WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:23.000 Well, a very good morning to you all. It's very good to be here this day. I missed last week's service, not because I was sick, although I think a lot of people believe that to be the case, which is normally the case, so I can understand why, but I had a family, a whole family that was very, very sick, but we're doing much better today, and I do appreciate your prayers. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:41.859 I'm very, very thankful this morning to be here with you all, not to be sick. I'm very, very thankful for our glorious God who sent us a Savior to redeem our souls, that we might even come together and worship this day in spirit and in truth. 00:00:41.859 --> 00:01:00.019 I'm thankful this day to celebrate the first year birthday, I guess I should say, birthday of our little guy, Judah. Today is his birthday, and we're so blessed to have him, and I'm thankful today for God's written word to us. 00:01:00.020 --> 00:01:06.620 We are continuing our study through Romans, so you can go ahead and turn there to the book of Romans, chapter 13. 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:15.120 And we've been working our way through now this practical working out of these doctrines that he's presented to us in the first 11 chapters. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:31.320 We've come to chapter 12 and seen that our reasonable service is the sacrifice of our whole selves now to God in light of these glorious truths of the gospel, this salvation that we have by faith through grace. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:43.780 And he's gone on to talk about how we can sum up then our godliness, what that should look like in the little phrase at the beginning of verse 9 of chapter 12. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:46.760 Let love be genuine. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:59.540 And he begins to expand upon that, abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good, and he works that out even more practically going through the end of chapter 12 and into the beginning of 13. 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:07.659 A couple of weeks ago when I was with you, we talked about verses 8 through 10, when he starts out to say, 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:12.379 Oh, no one anything except to love one another. 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:21.800 He goes on to say that love is the fulfilling of the commandment, that if we love genuinely, as he said in verse 9 of chapter 12, then we're fulfilling the commandment. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:25.240 We are living as God would have us live. 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:30.419 And he even expresses to us that this is a continuing debt of love. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:42.939 In light of what God has done for us, we're to be moved to continue on and on and on to love others, both in practical ways and with the gospel itself. 00:02:44.579 --> 00:02:54.479 Today we're going to look at verses 11 through 14, and we're going to address a particular part of it today, and we're going to deal with the rest of it next week. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:03:00.379 I think there's too much richness in it to try to cram it into one, but join with me in reading. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:06.199 We're going to read verse 8 all the way through the end of the chapter, through verse 14, to set some context for us. 00:03:08.579 --> 00:03:14.799 Owe no one anything except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:21.479 For the commandments, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, 00:03:21.479 --> 00:03:26.899 and any other commandment are summed up in this word, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:32.839 Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:37.219 Besides this, you know the time that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep, 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:40.799 for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:44.239 The night is far gone, the day is at hand. 00:03:45.179 --> 00:03:49.159 So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:54.020 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, 00:03:54.340 --> 00:03:59.039 not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy, 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:06.300 but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires. 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:09.840 Join me in praying for God's blessing on this time. 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:14.000 Father, we praise you for your written word. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:15.939 It is a grace to us. 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:22.500 We praise you also for the preaching of your word, not because I have any good in and of myself, 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:29.339 but that the proclamation of your written word, the explanation of what it means, has in it power. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:34.120 And I pray, God, by your spirit, that you will ignite my tongue, 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:39.740 and you will soften all of our hearts to receive the truths contained herein, 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:44.560 and that apply them to our lives, that you might find us more obedient, 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:50.540 being transformed in the image of your son as a result of our activity together in these coming moments. 00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:53.379 We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:58.300 So Paul has laid out for us this continuing debt of love, 00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:00.519 not a love by the world's standards, 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:03.960 not our romantic comedy version of love, 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:06.139 but a much, much higher version of love, 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:08.099 an idealistic version of love. 00:05:08.159 --> 00:05:10.519 He says that it's a genuine love, 00:05:10.599 --> 00:05:12.779 a love that's rooted in the gospel truth, 00:05:12.859 --> 00:05:16.740 that seeks the great end of other people before yourself, 00:05:16.859 --> 00:05:19.899 that wants the best for all that you encounter. 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:22.479 He says that's the fulfilling of the law, 00:05:22.799 --> 00:05:25.899 but then in verse 11, he begins to explain to us further 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:28.419 how it is we're going to love this way 00:05:28.419 --> 00:05:30.519 by saying simply, besides this. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:33.039 So love is the fulfilling of the law, 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:35.979 which is a great motivation in and of itself to love, 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:40.439 but then he says, besides this, you know the time. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:44.279 He goes on to further explain that, 00:05:44.299 --> 00:05:46.479 but what an interesting little phrase here. 00:05:46.599 --> 00:05:47.439 Besides this, 00:05:48.859 --> 00:05:51.620 so another reason we ought to love this way 00:05:51.620 --> 00:05:55.639 is because we know the time. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:58.479 So I'm going to ask two questions this morning. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:00.600 The first is, what does he even mean? 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:04.620 What does Paul mean by knowing the time? 00:06:05.280 --> 00:06:07.340 And some clues to that are in the following verses. 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:08.860 He qualifies it. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:14.200 What does he mean by the time in 11b through 12a? 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.180 If you will allow me to break these verses up in that way. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:19.400 He does so with a metaphor 00:06:19.400 --> 00:06:24.180 that seeks to explain the reality of the time 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:25.600 that we all know. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.500 The metaphor. 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:28.400 Look at it firstly. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:29.960 In 12a, he says, 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:31.500 The night is far gone. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:33.920 The day is at hand. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:35.740 And then in 11b, 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:39.740 The hours come for you to wake from sleep. 00:06:40.780 --> 00:06:42.800 So he's using this analogy to say to us, 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:44.240 Listen, the night is gone. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:45.040 The night is over. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.500 It is now the daytime. 00:06:46.840 --> 00:06:48.900 And as those who know the time, 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.720 speaking to believers in this case, 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:53.820 those who are found in Christ, 00:06:53.820 --> 00:06:56.780 it's time for you to wake up. 00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:02.120 We ought not slumber any longer. 00:07:03.080 --> 00:07:05.200 We've been made alive in Christ, 00:07:05.320 --> 00:07:09.580 and now we ought to be about the activity of love. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:13.340 You can see also Ephesians 5, 1-21, 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:14.500 verse 14, 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:15.960 Awake, O sleeper, 00:07:16.320 --> 00:07:17.640 and rise from the dead, 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.639 that Christ may shine on you. 00:07:21.419 --> 00:07:22.899 Speaking to those believers 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:26.099 who had become lackadaisical in their Christian living, 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:28.839 who had ceased pursuing Christ 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:31.240 by loving those around them. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.439 Wake up. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:34.319 It's not nighttime any longer. 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:35.560 It's now the day. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:39.839 Walk as one who is awake in the daytime. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:41.639 So this metaphor, 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:43.639 to help us better understand 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:45.419 understand the time 00:07:45.419 --> 00:07:47.139 that he's talking about, 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:49.659 which helps us to understand 00:07:49.659 --> 00:07:50.519 a reality 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.919 found in 11c, 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:55.740 the third portion of verse 11. 00:07:55.919 --> 00:07:56.139 He says, 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:59.699 For salvation is nearer to us now 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:01.459 than when we first believed. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:04.339 What does he mean by that? 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:06.500 So, we're to wake up, 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.519 be in the day, 00:08:07.919 --> 00:08:09.199 walk, begin to move, 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:10.039 and be active 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:11.939 in this activity of genuine love. 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:16.639 Because salvation is nearer to us now 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.060 than when we first believed. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:19.600 Is Paul here suggesting 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:21.959 that we must live in a certain way 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.540 in order to obtain salvation? 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:24.860 Is it coming, 00:08:24.980 --> 00:08:26.000 and if we're not living the right way, 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.459 we won't be able to grab hold of it? 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:28.139 Right? 00:08:28.659 --> 00:08:29.100 No. 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:31.699 Clear and emphatic answer to that. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:32.860 He's not saying at all 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:34.059 that it's our work 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:35.460 that brings us salvation. 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:37.980 Look back in the book of Romans, 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:39.519 the first 11 chapters, 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:41.039 to be certain, 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:42.759 but just focus your attention 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:45.419 on Romans 5, 1 and 2, 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:46.860 where he says, 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:47.259 Therefore, 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:48.599 since we have been justified 00:08:48.599 --> 00:08:50.480 by faith, 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:51.799 not by works, 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:53.500 we've been justified by faith, 00:08:53.719 --> 00:08:55.919 we have peace with God 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:57.500 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:58.399 Through Him, 00:08:58.439 --> 00:09:00.399 we also have obtained access 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:01.059 by faith 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:02.019 into this grace 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:03.419 in which we stand. 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:04.419 Right? 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:05.659 So then what does he mean? 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:06.219 Right? 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:08.699 Look at the rest of verse 2, 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.820 and we rejoice 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:11.120 in the hope 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.640 of the glory of God. 00:09:14.520 --> 00:09:16.860 So we have been redeemed, 00:09:17.420 --> 00:09:18.980 but we are waiting 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:21.040 for the full consummation 00:09:21.040 --> 00:09:22.060 of that to happen. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:22.560 Right? 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.700 We are waiting 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:25.060 for the full realization 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:26.340 of us being delivered 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:27.720 from this world, 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.020 from the weight 00:09:29.020 --> 00:09:29.660 and the baggage 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:30.879 of our sinful flesh. 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:31.300 Right? 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.080 The very end 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:33.080 of chapter 5, verse 2, 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:34.100 and we rejoice 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.200 in the hope 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:36.860 of the glory of God. 00:09:37.300 --> 00:09:37.480 Right? 00:09:37.520 --> 00:09:39.139 We long for that day 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:41.620 when our full salvation 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.460 will be finished. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:45.120 There's a picture 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.200 all throughout the scriptures 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:47.580 in talking of the kingdom of God, 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:48.960 of what has arrived 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:50.879 and what is in the process 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:51.580 of being, 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:52.800 of arriving. 00:09:53.280 --> 00:09:53.420 Right? 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.340 You have been sanctified 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:56.120 as a believer. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:57.240 You've been set apart 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:57.980 for God, 00:09:58.200 --> 00:09:58.980 but you are still 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:00.660 being sanctified 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:01.559 in that you're being 00:10:01.559 --> 00:10:03.579 perfectly set apart 00:10:03.579 --> 00:10:04.579 for God. 00:10:05.459 --> 00:10:05.579 Right? 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:07.039 So that's what he's referring to 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:07.620 as he's saying 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.419 that it's coming. 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.500 It's on its way. 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:12.480 Salvation is close 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.199 at hand. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:14.139 And what he's saying 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.000 is that the reality 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:16.000 that Paul's saying here 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:16.539 is that believers 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.500 know to be true 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.639 of the time 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.659 is that the kingdom 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:20.379 of God 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.459 is here. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:22.459 It's arrived. 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.899 It's at hand. 00:10:24.959 --> 00:10:25.799 We've arrived 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:26.759 at the juncture 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:28.559 between the passing away 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:29.419 of the reign 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:30.299 of sin 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:31.359 and death 00:10:31.359 --> 00:10:32.299 to the reign 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.039 of Christ 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.219 and the subsequent 00:10:34.219 --> 00:10:34.779 joy 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.819 and hope 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:36.759 and glory 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:38.419 that accompanies him. 00:10:39.319 --> 00:10:39.379 Right? 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.120 We stand 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.019 between 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:43.539 those two ages, 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:45.219 those two worlds. 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:46.639 Paul said 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.759 in 1 Corinthians 10-11 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.979 that the Old Testament 00:10:48.979 --> 00:10:49.859 and events 00:10:49.859 --> 00:10:51.179 were written down 00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:52.199 for our instruction 00:10:52.199 --> 00:10:53.219 on whom 00:10:53.219 --> 00:10:54.279 the end 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:54.959 of the ages 00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:56.219 has come. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:57.439 That is, 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:58.039 the transition 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:58.879 between this age 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.699 and the age to come 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:00.500 has arrived 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.960 in Jesus Christ. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:04.020 2 Corinthians 5-17 00:11:04.020 --> 00:11:04.580 states, 00:11:05.160 --> 00:11:06.320 If anyone is in Christ, 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.340 he is a new creation. 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:10.200 The old has passed away. 00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:10.820 Behold, 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.360 the new has come. 00:11:13.040 --> 00:11:14.240 So if you are found 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:14.720 in Christ 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.780 by your faith in Him, 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:16.720 then you are 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:17.360 a new creation. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.100 The new creation. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:19.420 It's come. 00:11:21.020 --> 00:11:22.280 Colossians 1-13 00:11:22.280 --> 00:11:22.900 reads, 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.399 God delivered us 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:25.159 from the domain 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:25.740 of darkness 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:27.340 and transferred us 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.319 to the kingdom 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:29.959 of His beloved Son. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.319 So then, 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.039 the kingdom 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:34.379 of our great deliverer 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.179 has come. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.299 Just as Jesus said 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:38.699 in Mark 1-15, 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:40.199 the time is fulfilled 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:41.439 and the kingdom of God 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:43.319 is at hand. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:44.959 And now, 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:45.459 we, 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.460 as God's very own, 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.899 long to see 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:50.379 the full realization 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.059 of this kingdom. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:55.360 Recall back in Romans 8-23, 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:56.299 it says that 00:11:56.299 --> 00:11:57.299 we ourselves, 00:11:57.820 --> 00:11:58.960 who have the first fruits 00:11:58.960 --> 00:11:59.500 of the Spirit, 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.620 groan inwardly 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.299 as we wait eagerly 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.419 for adoption of Son, 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:04.980 the redemption 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.399 of our bodies. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.659 That is the place 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:10.059 in which we exist 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:10.580 right now. 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:11.659 The time 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.080 that he's referring to. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.139 Many of you 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:16.080 may not recognize, 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.700 know what 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.679 the Christ Family Church 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:19.639 logo looks like. 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.259 I'll encourage you 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:20.779 as you leave 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:21.980 to look up at the sign 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:22.419 on the hill, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.340 the temporary sign, 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:25.600 temporary slash permanent sign 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.659 that's up on the hill. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.240 You'll notice that 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.439 it's a silhouette of trees 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:31.600 with the rising sun. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.279 That's meant to be 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.720 a picture of this time 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.179 that we all live in. 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:37.220 Those of us 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.039 who have been redeemed 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.259 standing together, 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:41.059 facing and awaiting 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:42.379 the coming of our King, 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.659 who is currently 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.179 in the process 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:46.240 of shedding light 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.399 on this world. 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:48.840 What happens though? 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:49.320 Why is something 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:50.060 a silhouette? 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:51.379 You're looking at 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.240 something from behind 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.220 and it's in silhouette. 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.500 It's because one side 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.300 of it is exposed 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:56.300 to the magnificent 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:57.360 light of the sun 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.160 and what's behind it 00:12:59.160 --> 00:12:59.960 is not. 00:13:00.040 --> 00:13:00.580 That's why it appears 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:01.220 dark to you. 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:01.879 There's no light 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.980 on the backside of it. 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:04.139 So we're in between 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.040 those two places. 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:07.180 This reign of sin 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:07.740 and death 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.899 where Satan prevails 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.879 in this world 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.280 and Christ, 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.000 who has come 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.879 and is ushering 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.220 in his kingdom. 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:14.340 kingdom. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:16.259 It's not an 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.740 interstitial gap. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.200 That term makes sense 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:19.700 to you, right? 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.700 Where there's this gap 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:21.379 where this kingdom 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:21.860 is done 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.500 and this kingdom 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:22.960 is coming 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.540 and we stand 00:13:23.540 --> 00:13:24.120 in between it, 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:25.040 between two worlds 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:25.639 in that way. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:26.960 But it looks 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.820 more like this. 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.720 It's a Venn diagram. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.460 It's an overlap 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.240 of the two happening. 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:32.980 We live in a very 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.960 unique time, 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:35.139 the age of the church, 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.100 right? 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.320 When this world 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:38.259 and the things 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:39.180 of this world 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:40.060 still exist, 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:42.479 but yet the new world, 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:43.659 the new age, 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:46.019 is on its way. 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:48.799 This is the time 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.299 that he is talking about. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:51.439 Turn with me 00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:52.819 to 2 Peter 3. 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.659 Paul says, 00:14:03.739 --> 00:14:04.799 besides this, 00:14:05.219 --> 00:14:05.500 you, 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:06.519 believers, 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.500 those in Rome 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.159 who are believers 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.859 and now us, 00:14:08.979 --> 00:14:09.339 those of us 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:10.160 who have Christ, 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:12.360 you know the time. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.420 Peter wrote 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:16.060 some similar language. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.720 Chapter 3 of 2 Peter 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.440 beginning in 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.000 verse 3. 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:24.600 Knowing this first of all, 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.980 that scoffers will come 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.980 in the last days 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:27.920 with scoffing, 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.320 following their own 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:30.040 sinful desires, 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.060 they will say, 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:32.580 where is the promise 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.420 of his coming? 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.740 For ever since 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.860 the fathers fell asleep, 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.160 all things are continuing 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:37.860 as they were 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.820 from the beginning 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.060 of creation. 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.800 Feels that way 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.280 sometimes, 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:42.879 doesn't it? 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.520 Right? 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.379 That the age 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.379 is not passing away 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.960 that we live in 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.540 in this world 00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.720 and the age of Christ 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.460 is not coming, 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.140 it just seems to never come. 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.800 The world just seems 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.740 to get more and more 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.160 sinful and evil. 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.200 That's exactly what 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.820 Peter's writing about here. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:57.900 It's exactly what he's saying, 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.580 that these scoffers 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:58.960 will come 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.660 and they will say, 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.840 nothing's changed. 00:15:01.520 --> 00:15:01.660 Right? 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:03.200 You talk about this coming. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:04.980 Nothing's coming. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.060 Nothing's changing. 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.020 Nothing's getting better. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.600 It's only getting worse. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:09.579 Verse 5, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.220 For they deliberately 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.419 overlooked this fact, 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.179 that the heavens existed 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:14.259 long ago, 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.059 and the earth was formed 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:16.799 out of water 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.079 and through water 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:19.220 by the word of God, 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.600 and that by means of these 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.720 the world that then existed 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.059 was deluged with water 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.039 and perished. 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.840 But by the same word, 00:15:26.939 --> 00:15:27.759 the heavens and earth 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.519 that now exist 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:30.000 are stored up for fire, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:30.939 being kept 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.840 until the day of judgment 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.559 and destruction 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:34.059 of the ungodly. 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.699 But do not overlook 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.899 this one fact, beloved, 00:15:37.479 --> 00:15:38.239 that with the Lord 00:15:38.239 --> 00:15:39.779 one day is as a thousand years 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.779 and a thousand years 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.599 as one day. 00:15:42.219 --> 00:15:43.319 The Lord is not slow 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:44.159 to fulfill His promise 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:45.159 as some count slowness, 00:15:45.239 --> 00:15:46.419 but is patient towards you, 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:47.599 not wishing that any 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:48.179 should perish, 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:49.239 but that all should 00:15:49.239 --> 00:15:49.939 reach repentance. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.479 But the day of the Lord 00:15:51.479 --> 00:15:52.559 will come like a thief, 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.939 and the heavens will pass away 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.439 with a war, 00:15:54.619 --> 00:15:55.579 and the heavenly bodies 00:15:55.579 --> 00:15:56.299 will be burned up 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:56.779 and dissolved, 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.439 and the earth 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.139 and the works 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.919 that are done on it 00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.679 will be exposed. 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.659 Since all these things 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.099 are thus to be dissolved, 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:04.360 what sort of people 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.259 ought you to be 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.560 in lives of holiness 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.940 and godliness, 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.779 waiting for and hastening 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:11.620 the coming of the day of God, 00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:12.680 because of which 00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:13.480 the heavens will be set 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.399 on fire and dissolved, 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.519 and the heavenly bodies 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.639 will melt as they burn. 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:18.399 But according to His promise, 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:20.019 we are waiting for new heavens 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.259 and a new earth 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.740 in which righteousness dwells. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.200 Peter says the same thing 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.680 to us here. 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.560 You know the time, 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.800 and when it doesn't feel like 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:33.639 the old age is passing away 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.819 and the new age is coming, 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:37.139 we can rest sure 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.139 that God is faithful 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.819 to His promises. 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:40.179 We can recognize 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.159 that we're finite 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.439 in our understanding of time, 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.439 yet God is infinite. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:44.299 That's what He says, right? 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.199 The earth, 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.139 the heavens created, 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.740 existed long ago. 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:50.139 Long ago they existed. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:52.399 Outside of even your scope 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.719 of eternity past, 00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:54.559 they existed. 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.240 And God will in fact 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.539 bring His promises 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.639 to pass. 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:01.139 So how then should we live? 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.259 We should be living lives 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.740 of holiness and godliness, 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.980 waiting for and hastening 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:10.420 the coming day of our Lord. 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:13.920 What is Peter referring to? 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.539 God's time is God's time. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.180 It is perfect. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.039 It will come to pass 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:20.099 when it comes to pass. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.200 Why would He even use 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.359 the word hastening? 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.720 It's our great goal, 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.859 our great mission as the church, 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:29.919 to find everybody 00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:32.379 in this dark, dark world, 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.459 every corner of it, 00:17:33.479 --> 00:17:34.119 every recess, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.000 the place that they're hiding, 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.719 and share the good news 00:17:36.719 --> 00:17:37.879 of Jesus Christ with them. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.539 We want to try to press light 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:41.779 into every possible dark place 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.659 because when the church's numbers 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.359 are complete, 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.899 Christ will return. 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:48.599 So He's speaking in human terms, 00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:49.139 right? 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.139 There's an urgency 00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:51.179 that we should feel 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:52.279 to get it done. 00:17:52.979 --> 00:17:54.099 God, He is patient. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.479 He will accomplish His purpose. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.519 It will come to pass 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.920 when He wants it to come to pass, 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:59.900 but we are to press on 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.980 to love genuinely, 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:04.319 to carry the gospel, 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:06.140 the greatest expression of love, 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.579 to everyone that we can 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.440 in the hopes 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:10.740 that it's going to happen soon. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:13.220 It's that dark shadow 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.019 at our back 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:15.599 that should drive us 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:17.299 to the face of Christ. 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:19.700 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:21.759 Look full in His wonderful face, 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.500 and the things of earth 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.619 will go strangely dim 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:25.819 in the light of His glorious grace. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:28.500 That is the motivating factor. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:33.059 So let's ask the second question, 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.059 even though I'm already 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.960 working on answering it. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.079 So how does a knowledge 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.400 of the time motivate us 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.839 to love properly? 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.359 How is it that it does so? 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.660 So verse 12, 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.299 back in Romans 12b, 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:47.240 so then let us 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.839 cast off the works of darkness 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:50.119 and put on 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.960 the armor of light. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:54.480 So we have this knowledge 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.079 of the time, 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.500 and He says, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.139 so then. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.099 So since we have this knowledge 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.460 of the time, 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:59.019 we understand the analogy, 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.039 right? 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.279 We ought to then 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.319 walk properly. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.740 It's a casting off, 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.759 a throwing away 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:06.000 of the works of darkness 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.279 and a putting on 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.139 of the armor of light. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:09.680 Right? 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.799 It's all these things 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.619 He's been discussing 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.899 in chapter 12 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.220 and this part of 13 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.320 up until now. 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.640 It's all those things 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.480 is what we ought to be 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.480 putting on. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.360 Right? 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.780 He's simply adding 00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:21.920 further clarity 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:23.720 to everything He has said 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.180 to the point so far 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:27.120 with a summary. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.280 Right? 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.840 He's helping us to see 00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:32.000 that as those of the light 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.160 we should walk in light. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:33.580 Right? 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.840 The night is gone. 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.980 It's time to quit slumbering. 00:19:36.040 --> 00:19:37.519 It's time to live in the day. 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:38.360 Not doing the things 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.259 that are hidden in darkness, 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.340 but doing the things 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:43.019 that happen in the light. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.179 We're to cast off 00:19:45.179 --> 00:19:45.799 the one thing. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.119 Language is strong 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:47.559 in the Greek. 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.399 Throw it away. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.299 It's not a, like, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.079 take it off and put it down 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.480 to be picked back up later. 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:54.319 No, it's a casting off. 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.399 It's a throwing it away. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.959 In disgust of it. 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.000 Getting it away from you. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.720 And putting on 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.779 another thing. 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.319 We're to cast off 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.240 the works of the past age 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.959 and put on the works 00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:05.039 of the age to come. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.899 We're to cast off evil 00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:08.220 and put on righteousness. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.119 Right? 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:10.799 Paul, in fact, 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:12.119 further clarifies 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:12.759 what he means 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.859 by putting on 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:15.039 the armor of light 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.899 in verse 14 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:17.599 when he says, 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:19.199 put on the Lord 00:20:19.199 --> 00:20:20.419 Jesus Christ. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.059 We'll get into 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.299 more practically 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.639 what that looks like. 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.259 What that looks like. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.719 When we are enthralled 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:29.659 with who Jesus Christ is, 00:20:30.219 --> 00:20:31.219 the work of darkness 00:20:31.219 --> 00:20:33.619 is no longer beautiful to us. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:36.079 The work of light is. 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:38.219 We'll talk about this 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.720 more next week, 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.059 but when you find yourself 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.839 tempted by sin, 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.240 when you find yourself 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.400 loving it, 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.400 it's because you don't 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.640 love Christ 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.579 the way you ought. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.339 It's because you don't 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.240 behold him 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.900 for who he truly is. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.799 His person and his work 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.740 is drifting 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:58.059 from your heart. 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:02.399 put on Jesus Christ. 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:03.440 Right? 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.240 And you'll flee 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.099 from the works of darkness. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.559 And you'll flee 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.740 to the works of light. 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.480 You will love it. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.299 As Christian, 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.220 life is not easy. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.419 We've been put in this 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:15.399 overlap. 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:16.599 Right? 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.980 We so desperately, 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:19.119 at least I hope you do, 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.059 want to be rid 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.819 of your flesh. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.099 This baggage. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.719 Paul in Romans chapter 7 00:21:23.719 --> 00:21:24.519 talks about this great 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.579 struggle in himself 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.740 and cries out at the end, 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.719 who will deliver me 00:21:27.719 --> 00:21:28.939 from this body 00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.899 of death? 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:30.879 He says, 00:21:30.959 --> 00:21:32.419 praise be to Jesus Christ 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:32.899 our Lord. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:33.719 Right? 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.319 What he's referring to 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.939 when he talks about 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.740 the body of death 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:38.179 was a old 00:21:38.179 --> 00:21:39.480 Roman punishment. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.639 If you murdered somebody, 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:43.359 they would tie that individual 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.139 to your back. 00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:45.399 The dead body 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:46.319 to your back. 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.899 And as that flesh 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.799 rotted away, 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:50.159 that rot would spread 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.960 to your body 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.960 and it would kill you. 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:54.440 You have to carry around 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.860 the dead man 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.840 on your back. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.640 And that's how Paul 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.900 refers to his flesh. 00:21:59.480 --> 00:21:59.759 Right? 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:01.640 His flesh and it's killing me. 00:22:01.800 --> 00:22:02.779 It's infecting 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.660 my new nature. 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:04.540 Right? 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.360 Who would deliver me 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:05.740 from it? 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.980 Jesus Christ. 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:09.360 Put on Jesus Christ. 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:11.840 Cast off the old. 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:14.160 Put on the new. 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.759 Remember in Romans 12, 2. 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.140 Not too long ago, 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.320 we talked about this. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.380 Paul said, 00:22:22.540 --> 00:22:23.560 do not be conformed 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:24.540 to this world. 00:22:25.280 --> 00:22:26.460 Also could be translated 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.280 age. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.120 Right? 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.000 It's the same word 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.900 used here 00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:31.440 for the time. 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.320 Okay? 00:22:32.320 --> 00:22:33.340 It's the same Greek word. 00:22:33.780 --> 00:22:34.180 He's talking about 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.080 a period of time. 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:35.720 Don't be conformed 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.860 to this age 00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.460 that we live in, 00:22:37.520 --> 00:22:38.160 this time 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.100 that we live in, 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.320 the typical 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.120 cultural 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:43.060 normities. 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.120 Don't be conformed 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.420 to that, 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.720 but be transformed. 00:22:46.280 --> 00:22:47.140 Be transformed. 00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:47.960 Be different 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.700 then. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.519 Because you don't 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.819 belong to this age 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:53.000 any longer. 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.019 In verse 1, 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.160 it's our reasonable 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.120 service because of 00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:57.740 who we are. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.140 Because of who we are. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.880 Because Christ has 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.319 redeemed us. 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:01.019 It's our reasonable 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.740 service, 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.220 our spiritual worship, 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.319 to offer up 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.579 our whole bodies 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.940 as living 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:08.120 sacrifices. 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.880 So our knowledge 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.519 of the time 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.559 includes in it 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.420 the knowledge 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.940 of who we are. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.920 and that's the 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.740 motivating factor. 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.440 Understanding 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.779 the time 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:21.220 that you all 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.299 know includes, 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:22.880 if you properly 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.400 understand it, 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.900 it includes 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.380 who you are 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:26.420 in the time. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.200 One who's been 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.460 freed from the 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.180 bondage of sin. 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.940 Body of flesh, 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.880 carrying it around, 00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:33.600 absolutely. 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.140 Temptation at 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.680 every turn, 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.700 absolutely. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.460 Failure at 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.980 every turn, 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.660 yes. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:40.600 Right? 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.480 But you've been 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.360 set free from 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.019 that bondage. 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.919 You don't have 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.879 to go on 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.599 sinning. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.439 You've been 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:47.259 given life 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.159 in Christ. 00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:48.779 You've been 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.679 given His Spirit 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.719 to abide in you 00:23:50.719 --> 00:23:51.759 and motivate 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:53.099 proper living 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.599 out of you. 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.439 So many 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:55.959 Christians 00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.859 these days 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:58.019 are woe 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.500 is me, 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.119 Christians. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.799 My flesh, 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:02.279 always at my 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.639 heels, 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.859 always tempting 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.059 me. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.519 You've been 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.379 set free. 00:24:06.179 --> 00:24:07.039 Live in that. 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:07.859 You were a 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.579 child of light. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.879 Walk as 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.879 children of 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.240 light. 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:12.899 You don't 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.539 have to be 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.019 a slave 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.399 to your 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:14.699 sin. 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.879 We've been 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:18.039 redeemed, 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.019 bought with 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.599 a price. 00:24:20.699 --> 00:24:21.359 The blood 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.019 of Jesus 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.519 Christ. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.259 So it's 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.919 knowing who 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:24.459 we are. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.339 It's the 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.319 recognition of 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.939 this reality 00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.619 that we live 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:28.859 in this 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.179 overlap, 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.199 but that we've 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:30.479 been set 00:24:30.479 --> 00:24:31.159 apart to 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.779 walk in 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.019 the way 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.259 of our 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.539 Lord. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:33.839 Ephesians 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.299 5, 00:24:34.439 --> 00:24:34.659 7, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:34.939 and 8 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:35.119 says, 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.399 Do not 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:35.679 become 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:36.159 partakers 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.740 with them, 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:37.559 for at 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.079 one time 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.399 you were 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:38.799 darkness, 00:24:38.959 --> 00:24:39.379 but now 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:39.699 you are 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.339 light in 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.779 the Lord. 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:41.500 Walk 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.140 as 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.480 children 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.500 of 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:43.799 light. 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.380 We close 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.619 with a 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.079 passage from 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.859 1 Thessalonians 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.640 chapter 5, 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.059 and please 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.599 turn there 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.039 with me. 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.140 I'm going to 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.720 read verses 1 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.079 through 9 00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.380 together. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.039 1 Thessalonians 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.420 5, 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.940 verses 1 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.339 through 9. 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.059 Now, 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.839 concerning the 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.720 times and the 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.019 seasons, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.359 brothers, 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.259 you have no 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.400 need to have 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:07.880 anything written 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.299 to you. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.259 You catch 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.500 that? 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.940 Besides this, 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.539 you know 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.059 the time. 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.980 You have 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.500 no need 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:14.720 to have 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:14.920 anything 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.259 written to 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.420 you, 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.119 for you 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.500 yourselves 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.039 are fully 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.559 aware that 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.000 the day 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.240 of the 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.559 Lord will 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.539 come like 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:19.960 a thief 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.299 in the 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.579 night. 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.220 While 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.539 people are 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.200 saying there 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.720 is peace 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.400 and security, 00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:24.480 then sudden 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.119 destruction will 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.539 come upon 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:25.900 them as 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.539 labor pains 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.220 come upon 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.660 a pregnant 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:27.960 woman, 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.599 and they 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.240 will not 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.859 escape. 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:30.980 But you 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.400 were not 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.000 in darkness, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.440 brothers, 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.460 for that day 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.039 to surprise 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.640 you like 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.079 a thief, 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.900 for you 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.299 are all 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.059 children of 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.440 light, 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.480 children of 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.019 the day. 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:39.940 We are 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.279 not of 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.779 the night 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.740 or of 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.220 the darkness. 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.740 So then, 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.200 let us 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.819 not sleep 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.259 as others 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.539 do. 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:45.880 He's not 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.519 speaking of 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.360 literal sleep, 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.720 right? 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.120 Do not 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.519 sleep as 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.819 others do, 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.120 but let 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:49.440 us keep 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.880 awake 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.559 and be 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:50.920 sober. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.000 For those 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.480 who sleep 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:52.880 sleep at 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.099 night, 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.480 and those 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.759 who get 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.120 drunk 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.579 are drunk 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.000 at night. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.700 But since 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.259 we belong 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.519 to the 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:56.799 day, 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.460 let us 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.640 be 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:57.960 sober, 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.279 having 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.680 put on 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.380 the breastplate 00:25:59.380 --> 00:25:59.980 of faith 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.640 and love, 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.200 and for 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.539 a helmet 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.099 the hope 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.960 of salvation. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.680 For God 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.039 has not 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.579 destined us 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.019 for wrath, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.579 but to 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.519 obtain salvation 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.339 through our 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.679 Lord, 00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:08.919 Jesus Christ. 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.379 The day 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.000 of salvation 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.319 is nearer 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.199 now than 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:14.480 when we 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.939 first 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:15.960 believe. 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:17.079 I can't 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.619 begin to 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:17.960 tell you 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.199 when the 00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:18.419 world's 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:18.740 going to 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.039 end. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.779 I wouldn't 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.399 be so 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.740 arrogant 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.299 to even 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.019 try. 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.019 I would 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.579 be wrong, 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:25.859 I can 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.159 guarantee 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.759 you that. 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.480 But I 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.899 can say 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:31.000 with confidence 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.439 to you, 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.439 it's nearer 00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:34.099 now than 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.500 it was when 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.819 you first 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.240 believed. 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.019 We get 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.319 a little 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:37.819 bit closer 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.299 to it 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.039 as each 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.759 day passes. 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.099 And the 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.039 reality of 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.380 that, 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.319 that we 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.440 are children 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.000 of light, 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.440 we have 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.059 been redeemed, 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.579 we are 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.180 God's 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.940 own, 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.539 because of 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:48.759 what he's 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.259 done for 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.640 us, 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.880 and he's 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.619 coming back 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.279 to finish 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.559 it. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.700 This world 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.220 will someday 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.160 pass away, 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:56.859 and he will 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.559 restore it, 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.240 we will have 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.900 a new 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.480 heaven, 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.460 and a new 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:00.920 earth, 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.440 that we 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.000 will abide 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.940 in forever. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.519 Those that 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:04.900 don't know 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.080 Christ will 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.720 abide in 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.360 eternal 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.240 destruction. 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:09.880 The lake 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:10.360 of fire, 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.519 a miserable 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.120 place, 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:14.340 more for 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:14.940 its separation 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.580 from God 00:27:15.580 --> 00:27:15.900 than from 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.600 its physical 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:18.740 torture. 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.500 That's the 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.279 reality of 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.620 what's to 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.000 come. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.340 And that 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:23.900 is why 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.960 the knowledge 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.480 of the 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.960 time, 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.019 where we 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.440 are, 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:27.940 and what 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.480 we know 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.220 is coming, 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:29.900 should 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.840 motivate us 00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.660 to genuine 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.000 love. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.319 It's a 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.980 response 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.859 to the 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.180 great 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.640 love 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.119 that has 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:35.559 been shown 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.119 to us 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.759 in Jesus 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.259 Christ. 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:37.839 It's being 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.500 poured out 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.079 into us, 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.500 and it 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.180 should overflow 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.640 in everything 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.779 that we 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.019 do. 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.880 Let's pray 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.160 together. 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.259 together.