WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:07.820 This week we're going to continue in our discipleship pathway as we continue talking about the fact that disciples grow. 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:16.100 ! This week our passage is going to be from Romans, the end of chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12. 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:25.699 And so if you have a copy of God's Word, I want to invite you to go ahead and make your way with me to Romans chapter 11, the end of the passage there. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:34.259 But as you're turning to Romans chapter 11, I want you to think about something with me for just a moment. 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:41.100 When was the last time that you went outside and just looked up at the stars? 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:47.179 Where you just went outside and were just amazed by God's creation? 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:53.260 And I'm not talking about, you know, a glance up as you're driving down the road and looking out the window. 00:00:53.259 --> 00:01:03.519 But when you're at a place where there's very little light pollution, there's hardly any lights that are around, it's a clear, beautiful night. 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:08.640 And then you just look up and think, wow, that's a lot of stars. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:13.439 You know, hopefully most of us at some point in our lives have done that. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:23.039 But as I was thinking about that this week, I was reminded of the fact that there's only a few handful of stars that we can actually see. 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:29.219 In fact, there's only about 9,096 stars that we can see with a human eye. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:30.759 Now, I don't know how they came up with that number. 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:33.099 I don't know what scientist was out there counting. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:34.039 Can I see that? 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:34.640 I don't know. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:40.140 But apparently there's about just over 9,000 stars that we can see with a naked eye. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:44.659 Now, that's northern hemisphere, southern hemisphere, different times of the night. 00:01:44.780 --> 00:01:54.319 So at any one given moment, there's about 2,500 stars that we're able to see with the naked eye. 00:01:54.519 --> 00:02:02.240 But even if you are able to see all 9,000 of them at one time that we can see from Earth, 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:06.740 that would only be a fraction of the total number of stars that are there. 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:15.359 In fact, the fraction would be 1 in 100 quintillion number of stars that we can actually see. 00:02:16.079 --> 00:02:19.500 And I don't know about you, but numbers like this, I can't even comprehend. 00:02:20.519 --> 00:02:24.979 That's a fraction of the number of stars that scientists estimate that they're, 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:26.639 and this is a conservative estimate, 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:32.560 they estimate that we can see between 1 and 3 septillion stars. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:37.840 Now, I know you're all math wizards out there, and you know exactly what 1 septillion is. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:44.060 But just for those of you who may not, that is 1 with 24 zeros behind it. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.039 1 with 24 zeros. 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:50.080 And just a, for me, that's just a number on a piece. 00:02:50.140 --> 00:02:51.920 I can't comprehend that. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:55.640 And so another way to think of it is think of it like this. 00:02:55.639 --> 00:03:05.379 If you were to count to a million, just one second at a time, you know, 1, 2, 3, 4, all the way to a million, 00:03:05.799 --> 00:03:12.659 never stop, never sleep, never do anything, always one second, or counting one for every second, 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:17.000 then it would take you roughly 11 days to count to a million. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:21.620 Now, if you were to count to a billion at the same rate, 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:28.139 it would take you roughly 31 years and 8 months to count to a billion. 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:34.240 And so now, I want you to just think of a number in your mind of what you think it would take to count to a trillion. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:41.379 So we have a million 11 days, a billion 31 years, 8 months. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:45.400 How long in your mind are you thinking right now to count to a trillion? 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:52.159 Because it would take 32,000 years of constantly counting to get to a trillion. 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:53.960 That's hard to understand. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:55.520 That's hard to comprehend. 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:03.900 But then to think that we have 1 to 3 septillion stars, I can't even begin to comprehend that. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:07.920 And then each star, thinking about the energy that each star has, 00:04:07.980 --> 00:04:16.980 each star produces about, on average, the equivalent to 6 trillion atom bombs every second. 00:04:17.620 --> 00:04:19.019 I heard that in my mind. 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:22.079 I don't know if you're like me, but I heard that in my mind immediately went, 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:27.060 well, I wonder how long one second of the sun's energy, 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:29.639 how long that would power Earth. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:32.419 With the amount of energy that we're using right now, 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:37.879 how long could one second of the sun's energy power the Earth? 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:41.419 So I looked it up, and apparently I'm not the only one who was wondering this, 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:42.539 because there was an answer. 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:45.740 And what, according to one source, 00:04:45.979 --> 00:04:49.879 one second of the sun's total output 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:55.920 could power our modern civilization for over 500,000 years. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:58.180 Imagine that. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:03.540 One second, and let's just say, let's say they get it wrong by half. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:07.680 Let's say they're 250,000 years off. 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:09.339 That's still amazing. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:11.579 Let's say that they were completely off, 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:15.300 and they were 499,000 years off. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:18.160 If the sun's power could power Earth, 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:21.900 the amount of that it's putting off for 1,000 years, 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:22.780 that would be tremendous. 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:25.520 Every second it's putting this off. 00:05:25.900 --> 00:05:27.960 And so it's amazing for us to think about. 00:05:28.020 --> 00:05:32.840 And what is crazy is that the number of known stars and galaxies 00:05:32.840 --> 00:05:34.600 is constantly increasing. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:38.500 Scientists are constantly finding new galaxies, 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:40.019 finding new stars. 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:42.379 The universe is big. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:45.199 In fact, it's so big it's hard to comprehend. 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:48.600 But what is even harder to comprehend 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:52.740 is the fact that we serve a God so powerful 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:55.319 that He speaks that into existence. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:57.779 That there was nothing. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:02.519 God speaks, and everything is formed. 00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:05.600 More stars than we could ever imagine. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.819 More power than we could ever comprehend. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:11.480 More galaxies than we even know about right now. 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:14.900 He speaks, and the worlds are formed. 00:06:15.020 --> 00:06:17.319 It's amazing for us to think about that. 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:19.420 And so as we think about this, 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:21.200 this is what I want you to have in mind 00:06:21.200 --> 00:06:23.540 as we read our passage of Scripture today. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.800 As we begin at the end of Romans chapter 11, 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:28.140 starting in verse 33, 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:31.060 and making our way through Romans 12. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:34.580 I want you to think about how big God is 00:06:34.580 --> 00:06:36.040 as we consider these words. 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:38.280 It says this, 00:06:38.280 --> 00:06:40.900 Oh, the depth and the riches 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:43.100 and wisdom and knowledge of God. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:46.000 How unsearchable are His judgments 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:48.340 and how inscrutable His ways. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:51.000 For who has known the mind of the Lord? 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:53.140 Or who has been His counselor? 00:06:54.140 --> 00:06:55.800 Or who has given Him a gift 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:57.140 that He may be repaid? 00:06:57.780 --> 00:07:00.120 For from Him and through Him 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:02.939 and to Him are all things. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:05.939 To Him be glory forever. Amen. 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:08.060 And He goes on to say, 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:09.839 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:11.560 by the mercies of God, 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:14.540 to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:16.980 holy and acceptable to God, 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.519 which is your spiritual worship. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:21.319 Do not be conformed to this world, 00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:23.899 but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:26.220 that by testing you may discern 00:07:26.220 --> 00:07:27.579 what is the will of God, 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:30.540 what is good and acceptable and perfect. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:34.280 For by the grace given to me, 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:36.200 I say to everyone among you, 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:38.120 you ought not to think of himself 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:40.480 more highly than he ought to think, 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:43.680 but to think with sober judgment, 00:07:44.320 --> 00:07:46.180 each according to the measure of faith 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:47.379 that God has assigned. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.780 For as in one body we have many members, 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:53.320 and the members do not all have the same function, 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.220 so we, though many, 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.939 are one body in Christ, 00:07:57.480 --> 00:08:00.040 and individually members one of another. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:03.680 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:05.920 let us use them. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.020 If prophecy in proportion to our faith, 00:08:09.640 --> 00:08:12.939 in service in our serving, 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.220 the one who teaches in his teaching, 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:17.100 the one who exhorts in his exhortation, 00:08:17.460 --> 00:08:19.680 the one who contributes in generosity, 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:22.180 the one who leads with zeal, 00:08:22.580 --> 00:08:23.660 the one who acts, 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:26.800 who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:31.040 I believe that this passage that we see here, 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:34.039 and we could continue reading through the end of Romans, 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:35.100 to be quite frank, 00:08:35.180 --> 00:08:38.220 but we're going to stop here for our purposes this morning. 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:41.620 I believe this passage shows us a great deal 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:45.200 about what it means to grow in our relationship with the Lord. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:49.019 There's some key elements here that remind us 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:51.659 of things that we need to consider 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:54.379 as we grow in our relationship with the Lord. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:57.419 And so I believe this passage shows us a great deal 00:08:57.419 --> 00:08:59.659 when it comes to growing the relationship with the Lord. 00:09:00.439 --> 00:09:01.500 And to begin with, 00:09:01.579 --> 00:09:06.419 we are reminded that disciples grow by seeing God. 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:10.360 Disciples grow by seeing God. 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:11.480 It says, 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:23.420 You see, verses 33 through 36 here 00:09:23.420 --> 00:09:26.279 come at a really interesting point in the book of Romans. 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:29.560 If we were studying all the way through the book of Romans, 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:32.019 and we got to this section of Scripture, 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:35.680 each of you would notice something very different at this point. 00:09:35.680 --> 00:09:39.879 You would notice a change in Paul's writing. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:41.559 Up until this point, 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:44.580 he has been laying out theology for us. 00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:47.159 He's been showing us over and over again 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.700 the importance of knowing truth, 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.500 the importance of applying truth, 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:52.799 the importance of knowing who we are, 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.679 that we're sinners, 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:55.480 about how Jesus came, 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:57.000 and how he fulfills the Old Testament. 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:59.039 And now he's just talked about 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:02.080 how the nation of Israel is grafted into this, 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:02.860 and their part, 00:10:02.939 --> 00:10:04.080 and their role to play in this. 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:05.220 And he's been explaining 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:07.639 all of these theological things to us. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:09.240 And he gets to this point, 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:10.539 and there's a change. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:12.500 In fact, James Montgomery Boyce, 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:14.320 when he was talking about this section, 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:17.440 he says it's like he moves into a doxology. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:22.139 He goes from all of this theology into worship. 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:23.919 And the way he does this, 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.539 I love how the ESV 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:28.100 and many other English translations capture it here. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.779 And they just simply say, 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:32.539 Oh, oh, the riches. 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:34.139 Oh, the depth of the riches 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.600 and wisdom and knowledge of God. 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:38.720 It is a moment where they just praise God. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:42.340 You see, the gospel should always lead us to an O. 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:44.340 To an O, how wonderful. 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:46.100 Oh, how great. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.420 And so when I ask you, 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.220 and I want you to consider, 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:49.860 when was the last time 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.700 that you were thinking about God, 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.200 that you were thinking about salvation, 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:56.060 that you were thinking about who you are in Christ, 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.019 and just said, 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.700 Oh, praise God. 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:01.560 Oh, the depths of his goodness. 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:04.000 Oh, how wonderful his love is. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:08.639 Oh, how great and powerful the God we serve is. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.779 You see, when it comes to God, 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:13.240 the more we know about who he is, 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:15.700 the more we grow in that relationship. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:20.559 As we see God more and more clearly for who he is, 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.759 the deeper we grow in our trust, 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:25.059 the deeper we grow in our faith, 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:27.419 the deeper we grow in our obedience. 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:32.379 We are reminded here that by seeing God, 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:34.579 we grow in our relationship. 00:11:35.099 --> 00:11:36.579 By seeing God's greatness, 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:40.339 we grow, and it leads us to worship him. 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:43.319 I was listening to a song this week 00:11:43.319 --> 00:11:47.879 that was, essentially, it was singing Psalm 34. 00:11:48.339 --> 00:11:50.759 And it put Psalm 34 to music, 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:54.219 and it was basically just singing through Psalm 34. 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:57.519 And there was a phrase that kept coming up 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.080 in this song that is actually a, 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:03.340 just a direct quotation of Psalm 34 3. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:05.220 And it begins with O. 00:12:05.660 --> 00:12:06.840 Another O, and it says, 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:10.040 Oh, magnify the Lord with me. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:12.600 And it just kept coming up and coming up. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.779 And the more that I thought about it, 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.420 essentially, this is what I mean 00:12:16.420 --> 00:12:18.480 when I say disciples grow by seeing. 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:23.000 We grow as we see and magnify the Lord. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:27.980 John Piper, he makes a very wonderful observation 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:30.419 when it comes to magnifying the Lord 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:32.580 and what it means to magnify the Lord. 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:35.120 And so I want you to consider what he says today. 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.039 He says this. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:37.500 He says, 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:39.320 There's two kinds of magnifying, 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:43.419 microscope magnifying and telescope magnifying. 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:49.000 The one makes a small thing look bigger than it is. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:55.720 The other makes a big thing begin to look as big as it really is. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.679 We are not called to be microscopes. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:00.600 We are called to be telescopes. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:04.240 Christians are not called to be con men 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:08.340 who magnify their product out of proportion to reality 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:12.120 when they know that their competitor's product is far superior. 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:15.960 There is nothing and nobody superior to God. 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:19.280 And so by calling those who love God, 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.639 by calling those who love God 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:23.980 is to make his greatness become 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:28.000 and begin to look as great as it really is. 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:28.940 He says, 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:32.720 The whole duty of the Christian can be summed up in this. 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:36.340 Feel, think, and act in a way 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:40.139 that will make God look as great as he really is. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:42.560 Be a telescope for the world 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:46.259 of the infinite starry wealth of the glory of God. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:50.439 This is what it means for Christians to magnify God. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:53.959 But you can't magnify what you haven't seen 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:55.639 or what you quickly forget. 00:13:56.239 --> 00:13:59.879 It's impossible for us to magnify the Lord 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:02.699 to help others to see him for who he truly is 00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:04.759 if we haven't seen him ourselves 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:08.500 or if we quickly forget what we have learned. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:13.200 What we must do is to begin to see God for who he really is. 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:15.200 That means studying his word. 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.440 It means reading theology. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:20.159 It means taking apologetics class. 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.600 Join a life group. 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:23.019 Join a Sunday school class 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:25.980 and begin to see God for who he really is 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:29.700 and let that spur your spiritual growth with him. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:33.019 You see, growing in our knowledge and understanding of God 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:35.360 will lead to deeper trust. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:37.399 It will lead to deeper faith. 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:39.279 It will lead to more obedience. 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:41.379 The more, think about it like this, 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:42.779 the more you know about me, 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:45.059 the more I'm going to let you down. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:47.319 The more that you know about me, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.379 the more you're going to think, 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:51.079 why did we ever call him to be our pastor? 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:52.539 Why is he in this? 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.939 The more you know about me, 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.840 the more that I'm going to let you down. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.299 But with God, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:00.959 the more that we see him for who he truly is, 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:03.779 the more knowledge we have about him, 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:05.620 the more that we can magnify him, 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:08.279 the more that we can take something infinitely big, 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:10.080 focus in on a part of it, 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.060 and see how big he truly is, 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:14.060 then the more we understand, 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:17.519 the more worthy you will find him to be. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.940 And so this brings us to the next way 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.480 that we see disciples grow. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.539 And so we see disciples grow by seeing God, 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:28.019 but also disciples grow by transformation. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:30.060 They grow by transformation. 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:32.959 This is what Dr. Mewborn was reading for us earlier. 00:15:33.479 --> 00:15:36.019 He said in verses 1 and 2 of chapter 12, 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:37.439 I appeal to you, 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:37.699 therefore, 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.299 brothers, 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.659 by the mercies of God, 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:43.699 to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:46.279 holy and acceptable to God, 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:47.720 which is your spiritual worship. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.220 Do not be conformed to this world, 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:53.919 but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.799 that by testing, 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:57.960 you may discern what is the will of God, 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:01.899 what is good and acceptable and perfect. 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:05.519 What Paul is saying and reminding us here 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:09.740 is that we are called to give our whole self to God. 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:12.959 We're called to give our entire self to God. 00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:15.340 Paul is calling us to present our bodies 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.919 as a living sacrifice. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.779 It highlights a confusion 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.519 that many people would have had 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.360 with believers at this time. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.960 You see, for Paul to say to present your body 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:27.779 as a living sacrifice, 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:30.840 meaning to give your whole life to God, 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:33.060 would have been something far different 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:34.660 than they were accustomed to hearing. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.820 You see, they would have been just fine 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:37.460 if Paul had said, 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:37.960 you know what? 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:40.580 Why don't you come to the temple, 00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:43.000 offer some sacrifices, 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.620 do your duty, 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:46.120 and then as you leave, 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.280 you can go back to living 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.800 however you want to live. 00:16:49.280 --> 00:16:51.340 That would have been understandable to them. 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.399 That would have been something 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.639 they were accustomed to doing. 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:56.900 But Paul's saying something far deeper here, 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:58.120 far more impactful. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:17:00.179 He's saying to present your bodies 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.639 as a living sacrifice. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:04.700 He's saying don't compartmentalize your faith 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.539 to one area of your life 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:08.440 and then live completely different. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:10.460 But a relationship with the Lord, 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.819 a relationship with Jesus, 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.180 leads to a transformed life, 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:16.700 leads to a life of offering yourself 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:19.019 as a living sacrifice. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:23.299 We do not somehow give our spirits to Him 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:26.519 without giving our lives to Him as well. 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:29.519 Presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:32.680 ultimately leads to what Paul describes here 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:36.059 as this transformed life. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:39.240 You see, transformation is a change 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.220 that takes place. 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:43.379 It means that your life is different. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:46.440 It's more than a change of action 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.000 here and there, 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.759 but it's a change of heart. 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.960 It's a change of desire. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:53.720 Jerry Bridges, in Growing Your Faith, 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.500 he describes it as having 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.759 Christ-like convictions. 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:00.059 He describes this transformation 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:02.819 of developing Christ-like convictions 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.920 and he says it this way. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:05.819 He says, 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:08.720 if we're going to grow into Christ-likeness 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:11.100 through exposure to God's Word, 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.660 one of the things that we must do 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:16.740 is to develop Bible-based convictions. 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:20.140 A conviction is a determinant of belief. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:23.160 something you believe so strongly 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:25.840 that it affects the way that you live. 00:18:26.540 --> 00:18:26.860 He said, 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.820 someone has observed 00:18:27.820 --> 00:18:29.660 a belief is what you hold, 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:32.820 but a conviction is what holds you. 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:33.880 He says, 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:36.300 you may live contrary to what you believe, 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.580 but you cannot live contrary 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:40.480 to your convictions. 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:43.160 Sure, there may be times 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:46.000 when you act contrary to your convictions, 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:49.759 but your convictions are what will pull you back in, 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.680 what will bring you back. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:54.559 Having convictions and being transformed 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:57.839 is not something that you stumble upon. 00:18:58.420 --> 00:19:00.720 Paul says here to offer yourself 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.940 as a living sacrifice. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:04.940 This isn't something that just happens naturally, 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:07.259 but it's something we're intentional with, 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.839 we're purposeful with. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:11.839 We intend to grow in our Christ-likeness. 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:15.200 We intend to live a transformed life. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:18.319 We can do this by memorizing Scripture 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:20.860 or carrying cards around with us 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:22.819 that help us to remember Scripture. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:25.720 Jacob just recently got a cell phone 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:27.700 and I walked by the other day 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.160 and looked at his locked screen 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:31.400 and on there it had a verse of the day. 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:34.440 It's an app that constantly has a new verse of the day 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.440 that gets put on there. 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:38.580 What a great way to have this in our lives. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:42.460 What a great way to grow in our knowledge of Him. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:46.920 We set up times where we are committed to doing this. 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.720 Committed to reading His Word, 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.720 committed to praying, 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:52.100 we purposefully choose 00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:55.420 what we will fill our minds with. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:57.519 If left to ourselves, 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:59.160 oftentimes what ends up happening 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.500 is we fill our minds 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:03.319 with things that are just entertaining, 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:06.640 that actually remove ourselves from reality. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:09.759 Whether it be watching a show at night 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.720 and don't get me wrong, 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:13.400 I enjoy TV as much as the next person. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:15.879 But that can't be our escape. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.160 That can't be what we, 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:19.259 our default goes back to. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.920 Oftentimes we find ourselves 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:24.039 just scrolling through social media. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.039 And if social media is something 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:28.299 that you enjoy looking at, 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.700 enjoy interacting with, 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:32.379 then let me give you a kind of a tip here 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:34.460 when it comes to spending time with God. 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.779 Remove your phone from the equation. 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:39.240 Just go ahead and set it off somewhere else 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:41.799 because oftentimes we'll find ourselves 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.240 starting with good intentions 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:45.420 and finding our way right back 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:47.500 to just scrolling mindlessly 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.160 through different things. 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.680 What we must understand 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:54.559 is to develop convictions 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.759 that lead to a transformed life, 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:59.519 we must be intentional. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:02.680 The passage tells us that by doing so, 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:05.120 we're going to accomplish something. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.380 We're going to discern 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:09.000 what is the will of God, 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:11.360 what is good and acceptable, 00:21:12.540 --> 00:21:14.500 what He wants us to be doing, 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.660 which brings us to the final way 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.840 that I want us to consider 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:20.800 that disciples grow from this passage today. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.240 And that is this, 00:21:22.280 --> 00:21:25.480 not only do disciples grow by seeing God, 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:28.640 not only do they grow by being transformed, 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:30.940 but we also see here very clearly 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:34.120 that disciples grow by doing. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.340 Disciples grow by doing. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:39.799 Now we're not talking about being saved by doing. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.080 Your actions, 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.840 your things you do cannot save anyone, 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:45.820 but we can grow with our actions. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:48.580 We can grow by doing. 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.740 Verses 3 through 8 it says, 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.299 For by the grace given to me, 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.779 I say to everyone among you, 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:57.740 not to think of himself more highly 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.960 than he ought to think, 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.880 but to think with sober judgment, 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:04.299 each according to the measure of faith 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.620 that God has assigned. 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:10.339 For as in one body we have many members, 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:13.480 and the members do not how have the same function, 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.839 so we, though many, 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:18.099 are one body in Christ, 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:20.539 and individual members one of another. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:23.180 Having gifts that differ according to 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.960 the grace given to us, 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.740 let us use them. 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.720 What a powerful reminder there. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.299 We've been given these gifts, 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.859 let us use them. 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:36.859 If prophecy in proportion to our faith, 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.920 if service in our serving, 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:41.680 the one who teaches in his teaching, 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:44.420 the one who exhorts in his exhortation, 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.980 the one who contributes in generosity, 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.599 one who leads with zeal, 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:52.139 and the one who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness. 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:56.159 This passage reminds us as disciples, 00:22:56.939 --> 00:23:00.719 we must have a right understanding of who we are. 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:03.839 We're not to think too highly of ourselves, 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:06.659 that we've done this on our own, 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:08.039 that we can save ourselves, 00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:09.419 that we can do all these things, 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:13.119 but rather we are to think with sober judgment. 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.559 In other words, 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.559 with clarity, 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.159 we are to think of who we are. 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.979 We are to think accurately, 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:22.099 not too highly nor too low. 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:24.019 This morning, 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.079 in our early service, 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:27.259 we sang a song that had this phrase in there, 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:29.019 that just really spoke to me, 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.579 as we think about this. 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:30.839 It said, 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:33.199 Two wonders here that I confess, 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:36.119 my worth and my unworthiness. 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:39.899 We are to think rightly about ourselves. 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:42.119 We are to understand that we are sinners, 00:23:42.459 --> 00:23:45.019 and that we have been saved. 00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:46.779 The late Tim Keller, 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:49.839 he shows how properly understanding the gospel 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:53.679 gives us this clear understanding of who we are. 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:55.179 He says this, 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.139 he says, 00:23:56.140 --> 00:24:12.820 He also says, 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:18.620 And the gospel prevents us thinking we're more lowly than we ought. 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:21.220 We are saved sinners. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.120 We are loved, 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:26.899 and we are valued in the gaze of the only one 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:29.639 whose opinion ultimately matters. 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:32.859 And so what we see here very clearly is that 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:34.479 as believers, 00:24:34.479 --> 00:24:36.079 we have several things in common. 00:24:36.219 --> 00:24:37.299 One, that we are sinners. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:39.439 That's every single one of us. 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:42.639 But that sin is what doesn't define us anymore. 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:45.459 What Christ has done for us defines us. 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:47.119 So we understand our unworthiness, 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:50.159 but we also understand our worthiness, 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:52.079 that we are children of God, 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:54.079 called to live for Him. 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:57.179 And one way we do this 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:59.859 is by using our gifts and abilities 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:02.279 that God has given to us. 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:04.699 We recognize that all believers 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:06.460 have some things in common. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.519 We are sinners. 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:08.839 And if we're believers, 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.359 then we have something else in common. 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:12.799 We are saved by God's grace. 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:16.639 But we are all different 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:19.339 in the sense that we have different gifts and abilities. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:21.779 We grow individually, 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.000 and we grow as a church 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.359 by using these gifts. 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.319 As individuals, 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:29.299 we grow in our relationship with the Lord. 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.419 We grow in our trust. 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:32.500 We grow with our understanding 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:34.439 as we serve Him, 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:36.659 as we do what He's called us to do. 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:38.559 But also corporately, 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.919 as a church, 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:41.659 we grow by everyone 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:45.119 using the gifts that God has given to them. 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.119 You see, 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:48.479 more knowledge is never the end goal 00:25:48.479 --> 00:25:49.799 of spiritual growth. 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:53.039 It's not that we just become smarter sinners. 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:55.759 It's not that we just read His Word, 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.259 understand God more clearly 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:59.579 so that we can be smarter sinners. 00:25:59.719 --> 00:26:01.699 It's that we're growing in our relationship. 00:26:02.439 --> 00:26:02.739 Rather, 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.059 we want that knowledge 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:06.299 to lead to a changed life, 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:09.859 a life of doing and obedience. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.539 We want that knowledge 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:13.480 to lead us to be more obedient. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.839 But we also understand 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:18.139 that action and obedience 00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:21.379 are more than just the result of our knowledge. 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:24.159 They also help us to grow. 00:26:25.159 --> 00:26:25.519 Yes, 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.599 knowledge and obedience 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:30.460 comes from understanding God more clearly. 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:32.220 Obedience and action, 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.200 they come from that, 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.259 but they also, 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.539 then in turn, 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.740 help us to grow. 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:39.359 One of the things that I have found 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:41.039 is that most people say 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.959 they want to be obedient to God. 00:26:43.979 --> 00:26:44.759 At least, 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.399 at least when people come to church, 00:26:46.719 --> 00:26:48.219 most people tell me 00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:50.199 I want to be obedient to God. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:52.139 Most people that come in here 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.000 on Sunday mornings 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.959 or Wednesday nights, 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.859 if you were to ask them, 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:59.279 do you want to follow God's will for your life? 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.879 Do you want to follow His plan for your life? 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.059 Most people would say, 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.479 yes, 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.139 absolutely. 00:27:03.939 --> 00:27:05.639 But what I've also found 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.860 is that so many people 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:08.500 who say 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:11.259 they want to follow God's will for their life 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:13.680 have no idea 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:16.560 what God's will for their life actually is. 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.640 And so I hope this morning 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:20.440 we can clear some of that up for us. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.660 I hope we're able to see more clearly 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:25.140 what the passage has to tell us. 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:28.180 They have no idea what His will is. 00:27:28.520 --> 00:27:30.860 And so I want us to look at that today. 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.800 You see, 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:34.620 we speak of finding God's will oftentimes 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:37.379 we speak of finding His will 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:39.279 like it's lost or something. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.899 Like we have to go out there 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:42.459 and search and figure out what it is 00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:43.919 because nobody knows 00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:45.519 what His will for us is. 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.959 When in actuality, 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.959 the Bible gives us 00:27:47.959 --> 00:27:49.199 some pretty clear things 00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:51.119 that are a part of God's will. 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.179 In fact, 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.619 just looking at a couple things, 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:55.919 we know that God desires 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:57.939 lost people to be saved. 00:27:58.679 --> 00:28:00.819 2 Peter 3.9 says this, 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:16.939 It seems very clear 00:28:16.939 --> 00:28:18.439 that part of God's will, 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.179 part of His wish here, 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:22.799 is that people would come to know Him. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:26.079 That lost people would come to faith in Him. 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:28.199 But we also know from Scripture 00:28:28.199 --> 00:28:30.159 that God has called us 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:31.419 as believers 00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:32.799 to be a part of this. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.539 If you've been reconciled, 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.199 then you've been given 00:28:35.199 --> 00:28:37.379 to the ministry of reconciliation. 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:40.359 And so we know that God wants us 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.199 to be a part 00:28:41.199 --> 00:28:43.220 of sharing this gospel message. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:45.599 And so it's very clear from Scripture 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:48.279 that God's will for your life 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.859 is to be a part 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:51.319 of reaching the nations, 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:53.500 of sharing the gospel message 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.779 with those who are lost 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.900 and dying in need of, 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:57.559 whether it's somebody you work with 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:59.039 who lives across the street with you, 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.819 or somebody who's on the other side 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.440 of the world. 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.920 We see very clearly 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:04.500 that God's will for us, 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:06.619 His plan for our lives, 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:09.539 is to be about reaching the nations. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:12.559 Part of God's way of teaching us 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:14.660 is leading us through obedience. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.839 And so as we take steps 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:18.420 in following what He's already called us to, 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.380 He will lead us 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.980 and show us other things. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:22.799 because it is true 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:24.500 that some of the details 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:27.140 and how this plays out in our life 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:29.720 are unique to each and every individual. 00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:32.539 But how we know those things 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:35.380 is by doing what He's already called us to do. 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:37.180 I love this illustration. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.599 Some of you may have heard it before. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.360 I think it originally started 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:41.279 with Adrian Rogers. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:43.279 But he mentioned the fact 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:45.360 that when we consider God's will, 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.799 there's so many things 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:49.079 that God has already called us to do. 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.899 And so if we're really concerned 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:52.079 about the specifics 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:55.240 of what He's called us individually to do, 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.759 then we need to start doing 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:58.119 what He's already called us. 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.899 We need to start being a part 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:01.859 of what He's already called us to do. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.679 And he said it like this. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.819 He says, 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.919 when you're driving a car 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:08.779 and when you're trying to steer a car 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.339 and move it in a different direction, 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.480 he says, 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:13.879 is it easier to steer 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.919 and turn the car 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:15.859 when it's moving 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:17.179 or when it's staying still? 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:19.160 And of course, 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:20.360 if you've ever driven a car, 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:24.080 it's far easier to steer it, 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:26.039 to turn it when it's moving 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.240 than when it's staying still. 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:29.340 It's really hard to get that car 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:30.980 to go in a completely different direction 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:33.060 if it's not already moving. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.560 And you see, 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:36.060 in our Christian life, 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:37.920 God has called us 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.320 to follow His will. 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:40.900 There's so many things 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:42.340 that we already know 00:30:42.340 --> 00:30:43.820 that God is calling us to do. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.980 And if we want to find 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:46.539 those specifics in other areas, 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:48.140 it's a whole lot easier 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:50.480 for God to guide and lead us 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.740 if we're already doing 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.900 what He's called us to do. 00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.620 And so if you want to know 00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.319 those specifics, 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:55.940 if you want to know 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.839 those next steps, 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.740 if you want to know 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.559 what is next, 00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.599 then start doing 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.440 what God has already 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.319 called you to do 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.579 and let Him lead, 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:04.279 guide, and direct from there. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.480 It's far easier 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:07.920 to steer a car 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.680 that is moving 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.720 than is staying still. 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.980 And so I want to challenge you 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.799 to start moving today 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.559 and let God guide you. 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.740 What are some of the gifts 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.639 that you've been given 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:19.319 that you need to start using today? 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.899 What are some of those things 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.599 that you need to be 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:23.000 a part of your life today 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.240 and start using? 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:26.680 Often we want the whole picture 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.480 before we take the first step, 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:30.180 but rarely does it ever 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.579 start that way. 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.879 Rarely does it ever start 00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:36.000 with seeing the whole picture. 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.079 What first steps 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.240 can you take today 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:41.659 to use your unique gifts 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.500 and abilities? 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.519 Paul wants us 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:46.140 to think of yourself 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:47.460 with sober judgment 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.900 with regard to gifts. 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:51.019 But to begin with, 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.200 we look at our hearts 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.360 and we consider things. 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:56.540 We look at our feelings. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.300 It's a great place to start 00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:59.540 when it comes to figuring out 00:31:59.540 --> 00:31:59.980 our gifts 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.040 and how we want to use them. 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:02.519 What do I enjoy doing? 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.340 Where do I naturally 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:04.340 gravitate towards? 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.759 Do you enjoy working 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.240 with children? 00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.200 Do you enjoy working 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.779 with shut-ins? 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.640 Do you enjoy working 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.840 with the youth? 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:12.280 Do you enjoy seeing needs 00:32:12.280 --> 00:32:13.259 and meeting the needs 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.820 of the homeless? 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.580 Do you enjoy 00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:15.860 different mercy ministries? 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.700 Start with those things 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.600 and then let God lead, 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.780 guide, and direct you 00:32:20.780 --> 00:32:21.380 from there. 00:32:22.280 --> 00:32:23.240 Maybe we need to just 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.660 look at the needs around us. 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.720 What problems 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:27.360 and needs do I see? 00:32:27.800 --> 00:32:29.720 It's always amazing to me 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:31.480 that so many people 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:33.460 can walk into a room 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:35.660 and see so many different needs. 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:37.380 For some it is, 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:37.920 you know, 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.840 there's nobody welcoming. 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:39.900 For some there's somebody 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.740 sitting beside themselves. 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:43.160 For some it's something 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:44.200 going on with the lighting 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.060 or any number 00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:46.019 of different things. 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:48.100 But God has given us 00:32:48.100 --> 00:32:49.240 these different abilities 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:51.779 and a great place to start 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:53.320 is looking at the needs 00:32:53.320 --> 00:32:54.019 that we see 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.720 and begin meeting those. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.640 And as we do those things, 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:58.680 as we start doing 00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.840 what God has called us to do, 00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:00.880 then He'll lead, 00:33:01.080 --> 00:33:02.019 guide, and direct us 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.940 from there. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:04.100 In short, 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:06.180 when we look at this passage, 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.620 we see that in order to grow, 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:11.600 we must be amazed by God. 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:15.019 We must see God for who He is. 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.960 And so I want to encourage you today 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.720 to take time 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:20.900 to think about who God is. 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:23.940 Take time to reflect on the gospel 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:25.600 and how it's changed your life. 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.600 Make much of God. 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.740 Stand in awe of Him 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.660 and be amazed by who He is. 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:32.140 In order to grow, 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:34.019 we also see we must be transformed. 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:36.540 Offer your life to Him. 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.600 Present your body 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:39.320 as a living sacrifice, 00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:39.640 saying, 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.660 God, there's not an area 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.680 that you can't have. 00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:43.100 It's all yours. 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.519 Take it and use it. 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.420 And finally, 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.180 I want to encourage you 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:47.019 to be obedient, 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:48.700 to start doing. 00:33:49.320 --> 00:33:52.340 What has God called us all to do? 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.500 He's called us all 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.380 to make disciples, 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.779 share the gospel 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.200 with the lost and dying world. 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:59.460 We know His will. 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.840 Now I encourage you 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:02.319 to start using your gifts 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.340 and abilities 00:34:03.340 --> 00:34:05.620 to accomplish His will. 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.079 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.099 Father, we thank You 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:10.880 so very much 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:14.559 for everything that You do for us 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:16.079 each and every day. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:18.119 Lord, we thank You for the gospel. 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:20.039 We thank You for the way 00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:22.240 that it impacts our lives 00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:23.119 each and every day. 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:25.079 We thank You for what it is 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:26.320 that You've called us to do. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:28.400 We thank You for giving us 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:29.800 different gifts and abilities 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:31.620 that we can all use 00:34:31.620 --> 00:34:33.039 for the purpose of reaching 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:34.260 a lost and dying world. 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.760 So Lord, give us the strength 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:36.320 to do that. 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:38.080 Give us the focus to do that. 00:34:38.180 --> 00:34:39.120 Give us the boldness 00:34:39.120 --> 00:34:40.140 to live for You 00:34:40.140 --> 00:34:41.760 in all that we say and do. 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:43.019 And Lord, I pray 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.360 that there's someone here today 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:46.500 that needs to give their life to You, 00:34:46.580 --> 00:34:48.400 that needs to stand amazed 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.400 for the first time 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.460 at what You've done for them. 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.780 Lord, You give them the boldness 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:52.620 to step forward. 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:54.940 And Lord, I pray for the rest of us. 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.559 You would give us 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.259 the encouragement 00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:58.339 to be obedient, 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.699 to start using our gifts 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:01.199 and abilities, 00:35:01.299 --> 00:35:02.460 to start working for You 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.920 and what You've called us to do. 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:05.739 And we ask all these things 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:07.239 in Jesus' precious name. 00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:08.199 Amen. 00:35:08.759 --> 00:35:09.079 Amen. 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.480 I want to invite you 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.940 to take your Baptist hymnal out 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:13.739 and turn to hymn number 94. 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.199 He is here. 00:35:15.299 --> 00:35:16.719 And if the Lord is speaking this morning, 00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:17.519 I want you to respond 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:19.940 as we stand together and sing.