 And she had four people including the doctor stop by and say, oh, you are Tim's wife. 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.519 And here's what they said. 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:55.099 Your husband talks very favorably about you. 00:29:55.619 --> 00:30:03.239 For four women in that doctor's office to talk to my wife about that is a little signal of what? 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.459 What's the signal of? 00:30:07.959 --> 00:30:12.219 How most men do not speak favorably of their wives. 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.939 Would you agree with that? 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:18.880 Should the unbelieving world see that we're different? 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.539 What's the answer? 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:20.980 Oh, yeah. 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:21.940 Oh, yeah. 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:29.600 Monday morning, many of you are going to go to work where there are people who are recovering from an unbelievably wasted weekend. 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.299 Do you follow that? 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:32.180 They're going to walk in. 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.539 And how is their attitude going to be? 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:37.079 They can't wait for what day? 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.319 Friday. 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:44.700 You know, and you as a Christian, you do not need to go in like you just came out of a Disney movie. 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:47.299 But, you know, it's a hi-ho, hi-ho. 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:49.319 And off to work I go. 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.680 You know, I'm not expecting that. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.819 But try being happy on Monday. 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:58.240 I mean, you could be in a hospital dying, right? 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.740 The other choice is working. 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:08.119 Now, watch what it says here in this passage in Matthew chapter 5. 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:19.139 In the same way, let your light shine before others, unbelievers, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:25.940 Unbelievers should attribute your actions to someone other than you. 00:31:30.060 --> 00:31:31.380 How are you doing that, Tim? 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:34.759 Why are you that way, Natalie? 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:38.060 What's going on in your life, Heather? 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.500 Oh. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:42.120 Well, you know, I used to be in the dark. 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:45.980 In fact, worse than that, I was darkness. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:49.000 God got a hold of my heart. 00:31:50.040 --> 00:31:51.160 And he saved me. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:32:00.180 And I cannot take any credit for the way I am because he began a good work in me that he just keeps on doing. 00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:05.900 And I got to tell you, the only thing I can talk about is the one who saved me and the one who's changing me. 00:32:06.560 --> 00:32:10.520 I love the story about the man born blind. 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.360 You remember that one? 00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:12.720 In John again? 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.400 I will get to John, Lord willing. 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:18.779 But in John, remember the man who was born blind? 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:23.019 And by the way, Jesus pulled this miracle off on his favorite day. 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:25.039 Does anybody know what his favorite miracle day was? 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.500 What was it? 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.620 Sabbath. 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:30.159 I mean, it just really frosted the Orthodox Jews. 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:32.039 And he kept on doing these things on the Sabbath. 00:32:32.219 --> 00:32:34.500 And so they had a gear, they had a meeting together. 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:36.099 They said, all right, what happened there? 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:38.099 And he says, you know, I don't know. 00:32:38.959 --> 00:32:39.859 I do know this. 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:41.319 I was blind and now I see. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:48.519 Hey, is your life radically different enough that you can say the same thing? 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:54.579 I was dark, but now I'm light. 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:59.119 I don't know all the details, but I do know the change. 00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:08.919 So I wonder this morning as you look at this passage going back to Ephesians where Paul is saying to believers, 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:11.599 hey, listen, guys, don't act like you used to. 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:14.179 You used to be dark. 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:16.099 Now you're light. 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:22.740 He says, so you walk like children of the light. 00:33:24.699 --> 00:33:30.859 I wonder if you're sitting here this morning a little irritated at the fact that this business of condemning darkness 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:37.539 and referencing the fact that the unbeliever is locked into that condition is a little irritating to you. 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:41.220 Well, I would propose that if it's irritating to hear it from a human voice, 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:46.440 it will be far more sobering to hear it someday when the Lord of glory judges you 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:49.740 and condemns you for the darkness of your heart to all of eternity. 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:58.440 He has sent me in advance and he sent others in advance to plead with you to be reconciled with Christ while there's time. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:04.960 If you're sitting here this morning and your heart is convicted of its darkness 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:08.179 and you sense this morning the despair of your soul, 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:11.599 then I want you to know it is the Spirit of God that is drawing on you 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.780 and working to bring you to the cross. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:18.440 And he's the one who gives to you the sensitivity to the darkness 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:20.760 and fact you can't save yourself. 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:22.420 And that draws you to the cross. 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:25.659 And if you're here this morning and he is drawing you, I would plead with you, 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:30.760 you cry out and say, Jesus, I need deliverance from my darkness. 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:38.539 The truth of the matter is most of us here are saved. 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.260 That's not bad. 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.519 But let me tell you something. 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:52.480 Every time a genuine believer hears a reminder of what his past used to be 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:54.460 and what he is now, 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:57.159 do you know what we ought to have happen inside? 00:34:58.440 --> 00:35:00.360 Our hearts should be happy, isn't that right? 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:03.820 I used to be dark and I'm light. 00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:07.740 I used to be lost and I'm found. 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:11.620 I used to be dead and I'm alive. 00:35:12.700 --> 00:35:15.519 And all of that because of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:23.360 I don't think a believer can justly ever get over the awe 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:27.120 and the thankfulness that comes thinking about their salvation. 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:30.400 And so this morning, 00:35:30.859 --> 00:35:34.380 I trust that you're sitting here thinking to yourself, 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:36.460 wow, I can't believe that. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.059 What a reminder. 00:35:37.219 --> 00:35:37.980 I used to be dark. 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.400 I'm light. 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:45.319 And in your heart, there is a desire to be effective as that light. 00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:47.239 Let me review with you. 00:35:48.319 --> 00:35:50.639 You are light by virtue of salvation. 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:54.000 Light gets put in dark corners 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.960 and that's where you guys are going on Monday. 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.500 Am I right? 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.000 Hmm? 00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:03.179 Light gets spent in being bright. 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:09.380 And light can rely upon the Spirit of God to give energy 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:13.119 to do the job that He's called you to do. 00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.800 Let's close in prayer. 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:22.639 Our Father, this morning as we consider this text, 00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:24.900 we're reminded of the fact that Christ Jesus 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:27.619 came into the world to be the light of the world. 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:31.920 And having saved us by His grace, 00:36:32.180 --> 00:36:34.579 it is His intention, your intention, 00:36:34.840 --> 00:36:38.099 that we be effective in that being light. 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:41.099 We want to be effective by your grace. 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:42.739 We want to be effective by your power. 00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:45.799 That God, who is our Father, 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:48.039 would be the one who gets credit for the fact 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:50.519 that we're different from the unbelieving world. 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:54.099 And that that difference would cause others to ask us 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:56.480 a reason for the hope that is within us 00:36:56.480 --> 00:37:00.000 and ask us who it is that changed our life 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:01.340 and lifted us from the pit. 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:08.640 Give to us a holy passion for the glory and testament of Christ. 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:11.260 We ask this in your precious name. 00:37:11.720 --> 00:37:12.039 Amen. 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:14.880 I'm going to ask that you stand together as we sing. 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:14.920 Amen. 00:37:18.740 --> 00:37:20.599 And if God is speaking to you this morning 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:22.579 about a matter that you need to care for publicly, 00:37:22.740 --> 00:37:23.559 would you come forward? 00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:25.720 He may be speaking to you this morning 00:37:25.720 --> 00:37:26.980 about being part of our fellowship 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:29.519 or talking to you today about the fact that you need Christ. 00:37:29.800 --> 00:37:31.780 You've been sitting here thinking to yourself, 00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.760 I'm in the dark. 00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:36.640 And there is only one solution for being in the dark, 00:37:36.720 --> 00:37:38.000 and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:37:38.140 --> 00:37:40.340 who died upon the cross and rose again 00:37:40.340 --> 00:37:42.400 and has made this promise clear. 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:44.680 For whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord, 00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:45.420 you know what? 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:46.440 Shall be saved. 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:48.559 And if you're sitting here this morning 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:49.800 and you do not know Christ, 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:51.039 I would plead with you, 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:52.860 do not walk out these doors 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:55.320 without pleading with Him to save you. 00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:58.079 It takes humility. 00:37:58.260 --> 00:37:59.380 Come down here in the front and say, 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.240 hey, here's what I need. 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:00.940 I need Jesus. 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:04.220 He may be calling you to be obedient to the Lord 00:38:04.220 --> 00:38:05.180 in a matter of baptism, 00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:06.920 and you come down here and care for that. 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.920 Let's care for those things 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:11.579 as John leads us as we close. 00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:19.639 Let's sing together. 00:38:19.639 --> 00:38:25.860 I once was lost in darkest night, 00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:31.059 yet thought I knew the way. 00:38:31.500 --> 00:38:36.340 The sin that promised joy in life 00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:41.579 had led me to the grave. 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:47.079 I had no hope that you would own 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:51.579 a rebel to your will. 00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:57.759 And if you had not loved me first, 00:38:57.759 --> 00:39:02.819 I would refuse you still. 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:09.940 But as I ran by hell, 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:15.820 God raised indifferent to the cause, 00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:20.820 You looked upon my helpless state, 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:27.080 And led me to the cross, 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:31.820 And I beheld God's love display, 00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:36.820 You suffered in my place, 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:39.820 You bore the wrath, 00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:41.820 You bore the wrath reserved for me, 00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:49.820 Now all I know is grace. 00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:56.820 Alleluia, all I have is Christ. 00:39:56.820 --> 00:40:00.820 Alleluia, all I have is Christ. 00:40:00.820 --> 00:40:10.820 Alleluia, Jesus is my love. 00:40:10.820 --> 00:40:17.820 Now, Lord, I would be yours alone, 00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:25.820 And if so I'd see the strength to follow your commands, 00:40:25.820 --> 00:40:29.820 To follow your commands, 00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:34.820 You never come from me. 00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:40.820 Oh, Father, you let my ransom lie 00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:45.820 In any way you choose, 00:40:45.820 --> 00:40:50.820 And let my ransom forever be, 00:40:50.820 --> 00:40:58.820 My only voice is good. 00:40:58.820 --> 00:41:08.820 Alleluia, all I have is Christ. 00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:19.820 Alleluia, Jesus is my love. 00:41:19.820 --> 00:41:29.820 Alleluia, all I have is Christ. 00:41:29.820 --> 00:41:43.820 Alleluia, Jesus is my love. 00:41:43.820 --> 00:41:45.820 I'm going to ask Jack McEverican to come up, 00:41:45.820 --> 00:41:49.820 The alias pirate. 00:41:49.820 --> 00:41:50.820 We have two couples here 00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:52.820 That are asking to be part of our fellowship. 00:41:52.820 --> 00:41:56.820 Ty and Natasha Newsom, 00:41:56.820 --> 00:41:59.820 And Mike and Charity Ritter, 00:41:59.820 --> 00:42:01.820 And you come up and greet them 00:42:01.820 --> 00:42:05.820 After I read a closing passage from Numbers. 00:42:15.820 --> 00:42:19.820 The Lord spoke to Moses, 00:42:19.820 --> 00:42:20.820 Saying, 00:42:20.820 --> 00:42:24.820 Speak to Aaron and his sons, 00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:25.820 Saying, 00:42:25.820 --> 00:42:28.820 Thus shall you bless the people of Israel, 00:42:28.820 --> 00:42:30.820 And you shall say to them, 00:42:30.820 --> 00:42:33.820 The Lord bless you and keep you. 00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:36.820 The Lord make his face to shine upon you 00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:38.820 And be gracious to you. 00:42:38.820 --> 00:42:41.820 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you 00:42:41.820 --> 00:42:44.820 And give you peace. 00:42:44.820 --> 00:42:48.820 So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, 00:42:48.820 --> 00:42:50.820 And I will bless them. 00:42:50.820 --> 00:42:51.820 To those of you. 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:51.820 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:53.820 To those of you. 00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:53.820 00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:54.820 To those of you. 00:42:54.820 --> 00:42:54.820 00:42:54.820 --> 00:43:24.800 Thank you.