WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:27.179 Thank you for praying this week out in Spain. This week we have some stuff up, ministers and missionaries checking over there. It was a really encouraging time. And Jose Sigourvia, who we support, it was really good to see his work and to see many other really faithful men, people that have devoted decades to small churches and yet are beginning to see growth. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:49.219 So it's a really good time. Now in July and August, I'd like to kind of prepare for next year, the next academic year. And a couple of people are going to preach tonight and I'm going to give you some of the fruit of what I'm reading at the moment. I'm doing a ministers conference in October and I'm going to speak on the Apostle Paul as a minister. 00:00:49.219 --> 00:01:05.120 And so tonight I want you to pretend you're all ministers. The Apostle Paul is a great model. He's a great apostle, isn't he? We look into him as the one who has written so much of the New Testament. He is unrepeatable in that sense. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:18.120 He is a great model as a minister, he is a great minister, as a church leader, and he is a model as a Christian. And so tonight you might have to do a little bit of the work of application on your own to see how this applies to you. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:21.980 But I hope you'll be as excited as I am in what we've found. 00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:33.640 I want to speak tonight on the Apostle Paul and self. And self image, if I can put it like that. I don't know what your self image is. I hope you don't think about it that much. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:49.260 But we live in an age where people are obsessed with me and self. And I don't want to go potholing into the subconscious of the Apostle Paul tonight. Because the Apostle Paul was a Jesus Christ centred man. 00:01:49.260 --> 00:02:01.000 And the Apostle was not interested in himself. He was not preoccupied with himself. His desire was to know him, to know Christ. 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:09.599 And in a generation that is self absorbed, we have to be a church that is Jesus Christ absorbed. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:14.520 But I do think we have to have a balance of a biblical view of ourselves. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:22.420 And a person's self concept will go a long way towards determining his worth. 00:02:22.700 --> 00:02:31.660 If we've got too high an opinion of ourselves, or too low an opinion of ourselves, then that will be shown in our lives. 00:02:32.660 --> 00:02:37.240 The worship of the temple of Apollo and Delphi entered into the temple under the motto, 00:02:37.240 --> 00:03:07.219 And that will be shown in our lives. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:14.659 When you see someone who is angry with people, that person is often angry with themselves. 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:19.539 And is simply venting that anger on other people. 00:03:20.979 --> 00:03:27.740 A person who is insecure in themselves, they will be touchy and self protective. 00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:32.360 And they'll be quick to take offence when they're disintended. 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:37.640 And so I think it's really important that we see ourselves as we should in the light of the Bible. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:41.680 And the Apostle Paul is a really great example. 00:03:41.860 --> 00:03:43.560 How did Paul see himself? 00:03:44.180 --> 00:03:46.240 We can give a really complex answer to that. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:48.280 But I want to hold in tonight on two things. 00:03:48.880 --> 00:03:52.760 Two strands from his self concept. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:55.699 And on one level they seem to be contradictory. 00:03:56.919 --> 00:04:01.099 But in fact they are complementary and both are vitally necessary. 00:04:02.239 --> 00:04:04.879 So we're going to see in Paul number one, dignity. 00:04:06.019 --> 00:04:07.019 And number two, humility. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:15.319 Paul took his job as a leader in Christ's church with extreme seriousness. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:19.579 The Apostle Paul believed that he was a man of destiny. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:24.199 He believed that he was a chosen instrument of God. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:30.579 And the Apostle Paul believed that he was somebody who was engaged in a work of supreme importance. 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:33.319 And I will show you that in three ways. 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:39.040 First he had great dignity in what he was doing. 00:04:39.159 --> 00:04:43.639 Because he considered the purpose for which he'd been set apart. 00:04:44.579 --> 00:04:48.300 He considered the purpose of his life to which he'd been set apart. 00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:52.159 And we're going to begin in his mother's womb, bizarrely. 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:53.800 As his starting point. 00:04:54.039 --> 00:04:56.360 He seeks to understand himself. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:58.379 And explain himself. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:04.620 And the Apostle Paul that we read of in the New Testament believed that he had been a man set apart. 00:05:04.719 --> 00:05:06.379 I'm going to give you lots of Bible tonight. 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:08.100 But I'm not going to get you to turn into the references. 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:10.379 If you want them you can ask me later. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:13.339 In Galatians chapter 1 and verse 15. 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:18.040 He says, God has set me apart even from my mother's womb. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:22.540 And the movie which he uses now means separation. 00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:25.379 That even when he was in his mother's womb. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:28.759 He was set apart for a specific or expressed purpose. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:32.000 Set apart for a purpose from my mother's womb. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:36.079 The same word is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. 00:05:36.659 --> 00:05:39.100 The firstborn was set apart for God. 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:42.779 The first fruits of the harvest were set apart for God. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:44.839 The Levites, the priests of the Old Testament. 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:46.079 They were set apart for God. 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:51.000 And again and again the word is used for the people and the things which were separate from God. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:55.839 And so in the New Testament we see the same word used in Acts 32. 00:05:56.540 --> 00:05:59.399 The Holy Spirit set me apart, says Paul. 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:03.339 Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I call them. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:06.740 He begins his great letter to the Romans. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:11.079 And he says that he has been set apart for the gospel of God. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:14.399 That God has set him apart for a specific purpose. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:16.879 He was set apart for the gospel of God. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:22.219 But more specifically he was set apart by God to be a missionary preacher. 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.939 To be someone who would bring the gospel to the nations. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:30.139 If you know your Bibles and all you'll be familiar with Jeremiah chapter 1. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:33.519 Where God says in this amazing verse. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:37.379 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:41.240 Before you were born I set you apart. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:43.459 I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:50.479 And Paul is very self-consciously echoing those words from Jeremiah 1 in Galatians 1.15. 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:55.439 God set me apart from my mother's womb so that I might preach, I might teach him. 00:06:56.159 --> 00:06:58.000 Among the Gentiles or among the nations. 00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:01.339 And Jeremiah was set apart to be a preacher. 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:04.319 And so was Paul from the very first moment of his life. 00:07:05.979 --> 00:07:09.179 There's another parallel in Isaiah chapter 49. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:13.840 In one of those servant passages which looked forward to the Lord Jesus. 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:16.740 And Isaiah says, listen to me you islands. 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.480 Hear this you distant nations. 00:07:18.860 --> 00:07:21.180 Before I was born the Lord called me. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:24.620 From my birth he's made mention of my name. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:28.519 And now the Lord says, he who formed me in the womb. 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:29.899 To be his servant. 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:31.199 To bring Jacob back to him. 00:07:31.780 --> 00:07:33.060 And gather Israel to himself. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:34.420 Is it too small a thing? 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:36.780 For you to be my servant. 00:07:37.020 --> 00:07:38.560 To restore the tribes of Jacob. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:40.720 And to bring back those of Israel I've cared. 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:43.240 I will make you a light to the Gentiles. 00:07:43.340 --> 00:07:43.980 To the nations. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.939 So that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:51.879 And again there's a parallel isn't there? 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:55.259 The apostle Paul knows that passage from Isaiah. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:08:01.680 And Paul sees him as part of the Messiah of the Lord's people. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:05.399 That he continues the Messiah's mission. 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:07.099 The servant of the Lord. 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:09.420 Taking the gospel of God. 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.680 The message of God. 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:12.099 To the ends of the earth. 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:16.459 And so it's a tremendously high view. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:17.959 Of what he was to do. 00:08:19.039 --> 00:08:21.879 It's a tremendously high concept of his calling. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:25.040 He's been marked out from all eternity. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.740 By God for mighty purpose. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:29.759 He's been called and shaped in time. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:32.259 To be God's chosen instrument. 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:35.299 His Jewish background. 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:36.639 His rabbinical teaching. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.100 His knowledge of the Greek language and culture. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.439 His Roman citizenship. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:44.080 All those have been worked together by God. 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.120 To equip and prepare the apostle Paul. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:49.120 For the work that he was interested to do. 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:54.560 And that gave him tremendous dignity and authority. 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:57.200 As he thought of his calling. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:02.779 Or you can think of the way secondly he speaks of himself. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:06.320 How does the apostle Paul describe himself? 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:10.460 Take his favourite term which is apostle. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.340 And apostle means the saint one. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:20.700 The saint one by a superior on a mission of great importance. 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:24.200 The representative of a man. 00:09:24.540 --> 00:09:27.200 The one sent by a man. 00:09:27.920 --> 00:09:29.420 Is as a man himself. 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:32.040 So if you've seen the representative. 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:33.879 If you've met the apostle. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.100 You've met the risen Christ. 00:09:36.920 --> 00:09:40.540 The apostle of God is as God himself. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:44.039 The apostle of Christ is as Christ himself. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.639 That's why we don't have apostles today. 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:51.839 New Testament says that the apostle was to be a witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:58.279 Who has been directly and personally commissioned by Jesus himself. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:01.639 He is a man who has been chosen by God. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:04.579 To receive the message of Christ. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:08.020 It's a term of immense dignity and authority. 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:10.100 And privilege. 00:10:11.420 --> 00:10:14.820 And in 10 of the 13 letters that we have from the apostle Paul he uses it. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:21.200 He is called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God 1 Corinthians. 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:26.240 He is an apostle not sent from men nor by man. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:28.660 But by Jesus Christ and God the Father. 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.560 That's Galatians. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:36.939 He is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Jesus Christ our home. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:40.339 He is no self made apostle. 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:42.979 He's a false apostle. 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:48.599 But an apostle who has received his commission from the risen Christ. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.379 Well think of the term servant. 00:10:52.959 --> 00:10:56.500 How often Paul uses that word when he describes himself. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:11:00.320 He says Paul and Timothy servants of Christ. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:03.940 Paul a servant of Christ Jesus. 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:06.399 When we think about the word servant. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:10.240 We often think don't we immediately of humility. 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:13.139 Of the word slave. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:16.580 And I think there is a sense in which that's right. 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:20.320 But the New Testament uses it in a slightly different way. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:25.419 Our mind raises to submission and humility and loneliness. 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:31.339 The fact that he has no rights at all before his master. 00:11:33.699 --> 00:11:36.679 Paul believed that in many ways. 00:11:36.839 --> 00:11:37.679 He did believe that. 00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:41.179 In writing to the Corinthians. 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:45.079 After there was that kind of a superstar personality in college. 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:48.059 He says after all what is Apollos? 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:49.719 What is Paul? 00:11:49.839 --> 00:11:52.099 What are we but servants? 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:56.420 But I think when the apostle Paul calls himself a servant. 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.540 He's not actually using that in there as a term of humility. 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:03.940 He is a servant of Christ. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:07.440 It's rather a badge of honour. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.279 And authority. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:15.000 It's one of those times when New Testament words have New Testament meanings. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:18.259 Sometimes we have to go back to the Old Testament. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:21.200 To find out what the New Testament is speaking about. 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:22.759 They give us the meaning. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:26.019 And so think of the servant of the Lord in the Old Testament. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.200 Abraham. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.700 The Lord's servant. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:32.759 Moses. 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.259 My servant. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:34.980 David. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:36.000 My servant. 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:36.679 Isaiah. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.659 God's servant. 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:39.279 My servant. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:39.299 My servant. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.339 The prophets. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.419 And the servant of all servants. 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:45.019 Was Jesus Christ. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:48.259 And when Paul says a servant of Christ Jesus. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:50.379 He's not particularly at that point expressing. 00:12:51.219 --> 00:12:52.120 At that very point. 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:52.759 Humility. 00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:54.879 Although he felt it. 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.779 He is overwhelmed with dignity. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.759 He is overwhelmed. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.439 With honour. 00:13:01.579 --> 00:13:02.439 That he is. 00:13:02.839 --> 00:13:04.439 The servant of Christ. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:07.100 He is privileged. 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.660 To bear that name. 00:13:10.140 --> 00:13:10.640 It was said. 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:10.940 Wasn't it. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:13.160 That the slaves of Caesar. 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.460 Rejoiced to be known. 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:17.040 As his servants. 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.040 Paul says. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.320 I am a servant of Christ. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.900 He remembers that encounter with Jesus. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:26.580 And when he first met the Lord Jesus. 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:28.480 And he kneels on that road. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.780 And the glorious figure. 00:13:31.140 --> 00:13:31.780 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:32.880 Appears to him. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:35.799 To appoint him as a servant. 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.799 And as a witness. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.080 Of what you've seen of me. 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:41.980 It's a term of great dignity. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.700 And privilege. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.399 Think of some of the other words. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.179 That he uses. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:46.759 He says. 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:48.340 We are Christ's ambassadors. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:52.000 A plenicentary of the King. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.639 The ambassador goes. 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:55.620 To entreat. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:56.139 He goes. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:57.700 With terms of peace. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.820 To those who need it. 00:13:59.220 --> 00:13:59.559 He says. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.539 Of this gospel. 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:02.139 I was appointed a herald. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:04.779 To Timothy chapter 1. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.379 Verse 11. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:07.360 Bearing a message from the King. 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:09.799 With all the authority of the King. 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.620 Behind it. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.460 Let a man show account of us. 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.419 As stewards. 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:17.699 Stewards of the mystery of God. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.860 1 Corinthians 4. 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.840 A steward. 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:22.639 One who is entrusted. 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.319 With another person's goods. 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:26.120 And has the responsibility. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:27.120 Of his friends and them. 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:28.740 He says. 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:29.620 We speak as men. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.720 Approved by God. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.040 Entrusted with the gospel. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.420 We are God's fellow workers. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:38.460 And when you put all those things together. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:40.480 There is mighty privilege. 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:41.399 And responsibility. 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.779 And Paul says. 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.580 By his grace. 00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:46.720 This is what I am. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.500 Or you can look thirdly. 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:50.259 At the authority. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.160 That he exercised. 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.120 Paul was not a non-entity. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:57.940 Paul was not a man. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.100 Who was easy to push aside. 00:14:59.179 --> 00:14:59.779 Or to ignore. 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.080 He was a man of weight. 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.299 Of force. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.200 Of strength. 00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:07.919 Of self-conscious authority. 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:10.759 And we see it. 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.759 In his relationships. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.580 With people who are not Christians. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.399 In Cyprus. 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:15.759 Where the Bible. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.620 Moves from calling him Saul. 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.820 To Paul. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:21.540 And he confronts the sorceress. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.480 With vigor and authority. 00:15:23.640 --> 00:15:23.800 He says. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.080 You are a child of the devil. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:29.060 And an enemy of everything that is right. 00:15:30.040 --> 00:15:32.140 And the hand of the Lord is against you. 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.140 And we see him standing. 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.620 And afraid. 00:15:35.780 --> 00:15:36.360 In Athens. 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.300 Before the kind of intelligentsia of the day. 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.000 In Areopagus. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.040 And he's not intimidated. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.060 He's not embarrassed. 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:45.859 And he speaks to these men. 00:15:46.239 --> 00:15:47.019 With power. 00:15:47.239 --> 00:15:48.099 And with authority. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.679 And he's not apologising. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.739 Here is a man. 00:15:51.839 --> 00:15:52.539 With weight. 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:55.000 He can stand before. 00:15:55.119 --> 00:15:56.179 Governor Felix. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.299 And strike fear. 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.059 Into his heart. 00:16:00.339 --> 00:16:01.819 He speaks to the government. 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:02.579 Of his day. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.500 About self-control. 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.299 And righteousness. 00:16:06.859 --> 00:16:08.179 And judgment to come. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.019 He chose the king Agrippa. 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.979 And he says to the king Agrippa. 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:13.879 Do you believe the prophets? 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:16.000 It's a tremendous force of authority. 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.779 He's sailing to Rome. 00:16:18.979 --> 00:16:20.079 And there's a great storm. 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:21.239 There's going to be a shipwreck. 00:16:21.599 --> 00:16:22.559 And Paul. 00:16:23.479 --> 00:16:24.539 Emerges as the leader. 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:27.639 The one to whom men turn for advice. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.379 And counsel. 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:30.039 What force there is in this man. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:34.139 And when we think of his authority. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.639 To believers and Christians. 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:39.059 When his authority was attacked. 00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.639 Like it was in Galatians. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.100 Galatians. 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.559 He takes pain. 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:44.120 To defend his office. 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:44.919 With passion. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.319 He says. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.120 If you go to church. 00:16:48.199 --> 00:16:49.139 And if anyone is preaching. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.620 A gospel to you. 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:52.379 Other than the one you accepted. 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:55.319 Other than the one I preached to you. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:57.699 Or even an angel preached to you. 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:59.600 Let him be accursed. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.639 He says. 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.800 I'm really astonished with you Galatians. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.420 That you are quickly deserting. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.579 The one who called you. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.900 By the grace of Christ. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.660 Let no one cause me trouble. 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.940 For I bear on my body. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.299 The marks of Jesus. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.140 Or in Corinth. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:15.900 Right. 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.200 He said. 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.360 Do you need some. 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.980 Letters of recommendation to you. 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.720 Or from you. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.700 Do I need that? 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.640 Do I need letters of recommendation for you. 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:27.220 You know that you are a letter from Christ. 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.759 A result of our ministry. 00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:31.900 And that is why I write these things. 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.640 That when I come. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.200 I might not have to be harsh. 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:35.620 In my use of authority. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.240 Even in the letters. 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.120 Where Paul doesn't use the word apostle. 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:44.360 That note of authority is evident. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.960 We command you. 00:17:46.040 --> 00:17:47.360 He says in 2 Thessalonians. 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:50.200 If anyone does not obey our instructions. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.000 Take special note of him. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.480 Philemon. 00:17:54.840 --> 00:17:56.560 Where Paul is so tactful. 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.100 And gentle. 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:01.480 But there is an iron glove in that fist. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.340 In Philemon. 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.759 He says. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.840 Although in Christ Jesus. 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.380 I could be bold. 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:08.620 And I could order you. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:10.040 To do what you ought to do. 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:11.120 Yet I appeal to you. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.060 On the basis of love. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:15.560 And everywhere in the New Testament. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.680 The impression is given. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.240 Of a man who is convinced. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.540 That he holds a position. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.580 Of vital. 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:21.800 Vital importance. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:25.299 His authority isn't to be disregarded. 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:28.019 His preaching is to be received. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.940 As the word of God. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.899 As it actually is. 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.680 One Thessalonians. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.919 He's a rock like man. 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.299 He's a man of strength. 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:35.339 And courage and force. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:38.339 And yet at the same time. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.559 In this same person. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:46.019 There is a great deep consciousness of sin. 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.039 And unworthiness. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.139 He says. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.159 I'm the least of the apostles. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.099 And so certainly. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.139 Let's see the humility. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.200 Of the Christian leader. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.960 He says. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:59.059 I do not even deserve to be called an apostle. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:01.559 He describes himself. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.359 As less. 00:19:02.679 --> 00:19:03.460 Than the least. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.259 Of all the saints. 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.099 Have you ever thought about that? 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:07.359 Logically. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.859 Doesn't even make any sense. 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.200 Does it? 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.659 How can you be less. 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:12.159 Than the least. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.419 You can't be. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.899 Paul would say. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.339 I am. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.359 Some of the statements. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:23.039 By the apostle Paul. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.539 Are taken by many people. 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:27.659 With a large pinch of salt. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.899 Some people think. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.200 There is a morbid sense. 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:31.759 Of guilt. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.240 Here was a tormented man. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:37.240 A psychologically disturbed man. 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:39.220 Who had a guilt complex. 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:40.559 Who was driven by demons. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.579 And self-loathing. 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.359 Nietzsche described Paul. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.700 As a much tortured. 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:47.460 Much to be pitied man. 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:50.240 An exceedingly unpleasant person. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.200 Both to himself. 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:51.940 And to others. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.119 Others suggest. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.899 That he is guilty. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.299 Of just a little. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.159 Pardonable exaggeration. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:01.460 That he is painting. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.159 His sin. 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.779 In kind of. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.379 Dark colors. 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.720 So that other people. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.240 Might not. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.799 Feel so bad at him. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.000 He is saying. 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:09.179 Oh. 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.220 I am as bad as you. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.000 I am worse than you. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.940 I am the chief of sinners. 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.940 But actually. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:16.299 You know. 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.299 What he is doing. 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.639 Is not exaggerating. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.500 Paul meant. 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.319 What he said. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.119 And I think again. 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:23.759 That shows us. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:24.879 In three ways. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:26.920 First of all. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.600 Paul was humble. 00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:29.260 Because of his past sins. 00:20:30.780 --> 00:20:31.800 The memory. 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:32.620 Never left. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.620 The apostle Paul. 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:35.400 Of his pre-conversion life. 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:38.200 The terrible sins. 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:39.520 Against God. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.540 That Paul committed. 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.940 By persecuting his people. 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:43.400 His first appearance. 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:43.980 In the bible. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.560 Is at the martyrdom. 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.120 Of Stephen. 00:20:46.280 --> 00:20:47.600 Where the first Christian preacher. 00:20:47.760 --> 00:20:48.320 Is stoned. 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.540 And it says. 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.300 In Acts 8. 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:51.580 Verse. 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:53.099 Is when Paul is giving approval. 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.240 And it's a present. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.559 Continuous tense. 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.159 He's there giving approval. 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.859 He wasn't there. 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:01.139 Thinking. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.960 This is a terrible thing. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.859 That should never have happened. 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.939 Paul's first settled conviction. 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.699 Was that the death of Stephen. 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:07.539 Was a good thing. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.740 He went home that evening. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.579 And he said to his wife. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.699 It was a good day today. 00:21:11.699 --> 00:21:12.879 The right thing happened. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.359 And he woke up. 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.179 The following morning. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.939 And he still thought. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.960 It was a good thing. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.599 He approved. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.759 But in Acts 8. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.000 Three. 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.579 There's a particularly. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.539 Horrid word. 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.220 Where it says. 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.679 Paul made havoc. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.659 Of the church. 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:27.059 It's used often. 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:29.179 Of a wild animal. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.879 In its angry. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.619 Destructive. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.359 Behaviour. 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:34.819 It's like a bull. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.419 Getting into a vineyard. 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.960 And feeling trapped. 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:41.220 And there's furious rage. 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.799 And in his fury. 00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:44.679 And in his rage. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.859 He went from house to house. 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:46.939 And he dragged off. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.699 Men and women. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.819 And he put them in prison. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.679 And he says. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.259 I persecuted followers. 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.859 Of the way. 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.619 To their death. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.700 And then. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.579 When they were put to death. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.839 I cast my vote against them. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.859 I went from synagogue. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.559 To synagogue. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.539 To have them punished. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.099 He writes to the Galatians. 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.779 You've heard of my previous life. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.720 Way of life. 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.240 In Judaism. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.079 How intensely. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.879 I kept on. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.519 Persecuting. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.660 The church of God. 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.759 And I tried to. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.460 Ravage. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.480 And sack it. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.160 As a city. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.700 Is sacked. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.720 By an invading army. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.339 It's a frightful. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.500 Fanaticism. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.519 In the apostle Paul. 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.480 Even. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.460 Terrorism. 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.460 Hendrickson says. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.319 Paul can never forget those days. 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.160 A blasphemer. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.160 And persecutor. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.360 And a violent man. 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.920 He'd been a great sinner. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.279 And the memory of what he'd done. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.000 Kept him humble. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:40.519 Secondly. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.680 Here's the shocking thing to us. 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.880 He was humble. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.039 Humbled. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.099 By his past righteousness. 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:50.039 It was not only his past persecution. 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:52.039 And the things that he'd done against the church. 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:53.259 That caused him regret. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:55.700 But Paul came to see his righteousness. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.359 His law keeping. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.839 His religiosity. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.559 That too was sin. 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:05.400 He expressed it clearly in the passage that we read. 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:08.280 That once he put confidence in his own flesh. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:12.540 Once he put confidence that he was a Jew in pedigree. 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:14.519 That he had an impeccable upbringing. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.500 As to the righteousness of the law. 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.259 I'm blameless. 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:17.780 He said. 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:19.540 I considered it to my profit. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.620 I relied on it. 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.440 I raised my assurance. 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:24.580 That I was a religious person. 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:26.960 He took his law keeping. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:29.120 And Paul presented it to God. 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.960 And said to God. 00:23:30.040 --> 00:23:31.220 God you have to forgive me. 00:23:31.280 --> 00:23:31.519 Look. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:31.599 God. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.759 And now he says. 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:36.000 Whatever was my profit. 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.339 I now consider lost. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.319 The sake of Christ. 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:42.379 And he glories in Christ Jesus. 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:42.879 And he says. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.480 Put no confidence in the flesh. 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:48.519 He's abandoned all the works of the Lord. 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:50.799 He's abandoned trying to be religious. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.519 I consider the rubbish. 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:56.599 That I may gain Christ and be found in him. 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:59.440 Not having a righteousness of my own. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:01.960 That comes from the Lord. 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.000 But now. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.100 All I hope. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.279 All my trust. 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:08.700 Is found in faith in Christ. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.799 That is my only hope. 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.100 And that righteousness. 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:14.240 Comes from what God is by faith. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.740 And Paul is saying something. 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:18.019 Very very profound to you and I. 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:22.039 But the religious person. 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.539 The respectable person. 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:28.079 Is living a life. 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:30.180 Which is fundamentally sinful. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.339 Why? 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:37.339 Because he's not relying on God's grace. 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:39.000 He's relying on himself. 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.539 For himself. 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.159 The religious person. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.700 Is misusing the law. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:45.240 To try and place God. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.599 Under an obligation to him. 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:48.200 To maintain himself. 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.200 In God's presence. 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.899 Herman Riddinost says this. 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.799 Boasting in the law. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:57.639 In trying to burden away to people. 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.000 And go on. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.700 Boasting in the law. 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.500 Is fatal. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.279 Because it no longer relies. 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.639 On the grace of God himself. 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:06.159 But on man's activity. 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.159 In this manner. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.339 Man becomes confident. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.359 And strong. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.899 Against God. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:14.099 The flesh boasts itself. 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.940 Instead of boasting about God. 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.539 Zeal. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:19.039 Zeal for the law. 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:21.360 Can alienate a man from God. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:24.180 And has precisely the effect. 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:25.100 Of making him a sinner. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.840 Riddinost goes on to say. 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.360 This confronts man. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.960 Not only with his deficiency. 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:34.120 But casts his gain. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.220 What he thinks he's done. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.000 Into the balance. 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.519 And compels him. 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:40.000 To not only acknowledge his sin. 00:25:40.080 --> 00:25:42.320 But to renounce his very virtues. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:45.539 To renounce his very virtues. 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.500 Before God. 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.159 To become a Christian. 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.819 You have to come to see. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:55.019 That your whole life. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.059 Like my whole life. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.220 Has been an offence. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.159 To the God of grace. 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:02.820 His law keeping. 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.400 Was sinful. 00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:06.060 As well as his law breaking. 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.720 To be a Christian. 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.660 You have to realise. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:13.420 That you are sinful. 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.759 When you're at your very worst. 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.480 And we've been sinful. 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:21.460 When we've been at our very best. 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.779 As the Apostle Paul. 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.640 His righteousness. 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.560 His past righteousness. 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.620 What he thought. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:30.140 Had got him right with God. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.640 Captain Humboldt. 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.340 His arrogance. 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.920 And pride. 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.320 Preeding myself. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.740 And boasting before God. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.640 What my sin. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.060 My sin. 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.460 Thirdly. 00:26:42.540 --> 00:26:42.900 By greeting. 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.240 The present struggle. 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.120 Captain Humboldt. 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.460 Paul knew nothing. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:50.279 Of the Christian leader. 00:26:50.540 --> 00:26:51.500 Who presents himself. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.180 As a kind of. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.380 Spiritual superman. 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:57.300 That is far removed. 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:57.920 From the ordinary. 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.680 Frailties. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.360 And weaknesses. 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.180 He acknowledged. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.519 His imperfections. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.360 And his struggles. 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.880 And his defeats. 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.700 Listen to him. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.480 From Romans 7. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.720 What I want to do. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.960 I do not do. 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:13.559 But what I hate. 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.500 I do. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:17.340 I have a desire. 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.100 To do what is good. 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.740 But I cannot carry it out. 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.039 For what I do. 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.920 Is not the good. 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.940 I want to do. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:23.779 No. 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:25.059 The evil that I want. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.420 I do not want to do. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.500 This I keep on doing. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:29.619 There is a lot of controversy. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.920 There is a lot of controversy. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.779 About that passage. 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.200 Isn't there. 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.279 Who is he speaking about. 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.420 Let me ask you this. 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.079 When you first read that. 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.660 Doesn't that passage. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.359 Chine. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.299 With your heart. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.819 Doesn't it. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:44.919 Charles Hodge says 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:47.259 the inward conflict here described 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.899 every Christian understands 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.659 and that is right 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:52.960 Apostle Paul says 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.079 I'm a man like you 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:57.379 you remember how he spoke to his goal 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:58.259 in Philippians 3 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.220 his great goal 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:02.240 was to know Christ 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:05.139 we read it but immediately afterwards 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:06.740 he says don't mistake me 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:09.399 it's not that I've already obtained this 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:11.320 or I'm already perfect 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:13.519 that is my aspiration 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.160 but it's not my achievement 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:17.080 that's my goal 00:28:17.080 --> 00:28:18.420 I have reached it 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:22.040 and he acknowledges his creaturely weakness 00:28:22.040 --> 00:28:24.780 he speaks of 00:28:24.780 --> 00:28:27.580 three men that came to visit him 00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:29.220 in prison 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:31.600 and he says I was encouraged by them 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.820 I needed them 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:33.759 I was lonely 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:36.960 his experience in Asia 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.840 when he was under great pressure 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:42.059 Charles the Corinthians 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.359 he says we are hard pressed 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.459 on every side 00:28:44.459 --> 00:28:46.599 we are perplexed 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:48.299 for certain Christians 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:50.339 they're never perplexed today 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:52.899 but you and I 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:53.959 we are perplexed aren't we 00:28:53.959 --> 00:28:57.279 some people pretend 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.279 they know all the answers 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.919 Paul says 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:00.599 I didn't know what to do 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:03.000 I think that's fine 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.639 in an elders meeting 00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:05.720 I think that's fine sometimes 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.480 in a Christian 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:08.019 I don't know what to do 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:11.119 you've got a thorn in the flesh 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:13.000 and he doesn't say 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.859 he doesn't say 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.839 well I knew at once 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.180 I had this strange feeling 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.920 that this was something 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.980 I was going to have to live with 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.759 all my life 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.519 this difficulty 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:21.039 Paul says 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.379 I had to pray on and on and on 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.400 and the Lord had to tell me 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:23.819 listen for 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.000 you're not going to have to live with this 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:27.680 he's an intense human man 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:30.559 he says to the Corinthians 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.759 I came to you in weakness 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.480 and in fear 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.440 and in much trembling 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:36.380 and here was a man 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.640 who had no airs and graces 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:39.680 he said once 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.680 to the people of Listerate 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.059 he said 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:43.820 we are also men 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:46.160 of the same nature as you 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:49.259 now let me try and apply this quickly 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:53.320 Paul had immense authority 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:57.259 and yet that on itself 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.140 that on its own 00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:59.640 would have made him very harsh 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.960 and obscure 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:02.860 and intimidating 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:06.140 and Paul was another instinct 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:09.000 he was a broken man 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:11.420 he was a humble man 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.259 he was overwhelmed 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.940 by the riches of God's mercy 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.980 and that gave him 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.759 a warmth 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.680 and a humanity 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:19.259 and a compelling gentleness 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:23.140 and this balance 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:24.900 of authority 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:26.079 and humility 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.319 is essential 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.740 for the church's leadership 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:32.519 the world attacks it 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:32.799 doesn't it 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:34.279 the world looks at church leaders 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.299 as a joke 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:38.900 as effeminate weaklings 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.620 that come to a promise you all 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:44.700 and the church can attack it 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:47.599 I think at times 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:49.180 we're so terrified 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.460 of leadership 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:52.880 being overbearing 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:55.779 that congregations 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:57.279 actually refuse to follow 00:30:57.279 --> 00:31:01.359 ministers and elders 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.359 get treated like 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.819 dog study bodies 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.859 to run here 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.660 there and everywhere 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.779 and everyone's back 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.099 and call 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:07.700 leave it to 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.660 dot dot dot dot dot 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:12.480 there is something 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.299 in ourselves 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.059 that questions 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.220 our authority 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.059 sometimes 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.819 for every Christian leader 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:20.559 every Christian leader 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.519 has those questions 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:23.879 occasionally I get asked 00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.920 to speak at public schools 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.420 I think they're kind of like 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.279 a voice from the working 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.140 class occasionally 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.120 so I'm wheeled into 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:30.400 Egypt and Arbor 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.300 and places like that 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:33.300 and they are amazing places 00:31:33.300 --> 00:31:33.860 I don't know if I've ever 00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:34.420 been to them 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:36.420 they are amazingly well run 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:38.800 headmaster's office 00:31:38.800 --> 00:31:40.160 you're ushered in 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.980 for a cup of tea 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.700 and it's so 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:44.580 incredible really 00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:45.300 and the staff 00:31:45.300 --> 00:31:46.360 respect him 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:49.220 place is jammed 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.539 full 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.519 packed of 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.400 able people 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.200 and it runs 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.300 like clockwork 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:56.559 and then I go 00:31:56.559 --> 00:32:00.079 I go to my wooden shed 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.700 at the bottom of the yard 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:04.720 and it feels shabby 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:07.000 it feels tawdry 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.919 for an hour or two 00:32:07.919 --> 00:32:11.460 and every Christian leader 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.899 feels a sinking in their heart 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.180 thinking 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.419 what am I doing 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:16.259 isn't this really important 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:19.579 and Christian leaders 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.639 have many things 00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.419 that come on us 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:22.559 to attack our sense 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.240 and authority 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:25.779 and so what has happened 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:27.359 in this country 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.460 is that Christian leaders 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.679 have become weak 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:31.940 and ineffectual 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.919 and apologetic 00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:36.720 terrified of offending 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:38.940 and so you see 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.259 the big 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:39.720 I don't even 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.079 period 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.759 Darylmas 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.220 who's simpering 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.799 kind of 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:44.659 pink-cheeked 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:45.480 limp-wristed 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.519 giggling 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.619 cheek-drinking 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.440 nitty 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:50.880 and that's what he is 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.740 he's a figure of fantasy 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:54.799 and we get brainwashed 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:55.299 by that 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:58.000 and so ministers 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.259 can be like little dogs 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:01.200 you're little dogs 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.039 you're the tender little dogs 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.440 you grow 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.840 you grow 00:33:03.840 --> 00:33:04.400 a little dog 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:05.120 and it's going off 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:05.420 don't they 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:07.660 but if you pat 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.180 a little dog 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.680 they'll do anything 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.660 for you 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:11.740 you scratch their ears 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.019 oh 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:13.200 they actually see that 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:16.019 they do grovel 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.660 and compromise 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.380 and apologise 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:18.360 they'll do anything 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.540 if you scratch their ears 00:33:19.540 --> 00:33:22.800 now in a Christian 00:33:22.800 --> 00:33:23.300 leader today 00:33:23.300 --> 00:33:24.260 he's not an apostle 00:33:24.260 --> 00:33:24.900 it's very important 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.460 to say that 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:27.620 we have not 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.700 Paul's unique 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.360 commissioning 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.340 we are not apostles 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:31.360 but I do want to say 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:31.940 to you that 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:32.940 if you are a preacher 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.560 of the gospel 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:34.780 God has chosen you 00:33:34.780 --> 00:33:35.340 in eternity 00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:37.360 he created you 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.000 he shaped you 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.560 into the person 00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:39.900 that he wanted you 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.260 to be 00:33:40.260 --> 00:33:42.100 and he has called you 00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:42.620 to a serious 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.280 to preach 00:33:43.280 --> 00:33:44.060 and to teach 00:33:44.060 --> 00:33:44.700 to proclaim 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.460 the word of God 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:47.460 in his infallibility 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.160 and authority 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:50.380 and if you're going 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.079 to be a Christian preacher 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.880 you must be convinced 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:52.519 of your calling 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.620 convinced of your message 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.480 I love the words 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.960 of the apostle 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:56.120 of Jesus and Saul 00:33:56.120 --> 00:33:57.660 on the Damascus road 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:57.980 he says 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.579 now get up 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.900 get up and stand 00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:00.380 on your feet 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:02.480 I will be into you 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.360 to appoint you 00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:03.940 as a servant 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.940 and as a witness 00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:05.860 to what I have seen 00:34:05.860 --> 00:34:06.140 of you 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:06.600 and what I will 00:34:06.600 --> 00:34:07.279 surely get up 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:09.260 stand on your feet 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:11.460 for Christ 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.100 to appear to you 00:34:12.100 --> 00:34:12.520 and commission 00:34:12.520 --> 00:34:13.440 to you to his service 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.040 we need that 00:34:14.040 --> 00:34:14.820 as Christian leaders 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:16.520 and yet we also 00:34:16.520 --> 00:34:17.540 need personal humility 00:34:17.540 --> 00:34:20.960 there are now 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:22.060 very able men 00:34:22.060 --> 00:34:23.080 and they're 00:34:23.080 --> 00:34:23.900 orthodox men 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:25.780 and yet there is 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.620 a coldness 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:27.260 about them 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:29.880 and something 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.580 about them 00:34:30.580 --> 00:34:31.280 that is not 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:31.860 attractive 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.980 and we want 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.780 to say to them 00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:36.480 you are very 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.100 very clever 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.699 you are very 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.420 very bright 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:41.759 but have you 00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:42.639 ever cried 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:45.360 you've read 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:45.920 the books 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:46.579 and you have 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.299 them taped 00:34:47.299 --> 00:34:49.339 but have you 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:50.279 ever made a fool 00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:50.900 of yourself 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:53.839 have you ever 00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:54.239 gone home 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.779 on a Sunday 00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:55.719 afternoon 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.219 and buried 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.619 your head 00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.159 in the desk 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:57.519 and said 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.839 Lord forgive me 00:34:58.839 --> 00:35:00.719 coldness 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:00.920 so 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:02.219 preachers 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:04.500 write answers 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.079 but they're 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:05.900 like robots 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:09.800 and I think 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.119 it's right 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.860 for those 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.320 who preach 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.119 to be frightened 00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.740 and to tremble 00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:13.280 at God's word 00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:13.760 to be broken 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.079 down 00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.539 and if that 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.360 isn't you 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:17.400 don't do it 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:20.000 and we need 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.260 to learn 00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:20.460 don't we 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:20.760 from this 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.539 ex-baracy 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.800 of the ugly 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:24.420 barren arrogance 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.740 we all need 00:35:25.740 --> 00:35:26.079 this 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:28.039 of a religious 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.980 life that is 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.740 divorced by 00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:30.240 grace 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:31.019 divorced from 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.420 grace 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:34.139 that is an 00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:34.780 ugly thing 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.380 because all 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:35.980 our righteousness 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.740 is as filthy 00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:37.420 rags 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:39.019 and self 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:39.599 if anything 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.119 should keep 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:40.680 us humble 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:46.559 sometimes I 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.200 despair 00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:48.760 that I will 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.280 leave my 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:49.740 dirty 00:35:49.740 --> 00:35:50.760 egotistical 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.420 hands on 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.139 every single 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.639 thing I do 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.119 for God 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:56.659 and so 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.079 when you're 00:35:57.079 --> 00:35:57.659 doing something 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.000 for the Lord 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.320 is that I 00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:58.619 find it when 00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:58.960 I'm praying 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.360 for God's 00:35:59.360 --> 00:35:59.800 blessing on 00:35:59.800 --> 00:36:00.440 my students 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:02.100 and I was 00:36:02.100 --> 00:36:02.560 this afternoon 00:36:02.560 --> 00:36:03.000 and God 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.840 says to me 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:04.539 why are you 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:04.940 praying for 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.360 blessing 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:06.180 are you sure 00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:06.720 it's for me 00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:08.880 is it not 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.300 just a little 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.720 bit for you 00:36:09.720 --> 00:36:10.280 we have to 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:10.680 sing away 00:36:10.680 --> 00:36:10.920 at that 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.080 time 00:36:11.080 --> 00:36:11.500 well yes 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:11.920 for that 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.300 mercy 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:14.680 I don't 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:15.000 know 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.920 but I 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:16.320 believe it's 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:16.900 your word 00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:18.420 less than 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:18.820 the least 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.340 that I 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:20.120 the blasphemer 00:36:20.120 --> 00:36:20.640 the violent 00:36:20.640 --> 00:36:21.100 man should 00:36:21.100 --> 00:36:21.519 preach among 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.360 the Gentiles 00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:23.820 dignity 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:25.080 and humility 00:36:25.080 --> 00:36:27.340 and we 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:27.680 live with 00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:28.019 this great 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.400 tension 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:29.840 we are 00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:30.500 sinners 00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.860 but we 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.460 are saints 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:33.039 we are 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.680 beggars 00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:35.019 and yet 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.240 we are 00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:35.559 princes 00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.780 and that 00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:37.039 is the 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.300 Christian 00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:37.720 life 00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:40.780 that's the 00:36:40.780 --> 00:36:40.980 Christian 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.400 life for 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:41.680 you 00:36:41.680 --> 00:36:42.500 it's what 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:42.940 God said 00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:43.220 in Psalm 00:36:43.220 --> 00:36:43.820 113 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.160 isn't it 00:36:44.160 --> 00:36:44.860 he raises 00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.380 the poor 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:45.780 from the 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:46.139 dust 00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:47.800 and he 00:36:47.800 --> 00:36:48.300 lifts the 00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:48.680 needy 00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:49.019 from the 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:49.440 ashim 00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:51.539 to make 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:51.960 them sit 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.639 with princes 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:54.420 that the 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:54.860 princes are 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.300 his people 00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:57.620 and when 00:36:57.620 --> 00:36:57.900 we do 00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:58.240 that we 00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:58.720 personify 00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.200 the gospel 00:36:59.200 --> 00:37:01.700 and so 00:37:01.700 --> 00:37:02.360 you as 00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:03.060 a Christian 00:37:03.060 --> 00:37:03.700 as a 00:37:03.700 --> 00:37:04.700 child of 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:05.080 God 00:37:05.080 --> 00:37:05.840 you have 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:06.960 great 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.740 dignity 00:37:07.740 --> 00:37:09.860 and yet 00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:10.100 you are 00:37:10.100 --> 00:37:10.380 a sinner 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:13.420 what is 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:13.820 the gospel 00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:14.420 it is that 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:15.420 Jesus saves 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.360 sinners 00:37:16.360 --> 00:37:18.460 it is that 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:20.019 Jesus saves 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:21.460 sinners 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:24.019 and we 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:24.619 come as 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:24.960 saved 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.460 redeemed 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:25.900 forgiven 00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.559 chosen 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:28.220 blessed 00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:29.720 and you 00:37:29.720 --> 00:37:30.199 sinners 00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:31.820 as far as 00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.139 in prayer 00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.579 let's pray