WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.140 Ephesians chapter 5, this is the reading of God's word. 00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:05.160 verses 1 to 21. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.000 Let there be thanksgiving. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 In the Lord. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.359 And Christ will shine on you. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:02.200 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:03.859 Submitting to one another. 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:05.620 Out of reverence for Christ. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:07.340 This is God's holy word. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:10.500 We are working our way. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:11.759 This month. 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:13.659 The next month through the back half of Ephesians. 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:16.280 So in the first half of the book of Ephesians. 00:02:16.979 --> 00:02:18.759 Paul is answering the question. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:20.520 How do you become a Christian? 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:21.960 And what does it mean to be a Christian? 00:02:22.120 --> 00:02:23.460 Saved by grace he says. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:25.599 In the second half of Ephesians. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:26.640 Ephesians 4 to 6. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:29.640 He's talking about how you respond to that. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:31.219 So what does the church do? 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:32.040 What does a Christian do? 00:02:32.100 --> 00:02:33.460 What does the Christian life look like? 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:34.580 So that's the back half. 00:02:34.620 --> 00:02:35.900 You got to get that order correct. 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:37.600 So if you flip those around. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:39.460 You lose Christianity. 00:02:40.200 --> 00:02:41.060 If you start with. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:42.260 What must I do? 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:43.439 To be saved. 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:44.120 You lose it. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:46.060 But instead Paul says. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:47.719 By grace you've been saved. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:49.620 Now go and live like this. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:51.699 And so that's what we've been looking at. 00:02:51.819 --> 00:02:54.060 A different answer to that question every week. 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:57.000 The biggest answer we've given so far. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:58.579 That Paul has given us is. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:02:59.740 What does a Christian do? 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:00.639 What does the church do? 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:02.199 We grow. 00:03:02.579 --> 00:03:04.079 We seek spiritual maturity. 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:05.759 We don't stay baby Christians. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:07.419 We seek to change. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:09.419 To have deep transformative change. 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:10.199 From the inside out. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:12.079 This week. 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:13.099 One new answer. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:14.539 Same arena. 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:16.520 An outrageous answer. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:17.860 Really that he gives us. 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:20.180 Chapter 5 verse 1. 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:20.580 He says. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:21.680 What does the church do? 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:22.340 What does a Christian do? 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:23.800 Imitate God. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:26.680 Seems outrageous at first. 00:03:27.600 --> 00:03:28.360 Imitate God. 00:03:28.600 --> 00:03:29.320 That's what he says. 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:30.300 Is the job of the church. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:31.320 The job of God's people. 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:34.060 And so we have this enormous calling here. 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:36.120 We are called to be imitators. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:37.060 Of the living God. 00:03:37.160 --> 00:03:37.680 In this world. 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:38.500 And so that means. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:40.160 To put it really briefly. 00:03:40.320 --> 00:03:41.020 It's just to say. 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:42.980 If you're a believer today. 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:43.840 Your calling. 00:03:44.200 --> 00:03:45.980 Is to be a living reflection. 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:49.080 Of the character of God. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:49.760 In the city. 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:50.780 Wherever God has put you. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:53.280 And in a city like ours. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:54.879 That very well may mean. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:56.580 That you might be. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:03:57.379 The only. 00:03:58.060 --> 00:03:59.280 Grace transformed. 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:00.060 Reflection. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:01.939 Of the character of God. 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:03.020 That a person in our city. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:04.540 Might meet at any time in their life. 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.080 And so the calling is enormous. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:07.780 And you can. 00:04:08.100 --> 00:04:09.820 Think back to Genesis chapter 1. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:10.100 Where. 00:04:11.420 --> 00:04:11.780 God. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:12.980 Makes us. 00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:13.299 And says. 00:04:13.299 --> 00:04:14.019 Now you're made. 00:04:14.019 --> 00:04:15.079 In my image. 00:04:15.519 --> 00:04:15.699 And so. 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:17.560 Paul's not saying anything too crazy. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:18.459 Because he's picking up. 00:04:18.539 --> 00:04:19.180 On the Old Testament. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:20.279 And he's saying. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.740 You were made in the image of God. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:22.819 Now go into the world. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:23.819 And image God. 00:04:24.099 --> 00:04:25.360 Or be an imitator of God. 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:26.259 It's the same idea here. 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:27.240 So let's think about it. 00:04:27.599 --> 00:04:28.459 What a big calling. 00:04:30.159 --> 00:04:31.159 Let's first think about. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:32.699 The nature of imitation. 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:33.519 What does it mean? 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:34.439 And then. 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:35.079 I'll just give you. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:35.860 Two ways. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:36.980 There's many more than two. 00:04:37.039 --> 00:04:37.779 But just two today. 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:39.079 Ways that Paul calls us. 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:40.560 To imitate very practically. 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:41.599 So first. 00:04:42.039 --> 00:04:43.300 What is the nature of imitation? 00:04:43.479 --> 00:04:45.019 What does imitation of God really mean? 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:45.979 All right. 00:04:46.039 --> 00:04:47.859 So he says it in Ephesians 5. 00:04:47.979 --> 00:04:48.680 Verse 1. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:50.300 Be an imitator of God. 00:04:50.419 --> 00:04:50.979 That's the call. 00:04:51.539 --> 00:04:53.439 The Greek word there is mimesis. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:54.599 We know this word in English. 00:04:54.599 --> 00:04:57.240 Because it's the background to the English word mimic. 00:04:57.779 --> 00:04:58.360 So to mimic. 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:01.240 Or to follow a copy or a model of something. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:02.259 So he's saying literally. 00:05:02.779 --> 00:05:04.779 Model your life after God's character. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:06.180 Model your life after God. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:07.560 Mimesis. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:10.240 Now we all need models in our lives. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:12.579 We all have models in our lives that we follow. 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:14.060 And I wonder. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:15.439 I've asked this question here before. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:19.300 I wonder who the biggest models. 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:22.100 Or another Greek word is icon for image. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:24.680 The icons of Western history are. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:25.899 If you think about. 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:27.660 If you were to write a list of the icons. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:29.680 The great models of what it means to be. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:30.620 Do life well. 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:32.680 In the modern Western history. 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:33.279 Who would they be? 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:35.120 Here's the list I thought of. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:36.279 Elvis Presley. 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:38.099 Princess Diana. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:39.519 Michael Jordan. 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:40.519 Lionel Messi. 00:05:41.039 --> 00:05:41.859 Taylor Swift. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:42.919 Maybe Ronaldo. 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:44.199 Depending on the debate. 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:45.399 Right. 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:46.459 So in other words. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:48.599 If you want to have an icon. 00:05:48.599 --> 00:05:49.559 Or a model. 00:05:49.679 --> 00:05:50.359 Or an image. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:52.139 A memetic icon. 00:05:52.559 --> 00:05:53.279 Somebody to copy. 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:55.059 And you're trying to be a great footballer. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:56.519 Go and copy Messi. 00:05:57.139 --> 00:05:57.399 Right. 00:05:58.139 --> 00:05:58.579 Try. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:05:58.679 Try. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:05:58.759 God. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:00.819 But if you're. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:02.259 If you just want to be human. 00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:04.840 If you want to be a human being. 00:06:04.840 --> 00:06:06.120 The way God made you to be. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:07.180 Paul says. 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:08.360 Memetic. 00:06:08.900 --> 00:06:09.300 Modeling. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:10.360 How to follow. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:12.340 Is to imitate the living God. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:13.699 That's the. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:14.980 That's the way to be human. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:16.399 To follow God. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:17.939 To imitate God. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:18.120 And. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:19.439 What does he mean by that? 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:20.639 Boy. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:21.540 You think about that. 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:22.000 And you say. 00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:23.019 God is. 00:06:23.340 --> 00:06:23.620 Infinite. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:24.300 Eternal. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:25.100 Unchangeable. 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:26.200 And is being wisdom. 00:06:26.320 --> 00:06:26.480 Goodness. 00:06:26.580 --> 00:06:26.860 Power. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:27.660 Say. 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:28.379 He's infinite. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:28.800 Eternal. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:30.860 How in the world am I to imitate him? 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:34.060 And that's why he gives us the next couple of lines. 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:34.760 In verse one. 00:06:34.820 --> 00:06:35.820 So right after that in verse one. 00:06:35.840 --> 00:06:36.060 He says. 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:36.780 Imitate God. 00:06:36.820 --> 00:06:37.020 How? 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:38.680 As a beloved child. 00:06:38.760 --> 00:06:39.480 As beloved children. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:42.340 And so he immediately qualifies it. 00:06:42.400 --> 00:06:42.720 And says. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:44.660 Follow and imitate God. 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:45.800 Like a child. 00:06:46.320 --> 00:06:47.200 Imitates their dad. 00:06:47.200 --> 00:06:47.860 A great dad. 00:06:47.960 --> 00:06:48.540 Or a great mom. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:49.860 And so. 00:06:50.200 --> 00:06:50.780 We think of. 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:52.520 Who are the most important models. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:53.460 In human life. 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:54.260 They are parents. 00:06:55.099 --> 00:06:55.759 Parents to children. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.219 Are by far the most important models. 00:06:57.699 --> 00:06:58.659 And when you think about. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:06:59.480 How it works. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:00.800 When you're a child. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.019 And you're living with your parents. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:03.719 You are with them 24-7. 00:07:04.159 --> 00:07:04.519 Basically. 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:06.199 You're living in the same house. 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.300 You're dwelling together. 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:08.899 And so he qualifies it. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:09.060 He says. 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:09.399 Of course. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.180 You are not infinite. 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:10.599 Eternal. 00:07:10.719 --> 00:07:11.360 And unchangeable. 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:12.180 And you're being. 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:12.439 Wisdom. 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:12.659 Goodness. 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:13.079 And power. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:14.259 But. 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:15.560 Follow God. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.159 Like you follow a great father. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:19.779 And part of that is. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:20.819 Is abiding. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:21.599 And dwelling. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:22.699 With God. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:23.360 Like you dwell. 00:07:23.459 --> 00:07:24.099 With your parents. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:24.939 In the same home. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:26.639 And so one way to say this. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:27.659 Is what he means. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:28.120 Is that. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:29.199 Imitating God. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:30.079 Starts with. 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:32.459 A never ending relationship. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:34.459 Of being in God's presence. 00:07:35.219 --> 00:07:36.879 So another way to talk about imitation. 00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:37.740 Is to say this. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:38.439 You're a Christian. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:39.240 You are. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:39.980 You are standing. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:40.920 Quorum Deo. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:42.219 All the time. 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:42.680 What is that? 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:43.360 That Latin word. 00:07:43.539 --> 00:07:45.139 Before the face of the living God. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:46.039 At all moments. 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:46.599 At all times. 00:07:46.599 --> 00:07:47.659 You're in God's presence. 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:49.220 And. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:50.560 When you relate to God. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.540 As a father. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:51.560 As a father. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:52.140 As a child. 00:07:52.140 --> 00:07:52.700 To a father. 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:54.680 You're in his loving presence. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:55.360 All the time. 00:07:55.700 --> 00:07:56.320 And that's. 00:07:56.520 --> 00:07:56.939 The arena. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:07:59.000 When you can start to become more like him. 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:01.380 When transformation becomes possible. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:02.540 For the first time. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.680 Now he qualifies it again. 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:04.960 Verse two. 00:08:05.280 --> 00:08:05.600 You say. 00:08:05.700 --> 00:08:05.940 Okay. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:07.939 I need a little more than that. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:08.860 And Paul comes. 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:09.839 To the rescue. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:10.480 In verse two. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:11.199 Because in verse two. 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:11.579 He comes. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:12.519 And says. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.480 Walk in love. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.660 So that's just a parallel. 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:16.480 Imitate God. 00:08:16.660 --> 00:08:17.100 Slash. 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.220 Parallel concept. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:19.959 Walk in love. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:20.860 How? 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:22.480 As Christ loved the church. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:23.399 As Christ loved you. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:24.800 By giving himself up for you. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:25.620 As a fragrant offering. 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:27.139 So where does he take us? 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:27.860 He says. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.100 What is the imitation of God? 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:30.079 It is. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:31.000 To look. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:32.120 At the moment. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:33.419 Christ gave himself up. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.039 As a. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:35.600 Fragrant offering to God. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.800 He's talking about the cross. 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:39.340 And so here. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:39.759 Here. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:40.960 For two thousand years. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:43.139 The church has been talking about this concept. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:44.440 We don't talk about. 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:45.500 About it very much. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:46.259 In our day. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:47.120 But here. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:48.220 He transfers the idea of. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:48.879 Imitate God. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:49.420 Means. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.080 The imitation of Christ. 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:53.659 So the church used to write. 00:08:53.920 --> 00:08:54.580 Tons of books. 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:55.300 People in the church. 00:08:55.300 --> 00:08:56.580 About the imitation of Christ. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:57.580 It's a concept. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:58.759 We don't hold on to. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:08:59.660 As closely anymore. 00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:01.279 But we need to recover it. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.759 And here it is. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:03.779 What does it mean to imitate God? 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:05.100 It means to imitate Jesus Christ. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:06.560 And what does Paul say? 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:07.240 He says. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.379 That means take up a cruciform life. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:11.600 So he takes us directly to the cross. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:12.540 And says. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:13.860 Your life should be modeled. 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:15.460 After the cross itself. 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:17.659 And you say. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:19.200 Rightly. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.860 I am not the redeemer of the world. 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:22.920 If I go to the cross. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.200 I cannot save anybody's sins. 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:25.180 No. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:26.560 What does he mean? 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:27.379 I think. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.200 What he means is. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.700 The next book of the Bible. 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:30.960 Over Philippians 1. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.340 And he says. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:33.240 Take on the mind of Christ. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.280 That when he. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:35.280 When he went to the cross. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:36.680 When he set his eyes on Jerusalem. 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:37.759 He. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:40.360 Counted others more significant than himself. 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:41.420 So in other words. 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:42.860 He's talking here about humility. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:44.300 And he's saying. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:45.800 To imitate Jesus Christ. 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:46.660 Is to imitate God. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.519 And to imitate Jesus. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:49.180 Is to abide in his presence. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:49.879 All the time. 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:52.160 Until you become as humble as Jesus is. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.860 So that's the imitation of Christ. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:58.120 It's the never ending mindset. 00:09:58.659 --> 00:10:00.460 That you're standing in God's presence. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:01.080 Right now. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:02.060 Right now. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.680 And at all times in your life. 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:05.300 Never compartmentalizing your life. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:08.480 Until you become as humble as Jesus is. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:10.580 Now we know that that will not take place. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:12.580 Until glorification. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.720 But he's calling us. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.500 As the ethic. 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:17.279 The longing for our lives. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:18.600 Imitate Christ. 00:10:19.180 --> 00:10:20.200 Till the end of your days. 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:21.300 It's an enormous calling. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.200 It's a giant calling. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.000 He says. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.019 Let the light of Christ shine through you. 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:27.539 Into the city that you've been put in. 00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:28.600 You are. 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:30.399 Every Christian in this room. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:31.860 Is literally called to refract. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:32.539 And reflect. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:34.820 The light of Jesus Christ's humility. 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:35.720 Into the city. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.679 Wherever God has placed you. 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:38.980 It's a big calling. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.179 Now. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:42.779 I mentioned that for the past 2,000 years. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:44.860 People have been talking about the imitation of Christ. 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:48.139 And if you were to go read the literature about it. 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.440 One of the things you'll find. 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:50.659 Is that quite often. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:52.100 The church. 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.460 Different cultures. 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:54.300 Different traditions. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.440 Different nations. 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.720 Have thought of the imitation of Christ. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:59.420 In a one-sided way. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.920 Not as multifaceted. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.100 As it really needs to be. 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:04.280 And so. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.200 Some theologians will talk about. 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:07.980 How sometimes we've taken this command. 00:11:08.400 --> 00:11:09.160 Imitate Christ. 00:11:09.660 --> 00:11:11.200 And we've talked only. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:12.900 About being a martyr. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.340 A monk. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.120 A mystic. 00:11:15.160 --> 00:11:15.920 Or a modernist. 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.280 All right. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:17.480 So. 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.800 Four ways to imitate Christ. 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.139 People have tried in the past. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:20.440 First. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:20.900 A martyr. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:21.500 A martyr. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:21.819 They said. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.100 Look. 00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:22.919 What's a martyr? 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:24.779 A martyr is somebody who risks it all. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.980 Who goes radical. 00:11:26.199 --> 00:11:26.600 Who becomes. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:26.879 Quote. 00:11:26.939 --> 00:11:28.019 A fool for Christ. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:30.039 And takes big risks. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:30.459 You know. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:32.159 The missionary that goes to North Korea. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.039 And so. 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:34.699 Some have said. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:34.819 Look. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.539 If you're not. 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.759 If you're not. 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.860 Literally risking your physical life for Jesus. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:39.719 Regularly. 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:41.500 Are you really imitating Christ? 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:42.599 Because that's what he did. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:42.740 Right. 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.699 He gave his life away. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:44.480 That's the martyr. 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:45.620 Thought. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.259 Of imitation. 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:47.819 But then others have talked about. 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.559 The monk. 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:51.379 So Jesus sometimes separated himself. 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.939 And he went out into the desert. 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:53.659 And he prayed. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:53.959 Right. 00:11:54.459 --> 00:11:56.439 And he needed that rejuvenative experience. 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.120 Of solitude. 00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:58.139 And some have said. 00:11:58.179 --> 00:11:58.259 Look. 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.840 Am I really imitating Christ? 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.360 If I'm still living as part of the city. 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.939 And engaging in the city. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.600 In Babylon. 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.960 As the Bible puts it. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.779 Could I really be imitating Christ? 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:09.399 In that environment. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:10.700 And others have said. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:10.840 No. 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.159 The right way to imitate Christ. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.019 Is as a mystic. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.939 And so you should live the Christian life. 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.059 Like Jesus did. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:17.860 In deep communion. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:18.700 John 17. 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.100 Deep communion with the father. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:22.259 Searching for spiritual experience. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.480 After spiritual experience. 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.960 After spiritual experience. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.220 Trying to refill. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:28.200 Through these great mountaintop moments. 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:29.120 Of spiritual experiences. 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:30.379 Are you really imitating. 00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:31.759 If you don't have that right now. 00:12:32.040 --> 00:12:32.820 In your life. 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:34.120 And then the modernist. 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:35.220 Comes in the 19th century. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:35.900 And says. 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:38.379 All that's thrown out. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.240 Because supernaturalism is fake. 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:43.500 And the only thing we can do with Jesus. 00:12:43.640 --> 00:12:45.220 Is look at him as a great example. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.259 So he's a great moral teacher. 00:12:47.540 --> 00:12:48.640 So the real imitation of Christ. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.940 Is just to be like him morally. 00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:51.280 And nothing else. 00:12:51.520 --> 00:12:51.840 Now look. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:53.320 I don't have time today. 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:54.280 To work through all those again. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.600 And why they're one sided. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.440 But let me just say this. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.879 Jesus Christ. 00:12:58.640 --> 00:12:59.060 Life. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:12:59.800 Person. 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.440 And work. 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:01.820 Is too rich. 00:13:02.040 --> 00:13:02.800 Too deep. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.000 Too profound. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.020 Too wide. 00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:05.580 Too far. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:06.379 Too much breadth. 00:13:06.520 --> 00:13:07.400 Too much depth. 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.900 To ever capture. 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:10.080 The imitation of Christ. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.480 In one single concept. 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.420 Too multifaceted. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.320 He's a diamond. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.100 And that means. 00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:18.220 The imitation of Christ. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.960 Actually comes down. 00:13:20.020 --> 00:13:20.900 To something very important. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.100 That sometimes. 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:23.500 We've missed in the past. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.900 If we miss this. 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.199 All of these are in danger. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:28.120 If they miss one big point. 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:28.879 The Bible says. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:29.699 Jesus Christ. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.559 Can only be your model. 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.779 You can only imitate him. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.059 If he is first. 00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:35.639 Your savior. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.980 Jesus Christ. 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:39.419 Can only be your model. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.139 Of life. 00:13:40.459 --> 00:13:42.419 If he has first become your redeemer. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.399 Your savior. 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:44.840 Your messiah. 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:47.379 And you can't get those in reverse. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.340 He has to be your redeemer. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.660 In order for you to image him. 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:51.620 Into the world. 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:52.759 And we can't get it backwards. 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:54.940 It says that he gave himself up for us. 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:56.560 As a fragrant offering. 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:57.960 And then go. 00:13:58.180 --> 00:13:59.000 And imitate Christ. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.820 The gospel precedes transformation. 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.040 And we can't get it backwards. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.660 Put it like this. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.360 Give me an illustration. 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:09.160 Imitation. 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:09.940 Modeling. 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:11.440 The call here. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.080 The call here. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:15.780 Is to grow into a mirror. 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.400 You are a mirror. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.920 Think about it like that. 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:18.600 You are a mirror. 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:20.460 And if you take a mirror. 00:14:21.020 --> 00:14:22.259 And you put a mirror. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.300 In front of anything. 00:14:23.520 --> 00:14:24.879 That mirror reflects. 00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:26.280 Whatever it's standing in front of. 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:26.460 Right? 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.800 So you're a mirror. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.400 And whatever you're standing in front of. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.500 It's what you're reflecting. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.379 And that means that. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.800 Whatever you're thinking about. 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.100 All the time. 00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:39.220 Whatever your imagination runs to. 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:41.740 Wherever in the quiet moments of life. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.700 When you can resist. 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.720 Picking up that phone. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:44.680 And doom scrolling. 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.240 In those moments. 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.299 Where does your mind go? 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.019 Where does your heart go? 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.039 Where do your desires go? 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.340 Where does your imagination go? 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.220 And that's how you know. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:54.659 What it is that you're probably modeling the most. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.139 In other words. 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:58.000 Others will talk about it as attunement. 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.820 Whatever you're looking at all the time. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.759 And thinking about all the time. 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:02.180 You're attuning yourself to. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.840 And attunement is just another way. 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.820 Of talking about worship. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.680 See whatever you stare at. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.460 Whatever you think about. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.659 Whatever you put your mind on. 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.299 Your heart on. 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:11.639 You're actually worshiping. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:15.000 And you're becoming like that thing all the time. 00:15:15.099 --> 00:15:15.759 Like that object. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.559 Like that desire. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.799 And so he's calling us here to say. 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.500 Look at the light himself. 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:21.259 Jesus Christ. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.299 And reflect him as a mirror. 00:15:23.599 --> 00:15:25.979 Because if you're worshiping anything else in your life. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:29.059 You're becoming like that thing more than you're becoming like Jesus. 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:31.419 Ralph Waldo Emerson. 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.159 The great poet. 00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.039 He put it like this. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.579 A person will always worship something. 00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:39.120 We may think our tribute is paid in secret. 00:15:39.339 --> 00:15:40.399 But it will come out. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:44.519 That which dominates our imagination. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.339 Our thoughts. 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:46.919 Will determine our love. 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:47.679 And our character. 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:51.799 Therefore it requires us to be careful what we worship. 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.699 For what we worship. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.159 Is what we are becoming. 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.319 Imitation of Christ. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.939 To become like him. 00:16:00.380 --> 00:16:01.520 You have to worship him. 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:03.120 The real key. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.920 The real key is not a list of rules of obedience. 00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.300 No. 00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:07.340 The real key is to worship. 00:16:07.880 --> 00:16:08.460 Every day. 00:16:08.780 --> 00:16:09.420 To worship him. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.500 To stand in front of him. 00:16:10.540 --> 00:16:11.260 And reflect him. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.880 Because you're bowing down before him. 00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:13.780 He's got to be your savior. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.560 If he's ever going to be your model. 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.100 And so let the light shine on you. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.620 Paul says. 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:21.200 Stand in front of Jesus Christ like a mirror. 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:21.920 Now let me. 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.020 Secondly. 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.760 Second point. 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.280 Final point. 00:16:25.380 --> 00:16:26.200 Come to practically. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.700 How do you grow into imitation of Christ? 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.000 Let me just give you two ways. 00:16:30.140 --> 00:16:31.920 We have to do a flyover today. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:35.540 Because of all the wonderful sacraments we're celebrating. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.640 Two quick ways. 00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:40.120 I'll have to leave verses 18 to 21 aside for today. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.420 We'll hopefully come back to that. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.620 Do you remember. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.480 Let me frame it like this. 00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.440 Do you remember the. 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:47.000 What would Jesus do bracelets? 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.540 So I used to have a whole row of. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.240 What would Jesus do bracelets on my arm. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.420 Back when I was 11. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.720 And what would Jesus do? 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.320 Some people here know about that. 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:59.740 But it was a worldwide sensation. 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:03.300 It started at Calvary Reform Church in Holland. 00:17:03.520 --> 00:17:04.779 Little bitty Holland, Michigan. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:08.460 Where one youth group leader came to the youth ministry. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:11.720 And made these WWJD bracelets for the youth group. 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.059 10, 12 people. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:16.420 And somehow it exploded through the 90s and early 2000s. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:20.380 It was a fad. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.620 It had the right instinct. 00:17:22.840 --> 00:17:25.380 But I want to come in today and say it was the wrong question. 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:27.380 The right question. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:27.920 The right question. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.760 And I don't know exactly what the right question is. 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:31.100 But the right question is not. 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.420 Exactly what would Jesus do? 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:35.580 So how do you imitate Christ? 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.780 You don't ask the question. 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.700 What would Jesus do? 00:17:37.760 --> 00:17:38.280 Not really. 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:41.280 Instead it would be something more like. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:43.720 How do I imitate Jesus today. 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:45.060 In my context. 00:17:46.760 --> 00:17:48.460 You don't ask what would Jesus do. 00:17:48.520 --> 00:17:48.700 Why? 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:50.860 Because you are not a first century Jewish man. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.280 And you are not a carpenter. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.259 Well maybe some of you. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:56.500 You are not the redeemer. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.779 You are not the Messiah. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.960 You cannot ask what would Jesus do. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.220 I'm just going to imitate him. 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.039 Let me put it like this. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:05.940 Imagine you were riding in a boat. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.160 Out on the Firth of Forth. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:07.920 The bay out here. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:10.339 And a great storm comes upon your boat. 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:13.059 And you say. 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:15.000 You know I've got my what would Jesus do bracelet. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.740 And you say. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.559 What would Jesus do? 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.740 Well what would Jesus do? 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:20.019 Jesus would look up at the storm. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.700 And he would say. 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.640 Be quiet. 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.140 Sit still. 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.019 I made you. 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.359 Right? 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.660 And that's not you. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.480 That's not me. 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.279 We can't do that. 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.339 The right question is. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.519 How do I imitate Christ. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.680 With wisdom. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.700 In my context. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.759 According to my calling in life. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.859 According to this modern moment. 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.339 So it has to be adapted. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.319 And today. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.559 At the end of the service. 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:44.880 Lewis will be over here. 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:45.660 At the connect desk. 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:47.080 Where you can come ask questions. 00:18:47.780 --> 00:18:49.160 Get connected to our local church. 00:18:49.280 --> 00:18:50.320 Receive our weekly newsletter. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.240 Anything like that. 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:53.560 And Lewis is taking orders. 00:18:53.760 --> 00:18:56.320 For not WWJD bracelets. 00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:59.760 But HDIJT bracelets. 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:02.500 How do I imitate Jesus today? 00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:04.780 And any color. 00:19:05.040 --> 00:19:05.820 We can do it all. 00:19:06.020 --> 00:19:06.740 So just come by. 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.520 Let me tell you the two ways. 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.000 Very briefly. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.720 Number one. 00:19:10.780 --> 00:19:11.960 Paul tells us in this passage. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.380 Obedience. 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.860 Is the first way to imitate Christ. 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.860 You can see the rest of the passage. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.660 Is him working through a list. 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.520 Of sins. 00:19:19.520 --> 00:19:21.120 That we struggle with as human beings. 00:19:21.520 --> 00:19:22.220 And in verse three. 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:22.920 He says. 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.780 Put away sexual immorality. 00:19:25.300 --> 00:19:26.660 And then the word covetousness. 00:19:26.800 --> 00:19:27.360 Which in the Greek. 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.280 Is the word greed. 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.920 Very literally. 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.180 The word covetousness. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.380 Is used twice in this passage. 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.160 In different ways. 00:19:32.540 --> 00:19:33.400 The first is greed. 00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:34.400 So he says. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.180 How do you imitate Jesus? 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:35.660 First. 00:19:36.040 --> 00:19:37.340 If Jesus is your savior. 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.060 He says. 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:38.900 Imitate him. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.500 By killing your sexual sin. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.440 And your greed. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.040 Now look. 00:19:42.060 --> 00:19:43.140 He gets us on both sides. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:44.860 Conservatives. 00:19:45.699 --> 00:19:46.719 If you're more oriented. 00:19:46.719 --> 00:19:47.559 Or conservative. 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.519 Mindset. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:48.959 You say. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.859 The great problem. 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.759 With our contemporary world. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.500 Is sexual sin. 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:52.959 And sexual licentiousness. 00:19:52.979 --> 00:19:53.159 Right? 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.419 And Paul says. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:54.740 Yes. 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.219 And then if. 00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:56.979 If you're oriented. 00:19:56.979 --> 00:19:58.459 On the left side. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.199 Of the spectrum. 00:19:59.199 --> 00:19:59.659 You think. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.439 The great problem. 00:20:00.439 --> 00:20:00.939 With our world. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.539 Is greed. 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.939 And power hunger. 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.240 And Paul says. 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:04.619 Yes. 00:20:05.479 --> 00:20:06.399 And so he gets us all. 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.939 No matter where we are. 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.719 And he goes through that. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:09.959 And says. 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.980 You cannot be known. 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.799 For these things. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.019 Now. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.759 He uses some language here. 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.240 Saying. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.299 This is not. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.299 How you follow Christ. 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.160 The wrath of God. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.920 Is being revealed. 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.519 For those. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.019 Who continue. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.160 In sexual immorality. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.700 And greed. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:23.420 And slander. 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:23.860 And lies. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.740 And it sounds. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.360 For a moment. 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.420 Like he's saying. 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.680 You can be a Christian. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.120 But if you struggle. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.060 With sexual sin. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.740 Then you're not a Christian anymore. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:33.019 And that's not what he's saying at all. 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:33.420 Instead. 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.279 What is he saying? 00:20:34.320 --> 00:20:35.480 He's saying to Ephesians. 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.740 Who were worshiping. 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.620 In the pagan temples. 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:39.600 In all sorts of wild ways. 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.060 He's saying. 00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:40.500 Look. 00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.240 Some of you. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.620 Have said publicly. 00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:44.680 That you profess faith in Christ. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.779 But you're still living. 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.800 In exactly the same way you were. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.120 And you're famous for it. 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.160 And he's saying. 00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:51.519 That is evidencing. 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:53.279 That you don't really yet know Jesus. 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:55.279 So what he's saying is. 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:55.480 Look. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:55.880 Christian. 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:57.279 Struggling with sexual sin. 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.360 Struggling with greed. 00:20:58.820 --> 00:20:59.820 Struggling with slander. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.539 He turns to you. 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:01.000 And then says. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.700 You have the light. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.100 Walk in the light. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:04.920 Fight. 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.140 Fight. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.420 Fight. 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.500 Choose obedience. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.220 Run away. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.460 We've been talking about this. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.380 All semester. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.160 And he illustrates this. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.060 By talking about the light. 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.519 You can see. 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.000 In the middle of the passage. 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.080 He quotes. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.240 From Isaiah 51. 00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:18.120 And Isaiah 26. 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.060 And says. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.620 Awake. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.360 Oh sleeper. 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.480 Arise from the dead. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:23.000 And Christ will shine on you. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.940 What he's doing there. 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.460 Is he's saying. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.619 If you're a Christian. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:28.099 And you're walking in consistent patterns. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.200 Of sexual sin. 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.579 Greed. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.079 Slander. 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.140 All this list of sins. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:33.319 But you're not fighting those sins. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.099 That's who he's talking to. 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.559 He's saying. 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.279 Awake. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.940 Oh sleeper. 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.839 Get up. 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.519 It's. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:39.720 Yeah. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.420 It's 4 a.m. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.960 And the light is already shining into your. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.519 A little bit. 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.019 Through the cracks. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:45.019 Get up and open the blackout blinds. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:47.200 And let the light come into your life. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.539 This is not how you learned Christ. 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:51.240 So apply the truth of your salvation. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.539 To your actual practices. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.000 Be who you are. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.899 We've been saying it. 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.539 All semester. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.279 Be who you are. 00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.039 In Christ. 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.139 Move on to the final thing. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.720 In other words. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.000 He's saying. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.000 Obedience. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.859 Is not about rule following. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.940 So you can. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.379 You can read this list of sins. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:06.940 And say. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.879 I shall not. 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.680 I should not. 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.539 Commit sexual sin. 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.859 I should not be greedy. 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:12.799 Obedience. 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:14.480 Is not really about rule following. 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.940 That's what he means. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.379 In other words. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:16.680 He's saying. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.280 When you will look at Jesus. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.600 As a mirror. 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.960 And worship him. 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:23.460 You slowly become more like him. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.080 Over time. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:26.020 And it's not about the rules anymore. 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:28.320 You don't need a list of rules. 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.220 Instead. 00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:29.800 What's happening. 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:31.260 Is your heart is being changed. 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.780 Your desires are being changed. 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:34.220 So you actually want. 00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:34.720 To do. 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.760 What Christ's character. 00:22:35.760 --> 00:22:36.400 Calls you to do. 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.280 It's about getting beyond. 00:22:38.280 --> 00:22:38.680 Rules. 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.720 And commands. 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.140 And getting. 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:41.360 The heart of Christ. 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.720 Down into your heart. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.360 I've illustrated it. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.040 Like this before. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:46.619 But if you go back to the beginning of the passage. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.200 Boy. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.099 What's the key to this? 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.480 It's continually. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.119 Continually. 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.700 Continually. 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.980 Coming back to Jesus. 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.220 Back to the father. 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.079 As a child. 00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.859 I've got kids. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:02.119 And sometimes the kids get up in the middle of the night. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.259 They did last night. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.220 And the kids. 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:07.139 They come to our bed. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.819 Or they cry out. 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.240 And they say. 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.039 I'm thirsty. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.519 Or I'm scared. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.579 And they'll come. 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.619 And they'll wake us up in the bed. 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:13.959 And say. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.159 You know. 00:23:14.199 --> 00:23:15.139 Can I get in the bed with you? 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:16.639 Or will you get me water? 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.519 And you. 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:17.959 You know. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.419 You're very happy. 00:23:19.739 --> 00:23:20.279 To do it. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.939 You're very reluctant. 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:23.279 But of course you say. 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.000 Yes I will. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.919 I will get you water. 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:27.500 I will not refuse water from my child. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:27.779 Right? 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.719 And I will not. 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.919 I will not. 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.479 Not comfort my child. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.099 When they're scared. 00:23:33.739 --> 00:23:34.059 My. 00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:35.879 My children have access to me. 00:23:35.959 --> 00:23:37.579 In a way that most people in this room. 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.579 Do not have access to me. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.299 And vice versa. 00:23:40.439 --> 00:23:40.639 Right? 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:43.100 Imagine that your colleague. 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:43.880 Your boss. 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.980 Rings your doorbell at 4 a.m. 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:47.100 And says. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.500 You know. 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.500 I had a nightmare. 00:23:49.040 --> 00:23:49.300 And. 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.940 I was so scared. 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:53.320 I just wondered if I could come in. 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:53.480 And. 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.400 I'm so thirsty. 00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.880 Will you get me water? 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.740 You would say. 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.880 You need to go home right now. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.500 Right? 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.840 This is inappropriate. 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.380 Children have access. 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:06.440 Right? 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.420 When you become a Christian. 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.900 You have access to the father. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.559 You can come to him. 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.500 So closely. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:16.519 And that's how you learn. 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.160 To be obedient. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.940 Not by looking at the list. 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.600 Of the ten commandments. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.080 And saying. 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.500 Thou shalt. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.019 Thou shalt not. 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:22.420 Thou shalt. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:22.940 Thou shalt not. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.400 You come. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.799 By getting access. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.160 And worship to God the father. 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.500 Through your true and elder brother. 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:29.299 And then you become more like him. 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.759 Over time. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.140 Secondly. 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.539 Finally. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.880 Wisdom. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.420 Paul says here. 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.220 In verse ten. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.060 You can see. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.480 He doesn't mention wisdom by name. 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.360 But that's what he's talking about. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.600 How do you imitate Jesus? 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.420 You live by obedience. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.140 You live by wisdom. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:44.080 Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.840 That's wisdom. 00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:46.500 Or verse fifteen. 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.860 Look carefully how you walk. 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:49.120 Not as unwise. 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.960 But as wise. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:50.980 So he says. 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:51.779 Obedience. 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.600 Through looking at Jesus. 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.400 And wisdom. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:57.560 Those are the two big ways to imitate Christ. 00:24:58.060 --> 00:24:59.259 The category of wisdom. 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:01.900 Wisdom is not less than obedience to God. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:05.019 But it is more than just obedience. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:08.759 Wisdom is knowing how to live. 00:25:08.800 --> 00:25:11.019 When there are no rules telling you how to live. 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:13.420 And you have to discern the will of the Lord. 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:14.320 In that moment. 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:14.920 That's wisdom. 00:25:15.800 --> 00:25:18.640 Wisdom is the skill of imitating Christ. 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:20.720 In every single moment of your life. 00:25:20.800 --> 00:25:22.820 In all compartments of your life. 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:24.160 When there is no rule book. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.780 Think about it like this. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.640 If you ask. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:29.519 Should I steal from this department store on Princess Street? 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.879 The answer is no. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.279 Thou shall not steal. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.279 If you ask. 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.180 Should I commit adultery? 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.119 The answer is no. 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.180 Thou shall not commit adultery. 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.240 If you ask. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.039 Should I murder? 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.799 The answer is no. 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.579 Thou shall not murder. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.599 Right? 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.460 But when you ask questions like. 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.359 Who should I marry? 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.460 Should I date this person? 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:47.879 Should I take this job or that job? 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:50.539 Should I move to this community or that community? 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:52.559 Should I live in Edinburgh or Glasgow? 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:54.339 That one's more clear I think. 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.319 But I'm just kidding. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.799 Um. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.159 How do I. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:01.980 How do I write this email well? 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.839 To speak the truth in love. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:06.259 These are all categories of wisdom. 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.779 There's no direct rule telling you what to do. 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:10.119 You're not called to be a first century Jewish carpenter. 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.099 And you're not the redeemer. 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.559 It's not what would Jesus do. 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:14.799 It's how do I live and imitate Christ. 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.960 By obedience and wisdom. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.799 According to the vocation. 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.179 I've been called to. 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.379 Discerning the will of the Lord. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.339 In my life. 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.079 In my moment. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.240 With great wisdom. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:25.000 Because I have the character of Christ in me. 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.200 It's variable. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.859 It's individual. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.259 It changes for every single one of us. 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.480 Now let me close with this. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.220 Paul says here. 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.240 Replace sexual sin. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.539 Greed. 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.119 Covetousness. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.000 Covetousness. 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.519 Slander. 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.880 The sins of speech. 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:41.200 And there's one little thing I've passed over. 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:43.019 And we're just doing a flyover. 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.700 And it's in verse 4. 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:46.059 And verse 20. 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.960 And verse 18. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:47.960 He says. 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:50.079 Instead of slander. 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.920 And sexual sin. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.299 And greed. 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:51.940 And all these things. 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.900 As you're growing. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.579 Into the image of Christ. 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.480 Imitation of Christ. 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.159 Take on thankfulness. 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.939 Gratitude. 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.379 He says it twice. 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.799 And then in verse 18. 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:01.199 He says. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.879 And just be filled with the spirit. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.399 So Paul says. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:07.319 The opposite of these sins. 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:09.139 Is not actually just obeying. 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.879 But it's being filled with gratitude. 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.519 And thanksgiving all the time. 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.559 And being filled with the spirit. 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.720 Paul says. 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.779 Be filled with the spirit. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.419 And you say. 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.399 I want to be. 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:23.080 But I read in the rest of the Bible. 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:24.960 That the spirit has to fill me. 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.980 What is he doing here? 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.519 He's saying. 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.440 If you're a Christian. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:29.900 You have the Holy Spirit with you. 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.000 You are living Coram Deo. 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:31.680 Right now. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.980 Before the face of God. 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.120 The spirit is in your life. 00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.019 He's here. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.680 With us. 00:27:35.780 --> 00:27:36.140 Personally. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.900 And he's saying. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.380 So when he says. 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.040 Be filled. 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.420 He's saying. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.280 Be awake. 00:27:40.280 --> 00:27:40.900 Oh sleeper. 00:27:41.320 --> 00:27:42.720 Be aware of the spirit. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.440 Be conscious. 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.600 Notice. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:46.019 That the spirit is with you. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.759 All the time. 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:48.600 In every avenue of life. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.620 And I'll give the last word. 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.640 To C.S. Lewis today. 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:54.279 C.S. Lewis helps us here. 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.880 He wrote an essay about bicycles. 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:57.779 Which helps make this very clear. 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.539 C.S. Lewis says that. 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:02.039 When you are born. 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.360 And you first see a bicycle. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.519 You enter stage one. 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.980 In your relationship to bicycles. 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.360 Stage one is. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:07.880 It's shiny. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.500 It's interesting. 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.759 But you don't care that much. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.400 Because you're a baby. 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.800 But then you enter stage two. 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.060 In your relationship to a bicycle. 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.220 And that's childhood. 00:28:17.540 --> 00:28:17.980 And when you. 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.040 Are a child. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.680 With a bike. 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.180 That is the entrance. 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:22.300 Into the enchanted world. 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:22.800 Of freedom. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:23.860 Right. 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.759 So you can ride. 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.620 Around the meadows. 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.519 As my kids do. 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.780 And some of your kids. 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.500 All over the city. 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:30.100 And you enter into this enchantment. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.540 Wow. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:32.280 This thing can give me wheels. 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:33.820 I can get places. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.700 How does it work? 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.320 But most of us. 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.460 We all. 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.759 Then pass into phase three. 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.380 As teenagers. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.540 And adults. 00:28:40.540 --> 00:28:41.519 And the bike. 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.100 The bicycle. 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.459 Becomes a utility tool. 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.219 Right. 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.339 There's no enchantment. 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.119 For most of us. 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.539 It is hard. 00:28:47.679 --> 00:28:48.419 Our legs hurt. 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.939 It's commuting. 00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:51.139 It's going up hills. 00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:52.139 Especially in our city. 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:52.959 Now. 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.039 C.S. Lewis says. 00:28:54.199 --> 00:28:55.199 Most of us never. 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.959 Leave stage three in life. 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.740 We go from enchantment. 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.359 As a child. 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:01.039 With this world. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.139 The bicycle is a metaphor. 00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:02.740 For everything. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.359 The world. 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.579 To disenchantment. 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.199 With our lives. 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:07.000 To disenchantment. 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.399 With the world. 00:29:07.459 --> 00:29:08.199 To disenchantment. 00:29:08.199 --> 00:29:08.879 With relationships. 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.759 To disenchantment. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.279 With work. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.879 And he's saying. 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.779 Only sometimes. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.720 And even as Christians. 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.420 This can happen. 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.879 Till we enter stage four. 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.759 Where some of us. 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.740 Re-enchant. 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.619 Our relationship. 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.220 With a bicycle. 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.099 And we realize. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.099 This thing can take me. 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.079 All over Scotland. 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:23.259 On these beautiful rides. 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.319 And I love it. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.119 It's full of wonder. 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.799 It's amazing. 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.559 The wind in my hair. 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:27.859 Most. 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.460 Most of us struggle. 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.639 With moving from stage three. 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.299 To stage four. 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.740 And so we walk around. 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:34.119 Even as Christians. 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.799 Asleep. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.480 Not awake. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.039 Disenchanted. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.000 Not enchanted. 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.220 Not with wisdom. 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.159 Not with wonder. 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.480 At all that God is doing. 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.639 Not with amazement. 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:45.019 At the theater of God's glory. 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.279 But just kind of. 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.839 Everything is blah. 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.200 B-L-A-H. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:49.579 Right? 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.159 Blah. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.559 I'm bored with church. 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:52.579 I'm bored with my job. 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.720 I'm bored with my relationships. 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.720 I'm bored with life. 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:56.740 The video games were okay for a while. 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.779 But now I'm bored with them. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.980 And this passage says. 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.039 The imitation of Christ. 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.480 Is the life of re-enchantment. 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.819 It's to say. 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.839 Awake O sleeper. 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:06.839 Arise from the dead. 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:08.220 The Holy Spirit is with you. 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.720 You've got an enormous calling. 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.539 Imitate God. 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.940 Image God into the world. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.960 Be the light of Christ. 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:13.720 To the city. 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.779 Be amazed with wonder. 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.759 At all that God has done. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.599 All that God is doing. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.480 And all that God has made. 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.500 Go and image Jesus. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.500 Go and learn. 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:22.599 The imitation of Christ this week. 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:23.779 Let us pray. 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:26.180 Father we thank you for this word. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.079 And we pray now. 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:29.660 That you would teach us to imitate you. 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:31.819 We pray this in Jesus name. 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.460 Amen.