WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:05.580 Good evening to all of you, to the mothers here. Happy Mother's Day. 00:00:06.580 --> 00:00:13.599 It's great to be with you tonight, and we're happy that you gave some of your cherished holiday to come and worship together with us. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:18.219 We pray for our children because of your hard labors, so thank you for that. 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:29.920 We're still in a series in the book of Colossians, and last week we looked at a question that Dan proposed to us out of chapter 1, verses 15 through 20. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.820 That question was, who is Jesus? 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:37.140 And the answer he gave us was, Jesus is God. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:45.219 However, for Paul, the whole Bible, the whole of God's story is a love letter. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:49.020 That's how Paul sees it, and I think he's right. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:52.939 For example, we can look at John 3, 16, where it says, 00:00:53.120 --> 00:00:56.640 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:59.939 For God so loved the world. 00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:09.260 His story is a love letter to us, and so for Paul, having asked the question last week of who is Jesus, there has to be a follow-up, right? 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:15.379 I don't know if any of you have experienced this in your own life, but if you send off a love letter and you get nothing back, 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:19.000 it feels pretty miserable, doesn't it? 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:23.560 Just kind of sent yourself out there in a thin air and nothing came back. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:24.340 It means nothing. 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:27.960 The love letter you sent means nothing without some sort of reciprocation, right? 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:34.340 So this week, in chapter 1, verses 21 through 23, Paul shows us the response. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:37.200 So if last week's question was, who is Christ? 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:39.079 And the answer is, he is God. 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:42.400 The question this week is, what does it mean to be a Christian? 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:46.960 For Paul, this is one of the most important questions we can ask. 00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:53.820 Paul is so convicted by this question that he believes the question we looked at last week, 00:01:54.360 --> 00:02:00.920 the reality of who is Christ, means nothing if we don't also have a personal relationship. 00:02:01.080 --> 00:02:07.420 If we haven't asked this question, wrestled with it, dealt with it, and let it impact our lives, 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:11.920 this question makes that question matter that much more. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:19.040 So, who is Jesus Christ? 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:19.879 He is God. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:23.300 What does it mean to be a Christian? 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:25.219 How will we respond to his love letter? 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:29.379 If you ask this question to ten different people, you'll probably get ten different responses, right? 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:32.840 You ask this question to one person, they might say, 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:35.120 well, it means going to church on Easter and Christmas. 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:39.140 You ask this question to another person, they might say, 00:02:39.140 --> 00:02:40.360 well, I was baptized once. 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:44.360 Which we would say, good, once is all you need. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:47.840 But, that doesn't mean that you're a Christian, necessarily. 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:51.440 For many people, it's a Sunday requirement to check a box. 00:02:52.720 --> 00:02:56.760 You ask somebody else, and they might say, well, you know, it's an option. 00:02:56.759 --> 00:03:05.179 It's just an alternative option of morals and worldviews set side by side with things like Buddhism and Hinduism and Islam. 00:03:05.399 --> 00:03:10.539 It's a choice that you get to make of what your morals will be and what your worldview will look like. 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:13.560 For yet others, it's a passed down tradition. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:18.539 Grandma and granddad, they were Christian, so I must be too. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:20.319 They went to church, so I go to church. 00:03:21.140 --> 00:03:23.640 Mom and dad went to church, so that's what I'll do. 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:31.219 And yet, to some others, it's nothing more than an irrelevant, out-of-touch form of hyper-conservativism, 00:03:31.219 --> 00:03:35.939 full of hate-mongering and indifference towards anybody who's different than you. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:42.979 Or maybe, some of you in this room thought it was this at one point in your life. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:43.780 I know I did. 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:48.139 I went off to some high school retreat, one wonderful summer, 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:51.439 and that Friday night, I prayed the salvation prayer. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:03:57.800 But none of those quite hit the nail on the head, do they? 00:03:57.800 --> 00:04:02.439 So tonight's question, what does it mean to be a Christian? 00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:05.840 Have you spent time dwelling on the importance of this question in your life? 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:09.900 Have you spent time wrestling with the impact that this should have on us, 00:04:09.980 --> 00:04:16.139 and can have in us, if we let it just sit and be with us? 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:19.300 This morning's text is not a theological deep dive. 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:24.819 It's not an intellectual exposition from Paul for us to get way off into the weeds. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:29.339 It means, no, tonight's text is a pastoral invitation to you. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:35.519 It's a pastoral invitation to you to ask this question of ourselves. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.279 And unlike any other religion or worldview or moral system, 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:41.839 the Christian faith is honest. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:47.620 It's honest about who we are and who God is and who we were made to be. 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:50.839 So to answer the question of what does it mean to be a Christian, 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:54.000 we're going to look at what Paul says are the three phases of spiritual life. 00:04:55.799 --> 00:05:02.799 What you once were, but now you are, and how you must go on. 00:05:03.299 --> 00:05:06.819 What you once were, but now you are, and how you must go on. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:09.500 Let's pray for God's help in this. 00:05:10.739 --> 00:05:12.379 Heavenly Father, God, we come to you tonight. 00:05:12.919 --> 00:05:16.279 We open up your word, your story, your love letter to us. 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:19.679 As we do that, soften our hearts, God. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:24.939 Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the things that you have prepared for us. 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:30.279 As we wrestle with these questions and think about what it means to be a Christian, God, 00:05:30.979 --> 00:05:34.679 I ask that you might make it take effect in our hearts and in our lives, 00:05:35.239 --> 00:05:38.419 tonight and leaving this place into the week ahead. 00:05:38.719 --> 00:05:39.519 In your name we pray. 00:05:40.219 --> 00:05:40.519 Amen. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:46.279 So the first thing then Paul says is what you once were. 00:05:47.799 --> 00:05:48.959 Why does he start there? 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:53.779 Because you see, for a Christian there's always a before. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:57.199 For every Christian there's a time before Christ. 00:05:58.099 --> 00:06:02.779 There's a time before the Holy Spirit transformed you. 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:07.719 There was a way of living that wasn't so much about God and his will for your life 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:14.440 as it was about your own desires, your own ideas, your own fantasies. 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:22.240 This, what you once were, says Paul, is alienated and hostile in mind, causing us to do evil deeds. 00:06:22.660 --> 00:06:25.480 So let's take just a little bit of time unpacking that statement together. 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:29.760 You once were alienated, he says. 00:06:30.320 --> 00:06:34.420 Another way of translating this that might be helpful to some of you is estranged or isolated. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:37.060 You once were alienated, estranged or isolated. 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:37.819 What does this mean? 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:41.280 I think two questions we have to ask about that is, 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:43.340 who are we alienated from? 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:47.020 And what does this alienation do to us? 00:06:50.020 --> 00:06:54.120 Well, one quick response to the question is found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:56.600 chapter 59, verse 2, where it says, 00:06:56.600 --> 00:07:01.680 Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:07.060 and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear you. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:09.360 So who are we alienated from? 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:12.640 God, our creator. 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:20.700 And anything that is alienated from its creator loses its true value and purpose and identity. 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:26.019 Diana, if you'd be willing to put the image up on the screen for us. 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:28.399 You see a painting here? 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:31.399 It's a rather unassuming piece of artwork. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:34.079 It's not poorly done. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:39.639 But it also doesn't strike any sort of awe in us. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:41.939 In fact, when I first looked at this, I thought to myself, 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:43.399 Yeah, that's a pretty good piece of art. 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:47.139 I could see myself paying $25 for that at TJ Maxx or Target. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:51.659 It looked really good above my leather chair. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:59.060 That is, it's uninspiring until you find out this is actually a long-lost piece of Picasso. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:05.879 It's a long-lost piece of Picasso, now valued in hundreds of thousands of dollars. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:09.339 This isn't Target or TJ Maxx. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:11.180 This is Picasso. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:15.639 Because of who the creator is, because of who the painter is, 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:22.300 this otherwise unassuming piece of art becomes highly valued and known by the whole world. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:27.699 And just like that, us being estranged from our creator, 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:30.019 we lose our purpose. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.180 We lose our value. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:34.240 We lose our identity. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:38.659 And so we live in this world mostly unknown, 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:42.680 wandering around from A to B and B to C 00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:47.759 in a constant effort to be known, to be loved. 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:50.820 We are created beings out of touch with our creator, 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:54.820 living without a given purpose or identity. 00:08:54.820 --> 00:09:00.940 So we wander around, like I said, seeking the answer to these two questions. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:01.700 Who am I? 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:03.440 Or am I known? 00:09:05.040 --> 00:09:09.780 I think two of the great 20th century philosophers say it quite beautifully 00:09:09.780 --> 00:09:14.420 when John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney described our alienation in this way. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:21.219 He's a real nowhere man, sitting in his nowhere land, 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:26.159 making all his nowhere plans for nobody, 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:28.599 doesn't have a point of view, 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:31.319 knows not where he's going to. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.199 Isn't he a bit like you and me? 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:39.879 Nowhere man, please listen. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:43.679 Alienation. 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:47.519 It's so prevalent in our culture and in our time, isn't it? 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:50.399 People are alienated from family, 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.059 from parents, 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.099 from children, 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:54.500 from spouses, 00:09:55.099 --> 00:09:56.379 from friends. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:57.939 But most of all, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:00.059 this reveals this alienation from God 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:02.879 that we all have felt at one time or another. 00:10:03.479 --> 00:10:06.019 And it leads us to taking a quick fix, right? 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:07.399 The next thing. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.500 A next relationship. 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:11.419 A different job. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:12.899 A new hobby. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:13.599 A new hobby. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:16.759 It's an exhaustive list. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:22.519 But quick fixes only lead to more and more and more pain and restlessness, 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:23.159 don't they? 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:26.139 If you've been down that road, you know full well, 00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:29.560 every quick fix only leads to a little bit more pain 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:31.680 and a little bit more restlessness 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:34.219 and a little bit deeper search. 00:10:35.719 --> 00:10:38.399 We find ourselves living as aimless wanderers. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:41.000 And I think the great church father, 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:41.659 the great church father, Augustine, 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.959 says it really well when he put it this way. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.879 You have made us for yourself, O Lord, 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.879 and our hearts are restless. 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:53.860 And our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:56.460 As alienated creatures, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:59.519 we will forever be restless, 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.379 forever be wandering, 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:04.100 until we find our rest in God. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:08.680 But Paul doesn't stop there at alienation, does he? 00:11:08.680 --> 00:11:09.860 He says alienation, 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:12.639 its desire to be known by someone, 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:15.019 its desire to have purpose and identity, 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.360 leads to something. 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:18.620 He said it leads to a hostility of mind. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:22.899 Which comes out of this longing that we have. 00:11:23.680 --> 00:11:25.220 This longing to be loved. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:28.399 And when we can't fill that, 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:30.320 it's frustrating, isn't it? 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:33.220 It's incredibly frustrating. 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.600 Paul says that alienation, 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:38.160 that frustration lead to hostility. 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:39.700 What ends up happening then 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:41.300 is when we're alienated from God 00:11:41.300 --> 00:11:43.480 and continue to try to get something from creation 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:45.800 that creation cannot give us, 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:48.080 we begin to grow hostile in mind. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:51.120 You could take that and put it in the dictionary 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:53.200 as the definition of insanity, couldn't you? 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:56.300 Doing something over and over again 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:57.620 expecting a different result. 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:00.400 Trying to get something from creation 00:12:00.400 --> 00:12:02.100 that creation cannot give us. 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:04.440 And we do it again and again and again. 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:05.400 And we get hostile. 00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:06.400 When that happens, 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:06.920 simply put, 00:12:07.020 --> 00:12:08.580 somebody has to be blamed, don't they? 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.920 Somebody has to be blamed for this hostility, 00:12:12.040 --> 00:12:12.800 for this alienation, 00:12:12.920 --> 00:12:13.640 for this frustration, 00:12:13.800 --> 00:12:16.259 for this cycle that we find ourselves in. 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:18.580 And so we begin to blame. 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:23.360 We begin to blame the people closest to us. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.480 It's my wife's fault. 00:12:26.400 --> 00:12:27.879 It's my husband's fault. 00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:30.360 It's my boss's fault. 00:12:30.420 --> 00:12:32.139 He doesn't treat employees well at all. 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:34.440 You'd probably put it a little bit differently 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:35.320 if you are hostile. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:38.020 It's my kid's fault. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.639 They're not living up to the expectations 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.540 that I have for them. 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.500 I didn't set the bar that high. 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:47.100 You see how this hostility leads to blaming. 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:49.440 Ultimately, though, 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:52.420 isn't all of this really just blaming God? 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:55.180 Whether or not you realize it, 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:57.540 every time we get to that place, 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.980 what we're doing is blaming God. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:01.320 God didn't give you the right job. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.740 He didn't give you the right boss. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:07.120 He didn't make your wife love you enough 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.460 or your children smart enough 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.740 to live up to the expectations 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:11.320 that you think you ought to have for them. 00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:13.420 He didn't perform a miracle 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:15.980 so you could afford some $1,500, 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.920 or sorry, 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:19.060 some half-million-dollar townhouse 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:20.220 in the middle of Washington, D.C. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.740 that has 1,500 square feet. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:24.620 What a gift that would be, right? 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:25.700 But he doesn't provide it. 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:28.360 So you blame him. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.180 Do you see where this is going? 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:35.120 Our alienation and sin 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:37.519 drives us to hostility in mind, 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:39.519 leads us to blaming God 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.699 for the very thing that we did 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:42.759 in the first place. 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.259 And yet Paul says, 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:47.860 I'm sorry, but it doesn't even stop there. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.360 You're alienated. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.699 You are hostile. 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:57.520 And then that drives you to evil deeds. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.960 It's easy to stand 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:02.180 and sort of analyze culture 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:03.820 and say, look at all of the bad there 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:05.280 and all of the bad there. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.200 Or look at someone 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:08.400 who commits some egregious sin 00:14:08.400 --> 00:14:10.060 and say, look at all of the evil there. 00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:10.920 Paul says, 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:12.160 it doesn't start there. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.759 It starts with your alienation 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.780 from your creator 00:14:15.780 --> 00:14:17.600 that leads to hostility, 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.640 that leads to evil deeds. 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:23.799 What are these evil deeds? 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.620 It's been a whole sermon 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.539 or sermon series 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:28.500 on expounding on the evil deeds 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:31.279 that human nature drives out of us. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.340 But we don't have to tonight 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:34.720 because if you were to flip a page 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.879 in your Bible to chapter 3, 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.340 Paul gives us a list. 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:39.620 In chapter 3 he says, 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.519 here's the evil deeds. 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:44.019 Sexual immorality, 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:45.879 impurity, 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:47.980 passion, 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:50.180 and covetousness, 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.200 which is idolatry. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.820 Let me read that list one more time. 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:56.039 Sexual immorality, 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:57.920 impurity, 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.000 passion, 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:02.220 and covetousness, 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.500 which is idolatry. 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:07.159 Doesn't that pretty accurately 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.240 describe our culture? 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.240 I think so. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.460 I think so. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.360 And yet in that, 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:18.560 our culture invites us 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.180 into something, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.659 don't they? 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.539 Culture invites you 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.840 to create your own identity, 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:25.259 to be the real you. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.659 Be true to yourself. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:32.000 Do what feels authentic 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.440 to you in the moment. 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:35.279 Right? 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.879 We hear that all over the place. 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.820 Advertising and marketing 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:40.860 makes billions on our desire 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.720 to be authentic 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:43.340 to where we are right now, 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:45.279 to be the real us. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:48.220 But that's the problem, 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:48.699 isn't it? 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.939 If you're alienated 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.759 from your creator 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.179 and estranged 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.220 from his truth 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.659 and are not 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.519 the real you, 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.839 how can we possibly 00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:00.740 do what culture 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.559 invites us to? 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.259 We can't. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.579 Culture can't deliver 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:07.860 on its own invitation 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.959 and promise to us. 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:11.019 Culture can't. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.879 But the good news is 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.899 the gospel can. 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:18.120 Jesus Christ can. 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:18.759 Why? 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.600 Because Jesus Christ 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.700 was the most real man. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:27.019 Constantly true to himself. 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.439 He suffered alienation, 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.480 estrangement, 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.759 isolation from God. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.679 He undeservingly died 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.720 for us 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:37.720 and was raised to life 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:40.059 so that we might be reconciled. 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:42.319 So that this alienation, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.479 this long lostness 00:16:44.479 --> 00:16:45.479 that we have 00:16:45.479 --> 00:16:48.279 might no longer be the case. 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.859 The Bible puts it this way. 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.159 He is the way, 00:16:52.819 --> 00:16:53.399 the truth, 00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:54.299 and the life. 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.500 Jesus did it all. 00:16:58.599 --> 00:17:00.239 And he was raised from death 00:17:00.239 --> 00:17:01.899 so that what you once were, 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.079 who you once were, 00:17:03.219 --> 00:17:04.319 no longer describes 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.399 who you now are. 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:08.060 So Paul starts with saying, 00:17:08.280 --> 00:17:09.580 you once were alienated 00:17:09.580 --> 00:17:10.120 and hostile. 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:12.620 But then, 00:17:13.820 --> 00:17:15.140 I'm going to take the words 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.420 out of the NIV translation 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.720 because I think 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.620 it's powerful here. 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:21.220 You once were alienated 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.759 and hostile, 00:17:22.800 --> 00:17:23.660 but now, 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:26.460 but now, 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:28.600 you are reconciled. 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:31.200 Do you have a but now 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.940 in your story? 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:35.100 Think about your life. 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.240 Do you have a but now 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.039 in your story? 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.660 You once were alienated 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.400 or estranged, 00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:43.180 but now, 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:43.779 friends, 00:17:44.580 --> 00:17:46.000 you are known by God. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.740 What no job 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.539 or salary 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.500 or spouse 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.400 or relationship 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.320 or child 00:17:52.320 --> 00:17:53.120 or parents 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:54.660 or hobby 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:56.440 could ever give you 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.779 and never will be able 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.440 to give you, 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:02.100 you have been given 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.940 in Christ 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.500 at the cross. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.779 The chasm 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.240 that once 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.200 distanced us 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.120 from God, 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.080 that unbridgeable gap 00:18:10.080 --> 00:18:10.940 has been bridged 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.779 by the cross. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.019 Isolation, 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.320 alienation 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:15.920 from God 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.680 is over. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.900 It's no longer 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.640 the reality 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:21.700 of our world. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.559 Throughout the Bible, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.200 we'll see 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.620 this reconciliation 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.400 language 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.299 come again 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.379 and again 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.399 and again. 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.259 Just a couple 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.139 examples of this. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.919 You once were 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:34.180 but now are language. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.240 You once were 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.859 blind 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:40.039 but now you see. 00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:43.059 You once were 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:46.019 far off 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.440 but now are near. 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.720 You once were 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.500 lost 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.200 but now 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.460 are found. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.559 You once were 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.419 slaves 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.779 but now 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.440 you're free. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.019 You see that 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.480 reconciliation 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.440 language 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.299 throughout the Bible? 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:04.759 The but now 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.220 moment 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.220 of our existence? 00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:09.039 This is a 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:10.019 powerful statement. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.220 This is a 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.179 powerful statement 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:14.639 because 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.559 by nature 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.039 a slave 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.579 cannot free 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.119 themselves. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.339 Slaves 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.879 can't get up 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.339 one morning 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.339 and go to the 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.000 master and say, 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.319 alright, 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.960 today's the day. 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.960 we're free. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.380 It doesn't work 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:26.799 that way. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.620 A slave 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.380 cannot by nature 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.920 get themselves 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.440 out of their 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.259 own situation. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.539 Someone outside 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.559 of slavery 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.380 has to break 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:34.720 in 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.880 and free 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.799 the slaves. 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:38.920 And it's 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.840 only Jesus, 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.279 the God 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.640 man, 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.759 the one who 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.420 is outside 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.200 of our human 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:44.640 condition 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.559 that could 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.420 break in 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.519 and free 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:47.860 us. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:49.380 He's the only 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:49.880 one who can 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.299 give us a 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.819 butt now. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.759 Do you see 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.259 how last 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.539 week's 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:53.980 question 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.139 has to 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.619 impact 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.980 the rest 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.259 of our 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.700 lives? 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.419 Who is 00:19:59.419 --> 00:19:59.759 Jesus? 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:01.220 He is 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.720 God. 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.639 What does 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:03.960 it mean to 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.220 be a 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.559 Christian? 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.679 You were 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:07.480 once alienated, 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.279 but now. 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.720 But now. 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.480 And it's 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:12.960 not our own 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.339 efforts. 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.759 It's not our 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.220 own efforts 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.899 to achieve 00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:17.279 this. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:17.879 It isn't 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.460 living well 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:18.779 enough. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.639 It isn't 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.500 serving often 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.940 enough, 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.680 even though 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.039 we love 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.279 you to 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.220 serve here. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.480 Because we 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.299 were enslaved 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.279 and alienated. 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.220 It can't 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.500 be our 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:32.839 efforts, 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.119 right? 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:33.779 That's the 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.339 good news. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:34.940 That's the 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.460 good news 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.480 of grace. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:37.700 The good 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.000 news of 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.400 grace of 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:38.799 the Christian 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.279 faith. 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.079 That though 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.460 we could 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.019 not get 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.299 out of 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.559 our own 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.119 situation, 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.140 Jesus, 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.640 who is 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:46.980 God, 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.619 broke in. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.740 Remember 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.059 what we 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.440 read in 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.279 Isaiah 52, 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.779 a little 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.399 while ago? 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.039 Your 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.500 iniquities 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.859 have made 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.399 a separation 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.180 between you 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.539 and your 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.960 God, 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.619 and your 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.160 sins have 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.579 hidden his 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.160 face from 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.480 you, 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.339 so that he 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:00.819 does not 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.480 hear you, 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.299 what you 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.899 once were. 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:05.059 Isaiah 53, 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.720 just one 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.599 chapter later, 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.700 gives us 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.420 the correction. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.420 Isaiah 53, 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.379 6 says this, 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.480 all we like 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.600 sheep have 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.420 gone astray, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.660 we have 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.840 turned everyone 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.740 to his 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.320 own way, 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.500 and the 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.220 Lord has 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.860 laid on 00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.400 him, 00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:22.920 Jesus, 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.080 the iniquity 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:24.460 of us 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:24.760 all. 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:26.920 Let this 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.200 hit you 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.720 afresh 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.660 this evening. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.580 Jesus, 00:21:31.760 --> 00:21:32.720 God, 00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:34.260 entered in 00:21:34.260 --> 00:21:34.940 to rescue 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.560 you, 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.040 to reconcile 00:21:37.040 --> 00:21:37.680 you, 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:39.680 to offer 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.200 you the 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.759 but now 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.140 that you've 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.640 been searching 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.060 for, 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.420 to give 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:43.700 you the 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.160 purpose, 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.500 the identity, 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.060 the 00:21:48.060 --> 00:21:48.740 knownness 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.100 that you 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:49.799 have always 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.580 longed for. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.019 And having 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.779 received this, 00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.460 it's the only 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.240 way that we 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.060 friends can go 00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:57.860 into a hopeless 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.640 world as 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.440 hopeful people. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.180 It's the only 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.840 way that we 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.840 can bring joy 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:03.660 into the world 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:06.340 because we 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:06.980 are known 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.400 by our 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.780 creator. 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:08.700 We have 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.200 a purpose 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:09.640 now. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.660 Just like 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.259 the painting 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.420 being known 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:12.640 as a 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.060 Picasso 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:13.720 now has 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.040 value, 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.840 so you 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:15.680 being known 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.220 by God 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.180 have immense, 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.820 undeniable, 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.220 unchangeable 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.420 value in 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.019 the but now 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.540 life. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.680 Because there's 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.259 a way out. 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.660 There's an 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.280 old wonderful 00:22:30.280 --> 00:22:30.960 hymn that I 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.440 think says 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:31.940 this better 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.360 than I 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:32.620 could. 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.320 It says 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:34.740 this, 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.100 there's a 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.540 way back 00:22:36.540 --> 00:22:37.040 to God 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.440 from the 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.299 dark paths 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.859 of sin. 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.240 There's a 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.659 door that 00:22:40.659 --> 00:22:41.200 is open 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.259 and you 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.700 may go 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.039 in. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.359 At 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:44.980 Calvary's 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.720 cross is 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.339 where you 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:48.000 begin when 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.659 you come as 00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:49.299 a sinner to 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:49.659 Jesus. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.839 You once 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.740 were alienated, 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.519 but now, 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.240 but now you 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.299 are reconciled. 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.579 And then Paul 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.240 continues on and 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.440 he says, 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.059 and reconciliation 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:01.440 doesn't stop 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:01.759 there, it 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.220 comes with a 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.619 purpose, 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:02.899 right? 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.339 He says, 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.980 it's for 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.420 something. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.039 That 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.360 for 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.080 something that 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.539 Paul tells 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.140 us is this, 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:08.279 to present 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.080 you holy 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:10.360 and blameless 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.420 for the 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.000 glory of 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.400 God. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.640 And so the 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.340 whole world 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:14.960 can know. 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:16.880 You see, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.360 you are the 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.880 proof to the 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.840 world of who 00:23:19.840 --> 00:23:20.600 Christ is. 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.880 And you are a 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.920 presentation to 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.940 God of 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.820 Christ's work 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:25.700 here on 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.160 earth. 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.620 Both ways. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:32.779 both ways. 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.139 But 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.579 reconciliation 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.559 isn't just a 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.119 moment either. 00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:38.519 It's not just 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.019 a moment 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.839 somewhere back 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.379 in time. 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:42.979 Because we 00:23:42.979 --> 00:23:43.439 arrive at 00:23:43.439 --> 00:23:44.159 verse 23, 00:23:45.239 --> 00:23:46.179 and it says 00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:46.619 this, 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.699 if you 00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.479 continue on 00:23:48.479 --> 00:23:48.839 in your 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.319 faith, 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.359 Paul adds 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.059 a last layer 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:54.279 here that's 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.919 not the easiest 00:23:54.919 --> 00:23:55.679 one to unpack 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.099 together. 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:57.679 What is he 00:23:57.679 --> 00:23:58.119 saying here? 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:58.439 What is he 00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:58.859 saying? 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:01.899 Is he 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:02.419 saying that we 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:02.759 could lose 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.419 our salvation? 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:05.899 No, 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.459 that's not 00:24:06.459 --> 00:24:07.079 Paul's point 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.599 right here. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.359 The point 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:09.759 is that the 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.500 confidence of 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.339 the but now, 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.579 of your 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.319 reconciliation 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.339 secured in 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.699 Christ, 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.359 cannot and 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.099 must not 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.919 lull you to 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.539 laziness. 00:24:20.459 --> 00:24:21.199 There is no 00:24:21.199 --> 00:24:22.959 having arrived 00:24:22.959 --> 00:24:23.519 in the Christian 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.000 faith. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.159 Christianity 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.959 isn't a 00:24:25.959 --> 00:24:26.459 retirement 00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:27.179 lifestyle. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.279 exile. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.240 There's no 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.060 end to the 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.740 work here. 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:33.180 It's 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.720 ongoing. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.900 It's 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.440 continuing 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.100 on. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.160 And this 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.560 continuing 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.259 on is the 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.740 proof that 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.000 you have 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.240 really 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.840 understood 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.320 and been 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:42.080 reconciled to 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:42.759 Jesus Christ. 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.920 It's the 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.440 proof that 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.900 your life 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.259 has been 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.900 changed. 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.060 Because you 00:24:47.060 --> 00:24:47.279 see, the 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.920 statement tells 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.259 us this 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.060 very plainly. 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.659 you once 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.200 were 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.279 alienated, 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.099 but now 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.519 are 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.460 reconciled. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:56.659 Right? 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.139 There's a 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.839 shift there 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:59.059 that disallows 00:24:59.059 --> 00:24:59.480 you from 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.200 returning back 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.480 to the 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.059 once were. 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.419 It's in 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.000 the past. 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:02.899 It's behind 00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:03.179 you. 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.359 Something else 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.919 is before 00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:05.259 you. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.299 There's a 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.819 different way 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.259 forward. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.839 The but now 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.480 of reconciliation 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.399 means for 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:13.960 each one of 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.919 us that 00:25:15.919 --> 00:25:16.319 there's a 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.799 real and 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.279 noticeably 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.940 different 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:20.340 aspect to 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.000 our lives 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.580 when we're 00:25:21.580 --> 00:25:22.220 reconciled by 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.519 Jesus. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.720 So how you 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.420 must go on 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.539 here, the 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:25.860 if you 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.640 continue on 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.019 that Paul 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.480 gives us 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:27.880 is nothing 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.299 more and 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.900 nothing less 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.380 than living 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.220 the reconciled 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.559 life. 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.440 It's an 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:31.960 encouragement 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:34.100 and a 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:34.779 challenge for 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.100 us. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.940 The 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.539 reconciled 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:37.940 life I 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.340 think is 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:39.500 two primary 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.080 things. 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.279 It's being 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.799 a herald 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.620 and it's 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:44.960 being a 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.519 harbinger. 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:46.960 Let me 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.640 explain in 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:47.920 case you 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.300 have negative 00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:48.940 connotations 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.380 about either 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:49.880 of those. 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.759 Being a 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.300 herald, you're 00:25:53.300 --> 00:25:54.519 called to 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.360 announce the 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:56.140 but now of 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:56.660 Christ. 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.360 The message 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.220 of the 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.080 opportunity to 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.800 be known, 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.660 to have 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.240 purpose, 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.720 to have an 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.340 identity, the 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:06.840 freedom to 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:07.860 no longer have 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:09.019 to fight tooth 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.920 and nail and 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.740 claw your way 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.300 through life 00:26:11.300 --> 00:26:12.880 seeking to be 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.420 valued by 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.140 somebody or 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.800 someone out 00:26:14.800 --> 00:26:15.120 there. 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:17.859 you're called 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.459 to announce 00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:18.899 this. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:20.759 And you 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.179 see here at 00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:22.679 Advent, if 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:22.919 you're a 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:23.299 member, you 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.859 know this and 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.379 if you're not, 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.379 hopefully one 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.939 day soon you'll 00:26:25.939 --> 00:26:26.500 learn this. 00:26:27.239 --> 00:26:27.859 When you become a 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.179 member, you 00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:28.879 receive a bell, 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.799 right? 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.419 We ring them 00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:32.339 loud and proud 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.279 all Easter, 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.199 that's the second 00:26:34.199 --> 00:26:34.819 half of Easter 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.399 vigil I should 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.559 say, and 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:36.939 then all 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.399 throughout the 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:38.139 Easter season. 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:40.120 But why the 00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:40.400 bell? 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.259 Why the 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.520 bell? 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:45.580 Well, because 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:46.820 the bell was 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:47.520 the tool of an 00:26:47.520 --> 00:26:48.380 ancient herald who 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:49.140 would walk into a 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:50.780 community, he 00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:51.540 would stand in the 00:26:51.540 --> 00:26:52.460 city square and he 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.000 would ring the 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.200 bell as loud as he 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.860 could until people 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.920 came from the hedges 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.920 and the edges of the 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.140 city, from every 00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:00.220 building and every 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.720 direction to gather 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.500 to listen to the 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.259 good news that he 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.940 had to bring. 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:07.900 That is what Paul 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.460 calls us to be. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.779 It's heralds. 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.980 Wherever you go, 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.320 you can bring your 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:15.120 bell if you want to 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:16.259 literally, but more 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:18.480 importantly, walk in 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:20.080 because you're the 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.059 one whose job it is 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.799 to share the good 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.840 news wherever you're 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:24.240 at, wherever you 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.019 work, wherever you 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.720 live, wherever you 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.420 play, wherever your 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.340 kids are in school, 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:30.240 wherever life takes 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.380 you, you're a 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:31.680 herald. 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.279 And secondly, you're a 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.820 harbinger. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.900 What do I mean when 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.660 I say harbinger? 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.059 Harbinger is 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:41.340 primarily the one 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:41.980 who shows the 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:43.160 first fruits of 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:43.900 something to come, 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.500 the first fruits of 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:47.019 something soon on 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.580 the horizon. 00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.559 You might consider 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.559 the cherry blossoms 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.180 down around the 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.080 tidal basin to be 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:52.980 some sort of 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.019 harbinger of spring 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.240 in Washington, D.C. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.820 That's your job. 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.740 Be a living example. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.460 Bodily proof. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.120 Of the new life 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.900 that's coming and 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:07.120 has come in Christ 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:08.220 through his death 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.860 and resurrection. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.160 And as you live the 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.000 reconciled life, you 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.240 also find those people 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.059 that you used to 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.840 blame, the hostility 00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:18.559 you had, the evil 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.519 deeds that came out 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:19.960 of that. 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.920 Little by little, 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:22.960 they'll start to be 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.680 washed away. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.840 Because something else 00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:27.100 is swept up inside of 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:28.180 you in this but now 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.519 life in Christ. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:31.299 Jesus says in the 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.420 gospel of John, if you 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.500 abide in my word, you 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.859 are truly my disciples 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.960 and you will know the 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.980 truth and the truth 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.460 will set you free. 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.119 So what does it mean to 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.680 be a Christian? 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.099 It's none of those 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.639 one line answers that we 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.619 listed off the beginning. 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:52.459 It's this. 00:28:53.959 --> 00:28:55.439 It's the recognition that 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:57.059 you have a transformation 00:28:57.059 --> 00:29:00.179 story in Jesus Christ. 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:02.439 You once were alienated 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:05.839 but now you are reconciled 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:08.399 that you might go on 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:10.319 being a herald and a 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:11.979 harbinger so that a 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:13.099 hopeless world can find 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.439 hope. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:15.480 So that a world without 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.980 purpose can find purpose. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.160 So that a world without 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:20.500 value can find value in 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.320 their creator. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.420 Like you have. 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.759 If you're here this 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:27.120 evening and you don't 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:28.400 yet know Jesus, if you 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.299 hear this and you're 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.519 like, I really feel like 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.420 I'm still in the once 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:31.759 were. 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.940 I feel like I'm spinning 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.620 my wheels. 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.160 Trying to fit in. 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.860 Trying to be valued. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.299 Trying to create an 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.660 identity. 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:42.880 And I want you to 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.580 hear this. 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.640 This offer. 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:48.220 Of your but now 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.759 moment. 00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.680 Is here tonight. 00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:52.820 It's always available 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.360 to you. 00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:54.740 In the death and 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.700 resurrection of Jesus. 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.360 And if you're willing 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.180 to, I would invite you 00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:00.500 to pray tonight if this 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:00.880 is you. 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.560 Pray tonight that Christ 00:30:03.560 --> 00:30:04.380 would break into your 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.340 life and your heart. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.400 And start to let you 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.340 know that you are 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:09.840 known. 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:11.519 That you are loved. 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:13.480 That you have value in 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.619 him that the world can't 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.599 dream of giving. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.220 And that you have 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.599 purpose that's unmatched 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.779 by anything this place 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.419 has to offer. 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:23.000 This is the good news, 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.399 friends. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.139 Christ Jesus came into 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:27.000 the world to save 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.439 sinners. 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.519 You who once were 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.799 alienated from God 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:33.899 are now reconciled to 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:34.779 him through Christ. 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.539 Amen. 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:36.679 Amen. 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.019 Let's pray.