WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:04.700 Please take your Bibles and open them up to the book of Philippians this morning. 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:08.679 The book of Philippians. We're continuing on in our series through Philippians. 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:16.480 We've made our way about halfway through chapter 2, and our passage this morning is Philippians 2, verses 12-18. 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:20.820 And when you've found it, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word this morning. 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:23.480 Philippians 2, verses 12-18. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Philippians 2, verses 12-18. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:03.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:05.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:08.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:10.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:15.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:20.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-22. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:23.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-18. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:27.000 Philippians 3, verses 12-21. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:30.000 Philippians 4, verses 12-18. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:34.000 Philippians 4, verse 13-18. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:36.000 Philippians 3, verses 14-18. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:37.000 Philippians 4, verse 13-28. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:38.000 Philippians 3, verse 13-86. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:40.540 open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of your word. 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:43.900 Lord, would you transform us in this moment as we meet with you. 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:46.280 Now we pray in Christ's name. Amen. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:47.920 You may be seated. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:56.579 This morning I want to take you all the way back to the early church father, St. Augustine. 00:01:57.019 --> 00:02:00.719 St. Augustine. Many of you probably are familiar with that name, 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:08.360 but you might not know that St. Augustine battled with all sorts of sin in the flesh. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:10.960 He wrestled especially with sexual sin, 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:17.039 but he would tell you he wrestled also with pride and with greed and with gluttony. 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:21.599 He wrote about his struggle in his book called Confessions. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.840 It's an honest portrayal of his battle with sin and then his eventual conversion to Christ. 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:33.379 And here's what he said. He said, I was bound down by this disease of the flesh. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:42.980 Its deadly pleasures were a chain that I dragged along with me, yet I was afraid to be freed from it. 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:47.420 In fact, he said that in his youth he used to pray, 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:51.960 give me chastity and give me continency, only not yet. 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:57.439 In other words, I want to be holy, I think. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:59.680 I want to be like you, I think. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:02.060 I want to follow you, I think. 00:03:02.420 --> 00:03:05.700 I want to obey you, I think, but not yet. 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:09.520 Not until I'm done chasing after my sin. 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:16.300 Christ, I want to be satisfied in Christ after I'm done being satisfied with the sins of my flesh. 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:18.080 And maybe you've prayed something like that, 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:21.600 or even if you haven't prayed that, maybe you've felt something like that. 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:26.080 I want to get serious about the Lord at some point, but maybe not quite yet. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:30.240 Well, if that's you, you should know, not yet will never come. 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:36.040 And the call of our passage this morning is a call from the Apostle Paul 00:03:36.040 --> 00:03:39.460 to follow Christ with all of your heart, 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:42.840 all of your soul, all of your mind, all of your strength. 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:48.000 This is a call to total obedience to Christ right now. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:51.920 So our passage this morning is, we see the call, 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:54.460 and then Paul makes a case. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.199 The call to pursue total obedience, 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:02.759 and then the case for why and how that's even possible for sinners like us 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:04.740 to meet such a high calling. 00:04:04.900 --> 00:04:06.719 So first, let's see the call here. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:07.699 Look with me to verse 12. 00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:09.620 Paul says, 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:23.860 We saw last week, over the past several weeks really, 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:26.160 this call for Christians. 00:04:26.399 --> 00:04:29.800 We are called to lay down our lives 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:35.120 in radical, selfless, humble, sacrificial love for others. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:36.180 You remember this from last week. 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:40.540 Out of the example and the power of Christ Jesus for us, 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:43.780 we are called to go and die for the good of others. 00:04:44.900 --> 00:04:46.800 Christ Jesus has humbled himself. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:51.319 He who is God has set aside this right, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:54.360 this divine right to become a servant of sinners. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:55.379 And now Paul says, 00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:57.980 You likewise, if you are in Christ, 00:04:58.319 --> 00:04:59.939 you go and serve others as well. 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:02.319 So now in our passage today, 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:02.720 he says, 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:03.940 In light of this, 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:05.080 in light of this example, 00:05:05.320 --> 00:05:07.300 and in light of the power of Christ's sacrifice, 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:08.040 therefore, 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:09.280 you go, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:12.160 work out your own salvation. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:14.080 Now what in the world does this mean? 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:16.220 I'll tell you what it doesn't mean. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:20.120 It does not mean work for your salvation. 00:05:21.280 --> 00:05:23.720 Work to achieve your salvation. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:28.080 Our salvation is based on the finished work of Christ Jesus alone. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:31.100 Not a single one of us can work for our salvation. 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:32.260 That's not what it means. 00:05:32.820 --> 00:05:34.200 Others have taken this to mean, 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:34.420 well, 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:37.620 work out whether you are saved or not. 00:05:38.760 --> 00:05:40.820 Find some evidence for your salvation. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:44.140 Determine whether or not you are actually a Christian. 00:05:44.340 --> 00:05:47.040 And I don't think that that's exactly what he means either. 00:05:47.140 --> 00:05:49.580 Although that application is here. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:50.540 Here's what I think he means. 00:05:50.640 --> 00:05:54.320 I think that in light of what he's calling them to do here 00:05:54.320 --> 00:05:56.300 in pursuing total obedience, 00:05:56.300 --> 00:06:01.259 he's calling them and us to work out your salvation, 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:03.259 meaning to live it out. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:05.740 To work it out in your life. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:10.199 Show the outworking of what Christ has done in your life. 00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:12.680 Faith is invisible, 00:06:13.460 --> 00:06:14.920 but obedience is not. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:17.500 Faith is internal. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.160 It's invisible, 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:20.280 but our obedience, 00:06:20.580 --> 00:06:21.660 our following Christ, 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:23.360 the fruit of our salvation, 00:06:23.640 --> 00:06:24.600 is visible. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:25.439 And so he says, 00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:25.880 Christian, 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:26.840 if you're in Christ, 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:28.180 live it out. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.040 Work it out. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:31.380 Show the outwork. 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:34.460 Let God's grace play out in your life. 00:06:34.820 --> 00:06:36.860 Pursue full obedience. 00:06:37.820 --> 00:06:38.860 Genuine faith, 00:06:38.940 --> 00:06:40.480 it has to be lived. 00:06:41.580 --> 00:06:43.920 It's got to be worked out in your life. 00:06:45.220 --> 00:06:45.760 A few places, 00:06:46.140 --> 00:06:47.540 a few references here. 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:47.980 James, 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:48.460 we know, 00:06:48.520 --> 00:06:48.920 tells us, 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:50.680 faith without works is what? 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:52.120 It's dead. 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:55.600 If you say you have faith in Christ, 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:57.580 but then that faith in Christ 00:06:57.580 --> 00:07:00.800 isn't paired with genuine pursuit of obedience, 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:01.860 not perfect, 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:03.220 not perfect, 00:07:03.400 --> 00:07:05.300 but genuine pursuit of obedience, 00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:07.340 something's not adding up here. 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:09.939 John Calvin says, 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:11.660 we're saved by faith alone, 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:14.780 but the faith that saves is never alone. 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:16.659 In other words, 00:07:16.739 --> 00:07:22.559 it's always paired with this outworking of our faith in our lives. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:23.919 One of the Lutheran confessions, 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:24.459 it says, 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:27.699 good works always follow justifying faith 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:30.579 and are surely found with it, 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:31.879 if it be true and living. 00:07:32.679 --> 00:07:34.179 For it is never alone, 00:07:34.299 --> 00:07:37.839 but always has with it love and hope. 00:07:37.919 --> 00:07:38.839 So Luther himself, 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:39.279 he says, 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:42.019 idle faith is not justifying faith. 00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:43.919 You hear the call here, 00:07:43.919 --> 00:07:44.279 don't you? 00:07:44.779 --> 00:07:49.399 This is a call to live out your faith in Christ, 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.619 to show it, 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:53.959 to work it out by pursuing full obedience. 00:07:54.099 --> 00:07:54.419 Paul says, 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:55.839 work it out in your life. 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:57.439 If you're a Christian, 00:07:57.659 --> 00:07:59.139 if you claim Christ, 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:00.679 show it in your life, 00:08:00.799 --> 00:08:01.779 show it to be true, 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:02.339 live it, 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.719 walk in the good works 00:08:03.719 --> 00:08:05.719 that your Father's prepared for you beforehand, 00:08:05.979 --> 00:08:07.339 that you should walk in them. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:09.039 Let me see your progress 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:10.939 and your joy in the faith. 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:12.719 And not only while I'm there with you, 00:08:12.799 --> 00:08:13.279 he says, 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:15.839 but also while I'm gone, 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:17.819 I'm in prison, 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:20.659 I'm not able to be there to oversee you. 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:21.519 And that's the real test, 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:21.899 isn't it? 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:25.179 That's one thing to obey 00:08:25.179 --> 00:08:27.299 in the presence of some oversight. 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:28.239 It's a whole other thing 00:08:28.239 --> 00:08:30.759 when you think nobody's there watching you, 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:31.099 right? 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.319 Maybe you've seen some of these videos 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:36.700 of parents testing the obedience of their children. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:37.879 I think that this is cruel, 00:08:38.140 --> 00:08:38.340 okay? 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:41.720 But they will set up a camera somewhere in the room. 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:42.960 They'll put their children there 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:44.700 in front of a big bowl of candy. 00:08:45.520 --> 00:08:46.440 And they'll sit there with them 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:46.900 and they'll say, 00:08:47.040 --> 00:08:48.940 I gotta go take a call real quick. 00:08:49.060 --> 00:08:50.900 Don't eat any of this. 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.900 And then they find an excuse 00:08:52.900 --> 00:08:53.940 to get up and leave. 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:54.879 Camera's rolling, 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:55.540 right? 00:08:56.199 --> 00:08:57.519 And they see whether or not 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:58.639 their child will obey 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.699 in the absence of their immediate oversight. 00:09:03.099 --> 00:09:03.659 Believers, 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:04.839 Paul says, 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:05.379 believers 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:07.959 are to work out their faith. 00:09:08.099 --> 00:09:09.360 They're to live out their faith. 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:11.439 They're to obey at all times, 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:11.740 right? 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:13.679 And with fear and trembling, 00:09:13.819 --> 00:09:16.139 not just because Paul cares about their obedience, 00:09:16.319 --> 00:09:18.279 but because we live our lives 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:20.579 in the oversight of a sovereign God 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:21.900 who loves us 00:09:21.900 --> 00:09:22.700 and calls us 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:24.500 to constant pursuit of holiness. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:27.000 Church, 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:28.100 how is this going for you? 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:31.400 How is it going for you? 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:34.639 What part of your faith 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.200 needs to be worked out in your life? 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:40.700 What are you struggling with obeying? 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.320 What part of the Christian call 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:44.400 seems difficult for you to put on? 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:45.240 You know, 00:09:45.280 --> 00:09:45.540 Paul, 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.560 he calls us to a high call here. 00:09:47.640 --> 00:09:49.259 It's not just things big 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:50.460 and obvious, 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.540 obvious sins to put to death, 00:09:52.660 --> 00:09:54.400 obvious things Christians ought to do. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:55.520 He applies this 00:09:55.520 --> 00:09:56.600 all the way down 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:58.139 to the attitudes of the heart, 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:00.580 even the way that we speak. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.500 Here at verse 14. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.800 Do all things 00:10:05.800 --> 00:10:07.580 without grumbling 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:09.740 or disputing. 00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:10.300 How are we doing? 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:12.960 I failed this morning. 00:10:14.640 --> 00:10:15.720 Multiple times. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:18.000 Do all things 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:18.800 without grumbling 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:20.180 or disputing. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:20.279 You know, 00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:21.099 we laugh at that. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.779 We think it's a small thing. 00:10:22.839 --> 00:10:24.259 We maybe roll our eyes at it. 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:26.139 Why would Paul 00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:27.739 make such a big deal out of this? 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:28.419 But let me tell you, 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:29.839 even the slightest 00:10:29.839 --> 00:10:31.339 little bit of grumbling 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.139 is sin 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:34.459 that must be put to death. 00:10:36.459 --> 00:10:37.399 Especially when we think 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:37.979 about the effect 00:10:37.979 --> 00:10:38.659 that it can have 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:40.319 on a church family. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:42.700 Now you remember Paul's goal 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:43.340 here. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:44.540 He's writing. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:45.500 He's fighting. 00:10:46.280 --> 00:10:47.480 He's urging them 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.700 to pursue unity 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.580 in the church, 00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:50.820 to work together, 00:10:51.020 --> 00:10:52.840 to link arms together. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:54.200 He wants to see them 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:55.580 have joy in the church 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:56.220 and unity. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:57.500 The slightest 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.040 little bit of grumbling 00:10:59.040 --> 00:10:59.760 will disrupt 00:10:59.760 --> 00:11:00.760 the unity of the church. 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.220 Before a church 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:04.220 burns down 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:05.180 in a bonfire, 00:11:05.300 --> 00:11:06.700 a bonfire of disunity, 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.560 you know where it starts, 00:11:07.660 --> 00:11:07.920 church? 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.559 The slightest little flicker 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:10.079 of a grumble. 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:13.059 The slightest little argument 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.679 that never gets dealt with. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.179 The slightest little bit 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:16.699 of friction 00:11:16.699 --> 00:11:18.419 that we just let time go by 00:11:18.419 --> 00:11:19.500 and we'll never handle it. 00:11:19.839 --> 00:11:20.240 Paul says, 00:11:20.339 --> 00:11:20.939 no, no, no, no, no. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:23.479 Let everything you do 00:11:23.479 --> 00:11:24.639 be done without grumbling 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:25.379 or disputing. 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:27.500 All the way down 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.439 to the slightest grumble. 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:29.759 We have to put our sin 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.639 to death. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:31.360 This is a call 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.480 to total obedience 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.579 to Christ. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:35.559 And that's a high call, 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.039 is it not? 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:38.719 So now let's turn 00:11:38.719 --> 00:11:39.139 our attention 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:40.339 to the case. 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:41.179 The case. 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:42.939 Because Paul never leaves 00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:44.360 it just as an empty command. 00:11:44.459 --> 00:11:45.039 He never does. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.620 He anticipates 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.500 that we're going to ask, 00:11:47.559 --> 00:11:48.500 well, how do I do that? 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.799 Why should I do that? 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:52.219 What's the reason 00:11:52.219 --> 00:11:53.000 why we're called 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.559 to live like that? 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:56.439 How can sinners like us 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.299 even begin 00:11:57.299 --> 00:11:58.259 to put sin to death? 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:58.839 And he gives us 00:11:58.839 --> 00:12:00.519 three parts here 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.059 to this case. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.759 And I'm going to work it 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.219 backwards from the bottom up. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:03.459 Okay? 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:04.980 So why pursue 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:05.759 full obedience? 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:07.120 First reason is, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.860 this is Paul's aim 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.939 as your brother. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:12.879 Philippians, 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:14.500 why do all things 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.100 without grumbling 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:15.740 or complaining? 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.759 Well, Paul says, 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.059 this is what I want for you. 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:19.500 This is why I labored for you. 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:20.319 This is my aim 00:12:20.319 --> 00:12:21.439 as your brother. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.259 This is why I'm laying 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.659 down my life for you. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.019 This is, 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:25.340 to say it more broadly, 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.580 this is the aim 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.899 of Christian ministry. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:30.500 My aim for you, 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.059 church, 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.340 is not just that 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:32.840 I would see you 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.259 come to faith in Christ 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:35.539 and then stay there 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.559 as a baby Christian. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.539 Never grow up. 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.539 My aim is to see 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:42.039 Christ fully formed 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:42.679 in you. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:43.980 I want to see you 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.000 grow as disciples 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:45.679 of Christ. 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:46.279 I want to see you 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:47.539 progress in maturity. 00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:48.659 And none of us 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.519 will ever reach 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.179 full maturity 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.059 until glory. 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:52.379 But we all have 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.139 a next step 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:53.860 that we can take 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.000 in putting sin to death 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.700 and pursuing full obedience. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.759 This is the aim 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:59.539 of Christian ministry. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.700 He says he wants them 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.240 to approve 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:02.980 what's excellent 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:03.980 and so be pure 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.560 and blameless 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.500 for the day of Christ. 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.060 Filled with the fruit 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:07.659 of righteousness 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:08.759 that comes through 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.600 Jesus Christ 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.300 to the glory 00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:11.379 and praise of God. 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.139 That's chapter 1 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.960 verses 10 and 11. 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.340 He says in chapter 4, 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:16.600 what you've learned 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.220 and received 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:17.779 and heard 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:18.800 and seen in me, 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.879 practice these things. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.600 Practice these things. 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:24.460 How much practice 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:24.899 does it take 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.580 to go and grumble 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.159 and complain? 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.220 We don't need 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:28.879 to practice that, 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.159 do we? 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:30.080 That comes naturally. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:32.500 I've got to share 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:32.940 the story. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:35.180 I was one of my boys 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:36.259 who I will not tell you 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:36.860 which one 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:39.700 was playing a game. 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:40.480 He was pretending. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.620 He was in front 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.180 of a mirror 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:44.259 and he was yelling 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.080 at that guy 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.560 in the mirror 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:46.720 because he was copying him. 00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:48.860 Stop copying me. 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.160 You're imitating me. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.800 Stop it. 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.280 Cut it out. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:51.740 Cut it out. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:52.660 I said, 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.520 you know what, son? 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.080 Maybe if you would 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.080 just ask him nicely, 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.259 he might calm down too. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:14:00.019 You don't have to practice 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:02.179 yelling and grumbling 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:03.000 and arguing. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.919 That comes naturally. 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:05.460 We've got to practice 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.159 these things. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.899 We've got to practice 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.439 holiness. 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.460 We've got to practice 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.980 making peace 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.720 with one another. 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.299 Full obedience 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:13.919 is the goal 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.819 of Paul's ministry. 00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.519 Romans 1. 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:16.980 He says, 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:17.860 he received grace 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.819 and apostleship. 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.159 Why? 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:21.080 To bring about 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:22.120 the obedience 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.259 of faith 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.039 for the sake 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:24.700 of his name 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.799 among all the nations. 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.799 It's faith 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.579 and it's the 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:29.319 outworking of faith. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:29.939 That's his goal. 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.399 We go to Matthew 28. 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.419 Back it all the way up 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.699 to the Great Commission 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:35.159 and see, 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.039 what did Jesus 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.459 command his disciples? 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.079 What's the mission 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:40.279 of the church? 00:14:41.099 --> 00:14:42.740 Go and make disciples 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.159 of all nations, 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:45.779 baptizing them 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.219 in the name 00:14:46.219 --> 00:14:46.819 of the Father 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.859 and the Son 00:14:47.859 --> 00:14:48.859 and the Holy Spirit 00:14:48.859 --> 00:14:50.019 and teaching them 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:50.699 to what? 00:14:51.859 --> 00:14:52.939 To obey 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:54.599 most of what 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:55.500 I commanded you. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:57.439 everything 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.559 to obey all 00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.279 that I have 00:14:59.279 --> 00:14:59.979 commanded you. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:01.000 This is Paul's goal. 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:01.399 In fact, 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:01.959 he says, 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.439 I'd be willing 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:03.599 to die for this. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.339 Even if I'm going 00:15:05.339 --> 00:15:06.359 to be poured out 00:15:06.359 --> 00:15:08.219 as a sacrificial offering, 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.539 as a sacrificial offering 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.240 of your faith, 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:10.979 I'm glad 00:15:10.979 --> 00:15:11.779 and will rejoice 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.559 with you all. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:14.379 I will give my life, 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:14.959 he says, 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.779 for your progress 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.699 and joy 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.959 in the faith. 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.039 We see this 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:20.899 all over Scripture. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.699 I want to take you 00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:23.579 to one more place 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:24.159 where maybe you haven't 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.059 considered the connection 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:25.799 here. 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.719 It's to Jesus' 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.100 parable of the sower. 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.039 You know the story. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.939 The parable of the sower. 00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:34.279 He shares this parable 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.480 in Luke chapter 8. 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:36.360 He shares it in several 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.959 of the Gospels. 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.259 Luke chapter 8, 00:15:38.339 --> 00:15:39.179 starting in verse 5, 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.839 he says this, 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:42.019 A sower went out 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:43.139 to sow his seed 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.899 and as he sowed, 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.240 some fell along the path 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.519 and was trampled underfoot 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:49.300 and the birds of the air 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:50.240 devoured it 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:52.120 and some fell on the rock 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.940 and as it grew up 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.740 it withered away 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.840 because it had no moisture. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.139 Some fell among thorns 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.220 and the thorns grew up 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.759 with it and choked it 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:01.980 and some fell into good soil 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.920 and that soil grew 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:05.519 and it yielded a hundredfold 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.519 and as he said these things, 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.080 he called out, 00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:08.440 He who has ears to hear, 00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.340 let him hear. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:11.820 He explains it 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:12.960 down in verse 11. 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:13.280 He says, 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.320 Now the parable is this, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:16.040 the seed is the word of God. 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:18.399 The ones along the path 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.639 are those who have heard 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:21.040 and then the devil comes 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.879 and he takes away 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.980 the word from their hearts 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.300 so that they may not believe 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.220 and be saved. 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.280 And the ones on the rock 00:16:27.280 --> 00:16:27.860 are those who 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.700 when they hear the word 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.860 they receive it with joy 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.540 but these have no root. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.759 They believe for a while 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.519 and then at the time 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.420 a testing comes 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.320 and they fall away. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.220 As for what fell 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.940 among the thorns, 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.800 they are those 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.759 who hear the word 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:41.079 but as they go on their way 00:16:41.079 --> 00:16:42.120 they are choked 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.939 by the cares 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.959 and the riches 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:45.479 and the pleasures of life 00:16:45.479 --> 00:16:46.079 and their fruit 00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:47.019 does not mature. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.759 But there's another category. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.620 Verse 15. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.859 As for that 00:16:50.859 --> 00:16:51.719 in the good soil, 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.959 they are those 00:16:52.959 --> 00:16:54.459 who hearing the word 00:16:54.459 --> 00:16:56.079 hold it fast 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:57.219 in an honest 00:16:57.219 --> 00:16:58.019 and good heart 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.939 and bear fruit 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.539 with patience. 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:04.399 church, 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.579 I'm sad to say 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:05.859 that 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:07.759 I have seen 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:09.759 every single one 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.559 of these categories 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.220 play out. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.399 And Paul knows 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:15.139 that there is 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.119 such a thing 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.960 as a false 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.299 profession of faith. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.799 There is such a thing 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.960 as someone 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.579 who says 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.920 I believe, 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.500 I want to 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.700 know Christ 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.000 and then 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.059 for whatever reason 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.940 time goes by 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.900 the cares of the world 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.559 choke it out. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:30.960 The enemy 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.039 takes it away. 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.120 They're distracted 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:33.900 by something 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.500 and there is no fruit, 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.740 no obedience, 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:38.660 no life in Christ. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.519 It is snuffed 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.660 out completely. 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.660 And so Paul says 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:43.360 my desire for you 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:44.039 Philippians 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.960 is that you not 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.840 just receive the word 00:17:45.840 --> 00:17:46.500 for a minute 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.620 and then it's gone. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.380 And that you fall away. 00:17:50.100 --> 00:17:50.460 He says 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.160 my desire, 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:51.799 I want to be able 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.960 to look at you 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.279 in the day of Christ 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.079 and be proud 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.779 that I didn't waste 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.960 my time ministering 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.240 to you. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.559 I want to be proud 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.419 in the day of Christ 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:01.359 that you are fully 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.599 formed in him. 00:18:02.919 --> 00:18:03.819 That on that day 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.480 when every knee 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.000 will bow 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.639 and every tongue 00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:06.720 confess that Christ 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.180 is Lord, 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.139 I'll look at you 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:09.039 and see that you're 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.099 ready to receive him 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.539 as king. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.240 My aim, 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.819 my goal 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.480 in my ministry 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.779 is that when he comes 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.000 you will be standing 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.079 there ready 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.240 in the day of Christ. 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:20.859 That's his aim. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.240 How will they do it? 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:24.779 Church, 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.779 how will you do it? 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.740 How will you 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.779 make sure 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.379 that the cares 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.839 of the world 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.740 don't snuff it out? 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.359 How will you 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:32.940 make sure 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.220 that the temptations 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.740 of the enemy 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.419 don't draw you astray? 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.119 What does he say? 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:39.039 Hold fast 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.200 to the word 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.099 of life. 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.379 Hold fast 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.619 to the word 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.680 of life. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.599 How does a gospel 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.419 minister make sure 00:18:49.419 --> 00:18:50.339 his church is growing 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.240 even when he's not 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.819 there to see it, 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.359 to help him, 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:55.079 to minister to him? 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.599 He says, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.519 you have the word. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.019 Hold fast 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.180 to the word 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.480 of life. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.680 This is Paul's aim 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.680 in his ministry, 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.359 not only this. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.660 Second, 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.839 full obedience 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:08.120 is meant to be 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:08.779 your aim 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.500 as God's child. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:13.059 Meant to be your aim 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.700 as God's child. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.319 Look there with me 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.259 to verse 14 again. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:16.700 He says, 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.220 do all things 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:18.940 without grumbling 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.860 or disputing 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:21.019 that you may be 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.559 blameless and innocent 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.380 children of God 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:26.120 without blemish 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.319 in the midst 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:27.880 of a crooked 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:29.700 and twisted generation 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.019 among whom you shine 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.940 as lights 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.799 in the world. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.620 Here's the idea, 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.180 church. 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:39.120 Our identity 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:40.819 shapes 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.220 our actions. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:45.380 Our identity 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.980 shapes 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.339 our behaviors. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:48.900 Our identity 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:50.339 shapes our thoughts 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.980 and the way 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.600 we go about 00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:52.220 our life. 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.860 If we see ourselves 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:55.500 as part of this world, 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.240 as belonging 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.299 to this world, 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.279 guess what you're 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.100 going to act like? 00:19:59.120 --> 00:19:59.839 You're going to act 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.440 just like this world. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.059 Paul says, 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.339 you, 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.759 by the grace of God, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.559 have been brought 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.559 out of belonging 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.240 to this world. 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.120 That's what it means 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.900 to be a Christian. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.539 You realize this, 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:10.759 right? 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.339 To be a Christian 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.559 means that by the grace 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.099 of God, 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.259 you have been given 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.720 faith in Christ 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.700 and with that faith 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.240 in Christ, 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.740 you've been given 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.839 a new identity 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.920 in Christ. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.220 You've been adopted 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.079 out of belonging 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:24.619 to this world. 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.319 You've been adopted 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.240 now as a son 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.740 or a daughter 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.879 of the living God. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:28.960 So you're no longer 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.019 a part of this crooked 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.160 and twisted generation. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.299 You are a part 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.379 of the family 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.279 of God. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.359 We all know 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.079 that any parent 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.619 in the room 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.619 understands this, 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:38.819 right? 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.359 Your children 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.879 come to you, 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.460 maybe they see 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:40.960 something that 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.420 they see somebody 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.040 else doing 00:20:43.040 --> 00:20:43.600 that they want 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:43.960 to do 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.920 or in my family 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.280 it's normally 00:20:45.280 --> 00:20:45.840 they see somebody 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.400 else eating 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.940 something that 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.640 they want to eat 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:49.180 and so they come 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.680 and they say, 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:49.900 well, 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.480 dad, 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.460 but so and so 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.600 is doing it. 00:20:53.260 --> 00:20:53.860 So and so 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:54.420 gets to eat 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:54.960 that dessert 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.660 and what's my 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.060 response? 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:56.520 It's dad. 00:20:57.300 --> 00:20:57.860 They're not my 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.220 child. 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.460 You're my child 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:02.240 and as my child 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.760 I expect you 00:21:03.760 --> 00:21:05.540 to follow my rules 00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:06.360 and I expect you 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.320 to obey me 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.120 as your father. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.819 You're not a part 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.639 of their family. 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.139 You're a part 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:11.419 of my family 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:13.439 and so God 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:13.959 says, 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.139 as my child 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:17.039 as my child 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:19.619 shine as lights 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.159 in the world 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:20.539 in the midst 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.119 of a crooked 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.759 and twisted generation. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.539 You know how normal 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.339 it is to grumble, 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:24.819 church? 00:21:26.239 --> 00:21:26.959 You know how normal 00:21:26.959 --> 00:21:28.159 it is to hear 00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:28.679 grumbling 00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:29.619 and conversations? 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:29.939 I mean, 00:21:29.959 --> 00:21:30.859 you turn on the TV 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.379 it doesn't matter 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.000 what station, 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.539 right? 00:21:33.459 --> 00:21:33.819 Politics, 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.799 you turn on TV 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.619 Fox News, 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.099 CNN, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.240 MSNBC, 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.319 it doesn't matter 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.119 what station it is, 00:21:39.159 --> 00:21:39.819 what do you hear? 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:42.059 You hear grumbling 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.919 and disputing, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.319 don't you? 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:45.559 You turn on sports, 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.399 ESPN, 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.159 what do you hear? 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:47.879 You hear grumbling. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.399 I'm about to grumble 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:50.139 about this. 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.379 I wasn't going 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:52.980 to say anything 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.460 but now I can't 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.200 get it out of my head. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.460 All you hear 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.099 is grumbling 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.980 and disputing. 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.619 You can't get away 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.159 from it. 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:00.559 You turn on the radio 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.399 on the way to work, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:01.899 what do you hear? 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.240 You hear grumbling, 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.900 you hear disputing, 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.819 you hear arguing. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.500 God says, 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.480 not my children. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.640 Not my children. 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.059 You belong to me. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:15.019 The way that we speak, 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.019 the way that we act, 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.900 the way that we live, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.700 the way that we treat 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.259 one another, 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.240 the way that we serve 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.839 one another, 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.599 honors God our Father 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.819 when we do it like Christ. 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.220 Meant to be our aim 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.400 as God's children 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.380 but not only this. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:29.759 Third, 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.640 third and finally, 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:34.420 pursue full obedience 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:36.780 because this is God's aim 00:22:36.780 --> 00:22:37.680 as your Savior. 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:41.040 This is God's aim 00:22:41.040 --> 00:22:42.500 as your Savior. 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.500 You realize I have, 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.740 I've spent this whole time 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.259 telling you what to do 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.000 but I haven't given you 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.900 power to do it yet. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.660 Here it is. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.200 Look there again 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.880 to verse 13. 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.540 Actually, 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.480 let me back up 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.040 to verse 12. 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:54.860 Again, 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.540 the command is, 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.680 therefore my beloved 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:58.060 as you have always obeyed, 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.560 so now, 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.360 not only as in my presence 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:02.019 but much more in my absence, 00:23:02.439 --> 00:23:04.559 work out your own salvation 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.639 with fear and trembling. 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.299 For, 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:07.059 verse 13, 00:23:07.219 --> 00:23:07.619 for, 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.679 here's the basis, 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.539 here's the power, 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.339 for, 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:13.679 it is God who works in you 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:15.399 both to will 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:16.639 and to work 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:18.539 for His good pleasure. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.559 Here's the good news 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:23.099 for sinners 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:24.919 and for failures 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.719 and for strugglers, 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.179 those of us 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.039 who are struggling 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.399 to live the Christian life. 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.839 Here's some really good news 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.619 for you this morning. 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.099 The power 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.680 for the Christian life 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.079 from beginning to end 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.059 comes from God. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.799 You can't do it. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.680 The power 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.920 to put grumbling 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.700 to death 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:45.460 cannot come from us. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.240 You can't do it. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.940 If all you hear 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.399 this morning 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:49.259 is try harder, 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.759 be better, 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.639 you've missed it. 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.559 You can't do it. 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.339 It's God 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.359 who works in you 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.920 to will 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.500 and to work 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.680 for His good pleasure. 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.799 Paul says work. 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.220 Paul says obey. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.980 Paul says pursue 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.840 full obedience. 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.400 Why? 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.480 Because it's God 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.100 who works it in you. 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.980 This verse is just 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.980 absolutely stunning 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:10.480 and it's really 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.880 not hard to understand 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.720 if we just read it 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.500 simply 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.039 and so that's what 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.680 I'm going to try 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.539 to do here, okay? 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.740 He tells us 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.779 both our working 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.920 and our willing 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.940 is from God. 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:22.740 Isn't that what he says? 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.640 Both our working 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.900 and our willing 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.960 is from God. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.940 He says your working 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:29.460 is from God. 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.840 All the bearing fruit, 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.559 all the putting sin 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.180 to death, 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.660 all the loving 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.360 your brother, 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:37.380 all the holding 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.860 your tongue 00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:38.220 when you want 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.640 to grumble 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.240 and complain, 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.160 all the counting 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.220 others more significant 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.799 than yourselves. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.440 Where does that 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.440 power come from? 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:46.700 Only from God. 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.660 It's God 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:50.460 who works it in you, 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.140 Paul says. 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:53.360 It's like when I 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:55.000 want to build something 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.240 or have some project 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.200 I'm doing at the house. 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:58.900 Maybe I'm hanging blinds 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.759 or maybe I'm building 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.320 a table 00:25:00.320 --> 00:25:00.840 and I say, 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.100 son, 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.860 come build this table 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:03.420 with me. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.140 What are they going 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:04.420 to say? 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.920 I can't do that. 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.800 I can't do that. 00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:10.300 I say, 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.920 you just hold this drill 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.340 and I put it in their hands 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.080 and my hands 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:16.120 go on top of his hands 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.640 and together 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:18.180 we place the bit 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.020 into the screw 00:25:19.020 --> 00:25:19.880 and then together 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.740 with my fingers 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.720 on top of his fingers 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:23.420 together we drive 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:25.120 in that screw 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.120 into the wood 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.980 and I use some 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.020 of my dad's strength 00:25:28.020 --> 00:25:28.940 to get it in there 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.780 because he can't do it 00:25:29.780 --> 00:25:30.300 on his own 00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:31.460 and then it's done 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:31.980 and he leaves 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.320 and says, 00:25:32.540 --> 00:25:32.860 guess what? 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.040 I built a table. 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:36.860 Yeah, you did. 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.960 But it was the Father. 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.800 The Father's work 00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:41.759 in you. 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.200 And when a Christian 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:46.300 say they hear 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.940 God's command 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.720 go and share 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.259 the gospel 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.000 with your neighbor 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.339 and go bring 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.119 this word of life 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.579 to somebody 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.480 who doesn't know it 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.659 and so they work 00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:54.139 up the courage. 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.099 They take a risk. 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.019 They have this gospel 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.240 conversation with somebody 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.359 that doesn't know Jesus 00:25:58.359 --> 00:26:00.279 and they put themselves 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.980 out there 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.299 for some social rejection. 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:02.759 They say, 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.220 this is the only way 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.159 a sinner is saved 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:06.480 is by faith in Christ 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.980 and that person responds 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.240 and says, 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.419 you know, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.500 I want to hear 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.559 some more about that. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.619 They go home rejoicing 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:15.500 at what God has done 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.640 in and through them. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:20.339 It's God who works 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.539 in you to work 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.440 for his good pleasure 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.440 but not only that. 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.839 Paul says, 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:26.200 even your willing 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.880 is from God. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.319 Here's where my analogy 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.359 breaks down a little bit, 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:31.539 right? 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.400 Because I can't change 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.240 anybody's will. 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:37.160 Paul can't change 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.180 anybody's will. 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:40.140 I can make my son 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.339 come and do what I ask. 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.180 I can kind of force 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.799 some obedience 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:44.560 but I cannot change 00:26:44.560 --> 00:26:45.720 the human will. 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.060 But here, 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:46.920 Paul again, 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.400 plainly, 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:47.740 he says, 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:49.220 God works in you 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.740 to will 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:52.299 for his good pleasure. 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.519 Now, 00:26:52.560 --> 00:26:53.140 this is a little bit 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.620 controversial, 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:54.259 isn't it? 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.180 You get into 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.779 conversations about 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.500 human will 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.720 and free will 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.600 and God's sovereignty 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.420 and everybody starts 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.700 to get a little bit tense 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.140 and so, 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.620 y'all just take a deep breath. 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.340 Okay? 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.900 Again, 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.480 my goal is to make 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.580 scripture be plain. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:11.559 Paul says, 00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:12.119 it is God 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:13.359 who works in you 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.879 to will 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:16.559 and to work 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.939 for his good pleasure. 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:19.980 That doesn't mean 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.460 that we don't make 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.159 a choice. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.779 Of course not. 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:24.039 You're involved 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.579 in the choices 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.220 you make 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.939 but we make choices, 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.619 we need to know 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.399 we make choices 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:29.179 in accordance 00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:30.899 with our nature 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:33.419 and by nature. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.039 Sinners outside 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.699 of Christ 00:27:35.699 --> 00:27:36.939 are dead 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.740 in the trespasses 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.279 and sins. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.559 We're spiritually 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.119 dead. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.879 We're unable 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.559 to will 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.679 the will of God. 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.480 Spiritually dead 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.279 sinners cannot 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.399 desire God. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.859 Those who are 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.539 in the flesh, 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.240 Paul says 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.919 in Romans 8, 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.639 cannot please God. 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.579 We're not neutral 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.299 towards him either. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.319 We're hostile 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.539 towards God 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.159 in the flesh. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.659 Those who are 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.259 in the flesh 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.919 cannot please God, 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.399 he says. 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:01.740 The mind that's 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.419 set on the flesh 00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:03.460 is hostile to God. 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.559 It does not submit 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.460 to God's law. 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:05.960 Indeed, 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.299 it cannot. 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:09.899 Martin Luther, 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.680 he says that 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:12.279 the human will 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.480 is like a beast. 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.399 We'll call it a horse. 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.579 The human will 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.519 is like a horse. 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.579 And that horse 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.319 is standing 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.099 in between 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.500 two riders. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.359 If God rides, 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:24.839 he says, 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.639 it goes where 00:28:25.639 --> 00:28:26.460 God wills. 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.539 If Satan rides, 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:27.940 he says, 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.159 it goes and it 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:29.680 wills where 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.599 Satan wills. 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:31.220 And here's the point. 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.299 The beast, 00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:32.740 the horse, 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.419 can't choose 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:34.200 who rides it. 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.259 The riders themselves 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.440 fight for control 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.200 and possession 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.680 of the will. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.660 And so what God does 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.500 when he saves 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.140 a sinner 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.200 is he kicks 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:44.559 that old rider off 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.259 and he occupies 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:46.759 your will. 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.819 He gives you 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.220 a new will. 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.500 He enlivens 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.400 the sinner's will. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.920 He resurrects 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.519 your old, 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:53.940 dead, 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:55.100 sin-chained will 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:55.980 and frees it 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.539 to love 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.400 and to do 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.840 the will of God 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.860 to the glory of God. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.660 He gives you 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.319 a new heart 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.440 that loves Christ 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.440 and loves 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.279 the law of God 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.799 and loves 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.740 to obey the Lord 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.279 and desires holiness. 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.120 And where in the world 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.120 did that come from? 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:11.240 It didn't come from you. 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.660 It is God 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.960 who works in you 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.799 to will 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:17.600 for his good pleasure. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.080 The amazing thing 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:20.200 about the Christian life 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:22.000 is that it is God 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.960 from beginning to end. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.160 If you, 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.900 this morning, 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.360 have any desire 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:29.980 for the Lord 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.640 in your heart, 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:33.200 if you hear these words 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.560 and you want to grow 00:29:34.560 --> 00:29:35.240 in obedience, 00:29:35.520 --> 00:29:37.420 if you want to know 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.259 the Lord 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.320 and you want to pursue 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:40.460 him with your life, 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:42.660 praise God. 00:29:43.040 --> 00:29:44.500 That is his work in you. 00:29:46.560 --> 00:29:47.360 By grace, 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.240 you have been saved 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.880 through faith. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.140 It is not of your own doing. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.240 It is the gift of God. 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.360 Not a result of works 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.140 that no man 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.340 may boast. 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.200 It begins this way 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.880 in conversion. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:57.840 God speaks 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:58.800 and dead bones live. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:30:00.680 Jesus calls 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.299 and Lazarus 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.359 walks out of the grave. 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.519 The invitation 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.279 is cast 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.319 to sinners 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.299 and they hear 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.299 by the grace of God 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.559 and they are made alive 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.480 to the glory of God 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.379 in the face of Christ. 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.659 It begins this way 00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:12.319 in conversion 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.480 and it continues 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.319 this way 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.379 all the way 00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:16.359 until glory 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.480 and the long 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:19.379 duty of sanctification 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:21.240 as God works 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.079 holiness 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:23.419 in you. 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:23.919 You realize 00:30:23.919 --> 00:30:25.359 any victory 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.019 you have 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.940 in the Christian life, 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:28.779 any sin 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.320 that you put 00:30:29.320 --> 00:30:29.860 to death 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.559 this week, 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:33.000 any obedience 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.100 that you go 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:35.000 and you do a good work 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.920 for the glory of God, 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.059 you know where that comes from? 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.660 It's God 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.559 who works in you 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:41.380 both to will 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:43.019 and to work 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.940 for his good pleasure. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.000 So church, 00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.680 let's close 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:48.799 by coming back 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.500 to Augustine. 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.160 If you're 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.559 struggling 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.840 with coming 00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.519 to Christ 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.360 this morning, 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:57.199 maybe you just, 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.019 if you're being honest, 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:59.059 you don't desire 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.139 him at all. 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:02.439 You desire sin, 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.099 you desire 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.899 the world, 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.439 you desire 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:05.439 anything else 00:31:05.439 --> 00:31:06.119 other than the glory 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.519 of God 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.659 and the gospel 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.159 of Christ. 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.919 Or Christian, 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:10.199 if you are 00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:10.959 wrestling 00:31:10.959 --> 00:31:11.740 and struggling 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.439 with putting 00:31:12.439 --> 00:31:13.219 some sin 00:31:13.219 --> 00:31:13.839 to death, 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.439 you just don't know 00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:15.079 how in the world 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:16.479 you can grow out 00:31:16.479 --> 00:31:17.000 of this, 00:31:17.479 --> 00:31:18.059 wrestling with 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.579 giving yourself 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.959 completely to him, 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:22.099 maybe if that's you, 00:31:22.959 --> 00:31:23.479 you could pray 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.019 something like 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.860 what Augustine 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:26.519 prayed in confessions. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.819 He prayed this, 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.759 Grant what thou 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.740 dost command 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:33.940 and then command 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.599 what thou wilt. 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.579 You remember 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.940 his struggle. 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.200 I want to follow 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.059 you but not yet. 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.900 I want to be holy 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.559 but not yet. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.720 I want to follow 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.200 Christ but not yet. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.099 Augustine struggled 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:48.099 to come to faith 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.680 in Christ 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.860 and once he came 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.620 to faith in Christ 00:31:50.620 --> 00:31:51.140 he struggled 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.440 to fully obey. 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.059 He struggled 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.680 like we do 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:55.259 but then he had 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.259 this life-changing 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.980 realization. 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.799 You know what it was? 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.620 He realized 00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:01.059 he couldn't 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.980 do it. 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.120 So he said, 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.799 you command 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.740 self-control. 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.580 You command 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:08.200 holiness. 00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:09.259 God, 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:09.740 you command 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.840 that I love 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:11.340 Christ. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.779 You command 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.539 that I follow 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:14.019 Christ but I realize 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.940 no one can do it 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.779 unless God 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.460 gives it. 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.600 And so I prayed, 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.820 give me the grace 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.779 to do as you command 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.579 and then command 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.019 me to do 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.799 whatever you want. 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:27.200 It might be that. 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.039 Some of you here 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.399 are wrestling in this way 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:31.599 and so here's my 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:32.279 encouragement to you. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:32.819 Non-believer, 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.639 your prayer this morning 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.579 might sound like this. 00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.339 You've commanded me 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.379 to repent and follow 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.619 Christ but I realize 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:39.119 I cannot do it 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.480 so Lord, 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.339 I ask now, 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.500 would you give me 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.419 the grace to do 00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:43.059 as you command 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:45.200 and then bid me come. 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:47.840 And for you Christian, 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:49.200 the Christian life 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.100 is impossible 00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:51.480 apart from the work 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.080 of God. 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.220 So for that sin 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.539 that lingers in the flesh, 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.600 for that command 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.539 that you just struggle 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.819 to find the courage 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.519 and the power 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.080 to obey, 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:00.740 for that part 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.539 of the Christian life 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.120 that just seems 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:03.360 impossible for you 00:33:03.360 --> 00:33:04.000 to put on, 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.259 pray, 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:05.840 Lord, 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.740 would you give me 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.620 the grace 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.580 to do as you command 00:33:08.580 --> 00:33:10.740 and ask whatever 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.340 you want. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.100 The power 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:14.240 for the Christian life 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.539 is from God 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.359 and God alone. 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.459 Let's pray. 00:33:24.679 --> 00:33:25.159 Lord, 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.379 we need you. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.919 We come to you 00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:30.899 this morning weak. 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.199 We come to you 00:33:33.199 --> 00:33:34.679 this morning powerless 00:33:34.679 --> 00:33:36.179 to do anything 00:33:36.179 --> 00:33:36.799 that you've commanded 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.419 us to do. 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:38.579 God, 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.779 each week I stand up here 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:41.539 and I ask the impossible 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:43.019 Lord in the flesh 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:45.339 you must do it. 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:46.500 Father, 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.839 would you give 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:49.099 new life 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:50.240 to those who are dead 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.799 in their sins 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.279 this morning? 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.660 God, 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:54.299 would you bring faith 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.319 to those who don't know 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.059 you this morning? 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.420 Would you cause them 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:57.859 this morning 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:59.099 to call out to you 00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:00.619 to have a renewed will 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.740 that desires life 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.180 in Christ? 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.920 Would you do that 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.400 this morning? 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.700 And Father, 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.559 for this church 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:08.239 that I long to see 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:09.219 grow in holiness 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:09.900 and obedience, 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:10.340 Lord, 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:13.079 I can't make it happen. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:13.920 So Father, 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:15.059 I ask that you would do it. 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.200 I ask all this 00:34:18.200 --> 00:34:18.840 in Jesus' name. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.100 Amen. 00:34:20.100 --> 00:34:20.240 Amen. 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:21.659 He is here. 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:21.979 Amen. 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.759 Thank you. 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:33.739 Amen. 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:34.219 Amen. 00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:34.959 Amen. 00:34:34.959 --> 00:34:35.039 Amen. 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:44.759 Amen.