WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.120 Trudeau is the 23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:14.359 He came into office in 2015 after what is regarded as a landslide victory. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:19.980 Overwhelming majority of people supported him as Prime Minister. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:23.160 During his first three years as Canada's Prime Minister, 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:27.580 he did very little wrong in the eyes of his supporters. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:32.939 More recently, his popularity has dropped so far, 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:38.439 it looks like in the upcoming elections, his party will lose its majority. 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:51.359 From pop star popularity to looking like losing his majority in less than four years. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:59.079 And the one reason is a secretly taped phone call. 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:06.719 This man who had a rock star following among progressives for championing clean government, 00:01:08.960 --> 00:01:19.420 was using his power according to this phone call to let a major Canadian firm avoid criminal charges on bribery and fraud. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:27.099 He even demoted his Attorney General who was standing against him on this issue. 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:33.140 And since the news broke of this, nearly two-thirds of Canadians, 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:41.140 two-thirds supported him and now two-thirds are disapproving of the job that he's doing. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:45.599 He championed transparency and the end of corruption in government. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:53.719 And now for all the rhetoric, he appears to be no different than anyone else and his popularity has plummeted. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:02:03.659 How can he be trusted when he says one thing and there's evidence of him doing something totally different? 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:08.259 And so two-thirds of Canadians are now saying this man lacks integrity. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:11.939 And we're abandoning him. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:17.379 That's the core issue as we jump into our passage today in 2 Corinthians. 00:02:18.419 --> 00:02:25.579 The Corinthian church and those who are influencing them away from Paul 00:02:25.579 --> 00:02:31.939 are saying that the Apostle Paul says one thing but does another. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:37.939 He said he was coming to Corinth and he didn't show up. 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:43.680 And so the rumor is circulating that Paul's heart's divided. 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:48.360 Yes, he loves them and wants to see them and bless them, 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:55.800 but no, maybe not as much as he loves his own convenience or he loves some other church. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:59.159 That is, is Paul's heart a yes and a no? 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:00.280 Is it divided? 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:03.979 It's divided towards the Corinthians. 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:09.680 And so the relationship with this church is a breaking point. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:14.319 Paul is the, is the apostle who started this church at Corinth. 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:16.780 You can go into Acts 18 and read all about that. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:18.479 The gospel was preached. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:20.500 People became Christians. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:22.860 Deep friendships were made. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.280 Bonds of Christian love were formed. 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:34.560 And when Paul moved on to his next part of his journey, his opponents moved in. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:40.120 And they started to drive a wedge between Paul and the church. 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:42.939 They criticized both Paul and his message. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:52.000 It got so bad that the church he founded started to believe that the apostle Paul was worldly, 00:03:53.139 --> 00:04:00.000 insincere, cowardly, weak, a theological deviant who preached a false gospel. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:07.060 And the apostle Paul is now seen as the imposter. 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:13.840 A false apostle, corrupt and only in the religious business to exploit people. 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:20.699 He's seen as a fake, someone who talked tough in letters, but was a wimp in person. 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:36.360 And this church is in danger of walking away from Paul and walking away from the authentic good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:38.740 They can't see it. 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:42.019 That's what's at stake for them. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:47.860 And so Paul's fighting for it. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:05:00.100 Now, the major thrust of what he says to them in this section right through to chapter 7 is, 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:07.759 trust me because I am the authentic apostle with the authentic gospel. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:15.560 Paul's defense of his character here takes us right to the heart of what it means to be a Christ-like leader, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:21.319 but also what it means to be a Christ-like follower of Jesus. 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:27.040 Now, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but his basic answer is, 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:29.699 trust me because I imitate Christ. 00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:33.720 My life aligns with Jesus' life. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:38.439 My pattern for life is Jesus' pattern for life. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:47.019 My life authentically displays his message because it follows the pattern of Jesus' life who gave him the message. 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:57.759 Now, the great beauty of this passage is that it doesn't just call us to an impossibly high standard of living, 00:05:58.019 --> 00:05:59.060 which it does, 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:08.280 but it throws us back to rest in Jesus who has met that standard for us and empowers us to live it. 00:06:09.780 --> 00:06:15.480 This is such a great passage for us, I think, on a number of fronts. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:20.519 Firstly, because in Australian culture, we pride ourselves on pulling down our leaders. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:25.819 It's part of our DNA, if you like, a tall poppy syndrome thing. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:31.099 It's probably in our DNA because of our convict heritage. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:38.399 Our history didn't start with a search of bold new lands to form new communities. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:44.060 We started with a search for a new jail to hold people, the criminals. 00:06:44.659 --> 00:06:47.339 That's where we began as a country. 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:52.599 And it means that we are very quick to judge leaders and impute motive. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:58.819 We are horrendous for it in the political stream, but it's basically right through life. 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:10.979 Secondly, it's important because we do live in a time where there is a great deal of institutional skepticism, 00:07:11.739 --> 00:07:14.239 and especially in regard to the church. 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:25.240 The failure of leaders who are held high and respected, who have fallen, spectacularly has eroded trust. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:33.759 There are many instances where the Christian church has spectacularly failed the integrity test. 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:47.599 And this world needs to experience Christians whose life and lip are in sync because they will not even hear the beauty of the Christian gospel 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:53.879 until they see attractive Christians and attractive Christian churches. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:08:04.219 And so in this passage, Paul highlights three marks of his life and ministry to show that it's authentic. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:08.740 They are also three marks of an authentic follower of Jesus. 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:19.339 So first of all, in verses 12 to 14, he says that he has a transparent sincerity. 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:22.779 So if you've got a service outline, you can see my three points there. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:26.199 If you want to go on the app, it's there in front of you. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:28.299 But either way, have the text in front of you. 00:08:28.359 --> 00:08:29.119 You're going to need it. 00:08:31.159 --> 00:08:33.639 Two Corinthians 1, verses 12 to 14. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.199 Now, this is our boast. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:45.160 Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world and especially in our relations with you with integrity and godly sincerity. 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:52.180 We have done so relying not on worldly wisdom, but on God's grace. 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:56.600 For we do not write to you anything you cannot read or understand. 00:08:56.600 --> 00:09:09.100 And I hope that as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:18.040 So, strangely, Paul starts his defense of his character by boasting. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.080 Seems a little odd. 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.560 Odd way to start. 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:26.100 Not what I would do necessarily. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:29.100 Not so obviously. 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:32.460 Most of us would start with boasting more subtly than this. 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:35.740 Doesn't appear to be a good way to start. 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:40.740 That's because for us, boasting has an entirely negative connotation. 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:44.899 Is there any such thing as good boasting? 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:46.340 Positive boasting? 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:55.100 And yet, most of the time that Paul uses the word boasting in this letter is, in fact, a good thing. 00:09:56.600 --> 00:10:05.820 For Paul, boasting centers on what God has done in Jesus for us and in us. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:09.720 It's about boasting in God's grace and its work in his life. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:20.540 Everything he says here is based on the premise that he is what he is by the grace of God. 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:22.980 Not because he's nice. 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:33.159 Paul's identity has been totally reshaped by his encounter with the Lord Jesus. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:39.019 He has been rebooted by the grace of God in Jesus. 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:53.360 His world view, his decision-making processes, how he relates, have all been completely realigned and reorientated by the unconditional love that God has extended to him in Jesus. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:56.840 He is not perfect. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:58.419 That's not what he's saying. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:02.960 But he is deeply different. 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.620 Deeply different. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:13.240 It's expressed so well by John Newton, the author of the classic hymn Amazing Grace. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:15.899 He stated, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:20.240 I am not what I ought to be. 00:11:20.819 --> 00:11:22.860 Ah, how imperfect and deficient. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:27.059 I'm not what I wish to be. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:32.759 I abhor what is evil and stick to what is good. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.799 I'm not what I hope to be. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:42.639 Soon, soon, I shall put off mortality and with it all sin and all imperfection. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:54.159 Although I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor hope to be, I can truly say that I am not what I was once. 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:57.779 A slave to sin and Satan. 00:11:58.340 --> 00:12:03.699 I wholeheartedly join with the apostle and declare by the grace of God. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:06.120 He may have added, 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:08.919 I boast by the grace of God. 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:11.639 I am what I am. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:20.059 By the grace of God, Paul is saying here, 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:25.120 I have a clear conscience in front of you, Corinthian church. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:37.279 Now, in the New Testament, the conscience is the highly sensitive, if somewhat unreliable instrument, 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:49.879 that convinces us of the gap between the way that God designs us to live in the Bible and how we are actually living it. 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:53.879 We've all got a conscience. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.539 We've all got a conscience. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.460 Every one of us. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.279 Some of it's seared. 00:12:58.439 --> 00:13:00.059 Some of it more sensitive. 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:03.320 And some of us, we even give them names, like mine's called Natalie. 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:16.980 Our conscience is set off when we don't live in line with what we believe to be right. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:25.740 Our conscience can easily be desensitized and hardened through sin as we habitually ignore sin, 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:30.120 as we habitually ignore our conscience being pricked through the word of God. 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:40.700 Notwithstanding, when we become Christians, the Holy Spirit immediately, immediately starts to do a repair job on it. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:49.879 With the result that it's actually possible to have a clear conscience in specific situations and specific issues. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:14:02.439 If we examine ourselves honestly before God, in the light of his word, and I did joke when I said Natalie, but I am serious. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:09.759 Before God, in the light of his word, and in the presence of others, 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:19.000 it is possible to speak with a quiet confidence and a real humility about our life like Paul does. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:32.860 The burden of a troubled conscience is a weight, a weight to carry on the heart. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:41.439 You don't have to live long at all to start accumulating that weight. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:49.640 We can all think of situations where in the quietness of our hearts and our minds, 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:59.380 we wonder if we're being, it could have been different if I had acted differently or spoke differently or behaved differently or my attitude was different. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:04.180 We wonder if that situation might not have turned out the way that it did. 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:15.379 As a Christian leader, it isn't hard to second-guess yourself and to second-guess your conscience, 00:15:16.479 --> 00:15:19.039 partly because your life is on display. 00:15:19.859 --> 00:15:24.179 What is particularly hard is when others join with you in second-guessing yourself. 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.339 I think that's particularly difficult. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:33.320 You become very aware that people are assessing your every decision. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:42.980 And apart from those things, there is the burden for people's souls. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:49.220 I'm very mindful that I make decisions that impact on people's lives. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:16:01.259 And I live a life that negatively or positively impacts the clarity by which people see the beauty and the integrity of Jesus. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:04.340 I'm very conscious of that. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:11.460 Not just gathering on Sunday, but even doing my shopping in Westfield. 00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:14.780 Even walking from here to school. 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:24.100 There's not a moment in my life that I'm not conscious of the fact that my life is on display 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:30.220 and people assess the beauty and the integrity of Jesus by me. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:37.920 The New Testament makes it clear, this is also a weight on it, 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:42.639 makes it clear that Christian leaders will be judged more harshly for their lives. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:49.660 So the thing that I look forward to about resurrection, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:52.240 my own resurrection in Jesus when I die, 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:55.399 is the immediate weight that I carry, 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:59.120 that immediately, in that moment, in a twinkling of an eye, 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:04.880 that weight and that burden that I have for the glory of Christ 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:11.240 and for the good of the church and for the souls of people being gone. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.839 I'm loving it. 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:16.500 I'm looking forward to it. 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:20.640 You're looking forward to fixed bodies. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:28.319 And, you know, I look forward to that more than I look forward to not having an insulin pump attached to me 24-7. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.619 I have a rip about that. 00:17:30.699 --> 00:17:31.679 It's the burden. 00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:33.279 Boom, gone. 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:36.419 Standing perfected in Christ. 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:39.159 No longer carrying the weight. 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:45.099 And yet, with that burden, 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:51.099 you and I can enjoy it right now in measure. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.319 Have a look at verse 12. 00:17:52.439 --> 00:17:54.319 I want you to look at verse 12 with me. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:59.819 Paul writes here about his conduct in the world. 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:04.839 Now, the word he uses for conduct here is a very specific word. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:07.679 It's a big picture word. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.759 Big picture word. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:11.679 He's not saying here, 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:19.099 guys, I've got a clear conscience on every single thing that I've ever done, 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:21.319 ever said, ever imagined. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:23.439 He's not saying that. 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:33.099 He's not suggesting for a moment that he's managed to reach a state where he is so good, 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.859 he doesn't do anything wrong anymore. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:38.419 He's saying, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.779 Corinthian church, 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.019 step back. 00:18:41.979 --> 00:18:44.819 Step back and have a helicopter view. 00:18:45.459 --> 00:18:46.639 Look at my life. 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.359 Look at my life. 00:18:48.459 --> 00:18:50.979 Look at every area of my life. 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:54.979 Step back and see it is in sync 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:57.940 with the gospel. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.400 He's saying, 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:03.400 I have a transparent sincerity, 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:05.339 a godly sincerity. 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.980 What you see is what you get. 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:14.279 There's no mask where I'm hiding my relationship with Christ. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:17.599 What you see in me is truly me. 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:22.099 He's not saying for a moment that he needs to grow and he needs to change. 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.759 He needs to repent. 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:24.079 He's not saying that at all. 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:30.559 He's saying that if you take a look at my life broadly, 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:36.039 you will see that I am in step and moving forward with the word of God. 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:42.399 There's not a quarter of my life that you can't overturn and see. 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:44.240 There's the gospel influencing it. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:57.779 Jesus is the one who produces in us this straightforwardness, 00:19:57.880 --> 00:20:02.859 this integrity and wholeheartedness that isn't always trying to impress 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:06.599 or trying to manipulate or trying to dominate 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:08.480 or trying to flatter 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:12.099 or trying to constantly make excuses. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:20.400 Now, this is, I know, one of those really obvious statements, 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.120 but I think I should say it anyway. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:28.799 The advantage of sincerity is that by its very nature, 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.859 it's very hard to fake. 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:32.960 That's an obvious statement. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:37.559 It's not possible to fake sincerity. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:44.619 We may not be able to describe the elements, 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:49.299 but we know sincerity when we see it. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:54.579 I'm so glad that I see it in this church. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:21:00.699 I talked about Nick earlier, 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:06.259 but we were recently celebrating a servant of St. Paul's, 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.399 one of our servants here, 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:11.000 and people were asked to submit words 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:15.079 to describe this person and what you appreciate about them. 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.519 I wasn't asked, 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:20.900 but when I was hearing the words being described, 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:24.299 the one word that dropped into my mind immediately 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:26.559 was integrity. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.099 Integrity. 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:40.279 I don't know if you've met those people. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:45.379 I've had two very significant mentors, 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.579 one at the moment, 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.359 he's 75, 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:51.279 my previous mentor is now in his early 80s, 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:54.299 and I sit with them and I just go, 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:56.219 I want to be you. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:58.819 I just, 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.620 not what you do, 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:04.759 but your character just oozes integrity. 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:12.059 Don't you want to be that person not known for what you do 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.740 or what you've got, 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:17.420 but who you are by the grace of God? 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:24.100 The second mark of Paul's authentic Christian life 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.980 is in verses 15 to 22. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:29.720 And here he displays a dependable flexibility. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:33.380 This is the section where he talks about his travel plans 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:36.120 and the issue that's kind of come up 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:39.600 and the imposters are trying to push on the church 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:39.839 and saying, 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.220 you know, 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.759 this is where Paul lets everyone down. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:48.600 He answers passionately in verses 17 to 18. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:52.199 Was I fickle when I intended to do this 00:22:52.199 --> 00:22:54.899 or do I make my plans in a worldly manner 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:57.639 so that in the same breath, 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.719 I say both yes, 00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.579 yes and no, 00:22:59.639 --> 00:22:59.899 no. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:03.539 But as surely as God is faithful, 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:07.559 our message to you is not yes and no. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:10.460 In other words, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:14.720 what he's saying here is our planning and our preaching 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.559 are not fickle. 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.819 They are not double-minded. 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.039 They are unified. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.679 They are yes to you. 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:24.799 Our life and our ministry is a resounding yes, 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:25.680 yes, 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.539 yes, 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:28.080 yes to your joy, 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.660 yes to your holiness, 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.460 yes to your faith and your hope 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:33.200 and your love and your peace and your power. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.860 Paul's focus, 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.400 he says, 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.980 is for the good of the church, 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:43.019 grace had shaped a God-shaped dependability in Paul. 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:49.480 You could count on him to spend himself for the good of the church. 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:54.039 You can count on him to put the gospel and its priorities first. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:59.860 And he says this inevitably means there's a need for flexibility 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.399 because times, 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:05.639 there are times when priorities need to be reordered and shifted 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:07.899 so as to serve the gospel. 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:14.439 Now this is not an excuse for being disorganized or unreliable. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:22.619 It's actually a sign of instability to either not make plans 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:27.299 or to make plans you immediately regret. 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:32.099 And Paul's saying here, 00:24:32.219 --> 00:24:34.539 I am utterly dependable. 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:37.819 My yes is my yes. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.159 It's not a yes, 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.459 no. 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:43.859 I immediately thought of this passage of the Vicar of Dibley. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.539 You know, 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.639 I don't know if you watch this show. 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:48.639 Don't recommend it for its ecclesiology or for its theology. 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:51.659 But parish council, 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.939 and there's a man there, 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.259 I forget his name, 00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:54.859 always goes, 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.159 no, 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.419 no, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.699 no, 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:55.959 no, 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.219 no, 00:24:56.219 --> 00:24:56.379 no, 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.519 no, 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:56.959 yes. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:59.559 Yes, 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.100 it is no. 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:04.059 So why is Paul and gospel people, 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:05.519 why are they so dependable? 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.360 Because God is dependable. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.380 Look at verse 19. 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.640 For the son of God, 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.860 Jesus Christ, 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:14.059 who was preached among you by us, 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:16.319 by me and Silas and Timothy, 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.220 was not yes and no, 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.539 but in him, 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:22.200 it has always been yes. 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:25.259 For no matter how many promises God has made, 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:27.059 they are yes in Christ. 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.480 Paul's saying, 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:30.819 I'm not divided. 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:33.220 My heart's not divided for you, 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:36.940 because God's heart is not divided for you. 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:40.380 If you belong to Jesus by faith, 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:44.120 then everything God could possibly give you for your good, 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:47.600 he has signed over to your account in Jesus. 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:49.159 Ephesians 1, 00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:54.480 every spiritual blessing is yours in Christ. 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:56.740 Present promise. 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.199 Now, 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:04.980 all of God's purposes and plans and promises in the Old Testament, 00:26:05.459 --> 00:26:07.819 to save a people for himself, 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.839 to make them his forever, 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:12.139 find its fulfillment in Jesus. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:14.039 He is the only one. 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:16.659 Jesus Christ is the only one, 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:19.580 who ever lived a truly authentic life. 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.860 He was sinless. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:23.060 He drew people to himself, 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:27.720 because of his outstanding character and power. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:31.200 In his time and throughout history, 00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:38.060 many people have attempted to find fault in his life and failed. 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:43.400 Many people have attempted to do it. 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:49.200 Only two people, 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.540 I've said this before in history, 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:54.000 have lived such exemplary lives, 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:59.040 that their own contemporaries started to ask not who they are, 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.200 but what they are. 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:03.000 Jesus and Buddha. 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:10.019 And Buddha spent a great deal of his time convincing people, 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:13.440 I am just a bloke like you. 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.119 But not Jesus. 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:20.960 Only Jesus declared that he was much more than human. 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.379 Jesus declared that he was God himself, 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.460 coming to this world, 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:28.759 to rescue us from our constant sin and failure. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.619 Jesus, 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.660 people in his time, 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.639 they loved him for who he was, 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:35.680 and for the good that he did, 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:38.840 but they hated him for what he declared about himself. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.680 As God the Son, 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:44.380 as God the Son, 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:45.360 he took on flesh, 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.100 became like us, 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:49.980 jumped into all of our brokenness and our sin and our rebellion, 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:52.320 to rescue us. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.560 He obeyed the Father. 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.340 He kept saying, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.799 yes, 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:55.759 yes, 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.720 yes. 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.820 He declared, 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.900 not my will be done, 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.980 but your will be done, 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.660 Father, 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.940 in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:28:02.060 --> 00:28:03.720 right before his arrest and execution. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:09.700 He's obedient and he's faithful and he is dependent in taking the sin of the world to the cross. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:14.600 That's why all the promises of God find their fulfillment in him. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.839 He is the yes, 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:17.380 because he said yes to them all. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:24.839 All the promises of God for the good of his people focus in Christ. 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.839 He confirms them, 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.360 he secures them, 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.660 and as it were, 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:33.559 he purchases them for all who belong to him on the cross. 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:37.180 Every single sinner, 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:43.980 every single one of us who doesn't have a clear conscience, 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:49.019 who comes to Christ with all of our needs, 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:53.039 finds God coming to them in Christ with all of his promises. 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:57.119 When a person, 00:28:57.859 --> 00:29:03.359 when a sinful person meets the Holy God in Jesus, 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:06.619 what they hear is, 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.519 yes. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.899 They do not hear, 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.639 try harder, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.779 pull your socks up. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:13.980 They hear, 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.639 yes, 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:16.240 do you love me? 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.139 Yes. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.200 Will you forgive me? 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.180 Yes. 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:24.759 Is all my guilt and shame wiped away? 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.819 Yes. 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.580 Yes. 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:29.220 Will you accept me? 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:29.740 Yes. 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.039 Will you change me? 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:31.940 Yes. 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:35.080 Will you give me power to serve you and obey you? 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.600 Yes. 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:39.900 Will you keep me and uphold me and restore me when I fail? 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.799 Yes. 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:49.400 Will you show me your glory in your presence forever and make me whole and new and clean and lift every burden from my life? 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.320 Yes. 00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.140 Yes. 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.200 Yes. 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:52.259 Yes. 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:58.359 Does it help if I say it a bit louder? 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:05.779 Will that push it down into your soul and set you free? 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.119 All the promises of God, 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:16.099 all the blessings of God in the heavenly places are yes in Christ Jesus. 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:21.480 He is the decisive yes to all who believe. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:30.859 And verse 21 declares that God hasn't just told us to be like Jesus. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:33.700 He has intervened powerfully to make us like Jesus. 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:39.660 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:43.000 He anointed us, 00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:47.960 set his seal of ownership on us and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, 00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:49.920 guaranteeing what is to come. 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:51.000 In other words, 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:56.279 because God has declared a decisive yes to me in Jesus, 00:30:56.279 --> 00:31:05.619 my determination with the strength that he gives me is to say yes to him in every area of my life. 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:10.799 There's not a stone unturned where he ought not be a yes in my life. 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:13.059 That's what it's saying there. 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:21.019 God enables us to obey and commit and follow and get up when we fall down to stand against the accusations of Satan, 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.960 who's constantly whispering on the air, 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.960 you're not worthy, 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.980 you're not worthy, 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:26.019 you're not worthy. 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:33.599 Paul is saying because God has declared a decisive and eternal, 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:38.139 eternity altering yes to me in Jesus, 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:42.339 I delight to live in such a way that I'm constantly saying yes, 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.720 yes, 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.660 yes to him. 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.980 Paul's saying to this church in Corinth, 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.220 you look at my life, 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:52.359 you point out one area in my life where I'm saying a no. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.420 No. 00:31:56.019 --> 00:32:00.779 And he's saying sometimes that means plans will change 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:04.920 because I'm saying yes to him. 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:08.400 That's the only reason the plan will change, 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.539 because I'm saying yes to him. 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:18.000 The third Jesus-like mark of Paul's life and ministry, 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:19.940 and therefore for the Christian life, 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:25.079 is 1.23 to 2.11. 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:27.619 There's probably two in here, 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.299 but I'll make it one, 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:31.079 because I'm running out of time. 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.859 It's a robust love. 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:38.879 This is getting to the core issue of why Paul didn't come back to Corinth, 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.599 when he said that he would. 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:42.619 23. 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:44.079 I call God as my witness, 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.619 and I stake my life on it. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:47.259 That's pretty serious. 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:52.920 That it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:55.460 Not that we lord it over your faith, 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:57.420 but we work with you for your joy, 00:32:57.839 --> 00:33:00.180 because it is by faith you stand firm. 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.740 Then down to chapter 2, verse 4. 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:06.599 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.480 and with many tears, 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:10.299 not to grieve you, 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:13.019 but to let you know the depth of my love for you. 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:18.359 You see, Paul knew that if he showed up again, 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:21.019 what he was going to have to do in that moment 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:24.379 was he was going to have to confront and correct them again, 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:29.839 and at a time when they were still healing 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:32.579 from the previous wound he inflicted on them, 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:35.220 his previous painful visit, 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.819 as he describes it in this letter. 00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:41.299 Verse 24 says that his real aim 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:46.339 is that they taste the real and solid joy of the gospel. 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.259 That's his aim. 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:50.019 He chose not to come 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:53.500 because it would negatively impact on their joy. 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:57.559 Paul is urging them here to see the seriousness 00:33:57.559 --> 00:34:00.839 and the satisfaction of the gospel. 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:04.220 He's urging them to see both its gravity 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:06.679 and its gladness. 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:10.960 That's what robust love looks like. 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:15.259 If you love the people of your church family, 00:34:16.319 --> 00:34:20.599 those who you are sitting beside, 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:23.159 who you are serving and serving with, 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:26.460 then you are preoccupied with 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:29.199 and even weighed down by 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:32.440 the responsibility of leading, 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:35.279 pushing, prodding them 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:38.420 into joy in Christ. 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:47.400 And it includes loving them enough 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:50.280 to say hard things 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:52.360 about the choices 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:53.680 and the attitudes 00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:56.160 and the actions that they make 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:58.519 that are deflecting them 00:34:58.519 --> 00:35:00.079 from real joy in Jesus, 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:04.500 which is God's yes to them in Jesus. 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:13.179 when you have a brother and a sister in Christ 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:15.059 where in an area of their life, 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:17.519 they are not overturning a rock 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:19.019 and they're saying no to Jesus 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:21.300 and you ignore that in their life, 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.380 it's revelation 00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:25.320 that you don't love them. 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:29.980 That's what Paul's saying. 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:36.660 Paul had thought about his change of itinerary 00:35:36.660 --> 00:35:38.039 lovingly and carefully 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:39.660 because he's working for their great 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.820 and lasting joy in Jesus. 00:35:41.180 --> 00:35:42.680 Instead of showing up, 00:35:43.140 --> 00:35:44.960 he wrote a gut-wrenching, 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:46.260 heartbreaking, 00:35:47.220 --> 00:35:48.140 tear-stained, 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.820 love-soaked letter. 00:35:53.820 --> 00:35:56.560 The 16th century French theologian 00:35:56.560 --> 00:35:57.980 and church reformer John Calvin 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.640 is very perceptive 00:35:59.640 --> 00:36:02.080 in what he writes about these verses. 00:36:03.240 --> 00:36:04.020 He says, 00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:04.620 he writes, 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:07.980 there are many noisy scolders 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:10.500 who display an amazing favor 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.400 in denouncing 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:13.920 and raging against other people's faults 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:16.559 and yet are untouched at heart 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:18.659 so that they seem to take pleasure 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:21.480 in exercising their own throats and lungs. 00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:26.219 But it belongs to a godly pastor 00:36:26.219 --> 00:36:28.299 and I would add there 00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:30.920 to a godly Christian too 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:33.799 to weep within himself 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:35.600 before he makes others weep. 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:39.500 To suffer in his own secret heart 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:41.660 before he gives any open sign 00:36:41.660 --> 00:36:43.400 of his wrath 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:46.140 and to give himself more grief 00:36:46.140 --> 00:36:47.980 than he causes others. 00:36:52.080 --> 00:36:53.720 That's authentic ministry. 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:56.940 That's authentic Christian living. 00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:59.480 This is the robust love 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:01.140 that God has shown us 00:37:01.140 --> 00:37:02.900 and the robust love 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:04.280 that he calls us to live out 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:05.420 amongst each other. 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.420 We see further evidence 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.240 of this robust love 00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:09.420 in verses 5 to 11 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:10.300 where Paul addresses 00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:12.019 a situation in Corinth 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:13.340 where a member of the church 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:15.039 had sinned spectacularly 00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:16.039 and publicly 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:17.380 and hurt Paul enormously 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:19.139 but also hurt the whole church. 00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:21.859 And the amazing thing here 00:37:21.859 --> 00:37:24.099 is a tough old Paul 00:37:24.099 --> 00:37:26.719 who insisted on church discipline 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:29.079 now says to his brothers and sisters 00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:30.299 guys enough's enough. 00:37:31.759 --> 00:37:33.559 He wants this whole church 00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.799 hurt by sin 00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:37.359 to experience the healing 00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:38.980 of repentance and forgiveness. 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:43.420 And so Paul's robust love 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.619 does not mean that sin 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.800 is swept under the carpet. 00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:47.179 It doesn't mean that 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:48.000 well to love them 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:50.039 is kind of just to ignore the issues. 00:37:51.539 --> 00:37:53.119 He says issues are brought out 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.960 they're dealt with. 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.719 That's what happens on the cross. 00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:58.300 Full display of a sin of the world 00:37:58.300 --> 00:37:59.179 is on the cross 00:37:59.179 --> 00:38:01.059 as God loves us 00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:03.039 in an unimaginable way. 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:04.679 You see discipline 00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:06.019 has the goal of repentance 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:06.619 and restoration 00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.460 and deeper 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:09.239 and authentic relationships. 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.639 So Paul is 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:12.940 neither taking the easy way out 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:14.059 and ignoring sin 00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:16.039 nor is he self-righteous 00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:17.599 and condemning the sinner. 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.559 The lack 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:25.739 it's a mark of Christian 00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:27.739 this is a mark of authentic Christianity 00:38:27.739 --> 00:38:29.579 mark of authentic Christian leadership. 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:34.460 The lack of church discipline 00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:37.179 the lack of holding each other accountable 00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:38.579 to gospel priorities 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:42.420 allowing sin to reign unchecked 00:38:42.420 --> 00:38:46.420 giving permission to bad behavior 00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:50.400 turning grace into an excuse 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:52.159 for leniency 00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:54.480 and inactivity 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:56.500 and coasting 00:38:56.500 --> 00:39:01.340 is a sign 00:39:01.340 --> 00:39:03.000 of a lack of 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:04.980 love for God 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:07.679 and for each other. 00:39:10.500 --> 00:39:13.000 It flows out of a shallow grasp 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:13.780 of God's 00:39:13.780 --> 00:39:17.079 love for wretched sinners like us 00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:18.039 and what it cost him 00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:19.420 to restore us into relationship 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.039 with himself. 00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:25.960 And we allow it to reign 00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.920 ultimately 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:29.619 because we are not sure 00:39:29.619 --> 00:39:31.199 that we have a yes 00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:32.559 or a no 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.139 from God. 00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:37.159 Friends, 00:39:37.239 --> 00:39:38.279 our greatest need 00:39:38.279 --> 00:39:40.420 your greatest need 00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:41.559 my greatest need 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.860 in fact I would say 00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:44.059 this world's greatest need 00:39:44.059 --> 00:39:45.579 is to look 00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:46.579 to the Lord Jesus 00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:48.219 to follow 00:39:48.219 --> 00:39:49.119 the Lord Jesus 00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:50.779 to enjoy 00:39:50.779 --> 00:39:51.779 the Lord Jesus 00:39:51.779 --> 00:39:53.139 to rest 00:39:53.139 --> 00:39:54.119 in the Lord Jesus 00:39:54.119 --> 00:39:55.259 as God's 00:39:55.259 --> 00:39:56.059 decisive 00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:57.199 yes. 00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:59.259 God's 00:39:59.259 --> 00:39:59.879 decisive 00:39:59.879 --> 00:40:00.519 yes. 00:40:05.439 --> 00:40:06.119 So 00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:06.619 firstly 00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:07.500 can I encourage you 00:40:07.500 --> 00:40:08.899 to pray for your leaders 00:40:08.899 --> 00:40:11.079 pray for me 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:11.619 pray for 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.579 your leaders 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:13.219 in this church 00:40:13.219 --> 00:40:14.099 that we would do 00:40:14.099 --> 00:40:14.719 just that 00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:16.719 pray that we would 00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:18.179 walk closely with Christ 00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:20.179 and make that 00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.759 a priority 00:40:20.759 --> 00:40:22.179 higher than anything else. 00:40:22.699 --> 00:40:23.559 A Scottish pastor 00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:24.579 Robert Murray 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:24.879 Michelle 00:40:24.879 --> 00:40:27.099 famously said 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:28.259 that what my people 00:40:28.259 --> 00:40:28.980 need from me 00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:30.239 more than anything else 00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:31.299 is my godliness 00:40:31.299 --> 00:40:33.699 my godly sincerity 00:40:33.699 --> 00:40:35.259 my walk with Christ 00:40:35.259 --> 00:40:38.679 whatever your 00:40:38.679 --> 00:40:39.439 expectations 00:40:39.439 --> 00:40:40.639 are of me 00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:45.559 if that 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:46.199 is not 00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:46.879 your highest 00:40:46.879 --> 00:40:47.759 expectation 00:40:47.759 --> 00:40:49.940 can I encourage 00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:50.519 you to have a 00:40:50.519 --> 00:40:51.339 gospel priority 00:40:51.339 --> 00:40:51.900 with life 00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:54.119 whatever you 00:40:54.119 --> 00:40:54.779 think that my 00:40:54.779 --> 00:40:55.480 role is 00:40:55.480 --> 00:40:56.980 and the role 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:57.539 of your leaders 00:40:57.539 --> 00:40:57.879 are 00:40:57.879 --> 00:40:58.980 if that 00:40:58.980 --> 00:40:59.639 expectation 00:40:59.639 --> 00:41:00.339 is not 00:41:00.339 --> 00:41:01.480 primary with you 00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:03.539 can I encourage 00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.119 you to rethink 00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:04.539 your gospel 00:41:04.539 --> 00:41:05.139 priorities 00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:10.259 pray for us 00:41:10.259 --> 00:41:11.079 and plead 00:41:11.079 --> 00:41:11.739 with us 00:41:11.739 --> 00:41:12.599 that we might 00:41:12.599 --> 00:41:13.659 commune with Christ 00:41:13.659 --> 00:41:15.719 but 00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:17.239 for you 00:41:17.239 --> 00:41:19.339 are you living 00:41:19.339 --> 00:41:20.379 in the fullest 00:41:20.379 --> 00:41:21.079 enjoyment 00:41:21.079 --> 00:41:22.079 of God's 00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:23.000 yes to you 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.900 in Christ Jesus 00:41:23.900 --> 00:41:26.039 have you 00:41:26.039 --> 00:41:26.599 said 00:41:26.599 --> 00:41:27.539 yes 00:41:27.539 --> 00:41:29.239 to all 00:41:29.239 --> 00:41:29.859 of God's 00:41:29.859 --> 00:41:30.839 yes to you 00:41:30.839 --> 00:41:33.059 I'm not 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:33.480 asking 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:34.260 whether your 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:35.000 theology 00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:35.599 is sharp 00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:35.900 I'm not 00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:36.400 asking how 00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:36.659 long you've 00:41:36.659 --> 00:41:37.320 been at church 00:41:37.320 --> 00:41:37.619 or whether 00:41:37.619 --> 00:41:37.880 you're part 00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.179 of a community 00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:38.400 group 00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:38.659 or you're 00:41:38.659 --> 00:41:39.019 serving 00:41:39.019 --> 00:41:39.780 or I'm 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.119 asking 00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:40.679 have you 00:41:40.679 --> 00:41:41.019 said 00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:41.760 yes 00:41:41.760 --> 00:41:45.500 is there 00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:46.400 any of God's 00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:47.199 yes to you 00:41:47.199 --> 00:41:47.760 which you are 00:41:47.760 --> 00:41:48.940 saying no 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:50.579 or maybe 00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:53.019 or a not 00:41:53.019 --> 00:41:53.460 now 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:55.380 that is 00:41:55.380 --> 00:41:55.699 have you 00:41:55.699 --> 00:41:56.719 fully surrendered 00:41:56.719 --> 00:41:57.900 to him 00:41:57.900 --> 00:41:59.420 that is 00:41:59.420 --> 00:41:59.820 is there 00:41:59.820 --> 00:42:01.000 inconsistency 00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:02.019 in your life 00:42:02.019 --> 00:42:02.980 I'm not sure 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.440 of you have 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:03.860 thought about 00:42:03.860 --> 00:42:04.280 this but 00:42:04.280 --> 00:42:04.699 in Exodus 00:42:04.699 --> 00:42:05.260 20 00:42:05.260 --> 00:42:06.400 where we have 00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:06.699 the 10 00:42:06.699 --> 00:42:07.139 commandments 00:42:07.139 --> 00:42:08.360 and if you've 00:42:08.360 --> 00:42:08.639 been around 00:42:08.639 --> 00:42:09.039 church for a while 00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:09.619 you're familiar 00:42:09.619 --> 00:42:10.460 with those 00:42:10.460 --> 00:42:12.139 third command 00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:12.920 do not take 00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:13.579 the name of 00:42:13.579 --> 00:42:13.900 the Lord 00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:14.400 in vain 00:42:14.400 --> 00:42:15.119 we automatically 00:42:15.119 --> 00:42:15.639 think well 00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:15.980 that's about 00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:16.440 swearing 00:42:16.440 --> 00:42:17.199 it's got 00:42:17.199 --> 00:42:17.900 nothing to do 00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:18.320 with swearing 00:42:18.320 --> 00:42:18.760 at all 00:42:18.760 --> 00:42:21.539 nothing to do 00:42:21.539 --> 00:42:21.800 with that 00:42:21.800 --> 00:42:22.300 whatsoever 00:42:22.300 --> 00:42:23.679 it has 00:42:23.679 --> 00:42:24.599 everything to 00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:25.420 do with 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:26.440 saying he 00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:27.300 is my God 00:42:27.300 --> 00:42:28.099 and living 00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:28.519 totally 00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:28.900 different 00:42:28.900 --> 00:42:31.840 that is 00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:32.320 what it is 00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:32.599 to take 00:42:32.599 --> 00:42:32.960 the Lord's 00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:33.280 name in 00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:33.559 vain 00:42:33.559 --> 00:42:34.360 is to 00:42:34.360 --> 00:42:34.820 align 00:42:34.820 --> 00:42:35.240 yourself 00:42:35.240 --> 00:42:35.760 with him 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:36.539 but not 00:42:36.539 --> 00:42:37.039 live it 00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:37.680 in life 00:42:37.680 --> 00:42:39.599 that's what 00:42:39.599 --> 00:42:40.000 the third 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:40.700 command is 00:42:40.700 --> 00:42:41.099 it's about 00:42:41.099 --> 00:42:41.980 his glory 00:42:41.980 --> 00:42:42.480 being at 00:42:42.480 --> 00:42:42.900 stake 00:42:42.900 --> 00:42:46.119 right now 00:42:46.119 --> 00:42:47.400 think of 00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:48.780 one area 00:42:48.780 --> 00:42:49.460 of your 00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:50.019 life 00:42:50.019 --> 00:42:51.260 a particular 00:42:51.260 --> 00:42:51.940 circumstance 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:52.500 a sin 00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:53.500 a relationship 00:42:53.500 --> 00:42:54.340 that you are 00:42:54.340 --> 00:42:55.420 currently saying 00:42:55.420 --> 00:42:56.420 no 00:42:56.420 --> 00:42:58.559 maybe 00:42:58.559 --> 00:43:00.000 actually 00:43:00.000 --> 00:43:00.659 not now 00:43:00.659 --> 00:43:03.000 think of 00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:03.300 one 00:43:03.300 --> 00:43:07.000 look to 00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.400 God's 00:43:07.400 --> 00:43:07.940 decisive 00:43:07.940 --> 00:43:08.659 yes to 00:43:08.659 --> 00:43:08.960 you in 00:43:08.960 --> 00:43:09.340 Jesus 00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:10.500 until it 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.420 changes you 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.119 to be like 00:43:12.119 --> 00:43:12.579 Jesus 00:43:12.579 --> 00:43:13.920 leave behind 00:43:13.920 --> 00:43:14.420 the no 00:43:14.420 --> 00:43:14.980 and the maybe 00:43:14.980 --> 00:43:15.400 and the not 00:43:15.400 --> 00:43:16.260 now of 00:43:16.260 --> 00:43:17.360 your unbelief 00:43:17.360 --> 00:43:19.460 pledge 00:43:19.460 --> 00:43:20.059 yourself 00:43:20.059 --> 00:43:20.960 to a 00:43:20.960 --> 00:43:21.539 holy 00:43:21.539 --> 00:43:23.480 dissatisfaction 00:43:23.480 --> 00:43:24.519 until you 00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:25.039 know 00:43:25.039 --> 00:43:25.980 the fullness 00:43:25.980 --> 00:43:26.800 of your 00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:27.739 yes in 00:43:27.739 --> 00:43:28.119 Christ 00:43:28.119 --> 00:43:28.559 Jesus 00:43:28.559 --> 00:43:29.300 and your 00:43:29.300 --> 00:43:30.019 joy 00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:31.420 overflows 00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:36.300 I'm going 00:43:36.300 --> 00:43:36.579 to invite 00:43:36.579 --> 00:43:37.079 Nick up 00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:42.259 he's going 00:43:42.259 --> 00:43:42.639 to play 00:43:42.639 --> 00:43:43.300 for us 00:43:43.300 --> 00:43:44.500 and sing 00:43:44.500 --> 00:43:45.059 to us 00:43:45.059 --> 00:43:45.420 in the 00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:45.960 background 00:43:45.960 --> 00:43:47.159 while we 00:43:47.159 --> 00:43:47.779 take this 00:43:47.779 --> 00:43:48.219 moment 00:43:48.219 --> 00:43:48.519 and let 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:49.119 it sit 00:43:49.119 --> 00:43:50.519 I want 00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:50.719 you to 00:43:50.719 --> 00:43:51.139 pull out 00:43:51.139 --> 00:43:52.440 your device 00:43:52.440 --> 00:43:54.199 your paper 00:43:54.199 --> 00:43:55.539 your notepad 00:43:55.539 --> 00:43:56.699 take your 00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.259 service sheet 00:43:57.259 --> 00:43:57.980 grab a pen 00:43:57.980 --> 00:44:02.179 that one 00:44:02.179 --> 00:44:02.519 area of 00:44:02.519 --> 00:44:03.099 your life 00:44:03.099 --> 00:44:04.379 that circumstance 00:44:04.379 --> 00:44:05.179 that sin 00:44:05.179 --> 00:44:06.019 that relationship 00:44:06.019 --> 00:44:06.899 potentially you've 00:44:06.899 --> 00:44:07.379 been saying 00:44:07.379 --> 00:44:08.219 no no no 00:44:08.219 --> 00:44:08.619 to Jesus 00:44:08.619 --> 00:44:09.359 on that issue 00:44:09.359 --> 00:44:11.019 for 20 00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:11.799 30 40 00:44:11.799 --> 00:44:12.339 years 00:44:12.339 --> 00:44:13.119 it might be 00:44:13.119 --> 00:44:13.579 a maybe 00:44:13.579 --> 00:44:14.059 it might be 00:44:14.059 --> 00:44:14.399 a not 00:44:14.399 --> 00:44:14.879 now 00:44:14.879 --> 00:44:16.739 today is 00:44:16.739 --> 00:44:17.259 the day 00:44:17.259 --> 00:44:18.179 to decide 00:44:18.179 --> 00:44:20.179 to pledge 00:44:20.179 --> 00:44:20.859 yourself 00:44:20.859 --> 00:44:21.299 to a 00:44:21.299 --> 00:44:21.679 holy 00:44:21.679 --> 00:44:22.839 dissatisfaction 00:44:22.839 --> 00:44:23.259 in that 00:44:23.259 --> 00:44:23.699 area 00:44:23.699 --> 00:44:24.179 until you 00:44:24.179 --> 00:44:24.739 know 00:44:24.739 --> 00:44:25.339 the 00:44:25.339 --> 00:44:25.960 fullness 00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:27.619 of 00:44:27.619 --> 00:44:28.379 your 00:44:28.379 --> 00:44:29.259 yes in 00:44:29.259 --> 00:44:29.599 Christ 00:44:29.599 --> 00:44:30.000 Jesus 00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:30.619 and overflow 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:31.219 with joy 00:44:31.219 --> 00:44:33.299 I don't 00:44:33.299 --> 00:44:33.699 know the 00:44:33.699 --> 00:44:34.440 full details 00:44:34.440 --> 00:44:34.719 of this 00:44:34.719 --> 00:44:35.119 song but 00:44:35.119 --> 00:44:35.960 I believe 00:44:35.960 --> 00:44:37.799 Sam wrote 00:44:37.799 --> 00:44:38.500 this song 00:44:38.500 --> 00:44:39.559 that Nick 00:44:39.559 --> 00:44:40.079 is now 00:44:40.079 --> 00:44:40.599 playing 00:44:40.599 --> 00:44:41.460 and we 00:44:41.460 --> 00:44:42.339 only discovered 00:44:42.339 --> 00:44:42.759 it this 00:44:42.759 --> 00:44:43.179 morning 00:44:43.179 --> 00:44:43.639 and I 00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:43.879 went 00:44:43.879 --> 00:44:44.299 yes 00:44:44.299 --> 00:44:44.639 yes 00:44:44.639 --> 00:44:45.019 yes 00:44:45.019 --> 00:44:45.960 let's sing 00:44:45.960 --> 00:44:46.280 that 00:44:46.280 --> 00:44:47.619 and you 00:44:47.619 --> 00:44:48.119 reflect 00:44:48.119 --> 00:44:48.940 when he's 00:44:48.940 --> 00:44:49.219 done 00:44:49.219 --> 00:44:50.119 we'll move 00:44:50.119 --> 00:44:50.619 on but 00:44:50.619 --> 00:44:51.199 right now 00:44:51.199 --> 00:44:51.920 it's time 00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:52.380 for you 00:44:52.380 --> 00:44:53.259 to reflect