WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.160 We'll continue our study today of Romans, in Romans chapter 7, beginning in verse 7, and we'll study today through verse 13. 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:09.939 ! Please join me in reading that. 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:20.219 What then shall we say that the law of sin? By no means. Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin, for I would not have known what it is to covet. 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:29.219 If the law had not said, you shall not covet. But sin, seizing opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.880 For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive, and I died. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:46.799 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death for me. For sin, seizing opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:55.120 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, and righteous, and good. That which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:01:03.679 It was sin producing death in me, through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment, might become sinful. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:05.719 God measure. Let's pray together. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:10.599 Father God, we praise you for your great work amongst us. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:16.500 I thank you, Father, that I can look out over this group of people who have just sang, 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:22.640 on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground shifting sand, 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:29.840 and that my heart can be moved to praise you for your redemptive work in the lives of so many here this morning. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:37.359 I pray, Father, now as we study your word, we will take knowledge and combine it with understanding, 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:39.219 so that we might have wisdom. 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:48.140 That that wisdom will yield in our life appropriate fruit for your glory and our good. 00:01:49.100 --> 00:01:51.939 We pray this in the precious name of Christ. Amen. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:57.500 Well, Paul, to this point, is certainly being thematic in his writing, 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.420 and his theme throughout Romans has been the theme of Scripture. 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:05.340 That the salvation of man from the wrath of God, 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:07.879 justly due him because of his sin, 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:15.199 that salvation only comes by grace, through faith in Christ. 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:20.280 By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:24.379 And he's talked about the law quite a bit up until this point. 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:27.800 He's told us a lot about what the law cannot do. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:33.500 The law cannot save us, he tells us in chapters 3 through 5. 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:39.520 The law can't sanctify or perfect us, he tells us in chapter 6. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:45.319 And the law can no longer condemn those who have placed their faith in Christ, 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:48.300 he tells us in the first six verses of chapter 7. 00:02:48.300 --> 00:02:52.219 And Paul then, coming to verse 7 of chapter 7, 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:54.700 anticipates a question from his readers. 00:02:55.040 --> 00:02:55.960 And it is this. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:00.040 If we have been delivered from the law to live by the Spirit, 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:02.380 was the law then evil? 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:07.280 If we've been delivered from it in order to live righteously, 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:09.400 was the law itself evil? 00:03:09.580 --> 00:03:10.820 He says it this way. 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:11.980 What then shall we say? 00:03:12.220 --> 00:03:14.480 That the law is sin? 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.979 And he answers it emphatically. 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:21.079 By no means. 00:03:21.799 --> 00:03:22.839 By no means. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:26.919 And the remainder of our verses are the explanation of what he means by that. 00:03:27.339 --> 00:03:28.599 By no means. 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:30.159 In Greek, meginoito. 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:34.239 It's the strongest negative phrase in the Greek language. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:39.620 So I want you to think of the strongest negative phrase in the English language. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:41.100 Get it in your mind. 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:45.219 We're going to go with, of course not. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:51.460 Not really the strongest negative phrase in the English language. 00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:52.860 But that's what he was using. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:54.620 Absolutely. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:57.620 No way is that what is true. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:01.879 But then he goes on to explain that. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:07.680 And this morning I want to show four things that the law does do. 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:09.640 The law is not sin. 00:04:09.740 --> 00:04:11.560 Emphatically, no, the law is not sin. 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:16.060 What does the law then accomplish on our behalf? 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:19.180 And I want to show you four things from these next seven verses. 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:22.060 And they are the law exposes sin. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:24.400 It arouses sin. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:27.139 It ruins the sinner. 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:31.060 And it reveals the sinfulness of sin. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:33.740 The magnitude of our sin. 00:04:34.300 --> 00:04:35.240 Those are our four things. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:38.800 And Paul tells us this from his own experience. 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:41.860 And in order to teach these universal truths, 00:04:42.340 --> 00:04:46.819 he uses his own conversion experience in these next verses that are going to come. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:48.480 And look at all the personal pronouns. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:49.620 I'm not going to point them all out. 00:04:49.700 --> 00:04:53.200 But look at all the I's and me's throughout these seven verses. 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:56.480 So he's speaking from his own personal experience, 00:04:56.520 --> 00:05:01.379 which helps us understand a bit what he means as he's saying all this. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:05.300 So number one, the law exposes sin. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:09.860 We find that in the second half, second two-thirds of verse seven. 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:14.060 Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. 00:05:14.280 --> 00:05:20.180 For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, you shall not covet. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:27.500 Now, Paul is not saying that he was unaware of evil in his life apart from the law. 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:28.100 All right. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:31.120 On the surface, it seems to be saying that. 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:34.879 But if you flip back and look at Romans chapter two, verse 12, 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:35.879 it says, 00:05:36.019 --> 00:05:39.079 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:42.540 And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:46.860 And in chapter one, we learn that the law of God is written on men's hearts. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:48.620 They know right from wrong. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:50.360 So what does he mean then when he says, 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:52.819 If it hadn't been for the law, I wouldn't have known sin. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:58.360 What he means is that he wouldn't have known the magnitude of his sin. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:05.040 He wouldn't have really understood just how wretched and evil he was. 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:09.740 By New Testament times, 00:06:10.280 --> 00:06:15.060 Jewish rabbis had summed up scriptural law in 613 commandments, 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:18.660 comprised of 248 mandates, 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:20.839 which related things such as worship, 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:21.780 the temple, 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:22.819 sacrifices, 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:23.399 vows, 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:24.780 social issues, 00:06:24.939 --> 00:06:25.240 etc. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:28.699 And 365 prohibitions, 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:31.579 things like idolatry and blasphemy, 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:32.819 the priesthood of diets, 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:33.779 loans, 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:35.240 business arrangements, 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:35.740 etc. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:43.379 And they had become absolutely consumed with trying to keep the law. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:46.839 The point of the law, though, 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:50.519 the major point of it was to show us 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:52.620 how incapable we are 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:54.879 of living up to the standard of God. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:57.100 That's why it existed. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:58.060 God said, 00:06:58.519 --> 00:06:59.660 I desire for you to be holy. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.220 This is what it looks like. 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:03.720 Watch yourselves fail. 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:06.600 Be aware of your need 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.759 of a Savior. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:11.319 That was the purpose that the law came to serve. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:13.420 The law shows us 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:15.680 our inability to live 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:16.740 to the standard of God. 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:22.719 Why does Paul use that commandment? 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:25.800 Exodus 20, 17 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.060 is where that's found. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:29.639 Thou shalt not covet. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:33.100 Why of all the laws he could have chosen 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:35.319 to show us our frailty, 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:37.899 show us how incapable we are 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:38.939 of living to the standard of God, 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:40.439 why that one? 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:42.660 The last of the Ten Commandments. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:47.379 Both the Hebrew and the Greek word for covet 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:48.959 is the word, 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.480 could also be rendered desire. 00:07:53.079 --> 00:07:53.560 Desire. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:55.860 That which motivates us. 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:57.920 That which we love. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:07:58.860 So, 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:01.560 thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:04.300 gets to the root of who you are 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:06.659 and what you're satisfied in. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:10.620 If you desire anything other than God, 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:11.840 it's evidence in your life 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:13.980 that you are not satisfied with Him. 00:08:15.820 --> 00:08:18.340 It's a very piercing decision 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:19.500 that he made here. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:20.560 Is it not? 00:08:21.020 --> 00:08:21.960 Thou shalt not covet. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.160 Thou shalt not desire things 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:27.360 other than your God. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:30.420 It exposes then 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:32.019 our motivation. 00:08:32.300 --> 00:08:35.080 It exposes our sin nature. 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:38.440 Not just that we sin, 00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:39.740 but that we are utterly 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.480 sinful 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.220 apart from Christ. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.720 Many illnesses 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.860 carry with them 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:49.620 symptoms. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.440 I've never had appendicitis, 00:08:52.520 --> 00:08:53.500 but I hear that appendicitis 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.560 is incredibly painful. 00:08:55.400 --> 00:08:56.820 That your appendix 00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:57.820 hurts. 00:08:58.900 --> 00:09:00.160 And why does it hurt? 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:01.900 Your body is telling you 00:09:01.900 --> 00:09:03.120 something is wrong. 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:04.900 You need a surgery desperately. 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:06.200 Before I burst. 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:07.879 As your appendix is telling you. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:10.240 In the same way, 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.620 the law is the exposure. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.320 It brings to light 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:17.639 how really ill we are. 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:19.520 Last night, 00:09:19.660 --> 00:09:21.800 I was awoken 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:23.100 quite drastically 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:24.220 when Sam 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.860 elbowed me in the eye. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:28.560 and I was asleep 00:09:28.560 --> 00:09:29.220 when it happened, 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:30.940 but I imagine 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:31.300 it was like 00:09:31.300 --> 00:09:32.379 this kind of 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:32.700 an elbow. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:33.820 Because 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:35.240 I woke up like this 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:36.600 and my eye flashed 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.279 like bright 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.919 white flashes of light 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:39.580 and the first thought 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.060 that went through my head 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:40.240 was, 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:41.019 I'm not going to be able 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:41.860 to see out of my left eye 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:42.139 tomorrow. 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:42.919 There's no way. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:44.539 I'm going to have to 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:45.240 preach like this 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:45.840 and I don't know 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:46.600 that I can do that 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:47.080 because I don't have 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.139 great vision in my right eye 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:48.480 either. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:51.240 But the pain, 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:52.680 the pain wasn't 00:09:52.680 --> 00:09:53.320 the evil was it? 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:53.879 It was the symptom 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:54.779 of some greater evil. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:55.659 Not my wife, 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:56.500 but that my eye 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.100 had been struck. 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:57.840 Right? 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.200 But that my eye 00:09:59.200 --> 00:09:59.720 had been hit 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:00.440 was the greater 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.700 evil there 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:02.620 and it was damaged 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:03.220 and that pain 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:03.960 that woke me up 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.820 was my eye. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:06.519 Sam, 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:07.019 I love you 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.759 even when you 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:10.420 sucker punch me 00:10:10.420 --> 00:10:10.860 when I'm sleeping. 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:12.960 I still love you 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:13.519 just the same. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.200 So the law then 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:16.120 serves to expose 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:16.480 our sin 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:17.220 to show us 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:18.159 just how 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:18.839 sinful 00:10:18.839 --> 00:10:19.740 we actually 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.399 are. 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:22.539 You are now 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:23.100 aware. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:23.980 None of you 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.299 get out of this 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:25.799 this morning. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.559 If you desire 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:28.919 anything more 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:29.860 than God, 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:31.740 shame on you. 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:34.319 Not only does it 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:35.339 expose our sin, 00:10:35.559 --> 00:10:36.339 it also 00:10:36.339 --> 00:10:37.919 arouses our sin. 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:38.559 So number two, 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:39.740 the law arouses 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.699 our sin. 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:42.139 Verse eight, 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:42.980 Paul writes, 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:43.939 but sin, 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.959 seizing an opportunity 00:10:45.959 --> 00:10:47.120 through the commandment 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.139 produced in me 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.500 all kinds 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.819 of covetousness. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:52.699 For apart from the law, 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:54.480 sin lies dead. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:55.600 Let's deal with the 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.319 last part of that 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:56.620 first. 00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:58.179 Sin lies dead. 00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:58.939 That's an interesting 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:01.539 question in my mind. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.539 Sin lies dead 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.240 apart from the law. 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.120 And I've just 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:05.100 already touched on this, 00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:06.519 but it exists, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.480 but it is in a 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.819 sense dormant. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:10.919 We don't really 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:11.500 understand. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.480 We don't really 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.679 get that we've 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:14.699 betrayed God 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:16.620 to the degree 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.399 that we have 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:19.599 apart from the law. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.199 But we see in here 00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:23.479 kind of an interesting 00:11:23.479 --> 00:11:24.259 turn of phrase, 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:25.179 but sin, 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:26.439 seizing opportunity 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:27.179 through the commandment, 00:11:27.239 --> 00:11:27.659 produced in me 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:28.819 all kinds of 00:11:28.819 --> 00:11:29.399 covetousness, 00:11:29.459 --> 00:11:30.319 which is sin, 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:30.620 right? 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.939 So he seems to be 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:32.299 saying, 00:11:32.859 --> 00:11:34.459 sin produced 00:11:34.459 --> 00:11:35.539 sin. 00:11:36.859 --> 00:11:37.299 Yeah? 00:11:37.479 --> 00:11:38.099 It kind of looks 00:11:38.099 --> 00:11:38.419 that way, 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:38.819 doesn't it? 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.620 He seems to give 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:43.560 sin a personality, 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.419 right? 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.759 As if what he's 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.560 referring to is 00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.899 another person, 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.060 right? 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:50.639 So this thing 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.399 called sin 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.480 produced something 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:53.980 called sin, 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:54.879 or we could say 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.600 sins, 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:56.279 produced in him 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:57.799 covetousness. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:00.440 Again, 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:01.899 Paul is getting 00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:03.460 to our nature. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.200 We move on 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:06.960 through chapter 7, 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:07.659 Paul's going to 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:08.700 talk a lot about 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.539 the battle that 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.180 goes on within 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.559 him, 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:12.419 his new desires 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.159 and his old 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:13.599 desires, 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:14.419 his new self 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:15.739 and his old 00:12:15.739 --> 00:12:16.120 self. 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.599 So his sin 00:12:18.599 --> 00:12:19.500 nature 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.599 produced 00:12:20.599 --> 00:12:22.239 sins within 00:12:22.239 --> 00:12:22.559 him. 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.139 And it's so 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.199 important for us 00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:25.979 to understand 00:12:25.979 --> 00:12:26.719 that about 00:12:26.719 --> 00:12:27.359 ourselves, 00:12:28.099 --> 00:12:30.019 both pre-Christ, 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:31.559 pre-regeneration, 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.319 that we were 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:33.279 utterly 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.559 spoiled. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:35.979 Absolutely. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:37.359 We were created 00:12:37.359 --> 00:12:37.939 in the image of 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:38.159 God, 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:38.199 God, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.059 but sin 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:41.079 destroyed that 00:12:41.079 --> 00:12:43.500 evil 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.399 completely 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.379 before Christ. 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:47.740 Now that we're 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.059 found in Christ, 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.399 we still carry 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.219 around the baggage 00:12:51.219 --> 00:12:52.120 of our old 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:52.639 selves. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.620 It's important 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.339 that you get 00:12:55.339 --> 00:12:56.779 this to its 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.679 extremity. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.539 He says that 00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:00.679 sin seized an 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:01.240 opportunity, 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:01.879 the Greek for 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.480 opportunity here 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.319 is a formé, 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.220 and it's 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:04.980 also used to 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:05.780 speak of a 00:13:05.780 --> 00:13:06.180 base of 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:06.760 operations. 00:13:08.020 --> 00:13:08.520 So it's as if 00:13:08.520 --> 00:13:08.980 you say our 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.740 sin nature 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:11.240 uses the law 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.660 as a command 00:13:12.660 --> 00:13:14.379 center from 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.100 which to 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:15.580 launch its 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:16.300 evil campaign 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:16.920 into the 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:17.160 world. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:17.960 You see that? 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.360 So the law 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.400 then gives our 00:13:21.400 --> 00:13:22.200 sinful nature 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:23.080 something to 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:23.620 pick at. 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.840 Your parents 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:26.440 say to you, 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:28.200 don't do 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:28.900 this thing. 00:13:29.280 --> 00:13:29.840 What did you do 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:30.360 growing up? 00:13:30.640 --> 00:13:31.600 The very thing 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.019 you weren't 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:32.420 supposed to 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:32.600 do. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:34.320 Our house is 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:34.860 incredibly 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.800 childproof, 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:36.580 but there's 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:36.980 typically 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:38.440 something sitting 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:39.480 out that 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.180 Cade cannot 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:40.680 touch. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:41.920 I'll leave my 00:13:41.920 --> 00:13:42.540 laptop sitting 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:43.120 on the couch, 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:43.740 for example. 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.800 The one thing 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.460 in the entire 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.120 room I don't 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:47.540 want him to 00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:47.960 touch, and I 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.279 tell him, 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.000 Cade, don't 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.340 touch the 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:49.700 computer. 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:51.040 What does he 00:13:51.040 --> 00:13:51.379 go straight 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:51.580 to? 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:52.320 The computer. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.340 The law 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:53.879 does the same 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.480 thing in 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.019 sinful man. 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:56.240 It says to 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.120 us, don't 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.279 do or do 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:58.920 do these 00:13:58.920 --> 00:13:59.820 things, and 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:00.259 our nature 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.139 repels against 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.320 it. 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:02.000 He uses 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.600 it to 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.540 exacerbate 00:14:04.540 --> 00:14:05.980 sin in 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.440 our life. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.520 John Bunyan's 00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:08.920 allegory, 00:14:09.020 --> 00:14:09.320 Pilgrim's 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.600 Progress, 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.640 after the 00:14:11.640 --> 00:14:12.300 main character 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:12.879 of Christian 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.060 becomes a 00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:15.000 Christian, he 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.520 goes to a 00:14:15.520 --> 00:14:16.140 man's house 00:14:16.140 --> 00:14:16.520 called the 00:14:16.520 --> 00:14:16.900 interpreter, 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.040 and one of 00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:18.440 the rooms 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:18.860 the interpreter 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.340 takes him 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:19.760 to is a 00:14:19.760 --> 00:14:20.360 dusty room. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:20.700 It's got 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.280 furniture in 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:21.660 it covered 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:22.340 with cloths, 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:22.600 and there's 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:22.940 just this 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:23.660 thick layer 00:14:23.660 --> 00:14:24.680 of dust 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.120 laid down 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.320 in the 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:25.520 room. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.180 And the 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:26.400 interpreter 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.800 tells Christian 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:28.740 that this 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:30.380 is his 00:14:30.380 --> 00:14:30.740 life. 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.580 And a 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.060 man comes 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:33.299 in with 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:33.740 a broom, 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:34.879 and it 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.180 looks like 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:35.480 he's coming 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:35.720 in to 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:36.060 clean up, 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:36.279 but he 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:36.639 begins to 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.500 just stir 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.580 the dust. 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.580 And soon 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:40.940 the room 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.320 is so 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:42.659 filled with 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.259 dust that 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:43.680 Christian can 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:44.460 barely breathe 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.440 any longer. 00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:46.639 And in the 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.220 allegory, 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:47.860 the man with 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.379 the broom 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.500 is the law. 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:50.940 And he 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.639 stirs up, 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.700 he exacerbates 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:54.000 the level 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.580 of sin 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:55.700 in Christian's 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.019 life. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.319 So Christian 00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:57.819 is coming 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:58.179 to an 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.000 understanding 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.019 of what 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:00.600 it is 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.500 he's being 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:01.819 delivered 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:02.319 from. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.679 I didn't 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:03.980 read it 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.379 in detail, 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:04.679 I don't 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:05.100 remember the 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.279 exact details, 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:06.939 but I 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:07.439 believe two 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:07.799 characters 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.179 come in 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.720 after that 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.980 with water 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.299 and they 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:10.659 sprinkle 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.600 down all 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.100 the dust 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:12.779 and they 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.120 clean it 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.620 all up. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.259 And that's 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:14.559 the grace 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:14.980 of God 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:15.659 in our 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.059 lives. 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:17.740 So the 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.919 law exposes 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:19.519 our sin, 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:21.079 it arouses 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:21.740 our sin, 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.759 and the 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.440 law also 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.440 ruins 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:25.940 sinners. 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.500 Number three, 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:26.799 the law 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.399 ruins 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.240 sinners. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:29.940 Read with 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:30.220 me verses 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:30.980 9-11. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.100 Paul says, 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:32.899 I was once 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.139 alive apart 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:34.460 from the 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:34.740 law, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.259 but when 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:35.759 the commandment 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.060 came, 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.620 sin came 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.399 alive and 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.039 I died. 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:38.840 The very 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.220 commandment 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:39.740 that promised 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.779 life proved 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.320 to be death 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:41.740 for me, 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.580 for sin 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.340 seizing an 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.759 opportunity 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.120 through the 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.500 commandment 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.299 deceived me 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:45.919 and through 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.360 it killed 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.620 me. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.620 Now Paul 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:50.820 says, 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.259 I was once 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.220 alive apart 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.620 from the 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:52.879 law. 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:53.899 And this 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.159 is where 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.240 the fact 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.539 that this 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:55.840 is his 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.319 personal 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:58.200 story needs 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:58.580 to be taken 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.220 into account. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.659 Paul was 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:01.360 a Pharisee, 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.860 an incredibly 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.700 zealous 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.419 Pharisee. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.059 Paul was 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.200 trained up 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.319 in the 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:07.559 law. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:08.700 So was 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:08.939 there ever 00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:09.299 a time 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:09.720 in Paul's 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.039 life where 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.759 he didn't 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.439 know the 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:11.759 law? 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.519 No. 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.639 So what 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:14.840 in the 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.220 world does 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:15.659 he mean, 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.039 I was 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:18.159 alive apart 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.559 from the 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:18.779 law? 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:19.720 And then 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:20.100 he says, 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.920 when it 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:21.360 came, 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.320 sin came 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.720 alive and 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.340 I died. 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.500 It's 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:25.800 confusing 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:26.180 language, 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:26.600 isn't it? 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.480 What I 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.560 firmly believe 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:30.340 Paul is 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.100 saying is 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.340 that when 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.759 he came 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.159 to a 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.980 proper 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.200 understanding 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.040 of the 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:35.259 law, 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.560 when he 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:36.920 saw the 00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:37.360 law for 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.600 what it 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.220 was meant 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.100 to accomplish, 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:39.840 not that 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.180 he could 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:40.680 keep the 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:40.940 law, 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:41.960 but when 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.300 he saw 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:42.620 that the 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.480 law was 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.100 a standard 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.660 he could 00:16:44.660 --> 00:16:45.240 not live 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.600 to, 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.160 when the 00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:46.740 law came 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.680 alive, 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.159 when he 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.759 understood 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.559 what it 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.199 was for, 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:52.219 he died. 00:16:52.959 --> 00:16:53.500 All of 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:53.939 his religious 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.579 activity, 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:55.479 all the 00:16:55.479 --> 00:16:55.819 things he 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.399 thought he 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:56.959 was doing 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:57.519 to earn 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.319 favor with 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.739 God, 00:16:58.979 --> 00:17:01.379 were destroyed. 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.500 He absolutely 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.919 died. 00:17:05.679 --> 00:17:06.119 Chris this 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.579 morning as we 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:06.899 were praying 00:17:06.899 --> 00:17:07.480 downstairs, 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.399 thanked God 00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:10.379 that there is 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.659 nothing we can 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.519 do to make 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:12.980 him love us 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.399 more. 00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:14.819 There's also 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.480 nothing we can 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:15.859 do to make 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.359 him love us 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:16.899 less. 00:17:18.719 --> 00:17:19.119 That's the 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.639 point, I 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.019 believe, 00:17:20.199 --> 00:17:20.740 being made 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.000 here. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.699 The very 00:17:23.699 --> 00:17:25.079 commandment 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.539 that promised 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.240 this life 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:29.059 proved to 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.539 be death 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.500 for him. 00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:31.879 All of his 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.339 activity, 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.019 all those 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.459 things he 00:17:33.459 --> 00:17:34.259 had strained 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.939 forward for. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.459 Some of us 00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:38.979 are that way. 00:17:41.719 --> 00:17:42.379 In our 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.039 Christianity, 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.219 now that we 00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:44.799 have been 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.079 delivered from 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:46.539 the law, 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.819 we strive to 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.679 be found in 00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:50.299 good favor with 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:52.539 God, and it 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:52.919 becomes our 00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:53.159 idol. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.579 That becomes 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.359 who we are. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.220 Paul says in 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.740 Philippians 3, 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.279 7, and 8 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.980 that he counted 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.039 all of his 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.839 religious activity 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.819 upon encountering 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.139 Christ. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:05.819 Everything, 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.199 all of his, 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:12.079 not thinking of 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.539 the right words, 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:13.319 all the credit 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.919 that was due 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:15.500 him for all 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:15.659 of his 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:16.759 religious activity. 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.319 He counted 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.899 it as 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:18.799 loss. 00:18:19.179 --> 00:18:19.679 And he goes 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.500 so far as to 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.079 say he counted 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.119 it as 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.960 rubbish. 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:24.539 Another 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:26.159 great English 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:26.939 word would fit 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:27.240 in there, 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.619 but we're not 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.039 going to say it. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.139 Counted it 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.879 as rubbish. 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.159 And he uses 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:33.879 this phrase again 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.559 in verse 11, 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.179 again, 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.139 seizing an 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:36.700 opportunity. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.700 The law, 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:38.819 the sin in his 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.039 life, 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.839 seized an 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.240 opportunity 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.700 through the 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.640 law to 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.640 deceive him 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.920 and kill him. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:45.819 And that is 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.359 the subtle 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:47.920 deception of 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.240 our sin 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.559 nature. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.200 The subtle 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.859 deception of 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.140 our sin 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.539 nature is 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:51.799 that we 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.299 can, 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:52.859 in fact, 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.660 do good 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.259 on our 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.539 own. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.400 That we 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:56.660 can, 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.180 in fact, 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.299 apart from 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.579 the grace 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.039 of God, 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.000 please God 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.599 at all. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:04.859 Number 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.120 four. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:06.900 The law 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.519 exposes sin, 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.359 it arouses sin, 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.400 it ruins 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:09.920 sinners. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.559 Number 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:11.740 four, 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.099 the law 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.660 reveals the 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.120 sinfulness 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.359 of sin. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.019 The magnitude 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.279 of sin. 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.259 So Paul 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.480 says, 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.039 so the law 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.480 is holy. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.160 I'm now 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.779 establishing that 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.220 once again. 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.620 So the law 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.039 is holy, 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.279 and the 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.599 commandment 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:25.980 is holy, 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.299 and it's 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.599 righteous, 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.519 and it's 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:27.900 good. 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:29.720 Did that 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.039 which is 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.599 good then 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.400 bring death 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:31.819 to me? 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.519 By no 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.339 means. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.660 It was 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.160 sin 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.779 producing 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.259 death in 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.440 me, 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:38.940 through that 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.279 which is 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.519 good, 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:39.940 in order 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.500 that sin 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.920 might be 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.460 shown to 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.240 be sin, 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.480 and through 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.259 the commandment 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.759 might become 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.320 sinful 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.799 beyond measure. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.700 Turn with me 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.320 to Psalm 00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:51.799 19. 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:59.180 Let's read 00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.539 together what 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.579 David says 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:01.180 of the law 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.919 starting in 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:02.379 verse 7. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.299 The law 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.680 of the Lord 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.500 is perfect, 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.659 reviving the 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:05.919 soul. 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.659 The testimony 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.039 of the Lord 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.599 is sure, 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.579 making wise 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.079 the simple. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.339 The precepts 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:10.720 of the Lord 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.399 are right, 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.339 rejoicing the 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.740 heart. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.079 The commandment 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.440 of the Lord 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.039 is pure, 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.799 enlightening 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.599 the eyes. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.599 The fear 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.079 of the Lord 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.839 is clean, 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.759 enduring forever. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.400 The rules 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.819 of the Lord 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.579 are true 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.700 and righteous 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.460 altogether. 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.779 More to be 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.240 desired are 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.579 they than 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:25.940 gold, 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:27.059 even much 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.859 fine gold, 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.039 sweeter also 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.480 than honey, 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.200 and drippings 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.160 of the honeycomb. 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.099 Moreover, 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.980 by them 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.839 is your servant 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.299 warned, 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:34.839 in keeping 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.819 them there 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.480 is great 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.359 reward. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:38.779 The law 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:40.039 is good 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.160 and righteous 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.420 and holy. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.420 It's not the 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.299 fault of the law. 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.019 It's the fault 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.160 of us. 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.519 It's the fault 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.420 of our sin, 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.599 birthing 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.759 through the law 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:53.539 more sin 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:55.480 to make sin 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.579 sinful 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.440 beyond measure. 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.879 Our sin 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.379 is infinitely 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.259 vile 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.539 in the eyes 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:04.900 of God. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.940 Our sin 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.619 nature has 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.160 produced it 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.940 to that 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:10.279 measure. 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.099 So, 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.700 the law 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.480 exposes sin, 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.160 it arouses sin, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.900 it ruins sinners, 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.839 and it reveals 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:18.319 the sinfulness 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.879 of sin. 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:20.439 But, 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.500 so what? 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:24.200 Why does this 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.460 matter? 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.099 Why did Paul 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.559 write this? 00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:27.559 Why am I 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.200 spending this 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.480 time telling 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:29.919 you this 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:31.559 and possibly 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:31.960 having you 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.359 take notes 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.759 on it? 00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:34.099 Right? 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.839 Three things. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.460 Number one, 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:40.980 the law 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.899 brings us 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:43.359 the necessary 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.159 humility 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:45.339 for salvation. 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:45.459 salvation. 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.500 The law 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.459 brings to us 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.939 the necessary 00:21:49.939 --> 00:21:50.879 humility 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.199 for salvation. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.579 The law 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.539 serves as 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.099 a mirror. 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:56.659 Before we 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.399 know Christ, 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.459 we hold the 00:21:58.459 --> 00:21:59.099 law up to us 00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.559 as a mirror, 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.500 and we see 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.759 how ugly 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.699 our sin 00:22:02.699 --> 00:22:03.059 is. 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.339 If you claim 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.980 to know Christ 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.519 this morning, 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.500 but you've never 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.339 been broken 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.439 over your 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:10.779 sinfulness, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.660 if you've 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.599 never compared 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:14.279 yourself to 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:14.819 God's holy 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.519 perfect law 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.399 and found 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.940 yourself coming 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.480 so short 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:19.859 of it, 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.700 then in your 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.180 own mind, 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:22.639 you have no 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.319 need of God's 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:23.639 grace. 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.799 You don't 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.420 need Christ. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:27.839 You don't 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.279 need His 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.000 sacrifice because 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.639 you're already 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:30.059 perfect. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.200 perfect. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.859 But if, 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.559 as a Christian, 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.799 you've honestly 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.240 held your 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.799 life up to 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.179 the law, 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.839 filtered it 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.259 through it, 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.919 and seen 00:22:39.919 --> 00:22:41.179 how wretched 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.200 and miserable 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.839 you are, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.299 then great 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.599 is your 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:45.859 Savior. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.619 Which brings 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:48.799 us to 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.240 number two. 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.639 It causes 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.839 us to 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.339 praise our 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.839 great Savior. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.099 If your 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.559 sin is 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:56.919 great, 00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.639 your Savior 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.500 will also 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.039 be great. 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:00.940 And if we 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.960 know God's 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.159 law, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.480 if we 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.299 study it, 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.220 we'll know 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.799 our sin 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.119 is great. 00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:09.940 Both before 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.779 I was saved 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.500 and even 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.759 now that 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.339 I am, 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:14.379 my sin 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:15.119 is great. 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.460 Which makes 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.279 my Savior 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.220 all the 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.639 much 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:19.399 greater. 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.379 God's 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.259 grace to 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.500 us is 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.759 immense. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.919 Just as 00:23:26.919 --> 00:23:27.740 our sin 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.919 is sinful 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.639 beyond measure, 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.020 God's 00:23:30.020 --> 00:23:30.580 grace 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:32.440 goes beyond 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.780 measure. 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.140 It is 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.860 infinite 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:35.160 toward us 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.220 in the 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.620 person and 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:36.900 work 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:38.180 of Jesus 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.660 Christ. 00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:40.920 In 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.280 Deuteronomy 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:42.360 27-26, 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.240 Moses says, 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.180 Cursed be 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.120 anyone who 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.660 does not 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.460 confirm the 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.759 words of 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.240 this law 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.580 by doing 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:48.860 them. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.340 And then in 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:50.740 the next 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.320 chapter, 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.900 he goes on 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.480 to talk about 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.800 what will 00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.840 happen to 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.460 those people 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.520 who don't 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.980 keep God's 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.139 law. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.900 Turn with 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.539 me to 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.079 Deuteronomy 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.099 chapter 28. 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.099 We won't 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.579 read all of 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.180 this, but I 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.819 just want you 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.099 to get the 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.379 point. 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.180 Deuteronomy 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.960 28, starting 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.619 in verse 15. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.559 But if you 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.079 will not obey 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.619 the voice of 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.000 the Lord your 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.579 God, or be 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.119 careful to do 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.619 all his 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.420 commandments and 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.019 his statutes 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.579 that I command 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.039 you today, 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.139 then all 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.940 these curses 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.700 shall come upon 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.039 you and 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.700 overtake you. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.000 Curse shall 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.500 you be in 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.120 the city, and 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:28.559 curse shall 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:28.880 you be in 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.259 the field. 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:30.180 Curse shall 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.620 you be your 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.440 basket and 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:31.860 your kneading 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.059 bowl. 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:32.900 Curse shall 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.319 be the fruit 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.559 of your 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.080 womb and 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.360 the fruit 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:34.580 of your 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.620 ground, the 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.140 increase of 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.860 your herd and 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.259 the young of 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.740 your flock. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.700 Curse shall 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:40.019 you be when 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.620 you come in, 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.299 and curse shall 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.120 you be when 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.759 you go out. 00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:43.480 The Lord 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.799 will send 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.080 on you 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:44.460 curses, 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.100 confusion, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.799 and frustration, 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.340 and all 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.620 that you 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.220 undertake to 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:48.100 do, until 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.319 you are 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.200 destroyed and 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.019 perish quickly 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.600 on account of 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:51.160 the evil of 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.600 your deeds, 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.400 because you 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:52.960 have forsaken 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.220 me. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.019 The Lord 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.360 will make 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.060 the pestilence 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:56.140 stick to 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.759 you until 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.240 he has 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.019 consumed you 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.380 off the 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.019 land, and 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.160 you are 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.600 entering to 00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:00.060 take possession 00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:00.420 of it. 00:25:00.780 --> 00:25:00.960 The Lord 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.519 will strike 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.840 you with 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.300 wasting 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:02.900 disease, and 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.400 with fever, 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.160 inflammation, and 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.800 fiery heat, and 00:25:04.800 --> 00:25:05.700 with drought, and 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.440 with blight, and 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.000 with mildew. 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.580 They shall 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:08.300 pursue you 00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:08.720 until you 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.140 perish. 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:09.800 And the 00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:10.320 heavens over 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:10.840 your head 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.259 shall be 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.160 bronze, and 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:12.420 the earth 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.900 under you 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.200 shall be 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.660 iron. 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:14.240 The Lord 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.500 will make 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:14.920 the rain 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.140 of your 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:15.320 land 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:15.720 powder. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.000 From 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.740 heaven, dust 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:16.900 shall 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.340 come down 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:17.660 on you, 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.400 until you 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:18.740 are 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.920 destroyed. 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:22.140 You get 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:23.060 the weight 00:25:23.060 --> 00:25:23.960 of God's 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.560 wrath 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:26.160 towards sin, 00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:28.040 and we've 00:25:28.040 --> 00:25:28.759 been delivered 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:30.280 from that, 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.900 not because 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.259 we kept 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.740 the law. 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:35.000 This curse 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.820 lies with 00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:37.620 us, because 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:37.840 we've 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.259 transgressed 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.580 the law. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.920 But because 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.600 of Christ, 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.960 we're seen 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.519 as righteous 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.480 in Him. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.720 We are 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.420 delivered 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.019 because we 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.019 have the 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.400 righteousness 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.500 of Christ. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.319 It's as 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.220 if we 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.680 kept the 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.660 law because 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:53.920 of our 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.639 faith in 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.039 the one 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.639 who did. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.720 Isn't 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.119 our Savior 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.920 great? 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.920 Certainly 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.460 He is, 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.180 if our 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.599 sin is 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:03.960 great. 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.539 And it 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.879 is. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.559 Number 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:08.920 three, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.680 the law 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.039 is a 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:13.039 tool used 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.579 to bring 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.720 others to 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.059 Christ. 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.660 The law 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:16.920 is a 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:18.000 tool used 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.380 to bring 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.460 others to 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:19.799 Christ. 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.759 A great 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.519 example of 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:23.500 this, from 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.940 the ministry 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.380 of Jesus 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:24.920 in Matthew 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.680 chapter 19, 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.500 the rich 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.059 young ruler 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.599 comes to 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.940 Him and 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.319 says, 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.039 Teacher, 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.960 what must I 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.259 do to 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.640 have eternal 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.019 life? 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.579 Remember Jesus' 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.240 response to 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.400 him? 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.059 Keep the 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.359 commandments. 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.119 And the 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.180 new 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.640 ruler says, 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.160 which ones? 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.380 And he 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.759 lists off 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.000 some of 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.299 them for 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.420 him. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.240 He 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.359 says, 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:43.599 all of 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:43.819 these I 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:43.920 have 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.200 kept. 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:47.080 I am 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:47.400 righteous. 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:47.900 I am 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.080 doing 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:48.480 well. 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.580 What does 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.019 Jesus then 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.259 do? 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.039 He gives 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.299 him a 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.000 command that 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.519 he knows 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.180 he cannot 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.740 keep. 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.539 He tells 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:56.860 the rich 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.279 young ruler 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.900 to take 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.420 all that 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.880 he has, 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.660 sell it, 00:26:59.720 --> 00:26:59.900 and give 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.059 it to 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.380 the poor. 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.299 And what 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.460 does the 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.700 rich young 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:02.940 ruler do? 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.220 He goes 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.759 away sad 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.480 because his 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.779 riches, 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.480 his wealth 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.940 was great. 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.200 And what 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.460 the text 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.700 literally 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.080 means is 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:09.740 to him, 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.360 it was 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:10.819 great. 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.180 He valued 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.420 it. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.240 He desired 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.519 it. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.560 His 00:27:14.560 --> 00:27:15.279 sin nature 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.039 worshipped 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.279 it over 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.200 God. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.440 So the 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.580 law is 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.299 brought in 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.539 to humble 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.700 the sinner. 00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:27.620 In other 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.120 cases in 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:28.340 scripture, 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:28.820 Jesus does 00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:29.200 the same 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.720 thing, 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.200 and the 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.420 person 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:31.880 repents 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.060 and 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:32.660 believes. 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.420 The 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:35.759 person who 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.100 is not 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.539 humble 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.420 doesn't 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:37.759 need the 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.120 grace of 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.360 God. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:38.600 They 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.700 need the 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.799 law to 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.299 bring to 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:41.440 them 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.920 humility. 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.420 So that 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.660 they can 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.560 receive the 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:44.860 grace of 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.140 God. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.320 Use the 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:49.279 law in 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.700 your gospel 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.320 presentations. 00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:52.519 Point out 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.060 to people 00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:54.560 how sinful 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.180 they are 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.500 at their 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.759 very core. 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.539 And then 00:27:59.539 --> 00:27:59.840 give them 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.160 the grace 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.560 of God. 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.880 Tell them 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.299 of what a 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.019 great Savior 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.960 we have. 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.400 Somebody 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:07.980 comes to 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.560 you already 00:28:08.560 --> 00:28:08.980 humble, 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.900 don't beat 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.200 them up 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.460 with the 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.720 law. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:13.079 Then it's 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.460 time for 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.819 grace. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.240 Some people 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.660 get through 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.160 step one 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.420 on their 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:16.819 own and 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.299 don't need 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.740 your help. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.400 They just 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.779 need step 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:19.980 two. 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.880 The law 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.319 was given 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:22.839 to us 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.940 as a tool 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.319 to expose 00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:25.819 our sin. 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.519 It arouses 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:27.799 it. 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.059 It ruins 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.940 us when we 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.480 realize how 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.799 self-righteously 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.140 we have 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.539 tried to 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:33.860 live. 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:35.640 And it 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.640 reveals just 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:37.799 how sinful 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.799 we 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.299 actually 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.639 are. 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.960 Oh, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.200 what a 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.399 Savior.