WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.560 Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we're able to come together, 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:11.759 we're able to meet in a building, we're able to pray to you, 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:16.839 we're able to reflect about you, we're able to hear your word, 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:18.339 we're able to look at your word. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:20.740 Father, I just thank you for that privilege. 00:00:21.580 --> 00:00:26.000 I ask, Lord, that your Holy Spirit right now would just calm our minds, 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:28.560 that we would hear just your voice. 00:00:28.559 --> 00:00:33.420 Lord, that you would just speak to our inner desires. 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:39.780 If anyone here is feeling the pressures of being in isolation, 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:43.640 any despair of the chaos that's going on in this world, 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:48.719 I ask, Lord, that you would just comfort them and they would hear your word. 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:51.079 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:51.219 Amen. 00:00:55.339 --> 00:01:02.179 So, when I was a photojournalist, I was always, you always had to have your own car. 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:08.060 Because you have to be at the mercy of a call, you have to go right away to somewhere 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:12.060 to take a photo of either a crime scene or a fire or any city event. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:13.960 I was a freelancer. 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:19.320 And this time came in 2015 when my first car broke down. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:24.200 And at the same time, I had a really big job to do the next day. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:26.780 So, I was in a quick rush to buy a car. 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:29.079 So, I ended up buying a brand new car. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:33.460 I'm not going to say the brand because I don't want to talk the brand down 00:01:33.460 --> 00:01:36.120 or try to convince you of a different car company to buy. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:37.359 That's not the point of this. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:40.340 But what happened is I bought it in 2015. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:46.000 And by 2017, I had driven over 100,000 kilometers. 00:01:46.580 --> 00:01:50.560 And the thing when you buy a new car, normally after the 100,000 kilometer mark, 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:57.620 your warranty for the engine stuff, just it ends at the 100,000 kilometer mark. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:00.240 Unless you pay for the extra warranties. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:03.000 But at that moment, I was pretty strapped for cash. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:03.780 So, I didn't. 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:09.020 And what actually happened two years later in 2017, the engine stopped. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:14.500 When I was around 5,000K over the warranty. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:20.099 So, in that moment, I felt very distraught. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:22.240 Like, I just bought pretty much like it's a new car. 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:23.500 Like, it's only two years old. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:25.580 And the engine just ended. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:27.979 And I didn't know what to do. 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:29.039 So, I called them. 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:32.620 And I asked, like, I just, I wanted them to help me out. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:34.520 Because, like, a two-year-old car, like, it should be fine. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:39.800 Anyone who buys a new car, like, you would expect it to last more than two years, 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:42.120 regardless of how many kilometers you put on it. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:44.960 And what they told me was just a flat-out no. 00:02:45.900 --> 00:02:48.020 We cannot, there's nothing we can do about it. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:51.939 Even though you've been doing all the oil changes with us. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:55.740 Even though you've been getting the service checks whenever you're supposed to. 00:02:56.219 --> 00:02:57.400 There's nothing we can do. 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:01.599 And if you want this fixed, it's going to cost you $5,000 to get a new engine. 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:04.700 And I just couldn't, like, I couldn't afford that. 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:09.520 So, I was, me and Amy, because I was married at that time, we were just at a loss of what to do. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:11.219 We had no idea what to do. 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:12.719 We prayed. 00:03:13.480 --> 00:03:14.980 We felt pretty hopeless. 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:22.319 Because, like, with my job and then just very outdoor active lifestyle, you want a car. 00:03:22.480 --> 00:03:23.980 You need a car to get around to things. 00:03:23.979 --> 00:03:31.579 And after, around, like, two days afterward, we just felt so despair, like, completely lost, like, no hope. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:34.679 They called, I got a phone call from them in the morning. 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:39.479 And they just said that, you know what, we will, we'll fix the engine for you. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:42.219 Just bring it in and we'll cover it all. 00:03:43.179 --> 00:03:44.699 And they didn't have to do that. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:47.239 They didn't have to cover anything for me. 00:03:47.979 --> 00:03:50.859 Because, technically, I was in the wrong. 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:57.460 I was over the warranty, over the 100K, and they decided to do it. 00:03:57.520 --> 00:03:58.840 And I felt very grateful. 00:03:59.660 --> 00:04:01.120 So, I'm still driving that car. 00:04:01.260 --> 00:04:03.240 There's been some other issues, but that's a different story. 00:04:03.640 --> 00:04:04.720 I won't get into that. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:09.540 And today, all through the summer, if you've been coming here every Sunday, 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:12.600 we've been going through a series called The Crucified Messiah. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:18.199 And this week, the title of the sermon is called Jesus Died to Redeem. 00:04:19.159 --> 00:04:25.699 So, if you haven't already, turn to Titus, chapter 2, verses 11 to 14. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:27.480 And we'll just take a look at that. 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:32.000 Because the story I just told really fits with the whole idea of redemption. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:41.699 So, the context of Titus is Paul and Titus had just done a trip to the Crete Island in the Mediterranean Sea. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:45.939 And he left Titus there because new churches just sprang up. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:47.199 So, they needed a leader. 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:51.579 So, this epistle, this letter, is written to Titus. 00:04:51.579 --> 00:04:57.759 And it's Paul telling him what he needs to do in the face of persecution, 00:04:58.039 --> 00:05:00.000 what you need to do in the face of false teaching. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:03.639 It's a very Greek society there. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:06.959 So, there's a lot of all these different gods and stuff like that. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:09.939 So, this is Paul writing to Titus. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.079 It's a very personal letter. 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:14.779 It's telling him how he needs to organize his leadership, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:19.659 how he needs to run the church in the face of false teaching. 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:24.439 And before I read the first verse, I would like to ask three questions. 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:30.340 If someone wronged you or owed you something, 00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:33.860 would you want them to make it right or pay you back? 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:36.580 You don't have to answer out loud, just for you to think about. 00:05:37.520 --> 00:05:40.360 Or, if you did something for someone, 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:43.460 would you want them to act a certain way? 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:47.379 Afterwards, you did something really nice for them. 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:51.560 We can all agree, or most of us can agree, 00:05:51.719 --> 00:05:53.899 that deep down inside, we want that. 00:05:54.159 --> 00:05:58.019 We want people to do something for us 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:00.100 after we've done a nice act for them. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:01.819 Or if we've lent someone money, 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.519 we want them to do a nice... 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:04.879 We want to be paid back. 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:08.699 But here, Paul's not talking about... 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:11.599 Paul is talking about this unmerited grace, 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.259 this unmerited redemption. 00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:18.439 And he's really getting Titus to tell himself personally 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:19.719 to reflect on it, 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.839 and then also to tell his congregation to reflect on it 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:23.920 and to live a certain way. 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:26.259 And we are to also look at this text, 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:29.199 because the Bible wasn't just written for then, 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:30.959 it's written for now as well, 00:06:31.039 --> 00:06:32.039 because it's God's word. 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:34.399 But we need to reflect on it as well. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:37.479 So I'll begin in verse 11. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.659 For the grace of God has appeared, 00:06:41.099 --> 00:06:43.959 bringing salvation for all people. 00:06:44.659 --> 00:06:46.279 Now, Paul, right off the bat, 00:06:46.979 --> 00:06:48.839 with what he said before, 00:06:49.679 --> 00:06:51.359 because in verse 11 it says, 00:06:51.919 --> 00:06:52.819 for the grace of God. 00:06:52.919 --> 00:06:54.519 So whenever you see for, 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:57.179 or therefore, or surely, surely, 00:06:57.359 --> 00:06:59.959 you need to look back at what was just said, 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:04.099 because it gives the context of what's being said in that moment. 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:07.479 So Paul is just, is telling Titus, 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:08.680 because of all this stuff, 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:09.239 because of the, 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.060 you need to teach sound doctrine, 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:12.979 because you need to live a certain way, 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:15.120 you need to have certain qualifications for elders, 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:20.060 you need to look to the grace of God 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:23.799 to teach you how to act in the future events. 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:25.500 Because he says, 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:26.919 for the grace of God has appeared, 00:07:27.219 --> 00:07:29.859 bringing salvation for all people. 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:31.979 That is what he's talking about. 00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:34.939 He is talking about Jesus crucified. 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:38.519 He's talking about Jesus rising from the dead. 00:07:38.739 --> 00:07:39.979 You need to look at that. 00:07:40.099 --> 00:07:40.419 You need to, 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:43.339 that should be your lens for how you go forward in life 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:44.639 and how you train people up. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:47.899 And Jesus was seen by hundreds of people. 00:07:48.479 --> 00:07:49.839 So in light of that event, 00:07:50.479 --> 00:07:52.079 of this gracious event, 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:53.679 this unmerited grace event, 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:55.459 you need to live that way. 00:07:56.179 --> 00:07:57.339 Now, some of you might be saying, 00:07:57.339 --> 00:07:58.379 well, this text, 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:59.219 doesn't, 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:00.680 isn't it saying right here, 00:08:01.159 --> 00:08:02.740 for the grace of God has appeared, 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:06.659 bringing salvation for all people. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:08.399 Aren't you saying, 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.000 isn't that, 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:11.379 isn't salvation for all people then? 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:13.819 Because the text right here in verse 11 says that. 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:14.959 Isn't, 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:16.540 isn't, 00:08:16.540 --> 00:08:18.900 like, 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:19.140 why, 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.120 why is the church so obsessed 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:22.879 with trying to convert people then 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.300 if salvation is for everyone? 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:25.240 Why, 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:28.540 why should I repent or change 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:30.040 if salvation is for everyone? 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:34.000 Why can't I just live the way I want 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:34.940 and be saved? 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:35.159 If, 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:36.500 if it says right here 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:38.920 that salvation is for everyone, 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:41.259 shouldn't I just be able to do what I want, 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:41.980 live my life, 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:42.940 do all, 00:08:43.180 --> 00:08:43.980 do all that? 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:44.399 Well, 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:45.180 isn't that just like, 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:46.200 when you think about it, 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:47.420 that's just the sound, 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:49.639 that's like the anthem of our culture 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:50.480 we live in today. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:53.139 It was also the anthem of the culture back then. 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:54.180 That, 00:08:54.680 --> 00:08:55.700 these certain things, 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:55.940 like, 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:57.320 don't tell me what to do. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:08:58.960 We hear that all the time. 00:08:59.060 --> 00:08:59.200 Or, 00:08:59.400 --> 00:09:00.180 live your life. 00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:02.000 Be free. 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.240 I was, 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:04.980 I was born this way. 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:07.840 We're all in this together. 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:09.840 That's a very popular one. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:10.640 Or, 00:09:10.780 --> 00:09:11.200 coexist. 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:12.840 Why can't we all coexist? 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:14.420 But really, 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:15.920 when you pick it apart, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.440 when you pick these things apart, 00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:19.780 they're very hollow words. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:20.660 They're very hollow. 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:21.740 There's nothing to them. 00:09:22.280 --> 00:09:24.680 Because as soon as someone does something, 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:26.900 when someone proclaims, 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:28.480 these slogans, 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:29.620 when they do something, 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:30.820 that doesn't fit their mold, 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:32.560 or if they have it, 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.920 the person has a different opinion, 00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:34.960 than the person saying, 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:36.840 be saying these slogans, 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.540 right away, 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:41.120 they get excommunicated. 00:09:41.280 --> 00:09:42.420 They get ostracized. 00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:44.440 They get slandered. 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:45.840 They get called like a bigot. 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:46.280 Or like, 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:46.600 you just, 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.620 you're so narrow-minded, 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:48.340 you just like, 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:49.180 can't see it. 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:51.480 Or, 00:09:51.800 --> 00:09:53.580 if someone does something, 00:09:53.760 --> 00:09:55.580 that the person feels wronged about, 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:57.620 like very personally wronged, 00:09:58.060 --> 00:09:58.980 they want, 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.600 they demand a redemption, 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:02.000 for what that person did. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:02.780 They demand, 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:04.400 almost a sacrifice. 00:10:05.020 --> 00:10:06.580 A sacrifice needs to be done, 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:07.560 for that event. 00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:08.700 And there's, 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:09.680 this also happens, 00:10:09.780 --> 00:10:10.480 when great, 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:11.040 big, 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:13.040 chaotic things happen in our world. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:14.660 People always want someone, 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.680 to be held accountable. 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:17.540 Someone must be held accountable, 00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:18.379 for that event. 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:19.940 See, 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:20.960 these slogans, 00:10:21.280 --> 00:10:22.660 go against the very, 00:10:22.780 --> 00:10:23.800 our very human nature, 00:10:23.920 --> 00:10:24.380 our inner, 00:10:24.780 --> 00:10:25.920 this inner brokenness, 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:27.120 that we always demand, 00:10:27.280 --> 00:10:27.780 to be right. 00:10:27.900 --> 00:10:29.180 Things to be made right. 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:31.360 And it has to cost something. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.040 See, 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:33.660 verse 11, 00:10:33.660 --> 00:10:34.620 is the text, 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:35.920 that, 00:10:36.380 --> 00:10:38.040 the doctrine of universalism, 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:38.920 which is the doctrine, 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:41.180 that these people, 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.060 say that, 00:10:42.140 --> 00:10:43.120 everyone is saved. 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:45.360 Everything is fine. 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.580 You can live however you want, 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.600 you're saved in the end. 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:48.380 This is what, 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.439 verse 11 is what, 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:50.399 this is where they get, 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.720 one of the things they get that from. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:52.700 Where they get, 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:53.700 all is saved. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.659 That there's no consequences, 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.679 for your actions. 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.279 But that belief, 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:01.240 has no footing. 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:02.240 Because, 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.879 you can't just pick verses out, 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.759 you have to continue. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:05.840 You can't just, 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:07.100 pick one verse, 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.960 and that's how you live everything, 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:09.899 regardless of this, 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:10.600 this book, 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:12.120 of all these other pages. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:13.519 See, 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.179 the doctrine of universalism, 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:17.679 or that all are saved, 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:19.539 it's very deceptive. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.699 It's a very unfortunate thing. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.099 It's as deceptive, 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:23.500 as when, 00:11:23.599 --> 00:11:24.539 in the Garden of Eden, 00:11:24.959 --> 00:11:25.579 when the serpent, 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:27.419 was debating with Eve, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.620 about to eat the apple, 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:29.339 that, 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:32.179 you can get the knowledge of God, 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.419 you can be like God, 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:33.759 and, 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.299 and it says, 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.559 that the serpent said to her, 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:36.979 surely, 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:38.379 you will not die. 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:39.839 It's almost, 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.819 that's almost what the, 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:42.479 the doctrine of universalism teaches, 00:11:42.479 --> 00:11:43.939 that you'll be like God, 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.659 that you can do what you want, 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:46.579 and nothing will happen, 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.719 there's no consequences. 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:48.899 But, 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:49.779 in verse 12, 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.219 it kind of shuts that down. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:52.199 So, 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.079 I'll continue on, 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:55.079 but I'll read verse 11 again. 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.500 For the grace of God has appeared, 00:11:58.100 --> 00:12:00.219 bringing salvation for all people, 00:12:00.719 --> 00:12:01.679 training us, 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:03.799 to renounce ungodliness, 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.860 and worldly passions, 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.019 and to live self-controlled, 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:08.839 upright, 00:12:09.219 --> 00:12:10.379 and godly lives, 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.799 in the present age. 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:14.439 So, 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:15.659 if, 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:17.059 if verse 11 is teaching, 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:18.379 that all are saved, 00:12:18.859 --> 00:12:19.419 why then, 00:12:19.479 --> 00:12:20.439 in the next breath, 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:20.859 it says, 00:12:20.979 --> 00:12:22.000 to renounce ungodliness, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.139 to renounce worldly passions, 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:25.839 to live self-controlled, 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:26.319 upright, 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:27.299 and godly lives. 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:28.899 They just like, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.299 it doesn't line up, 00:12:30.479 --> 00:12:31.319 if you read the, 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:33.359 if you read the flow of the text. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.979 Because if you really, 00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:38.699 and then if you look at it even more, 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.279 self-controlled, 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.699 to live self-controlled, 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:42.360 like what is, 00:12:42.459 --> 00:12:43.059 what does that mean? 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.839 Self-controlled is, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.559 to be in control of like, 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:47.240 your emotions, 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.000 your anger, 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.220 to be, 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:51.779 not swayed by, 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.159 money or greed, 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.500 to make wise decisions. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.259 Self-controlled, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.659 is to make wise decisions, 00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:59.199 regardless of what you're going through. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:12:59.699 Obviously, 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.539 that's hard at times, 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.559 easier said than done. 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:04.819 It's to hold down a job, 00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:06.620 to be controlled in your job, 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:07.220 not to, 00:13:07.959 --> 00:13:08.600 at the whim, 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.240 just leave, 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.060 and go to the next, 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.159 it's to be controlled. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.519 It's to, 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.419 and it could also, 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.379 for some people, 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.539 is to be controlled, 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:16.940 it's just, 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:17.960 or not to be controlled, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.799 to be self-controlled, 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.519 it's just to be a good person. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.500 And then in the next, 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:22.080 it also says, 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:22.919 upright lives. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.940 It's to be nice to people, 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:24.960 hospitable, 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:27.039 it could be a respected member 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:27.600 of the community. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.259 And then it also says, 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:31.360 godly lives. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:35.000 Godly lives, 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:37.240 is just following God's, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.340 it could be God's law, 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.259 it's to be upright. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:40.799 And then really, 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.720 like God's law, 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.139 it's thou shalt not murder, 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:45.200 thou shalt not commit adultery, 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:47.399 it's to honor your parents. 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.220 These are all things, 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.240 deep down, 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.259 we strive for. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:52.980 But, 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.120 our culture says, 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:55.580 the church, 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:58.100 the church teaches this doctrine, 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.500 or has this belief, 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.600 that you can't have fun, 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:03.940 that you have to be a fundamentalist. 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:05.540 But this doesn't sound like, 00:14:05.760 --> 00:14:07.540 the way our culture perceives the church. 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.740 This sounds like, 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:10.800 the way our culture actually, 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:12.780 they want these attributes. 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:14.220 They want them. 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.760 And it's very interesting, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.620 because then if you also look, 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.960 at the beginning of verse 12, 00:14:20.160 --> 00:14:20.680 when it says, 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.880 to renounce ungodliness, 00:14:22.520 --> 00:14:23.660 and worldly passions. 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:25.040 Like, 00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:25.700 what is that? 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:26.280 See, 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.880 ungodliness is the opposite, 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.760 of following God's, 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:31.060 moral laws. 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:31.719 So that's, 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:32.179 like, 00:14:32.359 --> 00:14:32.979 committing murder. 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:34.439 That's committing adultery. 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:36.339 These are things that, 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:38.399 we don't want to strive for. 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.899 Worldly passions. 00:14:41.979 --> 00:14:43.239 Worldly passions are, 00:14:43.359 --> 00:14:44.119 things that just, 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.339 like, 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.599 control you. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.359 It could be, 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:47.599 like, 00:14:47.619 --> 00:14:48.539 the control of, 00:14:48.619 --> 00:14:48.719 like, 00:14:48.959 --> 00:14:50.000 idols in your life. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.099 See, 00:14:51.239 --> 00:14:51.899 our culture, 00:14:52.099 --> 00:14:53.279 always claims, 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.000 that the church, 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:54.679 teaches, 00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:56.399 that you can't have any fun, 00:14:56.479 --> 00:14:57.259 you can't do anything. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.539 But right here, 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.579 it's talking about, 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.300 actually, 00:15:00.400 --> 00:15:01.280 these are things, 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:02.540 everyone wants. 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.680 It's really interesting. 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.060 And continuing, 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:09.460 into verse 13, 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.080 or, 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:10.680 hold on, 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.020 it says, 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.000 present age. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.040 So what does that mean? 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.480 Just say that really briefly. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.639 Present age is the age, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.360 that you live in. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:16.920 So back, 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.800 it's the age that they're, 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.820 at this time as written, 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:19.879 that was their present age, 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:21.440 we are now in our present age. 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.879 And we are to live accordingly, 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.740 with all that around, 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.700 surrounding us. 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:27.360 In verse 13, 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.980 waiting for our blessed hope, 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:32.080 the appearing of the glory, 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.259 of our great God, 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:33.860 and Savior, 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.580 Jesus Christ. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.320 Now, 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:37.539 what, 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.360 what is hope? 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.320 This sounds like, 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.180 like, 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:40.659 being mad, 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.399 this sounds like, 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.360 a fairy tale. 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.039 This sounds like, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.120 a good story. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:46.879 Good, 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.720 a good story. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.580 And it's really interesting, 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:48.800 if you, 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.060 let's dig into that, 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.379 into the good story. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.480 It sounds like, 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.680 a good work of fiction. 00:15:54.479 --> 00:15:55.179 Some of you might be, 00:15:55.219 --> 00:15:56.159 thinking to yourself, 00:15:57.099 --> 00:15:58.599 and if we think about it, 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:58.759 like, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.059 why, 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.659 why is it, 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:02.819 in these great works of fiction, 00:16:02.979 --> 00:16:03.859 like Lord of the Rings, 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.819 or the modern one, 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.519 Harry Potter, 00:16:05.839 --> 00:16:06.419 or like, 00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:07.359 Greek mythology, 00:16:07.359 --> 00:16:08.799 from back in the day, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.739 why is, 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.419 why does it, 00:16:10.579 --> 00:16:11.859 why does it capture us? 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.579 Capture our imaginations. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.120 Why does fiction do that? 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.879 These stories, 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:19.019 these stories that have, 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.859 that have heroes, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.819 in the beginning, 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.579 and there's always, 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.479 the character plot, 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.320 there's always the characters, 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:25.100 you kind of relate to, 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.840 and you don't like. 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.580 There's the events, 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.340 that start bringing up, 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:29.860 the character. 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:30.879 There's hardships, 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:31.720 there's wars. 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.480 There's the, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.820 there's always that moment, 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:36.399 in the story of hopelessness, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.899 of despair, 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.320 when there's no hope, 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.980 and then the hero rises up. 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.800 Have you ever thought, 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.120 how much the Bible, 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.840 is like that? 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.600 How from the beginning, 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.240 to the end, 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:50.460 there's this plot line, 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.539 that runs through it. 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.080 There's, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.340 there's the beginning, 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.820 there's the wars, 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.800 there's the people of God, 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.039 who are, 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.759 who become isolated, 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.720 who get cast out, 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.879 who become slaves, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.440 who are then redeemed, 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.860 and then again, 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:04.940 are cast out again. 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.640 And then there's the Savior, 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.120 Jesus, 00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:07.779 comes. 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.079 But there's, 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.579 there's a big difference, 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.980 between works of fiction, 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.279 and the Bible. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.480 The Bible is based, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.700 on historical events, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.200 and historical people. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.000 Everything in the Bible happened. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.380 Like, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.279 Jesus came. 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.180 God came, 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.279 and walked among us. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:24.960 These, 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.960 historical event, 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.420 he came, 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:26.900 he died, 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.740 it's written about. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.240 People saw it. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.980 People who didn't believe in Jesus, 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.640 saw it. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.779 It has been written about. 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.220 You see, 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:34.980 the Bible, 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:35.599 is what, 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.119 is the greatest story, 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.759 ever told. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:39.759 It speaks to our greatest longings. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.720 It speaks to our inner, 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:42.079 our inner desires. 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.960 The things that we find, 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:46.179 that everyone finds so much, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.319 just the stories of fiction, 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.359 we wish that are true. 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:51.059 The Bible is true. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.699 The Bible is the ultimate story. 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:59.319 It's the gospel message. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.859 The gospel message. 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.299 You see, 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:02.819 we are to, 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.019 we are to put our faith, 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.919 and trust in Jesus, 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:06.839 because the cross happened. 00:18:08.199 --> 00:18:09.879 We are to live this way, 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.480 because the cross happened. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:14.079 As Paul is writing to Titus about. 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.579 We are to live this way, 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.319 with a hope, 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.400 because the story isn't finished. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.640 The battle has been won. 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:22.120 The battle is won at the cross, 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.640 but the story is not finished. 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.500 The story will be finished, 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.640 when Jesus returns, 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.980 when he comes to judge, 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.440 the living and the dead. 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.980 And in verse 14, 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.519 Paul is continuing here. 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:36.019 I'll read 13 again. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.160 Waiting for our blessed hope, 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:40.720 the appearing of the glory, 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:42.299 of our great God and Savior, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.279 Jesus Christ, 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.779 who gave himself for us, 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.620 to redeem us, 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.579 from all lawlessness, 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.799 to purify for himself, 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.420 a people, 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:52.360 for his own possession, 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.380 who are zealous, 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.380 for good works. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:56.880 See, 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.380 Paul here, 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.140 in verse 14, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.460 is telling Titus, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.039 to focus back on the cross. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.920 The cross is, 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.339 is the marker, 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.220 in your life, 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:06.819 in the life, 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.879 that you're to live now, 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.799 this way. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.139 You see, 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.839 we've all broken God's law. 00:19:13.399 --> 00:19:15.319 When we were lost in lawlessness, 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:17.119 at the beginning, 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:20.439 when Eve and Adam ate the apple, 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.939 everyone in the human race, 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.919 became lost. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.159 And we needed a savior. 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:30.040 Just like how our culture, 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.380 demands a sacrifice, 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:33.779 for what our forefathers did, 00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.620 or how they acted, 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.660 God demands a sacrifice, 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.960 or demanded a sacrifice, 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.340 for what Adam and Eve did. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.519 But God, 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.519 in his great mercy, 00:19:42.820 --> 00:19:44.640 knew we could never pay for it, 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.240 but sent his son, 00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:48.500 who willingly sacrificed himself, 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.380 for us. 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.880 He redeemed us, 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.160 from the death we deserved. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.100 See, 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.860 when you put your faith, 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.860 and trust in Christ, 00:19:55.060 --> 00:19:56.100 into Jesus Christ, 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:58.200 and commit to living for God, 00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:00.400 he makes you one of his people. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.840 He purifies you. 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.140 He does it, 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.980 you don't do it. 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:04.680 He does it. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.900 He purifies for himself, 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:06.940 a people, 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.660 for his own possession. 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:12.440 He didn't have to do it. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.200 But he did, 00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:15.400 he chose to do it. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.680 Just like, 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.320 I hope kind of, 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.240 like at the beginning, 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:20.060 with my car, 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.120 like they didn't have to do it, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.140 but they chose to do it. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.360 They, 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.400 they, 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.000 they, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.300 they, 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:24.680 redeemed the situation, 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.580 unmeritedly. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.440 They didn't have to. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.100 That's the gospel story. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.340 The gospel story is, 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:33.080 we are redeemed by grace. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:35.220 We're not redeemed by, 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.240 the works we do, 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.080 but through, 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.220 that grace, 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.580 through being saved, 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.040 it's the, 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:42.880 teach us to live, 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.500 an upright, 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:44.880 self-controlled, 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.080 godly lives. 00:20:47.800 --> 00:20:48.700 Now I know, 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:50.440 again, 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.620 that's easier said than done, 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.959 and we all struggle. 00:20:52.959 --> 00:20:54.519 I personally struggle with things. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:59.359 But if you go back to verse 12, 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:01.000 at the beginning of verse 12, 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.579 it says, 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.699 training us. 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.879 You see the cross? 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:05.839 When we reflect on the cross, 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.139 and put our faith and trust in it, 00:21:07.199 --> 00:21:08.139 it trains us, 00:21:08.239 --> 00:21:09.979 to live godly lives. 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:11.679 It's like athletes. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.039 When you, 00:21:12.239 --> 00:21:13.339 when people become athletes, 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.139 they don't, 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.539 right away, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:17.839 just become the greatest athlete, 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.099 there ever could be. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:19.759 They have, 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.000 they put years, 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.420 of training into it, 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.220 of work. 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.940 They're constantly committed to it. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.119 They, 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.099 they change, 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.639 they take a complete 180, 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.819 to how they live their lives. 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.480 And that's very much, 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:31.899 like, 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.700 how it is to be a Christian. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.639 You have to, 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:38.240 you have to lay down your life, 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:38.920 for Christ. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:41.340 It isn't that you just, 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.920 go to Sunday, 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:44.360 go to church on Sunday, 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.360 and then you live your life, 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.320 completely opposite, 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.640 to what the Bible teaches. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.300 See, 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.700 being called, 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:51.500 a Christian, 00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:52.860 is a very high calling. 00:21:54.060 --> 00:21:55.039 But it is, 00:21:55.080 --> 00:21:56.279 an unmerited calling. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.480 It is a redeemed calling. 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:00.400 It's not an earned calling. 00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:01.880 It's a purchased calling. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.779 And that is purchased, 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.539 through the death, 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.420 of Jesus Christ. 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:06.960 You see, 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:09.019 when you, 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.759 when you put your faith, 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.539 and trust in Jesus, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.299 you're able to sing, 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:13.440 that, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.539 that good hymn, 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.960 Jesus paid it all. 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.980 You can proclaim it. 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.519 You can sing it, 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.740 as loud as you can. 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.120 You can say, 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.460 Jesus paid it all. 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.680 All to him I owe. 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:28.620 Sin had left a crimson stain, 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.620 and he washed, 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.559 washed it white as snow. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:34.539 That is such a great, 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:36.100 such a great verse, 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.199 in that hymn. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.599 And if you haven't put your faith, 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.399 and trust in Jesus, 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.799 if you haven't, 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:43.939 turned to him, 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:44.919 if you haven't, 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:46.859 called out to him, 00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:48.419 Lord save me, 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.519 now is, 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:51.000 the greatest time, 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:51.659 to do it. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:53.259 Because we're in the present age, 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:55.079 but there is another age coming, 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.539 and all, 00:22:56.939 --> 00:22:57.759 will give account. 00:22:58.879 --> 00:23:00.039 So I would just urge you, 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:00.719 if you haven't, 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.439 to do that. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.240 And if you have, 00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:04.459 if you're here, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.640 and you call yourself a Christian, 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:07.980 if you know what it is, 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.819 to follow Jesus, 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:10.079 I would just encourage you, 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.380 to just, 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.819 reflect on, 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.840 what it is to be, 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:15.220 redeemed by grace, 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.039 to be, 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.420 be redeemed by Christ. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.140 Let us pray. 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.400 Heavenly Father, 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:21.500 Father, 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.800 I thank you for the cross. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.400 I thank you, 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.160 that you sent, 00:23:27.060 --> 00:23:27.460 Jesus, 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:28.360 to us, 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.600 when we didn't deserve it. 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:31.100 When we didn't deserve, 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.860 to be saved. 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.420 We deserve, 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:34.560 a sinner's death. 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.620 But you chose, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.840 in your great mercy, 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:38.900 to, 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.540 to just save us, 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.300 to call us, 00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:42.100 to be your people. 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.080 I ask Lord, 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:43.960 if there's anyone here, 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.440 who struggles with that, 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.840 or anyone who's watching online, 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.940 who's struggling with that, 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.280 that they would just call to you. 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.359 That they would know, 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.200 it doesn't need to be, 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.559 a big fancy prayer. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.920 It just needs to be, 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.240 Jesus, 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:56.019 come into my life. 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.319 In Jesus' name, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.359 Amen.