WEBVTT

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 The title of what I want to share with you is Spiritual Captivity and Its Remedy,

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 because we're in Ezra 9, as we've read, but I also want to take us to John 16, which we read as well.

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 And the verse to focus our thoughts is Galatians 5.1.

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 For freedom, Christ has set us free.

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

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 For freedom, Christ has set us free.

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 Shall we pray?

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 Father, we ask that by your Holy Spirit, your word written will be so engraved in our hearts and minds

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 that we will trust you more deeply, walk with you more faithfully,

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 serve you with greater delight this day and as we go forward in the rest of the week.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Now tell me, what do you think, well you don't have to answer, but what do you think is the attraction

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 in the spiritual but not religious movement that has so many followers today?

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 The spiritual but not religious movement that has so many followers?

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 I think that part of it must be the promise of a kind of freedom.

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 Freedom from the control that's imposed on us by fixed sets of beliefs and practices.

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 And that's why a popular writer by the name of Iyanla Van Zandt can define religion

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 as the rules, regulations, ceremonies, rituals developed by man

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 to create conformity and uniformity in the approach to God.

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 While she says spirituality is God's call in your soul.

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 And the point, her point, is clear enough.

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 With spirituality, we have a sense of a direct relationship with God.

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 While religion, well it mainly just gets in the way.

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 Now as Christians we know that there's another kind of freedom.

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 And it's the kind that's found in service.

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 Since we see that in Jesus, perfect freedom and perfect obedience

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 come together even as he goes to the cross.

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 And while we know this truth,

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 we often and so very easily come up with our own more,

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 shall we say, baptized forms of spiritual but not religious.

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 The fancy word for that is antinomianism.

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 If you can pronounce that, you get ten bucks.

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 Antinomianism means a disregard for the law.

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 Where does it turn up?

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 Well, wherever I decide that God's rules don't apply to me in this particular instance.

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 Now this will feel and look like a form of freedom,

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 but in the end it will be a form of bondage, won't it?

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 With a look at Ezra 9 this morning, I want us to think about bondage,

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 this bondage as a form of spiritual captivity in fact, or exile if you like.

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 And then ask how our gospel reading speaks to its remedy.

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 So as we come to the last part of Ezra,

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 and well done, staying with the study of Ezra and Nehemiah together.

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 What have we seen so far?

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 A quick rehash, but let's jump into and let's identify with God's people in that time.

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 What's our story up till now?

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 Well, to start it's a story of a new beginning.

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 Because we've been reminded how God used even a pagan king, Cyrus,

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 to make a way for us, his people, to come to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

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 In his mind, Cyrus' mind, we were to rebuild a temple.

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 To whom?

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 Well, to the God who lives here in Jerusalem.

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 That is a God who's more or less confined to this space, this territory.

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 It was all part of Cyrus' program for resettling foreign gods.

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 This was his big thing, which he probably established to show how enlightened and tolerant he was

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 in comparison with the Babylonians who ruled before him.

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 But never mind.

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 We've been learning that God can bend these quirky human agendas so that they can suit his purposes.

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 Continuing on.

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 Once in Jerusalem, we're in chapter 3 there,

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 we enjoyed a great moment of celebration as we saw the temple's foundation laid.

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 And as a priest and Levites, and we're thinking of the coronation and all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it,

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 all the trumpets and the cymbals and great shouts of praise and even tears of thanksgiving

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 are all part of this celebration as that foundation stone is laid.

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 But then came opposition to our temple rebuilding project, chapter 4.

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 It began when we informed those who just came up and wanted to help us build,

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 and we said, well, that's not going to work for us.

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 This was their request.

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 Look, we've been in the land after you folks went into exile.

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 Well, we've been worshiping God all along and now think it would be a great idea if we teamed up

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 and we lent a hand with your building.

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 But remembering Deuteronomy 7, we said no.

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 How God had told us not to form alliances with peoples of the land that he was giving us.

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 Well, for some reason, they didn't like that.

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 And in fact, they got really angry and managed through various means to put an end to the temple rebuilding project.

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 That wasn't the last word because God spoke to our leaders,

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 telling them it's time now to get the job started again.

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 And then, just like he did with Cyrus, very similarly,

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 he worked in Darius' heart to get him to favor us so that we could resume the task.

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 Finally, the temple is rebuilt.

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 And again, we celebrated.

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 This time, it was the Passover with great joy and thanksgiving.

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 And by this time, it wasn't just us former exiles who celebrated

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 celebrated because our number now included some who had,

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 in chapter 6 and verse 21,

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 had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land

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 and they had joined us in celebration.

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 Very important.

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 So what happened next?

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 Well, you've seen a pattern.

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 God moves.

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 A work gets done.

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 We give thanks and we celebrate.

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 Fourth, there's opposition.

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 And that's exactly what happened again.

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 But this time, the problem wasn't coming to us from out there,

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 but it was coming from within our own ranks.

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 And what was that problem?

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 Well, in short, it was disobedience.

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 Knowing God's law full well, we chose to disregard it

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 and said nothing when some of our men took for themselves from among

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 the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites,

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 the Ammonites, the Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.

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 They took to themselves wives from among those peoples.

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 And as I said, we knew God's law full well,

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 as set forth in the Torah,

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 because we recalled it when the offer was made to help with building.

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 We knew that God had said we were a people holy unto the Lord,

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 set apart.

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 We also knew that he commanded us not to intermarry

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 with the peoples of the land he was giving over to us.

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 But maybe, just maybe, in this case,

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 since we got the first part right,

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 maybe there'd be some wiggle room

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 on the second part.

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 We thought maybe it wouldn't apply to us in every detail,

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 that intermarriage thing.

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 But that's not at all how Ezra saw it.

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 The teacher God had just sent,

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 and he understood.

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 He understood the matter.

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 He knew that to disregard one part

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 was to disregard the whole.

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 He knew, as one who had,

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 in chapter 7 and verse 10 said,

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 he had set his heart

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 to the study of God's law.

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 He knew that we couldn't

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 do such things without

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 putting ourselves, really,

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 in God's place.

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 So that's why

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 when he heard the news,

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 he, remember, we just read,

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 he tore his garment

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 and his cloak.

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 He pulled hair from his head

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 and his beard,

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 symbolic of mourning.

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 He was deeply troubled.

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 Deeply troubled.

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 He knew that this was

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 the very sort of thing

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 that had landed us in exile before.

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 And that was, in fact,

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 our condition now,

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 I want to suggest,

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 because we're once again,

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 spiritually speaking,

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 in exile.

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 God has brought us back

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 to Zion.

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 He's granted us

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 a new beginning.

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 And yet, now we're behaving

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 as this good thing from God.

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 Weren't so good after all.

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 As if we were still

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 in captivity.

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 Well, the good news

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 is that through Ezra's

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 ministry among us,

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 God brought us

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 to a place of repentance.

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 Ezra prayed,

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 and in that prayer,

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 he reminded us

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 of two things.

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 This is, incidentally,

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 justification for prayers

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 that contain many sermons.

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 I think.

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 It used to bug me

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 a little bit sometimes

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 that prayers might contain

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 announcements and such.

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 But here we have a prayer

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 that is both

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 addressing God,

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 but also reminding us

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 of, well,

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 here of two things.

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 Of the severity

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 of our disobedience.

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 God doesn't need to know

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 how severe

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 our disobedience is, right?

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 But here we hear it again.

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 Because in verse 6,

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 we see,

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 our guilt has mounted

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 up to the heavens.

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 Secondly,

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 he reminds us, Ezra,

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 of the consequences

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 of our disobedience.

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 And he says in verse 7,

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 for our iniquities,

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 we,

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 our kings,

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 our priests,

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 all those who stand out

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 in front of us

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 and lead us,

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 have been given

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 into the hand

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 of the kings of the land

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 to the sword,

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 to captivity,

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 to plundering,

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 and to utter shame.

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 As it is today.

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 And in that prayer,

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 Ezra also helps us

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 to recall two things.

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 God's great deeds

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 in bringing us back

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 to Zion

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 and God's commands.

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 And with that,

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 he asks God for mercy.

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 He says,

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 O Lord,

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 the God of Israel,

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 you are just.

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 We are left

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 as a remnant

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 that has escaped

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 as it is today.

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 And behold,

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 we're before you

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 in our guilt.

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 For none can stand

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 before you

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 because of this.

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 In verse 15

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 in chapter 9,

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 which we read.

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 And God granted us

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 repentance

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 and a new start

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 yet again

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 as the men

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 who had married

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 pagan wives

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 had put them away.

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 As we read

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 there in chapter 10.

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 If you look ahead.

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 Part 2.

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 We've understood

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 something of God's story

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 almost exactly

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 2,500 years ago.

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 But is it ours today?

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 That's the question

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 for this Part 2.

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 Is it our story today?

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 Well,

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 it might seem

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 to us today

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 that it's not.

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 It might seem

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 that way.

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 Because three

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 kind of

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 troubling questions

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 emerge

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 out of this reading.

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 The first,

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 well,

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 if we back up

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 to chapter 4,

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 if we remember

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 that God

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 can use

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 a pagan king

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 to get us

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 back to Zion

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 to rebuild

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 the temple,

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 well,

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 why can he not

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 use the help

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 of semi-pagan

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 peoples

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 to help us

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 rebuild it?

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 Well,

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 we'll answer

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 that in a second.

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 2,

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 this business

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 of banning

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 intermarriages.

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 Sounds xenophobic,

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 doesn't it?

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 Or,

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 to put it more sharply,

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 when we read

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 in verse 2,

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 that the holy race

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 or seed

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 has mixed itself

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 with the peoples

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 of the land.

00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.620
 Isn't that racist?

00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:24.700
 Isn't that what we call

00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.639
 racism today?

00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:27.360
 And then thirdly,

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:28.779
 this business

00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.480
 of,

00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:30.399
 well,

00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.500
 once the foreign wives

00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:34.299
 have been taken,

00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:36.620
 is it,

00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.819
 do two wrongs

00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:39.299
 make a right?

00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.740
 Does putting them away

00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.959
 fix the problem?

00:13:42.099 --> 00:13:42.639
 Does that not

00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.819
 tear up the marriage?

00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.139
 Tear up the family,

00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:45.479
 even?

00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.439
 Well,

00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.159
 the questions

00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:49.819
 might boil down

00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:50.120
 to this.

00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:50.819
 Why the need

00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:52.740
 for such a strict rule

00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:54.539
 when it came to mixing

00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.219
 with the peoples

00:13:55.219 --> 00:13:55.799
 of the land?

00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:57.279
 Can it really apply

00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.179
 to us today?

00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.479
 And that's where

00:13:59.479 --> 00:14:01.059
 we must not

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:02.599
 rest on the surface

00:14:02.599 --> 00:14:03.459
 of the reading

00:14:03.459 --> 00:14:04.379
 and we must

00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.139
 look deeper.

00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.639
 On the matter

00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.299
 of alliances,

00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:08.859
 yes,

00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.000
 in principle,

00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.739
 God could use

00:14:11.739 --> 00:14:12.199
 the labor

00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:13.919
 of these peoples

00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.620
 of the land

00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.919
 had He commanded it.

00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.879
 And that's the key.

00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:19.879
 But He hadn't.

00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.199
 These were peoples

00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.959
 who at best

00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:22.539
 had blended

00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.319
 true worship

00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:24.059
 with inventions

00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.799
 of their own

00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.699
 and God

00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:26.639
 had expressly

00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.159
 commanded His people

00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.339
 not to associate

00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:29.839
 with them.

00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.379
 In fact,

00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.139
 not only not to associate

00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.500
 but not to be

00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.599
 merciful to them.

00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:35.479
 Sounds harsh.

00:14:36.479 --> 00:14:37.439
 But to form

00:14:37.439 --> 00:14:38.659
 any political

00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.659
 alliance

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.500
 would have meant

00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.659
 to compromise

00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:42.699
 their faith

00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.319
 and their worship.

00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:44.000
 They would have been

00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.299
 swallowed up.

00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:47.219
 On the matter

00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:48.000
 of intermarriage,

00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.899
 the issue here

00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.439
 is not about

00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:50.699
 bloodlines or race

00:14:50.699 --> 00:14:52.259
 in our modern sense

00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.779
 because,

00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.459
 well, why?

00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:54.740
 Well, there's already

00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:56.539
 some cultural mixing

00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.200
 going on

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:59.480
 as peoples come

00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:01.039
 and they're grafted

00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.440
 into the covenant family.

00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.919
 Some we saw

00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.899
 in chapter 6

00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.600
 are already

00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.680
 worshiping

00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:09.240
 along with us

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.379
 returned exiles.

00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.159
 So,

00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:12.899
 that,

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.440
 that,

00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:17.100
 the question

00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:18.279
 of race

00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.399
 and bloodline

00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.620
 is not the issue.

00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:21.980
 So, what is

00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.539
 the significance

00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.460
 of the ban then?

00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:24.600
 Well, that had

00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.440
 everything to do

00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.379
 with another

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.040
 kind of mixing,

00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.480
 a mixing of lies

00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.180
 with truth,

00:15:30.180 --> 00:15:31.940
 blending of worship

00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:33.879
 of the living God

00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.180
 with what verse 1

00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:35.560
 says,

00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:36.780
 abominations.

00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.360
 It's precisely

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.340
 in light of God's

00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.019
 command to come out

00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.379
 and be separate

00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.860
 that Paul says

00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.480
 in 1st,

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.639
 I beg your pardon,

00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:46.920
 2nd Corinthians 6,

00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.420
 14,

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:49.479
 he expresses

00:15:49.479 --> 00:15:50.219
 that rule

00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:50.899
 that applies

00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.839
 to his people

00:15:51.839 --> 00:15:52.679
 of all times

00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.240
 and places.

00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.559
 Do not be,

00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:55.559
 we've heard it,

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.399
 unequally yoked

00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:59.120
 with unbelievers.

00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.279
 For what,

00:16:00.339 --> 00:16:00.879
 says Paul,

00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.099
 for what partnership

00:16:02.099 --> 00:16:03.699
 has righteousness

00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:05.399
 with lawlessness?

00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:06.879
 If you want

00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.639
 a bit of an image

00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:09.439
 or an example

00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:10.759
 of what,

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.960
 of what that looks

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.980
 like when this

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.139
 mixing happens,

00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:15.299
 well,

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.399
 in Judges 3,

00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.879
 we read about

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.899
 the spiritual

00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.559
 compromise

00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.379
 that happened

00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:21.519
 through precisely

00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.139
 this kind of

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.819
 intermarriage.

00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.159
 God's people

00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.779
 slowly but surely

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.500
 began to worship

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.480
 the statues

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.299
 of Baal

00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.220
 and Asherah,

00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.480
 the fertility

00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.059
 God,

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.240
 mainly,

00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.819
 and his consort.

00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:36.700
 If you spend

00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.340
 any time

00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:39.879
 in predominantly

00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.280
 non-Christian

00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:41.820
 lands,

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.480
 India,

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:43.900
 many other

00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:44.460
 places,

00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.660
 you know what

00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.540
 this feels like

00:16:46.540 --> 00:16:47.100
 palpably,

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.700
 what this honoring

00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.520
 and reverencing

00:16:49.520 --> 00:16:50.140
 and worship

00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:52.200
 of invented

00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:53.200
 gods looks like.

00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:55.760
 Finally,

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.280
 on the matter

00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:57.060
 of dividing up

00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.480
 families,

00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:57.900
 well,

00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:58.600
 certainly,

00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.380
 divorce,

00:16:59.760 --> 00:17:00.700
 in God's eyes,

00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.480
 is wrong.

00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.059
 Malachi 2 and 6

00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.399
 but what we

00:17:05.399 --> 00:17:05.980
 see here

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.619
 is God

00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.200
 permitting

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:07.879
 the lesser

00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:09.259
 of two evils.

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.099
 One commentary

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.879
 puts it well

00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:12.559
 when it says

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.679
 that there was

00:17:13.679 --> 00:17:14.359
 not only a

00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.819
 past transgression

00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:17.019
 to remedy

00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:18.079
 but also

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.339
 a future

00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:19.879
 blessing

00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:20.859
 to safeguard

00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.399
 through the

00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.299
 purification

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.980
 of the

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.559
 community

00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.099
 of God.

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.279
 Now,

00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.039
 in interpreting

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.940
 passages like

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.500
 Ezra 9,

00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.899
 clearly we have

00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.619
 and

00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:35.000
 in our

00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.919
 Christian past

00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:36.719
 deliberately

00:17:36.719 --> 00:17:37.599
 twisted

00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.799
 God's command

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.239
 regarding

00:17:39.239 --> 00:17:39.879
 separation,

00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:40.859
 promoting

00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.819
 at times

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.679
 real forms

00:17:42.679 --> 00:17:43.500
 of racism

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.799
 and it's

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.259
 a sad

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.719
 history

00:17:45.719 --> 00:17:46.759
 but when

00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.559
 the separation

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.439
 message is

00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:48.899
 understood

00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:50.359
 as the text

00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.059
 intends,

00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:52.439
 I think we

00:17:52.439 --> 00:17:52.979
 get a sense

00:17:52.979 --> 00:17:53.299
 of how

00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.519
 directly Ezra 9

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.839
 applies to us

00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.239
 today.

00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:57.539
 Now,

00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:58.339
 originally I thought

00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:58.839
 it might be

00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.979
 helpful to

00:17:59.979 --> 00:18:00.619
 try to

00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.679
 speak to the

00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:02.519
 questions of

00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.619
 interfaith marriage

00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.479
 today perhaps

00:18:04.479 --> 00:18:05.500
 or even from

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.739
 there to the

00:18:06.739 --> 00:18:08.619
 full assault

00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:09.239
 on marriage

00:18:09.239 --> 00:18:09.839
 itself

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.779
 that's part

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.159
 of our

00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:13.000
 culture,

00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:13.359
 of our

00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.179
 Western culture,

00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:15.219
 but because of

00:18:15.219 --> 00:18:15.559
 time

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.419
 and because I

00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:17.919
 think there's an

00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:18.779
 even more basic

00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.319
 problem,

00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.799
 I thought I

00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.239
 would invite you

00:18:22.239 --> 00:18:22.959
 to reflect with

00:18:22.959 --> 00:18:23.739
 me on the

00:18:23.739 --> 00:18:25.019
 way we

00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.019
 sometimes allow

00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.859
 lies to get

00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:27.379
 mixed with

00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.840
 truth when

00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.720
 it comes to

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.500
 the practice

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.880
 or the

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.620
 discipline of

00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.320
 knowing God.

00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.160
 The practice

00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:36.560
 or the

00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.200
 discipline of

00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.760
 knowing God.

00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.500
 We've learned,

00:18:40.020 --> 00:18:40.720
 we've heard

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.420
 the word

00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.340
 yoke this

00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:43.600
 morning as

00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.340
 used by Paul.

00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.480
 He was

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.200
 referring of

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.660
 course to

00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:48.380
 the coupling

00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.360
 of two

00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:50.400
 animals to

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.160
 accomplish a

00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.080
 specific task

00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:53.200
 to give us a

00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.560
 picture of

00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:54.920
 how,

00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.660
 in this

00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.360
 case negatively,

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:57.940
 we can't

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.580
 follow the

00:18:58.580 --> 00:18:59.240
 patterns of

00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.640
 the world

00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.320
 for long

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:01.779
 and not be

00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.640
 drawn into

00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.840
 the assumptions

00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:05.800
 that govern

00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:06.460
 those patterns.

00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.180
 Jesus,

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:10.700
 of course,

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.440
 used the image

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.320
 positively when

00:19:12.320 --> 00:19:12.980
 he said in

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.700
 Matthew 11,

00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.519
 come to

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:14.880
 me,

00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.460
 take my

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.279
 yoke upon

00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:17.720
 you and

00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.120
 learn of

00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.340
 me.

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.660
 As I

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:20.900
 expect,

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.340
 some of you

00:19:21.340 --> 00:19:21.759
 know the

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.019
 Sanskrit word

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.600
 for yoking

00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.779
 is yoga.

00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:26.680
 which,

00:19:26.800 --> 00:19:27.140
 taken in

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.820
 its full

00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:29.000
 philosophical

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.920
 context,

00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:32.039
 promotes a

00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.700
 particular

00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:34.259
 vision or

00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.860
 understanding

00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.440
 of union

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.080
 with God.

00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.560
 God's

00:19:38.560 --> 00:19:39.080
 providence

00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:41.400
 through some

00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.060
 years spent

00:19:42.060 --> 00:19:42.560
 in India

00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:43.140
 and through

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:45.519
 some sustained

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.200
 conversations

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.000
 with Christians

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.259
 who practice

00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.360
 yoga in a

00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.259
 sustained way,

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:53.060
 I've had to

00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:53.519
 make up my

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:53.860
 mind.

00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.819
 I couldn't

00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.179
 leave it

00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:56.619
 as an

00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:56.979
 issue.

00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.979
 We'll look

00:19:58.979 --> 00:20:00.000
 at that

00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.979
 at a later

00:20:00.979 --> 00:20:01.339
 date.

00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:02.959
 I can't

00:20:02.959 --> 00:20:03.559
 speak of the

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.659
 postures or

00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:05.079
 the breathing

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.740
 exercises

00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.419
 themselves.

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.059
 That is,

00:20:08.479 --> 00:20:09.339
 by themselves,

00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:09.939
 in the

00:20:09.939 --> 00:20:10.339
 abstract,

00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.500
 more or less

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.759
 detached from

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.179
 the Hindu

00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:13.779
 philosophy,

00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:15.199
 with which,

00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.679
 at some

00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.159
 stage,

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.559
 they are

00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.139
 bound up.

00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.379
 Because I

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.240
 assume that

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.659
 at some

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.240
 stage,

00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.719
 at least,

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.740
 of the

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.420
 discipline of

00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:22.700
 yoga,

00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.480
 very,

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.160
 very popular

00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.759
 and common

00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.860
 throughout India

00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.299
 at least,

00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.480
 becomes a

00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.799
 yoking with

00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.600
 assumptions about

00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:31.140
 how we know

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:33.259
 God at some

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.740
 stage.

00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.579
 The partial

00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.240
 truth in the

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.740
 practice of

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.279
 yoga, of

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:38.779
 course, is

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.200
 that we were

00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:39.759
 made to know

00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.120
 God.

00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:42.799
 That, as

00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.559
 Augustine said,

00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.319
 our hearts are

00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.240
 restless until we

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.960
 find our rest

00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.279
 in Him.

00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:46.799
 And even in

00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.240
 living in

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.259
 India, this

00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:51.019
 passion among

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.980
 Hindus that I

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.359
 would meet and

00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.399
 talk to, this

00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.240
 passion to be

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.079
 liberated from

00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.639
 this endless

00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.599
 cycle of death

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.200
 and rebirth,

00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.519
 that even,

00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.420
 isn't it a

00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.240
 kind of bridge

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.160
 for us where

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.920
 we can speak

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:04.559
 of that message

00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.539
 in Ecclesiastes

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.599
 about how there

00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.839
 is nothing new

00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.720
 under the sun

00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:11.039
 and this desire

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:13.259
 to break out,

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.319
 to break free

00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.420
 from what seems

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.120
 like a

00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.480
 meaningless

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.060
 cycle.

00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:23.820
 Well, the

00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:24.259
 heart of the

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.960
 problem, all

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.759
 that said, the

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.700
 proper discipline

00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.180
 of yoga, and

00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.100
 I would add

00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:31.340
 there, practices

00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:32.140
 of so-called

00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.340
 centering prayer.

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:33.860
 I don't know if

00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:34.740
 you've investigated

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.539
 those at all,

00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.420
 but when you

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.400
 start looking at

00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:38.820
 some of the

00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:39.920
 details, they

00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:41.080
 teach us to

00:21:41.080 --> 00:21:42.620
 look for God

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.279
 where?

00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.000
 Well, in this

00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:47.640
 eternal now, by

00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.220
 which we're to

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.299
 understand, in a

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.119
 sense, beyond

00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:53.019
 history, or if

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.140
 not there, beyond

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.579
 history, apart

00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.119
 from history,

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.119
 bypassing history

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.140
 even, in the

00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.859
 depths of our

00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.319
 souls.

00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.160
 And there's the

00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:01.500
 heart of the

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.000
 problem, because

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.559
 knowledge of God

00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.220
 in that case is

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.259
 not based on what

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.779
 he's done.

00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.079
 It's not based on

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.819
 what he's promised.

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.420
 It can't be,

00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.799
 because the past

00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.539
 and the future

00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:13.299
 are distractions.

00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.279
 They're unreal.

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.079
 They're illusions.

00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:19.099
 What's real is my

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:20.899
 yoking with God,

00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:23.680
 my yoga, that's

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.919
 already a reality

00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.980
 that I just need

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.899
 to cultivate and

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:29.139
 to fan into flame

00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:30.039
 through the right

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.559
 disciplines.

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.139
 And so, in the

00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:33.159
 end, I never

00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:33.919
 really know my

00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:36.279
 condition, my real

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.379
 human condition, my

00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:39.119
 alienation from God

00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:40.879
 because of sin, and

00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:42.879
 not knowing that, I'm

00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.639
 bound to get the

00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.259
 remedy wrong.

00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.419
 And that's, I

00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:47.919
 think, where the

00:22:47.919 --> 00:22:49.239
 enduring validity of

00:22:49.239 --> 00:22:50.039
 God's command to

00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.139
 come out and be

00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.119
 separate is clear.

00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.599
 For a world that

00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.959
 assumes that God's

00:22:54.959 --> 00:22:55.719
 favor must be

00:22:55.719 --> 00:22:57.339
 earned through our

00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.019
 own efforts,

00:22:58.739 --> 00:22:59.919
 separation is only

00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.819
 going to look like,

00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.039
 well, a form of

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.419
 arrogance.

00:23:03.959 --> 00:23:05.099
 And that's why our

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.739
 testimony is simple.

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.759
 We say with Paul,

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:10.000
 as he says to

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.660
 Titus in chapter

00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:13.119
 3, 5 to 7,

00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.119
 but when the

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.660
 goodness and

00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.519
 loving kindness

00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.559
 of God our Savior

00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:19.140
 appeared, he saved

00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:21.319
 us, not because of

00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.400
 works done by us in

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.220
 righteousness, but

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.759
 according to his

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.859
 own mercy, by the

00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.539
 washing of

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.519
 regeneration and

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.440
 renewal of the

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.640
 Holy Spirit, whom

00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:32.140
 he poured out on us

00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.319
 richly through

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.420
 Jesus Christ our

00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:34.759
 Savior.

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:34.859
 Savior.

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.720
 So we're talking

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.859
 about new

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.599
 beginnings that

00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.559
 come from God's

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.519
 rich storehouse.

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.740
 We're talking about

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:44.000
 a set of

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.779
 partners that's

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.460
 accepted with joy

00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.160
 and with

00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.740
 thanksgiving.

00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.200
 And because the

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.480
 pattern remains the

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:52.140
 same, right from

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.900
 the day we left

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.539
 the garden until the

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.460
 day we come into

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.640
 that celestial city,

00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:58.119
 we're talking about

00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.019
 a proneness to

00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.140
 wander into

00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:01.259
 spiritual captivity.

00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.240
 And that brings us

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.619
 to the message of

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:06.240
 the gospel this

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.599
 morning.

00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.680
 Part three of

00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:08.980
 three.

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.079
 Thanks for staying

00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.460
 with me.

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.299
 We have a dilemma

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.579
 and a challenge

00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.279
 before us.

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:16.339
 We know how

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.859
 gracious God is

00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.940
 calling us back to

00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.379
 himself.

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.279
 When it comes to

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.019
 Christian obedience,

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.640
 we also know that we

00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.680
 can only ascend

00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.879
 God's holy hill

00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:28.019
 because there's one

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.839
 who's already gone

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.519
 ahead of us.

00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.500
 And that's the

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.279
 king of glory,

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.319
 Psalm 24,

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.279
 who's mighty in

00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:36.119
 battle and who's

00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.799
 gone ahead.

00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.960
 It's Jesus himself.

00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:40.079
 So what's the key

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.500
 to remaining on

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.220
 the path with

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.440
 him?

00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:44.379
 How do we keep

00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:45.059
 from wandering

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.859
 into spiritual

00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.460
 captivity?

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.420
 If that's your

00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:51.839
 question, as I

00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.819
 hope it is this

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.519
 morning, what

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.779
 Jesus has to say

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.740
 to his disciples

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.619
 and to us in

00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.420
 the gospel is

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.500
 truly good news.

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.339
 We're talking

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.019
 here about the

00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.799
 wonder and I

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.379
 would even say

00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.559
 the beauty of

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.539
 how God's will

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:07.779
 relates to the

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.420
 human will.

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.879
 This is one of

00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:10.500
 those things that

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.379
 has us perplexed

00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.160
 and I'm not here

00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.980
 to resolve it all

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.900
 neatly, but I do

00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.740
 want to say this.

00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.240
 It's not a matter

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.240
 of God putting in

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:20.139
 his 90% or even

00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:22.299
 his 99.99%

00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:23.859
 while we do the

00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:24.180
 rest.

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.839
 It's not like that

00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.200
 at all.

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.640
 I say this

00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.100
 because we

00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:28.740
 often get the

00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.840
 priority of God's

00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.500
 grace right,

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.700
 saying that God

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.640
 has done this

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.440
 great thing for

00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.500
 us, but then we

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.440
 make it sound like

00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.799
 well, we take over

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:38.220
 from there, more

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.059
 or less completing

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.000
 what was left to be

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.299
 done.

00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.180
 And so we claim

00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.900
 part ownership of

00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.279
 that title deed of

00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.980
 our salvation.

00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.860
 And here you might

00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:49.080
 ask, well, since

00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:49.700
 we're in John's

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.380
 gospel, why then

00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.360
 does Jesus say to

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.439
 his disciples in

00:25:53.439 --> 00:25:54.599
 1415, if you

00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:56.219
 love me, you'll

00:25:56.219 --> 00:25:56.939
 keep my commandments?

00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.479
 Or why does he

00:25:58.479 --> 00:26:00.759
 say, if you keep

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.459
 my commandments,

00:26:01.719 --> 00:26:02.439
 you'll abide in

00:26:02.439 --> 00:26:03.719
 my love, 1510.

00:26:04.939 --> 00:26:05.599
 Isn't this about

00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.419
 doing our part?

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.719
 What's the answer?

00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:10.879
 Well, it is.

00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.839
 In a way, as long

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.519
 as our part is

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.679
 also 100%.

00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:17.579
 And that's the

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.359
 mystery of it.

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.899
 God's work is

00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:21.719
 100% so that our

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.360
 response of

00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.620
 obedience can also

00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.700
 be 100%.

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.319
 It's the only way

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.180
 it works.

00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.240
 That's God's math

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.120
 in the plan of

00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.539
 redemption.

00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.100
 And by his design,

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:34.299
 a divine work in

00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:36.160
 me doesn't make me

00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.120
 less human, it

00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.960
 makes me more.

00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:45.539
 So, if you hear

00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:49.140
 what Jesus says

00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:50.180
 about abiding in

00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:52.680
 him in John 15,

00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.500
 3 to 5, see if

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.840
 you hear some of

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.900
 that mystery, some

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.740
 of what I've just

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.680
 tried to articulate

00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:00.180
 in my stumbling

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.539
 way.

00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:02.480
 Already you are

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.539
 clean because of

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.380
 the word that I

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.140
 have spoken to

00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.420
 you.

00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:08.340
 Abide in me and

00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.920
 I in you.

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.080
 As the branch

00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:12.120
 cannot bear fruit

00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.720
 by itself unless

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.740
 it abides in the

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.279
 vine, neither can

00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.140
 you unless you

00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.880
 abide in me.

00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.580
 I am the vine,

00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:20.720
 you are the

00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.140
 branches.

00:27:21.780 --> 00:27:22.880
 Whoever abides in

00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.820
 me and I in

00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:26.880
 him, he it is

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.640
 that bears much

00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.560
 fruit, for apart

00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:30.080
 from me you can

00:27:30.080 --> 00:27:30.600
 do nothing.

00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.540
 And here's what I

00:27:33.540 --> 00:27:34.980
 think we can

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.380
 gather.

00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.860
 The priority and

00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.840
 power of the word

00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:40.020
 is not something we

00:27:40.020 --> 00:27:40.960
 see only at the

00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:43.160
 beginning of the

00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.180
 saving relationship.

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.320
 relationship.

00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.900
 It's there from

00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.779
 start to finish

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:48.140
 because Jesus says

00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.080
 apart from me you

00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:50.100
 can do nothing.

00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.740
 And he gives us a

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:54.220
 picture of how his

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.500
 will and ours come

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.960
 together but without

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:58.539
 being confused.

00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.799
 One collapsed into

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.259
 the other.

00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.740
 He says abide in me

00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.140
 and I in you.

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.060
 And there's the key.

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.140
 As we remain in

00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:09.519
 him, as we remain in

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.539
 him, and it's our

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:12.420
 remaining, we find

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.019
 that we've been

00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:14.759
 doing that by his

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.759
 power all along.

00:28:19.060 --> 00:28:20.019
 We're back to the

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.779
 question of true

00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.200
 freedom.

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.279
 The freedom that

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.360
 keeps us looking up

00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:24.740
 to Zion, upward to

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:26.779
 Zion as we sing in

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.580
 some of those old

00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:28.440
 songs and it works

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.060
 like this.

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.680
 Well, we're freed

00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:33.000
 for it by Christ.

00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:34.120
 As Paul said to the

00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.240
 Galatians as I read

00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.980
 earlier, for freedom

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:39.120
 Christ has set us

00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.480
 free.

00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.820
 And he recognizes the

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.899
 paradox there.

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.480
 Because he says,

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.659
 stand firm,

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:48.579
 therefore, and do

00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.700
 not submit again to

00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.619
 a yoke of slavery.

00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.740
 The point is this,

00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.099
 when Christ frees us,

00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.919
 he frees us to

00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:59.099
 obey freely.

00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:02.039
 Not as slaves.

00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.319
 So if we're talking

00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:05.799
 about a new

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.759
 beginning, and then

00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.539
 it's a beginning

00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.740
 that's ever new,

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.839
 ever renewing, if you

00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.460
 like, by the

00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.659
 promised spirit who

00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:15.460
 works within us and

00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.039
 in the world.

00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.680
 And that brings us to

00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.379
 John 16.

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.740
 I just want to share a

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.039
 couple of thoughts in

00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.720
 John 16.

00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:23.119
 What's the situation

00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:25.559
 there with Jesus and

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.220
 his disciples?

00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.460
 Well, it turns out that

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.119
 they're sad.

00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:31.339
 And this, in spite of

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.819
 Jesus' promises, just

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.680
 declared earlier.

00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:35.360
 For instance, he has

00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:37.539
 promised that he will

00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.519
 grant to them whatever

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.700
 they ask in his name.

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.920
 John 14.13.

00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:43.039
 He has promised them

00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:45.200
 fullness of joy as

00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.160
 they abide in him.

00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:47.420
 John 15.11.

00:29:49.060 --> 00:29:49.900
 But as we read in

00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:51.240
 16.6, Jesus says,

00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:52.440
 because I have said

00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.840
 these things, sorrow

00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:56.000
 has filled your heart.

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.420
 What are these things

00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:57.740
 now?

00:29:58.860 --> 00:30:00.420
 Well, Jesus has also

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.440
 been speaking about

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:03.059
 leaving them, even

00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.960
 though he's promised

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.640
 something else, to

00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:07.700
 prepare a place for

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.539
 them when he does

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.900
 that.

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.799
 And part of leaving

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.440
 means, though, that

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:14.820
 the ruler of the

00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.880
 world is coming.

00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.320
 14.30.

00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:19.539
 And that they'll be

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.700
 hated by the world

00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:22.340
 and persecuted on

00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:23.559
 account of their

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.920
 separation from it.

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.680
 15.18 and

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.120
 following.

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.400
 Now, I think we have

00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:32.000
 to assume that at

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.960
 least some of the

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.860
 thoughts that fill the

00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:34.860
 disciples' mind are

00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:35.280
 these.

00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:37.540
 Really, what you're

00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:38.759
 saying, Jesus, is that

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:41.120
 our situation really is

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:42.360
 not going to be all

00:30:42.360 --> 00:30:44.500
 that different once you

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:46.540
 leave than from what

00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.360
 it was before.

00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:49.840
 We'll be back in full

00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:51.420
 captivity once the

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.160
 master is gone.

00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:54.160
 We won't have his

00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:56.140
 words to abide in.

00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:57.400
 Well, because he'll be

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.720
 gone.

00:30:57.720 --> 00:31:00.839
 But we read on.

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:03.000
 And as we do, we

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.000
 learn that Jesus is

00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.940
 going away is for

00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.579
 their benefit.

00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:08.640
 And in what specific

00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.539
 ways it's going to be

00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.220
 for their benefit?

00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:12.059
 In verse 7, Jesus

00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.120
 says, I tell you the

00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.259
 truth, it's to your

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:16.059
 advantage that I go

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.420
 away.

00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:18.059
 For if I do not go

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.579
 away, the helper will

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.680
 not come to you.

00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.980
 But if I go, I will

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.059
 send him to you.

00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:28.299
 Now, again, if we are

00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:30.179
 thinking of the Spirit

00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:32.799
 as maybe some kind of

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:34.480
 impersonal force, as

00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:36.059
 something less, some

00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:37.759
 entity that's less than

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.819
 the third person of the

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:42.119
 Trinity, who is Lord and

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:44.339
 giver of life, we won't

00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.819
 be able to grasp Jesus'

00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.240
 words, it's to your

00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:47.659
 advantage.

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:50.139
 The fact is the Holy

00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:52.200
 Spirit is the Spirit of

00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.519
 Jesus.

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.100
 We were in Galatians,

00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:56.360
 here in Galatians 4, 6.

00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:59.380
 It's clear that the

00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:01.400
 Spirit is the Spirit of

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.500
 or from Jesus.

00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:04.200
 To know the Spirit is to

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.360
 know the Son, therefore.

00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.740
 If we have the Spirit,

00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:09.660
 the Son's presence is not

00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.100
 diminished.

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.660
 It's the real presence of

00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:15.279
 the ascended Lord, mediated

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.360
 by the Spirit.

00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:18.480
 Word and Spirit are never

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:20.759
 confused, but neither are

00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.920
 we to think of them as

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:23.060
 working independently.

00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:26.680
 And with that, we see how

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:28.060
 good is the good news Jesus

00:32:28.060 --> 00:32:29.200
 gives to His disciples.

00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:30.460
 It has two promises.

00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.580
 First, He says that they

00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:34.240
 don't need to worry about

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.380
 the challenge that they'll

00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.360
 face in the world.

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.539
 They might be concerned,

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.660
 but they don't need to

00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:42.200
 worry about the

00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:43.800
 persecution that's going

00:32:43.800 --> 00:32:44.440
 to face them.

00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:46.700
 He says to them in verses

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.920
 8 to 11 that when the

00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:49.320
 Holy Spirit comes, He's

00:32:49.320 --> 00:32:50.500
 going to convict the world

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:52.080
 of sin and righteousness

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.820
 and judgment.

00:32:53.820 --> 00:32:54.900
 And for each of these,

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.220
 Jesus, notice, He gives

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.799
 the reason.

00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:58.820
 Concerning sin, because they

00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.900
 do not believe in Me.

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.000
 Concerning righteousness,

00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.299
 because I'm going to the

00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.660
 Father and you will see Me

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:08.940
 no longer concerning judgment,

00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:10.080
 because the ruler of this

00:33:10.080 --> 00:33:10.980
 world is judged.

00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:14.120
 And I think here what we see,

00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:15.400
 I won't unpack each of those,

00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:17.140
 what we see is the Holy Spirit

00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:19.640
 going ahead of them,

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.360
 convicting people of sin,

00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:23.180
 impressing on them the true

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.200
 nature of righteousness,

00:33:24.560 --> 00:33:26.019
 and warning them of the

00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:27.279
 consequences of sin.

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:30.039
 And for this, the disciples

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:32.440
 then, and disciples today,

00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:35.200
 can rejoice and not worry,

00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:37.619
 knowing that as we go to

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:39.819
 the nations, Christ is on

00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:42.039
 the throne, and His kingdom

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.920
 will have no end.

00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:46.619
 And the second, in the second

00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:48.099
 place, Jesus turns from what

00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:49.660
 worries them about what's out

00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:51.440
 there in the world, to what

00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:52.980
 troubles them about their own

00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:55.619
 identity as disciples.

00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:58.099
 And He promises that His

00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:59.019
 word will remain.

00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:02.099
 Most immediately, He promises

00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:03.979
 that by His Spirit working in

00:34:03.979 --> 00:34:06.539
 them, they will recall what He

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:09.779
 has taught them, as well as the

00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:11.159
 things that are yet to happen,

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:14.059
 so that they can record them for

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.099
 future generations.

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:19.980
 As for disciples to come, like

00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:22.019
 us, we can be assured that the

00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:23.779
 Holy Spirit's purpose in all this

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:26.040
 is to bring glory not to Himself,

00:34:27.060 --> 00:34:28.700
 but to point us to Jesus.

00:34:29.660 --> 00:34:31.460
 Let's hear what Jesus says in

00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:33.300
 verses 12 to 15 again.

00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:35.560
 I still have many things to say

00:34:35.560 --> 00:34:37.500
 to you, but you cannot bear them

00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:37.900
 now.

00:34:38.620 --> 00:34:40.100
 When the Spirit of truth comes,

00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:41.960
 He will guide you into all truth,

00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:44.280
 for He will not speak on His own

00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:47.160
 authority, but whatever He hears,

00:34:47.240 --> 00:34:48.460
 He will speak, and He will

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:50.760
 declare to you the things that are

00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:51.180
 to come.

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:55.399
 He will glorify Me, for He will

00:34:55.399 --> 00:34:57.159
 take what is Mine and declare it

00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:57.559
 to you.

00:34:57.960 --> 00:35:00.579
 All that the Father has is Mine.

00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:02.879
 Therefore, I said that He will take

00:35:02.879 --> 00:35:05.099
 what is Mine and declare it to you.

00:35:06.419 --> 00:35:09.199
 So let me conclude with a basic

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:12.099
 challenge that we face.

00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:15.059
 In a word, it's that challenge of

00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.719
 being in the world, but not of it.

00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:20.259
 When we yoke ourselves to the

00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:21.839
 world's assumptions about what is

00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:24.019
 good and right and lovely, well, we

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:26.799
 become gradually absorbed, don't we?

00:35:27.399 --> 00:35:29.139
 Even without noticing it.

00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:32.099
 We find ourselves forgetting to pray

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.679
 that basic Christian prayer,

00:35:34.359 --> 00:35:35.199
 Come Lord Jesus.

00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:39.019
 Because our hopes and habits are

00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:42.559
 really not those of a pilgrim people

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:45.559
 who have their hearts and their eyes

00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:48.279
 fixed on the promised land.

00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:52.239
 But, as we abide in Christ and His

00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:55.699
 word abides in us, we experience that

00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:57.659
 called-outness that is our identity

00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:59.340
 as the church of God.

00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:02.519
 It's a state of being set apart by God

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:04.500
 that is not there for its own sake.

00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:07.299
 God doesn't just set us apart, just to

00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.299
 set us apart, right?

00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:11.220
 There's a purpose in His election, in

00:36:11.220 --> 00:36:12.340
 His calling of us.

00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:16.840
 It's a set-apartness to display, to

00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:19.480
 challenge, and to serve as a testimony

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:23.200
 to all those whom God is calling by

00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:27.240
 His Spirit into communion with Himself.

00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:32.720
 I thought it's fitting to end with that

00:36:32.720 --> 00:36:35.840
 stanza from that wonderful hymn Keith

00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:36.860
 and Christian Getty wrote.

00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:39.740
 And I'll just end with it as a prayer.

00:36:41.660 --> 00:36:44.019
 It's the last stanza of Speak, O Lord.

00:36:44.680 --> 00:36:47.220
 Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds.

00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:51.100
 Help us grasp the heights of Your plans

00:36:51.100 --> 00:36:54.380
 for us, truths unchanged from the dawn

00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:56.440
 of time that will echo down through

00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:56.940
 eternity.

00:36:57.700 --> 00:37:00.059
 And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,

00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:03.539
 and by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.

00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:06.940
 Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built,

00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:10.059
 and the earth is filled with Your grace.