WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.620 Today I'd like to speak on Colossians. 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:06.820 And I have to admit something. 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:10.259 We were having an elders meeting a couple months ago. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:15.500 Josh said he wanted to bring a couple verses out of Colossians. 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:18.500 And I'm fumbling around. 00:00:18.620 --> 00:00:20.400 I can't find it. 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:21.600 I can't find Colossians. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:24.960 You know, like, and okay, so, you know, it was only a couple verses. 00:00:25.080 --> 00:00:25.660 Not a big deal. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:30.039 So I went home and I thought, I got to find Colossians. 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:31.740 I got to understand Colossians. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:40.539 And then the more I read of it, this is a letter about Christ. 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:51.460 Today as a communion service, today we will be focusing on the teaching from Colossians on Christ. 00:00:51.460 --> 00:00:58.820 Now, Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians, to the city of Colossae. 00:01:00.100 --> 00:01:02.859 And it is in modern day Turkey. 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:08.819 So it's right, you know, you have Italy, Greece. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:12.960 I guess for you guys it would be Italy, Greece, and then Turkey. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:18.200 And then kind of down around Iran and then down to Israel at the bottom there. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:20.439 But it was on a trade route. 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:21.740 It was a major trade route. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:26.980 And he wrote this also, well, he wrote it to Colossae. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:30.140 But also to, he mentions Laodicea. 00:01:30.260 --> 00:01:36.079 And if you look up in Revelations chapter 2, or chapter, no, Revelations 3, 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:42.020 Laodicea was the lukewarm church. 00:01:42.019 --> 00:01:48.060 The church that he wanted to spit out because they were neither hot nor cold. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:53.699 They were the church that focused on physical wealth and not on spiritual wealth. 00:01:54.259 --> 00:01:56.759 But that's to, it's within 10 miles. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:01:59.719 So Colossians. 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:07.500 Paul wrote this to combat two major problems in the area. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:11.819 One was the Gnostics. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:18.020 The Gnostics were kind of a group that came after the Christians. 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:24.340 They tried to, yeah, Christ is good, but he's really not good enough. 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:26.900 And you need more spiritualism. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:29.120 You need to do stuff. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:39.280 And if we look at, you know, some of the ideas have carried on through purgatory and the Catholicism 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:43.159 is kind of roughly an idea that follows this. 00:02:43.700 --> 00:02:47.740 You don't get to go to heaven because of Christ's redemptive work. 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:53.360 You get to go to purgatory and somebody will pay you money to the church to get you out of hell. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:58.640 Or not really hell, but out of purgatory, kind of that in-between state. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:05.700 Nowhere in the Bible, not in the New Testament or the Old Testament, does it say anything about purgatory. 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:11.700 So the other thing is creation is evil. 00:03:12.880 --> 00:03:14.880 Everything material is evil. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:16.280 Only spiritual is good. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:21.460 And that creation is part of God. 00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:23.840 Not created by God, but part of God. 00:03:24.860 --> 00:03:32.080 And so, you know, Hinduism, New Age, anytime you hear Mother Earth, that's kind of this Gnostic teaching. 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:35.639 The other group that he was talking to was the Jews. 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:42.619 About 200 families had been brought to Colossae in about 200 B.C. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:51.459 Like by the Babylonian Empire when they were doing their stuff against the Greeks. 00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:54.919 They brought in about 2,000 families. 00:03:55.019 --> 00:04:01.060 So there's a big predominant Jewish element and then there's this New Age Gnostic teaching. 00:04:01.619 --> 00:04:04.979 So Paul, in his wisdom, wrote a letter. 00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:05.859 So I will read. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:06.979 I will do a lot of reading. 00:04:09.299 --> 00:04:11.939 Colossians chapter 1. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:19.399 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy, our brother, to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae. 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:22.039 Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:28.959 We always give thanks to, we always thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:35.659 Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:40.199 The faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:45.319 And that you have already heard about in the word of truth and the gospel. 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:47.879 That has come to you. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:57.819 All over the world, this gospel is producing fruit and growing just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all truth. 00:04:57.819 --> 00:05:08.659 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who was a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf and who also told us of your love in the spirit. 00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:23.660 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:26.580 Now this is an important part. 00:05:27.340 --> 00:05:29.220 Paul is praying for these people. 00:05:29.780 --> 00:05:34.140 He has never met the Colossians, but he's writing a letter to them. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:46.719 But he's praying that they will be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:05:46.919 --> 00:05:48.860 That's why he's writing this letter. 00:05:48.979 --> 00:05:52.620 He's writing a letter to explain who is Christ. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:59.060 To debunk the Gnostic and the Judaism that's there. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:02.199 So he's giving up knowledge. 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:08.759 And then from there it says, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, 00:06:09.039 --> 00:06:15.439 so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to God, to the Father, 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:18.500 who has qualified you to share in his inheritance. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:22.719 So he's not just giving them knowledge. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:24.759 He's equipping them to live a life. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:32.480 So a lot of the book of Colossians is written, here's the knowledge of Christ. 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:37.920 Here's how you put the rubber to the road. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:40.579 Like you get out there and this is how you live. 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:45.099 We won't go through the whole book because it is an extraordinary book. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:55.580 Anyways, and then you realize, why do they need great endurance, patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father? 00:06:56.460 --> 00:07:01.480 This is where the prosperity gospel falls flat. 00:07:01.700 --> 00:07:04.600 It doesn't say, you will have a life of ease. 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:11.680 You will be buying a new Mercedes S65 for $480,000 every two years. 00:07:11.780 --> 00:07:12.680 No, it never says that. 00:07:12.760 --> 00:07:14.920 It says you will need endurance. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:18.020 And you only need endurance when things are hard. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:19.720 You will need patience. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:22.420 You need patience when things are hard. 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:25.540 And joyful when things are hard. 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:28.060 So this is the Christian life. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:32.240 When we think life is easy, that's not what God warns us about. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:36.240 So he's equipping them to have faith as they walk. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:39.460 Now, for the theology. 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:48.000 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his son he loves, 00:07:48.140 --> 00:07:51.180 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin. 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:53.740 First point, Christ. 00:07:54.340 --> 00:07:58.879 Only Christ can we have the redemption of sin. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:01.060 There's nothing else you can do. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.100 You can't pay for it. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.139 You can't go to purgatory. 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:07.980 You can't crawl on your knees and ask forgiveness. 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.879 It's only through faith in Christ. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:14.540 And then he gets into the hardcore part. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.360 Verses 15. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:23.680 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:38.460 So, last week, Josh was talking about in John chapter 14, the image of the invisible God. 00:08:38.560 --> 00:08:41.320 So this just reiterates who that is. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.600 John 14.10. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:43.659 John 14.10. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:51.860 It says, don't you believe that I am in the Father. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:52.879 These are Christ's words. 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:57.000 I am in the Father and that the Father is in me. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:01.800 The words I say to you, rather, are not just my thoughts. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:07.700 Rather, it is the Father living in me who is doing his work. 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:13.320 So, Christ isn't just a good man. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:16.280 He is God. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:21.620 He is a visible, the image of God that we saw Christ. 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:23.700 He physically came to earth. 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:24.780 We saw him. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.100 Again, Hebrews. 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:31.740 Go to Hebrews chapter 1, 1 to 4. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:56.060 Now, that's a big statement. 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:57.779 He made the universe. 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:59.819 It's not, he created a couple of things. 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:01.619 He created the universe. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:03.479 Not just a galaxy, but the universe. 00:10:05.199 --> 00:10:12.459 The sun is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:16.119 sustaining all things by his powerful word. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:25.759 After he had provided purification for sins, that's his death, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven. 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:28.759 So, that's a big mouth. 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:35.820 Like, that's a, you can do a PhD on that, on those four verses, trying to expand upon them. 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:43.919 So, Christ is the image, not just, he's what we can see of God. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:48.879 The firstborn over creation. 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:55.459 Now, here, firstborn doesn't mean just like we think of like the first in the line. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:57.919 It means preeminence. 00:10:58.599 --> 00:11:01.779 I remember talking with Wendy about this. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:05.399 I think she was kind of trying to, like, what is firstborn? 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:09.980 What, take it in context, like preeminent. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:16.740 It's just, when you think of power, think of the president of the United States. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:21.620 He's the one who declares war. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:27.879 It's not some general, it's not some buck sergeant or buck private that is going to go attack China. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:31.100 It's the president of the United States. 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:35.240 It's the preeminent one who can declare war. 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:37.100 He's the one that can send nuclear missiles. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:40.759 It's not just any old guy can push a button and start a war. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:51.940 So, in that respect, vision, firstborn, like the power the president of the United States has over how to declare war. 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:57.060 It's the generals that carry out the thing, but it's the president that has the power to do these. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:12:03.139 So, that's the same when we look at firstborn over all creation. 00:12:03.839 --> 00:12:05.979 Christ is the preeminent one. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:11.399 And creation, again, it declares Christ created, not evolved. 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:17.299 For by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:21.639 Again, it's declaring we can see stuff. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:26.479 We can see, you know, like with the web telescope that they just put out in outer space there at Christmas, 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:31.019 they can see, they figure to the end of the universe. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:36.639 And like it's however many billions of light, like 40-some billion light years away. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:39.259 And they can see, and it just keeps expanding. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.720 Like there's no limit to what's created. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:49.500 On the other hand, never before have we been able to understand things you can't see. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:51.180 Like think of DNA. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:51.659 DNA. 00:12:52.299 --> 00:13:01.179 When, like if you were to try and explain to the smartest of the smart, even to Solomon, what DNA is, it's gibberish. 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:03.339 Now, they got pictures of it. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:09.479 They got pictures of the inner workings of the cell and how the DNA splits apart and makes little motors. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:13.039 And it doesn't, it's just unbelievably incredible. 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:14.159 We can see that. 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:16.120 But it's invisible. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.419 Like you cannot see that. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:20.120 You cannot see the workings of stuff. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:25.719 And yet, by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:29.799 whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:36.500 Again, this is claiming Christ not only created things, he's in control. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:43.100 May 14th, 1948. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.500 Does that ring a bell with anybody? 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.360 Come on, somebody. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:48.220 May 14th, 1948. 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.679 Israel became a nation. 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:55.740 In, I guess in Isaiah, it says, 00:13:56.340 --> 00:14:02.080 never before has a nation become, or has a group became a nation in one day. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.360 And that's what happened to Israel. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:10.440 Israel, the president, the Jews after World War II, after the Holocaust, 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:15.399 if it hadn't been for the Holocaust, the Jews would have never came back to Israel. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.919 They were happy where they were. 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:19.440 They were happy living in Germany. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:22.120 They were happy living in Poland. 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.580 They were happy being in Russia. 00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:27.600 But after the persecution, they wanted to get back to Israel. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:33.779 They all flowed in, and all of a sudden, they declared that they were going to be a nation. 00:14:33.920 --> 00:14:36.580 And the president of the United States acknowledged it. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:37.740 Bang! 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:40.060 In one day, it is a nation. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:43.420 God has power to do these things. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:48.259 We look at world events now, and what turmoil, what's happening, everything is, 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:54.159 well, if Christ is coming back, we need to have a one-world government. 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:59.000 You can't have a one-world government when everything is just going excellent. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:04.799 You need to have such turmoil, such problems, 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:09.500 that will, that, you know, like, will the United States of America, 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.259 the most powerful military in the world, 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:15.399 bow down and let somebody else take control? 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:18.439 Only if things are in such shambles. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.879 So, God is in control. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:24.419 And then you think of powers and rulers and authorities. 00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:25.899 Satan. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:28.019 He does his own thing, right? 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:30.340 Or you think of Job. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.459 What did Job have to do? 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:36.779 He wanted to, Satan, he wanted to pick on Job. 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:40.019 He wanted to go and point him out. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:43.259 He had to go to God and ask permission. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.919 And God gave him parameters. 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:47.740 You can take his health, you can do this, you can destroy that. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:51.639 Oh, no, you can destroy all this physical stuff, but keep him safe. 00:15:52.339 --> 00:15:55.919 And then Satan had to go back and ask permission again. 00:15:56.219 --> 00:16:00.779 So, even Satan, even the demons cannot just do what they want. 00:16:01.219 --> 00:16:03.500 They must ask God. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:08.059 They must talk to Christ's permission to do what they do. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:10.039 God does use this. 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:14.459 God allows what we think are terrible things and they are. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:20.120 God allows these to happen to focus our hearts on him. 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:26.439 He is before all things and in him all things hold together. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.539 Dark matter. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.480 Does anyone know what dark matter is? 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:34.740 No? 00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:35.639 Okay. 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.539 Yeah. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:41.000 The glue in the universe that they can't find. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.180 Not that they can't see. 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.100 They can't find it. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:47.060 The universe only has about 10% of the mass it needs to hold. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:50.700 The galaxies should be spring apart. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:54.600 Because there's not enough mass there for gravitationally to hold them together. 00:16:55.860 --> 00:17:00.060 Unless Christ, by his word, holds the galaxies together. 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:02.680 That's my take on it. 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:04.019 He holds all things together. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.059 He is the head of the body, the church. 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:09.039 He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:11.759 so that in everything he might have supremacy. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.900 Firstborn among the dead. 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.799 He wasn't the first to die. 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:17.960 Think of Lazarus. 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:21.940 Lazarus died before Christ. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.559 What did Christ do? 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:27.180 Christ rose him from the dead. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.420 He brought him out of the grave. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.700 Remember the guy said, 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.720 Don't go in there. 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:32.279 He's been in there four days. 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.140 It's going to stink. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.519 You can't believe. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.160 Called him out of there. 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:40.259 Now, he rose him physically. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:44.299 If Christ had not been raised from the dead, 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:49.119 all that would have happened is Lazarus would have been brought back to life. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:53.519 Christ is the firstborn, is the preeminent, 00:17:53.739 --> 00:17:55.559 because of his death, 00:17:56.199 --> 00:18:02.399 everyone from now on has the hope of going to heaven through faith in him. 00:18:04.479 --> 00:18:08.139 The fullness dwells in him and through him 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:10.539 to reconcile himself all things, 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:12.399 whether things on earth or things in heaven, 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:17.019 by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:23.860 So this is, you know, that it was his physical body shed on the cross. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:27.340 It's his blood that we're redeemed by. 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:32.480 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your mind, 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:34.599 and because of your evil behavior, 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:41.579 but now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:46.220 to present you holy and in his sight without blemish and free from accusation. 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:52.039 So it's Christ's, again, Christ's physical body. 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:54.619 Like there are some that say he was a spirit. 00:18:54.619 --> 00:19:01.039 Or like Islam, they accept Christ. 00:19:01.699 --> 00:19:02.479 He was a great prophet. 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:06.159 But Christ actually wasn't on the cross. 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:08.439 It was another guy that looked an awful lot like Christ, 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:10.239 that got beat up, put on the cross, 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:13.019 and Christ came back later and whatever. 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:21.159 But this, the Bible teaches in no, you know, in no question, 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:26.160 it was Christ who physically died on the cross. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:31.420 Because of his blood that paid for the Old Testament, 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.360 fulfilled all the requirements. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:39.980 The next is the biggest little word in the Bible. 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:40.759 If. 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:44.740 If you continue in your faith. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:51.099 So once you're a Christian, it's, you know, 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:55.980 you can't just mumble a few words at camp or by your bed when you're a kid 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.119 and expect to get to heaven. 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:59.599 It's a life lived. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.680 It's faith. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:05.279 And as we go, we will sin. 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:07.460 There is no question we will sin. 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:13.460 The if is, if you reject Christ. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:16.640 God doesn't force us to believe in him. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:19.799 He doesn't force us to remain in him. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:22.019 He gives us the opportunity. 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:25.860 So we have, the big if is, 00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:28.160 if you do not reject. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:32.120 And there's people that have come to a saving knowledge 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:35.600 and they physically, adamantly reject Christ. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:39.820 Then they're, they made their, they're not going to heaven 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:42.680 because they have rejected what they know. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:47.980 Established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. 00:20:48.340 --> 00:20:50.240 This is the gospel that you heard 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.980 and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:55.860 and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:59.599 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:01.139 and I fill up in my flesh 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:05.079 what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:07.740 for the sake of his body, which is the church. 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:10.799 So he's just affirming why Christ, 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.119 it's the church. 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:14.679 You know, we're in the church age now 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:16.779 and Christ has died for us. 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:20.639 We don't have to do the Old Testament things. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:25.620 I have become a servant by the commission God gave me 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:28.680 to present to you the word of God in its fullness. 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:31.660 So again, Paul is teaching. 00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:33.800 He's not just, not just. 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:36.620 He's praying for the people that they would take the knowledge 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:40.400 and make sure that they live a life of it. 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:48.060 God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness. 00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:51.660 The mystery that has been kept for a, 00:21:51.820 --> 00:21:53.460 hidden for ages and generations, 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:56.320 but is now disclosed to the saints. 00:21:56.800 --> 00:22:00.240 To them, God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.759 the glorious riches of this mystery, 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:05.400 which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:11.019 So this morning we were listening to a sermon by John MacArthur 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.400 and he was talking about the mystery. 00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:17.240 And the mystery, they have, the Jews have the Old Testament. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:19.340 And this is why he's writing to this group. 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.880 They have the Old Testament. 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:24.160 They go through all the minor prophets, 00:22:24.280 --> 00:22:25.280 through the major prophets, 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:29.080 and they see end time things that are going to happen. 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:31.940 They realize that Jerusalem's going to be destroyed. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:35.500 They see a king coming back gloriously, 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:40.140 riding on a, you know, on his white horse. 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:42.299 And they see all these things. 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:47.440 And yet, boy, that's, that, that didn't happen. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:50.320 What they, what the mystery is, 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:52.980 Christ is the, came, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:56.200 fulfilled all the requirements of the Old Testament. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:23:00.819 They missed the part where Christ needed to be sacrificed 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.920 to fulfill all the Old Testament, 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:06.920 the, the, the need for, for a blood sacrifice, 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:08.960 for death on our behalf. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:12.100 So these, the mystery is, 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:15.000 why did Christ die? 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.480 Like, if you remember, 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:21.680 the palm branches, you know, Palm Sunday, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:24.340 the, the crowds were just enamored. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.240 Here comes Christ. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.660 He's riding on a donkey. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.700 He's coming into Jerusalem. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:30.519 He's going to wipe out the Romans 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.859 because they hated the Romans. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.680 They'd been occupied by Rome. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.900 They'd been occupied by Greece. 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.220 They were destroyed by Babylon. 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:39.120 They wanted to be the Jewish nation. 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:42.680 So here's this guy that can raise people from the dead. 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:47.240 He can, he can feed 5,000 by just a few, 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:50.440 you know, here's a few baskets of food feeding 5,000. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:54.900 He can, he can take a, a, a, a invalid, a paralytic 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:56.200 and have him walk. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:57.200 He can heal the blind. 00:23:58.080 --> 00:24:00.480 Surely, he can do these things. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.920 He can destroy the Roman emperor. 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:05.380 And then all of a sudden, he's in a trial. 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:08.360 And these same people that were for him, 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.059 all of a sudden they're saying, 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:12.700 yeah, but, but they're going to kill him. 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:14.960 Like they can't, so he must not be the Messiah. 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:17.519 So the mystery is who is Christ? 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.819 Christ is God. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.799 He paid for our price. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.480 He had to go to the cross. 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.599 He had to die. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:28.339 So as, as these people are looking at why, 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:31.899 well, this answers, Paul is answering the why. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.799 Why did Christ die for us? 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:36.799 Because we can't die for ourselves. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.740 We proclaim him admonished 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.859 and teaching everything with all wisdom 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:46.279 that we may present everything perfect in Christ. 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:49.599 To this end, I labor, struggling with all his energy, 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:51.699 which so powerfully works in me. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:54.799 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:57.120 and for those at Laodicea. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:25:00.660 So again, he's, he's praying for these people. 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:04.200 He's trying to teach this church 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:08.279 that is in, in 60, 70, 50 years 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:10.779 becomes lukewarm, you know, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.559 and that's the worst. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:15.160 God hates mediocrity. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:17.019 He, he, either hot or cold, 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.680 but, you know, just kind of, 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:21.820 we're going to church because, you know, 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:24.980 but it doesn't affect our lives. 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:29.100 That really, that God hates that. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:32.299 If it doesn't, what we believe doesn't impact us, 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.720 it's worthless. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:40.240 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.340 and united in love 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:43.279 so that they may have the full riches 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:45.599 of complete understanding 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:48.639 in order that they may know the mystery of God, 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.539 namely Christ, 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.899 in whom are hidden 00:25:51.899 --> 00:25:55.019 all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.960 The beginning of wisdom 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.599 is the fear of God. 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:05.579 It doesn't talk about intelligence. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:08.639 It never says the smartest people will accept this. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.399 It's wise people. 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:14.200 You can have an IQ of under 100 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:17.600 and be wise if you appreciate who God is 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.680 and what he's done for us. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.980 You can have an IQ of 150 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:23.320 and be a fool 00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:25.580 by rejecting God. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:28.100 So it never talks about intelligence. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:30.380 It talks about wisdom and knowledge. 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:32.780 And knowledge is what he's giving us 00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:35.600 so that we can take this, 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.720 understand who Christ is, 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:41.140 gives us the reason for the hope we have. 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.319 I tell you this 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.779 so that no one may deceive you 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:48.880 by fine-sounding arguments. 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:51.759 For though I am absent from you in the body, 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.799 I am present with you in spirit. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.579 Not the spirit. 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:57.140 But he's just thinking about them. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.220 He's praying for them. 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:01.420 He understands they're in a tough position 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:03.740 and he sent us letters 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.960 so that they can understand 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:06.680 and not get blown around. 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:10.720 I am delighted to see 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.200 how orderly you are 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:14.279 and how firm your faith in Christ is. 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.660 So then, 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:18.340 just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.640 continue to live in him, 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:21.360 rooted and built up in him, 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.660 strengthened in your faith 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.620 as you were taught, 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:25.620 overflowing with thankfulness. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.440 Again, living the life. 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:30.220 See to it that no one takes you captive 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:32.259 through hollow and deceptive philosophy, 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.400 which depends on human tradition 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:36.200 and basic principles of this world 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:38.160 rather than on Christ. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.120 So again, 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.080 there's a lot of things 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:41.860 that can take us away. 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.880 Well, we can be happy. 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:47.720 God doesn't tell us to be happy. 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:49.019 He tells us to be joyful. 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:49.860 Different. 00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:53.240 For in Christ, 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:56.240 all the fullness of the deity 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:58.639 lives in bodily form. 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.279 Again, 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.879 verse 15, 00:28:00.959 --> 00:28:02.479 the image of the invisible God 00:28:02.479 --> 00:28:05.619 who has been given fullness in Christ, 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:08.359 who is the head of every power and authority. 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.240 Again, 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.639 Christ is in control. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.619 In him, 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:13.159 you were also circumcised 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:14.479 in the putting off 00:28:14.479 --> 00:28:15.859 of the sinful nature, 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.719 not with the circumcision 00:28:17.719 --> 00:28:19.059 done by the hands of men, 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.039 but with circumcision 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.899 done by Christ, 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.659 having been buried with him 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.240 in baptism 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.200 and raised with him 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.039 through your faith 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.940 in the power of God 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:27.220 who raised him from the dead. 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.899 Circumcision. 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:33.179 Christ told Abraham 00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:35.399 to be circumcised. 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.179 And it was a, 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:39.559 it was one of the first things 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:42.319 that Christ did. 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:44.480 And, 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:47.859 yeah, 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:49.779 in Genesis 17, 00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.480 the sin of, 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.079 sign of the covenant 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.099 with God 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.259 to be the God 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.759 of you 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.639 and your descendants. 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:57.359 So this was a sign 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.679 given to Abraham. 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:01.879 Since we have Christ, 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:05.119 that is no longer 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.879 a requirement. 00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:07.839 Baptism also, 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:09.379 you know, 00:29:09.459 --> 00:29:09.720 it's, 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:11.259 it doesn't save us. 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:13.099 It is a sign. 00:29:13.459 --> 00:29:14.459 When people are baptized, 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:16.480 it's a public declaration. 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:20.059 I am dying to self 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:22.480 and resurrected with Christ. 00:29:23.199 --> 00:29:24.019 So it's, 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.259 it doesn't save us. 00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:26.379 It just declares 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.299 to the world. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.500 Like in a lot of places, 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:31.419 Muslim countries, 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:31.720 they, 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.759 they don't really care 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.819 if you declare yourself 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.019 a Christian. 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.480 It's until you're baptized, 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.779 then they take you for real. 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.420 When you were dead 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:41.980 in your sins 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:43.000 and the uncircumcision 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.220 of your sinful nature, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:44.980 Christ, 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.240 God made you alive 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.879 with Christ. 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.339 He forgave us 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.759 all our sins. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.700 No question. 00:29:51.879 --> 00:29:53.079 He forgave us 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:54.039 all our sins. 00:29:54.379 --> 00:29:55.460 No one else can do this. 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:57.299 Priests can't do this. 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.839 You can't go to Josh 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.559 and get forgiven. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:01.319 It's only Christ 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.500 that can forgive us. 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:04.019 Having concealed 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.639 the written code 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:07.000 with its regulations 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:08.460 that were against us 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.139 and which stood 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:09.900 opposed to us. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.000 He took it, 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.700 nailed it to the cross, 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.619 and having disarmed 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.759 the powers and authorities, 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:16.359 he made a public spectacle 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:16.779 of them, 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.160 triumphing over them 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.879 by the cross. 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.079 Question. 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:26.759 How many Old Testament 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.819 sacrifices were there? 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.680 Six? 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.539 Six? 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.960 I see you're holding 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.559 six up. 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.420 Five? 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:41.660 There were five sacrifices. 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.559 There was a burnt offering, 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:46.240 which is a person, 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.539 you know, 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.079 belonging to God. 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.299 Grain offering, 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.920 it's a sign of dependence 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.940 on God's goodness. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.700 Fellowship offering, 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:58.139 peace between God and man. 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.339 Sin offering, 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:01.059 forgiveness and purification. 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:02.539 A guilt offering, 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.940 that sins were needed 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:04.700 to be made right. 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:07.399 These five types 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:09.179 of offerings were done 00:31:09.179 --> 00:31:11.079 and there was specific ways, 00:31:11.159 --> 00:31:11.839 like the Old Testament 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.399 is full of it. 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:14.319 They all are a picture 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:15.799 of Christ. 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.960 They were the, 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:20.599 they were the representation 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.859 of Christ. 00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:24.480 It was done by a priest. 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.659 It wasn't done by anyone, 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.740 even the king couldn't do it. 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:29.000 It was only by an ordained priest. 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.980 And it was only done 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.420 in the tabernacle. 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.640 So these are very much, 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.619 this is the way 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.660 we have to do things 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.579 and why we do this 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.339 in a certain order. 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.019 So, 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:41.339 God, 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.720 Christ's coming, 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.220 did away with all that. 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:45.240 He fulfilled that. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.039 Now we can go directly 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.579 to Christ. 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.259 And that's why, 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.140 in the temple, 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.619 the curtain was ripped in two. 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.500 We can go directly 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.059 to Christ. 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.079 We don't have to, 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.700 we don't have to 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.859 do sacrifices 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.660 because Christ 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.680 is a sacrifice. 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.120 Therefore, 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.040 do not let anyone 00:32:03.040 --> 00:32:03.500 judge you 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.300 by whether you eat 00:32:04.300 --> 00:32:04.700 or drink 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.400 or with regard 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.840 to religious festival, 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.300 new moon celebration, 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.880 or a Sabbath day. 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:11.200 These are a shadow, 00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:12.640 again, 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.240 a picture 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:15.880 of the things 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.700 that were to come. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.380 The reality, 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:17.840 however, 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.759 is found in Christ. 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.800 Do not let anyone 00:32:19.800 --> 00:32:20.860 who delights 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.880 in false humility 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:23.100 and worship of angels 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:25.200 disqualify you 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:25.860 for the prize. 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.279 Again, 00:32:26.359 --> 00:32:27.459 there's people 00:32:27.459 --> 00:32:28.000 that think 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:29.399 angeology. 00:32:29.899 --> 00:32:30.059 No, 00:32:30.179 --> 00:32:32.119 it's only Christ. 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:32.859 Because, 00:32:33.219 --> 00:32:33.579 remember, 00:32:33.719 --> 00:32:34.639 Satan was an angel, 00:32:35.199 --> 00:32:36.679 is an angel. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.119 He's not, 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:37.879 was an angel, 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.779 he still is an angel. 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:39.939 So be careful 00:32:39.939 --> 00:32:40.759 what you chase. 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:46.939 Such a person 00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:48.299 goes into great detail 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.259 about what he has seen, 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.459 what his unspiritual mind 00:32:50.459 --> 00:32:51.419 puffs him up 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.459 with idle notions. 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.920 He has lost connection 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.460 with the head 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.500 from whom the whole body, 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.160 supported and held together 00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.100 by its ligaments 00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:58.799 and sinews, 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.200 grows as God 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.140 causes it to grow. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.299 Since you died to Christ, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.700 to the basic principle 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.400 of this world, 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.240 why, 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.100 as though you still 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:07.700 belong to it, 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:09.039 do you submit to its rules? 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.299 Do not handle, 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.940 do not taste, 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.500 do not touch. 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.079 These are destined 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.100 to perish with you 00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:17.180 because they are based 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.140 on human commands 00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.720 and teaching. 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:21.000 This is the humanistic way, 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.380 well if I don't do this, 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.680 I'm going to be good. 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.279 I'm going to make, 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:25.519 if I don't go to the bar 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:25.900 and drink, 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:26.660 then I'll be good. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.799 If I'm a little better 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:29.339 than I'm at worse, 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.140 I'm good enough. 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:30.720 No, 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:32.680 unless you're perfect, 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:34.299 you can't get to heaven. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.880 There's none of us here 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.380 are perfect. 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.900 But this idea 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.740 that if we, 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.720 if we make up 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.440 our own rules 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:40.819 and that, 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:44.400 it's like the Mennonites, 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.759 old calling 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.319 the Mennonites 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:46.880 at La Crete. 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:49.480 all of a sudden 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.120 they, 00:33:50.280 --> 00:33:51.240 they don't have 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.960 in their church, 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:53.000 they've got a beautiful church, 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.460 they don't have 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.060 electricity 00:33:55.060 --> 00:33:55.940 into the building, 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.920 they don't have 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.820 heat 00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.940 and they don't have 00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.720 water. 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.600 So, 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.420 they have to have 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.020 a wood stove 00:34:02.020 --> 00:34:02.940 to fire up, 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:04.360 they bring in 00:34:04.360 --> 00:34:05.500 bulbs 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:07.020 to run some flashlights 00:34:07.020 --> 00:34:07.600 for their service, 00:34:07.800 --> 00:34:08.660 but they consider 00:34:08.660 --> 00:34:09.680 that humanistic. 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.039 Really, 00:34:11.660 --> 00:34:12.619 it's, 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:14.079 it's neither good or bad. 00:34:14.160 --> 00:34:14.880 Things are neither good 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.300 or bad. 00:34:15.720 --> 00:34:16.500 They just are. 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.519 It's how you use them. 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.340 And by not, 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:21.119 by denying yourself, 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:23.679 you're not gonna, 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:24.739 I mean, 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.340 in a way, 00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.079 it kind of looks 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.880 very religious, 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.519 but if you're not 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.739 doing what Christ wants, 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.619 if you don't have him 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.199 in your heart, 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:32.840 it's just a waste of time. 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.940 These all destined 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:35.940 to perish with use 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:37.000 because they are based 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.960 on human commands 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.579 and teachings. 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.139 Such regulations, 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:40.699 indeed, 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.699 have an appearance 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.800 of wisdom, 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.119 an appearance of wisdom, 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.699 but they're self-imposed 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:46.759 humility, 00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:47.619 and their harsh 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.699 treatment of the body, 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:50.119 but they lack 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.899 any value 00:34:50.899 --> 00:34:51.980 in restraining 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.619 sensual indulgences. 00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:54.639 Now, 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.739 here's chapter three. 00:34:55.819 --> 00:34:56.379 We're not gonna read 00:34:56.379 --> 00:34:57.039 the whole chapter. 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.239 Since then, 00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.299 you've been raised 00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:01.159 with Christ. 00:35:01.439 --> 00:35:02.039 Set your hearts 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:02.919 on things above, 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.379 which is where 00:35:05.379 --> 00:35:06.319 Christ is seated 00:35:06.319 --> 00:35:07.179 at the right hand 00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:07.579 of God. 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.719 Set your minds 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.679 on things above, 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:11.000 not on earthly things, 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.800 for you died. 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:15.019 We died, 00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:17.619 and then we rose again, 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.699 and it's Christ 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.940 that is alive in us. 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:22.000 For you died, 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:22.820 and your life 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.659 is now hidden 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.860 with Christ in God. 00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:25.860 When Christ, 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:27.639 who is your life, 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:28.199 appears, 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:29.599 so he's coming back, 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:33.639 that's the hope we have, 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:35.199 is Christ is coming back. 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:38.500 You will appear 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.460 with him in glory. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:41.819 Now, 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:44.299 instead of 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:45.579 don'ts and do's, 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.739 put to death, 00:35:46.899 --> 00:35:47.139 therefore, 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:48.119 whatever belongs 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:49.319 to your earthly nature, 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.319 sexual immorality, 00:35:51.899 --> 00:35:52.399 impurity, 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:53.500 lust, 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:55.000 evil desires, 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:55.659 and greed, 00:35:55.779 --> 00:35:56.819 which is idolatry. 00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.919 Because of these, 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.799 the wrath of God 00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:01.299 is coming, 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:02.399 so God 00:36:02.399 --> 00:36:03.399 is going 00:36:03.399 --> 00:36:04.259 to judge. 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.279 It's promised. 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:07.619 It's promised that 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:09.019 we read through Revelation, 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.419 there's going to be 00:36:10.419 --> 00:36:11.099 a lot of judgment. 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:11.699 There's going to be 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.799 a lot of wailing 00:36:12.799 --> 00:36:13.859 and gnashing of teeth. 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.439 There's going to be 00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:15.179 a lot of people 00:36:15.179 --> 00:36:16.159 dying. 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:18.319 It's not going to be nice. 00:36:20.939 --> 00:36:22.439 You used to walk 00:36:22.439 --> 00:36:23.159 in these ways, 00:36:23.219 --> 00:36:24.539 in the life you once lived, 00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:25.539 but now, 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.119 you must rid yourself 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.099 of all such things 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:28.619 as these, 00:36:28.919 --> 00:36:29.339 anger, 00:36:30.259 --> 00:36:30.779 rage, 00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:32.039 malice, 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.000 slander, 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:34.000 and filthy language 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.199 from your lips. 00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.639 So instead of 00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:37.699 do's and don'ts, 00:36:38.219 --> 00:36:39.880 get rid of 00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:40.619 anger, 00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:41.539 rage, 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.400 malice. 00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:43.840 This is how 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:44.440 we're to live. 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:44.900 You know, 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:47.239 don't have a chip 00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:47.860 on your shoulder. 00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:49.900 Don't go around 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:51.079 swearing a blue streak. 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:54.279 Do not lie to each other 00:36:54.279 --> 00:36:55.440 since you have taken off 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.579 the old self 00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.559 with its practices 00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:59.599 and put on the new self 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.699 which is being renewed 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:01.460 in knowledge, 00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:02.779 again the knowledge, 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.639 in the image 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.739 of its creator. 00:37:06.819 --> 00:37:08.039 There is no Jew 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.840 or Greek, 00:37:09.739 --> 00:37:10.440 circumcised 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.679 or uncircumcised, 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:12.759 barbarian, 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:13.599 Scythian, 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:14.779 slave, 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.360 or free, 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.900 but Christ is all 00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:18.119 and is in all. 00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:19.980 So these are 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:21.339 powerful words. 00:37:22.279 --> 00:37:23.839 When we go to heaven, 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:25.039 there's not going to be, 00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:26.420 well this is the Jewish section 00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.960 and that's the, 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:30.400 that's the Jews from Russia 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:31.819 or Christians from Russia 00:37:31.819 --> 00:37:32.759 and these are the 00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:34.119 American group, 00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:34.779 but no, 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:36.019 there is no 00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:37.699 distinction. 00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:38.559 We're all, 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:40.400 either you're a believer 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:42.019 or you're not in heaven. 00:37:42.339 --> 00:37:43.179 There's no 00:37:43.179 --> 00:37:43.880 ifs, 00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.139 ands, 00:37:44.139 --> 00:37:44.619 or buts. 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.900 Therefore, 00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:48.659 this is the final wrap-up, 00:37:49.359 --> 00:37:49.639 therefore, 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:51.900 as God's chosen people, 00:37:52.319 --> 00:37:52.759 holy, 00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.739 which is set apart, 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.779 and dearly loved, 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:57.059 again, 00:37:57.420 --> 00:37:58.219 Christ loved us 00:37:58.219 --> 00:37:58.839 or else he wouldn't 00:37:58.839 --> 00:37:59.599 have died for us, 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.579 clothe yourself 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:02.460 with compassion, 00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:04.279 kindness, 00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:06.000 humility, 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.679 gentleness, 00:38:08.319 --> 00:38:09.460 and patience. 00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:11.780 That's totally 00:38:11.780 --> 00:38:12.760 different 00:38:12.760 --> 00:38:13.639 than, 00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:15.579 than impurity, 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:16.119 lust, 00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:17.099 evil desires, 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:17.659 greed, 00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.320 you know, 00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:19.059 idolatry. 00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:19.900 So, 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:20.519 again, 00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.240 clothe yourself 00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:24.139 with compassion, 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:25.440 kindness, 00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:26.780 humility, 00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:28.079 gentleness, 00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:28.980 and patience. 00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:29.880 So this is where 00:38:29.880 --> 00:38:31.099 the rubber meets the road. 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:32.440 This is how we're to live. 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:33.059 It's not a, 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:34.079 it's not a list 00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:35.139 of do's and don'ts. 00:38:35.780 --> 00:38:36.199 It's a lift, 00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.559 this is how we're to treat 00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:38.800 our fellow believers. 00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:39.720 Everybody. 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.460 Bear with each other, 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:45.380 forgive whatever grievance 00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:45.980 you may have 00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:46.920 against one another. 00:38:47.600 --> 00:38:47.840 Forgive, 00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:50.380 as the Lord forgave you, 00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:52.380 and over all these virtues, 00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:53.480 put on love, 00:38:53.560 --> 00:38:55.019 which binds them all together 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:56.660 in perfect unity. 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.320 So with that, 00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:01.720 I'd like to ask 00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:04.700 Rod and Rob 00:39:04.700 --> 00:39:05.360 to come forward. 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.260 And before, 00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:07.000 before they come, 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:08.200 I just want to make it clear. 00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:10.460 our church 00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:12.240 practices what's called 00:39:12.240 --> 00:39:13.140 an open communion. 00:39:14.640 --> 00:39:15.940 We'll pass the plate 00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:16.740 in front of you, 00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:19.720 and if you are a believer, 00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:21.120 like if you really believe 00:39:21.120 --> 00:39:21.760 in your heart 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:22.460 that Christ 00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.800 is your God 00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:24.860 and has forgiven you, 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:26.220 then take it. 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:27.480 If you, 00:39:27.640 --> 00:39:28.460 you know, 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:29.700 if you really haven't 00:39:29.700 --> 00:39:30.980 settled in your mind 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:32.360 that you are a faithful 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:33.400 follower in Christ, 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.960 just let it go by. 00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:35.340 I guess, 00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:37.280 we will allow anyone 00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:37.700 to have, 00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:39.579 the closed communion 00:39:39.579 --> 00:39:41.200 is where you have 00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:41.840 to be a member 00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:43.079 of that congregation 00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:44.099 to have it. 00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:45.400 But we practice 00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:45.860 an open, 00:39:46.160 --> 00:39:48.300 so you choose, 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.639 it's on your heads 00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:51.320 because you don't take this, 00:39:51.619 --> 00:39:53.360 this is not just a simple 00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:54.280 taking a piece of bread. 00:39:54.340 --> 00:39:55.880 This is a very significant 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:58.740 declaration to Christ 00:39:58.739 --> 00:40:00.599 that his body, 00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:02.000 that he is Christ, 00:40:02.119 --> 00:40:03.079 that he is God, 00:40:03.339 --> 00:40:04.239 that he died for us, 00:40:04.419 --> 00:40:05.299 that he is the creator 00:40:05.299 --> 00:40:06.179 of the universe, 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:08.339 that he is the image 00:40:08.339 --> 00:40:09.019 of God. 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:11.399 So as you take this, 00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:12.979 think about it, 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.239 and you're welcome 00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:16.279 to partake. 00:40:16.739 --> 00:40:17.419 And then the wine 00:40:17.419 --> 00:40:18.519 reminds us 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:20.239 not just of his death, 00:40:20.339 --> 00:40:21.599 but his blood 00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:22.379 on the cross 00:40:22.379 --> 00:40:24.559 as it was poured out. 00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:26.259 Basically, 00:40:26.419 --> 00:40:27.319 every drop 00:40:27.319 --> 00:40:27.919 was drained 00:40:27.919 --> 00:40:28.719 from his body. 00:40:28.739 --> 00:40:30.199 So, 00:40:30.879 --> 00:40:31.559 Rod and Rob, 00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:32.059 if you would 00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:33.039 come forward 00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.259 and 00:40:33.259 --> 00:40:35.719 Rob, 00:40:35.819 --> 00:40:36.219 if you would, 00:40:36.419 --> 00:40:36.739 or Rod, 00:40:36.799 --> 00:40:37.399 if you would say 00:40:37.399 --> 00:40:40.299 thanks for this. 00:40:44.919 --> 00:40:45.899 I have the Father 00:40:45.899 --> 00:40:46.619 and the Father 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.379 that I thank you 00:40:47.379 --> 00:40:48.219 for this day 00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:49.219 and know that 00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:50.279 you can put it 00:40:50.279 --> 00:40:51.459 your body 00:40:51.459 --> 00:40:52.659 and you can put it 00:40:52.659 --> 00:40:53.679 and just pray 00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:54.419 that you would 00:40:54.419 --> 00:40:57.079 have a few moments 00:40:57.079 --> 00:40:58.319 and you can 00:40:58.320 --> 00:40:58.980 sacrifice 00:40:58.980 --> 00:40:59.860 that you 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.039 mean it 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:02.180 to me. 00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:16.539 That you 00:41:16.539 --> 00:41:18.580 canwere, 00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:48.559 I guess I should 00:41:48.559 --> 00:41:52.380 say we'll just hold on to the emblems until 00:41:52.380 --> 00:41:55.039 we'll all partake at the same time. 00:42:18.559 --> 00:42:48.539 Thank you. 00:42:48.559 --> 00:43:18.539 Thank you. 00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:48.539 Thank you. 00:43:48.559 --> 00:44:18.539 Thank you. 00:44:18.559 --> 00:44:48.539 Thank you. 00:44:49.519 --> 00:44:55.159 We can't do this in remembrance of him if we don't understand who he is. 00:44:55.920 --> 00:45:00.199 We have to have a full knowledge and appreciation of what Christ is. 00:45:00.199 --> 00:45:04.679 Thank you, Lord, for giving us these sins.