WEBVTT

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 What does it mean to be free?

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 And how do we stay that way?

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 It's Independence Day weekend.

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 We've all been celebrating by grilling meat and blowing things up.

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 Rightfully so. It's been good.

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 This is the weekend when we celebrate our political and our national freedoms.

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 And without a doubt, those are good things to celebrate, be thankful for.

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 But what about at a deeper level?

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 What does it mean to be truly free?

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 And how, if at all, do we stay that way?

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 This morning we're taking a one-week break from our Hebrew series

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 and going to the letter of Galatians.

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 This letter of Paul has often been called the Magna Carta of Christian liberty,

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 of Christian freedom.

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 It's here that we find loud and clear,

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 perhaps more than anywhere else in the New Testament,

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 that the gospel, that Christianity, means freedom.

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 True, lasting, soul-satisfying freedom.

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 Now, before we dive into our sermon text this morning,

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 let me give some just quick context.

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 The book of Galatians falls roughly into three parts.

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 Chapters 1 and 2 are mainly biography.

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 Paul is telling his story and how his story highlights the gospel of grace.

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 And then in chapters 3 and 4, we find mostly theology,

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 where they unpack some of the depths of what the gospel is all about.

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 And then finally, in chapters 5 and 6, we find mostly ethics.

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 In other words, what does it mean to live in light of all of this?

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 But throughout the whole, Paul is defending and declaring that this gospel,

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 this good news about Jesus Christ,

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 is above all a message of freedom.

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 And where we're looking this morning, chapter 5, verse 1,

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 is really the high point of the whole letter.

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 It's the rousing climax of the whole thing.

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 So let's pick up there.

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 Galatians 5, chapter 1.

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 Just across the page from where we read earlier in our service.

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 Paul says this,

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 For freedom, Christ has set us free.

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 Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

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 Look, I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision,

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 Christ will be of no advantage to you.

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 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision

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 that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

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 You are severed from Christ,

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 you who would be justified by the law.

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 You have fallen away from grace.

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 For through the Spirit, by faith,

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 we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

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 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything,

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 but only faith working through love.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Oh, Lord Jesus, we pray this morning

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 that the ringing message of freedom

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 in this passage, in this book, Lord, in your word,

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 would become real to our hearts.

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 God, that we would live as those who've been set free

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 and stand firm in it.

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 We ask this in your name, Lord.

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 Amen.

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 Well, 5.1 says it pretty clear, doesn't it?

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 The central idea, the main thrust of this passage

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 is this exhortation to stand firm

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 in the freedom of Christ.

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 But before we look at why we need to stand firm

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 and how we actually go about standing firm,

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 first we have to consider exactly what this freedom

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 in Christ is.

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 Because we have all sorts of ideas

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 of what freedom means today, right?

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 I mean, on the political level,

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 there's freedom of speech

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 and freedom of assembly

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 and freedom to elect your own leaders.

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 Good things.

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 But of course, Paul's talking about

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 a different, deeper sort of freedom here, isn't he?

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 What is it?

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 I think if you ask the typical person on the street

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 what freedom means or what freedom looks like,

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 they'd say something like

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 being able to pursue my personal fulfillment

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 without lots of external rules or authorities

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 getting in the way.

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 In other words, having a clear path

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 to my own personal happiness

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 without someone else telling me what to be or do.

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 Or to put it even more simply,

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 to be free to do what I want

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 so long as it doesn't hurt anybody else.

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 Isn't that freedom for us?

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 Freedom from constraints.

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 And on the surface,

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 sounds good.

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 It's autonomous freedom from all constraints.

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 But you know, when we think about it,

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 it's actually pretty deeply flawed.

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 Think about a musician.

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 One of our neighbors is literally a concert pianist.

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 So when we get off the elevator on our floor

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 in our building,

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 we hear this incredible piano music

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 flowing into the hallway.

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 And most of it is just lightning fast.

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 Sometimes I think our neighbor has three hands or something

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 as quickly as he's able to play.

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 It's melodic.

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 It's rich.

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 It's stunning.

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 And I think if you were to come over and hear him play,

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 I think you would say that he has incredible freedom

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 on his instrument.

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 That he could play probably any piece of music

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 that you would give to him

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 and probably do it with ease.

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 But here's the thing that Beth and I have learned

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 living across the hall.

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 That that sort of freedom

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 takes incredible discipline.

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 Because he practices a lot.

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 And he practices hard.

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 And of course, that's good news for me and Beth.

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 Because we get serenaded every night

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 and we don't have to pay for the concert tickets.

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 But you see, real true freedom

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 doesn't come from being merely free from constraints

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 or rules or discipline or structure.

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 Freedom often comes because of those things, doesn't it?

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 But our common conception of freedom

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 is deeply flawed at another level.

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 It's flawed because this idea of freedom

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 being merely freedom from constraints,

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 it simply can't give us what we truly want

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 at the end of the day.

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 Because what we want deep down is love.

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 Isn't it?

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 Is relationship, is to be known and to know another.

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 But if the freedom we're pursuing

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 is mainly freedom from constraints,

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 if that's our highest form of freedom,

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 then we'll never get it.

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 Because the freedom of love

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 is the freedom of limiting yourself

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 for another, isn't it?

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 The freedom of turning my life around another

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 as they do the same for me.

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 Isn't that what makes the strongest friendships?

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 When two people are willing to give to one another

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 time and their attention and their gifts,

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 when they share and they shape

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 their passions together,

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 isn't that what makes the sweetest marriages?

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 When two people willingly seek the good of the other,

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 even when and especially when

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 it's costly to do so.

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 So don't you see,

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 if freedom means freedom to be and do what I want

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 so long as no one else gets hurt,

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 then essentially I'm saying that freedom

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 means being left alone.

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 And at the end of the day,

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 I think that's exactly

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 where that sort of freedom gets us.

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 We end up alone.

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 So I think all this makes it clear

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 that we need a new freedom.

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 And we need a better one.

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 And we need a richer one.

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 And we need a more lasting one.

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 And that's what Christ offers.

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 Of course, if you're new to Christianity,

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 if you've come here with a friend,

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 maybe you're thinking that freedom

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 and Christianity have nothing in common.

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 Maybe Christianity just seems to you

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 like a bunch of restrictive rules

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 and regulations.

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 And you know,

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 if that's what Christianity were about,

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 I'd agree with you.

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 But this whole letter

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 that we're looking at this morning

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 and practically the whole New Testament

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 is written to turn that notion on its head.

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 You see, what we commonly call religion,

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 a bunch of rules and regulations

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 that I have to keep for God to accept me,

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 that's what Paul describes in verse 4 of our passage

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 when he speaks of you

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 who would be justified by the law.

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 This is the mindset of thinking

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 that my moral performance

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 is what will put me in the right,

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 is what will justify me with God.

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 And that, Paul says,

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 is the very opposite of Christianity.

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 Christ has come to set us free from all of that.

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 For freedom, Christ has set us free,

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 verse 1 says.

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 But freedom from what, exactly?

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 What has Christ set us free from?

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 Well, it's clear when you read the rest of Galatians

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 that Paul primarily means freedom from the law.

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 What exactly does that mean?

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 Well, two things.

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 On the one hand,

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 it means we're free from having to keep

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 all the so-called ceremonial laws of the Old Testament,

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 like circumcision,

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 and all the kosher food laws,

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 and all the Sabbath regulations,

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 all the things that marked

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 Old Testament Israel off from the world

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 and were representational

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 of their ceremonial cleanness.

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 You see, all those things no longer apply

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 now that Christ has come.

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 This is what we've been studying in Hebrews

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 over the course of the year.

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 It's Jesus who makes us clean once and for all.

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 And all those ceremonies and regulations

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 were pointers or shadows to Christ,

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 who is the substance,

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 who is the reality.

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 What they merely represented on the outside,

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 Christ has fulfilled once for all

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 in our hearts.

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 So Christ has set us free

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 from the ceremonial laws.

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 And as a quick aside,

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 that's why Christians aren't being inconsistent

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 when it seems like we do follow

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 some Old Testament laws

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 and we don't follow others.

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 I think some people think that

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 we're just sort of picking and choosing

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 what to obey,

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 but in fact that's not the case.

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 It's not arbitrary or inconsistent.

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 It's actually living in line,

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 living consistently with the reality

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 of what Jesus has done.

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 Because Jesus makes us clean before God.

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 Because faith in Him

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 is what defines the people of God.

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 Because He's fulfilled the intention

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 of all those ceremonies.

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 Then those kinds of rules

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 simply don't apply

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 in the same way anymore.

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 In fact, it would be inconsistent

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 to keep on doing them

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 in the same way.

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 It would be a functional denial

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 of what Christ has done.

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 And that's part of what Paul

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 is getting on about in Galatians.

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 In other words, he's saying,

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 look, when the sun has risen,

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 you don't need to go on

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 lighting candles anymore.

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 When Christ makes you clean,

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 you don't need to go on

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 keeping the ceremonial law.

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 But on the other hand,

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 we're not just free

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 from the law's ceremonies.

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 We're free from the law

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 in an even deeper sense.

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 Galatians tells us

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 that Christ has set us free

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 from the law's curse.

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 And this strikes to the heart

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 of what it is

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 that makes Christianity

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 utterly unique.

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 You see, friends,

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 God's moral law

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 contains His perfect will

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 for our lives.

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 This is how we live

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 as God made us to live.

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 This is how we bear His image.

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 This is how we worship Him

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 and acknowledge Him

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 as our Creator and Lord.

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 And if we had kept

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 God's law holy

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 and perfectly,

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 then it would pronounce us blessed.

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 It would declare us

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 holy and acceptable to God.

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 But of course,

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 that's not what happens.

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 In each of our lives,

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 instead of gladly following

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 God's way,

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 we make ourselves

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 our own lords

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 and rebel against God's law

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 and willingly alienate

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 ourselves from Him.

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 And so instead of pronouncing

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 a blessing over us

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 for keeping God's law,

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 the law pronounces

00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.799
 a curse over us

00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.480
 for breaking it.

00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:59.179
 And so we stand condemned

00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:00.779
 and rejected

00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.459
 by the One

00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:02.279
 who made us

00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.559
 and who alone

00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:04.519
 can fulfill us.

00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.479
 And the irony is

00:13:07.479 --> 00:13:07.839
 is that

00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:09.239
 the more and more

00:13:09.239 --> 00:13:10.439
 we try to get ourselves

00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:11.679
 out of that situation,

00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.399
 the deeper and deeper

00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:13.879
 we go.

00:13:16.719 --> 00:13:17.459
 And of course,

00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:18.179
 deep down,

00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.979
 we all feel this reality,

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.439
 don't we?

00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:23.879
 Think with me.

00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:24.819
 Have you ever wondered

00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:26.740
 why you want so badly

00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.779
 for other people

00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:28.779
 to approve of you?

00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.379
 Why you'd do anything

00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.100
 sometimes

00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.240
 to get them to accept you

00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.080
 or to praise you?

00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.360
 Why you'd put on

00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.080
 such a front

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:36.980
 to get people

00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.779
 to like you?

00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:40.340
 Why do you bend

00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:41.340
 the truth sometimes

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.120
 to get your peers

00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.039
 to accept you

00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:44.659
 or to think highly of you?

00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:46.919
 Why are you racked

00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.060
 with bitterness at times

00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:49.519
 because your parents

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.360
 didn't love you

00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:50.840
 or give you

00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.539
 the kind of upbringing

00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:52.060
 you wanted?

00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.899
 Why is your fuse

00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.279
 so short

00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.819
 when other people

00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:58.659
 critique you

00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:00.980
 and you get angry

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:02.179
 or you're thrown

00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:02.919
 into despair?

00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:04.879
 In other words,

00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:06.240
 why are we so hungry

00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.379
 for others

00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.419
 to bless us

00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.860
 and to pronounce us

00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.720
 right and acceptable

00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.439
 in their sight?

00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.439
 Could it be

00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:16.379
 that there's a deeper

00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.199
 blessing

00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:18.959
 that we've lost?

00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.019
 Could it be

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.600
 that the reason

00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.759
 we're starved

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.899
 for someone

00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.240
 to bless us

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.620
 is because

00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.299
 when it really

00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:26.740
 counts

00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.180
 and where it

00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:27.820
 really counts

00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:29.019
 in God's eyes

00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:30.899
 we're under a curse

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:33.180
 and having lost

00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:33.879
 his blessing

00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.980
 it drives us

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.080
 to find a substitute

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.460
 blessing

00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.120
 wherever we can

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.779
 find it

00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:41.740
 only to find

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.120
 of course

00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.720
 that it never

00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.259
 works

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:45.560
 and we simply

00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:46.840
 become slaves

00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.879
 to the approval

00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.460
 of others

00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.920
 and no matter

00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:50.300
 how much

00:14:50.300 --> 00:14:50.800
 we get

00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:51.200
 we still

00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:51.780
 need more

00:14:51.780 --> 00:14:53.300
 and if we

00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:53.820
 don't get it

00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.680
 we spiral down

00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.460
 into angerness

00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.259
 and bitterness

00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.519
 and self-hatred

00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.259
 and then in our

00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.800
 angerness

00:14:58.800 --> 00:14:59.720
 and bitterness

00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.820
 or self-pity

00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.879
 we start to

00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:02.680
 medicate ourselves

00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:03.460
 with sex

00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.480
 or with work

00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.680
 or with substances

00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:06.620
 or whatever

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:09.639
 and the tragedy

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.139
 is

00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.899
 we don't even

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.460
 see

00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.379
 where the real

00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.580
 problem lies

00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:19.620
 but friends

00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.500
 there's good news

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:24.399
 the passage

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.060
 we read earlier

00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:25.320
 says

00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:25.919
 when the fullness

00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:26.659
 of time

00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.279
 had come

00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:29.299
 God sent forth

00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:30.000
 his son

00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.879
 born of woman

00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.919
 born under

00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:33.299
 the law

00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.080
 to redeem

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.639
 those

00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.519
 who were under

00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:35.980
 the law

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.259
 so that we

00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.740
 might receive

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.259
 adoption

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.559
 as sons

00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:42.360
 the message

00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.960
 of Christianity

00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.759
 is that God

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.960
 has lifted

00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.159
 the curse

00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.939
 through his

00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:48.799
 own son

00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:50.939
 and made

00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.419
 all who believe

00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.600
 his sons

00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.259
 and daughters

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:56.039
 blessed

00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.620
 loved

00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.179
 heirs

00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.080
 forever

00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:04.360
 and if we

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.000
 ask how

00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.480
 how does

00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:05.700
 Christ

00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.060
 redeem

00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:06.259
 us

00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.519
 from the

00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:06.720
 lost

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:06.940
 curse

00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.220
 what does

00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:07.779
 he do

00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.320
 how does

00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:09.060
 he bring

00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.680
 this blessing

00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.360
 to us

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:12.300
 Paul tells us

00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:12.899
 earlier in chapter

00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.480
 313

00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:13.860
 he says

00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.379
 Christ

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.340
 redeemed

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:15.620
 us

00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:15.899
 that is

00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.800
 freed us

00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.259
 from the

00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.519
 curse

00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:17.759
 of the

00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.060
 law

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:20.600
 by nothing

00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.100
 less than

00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.680
 becoming

00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.560
 a curse

00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.879
 for us

00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:26.620
 you see

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.080
 God doesn't

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.620
 merely set

00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.120
 aside the

00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.440
 law

00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.360
 or ignore

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.639
 it

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.320
 how could

00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.420
 he

00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:30.700
 it's his

00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:30.879
 own

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.340
 righteous

00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.920
 holy

00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:32.320
 character

00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:32.600
 no he

00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:32.800
 doesn't

00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.159
 set us

00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.639
 aside

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:36.360
 instead of

00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:36.899
 setting aside

00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.360
 the law

00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.340
 he fulfills

00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:38.600
 it

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:40.919
 the curse

00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.000
 I deserved

00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.360
 Christ bore

00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.860
 in my

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.399
 place

00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.159
 in your

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.679
 place

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.939
 in the

00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.319
 place of

00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:48.840
 everyone

00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.460
 who trusts

00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:49.740
 him

00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:52.779
 but here's

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.059
 the really

00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.779
 radical thing

00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.500
 is that

00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.019
 Christ doesn't

00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:55.720
 just take

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.699
 our curse

00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.899
 but he

00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.399
 then turns

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:58.860
 and gives

00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.319
 us his

00:16:59.319 --> 00:16:59.860
 blessing

00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:02.460
 you see

00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.059
 Jesus Christ

00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:03.500
 kept the

00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.619
 law

00:17:03.619 --> 00:17:04.079
 perfectly

00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.879
 he is

00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.359
 the only

00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:05.879
 one who

00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:06.339
 fully

00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:06.919
 deserves

00:17:06.919 --> 00:17:07.500
 God's

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.179
 complete

00:17:08.179 --> 00:17:09.059
 and total

00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.879
 approval

00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:12.720
 and the

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.220
 gospel is

00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.440
 that when

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.019
 we link

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.899
 our lives

00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:15.659
 to him

00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:16.659
 in faith

00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:19.440
 it's like a

00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.039
 marriage union

00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:22.799
 that legally

00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.059
 all that's

00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.299
 mine

00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.039
 becomes his

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.819
 and all

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.419
 that's his

00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.440
 becomes mine

00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:29.880
 and in

00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:31.059
 this union

00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.880
 with Christ

00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.680
 by faith

00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:34.620
 he takes

00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.340
 my curse

00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:36.940
 and I get

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.519
 his blessing

00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.860
 and he

00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.380
 takes my

00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.120
 unrighteousness

00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.600
 and my

00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:41.460
 condemnation

00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.840
 and gives

00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.220
 me his

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.740
 righteousness

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.259
 and his

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.799
 justification

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:48.759
 and now

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.180
 God looks

00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.680
 at me

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.100
 and he

00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.400
 looks at

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:51.700
 you

00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.039
 if you

00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.279
 are in

00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.759
 Christ

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:54.220
 and he

00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:54.920
 sees us

00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.799
 through his

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.119
 son

00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:57.839
 beautiful

00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.379
 radiant

00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.879
 perfect

00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:04.240
 friends

00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.119
 that's

00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:05.539
 freedom

00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:07.920
 freedom from

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.339
 the law's

00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:08.759
 curse

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.619
 freedom from

00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.200
 ever having

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.819
 to earn

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.420
 a standing

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.240
 before God

00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.720
 through what I

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.720
 am or what

00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.259
 I do

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.539
 the freedom

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.180
 of knowing

00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.139
 deep down

00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:17.519
 that God

00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.160
 views me

00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.519
 as his

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:18.839
 own

00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.519
 without any

00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.259
 reservation

00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.279
 without any

00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.000
 hesitation

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.420
 that God's

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.940
 not sitting

00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.700
 around waiting

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.200
 for me

00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:27.099
 to become

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.480
 a better

00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:27.960
 version of

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.339
 myself

00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.859
 so that

00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.000
 he'll

00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.720
 accept me

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:32.359
 that he

00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:32.859
 loves me

00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.279
 not because

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.759
 of my

00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.259
 performance

00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.720
 but because

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.259
 of Jesus'

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:35.960
 performance

00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:39.200
 I wonder

00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.440
 if you've

00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:39.819
 ever had a

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.200
 hint

00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.140
 of that

00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:41.519
 freedom

00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:44.740
 when another

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.720
 loves you

00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:47.819
 not for

00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.099
 what they're

00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.579
 going to get

00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.039
 from you

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.480
 but simply

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:50.940
 because they

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.799
 love you

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:53.619
 isn't that

00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:53.960
 one of the

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.420
 truest forms

00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.059
 of freedom

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:56.359
 that we

00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.220
 ever experience

00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:57.779
 to know

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.480
 that my

00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.019
 performance

00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.180
 can't change

00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.019
 the other's

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.559
 regard of

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:01.799
 me

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:04.259
 that's the

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.559
 sort of

00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:04.839
 freedom

00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.700
 that makes

00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.399
 you strong

00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:08.139
 that's the

00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.420
 sort of

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:08.619
 freedom

00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.059
 that brings

00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.639
 you peace

00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:11.079
 that's the

00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.359
 sort of

00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:11.579
 freedom

00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:11.859
 that will

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.240
 cause you

00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:12.480
 to go

00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:12.980
 out

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.619
 into the

00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.059
 world

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.879
 with a

00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:15.539
 confidence

00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.000
 and with

00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.759
 a humility

00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:19.539
 with a

00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:19.859
 freedom

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:21.079
 like nothing

00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.480
 else

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:24.980
 and in

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.500
 our human

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.160
 dealings

00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:26.700
 that kind

00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.119
 of freedom

00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:28.440
 is rare

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:31.539
 we hardly

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.220
 think

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.160
 that that

00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.579
 kind of

00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:33.920
 freedom

00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.559
 could be

00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.200
 possible

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:37.299
 and yet

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:37.779
 that's the

00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.220
 freedom that

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.000
 Christ gives

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.859
 Jesus

00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.359
 the one who

00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.119
 loved me

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.079
 and gave

00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.720
 himself for

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.019
 me

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.980
 you see

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.180
 friends

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.400
 to be

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.700
 counted

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.059
 righteous

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.359
 to be

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:47.740
 justified

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.460
 before God

00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.220
 by grace

00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:49.579
 alone

00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.319
 through faith

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.639
 alone

00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:51.339
 in Christ

00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.619
 alone

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.000
 that's

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.180
 true

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.539
 freedom

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.639
 there's

00:19:53.639 --> 00:19:54.059
 nothing

00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:54.339
 else

00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.480
 like it

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:58.180
 but what

00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.400
 Paul's

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.799
 telling us

00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.099
 in the rest

00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.359
 of this

00:19:59.359 --> 00:19:59.740
 passage

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.079
 is that

00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.359
 this

00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:01.839
 freedom

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.859
 is a

00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.059
 freedom

00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.299
 that's

00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:04.539
 always

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:04.779
 in

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.139
 danger

00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:07.900
 that's

00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.200
 why Paul

00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.519
 says we

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:08.759
 have to

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.279
 stand

00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.139
 firm

00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.619
 standing

00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:11.859
 firm

00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.240
 here is a

00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:12.599
 military

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:12.940
 term

00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.220
 it means

00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.480
 to be

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.559
 diligent

00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.339
 and ready

00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.039
 and deliberate

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.980
 and active

00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.740
 you see our

00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.200
 freedom in

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.640
 Christ is

00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.640
 always in

00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.059
 danger of

00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.680
 being stolen

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.160
 away

00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:21.920
 because our

00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.539
 hearts are

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.759
 so prone

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:25.019
 to go back

00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.620
 into a

00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.259
 performance

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.120
 mindset

00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.539
 and to

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.019
 think

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:30.099
 that I'm

00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:30.779
 right because

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.400
 I've performed

00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:31.880
 well

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.440
 or that I'm

00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:32.960
 right because

00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.360
 I've done

00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.240
 certain things

00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:37.180
 and of course

00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:37.720
 this happens

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.599
 subtly

00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.519
 it doesn't

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.220
 happen overnight

00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.160
 the false

00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:42.559
 teachers who

00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.079
 showed up in

00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.679
 Galatia that

00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:44.179
 Paul is sort

00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:44.619
 of arguing

00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:45.199
 against in

00:20:45.199 --> 00:20:45.579
 this letter

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.159
 they weren't

00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:46.859
 flat out

00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:48.359
 rejecting Jesus

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.699
 as the

00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:49.099
 Messiah

00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:51.399
 they were

00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:51.980
 simply saying

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.379
 that in order

00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:53.019
 to be saved

00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.480
 you had to be

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.319
 circumcised too

00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:56.519
 after all it was

00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.079
 something that God

00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.639
 commanded in the

00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.339
 law of Moses

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.679
 who could argue

00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.439
 with that

00:21:00.439 --> 00:21:03.639
 but in verses

00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.119
 2 through 4

00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.579
 Paul is saying

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.059
 you can't have

00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.699
 it both ways

00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:07.740
 it's either

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.659
 all of grace

00:21:08.659 --> 00:21:08.980
 through what

00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.779
 Jesus has done

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:11.519
 or you lose

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:11.819
 the whole

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.180
 thing

00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:16.680
 in other

00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.119
 words if you

00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:17.899
 add any

00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.680
 human work

00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.579
 or merit

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.740
 or contribution

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.339
 as a requirement

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.299
 for salvation

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.420
 Paul says

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.899
 you nullify

00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.940
 Christ

00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:28.039
 in your life

00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:30.480
 you're severed

00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:30.920
 from him

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:33.200
 and here's the

00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.879
 deep irony

00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:35.740
 that we can

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.539
 become very

00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.639
 very morally

00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.640
 scrupulous

00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.940
 that we can

00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.700
 do everything

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.320
 right

00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:42.560
 and if we're

00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:43.259
 doing it to

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.940
 earn God's

00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.500
 salvation

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:46.560
 Paul says

00:21:46.560 --> 00:21:48.420
 it's driving

00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:48.900
 you away

00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.400
 from him

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:53.800
 after all

00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.080
 Paul says

00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:54.300
 it won't

00:21:54.300 --> 00:21:54.740
 just stop

00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.420
 at circumcision

00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:58.060
 it can't

00:21:58.060 --> 00:21:58.820
 circumcision

00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.360
 is a promise

00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.080
 it's an obligation

00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.580
 to keep the

00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:01.000
 whole law

00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.300
 it's like

00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:02.040
 turning the

00:22:02.040 --> 00:22:02.440
 key of a

00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:02.720
 car

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.660
 and once you

00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.040
 turn the

00:22:04.040 --> 00:22:04.340
 key the

00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:04.880
 engine starts

00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.180
 running

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.759
 and you've

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:05.980
 got to

00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.480
 drive the

00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:06.759
 thing

00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.400
 or turn it

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.600
 off

00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:07.899
 and get

00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.199
 out

00:22:08.199 --> 00:22:11.599
 of course

00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:11.959
 few of us

00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:12.299
 are tempted

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:12.980
 to accept

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.939
 circumcision

00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.459
 today

00:22:14.459 --> 00:22:16.119
 as a requirement

00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:16.879
 for salvation

00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.599
 if you are

00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.619
 talk to me

00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:18.959
 at the door

00:22:18.959 --> 00:22:19.299
 because I've

00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:19.559
 never met

00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.000
 anyone

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.559
 who thinks

00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:20.859
 that

00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:23.039
 but aren't

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.500
 we just

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:23.899
 like the

00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.299
 Galatians

00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.859
 at heart

00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:26.259
 aren't we

00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.899
 still tempted

00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.519
 to think

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.579
 that faith

00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.259
 in Christ

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.459
 by itself

00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:32.639
 aren't we

00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.099
 tempted to

00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.439
 think that

00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:33.899
 faith in

00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.639
 Christ alone

00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:35.859
 isn't quite

00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.359
 sufficient

00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:38.059
 to make

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.199
 us

00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.500
 right

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:41.119
 that surely

00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.539
 we need

00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:41.959
 to add

00:22:41.959 --> 00:22:42.939
 something

00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.699
 don't we

00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:46.479
 and of

00:22:46.479 --> 00:22:46.759
 course the

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.240
 challenge here

00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.599
 is that so

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.319
 many of us

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.519
 would intellectually

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.819
 agree that

00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.539
 we're saved by

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.099
 faith alone

00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:54.199
 but do we

00:22:54.199 --> 00:22:54.879
 live that way

00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:57.099
 we get the

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.679
 right answer

00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:58.299
 on a test

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.919
 sure if I

00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.459
 hand it out

00:22:59.459 --> 00:22:59.719
 in the

00:22:59.719 --> 00:23:00.179
 bulletin

00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:00.759
 a check

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.019
 mark

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.439
 are you

00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:01.859
 saved

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.519
 by faith

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:02.859
 alone

00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.759
 or by

00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.279
 a mixture

00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.699
 of faith

00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:04.899
 in your

00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.099
 works

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.419
 you would

00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:05.740
 probably

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.199
 all say

00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:06.519
 faith

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:06.939
 alone

00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:07.579
 amen

00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:10.559
 but what

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:10.959
 about in the

00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.359
 day to day

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.059
 of our lives

00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:13.799
 is there

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.799
 something else

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.119
 that we

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.219
 functionally

00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:17.000
 put in

00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.299
 there

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:21.740
 perhaps a

00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.200
 good question

00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.680
 to ask

00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.079
 ourselves

00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.619
 is this

00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:25.740
 what do I

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.220
 want to be

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.079
 known for

00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:30.500
 as you think

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.879
 about your

00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.240
 life

00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.700
 as we think

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.079
 about our

00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.599
 life together

00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:32.960
 what do we

00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.299
 want to be

00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.879
 known for

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.180
 you know

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.419
 if we were

00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:35.740
 to ask

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.220
 that question

00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.419
 of the

00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:36.599
 false

00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:36.859
 teachers

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.200
 who showed

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.399
 up in

00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:37.779
 Galatia

00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.220
 they probably

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.440
 would have

00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:38.579
 said

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:38.879
 well we

00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.079
 want to

00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.419
 be known

00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:39.839
 for keeping

00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.139
 the law

00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:40.559
 of Moses

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.619
 in fact

00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.579
 in chapter 2

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.119
 verse 12

00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.839
 they're actually

00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.680
 called the

00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.319
 circumcision

00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:45.859
 party

00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:49.059
 circumcision

00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.639
 doesn't sound

00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.199
 like a party

00:23:50.199 --> 00:23:50.579
 to me

00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.199
 but there

00:23:51.199 --> 00:23:51.599
 you go

00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.899
 the circumcision

00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.339
 party

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:55.359
 now we

00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:55.599
 don't know

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:55.819
 if that's

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:55.979
 what they

00:23:55.979 --> 00:23:56.159
 called

00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:56.759
 themselves

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.159
 but that's

00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:58.339
 what they

00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:58.699
 were known

00:23:58.699 --> 00:23:59.119
 for

00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:03.439
 what about

00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:03.879
 us as a

00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.219
 church

00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:05.500
 what do we

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:05.799
 want to be

00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.459
 known for

00:24:06.459 --> 00:24:08.679
 being the

00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.159
 cool hip

00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:09.639
 church

00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:12.500
 being the

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.139
 social justice

00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.659
 church

00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:15.839
 being the

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.559
 expositional

00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:16.980
 preaching

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.579
 church

00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.759
 none of

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:19.980
 those are

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.779
 bad things

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:22.319
 but friends

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.579
 if they

00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.039
 start to

00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.139
 stand above

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.079
 the gospel

00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.419
 of the

00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:25.959
 grace of

00:24:25.959 --> 00:24:26.319
 Jesus

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.699
 in our

00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:27.480
 affections

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.000
 and in

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.159
 our

00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:28.740
 aims

00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.399
 and in

00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.119
 what we

00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.339
 want to

00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.879
 be known

00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.299
 for

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:33.079
 then we're

00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.779
 on dangerous

00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.259
 ground

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.779
 and our

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.299
 freedom will

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.019
 start slipping

00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.480
 from our

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:37.899
 hands

00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:40.679
 but what

00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:40.959
 about in

00:24:40.959 --> 00:24:41.480
 your individual

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:41.959
 life

00:24:41.959 --> 00:24:43.000
 what do

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.740
 you personally

00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.679
 want to be

00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.259
 known for

00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:47.319
 running a

00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.640
 successful

00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.160
 business

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:50.819
 fighting world

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.240
 hunger

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.420
 raising a

00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:53.720
 godly

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.319
 household

00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:56.259
 of course

00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.640
 these are all

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.019
 excellent

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.539
 things

00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:59.119
 and the

00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.779
 gospel will

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.819
 empower you

00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.640
 to do

00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.500
 them and to

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.839
 do them

00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:03.720
 well with

00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.579
 joy and

00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.339
 with courage

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:08.220
 but is that

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.039
 ultimately what

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.539
 you want to be

00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.039
 known for

00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:12.420
 the danger

00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.000
 is that any

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.420
 of these good

00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.819
 things can

00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:15.299
 start to slide

00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.700
 into the

00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.799
 center and

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.339
 suddenly our

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.940
 identity isn't

00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.619
 content with

00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.440
 Christ alone

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.940
 instead it has

00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.460
 to be Christ

00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.159
 and success

00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.619
 at work

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:24.000
 or Christ

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.019
 and making a

00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.480
 difference

00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.319
 globally

00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.879
 or Christ

00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:29.440
 and having

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:29.960
 a happy

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.879
 family

00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:34.059
 to be okay

00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.619
 we start to

00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.279
 say I need

00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.680
 him

00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.640
 and

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:38.480
 I want to

00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:38.759
 be known

00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.340
 for him

00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.420
 and

00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:42.580
 and as soon

00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:42.920
 as our

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.660
 heart starts

00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.640
 saying that

00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:46.220
 our freedom

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.799
 is slipping

00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.220
 from our

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.660
 grasp

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:49.539
 because whatever

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.539
 comes after

00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.940
 that and

00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.900
 whether it be

00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.580
 circumcision

00:25:54.580 --> 00:25:55.440
 or anything

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.940
 else

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:58.580
 it will

00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.060
 ultimately

00:25:59.060 --> 00:25:59.759
 drive you

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.320
 away from

00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:00.799
 Christ

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.519
 and his

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:01.980
 grace

00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.940
 and into a

00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.279
 yoke

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.319
 of slavery

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:06.940
 that's what

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.299
 Paul says

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.920
 over and

00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.519
 over and

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.079
 over in

00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.579
 verses 2

00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.079
 through 4

00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.200
 this doesn't

00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.579
 mean that a

00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:11.859
 genuine

00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.379
 Christian can

00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:12.899
 lose their

00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.200
 salvation

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.819
 but it does

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.279
 mean that we

00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.899
 can end up

00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:15.779
 living under

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.539
 a crippling

00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.680
 load of

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.319
 guilt and

00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.160
 shame or

00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.599
 under an

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.559
 ugly facade

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.519
 of pride

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.220
 and pretension

00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.920
 and that is

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.759
 simply not

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.500
 what Christ

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.059
 has freed us

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.339
 for

00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:27.339
 he's freed

00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:28.799
 us for

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.160
 freedom

00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:31.700
 and we have

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.180
 to stand

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.700
 firm

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.860
 in it

00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:36.799
 and in the

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.140
 last two

00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.559
 verses of

00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.039
 our passage

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.400
 we see

00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.720
 how

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.940
 how is it

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.160
 that we

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.779
 stand firm

00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:42.340
 we stand

00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:42.539
 firm

00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:42.900
 Paul says

00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.279
 by seeing

00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.819
 that faith

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.259
 alone

00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.960
 through the

00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.400
 spirit

00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:47.400
 makes us

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.940
 eager in

00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.259
 hope

00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.819
 and energetic

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.460
 in love

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.100
 look at

00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:51.600
 verse 5

00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:51.980
 for through

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.700
 the spirit

00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.240
 by faith

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.640
 not by works

00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.460
 not by the

00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:56.640
 law

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.019
 through the

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.299
 spirit

00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.440
 by faith

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.380
 we ourselves

00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.380
 eagerly wait

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:00.740
 for the hope

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.259
 of righteousness

00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:03.039
 our faith

00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.379
 in Christ

00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.759
 makes us

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.440
 eager for

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.980
 the future

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.259
 the hope

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.839
 of righteousness

00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.519
 here is God's

00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.240
 final verdict

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.660
 over our

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.099
 lives

00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.019
 and if we're

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.619
 headed toward

00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.420
 that day

00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.259
 on the basis

00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.799
 of our

00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.379
 performance

00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:14.279
 friends the last

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.799
 thing we will do

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.599
 is eagerly

00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.519
 wait for it

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:19.000
 we might

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.640
 anxiously

00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.579
 dread it

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:22.900
 or if we

00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.220
 think we're

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.619
 good

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.559
 and we've

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:24.900
 kept all

00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.400
 God's laws

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.759
 we might

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.420
 pridefully

00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.480
 presume upon

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.039
 that day

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.759
 but either

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.180
 way the

00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.480
 outcome

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.799
 will be

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.339
 far

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.119
 from

00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.779
 hopeful

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:36.019
 but in

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.379
 Christ

00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:36.859
 friends we

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.440
 know

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.399
 what God's

00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:38.879
 verdict will

00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.200
 be

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.379
 because he's

00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.099
 already

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:42.299
 pronounced it

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.220
 over us

00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.579
 it will be

00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:44.879
 one of

00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.359
 complete

00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:45.799
 approval

00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.420
 and acceptance

00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.319
 for its

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.079
 basis is

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.099
 the perfect

00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.519
 righteousness

00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.159
 of Jesus

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:52.500
 and that

00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:52.899
 means neither

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.839
 dread nor

00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.420
 presumption

00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.039
 but eager

00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.819
 expectation

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.559
 for what the

00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.299
 future holds

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.279
 for on that

00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.680
 day we'll

00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.319
 stand before

00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.220
 God in

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.539
 the new

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.059
 creation

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.220
 and he will

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.960
 look upon

00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.980
 us as his

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.519
 radiant

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.419
 bride

00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:06.460
 without a

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.059
 spot

00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.919
 without a

00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.319
 wrinkle

00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.079
 without a

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.720
 blemish

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.039
 and he'll

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.859
 delight in

00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:12.319
 us

00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.139
 forever

00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.700
 he'll sing

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:16.019
 over us

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.539
 the prophets

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:17.919
 say

00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:19.779
 in delight

00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:23.399
 and Paul

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.759
 says that

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.480
 this faith

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.339
 fueled

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.220
 hope

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.240
 comes

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.799
 through

00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:27.960
 the

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.339
 spirit

00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:30.600
 God's

00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:30.960
 given us

00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.620
 his own

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.519
 spirit

00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:32.920
 to make

00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.339
 this true

00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.620
 in our

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.180
 lives

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.940
 he's not

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.600
 leaving us

00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.559
 high and

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.019
 dry

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:38.279
 he's put

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.579
 his own

00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.240
 self

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.880
 into us

00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:41.079
 to make

00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.480
 this faith

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.380
 real and

00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.100
 live in

00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.620
 our hearts

00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.640
 faith itself

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.039
 is the gift

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.279
 of the

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.480
 spirit

00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.019
 but the

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.220
 spirit

00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.140
 also fans

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.819
 this gift

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.180
 into a

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.500
 flame

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.579
 and makes

00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:49.900
 the things

00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:50.299
 of Christ

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.059
 real to

00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.500
 our hearts

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:51.680
 so they

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.400
 become bright

00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.180
 with hope

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.940
 friends as

00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:55.360
 Christians we

00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:55.820
 should meditate

00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:56.740
 often about

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.280
 the way

00:28:57.280 --> 00:28:58.140
 God views

00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:58.900
 us in

00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.320
 Christ

00:28:59.320 --> 00:28:59.860
 do you

00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:02.420
 do you

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.900
 make it a

00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.280
 spiritual

00:29:03.280 --> 00:29:04.200
 practice

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:06.040
 daily

00:29:06.040 --> 00:29:08.040
 to think

00:29:08.040 --> 00:29:08.880
 about yourself

00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.340
 the way that

00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:09.900
 your father

00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.500
 thinks about

00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:10.840
 you in

00:29:10.840 --> 00:29:11.240
 Christ

00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:12.860
 or do you

00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.320
 spend more

00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.960
 time thinking

00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.420
 about your

00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.000
 screw ups

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.600
 and your

00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.080
 failures

00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.640
 and your

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.220
 mistakes

00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:19.220
 instead of

00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.779
 thinking about

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.440
 the fact

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.160
 that Christ

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:22.000
 redeemed us

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.480
 from the

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:22.860
 curse of

00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.220
 the law

00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.059
 by becoming

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.579
 a curse

00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.660
 for us

00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:28.980
 do you

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.339
 spend more

00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:29.960
 time thinking

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.700
 of yourself

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.620
 as lost

00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:33.539
 and gone

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.480
 and wayward

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:34.880
 instead of

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.720
 seeing yourself

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.299
 and viewing

00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.700
 yourself

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.279
 and telling

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.720
 yourself

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.420
 what's true

00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:40.120
 that in

00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.720
 Christ

00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:42.019
 you're his

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.480
 son

00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.200
 you're his

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.559
 daughter

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:45.180
 that in

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.579
 Christ

00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:45.940
 you're his

00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.860
 bride

00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.959
 radiant

00:29:47.959 --> 00:29:48.579
 with beauty

00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:52.079
 friends we

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.419
 should be

00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:53.079
 thinking

00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.859
 deeply

00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.699
 about the

00:29:54.699 --> 00:29:55.039
 day

00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.359
 when God

00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:56.919
 will pronounce

00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:58.359
 us publicly

00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.779
 and finally

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.719
 righteous

00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.799
 for eternity

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.519
 when our

00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:03.879
 screw ups

00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:04.419
 and failures

00:30:04.419 --> 00:30:04.819
 and sins

00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.099
 will be

00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.179
 overturned

00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:07.259
 when God

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.339
 bangs the

00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.819
 gavel

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:10.099
 and says

00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:10.979
 you're

00:30:10.979 --> 00:30:11.419
 righteous

00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:12.679
 because of

00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.139
 my son

00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:16.379
 friends let

00:30:16.380 --> 00:30:16.680
 us grow

00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.160
 eager

00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.180
 in our

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.640
 hope

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:20.400
 and then

00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:20.860
 we'll stand

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.320
 firm in

00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:21.460
 our

00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:21.760
 freedom

00:30:21.760 --> 00:30:25.160
 and the

00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:25.500
 spirit not

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:25.820
 only makes

00:30:25.820 --> 00:30:26.260
 our faith

00:30:26.260 --> 00:30:26.580
 full of

00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:27.240
 eager hope

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.040
 but full

00:30:28.040 --> 00:30:28.700
 of energetic

00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.700
 love

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.060
 look at

00:30:30.060 --> 00:30:30.460
 verse 6

00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:30.840
 for in

00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:31.100
 Christ

00:30:31.100 --> 00:30:31.360
 Jesus

00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:31.640
 neither

00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.400
 circumcision

00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:32.840
 nor

00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.600
 uncircumcision

00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.220
 counts

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.220
 for anything

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.680
 but only

00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.220
 faith

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.180
 working

00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:38.880
 through

00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.220
 love

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.860
 we see

00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.120
 here that

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.440
 the sort

00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:41.819
 of faith

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.220
 that unites

00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.440
 us to

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.640
 Christ

00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:42.839
 isn't

00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.079
 merely

00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.420
 just an

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:43.799
 intellectual

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.279
 belief

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.779
 it's not

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:44.980
 merely

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.380
 ticking

00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.039
 boxes

00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.420
 it's a

00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:46.620
 sort

00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.019
 of faith

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.839
 that trusts

00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.299
 Christ

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.759
 to be

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.660
 so sufficient

00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.400
 for salvation

00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:52.019
 it's a

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.460
 giving of

00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:52.880
 ourselves

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.500
 to him

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.279
 in such

00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.819
 complete

00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.400
 dependence

00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.900
 that love

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.759
 comes rushing

00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.240
 forth

00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.160
 for others

00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:02.980
 compare it

00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.220
 to a

00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.740
 circumcision

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.160
 mindset

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:06.100
 where we're

00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.620
 centered on

00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:06.940
 our own

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.299
 moral

00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.940
 achievements

00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.720
 you know

00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.100
 if that's

00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:09.259
 us

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.600
 we won't

00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:10.059
 genuinely

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.539
 love

00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.059
 love

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.480
 can't

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.420
 from that

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:14.259
 because we

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.460
 might

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.559
 you

00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:14.880
 know

00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:15.559
 you