WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.519 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:10.519 --> 00:00:12.519 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.120 We asked last week, how do I follow a Jesus whose followers do so much evil? 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:50.159 And we saw that the Bible's not surprised by the sin of God's people when we don't live like Jesus. 00:00:50.939 --> 00:00:55.400 Nor does it leave our evil unaddressed. It's not a small thing. 00:00:55.399 --> 00:01:03.060 But Jesus provides a unique hope for all who are guilty of evil. 00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:07.840 In fact, He has promised to right all of the wrongs that we perpetrate. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:13.799 Today, we're going to look at another question that many ask. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:21.200 It's, can I be a Christian even though I'm not a fill-in-the-blank? 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:27.219 There may be lots of different ways that you might fill in that blank. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:33.900 But the idea this morning is to see what's actually at the heart of Christianity. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:38.020 The identity of a Christian. 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:41.980 It may surprise you a little bit. 00:01:42.520 --> 00:01:46.120 We're going to look at this through a story in Acts chapter 16. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:52.760 You may want to go ahead and turn there as I'm going to read it for us in a couple of minutes. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:58.160 But first, I want us to pray and ask for God's help as we look at His Word. 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:05.780 Father, would You work this morning by Your Spirit? 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:11.659 Would You give us ears to hear even the struggles in our own hearts? 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:18.919 Ears to hear our neighbors who are asking and wondering about You. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:25.259 Most importantly, Father, give us ears to hear right now Your voice. 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:35.519 In Your Word, by Your Spirit, might we hear You and be different forever because of it. 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:38.000 We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:38.139 Amen. 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:43.959 Kids, can I have your attention for a second? 00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:47.479 I want to play a little game as we're getting started this morning. 00:02:47.579 --> 00:02:51.019 It may not be as exciting as some games that you play, but it's a game, okay? 00:02:51.119 --> 00:02:51.659 I mean, come on. 00:02:52.859 --> 00:02:53.579 Here's how it works. 00:02:53.679 --> 00:03:03.799 I'm going to tell you a word, and then you tell me what that word has to have in order to be that thing. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:04.719 Okay? 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:05.699 It's a little bit confusing. 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:13.979 But when I say the word library, what does a library have to have to be a library? 00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:16.299 Books! 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:17.739 Y'all are so good at this game. 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:19.280 That is awesome. 00:03:19.399 --> 00:03:22.419 A library has to have books. 00:03:23.339 --> 00:03:24.459 Here's a fancy word. 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:26.780 The sine qua non. 00:03:27.339 --> 00:03:27.899 You got that? 00:03:27.959 --> 00:03:29.979 It's very, no, it's not important that you remember that. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:34.939 The sine qua non of a library is books. 00:03:35.679 --> 00:03:43.159 The sine qua non means the thing without which the thing is not what it is. 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:48.199 What's right at the essence, at the heart of what something has to have. 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:49.519 So that's the game we're going to play. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:50.699 Let's practice some more. 00:03:50.699 --> 00:03:56.560 Salad has to have lettuce. 00:03:56.879 --> 00:03:58.159 Yeah, there's a lot of other things. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:00.979 Bread has to have... 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:05.299 Butter was a great answer. 00:04:08.299 --> 00:04:11.199 I'm changing my answer, which was flour. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:13.319 Butter is better. 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:13.759 Okay. 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:14.679 Good. 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:16.079 Let's get back on track. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:18.079 A rainbow has to have... 00:04:18.599 --> 00:04:20.079 Colors. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:21.180 Yeah. 00:04:21.599 --> 00:04:22.620 To have a rainbow. 00:04:23.599 --> 00:04:25.459 We're going to give your parents a challenge. 00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:26.539 Democracy. 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:29.860 What's the sine qua non of democracy? 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:32.419 Taxes. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:36.919 I knew we shouldn't have played a game. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:45.759 You might say elections or freedom or something like that. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:47.420 How about pizza? 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:49.879 Cheese. 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:50.659 Yes. 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:54.300 I feel like there should also be tomato sauce, but some people make pizza without it. 00:04:54.599 --> 00:04:55.420 But cheese. 00:04:55.539 --> 00:04:55.719 Yes. 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:57.039 A fish. 00:04:58.039 --> 00:05:01.459 You got to have water and gills to breathe. 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:02.420 Very good. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:04.099 A teacher. 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:07.099 What does a teacher have to have? 00:05:08.159 --> 00:05:09.480 A student. 00:05:10.099 --> 00:05:13.240 A class in order to be a teacher. 00:05:13.599 --> 00:05:15.019 Y'all are figuring this out. 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:17.159 I want to give you one more in honor of VBS. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:19.579 Rain forest. 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:22.079 Rain. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:23.219 Very good answer. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.539 And forest. 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:26.240 Yes. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:28.419 You need water and trees. 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:30.839 We've got plenty of both. 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:32.240 So you remember that this week. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:34.740 It'll make you think of the sine qua non, I'm sure. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:47.280 See, there may be a lot of other things that are often true of a salad or a library or a 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:47.819 rainforest. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:53.240 But what is absolutely essential? 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:55.879 What does it have to have? 00:05:56.400 --> 00:05:58.579 Okay, that's what we want to know this morning. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:03.539 What is the sine qua non of a Christian? 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:09.719 See, getting confused here can be really misleading. 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:17.960 In the past few years in our country, as things have gotten more and more polarized, I think 00:06:17.960 --> 00:06:20.840 many Christians have gotten confused themselves. 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:32.040 A few years ago, one pastor who most of you would recognize and respect said any real Christian 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.560 would vote for Trump. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:40.620 At the same time, another beloved pastor in our tribe said, 00:06:41.400 --> 00:06:45.720 if anyone voted for Trump, I question the sincerity of his Christianity. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:48.460 Wow. 00:06:48.459 --> 00:07:01.899 Is being a Republican or a Democrat or voting for a particular candidate essential to being 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:02.379 a Christian? 00:07:06.219 --> 00:07:14.079 Another example, many people think that being a good person is the sine qua non of being a 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:14.519 Christian. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:18.799 And that includes people on two different sides of this. 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:25.519 There are some who have ruled themselves out of being a Christian because they're not moral 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:25.879 enough. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:31.519 How can I be a Christian when I've done the things that I've done? 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:33.919 I can't be a Christian, some would say. 00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:40.599 And then on the other hand, you have some who, we talked about people like this last week 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.360 who are saying, actually, Christians aren't actually good people. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:47.760 They're just judgmental enough to think that they are. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:54.220 And so, how can I be a Christian if I'm not judgmental? 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:57.000 Ooh, I hope you can. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:05.900 But specifically, in a recent Barna survey, respondents got to choose from a list of descriptors 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:09.000 that they thought fit Christianity. 00:08:10.179 --> 00:08:16.439 And among young non-Christians, there was one box checked more than any other on the 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:16.679 list. 00:08:16.799 --> 00:08:27.319 By 91% of those people looking at the list, they said what described Christians was anti-homosexual, 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:30.879 more than any other descriptor that they could see. 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:40.419 So, you even run into people who say, I can't be a Christian because I don't hate LGBTQ plus 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:41.080 people. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:46.360 I hope we don't hate any people. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:51.500 But is that the sine qua non of being a Christian? 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:54.320 Many apparently think so. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:09:01.060 There's one more really significant way I've heard people fill in that blank. 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:04.340 I'm sure you've said others or you've heard others. 00:09:05.820 --> 00:09:11.980 But can I be a Christian even though I'm not a person without doubts or questions? 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:20.480 See, their impression is that churches don't welcome doubts or questions. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:23.460 Those are outside the Christian box. 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:28.779 In here, we just all know what we know and believe what we believe and we keep it in line. 00:09:29.420 --> 00:09:35.460 And that is also one of the reasons that we are welcoming these hard questions this summer. 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:40.600 We don't want for that to be excluded. 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:45.980 So, we're going to come back to some of these issues briefly throughout the sermon. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:50.860 But what is the sine qua non? 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:54.200 What is a Christian? 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:57.539 People answer that question a lot of different ways. 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:02.600 But I think the word gives it away and somebody over here already got the answer. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.620 I heard it earlier. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:07.600 It's Christ, right? 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:14.399 Without Jesus, you don't have Christianity or Christians. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:18.059 Let's see what the Bible says about this. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:23.319 Acts 16, it's telling the story of Paul and Silas. 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:30.360 The apostle Paul and his co-worker Silas who are traveling to share the good news of Jesus 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:33.399 and they've gone to the city of Philippi. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:43.579 They have since been arrested, beaten, thrown in prison, put in really painful, uncomfortable stocks. 00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:45.720 They're locked up in prison. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:51.139 And yet, listen to how they respond to suffering. 00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:53.580 Acts 16 at verse 25. 00:10:55.280 --> 00:10:59.840 About midnight, Paul and Silas were, what do you think they were doing in prison? 00:11:01.280 --> 00:11:04.500 Praying and singing hymns to God. 00:11:05.280 --> 00:11:07.640 And the prisoners were listening to them. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:12.919 And suddenly, there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:18.139 and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:23.720 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:27.539 to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:33.439 But Paul cried with a loud voice, do not harm yourself for we are all here. 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:41.200 And the jailer called for lights and he rushed in and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:43.320 And then he brought them out and said, 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:48.280 Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 00:11:48.880 --> 00:11:50.360 Now just stop there for a minute. 00:11:51.900 --> 00:11:56.400 Paul has this jailer right where he wants him, right? 00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:01.959 This is one of those foxhole moments where your life is on the line. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:04.379 He's going to make a bargain with God, right? 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:08.360 I'll do anything to be saved. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.799 Rescue me. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.100 What do you want me to do? 00:12:12.439 --> 00:12:14.360 I mean, imagine you're Paul, right? 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:16.740 This is his big chance. 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.120 You know, what do you want me to do? 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:20.220 How about 20% of your next paycheck? 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:25.019 How about promise to do anything I want you to do? 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:27.100 Get me a private jet. 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:29.740 No. 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:33.480 Paul's going to say something else entirely. 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.600 Verse 31. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:38.679 In response to his question, what must I do to be saved? 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:45.360 They said, believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.840 You and your household. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:52.179 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:55.939 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:58.639 And he was baptized at once. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:00.639 He and all of his family. 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:04.719 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:11.000 And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:19.579 Believed in God when he believed in the Lord Jesus. 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:21.940 That was it. 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:28.280 The sine qua non of a Christian is Jesus. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:32.259 Paul keeps it pretty simple, doesn't he? 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.480 He says, you're saved by works. 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:38.980 Just not your own works. 00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:43.960 You trust what Jesus has done. 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:48.060 After the simple, clear statement, it says, 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:53.759 Paul spoke the word of the Lord to the jailer and his household. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.360 What do you think Paul said? 00:13:56.280 --> 00:14:00.259 We don't know the exact words, but we do know some things about it. 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:02.960 We know that it couldn't have taken more than a couple of hours 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:05.759 because the earthquake happened around midnight. 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:09.200 They were baptized sometime that night. 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:13.640 There must have been so much theology that they still didn't know about 00:14:13.640 --> 00:14:15.460 or certainly understand. 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:21.259 What else about the word of the Lord that Paul spoke to them? 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:22.759 The word of the Lord. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:25.360 He's just identified the Lord as Jesus. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:28.120 So we know Paul's talking to them about Jesus. 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:31.700 If you flip over to 1 Corinthians, 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:35.379 Paul tells you where he starts when he talks about Jesus. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:38.059 What's most important? 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.480 Paul says, 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:42.759 I delivered to you as of first importance 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:45.500 what I also received. 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:49.899 That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.580 That he was buried. 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:55.240 That he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:58.080 And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:01.480 Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:05.560 most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:08.039 Anything in there? 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.519 Those things of first importance that are commands 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:12.519 of things for us to do to get in? 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:14.620 Nope. 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:18.180 It's all about what Jesus has done, isn't it? 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:22.980 His death, his burial, his resurrection, his appearances. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.200 So we trust him. 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:26.920 That's what Paul's saying. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:30.180 This is what Jesus has done so that you can trust him. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:33.659 See, a Christian is someone whose identity comes 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:36.719 not from what he has done for God, 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:39.979 but for what God has done for him. 00:15:40.739 --> 00:15:41.239 Hallelujah. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:46.199 We are who you say we are, God. 00:15:46.359 --> 00:15:51.779 We are someone who's forgiven of all failings. 00:15:52.219 --> 00:15:57.019 Even the very worst ones because of Jesus' sacrifice. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:16:02.460 We're someone adopted into God's family as a son or a daughter, 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:04.000 as an heir of heaven. 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:06.960 We're someone indwelt by God's Spirit, 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:09.980 regardless of what we've done or will do. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.840 So the jailer considered his life over, didn't he? 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:16.000 He was done. 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:18.120 He was at the very bottom, 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:21.620 as low as he'd ever been personally or professionally, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:27.960 but he was not too far gone for God to save, was he? 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.980 Listen, I really don't want you to miss this. 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:34.080 If you're someone who came this morning 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:36.799 asking that question somewhere in your heart, 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:40.480 can I be a Christian even though I'm not a good person? 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:43.600 If you're feeling some version of that, 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:46.259 the answer is absolutely. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.460 Absolutely. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:51.580 Jesus is the good person. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:53.659 Paul didn't ask the jailer here 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:55.799 how many times he'd been to church recently. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:59.100 He didn't ask him how he behaved while in college. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:02.319 He didn't ask him if he was a perfect parent. 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:07.519 No, he asked him to be willing to trust Jesus 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:11.119 as the good person for him. 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.720 You can do that today. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:17.059 No matter how you've thought of yourself previously 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:19.920 or how you worried about yourself coming in, 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:22.299 there's Jesus for you. 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:27.079 And that simple clarity is vitally important 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:30.200 because in a day where we like to argue 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:32.200 and we have a tendency to divide 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.880 over every little disagreement, 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:36.600 we seem to have lost the art 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:39.920 of what I'll call theological triage. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.579 Did you know, friends, 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:46.819 that the identity of the Savior 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:49.559 whose blood rescued us 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:52.079 and is pictured in the sacrament of baptism 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.740 is more important 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:57.759 than the amount of water used during the baptism? 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.200 It is. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.860 I'm not saying it doesn't matter. 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.920 Both are valid discussions 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.700 and great conversations to have, 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:08.980 but some things are primary 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:11.420 while others are secondary. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.880 That Jesus rose from the dead, 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.019 that he's coming again, 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.299 primary. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:22.779 The exact timing of his return 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.360 and the scope of redemptive history 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:26.000 and all the things that are going to happen around it, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.400 secondary. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.640 See, historically, 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:33.579 following Paul's biblical example 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:36.480 of the things that are of first importance, 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.539 most heresies, 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:40.180 things that would take you outside 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.740 of Christianity, 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.539 are wrong beliefs 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.900 about the person 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:46.900 or work of Jesus. 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.099 That's at the heart of it. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.120 When we fail 00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:54.720 to triage those issues 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:57.740 and imply that all Christians 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:59.420 do the same things, 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.539 vote the same ways, 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.519 sing the same songs, 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.940 that makes you a Christian. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:08.099 See, we understandably confuse 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:11.420 the simple and clear gospel message 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:13.259 and people get the wrong idea entirely. 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.839 John Calvin warns against this 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:20.799 when he writes about this passage in Acts. 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:24.759 He talks about us wandering from Christ, 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:27.519 this simplicity in regard to salvation, 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.980 to being a Christian. 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.819 He says when that happens, 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:34.000 things get complicated quickly 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:36.919 in any number of ways. 00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:40.119 It leads to confusion, doesn't it? 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.980 Because I start to think 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:44.759 that every detail of God's word 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.460 is equally important 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:48.599 so you always worry 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:50.619 whether there's another theological nuance 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.679 you need to nail down 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:53.480 and you miss Jesus. 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.200 Southwood, 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:58.220 let's never allow an emphasis 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.539 on secondary issues 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:02.180 to cause our neighbors 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:04.579 to miss the primary person 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:06.000 at the heart of Christianity. 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:06.759 Okay? 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.180 Let's not do that. 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:11.440 It can lead to confusion in that way. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:13.059 It can also lead to arrogance. 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:14.860 Right? 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.960 How would it lead to arrogance? 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:19.299 Well, when I start adding things 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:21.480 to the essence of Christianity 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:24.079 and I start to give myself credit 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:26.079 for being a Christian 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:28.559 because I've done some of these things, 00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:29.639 no way! 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:31.519 May I never boast 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:33.899 except in Jesus and His cross. 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.599 It may not lead to arrogance. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.919 It may start to lead you to doubt 00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:41.859 concerning your own salvation. 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.619 Because see, if we're honest, 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.859 once I'm involved 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:47.819 in needing to do anything, 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:50.439 how can I ever be sure 00:20:50.439 --> 00:20:51.460 I've done enough, 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.779 well enough, 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.139 to be saved? 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:56.099 And we miss Jesus 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:58.139 and His promises 00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:59.639 to hold us 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.659 and keep us 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:01.819 and bring us home. 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:03.119 It's the very joy 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.759 and hope of the gospel. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:06.799 We start to lose it. 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.599 So Christians 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:12.819 are those identified with Jesus. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:15.299 They have a relationship with Him. 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:16.759 Paul says, 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:19.240 that relationship means 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:21.960 they believe in Him. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.500 Jesus was clear 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.799 on this way 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.579 that the relationship 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.899 with Him works, right? 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:35.519 Faith in His works. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.839 God so loved the world 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:39.980 that He gave His only Son 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:43.579 that whoever believes in Him 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:45.099 will not perish 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.919 but have eternal life, 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.700 John 3. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.839 Jesus gets asked 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.639 in John 6, 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.559 what do we do 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:53.200 to do the works of God? 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.980 And what does He say? 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:56.079 Believe in the one 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.839 He has sent. 00:21:58.439 --> 00:21:59.839 He does the works. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.399 Remember? 00:22:02.179 --> 00:22:03.139 Doubting Thomas 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:05.319 touches the resurrected Jesus 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.839 and believes 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.839 and we learn 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.819 that these things 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.399 were written 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:11.759 that we may believe 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.559 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.500 the Son of God 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:16.220 and that by believing 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.420 we may have life 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.680 in His name. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.380 That's the secret. 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.279 Life, 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.099 full life, 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.000 abundant life, 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:26.200 even everlasting life 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.420 is not something 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.220 we achieve 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.180 but something 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.619 we receive. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.099 Faith, y'all, 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.599 is not performing 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:35.640 feats of strength 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:38.160 but trusting 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:40.039 the strong one. 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:42.799 your faith right now 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:44.200 as you sit there 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.579 is in the pew 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.480 to hold you, 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:47.359 right? 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:50.279 It's not in your ability 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.119 to sit well. 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:56.319 here Paul says 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:59.319 believing in Jesus, 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:02.799 trusting what we don't see. 00:23:04.679 --> 00:23:06.379 It's this believing in 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:08.039 or the preposition here 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:10.500 is actually upon Jesus 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.399 and I think that's a really 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:12.439 helpful image 00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:13.539 because it pictures 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.599 that resting, 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:16.239 that being held up 00:23:16.239 --> 00:23:17.559 by Jesus 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:20.799 as we're trusting upon Him. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.399 Elsewhere, 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.259 the Bible uses 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:25.159 a different preposition 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:27.019 believing in 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.039 or into 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.539 Jesus. 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:30.500 In other words, 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.059 as we trust Him 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.959 there's a union, 00:23:33.159 --> 00:23:34.459 there's a relationship, 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:35.419 a connection 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:36.019 with Him 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.839 by faith 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.939 that the Bible says 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:38.979 is all we need. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.079 Once we're connected 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.559 to Him 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.719 that's what we need. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.979 It's at the very heart 00:23:42.979 --> 00:23:44.179 of Christianity. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.939 We believe 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:47.479 not in belief. 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:49.919 It's not faith in faith 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.560 or faith in whatever. 00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.860 Just faith. 00:23:54.060 --> 00:23:56.539 We believe in Jesus. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.660 Now some people 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:01.039 who understand that 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:03.960 sometimes wonder, 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.480 can I be a Christian 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.960 with all my doubts? 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.220 A Christian is a person 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.539 of faith 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:14.039 who believes, 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.519 but some days 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.319 a passage 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.980 in the Bible 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.220 confuses me. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.740 Some days 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.079 being made fun of 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.159 by my friends 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:24.720 makes me question 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.839 what I believe. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.039 Some days 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.619 I think I believe 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.839 but I'm really not sure. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.779 I'm actually confused. 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.339 Friends, 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.680 listen, 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.879 I want you to know this. 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.519 Christians wrestle 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.899 with doubts. 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.180 Pastors wrestle 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:42.620 with doubts. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.539 Disciples of Jesus 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:47.960 wrestled with doubts. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.400 And if you think 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:51.180 that disqualifies you 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.680 from being a Christian, 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.380 let me say to you 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.180 with all the sympathy 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.980 in the world, 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:58.580 it does not. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.460 It does not 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.940 disqualify you. 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.759 In fact, 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:04.100 I would urge you 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:05.180 don't put yourself 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:07.480 back at the center 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.560 again. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.820 You're not 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.759 the hero. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.980 You don't have 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.480 to be 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:14.099 the strong one. 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.879 The key to faith 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:17.240 is not the strength 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.220 of the believer 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.899 but the strength 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:21.500 of its object. 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.599 That pew 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.519 you're sitting in 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.799 will hold you up 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.740 even if you're 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.539 not always 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.200 certain 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.619 that it will. 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.460 And likewise, 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.159 Jesus 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:34.039 will save you. 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:34.539 You can be 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.460 even more certain. 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.579 Even if you're 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.259 not always 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.619 feeling certain. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.419 that he will. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.659 But you believe 00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:44.039 upon him. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.119 British preacher 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:47.599 Charles Spurgeon 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.879 knew doubts 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.319 well. 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.039 And here was 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.679 his hope. 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.960 I love this picture. 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:54.059 It's a simple one. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:54.740 He says, 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.639 often doubts 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.419 will prevail. 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.539 What a mercy 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.200 it is 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.980 that it is 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.740 not your 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:02.079 hold of Christ 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.480 that saves you 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.480 but his 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.799 hold of you. 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:06.779 What a sweet 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.299 fact 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.960 that it is 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.799 not how you 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.740 grasp his 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.259 hand 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.159 but his 00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:11.940 grasp of 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.680 yours 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:14.039 that saves 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.460 you. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.079 So what do 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.539 you do with 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.159 your doubts? 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.559 Will you take 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.419 them to Jesus 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.559 because he can 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.220 handle them? 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.859 You might ask 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.480 a parent 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.539 or a pastor 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.680 or a friend 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:29.039 your questions 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.000 about Jesus. 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.579 You might go 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.680 together to the 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.879 words of Jesus 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.880 to see what 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.860 he would say 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:36.080 but whatever 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:37.060 you feel 00:26:37.060 --> 00:26:38.020 don't think 00:26:38.020 --> 00:26:38.840 that it makes 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.620 you not 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.540 a Christian. 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:41.560 Jesus 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:42.580 makes you 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.120 a Christian. 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.520 You can trust 00:26:44.520 --> 00:26:44.820 him. 00:26:47.760 --> 00:26:48.460 Well there's 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.100 one last thing 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:49.800 here that Paul 00:26:49.800 --> 00:26:51.120 includes at the 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.080 heart of 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.720 Christianity. 00:26:54.260 --> 00:26:55.040 Believe in 00:26:55.040 --> 00:26:55.940 the Lord 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.160 Jesus. 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.280 The Lord 00:27:00.280 --> 00:27:01.500 means the 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:01.760 ruler. 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.099 the one 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:04.000 in charge. 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:04.759 The one 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.460 on the 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:05.980 throne. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.379 The Jesus 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.279 we believe 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.900 in is not 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.539 one among 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.019 many. 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.000 He's not a 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.720 prophet of our 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.559 own imagination 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.299 that we get to 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.359 make up any 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.079 way we want 00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:16.700 him to be. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.240 He's the 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.539 Lord. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.359 So if that's 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.259 the case 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:25.539 who gets 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.400 knocked off 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.660 the throne? 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:29.900 Well the 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.519 most obvious 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.379 answer here 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.100 for the 00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:32.740 Philippian 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.400 jailer 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:35.120 was probably 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.320 Caesar. 00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:38.860 He's likely 00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:40.060 a former 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:41.040 Roman soldier 00:27:41.040 --> 00:27:42.780 who would 00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:43.600 have been 00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:44.180 taught 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.940 Caesar 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.800 is 00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:46.420 Lord. 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.140 The one 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.600 to whom 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.480 he swore 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.100 his 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:49.840 allegiance. 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.240 So part 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.840 of what Paul 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.380 is saying 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.740 to him 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.120 is that 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:53.760 no human 00:27:53.760 --> 00:27:54.120 leader, 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:55.200 no ruler, 00:27:55.520 --> 00:27:56.160 no political 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.880 figure 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.920 deserves the 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.480 kind of 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.039 allegiance 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:00.779 that you 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.420 now give 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.720 to Jesus. 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.740 That's some 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.220 theological 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.740 triage in 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.160 two little 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.680 words. 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.440 The Lord. 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.840 He is 00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:10.640 the Lord. 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.519 Jesus is. 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.140 Jesus, by the 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:14.740 way, in case 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.320 you're confused, 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.320 never voted 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:17.420 Republican or 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.960 Democrat. 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.539 Did you know 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:18.759 that? 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.840 Never even 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:20.460 voted in an 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.019 election in the 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.560 United States 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.059 of America. 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.740 Shocking. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.500 That is news 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.019 that you came 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.460 to receive 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.980 this morning. 00:28:28.679 --> 00:28:29.200 Just 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.119 clarifying, 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:31.759 Jesus 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.779 is 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.539 Lord, 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.839 not a 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.539 position that's 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:35.879 up for 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.339 election. 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.279 Be careful 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.119 of making 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.619 any other 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.740 person or 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.460 group a 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.480 measuring stick 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.399 or a litmus 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.379 test of true 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.220 spirituality. 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.799 But I think 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.399 for many of 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:49.679 us, 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:51.359 believing in 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.219 the Lord 00:28:52.219 --> 00:28:53.319 Jesus is 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.079 challenging 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.899 because it 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:56.879 takes me 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.759 off the 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:59.019 throne as 00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.559 much as it 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.279 does Caesar 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.079 or Trump 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.779 or anyone 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.379 else. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.139 Jesus 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:05.359 himself says, 00:29:05.959 --> 00:29:06.419 if anyone 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.019 would come 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.839 after me, 00:29:08.219 --> 00:29:08.779 let him 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:10.099 deny himself 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:12.019 and take up 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.579 his cross 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.799 daily and 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.559 follow me. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.679 For whoever 00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:16.439 would save 00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:17.039 his life 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.819 will lose 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.500 it, but 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.379 whoever loses 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.439 his life for 00:29:20.439 --> 00:29:21.339 my sake, 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.579 will save 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:22.819 it. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.159 Now, this 00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:24.619 is not a 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.019 gotcha. 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.579 This is not 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.219 the catch 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:27.639 where you 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.519 realize, oh, 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.000 it actually 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.059 is about 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.000 whether I 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.679 do enough 00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:32.519 good things 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.979 and be 00:29:32.979 --> 00:29:33.879 good enough. 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:35.079 No, being a 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.799 Christian is 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.539 all about 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.959 Jesus and 00:29:37.959 --> 00:29:38.879 trusting him. 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.399 What Jesus 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.259 is saying 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.019 here is that 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.740 once we 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.339 do, 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:44.899 following 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:45.799 Jesus, 00:29:46.219 --> 00:29:47.059 finding our 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:48.179 identity in 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.419 relationship with 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.400 him means 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.039 now we 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.519 start to 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.160 think about 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.740 how this 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.620 changes 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.800 everything. 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.779 He's 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.720 Lord, not 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.279 just over 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.720 one little 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.259 place, but 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.660 over 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.759 everything. 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.060 Let me 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.480 let some 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.740 of you 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.220 breathe. 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.539 Following 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:07.300 Jesus should 00:30:07.300 --> 00:30:08.300 impact how 00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:08.900 you vote. 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:14.040 it should. 00:30:15.060 --> 00:30:15.680 As you 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.480 prayerfully 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.960 consider how 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:19.060 best to 00:30:19.060 --> 00:30:19.960 honor Jesus 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.080 as Lord 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:22.180 right in the 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.940 time and 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.920 place where 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.940 he has placed 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.519 you, and as 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.580 you humbly 00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:29.080 respect others 00:30:29.080 --> 00:30:29.820 who reach 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.800 different conclusions 00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.620 about how to 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.080 do that. 00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:35.120 See, this is 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.820 actually really 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:37.400 hard, but if 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.360 I'm not on 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:38.900 the throne 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.280 anymore, I 00:30:40.280 --> 00:30:41.300 submit to 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:42.759 Jesus in 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:44.140 everything. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:46.460 Even my 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.940 passionate political 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.560 convictions. 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.160 Even the 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.320 things I'm sure 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.200 I've got right. 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.100 Even the 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:53.759 things that just 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.480 seem to make 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.200 sense to me. 00:30:55.300 --> 00:30:56.019 I say, Jesus, 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.080 you're the 00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:57.400 Lord. 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.019 What do you 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.640 want? 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.060 You show me 00:31:00.060 --> 00:31:00.440 Jesus. 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:03.000 So yes, 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.300 this is the 00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:05.840 life of 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:07.100 discipleship, 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:07.659 of walking 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.299 with Jesus. 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:09.119 It does 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:10.099 mean that 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:11.539 Jesus directs 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.819 everything, 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:15.059 including our 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.740 sexuality. 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.899 He directs it 00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:18.439 all according 00:31:18.439 --> 00:31:19.459 to his design. 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:21.219 And that 00:31:21.219 --> 00:31:22.659 means that 00:31:22.659 --> 00:31:23.419 he calls us 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.199 to repentance 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:25.399 over our 00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.000 selfish 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.159 heterosexual 00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:28.939 lusts, 00:31:28.939 --> 00:31:31.119 over our 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.819 selfish 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:33.019 quick divorce 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.000 mentality, 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:36.940 selfish, 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:38.019 homosexual 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.160 behavior. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.519 All of 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:40.740 them. 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.579 It also 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:43.420 means that 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:44.359 I seek to 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.279 treat people 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.339 in process 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:47.640 in any of 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.380 these struggles 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.259 and many 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.180 other struggles 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:52.160 the way the 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.559 Lord Jesus 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.680 would. 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.700 I'm supposed 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.559 to be treating 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.000 you the way 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.380 he would. 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.440 He shows us 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.140 and tells us 00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.980 how we treat 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.640 people who are 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.259 wrestling and 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.660 struggling, 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.500 who are still 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.140 works in 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.680 process. 00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:04.700 Jesus was 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.580 known as 00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:06.340 the friend 00:32:06.340 --> 00:32:07.480 of sinners, 00:32:07.820 --> 00:32:08.480 wasn't he? 00:32:09.540 --> 00:32:10.200 Even to the 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.080 consternation of 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:11.560 the religious 00:32:11.560 --> 00:32:12.320 folks, he 00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:13.340 ate and 00:32:13.340 --> 00:32:14.380 drank with 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:15.120 those people 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.640 that they 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.740 avoided, not 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.380 because he 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.500 compromised the 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.940 truth, but 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.720 because he was 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:22.100 full of grace 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:23.940 and truth. 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:26.660 So one 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.360 example of 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:27.799 that, since 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.340 I mentioned 00:32:28.340 --> 00:32:29.400 it earlier, 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.400 our reputation 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:32.140 about this, 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.240 this is not 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.920 all that could 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.880 be said in 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.820 this area, but 00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:36.519 a start. 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:39.320 We hold to 00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:40.539 clear biblical 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.840 teaching and 00:32:41.840 --> 00:32:43.140 historic Christian 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.080 belief on 00:32:44.080 --> 00:32:45.059 sexuality. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.500 One man, 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.580 one woman, 00:32:47.820 --> 00:32:48.400 within the 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.000 covenant of 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.480 marriage. 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:51.259 marriage, and 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.759 we ought to 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:54.039 live in such 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.900 a way that 00:32:54.900 --> 00:32:55.700 we are known 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.900 as the friend 00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:58.120 of sinners, 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.700 of heterosexual 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.819 adulterers, as 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:02.259 Jesus was, and 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.599 homosexual sinners 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:05.380 too, like our 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:05.980 Lord. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.779 If you're 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.380 wondering, is 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.180 there a place 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.819 for you with 00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:11.279 Jesus? 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.140 We're not 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:14.099 proud of our 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:15.160 sin, that's 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.400 not it, but 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:18.079 we are proud of 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:19.839 our Savior, and 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.960 He loves 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.679 sinners. 00:33:22.199 --> 00:33:22.720 So if you're 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.179 wondering if 00:33:23.179 --> 00:33:23.939 there's a place 00:33:23.939 --> 00:33:24.480 for you, if 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.639 you love 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:29.619 criminals, if 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.399 you love 00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:32.960 homosexuals, if 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.799 you love 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:35.419 addicts, is 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:35.859 there a place 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:36.720 with Jesus for 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:36.859 you? 00:33:36.919 --> 00:33:37.559 Even in this 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.659 church, you 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:39.559 better believe 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:39.879 it. 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.519 Yes, there is, 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.359 because our 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.539 identity comes 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.460 not from any of 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.179 those things that 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:46.240 we do, but 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.460 from what Jesus 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.900 has done, and 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.240 who we are as 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.980 a result of 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.640 believing in 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.440 Him. 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.620 We go to His 00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:56.640 Word, and we 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.680 ask our Lord to 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:59.039 direct our steps 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:01.259 in truth, to 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:01.740 direct our 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.079 relationships in 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.840 grace. 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.019 Jesus, would 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.559 you make us 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.220 known for 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:08.260 living, for 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:09.760 loving, like 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.039 you? 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.599 The sine qua non. 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:17.279 believe in the 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.619 Lord Jesus. 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.279 Now as we 00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:22.860 come to His 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:24.920 table, what 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:26.239 is the sine qua 00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:27.960 non for those 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:29.099 who would come 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:31.239 partake of this 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:31.880 table? 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.319 It's got to be 00:34:34.319 --> 00:34:35.079 the same, doesn't 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.319 it? 00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:39.199 Active belief in 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:40.599 the Lord Jesus. 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:40.759 Jesus. 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.159 So let me just 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:44.019 think with you 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.679 before we 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.400 celebrate the 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:45.980 Lord's Supper, 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.179 what does that 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:49.119 mean is not 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:51.440 required for 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:51.940 coming and 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.579 eating here? 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:54.179 Well, being a 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:54.759 member of 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:56.360 Southwood, not 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:56.779 required. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.739 Being a 00:34:59.739 --> 00:35:01.380 Presbyterian who 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.099 would do things 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:02.659 like have your 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.860 children baptized, 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.519 not required. 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:08.019 Having had a 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.900 good week where 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:10.139 you didn't blow 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.320 it in anything 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.180 you said or 00:35:12.180 --> 00:35:12.900 looked at or 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:14.119 thought about or 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.619 did. 00:35:15.660 --> 00:35:16.519 Even being 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:18.019 doubt free in 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.860 your confused 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:20.260 mind that seems 00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:20.840 right now more 00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:21.960 full of questions 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:23.400 than answers on 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.980 some things not 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:26.440 required. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.579 So what is 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.119 required? 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.400 What would it 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.000 mean to say 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:34.440 actively believe in 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.720 the Lord Jesus? 00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.660 That means that 00:35:36.659 --> 00:35:37.500 you are placing 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:39.099 all of your 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:40.679 hope in Him 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.739 for the failure 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:43.339 of this week, 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.480 for the 00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.879 questions in 00:35:46.879 --> 00:35:47.639 your mind in 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.619 the midst of 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.500 your doubts, 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.299 that you're 00:35:50.299 --> 00:35:51.579 trusting His 00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.699 life and 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.519 death and 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.879 resurrection in 00:35:54.879 --> 00:35:55.559 your place, 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.399 that you see 00:35:56.399 --> 00:35:57.980 here His body 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.599 and blood 00:35:58.599 --> 00:36:00.279 given for you 00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:01.460 to make you 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.819 His even while 00:36:02.819 --> 00:36:03.379 you're still in 00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:03.980 process. 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.199 You're His. 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:09.679 and active 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.500 belief in the 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.179 Lord Jesus, 00:36:11.899 --> 00:36:12.559 if He's your 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.519 Lord, that 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.739 means when He 00:36:14.739 --> 00:36:15.599 shows you an 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:16.379 area where you're 00:36:16.379 --> 00:36:17.519 disobeying Him, 00:36:18.279 --> 00:36:19.099 that means that 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.799 you're willing to 00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:20.699 be displaced 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:22.319 from the throne. 00:36:22.879 --> 00:36:23.579 It means that 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:24.639 you're willing, 00:36:24.839 --> 00:36:25.699 you're actually in 00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.539 the process of 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.679 repenting and 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:29.219 turning back to 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:29.539 Him. 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.399 It doesn't mean 00:36:30.399 --> 00:36:31.159 you're perfect, 00:36:31.779 --> 00:36:32.819 it does mean 00:36:32.819 --> 00:36:33.980 that you're not 00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.519 on the throne. 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:36.059 Not anymore. 00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:37.500 It means you've 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.579 been baptized to 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:39.399 declare that 00:36:39.399 --> 00:36:41.199 publicly, like the 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:41.980 jailer and his 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:43.359 family, that 00:36:43.359 --> 00:36:43.779 there's another 00:36:43.779 --> 00:36:44.279 Lord and it's 00:36:44.279 --> 00:36:44.819 not me. 00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:45.599 It means that 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.079 you're now a 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:46.799 part of a 00:36:46.799 --> 00:36:47.960 community that 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.879 works together to 00:36:48.879 --> 00:36:49.599 hold one another 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:51.079 to that active 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:52.599 belief in Jesus, 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.599 like that little 00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.739 church just 00:36:54.739 --> 00:36:55.779 starting in 00:36:55.779 --> 00:36:56.559 Philippi whose 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:58.059 only hope was 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.699 in the Lord 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.359 Jesus. 00:37:00.239 --> 00:37:01.419 Like this little 00:37:01.419 --> 00:37:02.559 church in 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.980 Huntsville whose 00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:05.500 only hope is 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.139 in the Lord 00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:07.340 Jesus and so 00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:08.659 we, like them, 00:37:09.219 --> 00:37:10.340 for now 2,000 00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:12.599 years, come to 00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:13.159 do what Jesus 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:14.139 has told us to 00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:15.619 do in remembrance 00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:16.179 of Him. 00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:17.679 Hear it as He 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:18.280 invites you 00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:18.820 Himself. 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:19.719 Was the night 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:20.559 He was betrayed 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:23.119 that Jesus took 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:24.940 bread and He 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:26.440 broke it and He 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:27.039 gave it to His 00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:28.260 disciples as I 00:37:28.260 --> 00:37:29.179 ministering in His 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.980 name give this 00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.780 bread to you. 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:31.820 He said, 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:32.420 take and eat, 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.579 this is my body 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:34.740 given for you. 00:37:35.059 --> 00:37:35.820 Do this in 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.980 remembrance of me. 00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:38.200 And then in the 00:37:38.200 --> 00:37:39.200 same way He took 00:37:39.200 --> 00:37:40.380 the cup and said 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.280 this cup is the 00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:42.139 new covenant in 00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:43.500 my blood shed for 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.119 many for the 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:45.220 forgiveness of sins. 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:46.500 Drink from it all 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:46.880 of you. 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:49.920 And Paul explains to 00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:51.079 us, now as often as 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:52.059 you eat this bread 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:53.760 and you drink this 00:37:53.760 --> 00:37:55.260 cup, you proclaim 00:37:55.260 --> 00:37:56.500 the Lord's death 00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:57.780 until He comes. 00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:59.360 You proclaim that 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:01.440 He's Lord and 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.840 that you're His. 00:38:04.680 --> 00:38:05.820 Paul goes on to 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:07.900 say, examine 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:10.539 yourselves as you 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.360 come to this table 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:12.840 so that you don't 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:14.120 come here and eat 00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:16.160 without seeing Jesus 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:18.880 and so that if you 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:20.260 do see and do 00:38:20.260 --> 00:38:21.160 celebrate Jesus 00:38:21.160 --> 00:38:22.500 here, you come 00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:24.680 humbly and you 00:38:24.680 --> 00:38:26.000 come hopefully 00:38:26.000 --> 00:38:27.900 alongside the 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:29.000 other parts of 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:30.420 His body who 00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:31.260 are humble and 00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:32.880 hopeful with you. 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.579 Let's pray and 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:34.039 then we'll come 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.420 together. 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:37.260 Jesus, we are 00:38:37.260 --> 00:38:40.059 humble because we 00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:41.400 know nothing we 00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:42.579 have done can 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.519 earn us a seat at 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:44.920 this table and 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.699 we're quite sure 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:46.360 that our record 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:46.960 would get us 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:48.099 chased off if 00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.659 that's what it 00:38:48.659 --> 00:38:49.420 were based on. 00:38:50.739 --> 00:38:51.960 But we come so 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:54.360 hopeful because we 00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:55.059 have a Savior. 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:58.039 One who comes 00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:59.539 for sinners is a 00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:00.780 friend of sinners, 00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:02.980 rescues sinners 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:04.760 like us so that 00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:06.400 we become children 00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:07.239 of God. 00:39:07.940 --> 00:39:08.500 And so we 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:10.840 joyfully receive 00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:12.480 the gift of 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:14.400 Your presence and 00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:15.179 the reminder of 00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:15.699 Your love. 00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:18.579 We ask this in 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:19.280 Jesus' name. 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.300 Amen. 00:39:21.619 --> 00:39:22.340 For more 00:39:22.340 --> 00:39:23.460 information, visit 00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:24.400 us online at 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:25.179 southwood.org. 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:26.159 00:39:26.159 --> 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