WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:08.220 Return with me now please to Paul's letter to the Philippians, sorry to the Ephesians, I'm getting ahead of myself. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:11.800 It's Ephesians chapter 6. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:18.199 Tonight we're going to look at verse 17, the first part of verse 17. 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:25.879 As you can see verse 17 mentions two parts of the armour that we've been going through over the past number of weeks. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:34.619 So verse 17 mentions the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. 00:00:35.060 --> 00:00:40.399 We're just going to confine our thoughts tonight to the first of these, this helmet of salvation. 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:44.820 We've been looking at the various parts of the armour as we've gone through them. 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:50.539 We've noticed at times that there's a specific connection between some of them. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:01:01.379 And that's the case spiritually, of course, as well, even more so than it was in the case of the Roman soldier, who's used here as a picture or analogy of a spiritual armour. 00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:06.060 And we'll see that that's the same tonight as we come to the helmet of salvation. 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:12.519 It has a specific connection with the word of God, with the gospel. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:22.319 Verse 15, shoes for your feet, having on the readiness given by the gospel of peace, but also what is mentioned, the belt of truth in verse 14. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:31.319 Because the belt of truth in many ways, as we saw it going round the waist of the Roman soldier and keeping things in place, 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:40.879 it's always the case that spiritually we come back to the belt of truth because it's foundational to our progress and to our security. 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:52.719 So as we look at verse 17 tonight, obviously, it has to do with the helmet of the Roman soldier, which protected the head, one of the most important parts of the body. 00:01:53.679 --> 00:02:03.019 Obviously, if the head was damaged, then the whole person was really out of action and would not be able to carry out their duties as required. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:07.359 So let's look at this helmet in the spiritual sense of it. 00:02:07.979 --> 00:02:10.840 And first of all, try and work out what exactly it means. 00:02:11.019 --> 00:02:14.319 It's called the helmet of salvation. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:17.180 Is it salvation in its entirety? 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:20.340 What does the word salvation actually indicate there? 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:26.400 And I think there's a clue to this in the passage we read in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:29.199 and especially the words of verse 8 there. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:41.359 You recall as we read through that, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 00:02:41.799 --> 00:02:45.259 So it's narrowing it down there to the hope of salvation. 00:02:45.959 --> 00:02:49.079 In other words, it's not salvation in the broadest sense. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:52.939 It's salvation in a more narrow, specific sense. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:03:03.759 And I think we can take that into chapter 6 of Ephesians as well, because the Thessalonian passage gives us an insight into the working of Paul's mind in regard to this. 00:03:04.460 --> 00:03:11.340 Now, the context, as you recall, in Thessalonians is one of Paul encouraging them to encourage one another. 00:03:11.979 --> 00:03:14.259 They were looking forward to the coming of Christ. 00:03:14.259 --> 00:03:23.699 Some actually were a bit concerned or even confused about how that would be in terms of in relation to those who had passed on from this life. 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:31.060 And you recall in chapter 4 that he deals with that specific problem, that the Lord will come with the sound of the trumpet of God. 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:32.799 The dead in Christ will rise first. 00:03:32.959 --> 00:03:38.799 We then who are alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the air to meet the Lord in the air. 00:03:38.799 --> 00:03:40.699 We will always be with the Lord. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:43.299 Therefore, encourage one another with these words. 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:50.540 And then in chapter 5, as we read, verse 11, therefore, encourage one another and build one another up just as you are doing. 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:56.660 So it's very much to do with the context or the purpose of Paul of encouraging these Thessalonians, 00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:01.540 encouraging this young church as they wrestled with theological problems, 00:04:01.540 --> 00:04:07.780 but also like the Ephesians as they wrestled against spiritual darkness and against decline, 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:11.400 even amongst some of the people who had come to follow the Lord. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:19.639 And the context of encouraging one another there in 1 Thessalonians is set in the context of Christ's return, 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:27.699 set in the context of looking forward in hope to the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ as promised by himself 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:33.680 and by the teachings of God's word when he left this world to return to glory. 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:38.980 So salvation in this context really has that narrower focus. 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:41.959 And indeed, you'll find that in other contexts as well. 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:52.199 1 Peter, for example, begins his epistle by reflecting on how the resurrection of Jesus Christ brought them all to a living hope. 00:04:52.859 --> 00:04:57.079 God had done this by the resurrection of Christ to a living hope. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:05:03.399 To you who are called, he said, you who are kept by the power of God through faith 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:08.579 unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:13.179 Now he's talking there of, Peter is talking there of salvation ready to be revealed. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:17.219 And he knows very well that salvation has already been revealed. 00:05:17.219 --> 00:05:24.939 So he's talking again more narrowly, more focused on salvation in the sense of what is going to appear at the coming of Christ. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:32.620 What is going to be made known then, that is not necessarily as clear now, but certainly hasn't yet been realized, 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:35.899 hasn't been accomplished in the sense of it hasn't taken place. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:43.040 And here you can import that into your thinking in Ephesians here and verse 17. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:45.980 Take the helmet of salvation. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:54.180 And if you think in that narrower focus as the hope of salvation, as the helmet covered the head physically, 00:05:54.180 --> 00:06:01.100 So the hope of salvation is something that looks forward to the future in hope, 00:06:01.400 --> 00:06:06.780 but also is such an important and integral aspect of the Christian's life. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:13.180 The Christian looking forward in hope is itself an antidote to discouragement, 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:17.540 an antidote, as we saw there in 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:24.700 to the discouragement that is so easily comes and drifts into our lives. 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:32.300 So if you think about the helmet in the ordinary sense, in the natural sense of protecting the head, 00:06:32.760 --> 00:06:38.520 I think we can say that spiritually the helmet is there to protect the mind. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:44.519 The mind, as it works through the issues that God has revealed, comes to certain conclusions. 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:48.339 God has given us the spirit of a sound mind. 00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:49.740 He's opened our mind. 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:55.180 He's given us the kind of mind that wants to learn more and more of the truth of God, 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:57.560 learn more from the word of God. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:04.019 And as that is the case, so it is something which nourishes your hope as you look towards the future, 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:04.979 among other things. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:09.659 Of course, it does more than that, but we're focusing on the hope of salvation 00:07:09.659 --> 00:07:15.060 as it's represented by this helmet, this helmet of the Roman soldier. 00:07:15.659 --> 00:07:20.939 And the Christian mind, as it thinks ahead, is a mind that is able to think clearly 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:25.759 because you have the benefit of God's word clearly stating 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:29.339 that the things that are hoped for are already secure. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:35.199 They're not things that are waiting to be worked through and brought to realization or accomplishment. 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:40.659 The fact that Jesus has gone to glory and is at the right hand of God the Father, 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:43.679 the fact that he has accomplished redemption on earth, 00:07:43.859 --> 00:07:46.459 the fact that the spirit of God has come as promised, 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:52.779 and that Christ the Son and the Father are present through that spirit in the hearts of God's people, 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:56.959 that itself is something that is already the case. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:03.539 And the word of God brings it to us so often that that has already been accomplished. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:08.639 So hope in this sense, as you put on the helmet of hope, 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:12.560 as you exercise hope every day in Christ, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:16.120 you're not dealing with something that's uncertain, 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.879 something that is still somehow unclear. 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:25.259 Sometimes we use the word hope, of course, and we mentioned this more than once. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:29.000 We use the word hope in the ordinary, everyday sense of hope, 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:33.700 like hoping for the best or hoping something will actually come to take place, 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:35.259 or whatever it may be. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:37.179 We're hoping it might be realized. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:38.740 We're hoping it will come to pass. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:42.000 We have no confidence that can say for sure it will. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:47.600 But here, in the word that God has given us, 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.820 this belt of truth that's fastened on, 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:54.600 it's something that comes through the workings of your mind 00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:00.139 to focus upon those certainties on which your hope is based, 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.379 on which your hope rests. 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:04.259 Because you're not here tonight as Christians, 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:07.399 exercising the mind that God has given you, 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:11.559 and somehow doubtful about things that are foundational for your hope. 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:13.799 Christ has died. 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.959 Christ has risen from the dead. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.879 Christ is at the right hand of glory. 00:09:18.579 --> 00:09:21.600 And all the way through the scripture, especially Paul's epistles, 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.459 you'll find him referring to these great facts, 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:29.000 facts accomplished already as the very ground of our hopes, 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:31.919 the very ground of the Christian hope, 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:34.860 that salvation that's certain, 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:38.320 that God has said is already accomplished, 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:40.379 that will remain to be, 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:43.940 that remains to be finally crowned at the appearance of Christ. 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:45.320 Well, what he's saying is, 00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:47.800 in order to face the issues of the day, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:50.039 and especially to face the enemy, 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:53.500 to face the spiritual darkness that we all wrestle against, 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:55.759 as we saw at the beginning of this passage, 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:59.300 take the helmet of salvation, 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:01.440 take the hope of salvation, 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:07.180 take that hope that penetrates forward into the future, 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.200 not as an unknown future, 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:12.220 though there are many events in the course of life 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.700 that will remain unknown. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:16.220 But these are not unknowns. 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:18.260 These are the actual verities, 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.120 the truths, 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:22.520 the certainties of what God has already done, 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:25.400 and of what God in his word has promised, 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:26.800 will yet be fulfilled. 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:31.199 So that's something about the spiritual helmet. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.639 We're focusing it down, 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.679 following 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.500 to the hope of salvation, 00:10:36.839 --> 00:10:39.839 to the final stage of salvation, 00:10:39.839 --> 00:10:41.659 with the coming of Christ. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:44.099 And Paul is there, 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:45.500 and also here in Ephesians, 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:48.679 drawing the minds of the Ephesians 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.639 to that particular issue. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:11:00.039 So that it's looking forward to projecting into the future. 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:04.419 So which temptation especially is addressed 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:09.480 by this particular emphasis on the hope of salvation 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:11.340 or the helmet of salvation? 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.740 Well, the second point, 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:14.740 and we looked at the spiritual helmet briefly, 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:17.980 is to look at how we need to keep up the fight, 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:20.420 to keep up our resistance, 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:23.820 and indeed our attack of the enemy as well, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:28.340 whatever forms we find the enemy actually coming to assault us. 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:31.399 And the particular temptation, 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:33.940 I think, that's in mind here 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:37.220 for the use of the helmet of salvation 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:38.340 or the hope of salvation, 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:41.519 is the temptation to lose heart. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:44.639 The temptation to recede, 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.960 the temptation to go back, 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:49.000 the temptation just to, if not almost give up, 00:11:49.060 --> 00:11:51.540 then certainly progress towards that. 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:54.940 The temptation to become disillusioned 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:56.060 with the Christian life. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:58.320 The temptation to be disillusioned 00:11:58.320 --> 00:11:59.620 even with Jesus himself 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.740 when things are not going so well 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:03.320 in our lives generally. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.840 The temptation even towards thinking, 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.940 is there any point to this at all? 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:12.080 Remember how in Ephesians chapter, 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:14.259 sorry, in Hebrews chapter 12, 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:18.879 you find that there's an exhortation there 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.980 to look to Jesus, 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:23.600 the author and finisher of our faith. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:26.799 And in Hebrews 12 and verse 3, 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:29.480 the writer there is actually looking 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:31.080 in a similar situation 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:34.000 to what you have here in Ephesians. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.100 Remember that Hebrews is very much 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.919 an epistle given towards 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:41.339 those who are tempted to 00:12:41.339 --> 00:12:43.559 give up following Christ, 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.439 giving up the profession 00:12:45.439 --> 00:12:47.860 they've made of faith in Christ. 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.240 And then he says, 00:12:49.459 --> 00:12:51.019 it was through 11, 00:12:51.099 --> 00:12:52.059 as you know, chapter 11, 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.659 that great cloud of witnesses, 00:12:53.839 --> 00:12:54.500 as he calls it, 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.360 in verse 1 of chapter 12, 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.120 let us lay aside every weight 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:00.539 and the sin which clings so closely. 00:13:00.699 --> 00:13:03.099 Let us run with endurance, 00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:05.039 the word which means perseverance. 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:07.039 Let's not give up the struggle. 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:08.639 Let's not give up the fight. 00:13:08.719 --> 00:13:09.159 He's saying, 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:11.759 the race that is set before us, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.159 looking to Jesus, 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:15.839 the founder and perfecter of our faith, 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:19.159 who for the joy that was set before him 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.879 endured the cross, 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.620 despising the shame 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:25.099 and is seated at the right hand 00:13:25.099 --> 00:13:26.519 of the throne of God. 00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:27.079 In other words, 00:13:27.459 --> 00:13:28.439 we are exhorted 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:30.259 when the temptation comes 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:32.980 to slacken in the race 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.699 or to withdraw from the race, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:36.240 as Hebrews 12 puts it. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:38.300 We are encouraged to look to Jesus. 00:13:38.400 --> 00:13:39.640 And why are we looking to Jesus? 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.879 Because he's not only the savior 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.560 in the sense of being foundational 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:44.540 to our faith, 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.860 to our Christian life. 00:13:46.020 --> 00:13:48.420 He's also our supreme example 00:13:48.420 --> 00:13:49.740 of perseverance, 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.940 of pressing on, 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.060 of not giving up, 00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:56.020 of not giving up on the fight. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.320 That's why he said there, 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.820 he endured the cross 00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:04.260 for the joy that was set before him. 00:14:04.780 --> 00:14:05.220 In other words, 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:05.960 the saint Jesus 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:08.240 was looking ahead of himself 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.720 as he lived in this world, 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:12.400 looking ahead even beyond the cross, 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:14.760 looking at the reality of the cross 00:14:14.760 --> 00:14:17.680 and all of that would entail for himself. 00:14:18.020 --> 00:14:20.440 But for the joy that was set before him, 00:14:20.640 --> 00:14:22.200 for that which was promised him 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:24.500 beyond this world, 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.860 beyond the resurrection, 00:14:26.140 --> 00:14:27.260 beyond exaltation, 00:14:27.380 --> 00:14:28.100 beyond the cross, 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:30.100 he endured the cross 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:32.820 for the joy that was set before him. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.320 In other words, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:34.960 you could say 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:36.659 there's a sense in which 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.600 there's certainly an affinity 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.899 with the hope 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.480 that Christians, 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.899 that is people have 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:45.139 in looking beyond the current life, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.720 the current circumstances, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.860 the current situation, 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.220 to the fulfillment of the promises 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:51.060 at the coming 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:53.220 of Jesus Christ himself. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:55.160 And when that takes place 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:56.920 and that aspect of salvation 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:59.519 is then actually realized 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.659 and fulfilled, 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.839 then the promises will be 00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:04.240 enjoyed by his people. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.939 So that letter of Hebrews, 00:15:07.099 --> 00:15:09.360 the letter of exhortation, 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:11.079 is a letter that is 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:13.479 very much in line with Ephesians here 00:15:13.479 --> 00:15:15.219 in terms of encouraging us 00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:17.039 to actually not give up. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:17.439 Remember, 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:19.719 all the way through Hebrews, 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.919 you've got references to Israel, 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:23.959 references to the Old Testament 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.780 and Israel in the progress 00:15:25.780 --> 00:15:26.519 that they made through 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.259 the Old Testament 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.980 in the desert. 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:29.780 And so often in Hebrews, 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:30.860 they are an example 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.800 of not persevering. 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:34.200 They are an example 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.200 of giving up. 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:37.639 An example of not actually 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.560 pushing through 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.460 and persevering 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.860 into the land of promise. 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.019 And that's why the writer 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.519 is saying, 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:45.340 we have them as our example 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:48.340 so that we don't follow 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.860 the same sort of path 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.400 they followed 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.720 because they all fell 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.319 in the wilderness, 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.799 is the writer's word for it. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.000 And apart from two, 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.360 they did not enter 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.159 into the land 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:01.079 that God had promised them. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:02.659 And so, 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.939 we actually have 00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:06.459 the helmet of salvation, 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:08.299 the hope of salvation, 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:11.699 the wilderness hardships 00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:13.799 that Israel experienced. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.679 And this is the contact point 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.439 with ourselves. 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:18.680 the wilderness hardships 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:20.640 that they experienced 00:16:20.640 --> 00:16:23.520 actually gave the devil 00:16:23.520 --> 00:16:24.940 an entry point. 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:27.420 An entry point towards 00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:28.860 just them giving up 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.440 the struggles. 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.320 An entry point towards 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.240 them going back. 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.640 They wanted back to Egypt. 00:16:33.760 --> 00:16:35.280 Remember how soon 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:36.400 after leaving Egypt, 00:16:36.760 --> 00:16:38.440 they were saying to Moses, 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.820 why have you brought us out here 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:41.280 to die in this wilderness? 00:16:41.880 --> 00:16:42.880 We wish we were back 00:16:42.880 --> 00:16:44.760 in Egypt with the food 00:16:44.760 --> 00:16:46.000 that we enjoyed in Eden. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.279 There's nothing in Egypt. 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.240 There's nothing here 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.799 for us in this wilderness. 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.860 And that's what the devil 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:52.580 is actually always setting out 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.980 to tempt you towards 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.679 thinking and concluding 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:57.080 along those lines. 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.539 That somehow or other, 00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:00.500 the struggles of the Christian life 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.460 are not really worth it 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.159 after all. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.019 So as you take up 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.940 this helmet, 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.240 you use it, 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.980 first of all, 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.460 against what we can call 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.920 spiritual pacifism. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.220 You know that a pacifist 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.600 in the ordinary sense 00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:17.000 is somebody who, 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:18.240 because of their strong 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.420 views against war, 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.259 they exercise 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:23.920 the liberty of not actually 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:26.120 taking up the opportunity 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.860 of engaging with an enemy 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:29.579 in a time of war. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.460 There were pacifists. 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.640 There were people 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.519 who are pacifists 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.559 in every generation. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.640 That was their liberty 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.400 that they had 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.299 to live like that, 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:41.440 to have that conclusion. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.920 And so they withdrew 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:44.680 from active engagement 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:46.120 in times of war 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:47.140 in army or navy 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.559 or air force or whatever. 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.900 Well, there's a kind of 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:52.160 spiritual pacifism as well 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:53.100 that the devil, 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:55.180 these powers that are mentioned there, 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.920 the schemes of the devil, 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.420 wrestling not against flesh and blood, 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.539 but against these present darkness, 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:03.259 the spiritual forces of evil, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.840 need the spiritual helmet. 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.500 You need this hope of salvation 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.559 because he wants to persuade you 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:10.659 that because life is so difficult 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:11.379 as a Christian, 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:13.299 is it really worth going on? 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.700 There's a pacifism 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:16.980 that really wants you to conclude 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.279 that it's all right 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.039 being a Christian 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.159 in an ordinary sense, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.659 but if only we could take 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.359 the struggles 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.980 out of the Christian life. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.460 And really, 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.159 that's what the devil 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:27.579 wants to persuade you of, 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.279 that the struggles 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.440 of the Christian life 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.679 really have no meaning 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.379 or no purpose 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.200 or little purpose 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:33.319 or little value. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.740 Whereas when you go 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.059 through the likes of Ephesians 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.519 and Paul's other letters 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.420 in the New Testament 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.059 and the writings 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:40.220 of the psalmist 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.200 in the Old Testament, 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.920 as well as the prophecies 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.940 of some of the prophets 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.779 and the struggles 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.839 they had to endure, 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:47.440 it becomes obvious 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.379 pretty quickly. 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.220 Not only are there struggles 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.400 in the Christian life, 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.539 but there are beneficial struggles. 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.200 There are struggles 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:56.420 which fit into God's program 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.599 of their redemption, 00:18:57.879 --> 00:19:00.059 of their sanctification, 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.680 especially. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:06.140 And that spiritual pacifism 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.340 is something 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:07.900 that the devil 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:11.259 will seek to make 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.580 very attractive to you. 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.180 And you know, 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.140 there's a form of it 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.600 which maybe doesn't go 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:17.880 as far as withdrawing 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.580 altogether, 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.799 but there's a form of it 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.500 that we're very familiar with, 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.740 of a kind of Christianity 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:27.240 that just goes through 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.880 the motions, 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.420 as it were, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.580 or a nominalism, 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.400 belonging to a church 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:31.860 and saying, 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.640 yes, I'm a Christian, 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.300 but no real engagement 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:35.880 with any of the spiritual 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.380 enemies of the gospel, 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.660 no real engagement 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:40.519 positively for Christ 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.220 in this world 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:43.920 by way of witnessing for him, 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.600 by way of confessing him openly. 00:19:46.060 --> 00:19:46.920 There's a kind of 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.360 spiritual withdrawal 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.080 in that sense, 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:50.080 that pacifism. 00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:51.779 Well, here is the apostle saying, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.680 take up this helmet 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:55.440 of the hope of salvation. 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:57.380 And because of the wonderful 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.320 certainties 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:59.759 of what are set out 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.140 at the return of Christ 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.799 for you, 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.759 encourage one another, 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.220 strengthen one another, 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.299 be involved 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.420 in the way of 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.960 giving each other 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.680 the support 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.480 and the encouragement 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:17.080 towards that final return 00:20:17.080 --> 00:20:17.660 of Christ 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:19.259 that all of us need. 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:20.920 Every single Christian 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.340 needs, 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.360 at some point, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.519 encouragement 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.660 from other Christians. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.539 That's one of the reasons 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.579 we actually value 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:29.259 the wonderful privilege 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.900 of belonging 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.279 to the body of Christ, 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.700 of belonging 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:34.420 to that church 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.480 of Christ on earth. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.559 So it's an antidote 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:40.319 against a spiritual pacifism, 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.079 but it's also 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.299 an antidote 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.440 at what you can call 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.460 defeatism. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.639 I mentioned some of that 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:47.660 just in a few moments ago. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.980 When you see 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.500 the state of things 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.200 in the world, 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:52.160 when you see 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:54.200 the extent 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.080 to which 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.860 what we'll call 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.319 the world 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:56.980 has rebelled 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.680 against God 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.580 and rebels 00:20:58.580 --> 00:20:59.519 against the gospel 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.039 and rebels 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.960 against the law 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.559 of God 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.420 and rebels 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.720 against the testimonies 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.600 of history 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.380 in the church, 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.840 when you actually 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:07.880 take a view 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:09.000 of the church 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.480 itself 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.220 in the widest 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.240 possible sense, 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.080 well, 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.960 the devil will suggest 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.160 to you, 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.100 is there really 00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:14.680 any point 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.539 to being a Christian? 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.680 Is there any point 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.279 to belonging 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.039 to a church? 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.700 Look at the state 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.180 of the world. 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.740 It's not made 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.400 any difference 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.359 in your lifetime. 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.339 Why should you 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.940 actually go on 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.660 with these struggles? 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.779 It's not made 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.500 any difference. 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.279 Things are going on 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.299 just as they were. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.700 People aren't at all 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.799 interested in Christ. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.339 When you think 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.940 of the struggles 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.220 that people have 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.079 for the gospel, 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:37.099 struggles with regard 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.720 to standing 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.480 for the rights 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.039 of Jesus, 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.440 the devil will come. 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.099 Well, the gospel 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:42.120 is just not going 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.900 to win anyway, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.799 so what's the point? 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.420 Forget about evangelism. 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.460 Forget about your own 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:48.180 personal advancement 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.920 and holiness 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.680 of life. 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.060 Forget about your 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:51.920 own perseverance 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.840 and looking onwards 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:54.160 in hope, 00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:55.779 because when you 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.940 focus on the present, 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.380 as the devil will 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.900 suggest to you, 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.539 that's really all 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.180 that matters. 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.140 Just as 2 Peter 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:02.680 would say, 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.960 those who are facing, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.340 those the church 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:06.100 was facing then 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:07.000 were facing the idea 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.640 of, well, 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.380 where is the promise 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.000 of his coming? 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.640 Everything remains 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.779 just as it was. 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.299 There's a kind 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.259 of pointlessness 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:16.480 suggested and thrown 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.299 at you. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.980 when you think 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.660 of what it is 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:21.080 to be a Christian 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:22.000 and the struggles 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.279 of the Christian life. 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:24.779 Of course, 00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:25.580 what he's telling us 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:25.860 here, 00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:27.539 and you find it 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.900 abundantly throughout 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.759 Paul's writings, 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.460 is that you counter 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:33.160 that with taking 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.759 an account 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.880 of eternity. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.120 This is not all 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:38.759 about the present life. 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.440 The present life 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.580 is important 00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.380 to the Christian. 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.500 The present life 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:42.940 is important 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.560 to the church. 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.299 The present life 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.140 is important 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.160 in many respects. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.440 But what the devil 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.180 wants you to look 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.160 at is the present 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.740 life exclusively 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:52.720 and not actually 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.560 take account 00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:55.040 of the importance 00:22:55.040 --> 00:22:56.180 and the enormity 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:59.279 and the way 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.460 in which eternity 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:02.160 looms for the Christian 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.380 as the crowning 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.340 of their salvation. 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:05.320 And in a sense, 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.240 everything of this 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.940 present life, 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.040 however important 00:23:08.040 --> 00:23:08.660 it may be 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.480 in its own right, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.279 but everything 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:12.160 really moves forward 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.360 towards that crowning 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:14.420 moment of the coming 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.100 of Christ. 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.320 That's really what 00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:19.080 the helmet of salvation 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.560 is about, 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:21.680 the hope of salvation. 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:24.019 Where the devil 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.019 would encourage you, 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.120 just focus on the present 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:29.640 and where he would say, 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.279 well, look at all 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.340 the differences of opinion 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:33.140 that are about the future, 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.259 anyone about the coming 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.840 of Christ. 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.420 Not all Christians 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.560 believe the same thing, 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.560 so that's another way 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:39.580 that he can get 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.500 into your mind 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:40.920 and say, 00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.039 you know, 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.160 just don't be too serious 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.800 about it. 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.180 Be a Christian, 00:23:45.320 --> 00:23:45.680 certainly, 00:23:45.820 --> 00:23:46.860 just in a nominal sense, 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.380 that'll do, 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.500 that'll be enough. 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:51.019 Well, this is the hope 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.779 of salvation 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:54.460 to counteract that. 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.060 Where God 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:57.040 started the work, 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:58.560 as we saw in Philippians 00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.360 some time ago, 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:00.800 just across the page 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.380 in your Bible, 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.980 I am sure of this, 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.540 that he who began 00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:05.220 a good working, 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.060 you will bring it 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:06.700 to completion 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.420 at the day 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.560 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.100 At the day 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:12.679 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.099 Take up 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.679 the helmet 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.779 of salvation. 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.659 And just like you 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.679 find with 00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:21.519 the sword 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.639 of the spirit 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.240 and with 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:25.059 the shoes 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.740 of the gospel 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.339 and all the other 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.219 parts of the armor, 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:29.359 they are actually 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.439 there ready to hand 00:24:30.439 --> 00:24:31.159 to be used 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:32.279 on a daily basis. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.519 You need 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.379 the helmet 00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:35.099 of salvation 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.139 because your warfare 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.559 is a daily warfare. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.980 You are facing 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.859 this enemy 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.859 every single 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:42.079 day of your life. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.079 I know that 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.200 I'm saying 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.679 these things 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.019 to people 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.440 who already 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.139 know that. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.139 But think of 00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.599 how often 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.960 in the New Testament 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.859 itself you find 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.679 the likes of Peter 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.960 and of Paul 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:55.240 reminding Christians, 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.559 reminding myself, 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.980 reminding yourself. 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.119 And reminding 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.119 just means 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.740 going back 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.980 to the basic things, 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.119 to the foundational 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.819 things, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.940 to the building 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.779 blocks of our 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.279 redemption. 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.099 Because the devil 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.000 will, again, 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.740 these powers 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.399 of darkness, 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.480 schemes, 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.379 the wiles, 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:14.799 the way 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.180 in which 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.720 temptation 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.920 is shaped 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.359 so as to 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:19.019 draw you in 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.379 and take 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.940 your attention 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.539 and suck you 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.519 into its 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.299 workings. 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.059 It's there 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.440 counteracted 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.019 so often 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.839 by the apostle 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:30.440 by bringing 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.000 before us 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.639 the importance 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:33.059 of eternity 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.680 and bringing 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.319 before us 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.500 how God 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.119 will not 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.059 stop short 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.700 of finishing 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.700 the work 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.259 that he has 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.659 begun. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.639 When you go 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:40.980 back to 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.319 Romans 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.899 chapter 8, 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.339 that great 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:43.700 chapter, 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.359 we could have 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:45.859 read that one 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.099 tonight. 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:46.720 It's very much 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.960 in line with 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.419 some of the 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:48.859 thoughts in 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.359 this chapter 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.879 in Ephesians 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.319 as well. 00:25:51.439 --> 00:25:52.460 But Romans 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.099 chapter 8, 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:53.519 and remember 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.879 Romans chapter 8 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:57.139 is certainly 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:58.599 a very strongly 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.339 theological 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.000 chapter. 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.740 It's got some 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.139 of the most 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.000 wonderful 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.660 theology, 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.940 both of 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:05.180 our foundational 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.880 salvation in 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.720 Christ and 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.160 the work of 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.560 the Spirit 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:09.060 of God 00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:09.440 in us, 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.140 but it's 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.720 also got some 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.160 of the most 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.580 wonderful 00:26:11.580 --> 00:26:12.400 teaching on 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.640 sanctification, 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.080 on God 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:16.080 actually working 00:26:16.080 --> 00:26:17.040 in his people, 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.040 bringing them 00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:18.940 onwards towards 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.160 the time when 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.480 they will 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.980 finally be like 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.740 Jesus in the 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.620 image of God's 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.860 Son, what they 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.640 are predestined 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:25.960 to. 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:26.980 So yes, 00:26:27.020 --> 00:26:27.380 there's all 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:27.980 that wonderful 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.759 theology in 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.740 chapter 8 of 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:32.460 Romans, but 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.140 it's a chapter 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.440 for encouragement. 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.380 It's not there 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:36.759 just to be 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.420 studied by 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.279 theologians. 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:40.000 It's not just 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.559 there for those 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.380 who are skilled 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.240 in following 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.220 out theological 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.039 arguments. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.819 It's there for 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.259 you and it's 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.880 there for me. 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.559 It's there for 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.339 every Christian 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.839 because it's a 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.779 chapter to do 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:51.099 with Christian 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.099 encouragement, 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.500 which is why 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:57.200 Paul winds up 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.779 that chapter 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.240 if you like. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.900 You can put it 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.940 that way from 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.700 verse 31, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.600 especially what 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.440 then shall we 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:04.000 say to these 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.299 things? 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.019 He's saying, 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.420 here's the 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.900 theology, 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.700 here's the 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.440 wonderful teaching, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:08.920 here's the 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.319 doctrine, 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.440 here are the 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:10.880 things that are 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.819 foundational to 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.880 our belief, 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.480 to our faith, 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.240 to our salvation. 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.200 So what's our 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.600 reaction? 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.440 What are we 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.059 going to say? 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.059 Why is that 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.880 there for us? 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.759 What are we to 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.519 make of this? 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.819 What shall we 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.400 then say to 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.039 these things? 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.700 If God is for 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.160 us, who can 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.660 be against 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.039 us? 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:29.440 He who did 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.160 not spare his 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.860 own son but 00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:31.559 gave him up for 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.819 us all, how 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.420 will he not 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.220 also with him 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.180 graciously give 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.160 us all things? 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.819 You notice the 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.740 with him is 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.200 important. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.440 How will he 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:41.019 not also with 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.360 him, with the 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.000 son, with 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.080 Jesus, united 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:45.340 to Christ, give 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.000 us all things? 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.340 And then he 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.500 says, who 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.420 shall lay any 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.400 charge against 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.319 God's elect? 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:51.920 You see, that's 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.680 the same context, 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:54.360 the same atmosphere, 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.119 if you like, as 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.099 Ephesians 6, in 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.699 the armor of 00:27:56.699 --> 00:27:57.119 God. 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.639 Charge is brought 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.619 against God's 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.039 elect. 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.299 That's the devil's 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:01.599 business. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.119 That's his 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.459 purpose. 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.939 That's what he's 00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:04.479 busy at. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.019 That's what his 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.859 scheming is about. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.819 Who shall lay 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.939 any charge or 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:08.679 bring any charge 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:09.379 against God's 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:09.659 elect? 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:11.379 It is God who 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.139 justifies. 00:28:12.659 --> 00:28:13.419 So who is to 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:13.879 condemn? 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.319 Where is there 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.839 condemnation for 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.519 these people who 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.079 are in Christ 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.439 Jesus? 00:28:19.939 --> 00:28:20.639 Paul is saying, 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.619 there can't be. 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:24.199 There's just no 00:28:24.199 --> 00:28:24.899 possibility. 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.579 It's an impossibility 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:28.059 that the devil is 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.459 true about your 00:28:29.459 --> 00:28:30.539 condemnation when 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.399 you're united to 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:31.839 Christ. 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.399 Because he says, 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.239 Jesus Christ is the 00:28:35.239 --> 00:28:36.579 one who died, more 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.359 than that, who was 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.459 raised, who is at 00:28:38.459 --> 00:28:39.299 the right hand of 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.879 God, who indeed is 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:42.159 interceding for us. 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.579 Who shall separate 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.739 us from the love of 00:28:44.739 --> 00:28:45.119 Christ? 00:28:45.719 --> 00:28:47.179 Shall tribulation, or 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.259 distress, or 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.519 persecution, or 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.419 famine, or 00:28:50.419 --> 00:28:51.519 nakedness, or 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.539 danger, or 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:54.160 sword, all of 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:54.940 which are things 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:56.379 that the devil has 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:58.039 access to, to 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.440 bring you to be 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.859 discouraged, to 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.900 bring you to take 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.660 steps back? 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.379 No, he says, in 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:06.139 all these things, we 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:07.220 are more than 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.019 conquerors through 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.119 him who loved us. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.460 For I am sure that 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.359 neither death, nor 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.559 life, nor angels, 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.420 nor rulers, nor 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.299 things present, nor 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.559 things to come, nor 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.559 powers, nor height, 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.299 nor depth, nor 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.160 anything else in all 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.900 creation, will be 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.640 able to separate 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:22.019 us from the love 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.960 of God in Christ 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:24.740 Jesus, our Lord. 00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:25.320 You see how 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:26.880 wonderfully 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:29.019 practical Paul is 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.560 in applying his 00:29:30.560 --> 00:29:31.019 theology. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.460 That's what is 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.600 there for you and 00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:34.240 for me, too. 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.280 And as you go to 00:29:35.280 --> 00:29:36.560 Ephesians 6, and 00:29:36.560 --> 00:29:37.080 go through these 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.640 parts of the 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.660 armor, and you 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.600 come to what we're 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.300 looking at tonight, 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.360 this helmet of 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.280 salvation, the hope 00:29:42.280 --> 00:29:43.640 of salvation, it's 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.440 really saying to you, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.640 think of your future. 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.040 Think of what's 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.859 already secure. 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.339 Think of what's 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.200 there waiting for 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:51.079 you to enjoy in 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.599 eternity. 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.500 Think of all that 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.339 for your present 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.680 life, so that you 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.559 be encouraged in 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.480 it, so that you 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.299 don't slacken, so 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.700 that you don't 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.759 give up, but 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.420 rather that you 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.240 persevere. 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:02.960 I mentioned 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.420 2 Peter a few 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.539 moments ago, and 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.700 you'll find similar 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.779 emphasis there as he 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:09.819 deals with what was 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.579 in his own day, 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.639 some critical times 00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:14.240 as well, and you 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.019 recall there in 2 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.920 Peter chapter 3, how 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.660 he is facing the 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.819 idea that there 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:24.420 is actually just no 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.579 such thing as the 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.819 return of Christ, 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.680 where he's saying 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:30.879 in chapter 3 there, 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.920 he said, I'm 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.960 stirring up your 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:35.859 sincere mind by way 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:37.339 of reminder that 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.059 you should remember 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.400 the predictions of 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.119 the holy prophets 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.960 and the commandment 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.660 of the Lord, knowing 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.460 first of all that 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:44.539 scoffers will come in 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:46.259 the last days, and 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:46.920 the last days are 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.240 from the time that 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:50.940 Christ came and 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.339 went back to glory 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.379 until he returns, 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.099 these are the last 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.539 days. 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.700 And he's saying in 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.500 chapter 3 here of 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.960 2 Peter, they will 00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:00.619 say, following their 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:02.000 own sinful desires, 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:03.720 they will say, where 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.819 is the promise of 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.339 his coming? 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.059 For ever since the 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.960 fathers fell asleep, 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:09.139 all things continue 00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:10.460 as they were from 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.940 the beginning of 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.500 creation. 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.240 And so all the 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.680 way through, he 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.960 then goes to deal 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.759 with the Lord, not 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.720 slack, concerning his 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.500 promises being 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.700 fulfilled, and how 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.779 he's patient towards 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:23.339 us, and how one day 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.140 with the Lord is like 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:25.220 a thousand years, a 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.940 thousand years like 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.480 one day. 00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:28.099 Therefore he said, 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:30.019 beloved, since you are 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.119 waiting for these 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:33.779 things, be diligent to 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.939 be found by him 00:31:34.939 --> 00:31:37.019 without spot or 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.019 blemish and at 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:40.039 peace, and count the 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:41.199 patience of our Lord 00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:43.319 as salvation, just as 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.099 our beloved brother 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:45.299 Paul also wrote to 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.779 you, according to the 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.980 wisdom given to him. 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.839 Know you therefore, 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.519 know you therefore 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.859 beloved, in verse 17, 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:55.159 knowing this beforehand, 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:58.119 take care that you 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.479 are not carried 00:31:59.479 --> 00:32:02.039 away with the 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.099 error of lawless 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:04.919 people and lose 00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:05.679 your own 00:32:05.679 --> 00:32:06.379 stability. 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:07.779 What is the 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.559 antidote to being 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.919 carried away and 00:32:10.919 --> 00:32:11.500 losing your 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.959 stability? 00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:13.079 What's the 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:14.219 antidote to 00:32:14.219 --> 00:32:15.419 slackening off or 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.879 just giving up or 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.500 saying what's the 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:17.799 point? 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:20.500 It is this, but 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.839 grow in the grace 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.299 and knowledge of 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.139 our Lord and 00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:24.980 Savior Jesus 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.559 Christ. 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.179 To him be glory 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:28.839 both now and to 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.240 the day of 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.599 eternity. 00:32:29.699 --> 00:32:30.099 In other words, 00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:30.619 you can say, 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.799 speaking into 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.799 Ephesians 6 as 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:34.480 well, that the 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:37.319 antidote to the 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.299 temptation to go 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.459 back or to give 00:32:39.459 --> 00:32:41.519 up is to grow. 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:44.559 Spiritual growth 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.899 is the only 00:32:45.899 --> 00:32:48.579 adequate response 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:49.579 or answer to the 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.299 temptation of the 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:51.779 devil to go up. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.059 to give up. 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.579 And instead of 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:56.179 succumbing to 00:32:56.179 --> 00:32:57.079 that temptation, 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.359 what we are 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.079 encouraged to do 00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:00.319 by God himself 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.159 through his word 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:02.919 is to say in 00:33:02.919 --> 00:33:04.199 return, not only 00:33:04.199 --> 00:33:05.279 am I not going 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.899 to give up, 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.319 but I'm 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.139 determined to go 00:33:08.139 --> 00:33:09.459 on growing in 00:33:09.459 --> 00:33:10.480 my Christian life, 00:33:10.939 --> 00:33:11.879 in my relationship 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.579 with the Lord, 00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:13.699 in my relationship 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.519 with my fellow 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.039 Christians. 00:33:15.659 --> 00:33:16.579 I'm determined 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:18.220 not to give up, 00:33:18.419 --> 00:33:19.119 but instead to 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.959 actually take all 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.519 the encouragement 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.500 I can from 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.319 being with my 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.900 brothers and 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.519 sisters in 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:25.460 Christ, so that 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.920 together we will 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.980 grow in the 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.640 grace and in the 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:31.360 knowledge of our 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:33.519 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.400 May God bless 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.640 these thoughts on 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.539 his word to us. 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:40.019 now we're going to 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.359 conclude. 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.420 Thank you. 00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:40.480 Thank you. 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:40.500 Thank you. 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:40.920 Thank you. 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.500 Thank you. 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.440 Thank you. 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:42.500 Thank you.