WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.459 So, we've been continuing our study through Romans, which has been a great joy and a challenge so far. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:18.679 Last week, I talked to you a bit about Paul's case that he's been building for us, justification by faith alone, and he's talked to us quite a bit about the law up to this point. 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:30.439 But mostly about what the law cannot do. The law cannot save us, he said in chapters 3 through 5. It cannot sanctify us, he said in chapter 6. 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:36.260 It can no longer condemn us, the first six verses of chapter 7. 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:46.039 We are justified through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone, forever. Praise God. 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:51.500 That our right standing before him is conditioned only on our belief in him. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:54.960 And that belief is a gift from him. 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:57.799 Jesus sought me when a stranger. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:02.799 We are now bound up with Jesus Christ. 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:07.939 Last week, we talked about what the law can and does do. 00:01:08.019 --> 00:01:09.859 The purpose that it does in fact serve. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:16.640 And we saw from the text that it exposes, arouses, and reveals the magnitude of our sin. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:18.799 Those verses 7 through 13. 00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:23.359 And now we get back to what the law cannot do. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:26.759 We get back to the fact that the law cannot sanctify us. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:29.260 So, we were saved by faith. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:32.439 We're not now being perfected by the law. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:37.579 We were saved by faith and we shall be perfected by faith. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:41.620 That's the major point of the text that's before us. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:49.079 But I think for us to really properly understand this, to wrap our minds around it, to find the value in the text for us, 00:01:49.459 --> 00:01:54.539 we must first understand the vantage point that Paul is speaking from. 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:56.959 We have to know what it is that he means. 00:01:57.019 --> 00:01:58.259 There's varying opinions. 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:05.100 Commentators say different things about who Paul is, what he's referring to as he says this. 00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:06.480 I do what I want, I don't do what I want. 00:02:06.600 --> 00:02:09.740 Here's what's going on in me, this battle that's waging within me. 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:15.379 There are those who think that Paul is giving us an account of him prior to conversion, 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:18.140 before he places faith in Christ. 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:23.800 There are those, the majority, church history would agree, I agree, 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:28.040 that this is Paul as he sat down to write this letter. 00:02:28.660 --> 00:02:33.719 This is Paul, this is his present day experience that he's penning for us. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:40.140 I want to show you why I believe that to be true before we continue our study together. 00:02:41.600 --> 00:02:44.300 Number one reason I believe this to be true, 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:50.100 Paul's use of first person, present pronouns. 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:53.120 Not just first person, but first person, present pronouns. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:03:00.800 He uses I or me or my in the present tense 39 times in these verses. 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:02.680 I hope I counted them right. 00:03:02.820 --> 00:03:07.260 I did it this morning at 530, so I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure I counted that right. 00:03:07.640 --> 00:03:08.200 It's a lot. 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:14.439 A lot of times he uses these personal, present pronouns to speak of himself. 00:03:15.399 --> 00:03:21.439 Second reason, Paul speaks of the law as only a Christian can. 00:03:23.519 --> 00:03:24.839 Verse 22, he says, 00:03:25.239 --> 00:03:27.479 For I delight in the law of God. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:32.439 I find great joy in the holiness of God. 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:34.019 That's what he's saying. 00:03:34.359 --> 00:03:37.000 And not just that he has a mental assent to it, 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:37.879 not just that he says, 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:39.580 Yeah, that seems good to me. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:42.759 But he delights in it in his inner being. 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:46.379 He has an abiding delight in the law of God. 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:51.039 An internal joy that only a Christian can have. 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:55.800 Third reason I believe he's speaking of his present condition 00:03:55.800 --> 00:04:00.860 is that Paul speaks of himself as only a Christian can. 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:02.479 Look at verse 18. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:03.739 He says, 00:04:03.859 --> 00:04:08.899 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:13.659 That is a man that has been broken over who he is. 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:16.719 That is a man that understands his fallen state, 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:20.039 who knows that he was created in the image of God, 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:23.680 but that it was completely destroyed by sin. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:26.439 He gets that weight. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:28.159 He's broken of spirit. 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:32.460 But lest we misunderstand who he is, 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:33.360 he clarifies, 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:35.680 that is in my flesh. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:37.660 My body has fallen. 00:04:38.080 --> 00:04:40.460 My spirit has been renewed. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:47.600 Paul gives us another example of a matured Christian 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:50.080 also living in this way, 00:04:50.320 --> 00:04:53.580 having this present day struggle with sin. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.539 in Galatians chapter 2, 00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:56.719 verse 11 through 13. 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:57.899 I ask you to turn there with me. 00:04:58.859 --> 00:04:59.599 Galatians 2, 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:00.599 verse 11. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:15.519 This event happens at the Council of Jerusalem. 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:17.879 And Paul starts verse 11 by saying, 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:19.699 but when Cephas, 00:05:20.099 --> 00:05:22.319 now Cephas is the Greek word for rock, 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:25.000 so it would have been the equivalent, 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:27.599 the Greek equivalent of Peter's Hebrew name. 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:30.259 And you'll understand why in a second, 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:31.099 why he calls him Cephas. 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:33.360 But when Cephas came to Antioch, 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:35.060 I opposed him to his face 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:36.819 because he stood condemned. 00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:39.459 For before certain men came from James, 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:41.379 he was eating with the Gentiles. 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:42.360 But when they came, 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:44.360 he drew back and separated himself, 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:46.300 fearing the circumcision party. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:48.300 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically, 00:05:48.300 --> 00:05:49.300 hypocritically, 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:50.220 excuse me, 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:51.300 hypocritically, 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:56.259 okay, reset, 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:57.660 hypocritically, thank you, 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:58.819 along with him, 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:00.920 so that even Barnabas was led astray 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:02.180 by their hypocrisy. 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:04.780 You remember the life of Peter? 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:07.300 Some of the first real account 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.500 of his sinfulness 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.420 was his denial of Jesus Christ. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:15.600 What was the sin that motivated that? 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:17.500 A man who believed, 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.420 who had professed 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:21.160 that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. 00:06:22.520 --> 00:06:23.080 Fear, 00:06:23.700 --> 00:06:25.259 which was hypocrisy. 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:27.120 He feared who? 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:27.920 He feared the Jews. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:29.759 He feared those who were 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:32.800 putting to death Jesus Christ. 00:06:33.200 --> 00:06:34.040 So here we see then 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:36.460 the same sin cycling back up 00:06:36.460 --> 00:06:38.319 in the life of Peter. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:42.839 This is present day experience. 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:46.500 This is the life of every Christian. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:47.620 Paul now, 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.659 at this point of writing Romans, 00:06:49.779 --> 00:06:52.319 has been a Christian for 20 years. 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:56.180 And yet still he wages war 00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:57.680 against sin. 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:00.620 We all experience that. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:03.399 You've placed your faith in Christ. 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:06.379 You experience this. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:09.639 You battle with your old self. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:11.699 It still exists. 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:14.860 And that's why we must understand 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:16.040 this text properly 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.399 to wring the value out of it 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:19.519 for our living. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:21.659 The opposite view, 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:22.899 the opposition that says 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:25.980 this was pre-regeneration for Paul, 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:29.079 primarily pulls that from verse 14 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:30.240 where he says, 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.560 but I am of the flesh 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:33.519 sold under sin. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:36.740 The idea of bond servanthood 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:37.859 to sin. 00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:39.519 But he clarifies that 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.219 in verse 23. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:41.199 He says, 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.659 the sin that dwells 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:43.979 in his members, 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:46.199 in that old self. 00:07:47.159 --> 00:07:48.359 So I think it's a very simple 00:07:48.359 --> 00:07:49.680 understanding of that 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.659 that we can get around that with. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:53.339 J.I. Packer, 00:07:53.479 --> 00:07:54.959 in an article 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:55.859 defending the view 00:07:55.859 --> 00:07:56.879 that I'm presenting to you 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.639 on this text, 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:58.500 wrote this, 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:00.000 Paul is not telling us 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:00.779 that the life 00:08:00.779 --> 00:08:02.139 of the wretched man 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.959 is as bad as it could be, 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:05.980 only that it is not as good 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.199 as it should be. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:09.120 And that because the man 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.100 delights the law 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:11.459 and longs to keep it 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:12.720 perfectly, 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:13.800 his continued inability 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:14.439 to do so 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:15.819 troubles him acutely. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:17.439 The wretched man 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.579 is Paul himself, 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:20.199 spontaneously voicing 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:20.980 his distress 00:08:20.980 --> 00:08:22.439 at not being a better Christian 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.800 than he is. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:25.680 So you see that? 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:27.199 Part of the fear 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:28.400 that comes from 00:08:28.400 --> 00:08:29.280 the opposing view 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:30.459 that this is Paul 00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:32.240 pre-regeneration, 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:33.259 pre-conversion, 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.139 is that this gives us 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:36.600 some sort of license. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.700 Gives us an air 00:08:39.700 --> 00:08:40.519 of defeatism. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:41.240 Well, 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.159 I can't have victory 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:42.740 over sin. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:43.460 Look at Paul. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:44.500 This is Paul. 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:45.399 He's been a Christian 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:46.299 for 20 years. 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:47.879 Amazing man of faith. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:48.539 And yet, 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:49.759 he still struggles. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:50.879 How can I possibly 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:52.019 have victory 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:53.019 in all of this? 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:55.259 He gives us 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:55.819 the answer 00:08:55.819 --> 00:08:57.319 so clearly 00:08:57.319 --> 00:08:57.919 at the end 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:58.519 of this text 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:00.240 about how we will 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:01.299 have victory 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:01.779 in this. 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:02.559 And we'll certainly 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.120 get there together. 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:05.460 So what is it 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:06.019 that Paul desires 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:06.580 us to learn? 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:07.720 We have a proper 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:08.460 perspective of it. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:09.580 What is it that Paul 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:11.399 desires to teach us, 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:12.799 at least in part, 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:13.200 today? 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:14.879 Firstly, 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:16.639 he's arguing 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:17.399 for the goodness 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:18.580 and spirituality 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:19.919 of the law of God. 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:22.899 Verse 13, 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:23.299 he says, 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:24.100 Did that which is good 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:24.740 then bring death 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:25.039 to me? 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.200 By no means. 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:27.639 Verse 12, 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:28.720 So the law is holy 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:29.259 and the commandment 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.340 is holy and righteous 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:31.560 and good. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:32.159 He's continuing 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:32.799 that argument. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.000 So, firstly, 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:35.340 he's arguing 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:35.840 for the goodness 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.500 and spirituality 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.220 of the law of God. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:38.980 Secondly, 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:40.560 he's arguing 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:41.419 for the reality 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:42.399 of what he calls 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:43.799 indwelling sin. 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:45.360 Indwelling sin. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.100 To explain 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.620 why Christians 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:47.560 are not perfect 00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:49.100 and don't measure up 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:49.940 to our own 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:50.860 high standards. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:52.620 is presenting 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:53.480 this idea 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:55.259 of indwelling sin. 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:55.940 And I want to show 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:57.300 you these two things. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:59.840 The affirmation 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:00.320 of the law, 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:00.960 his esteem 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:01.480 for the law, 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.460 and his acknowledgement 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.840 of indwelling sin 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.980 in four pairs 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:05.419 of statements 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.120 here in our text. 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:06.440 Okay? 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:06.899 So, 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:07.560 pair number one, 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:09.320 Romans 7, 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.700 14a, 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:11.620 the first part of it, 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:12.419 his esteem 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:12.840 for the law, 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:13.820 for we know 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:15.040 that the law 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:15.860 is spiritual. 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.760 The law is from God. 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:20.920 The second part 00:10:20.920 --> 00:10:21.760 of 14, 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:22.640 acknowledgement 00:10:22.640 --> 00:10:23.500 of indwelling sin. 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:24.440 But I, 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:25.540 am of flesh, 00:10:26.040 --> 00:10:26.720 sold under sin. 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.720 Second pair, 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:31.840 Romans 7, 00:10:31.900 --> 00:10:32.320 16, 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:32.900 his esteem 00:10:32.900 --> 00:10:33.360 for the law. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:33.740 Now, 00:10:33.780 --> 00:10:34.379 if I do 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.360 what I do not want, 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:36.500 I agree with the law 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:38.500 that it is good. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.640 His acknowledgement 00:10:41.640 --> 00:10:42.340 of indwelling sin, 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.800 Romans 7, 17. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:44.340 So, 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:44.860 now it is no longer 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.560 I who do it, 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.140 but sin 00:10:46.140 --> 00:10:47.340 that dwells 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:48.020 within me. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:48.960 And this is where 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:50.100 we get that phrase. 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.360 Here's that 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.640 indwelling sin 00:10:52.640 --> 00:10:53.300 term. 00:10:53.640 --> 00:10:54.280 You can see it again 00:10:54.280 --> 00:10:54.960 in verse 20. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:55.660 And if I do 00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:56.820 what I do not want, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.460 it is no longer 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:58.300 I who do it, 00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.320 but sin 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:00.140 that dwells 00:11:00.140 --> 00:11:00.860 within me. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.700 Same phrasing there. 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:05.460 Pair number three 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.460 is the theme 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:06.960 for the law. 00:11:07.160 --> 00:11:07.780 Verse 22, 00:11:08.280 --> 00:11:09.020 For I delight 00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:09.900 in the law of God 00:11:09.900 --> 00:11:10.900 and my inner being. 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:13.380 Verse 23, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.019 his acknowledgement 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.919 of indwelling sin, 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.240 but I see in my members 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.200 another law 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:18.100 waging war 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:18.639 against the law 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.220 of my mind 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:19.899 and making me 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.779 captive to the law 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:21.220 of sin 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.340 that dwells 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.100 in my members. 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.220 Pair number four, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.779 the middle part 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:29.139 of verse 25, 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.659 his esteem 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.059 for the law, 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:31.119 so that I myself 00:11:31.119 --> 00:11:31.699 serve the law 00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:32.139 of God 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.139 with my mind 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:34.079 and in his 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:34.479 acknowledgement 00:11:34.479 --> 00:11:35.419 of indwelling sin, 00:11:35.979 --> 00:11:36.779 the last part 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:37.459 of verse 25, 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:38.839 but with my flesh 00:11:38.839 --> 00:11:39.899 I serve the law 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.199 of sin. 00:11:42.339 --> 00:11:43.359 So you can see 00:11:43.359 --> 00:11:45.019 this battle 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:45.619 going on 00:11:45.619 --> 00:11:46.159 within him. 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:47.919 Now I'm just going 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:48.479 to take a quick 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:49.579 aside here 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:51.439 just in case 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:51.779 your mind 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.559 is going this way. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:53.839 I am not 00:11:53.839 --> 00:11:54.899 a dualist. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:56.840 No one who is 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:57.259 a member of 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:57.679 Christ's family 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.120 church here 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:58.699 is a dualist 00:11:58.699 --> 00:11:59.379 and dualism 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.679 is the idea 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:02.539 of the little devil 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.220 and the little angel 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:03.840 on your shoulder 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.740 debating it out 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.139 with you 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:07.179 and you don't know 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:07.959 who's going to win. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:09.759 We know 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.579 who's going to win. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:12.299 I am not 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:12.819 a dualist 00:12:12.819 --> 00:12:13.500 but yet 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.559 there's still 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:15.159 a war 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.120 going on 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.399 within us. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.679 You see that 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.299 in verse 22, 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:20.819 the law 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:22.179 of sin 00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:23.199 versus the law 00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:23.980 of the mind 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:25.580 or our new being 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:27.000 is this war 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.240 that I'm referring to. 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:30.180 So there's 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:32.159 two practical points 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.720 for this morning. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:34.779 We see that 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.680 this is the experience 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.500 of all of us. 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.639 Those of us 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.840 who are in Christ 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:40.560 still deal 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:41.840 with the burden 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.519 of our flesh. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.080 Paul says, 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:45.680 Wretched man 00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:46.139 that I am, 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:47.539 who will deliver me 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.000 from this 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.899 body 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.220 of death? 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.820 Where Paul was from 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:53.659 there was an ancient 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:54.899 tribe that used 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.039 to strap 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.899 dead people 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.740 onto people's backs 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.399 if they committed 00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:58.839 murder. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.899 The person they murdered 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.459 would be strapped 00:13:00.459 --> 00:13:01.159 onto their back 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.139 and the punishment 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.620 would be that 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.120 this person 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.879 rotted 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:05.219 and their rot 00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:05.899 spread to the 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:06.399 living person 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.120 and killed them. 00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:08.659 This could be 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.719 what Paul had in mind. 00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:10.620 He used this 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:11.100 phrasing. 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.379 Wretched man 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.120 that I am, 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.379 who will deliver me 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.600 from this body 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.659 of death? 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.939 It's killing me. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:19.899 Praise be 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.899 to Jesus Christ, 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:21.459 our Lord. 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:23.759 Point one is, 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:26.259 we must fight. 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.480 There is a war. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:29.480 We must fight. 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.720 If you are a Christian, 00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:33.780 you must wage war 00:13:33.780 --> 00:13:35.200 against your sin. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.420 Clay shared with me 00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:38.139 a great analogy, 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:39.259 which I am making my own, 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:39.900 but I want to give him 00:13:39.900 --> 00:13:40.480 credit for it. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.660 I had a friend 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:43.600 in high school 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.900 named Josh 00:13:44.900 --> 00:13:45.519 that I used to 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.460 slap box with. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.720 Most of the guys 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:48.180 in here will probably 00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:48.780 get this, ladies. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:50.039 I will try to explain 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.659 how this goes down. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.659 We would slap box 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:55.139 and the idea 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:55.559 is that you don't 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:56.059 hurt each other. 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.939 It's not quite like 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:58.220 close-fisted boxing, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.000 but it still hurts. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.399 And I'm not 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.399 saying that I'm 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.459 a good slap boxer, 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:05.720 but I usually won. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.579 So probably that means 00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.120 that Josh was 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.100 a poor slap boxer, 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.500 but occasionally 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:10.199 I'd get a really 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:11.100 good shot in on him 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.459 and it would make 00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:13.579 him very mad at me. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:14.720 And guys, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.399 you've all experienced 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:15.600 this, 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.299 that moment where 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:16.759 you took it 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.699 just a little too far, 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:19.360 my handprint 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:19.720 would be left 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.259 on his cheek 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:21.140 and he'd get mad. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.140 And he would come 00:14:22.140 --> 00:14:22.900 after me. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.080 He was ready 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.620 to kill me. 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:26.420 He was mad. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.840 What was my response? 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:28.560 We were playing a game, 00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:29.500 so I continued 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.240 to have fun with him. 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:31.060 I continued to 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.580 bob and weave 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.720 and slap him 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.400 and knock him down 00:14:33.400 --> 00:14:34.600 and do those things 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.860 until he would 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.520 calm down. 00:14:37.520 --> 00:14:38.440 That's how we are 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:38.940 with our sin 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:39.820 as Christians often. 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:40.860 We're very 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.860 goofy with it. 00:14:42.900 --> 00:14:43.660 We have fun. 00:14:44.660 --> 00:14:45.660 We're cavalier 00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:46.800 even with it. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:49.259 Your sin 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:49.799 is trying 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:50.759 to kill you. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:52.899 It should be 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.740 taken seriously. 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.319 If I actually 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:55.859 thought Joshua 00:14:55.859 --> 00:14:56.240 was trying to 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.519 kill me, 00:14:56.599 --> 00:14:56.919 I would have 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.500 acted much 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:57.839 differently. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:01.120 We must 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.319 make war 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.519 against our sin. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.479 A lot of us 00:15:05.479 --> 00:15:06.299 complain about it. 00:15:06.359 --> 00:15:07.139 A lot of us 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.839 are unhappy. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:08.579 We lament 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:09.539 the sin in our life. 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.459 But we do 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.039 nothing 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.519 about it. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.799 We must 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:15.159 make war. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:15.939 I started 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:16.480 reading a book 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:16.919 this week 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.559 by J.C. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:17.879 Ryle 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.480 called 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.279 Holiness. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:19.839 It's 00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:20.219 Nature, 00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:21.139 Hindrances, 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.219 Difficulties, 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:22.939 and Roots. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.019 It's been a 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.679 fantastic read 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.039 so far. 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.419 He said this 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:26.879 in that book. 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.139 The true 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.719 Christian is 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:29.579 called to be 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.539 a soldier 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.419 and must 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.219 behave as such 00:15:32.219 --> 00:15:32.799 from the day 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:33.439 of his conversion 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:34.059 to the day 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:34.659 of his death. 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:35.719 He is not 00:15:35.719 --> 00:15:36.219 meant to live 00:15:36.219 --> 00:15:36.819 a life of 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:37.799 religious ease, 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.539 indolence, 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.179 and security. 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:40.120 He must 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.740 never imagine 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.179 for a moment 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:41.519 that he can 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.179 sleep and 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.720 doze along 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.240 away to 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:43.500 heaven, 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.180 like one 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.879 traveling in 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.220 an easy 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:45.700 carriage. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.899 If he takes 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.399 his standard 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:47.940 of Christianity 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.540 from the 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:48.960 children of 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.440 this world, 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.460 he may be 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.019 content with 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.500 such notions, 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:51.920 but he will 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.460 find no 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.139 countenance for 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.740 them in the 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.300 word of God. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.660 If the Bible 00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.320 is the rule 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.019 of his faith 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.660 and practice, 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.220 he will find 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.820 his course 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.480 laid down 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.519 very plainly 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.220 in this 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:01.580 matter. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.720 He must 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.940 fight. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.220 Number two, 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.379 our victory 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.060 is sure. 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:14.039 I love 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.659 that we 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.479 serve the 00:16:15.479 --> 00:16:16.000 sovereign God. 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:18.019 I love 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.559 that I have 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.099 come to 00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:19.959 understand him 00:16:19.959 --> 00:16:20.479 in that way. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.019 I know 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.819 that our 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:23.439 God is 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.439 totally in 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:24.879 control. 00:16:26.239 --> 00:16:27.419 Our victory 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.739 is sure. 00:16:29.239 --> 00:16:29.759 We have 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.779 been bought. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.519 That is 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.639 finished. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:34.939 What a 00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:35.619 motivation to 00:16:35.619 --> 00:16:35.979 fight. 00:16:37.979 --> 00:16:38.839 I don't 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:39.399 have to be 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.079 put down 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.539 by these 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:40.980 temporary 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.620 setbacks 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:41.939 and my 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:42.379 failures. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.259 I can 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.059 continue to 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.299 wage war 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.179 even when I 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.339 lose a 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:47.679 battle. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.819 Paul wrote 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.459 to Timothy 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:51.059 in 1 Timothy 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.740 6.12, 00:16:52.199 --> 00:16:52.779 Fight the 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.379 good fight 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.399 of the 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:54.740 faith. 00:16:55.599 --> 00:16:56.679 The article 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.919 in front of 00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.860 faith that's 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.579 in the ESV 00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.579 doesn't actually 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:01.699 exist in the 00:17:01.699 --> 00:17:02.459 original text. 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.819 The fight 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.859 of faith 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.599 is what 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:05.940 Paul is 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.180 saying. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.619 It's a 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.379 fight that we 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:10.320 fight in 00:17:10.320 --> 00:17:11.140 light of 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.900 this victory. 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.920 It's a 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:14.400 fight that we 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.360 fight out of 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:17.380 dependency on 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.040 Christ. 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.000 Our 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.800 salvation, our 00:17:21.800 --> 00:17:23.040 justification was 00:17:23.040 --> 00:17:23.440 bought by 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.840 faith. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.460 So is our 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.100 sanctification. 00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:28.300 In believing in 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:29.180 the promises of 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.700 God, he will 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.560 get us 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:32.420 through. 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.400 But isn't it 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:34.980 interesting in 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.860 that verse 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.680 that we're 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:38.580 told Paul's 00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:39.340 commanding 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.200 Timothy, it's 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.720 the imperative 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:42.100 form, fight. 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.680 Be active. 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:46.880 Right? 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.820 Nobody who's 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:49.340 ever fought in a 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.220 war just sat 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.780 in the trenches 00:17:50.780 --> 00:17:51.800 and it was 00:17:51.800 --> 00:17:52.160 said of them 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.400 that they 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:52.759 fought. 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.580 You've got to 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:55.140 be active. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.600 You've got to 00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:57.180 be advancing 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.440 to fight. 00:17:59.540 --> 00:18:00.400 So we see 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:00.860 that we play 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:01.640 a part. 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.180 There's a 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.740 responsibility 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.599 on our 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.720 part to 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.059 fight. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:07.900 Isn't it 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.319 interesting? 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.200 All throughout 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:09.720 scripture that 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.140 happens. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.259 You see those 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:11.839 two truths 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.220 taught. 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.000 That we are 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.400 to work 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:16.259 ourselves, but 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.299 yet it's God 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.039 who provides 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.039 the ability to 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.480 do so. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.380 What does that 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:22.019 mean for us? 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.680 If you're a 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.160 Christian who 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:23.940 doesn't wage war 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.559 against sin, 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.519 what do you 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:25.779 do? 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:27.079 Do you sit 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.720 around and 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.859 wait for the 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.720 motivation for 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.240 it to happen? 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.279 You suddenly 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.120 find that you 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:33.079 get up off 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.539 the couch 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:33.859 and you 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.359 walk to 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:34.779 your desk 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.059 and you 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.619 open your 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.939 Bible and 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:37.179 you say, 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.439 what is 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:37.899 happening to 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:38.019 me? 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.259 I don't 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.519 know. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:38.959 God must 00:18:38.959 --> 00:18:39.459 be providing 00:18:39.459 --> 00:18:39.839 you with 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.379 power to 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:40.839 do so. 00:18:42.979 --> 00:18:43.939 You'll find 00:18:43.939 --> 00:18:44.399 in the very 00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:45.859 recognition the 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.659 things that you 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:47.659 should be doing 00:18:47.659 --> 00:18:48.239 to wage war 00:18:48.239 --> 00:18:48.859 against sin, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.719 the hand of 00:18:49.719 --> 00:18:50.519 God moving 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.179 in your life. 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.239 Be obedient. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.019 Do what 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.459 you're told 00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:56.039 to do. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.679 And when you 00:18:57.679 --> 00:18:58.799 do, you 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.159 will see the 00:18:59.159 --> 00:18:59.799 hand of God 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.819 in your life. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:03.039 God pushing 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:05.219 you on to 00:19:05.219 --> 00:19:05.439 where you 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:05.919 must go. 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.599 I love 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.099 having a 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.819 toddler now. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.559 I am 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.179 continually 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:13.019 understanding 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.639 God's grace 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.099 to me with 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.719 a one and a 00:19:15.719 --> 00:19:16.039 half year 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.239 old. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.059 Because when 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.459 I want 00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:19.079 Cade to go 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.699 someplace, 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:20.559 Cade is 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.879 utterly sinful 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:22.739 right now. 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.659 And however 00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.339 he feels, 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:24.799 he acts 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.279 out on it. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.699 We tend 00:19:26.699 --> 00:19:27.159 to mask 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.599 the way we 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:27.819 feel. 00:19:27.939 --> 00:19:29.119 We logic it 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:29.459 away. 00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:31.000 We come up 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.559 with excuses. 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.400 Cade does 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:32.900 exactly what 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.299 he's thinking. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:33.779 So I want 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.039 him to 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.319 come. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.099 He doesn't 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.519 want to. 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.059 He just 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.500 doesn't 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.779 come. 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.819 He ignores 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.079 me. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:39.859 He'll lay 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.160 down on 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:40.619 the ground, 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.279 throw temper 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.039 tantrums. 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.920 What I do 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.220 is his 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.559 father. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.539 I go and 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.019 I get him 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.839 and I pick 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.559 him up and 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.019 I hold him 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.680 by the hand 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.539 and I walk 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.460 him to where 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:51.880 I want him 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.240 to go. 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:53.900 So is 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.079 Cade 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.440 walking? 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.039 Yes. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:56.980 Is there 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.460 an external 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.740 force taking 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.400 him to where 00:19:59.400 --> 00:19:59.900 he should be? 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:01.140 Yes. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.759 Absolutely. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.640 The very 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.860 end of the 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.280 text, 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.340 verse 25, 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.560 Paul says, 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:12.840 Thanks be to 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:14.000 God through 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.680 Jesus Christ 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.120 our Lord, 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.200 who will 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.060 deliver me 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:17.660 from this 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.120 body of 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.640 flesh. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.080 Thanks be 00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:20.780 to God 00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:21.620 through Jesus 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:23.340 Christ our 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:23.759 Lord. 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:25.880 And here's 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.500 the model he 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.160 gives us 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.519 of repentance 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.759 and belief 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.619 our salvation 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.379 began that 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:32.700 way, 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.359 turning from 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.779 our sin 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.160 and turning 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.740 toward God. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.539 But the 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.160 Christian life 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.960 is a life 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.900 of repentance 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.740 and belief, 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.619 turning from 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.460 sin and 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:40.879 turning toward 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.220 God, 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.220 turning from 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.779 sin and 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.180 turning toward 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.440 moment by 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:44.940 moment, 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.480 day by 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.019 day, 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.460 turning from 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.059 our sin 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.839 and turning 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.519 toward God. 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.539 This is the 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.099 model of 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.500 repentance 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.220 that Paul 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.640 gives us 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:52.900 here. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.039 Number one, 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.460 I love the 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.000 law of God. 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.740 Verse 22, 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.539 I love 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.120 the law 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:58.579 of God. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.200 Verse 2, 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:00.960 I hate 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.539 what I just 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:01.839 did. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:02.559 Sorry, 00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.019 not verse 2, 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.480 number 2. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.859 Verse 15, 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.900 I hate 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.779 what I just 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.079 did. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.279 Number 3, 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:10.059 verse 24, 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.759 wretched man 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.339 that I am 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.740 who will set 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.039 me free 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.339 from this 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:12.740 body of 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.019 death. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.660 Number 4, 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.480 thanks be 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:15.900 to God, 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.859 the victory 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.620 will come 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.240 through Jesus 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.240 Christ my 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.539 Lord. 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.759 That is this 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:23.559 model set 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.099 for us 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.219 of repentance 00:21:25.219 --> 00:21:26.559 and faith 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.619 in Jesus 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.119 Christ. 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:29.839 We just 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.199 sang a 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:31.519 wonderful song 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.159 that I love 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.439 and it's 00:21:32.439 --> 00:21:32.719 such an 00:21:32.719 --> 00:21:33.119 encouragement 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.399 to me. 00:21:33.459 --> 00:21:33.679 I know 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:33.959 you guys 00:21:33.959 --> 00:21:34.099 weren't 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.579 singing for 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:34.839 me, 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.519 but it 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:36.980 served me 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.539 this morning. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:38.819 Oh, 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:39.519 that day 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.480 when freed 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.039 from sinning, 00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.119 I shall 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.839 see his 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.459 lovely face 00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:44.299 clothed 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.059 then in 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.599 blood 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:45.879 washed 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.219 of linen, 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.179 how I'll 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:48.759 sing his 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.000 sovereign 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.539 grace. 00:21:50.419 --> 00:21:51.959 That is 00:21:51.959 --> 00:21:52.199 what we 00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:52.759 look forward 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.279 to as 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.759 Christians 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.420 when we 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.099 can be 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.000 unfettered 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.660 by our 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.099 flesh. 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:57.980 When it's 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:59.279 no longer 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.559 an object 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.379 of obstacle 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.019 in our 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.579 lives to 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.099 praising 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:04.180 Christ 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.819 our 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.220 Lord. 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:06.440 Our 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.140 victory 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.859 in that 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.700 is sure 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:10.079 and therefore 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:12.359 we must 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.619 fight. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.819 Let's pray 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.079 together.