WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.780 or Christian friends to you. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:09.599 I want you to carefully consider Christian friends. 00:00:10.460 --> 00:00:13.660 Most of us in this room, we have a lot of friends and acquaintances 00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:15.060 from all walks of life. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:18.879 I'm not talking about just friends in general. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:25.740 How important, how valuable are your Christian friends to you? 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:28.420 Think of it this way. 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:31.480 What kind of impact do they have on your life? 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:33.219 What kind of influence? 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:38.260 How do they help you live out your faith as a Christian? 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:40.840 Or do they? 00:00:43.400 --> 00:00:44.620 Think about it this way. 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:48.320 What kind of influence, what kind of impact do you have 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:53.500 on the Christian life of your Christian friends? 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:58.079 How are you helping them to grow spiritually? 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:00.460 Well, how does it happen? 00:01:01.539 --> 00:01:05.920 How is it that Christian brothers and sisters 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:12.219 can really positively impact each other's lives? 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:15.040 What would it look like? 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:18.080 Well, turn to Galatians chapter 5, 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:19.700 and we're going to look at what Paul says 00:01:19.700 --> 00:01:26.560 about how we as believers 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:33.200 should and should not be treating one another. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:37.760 How we should be helping one another, 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:41.200 not causing problems for one another. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:45.480 Galatians chapter 5 is where we've been for the last two weeks. 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:48.980 We've been looking at the big picture, 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:52.219 how the Holy Spirit, and I want you to look at that title, 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:54.980 how the Holy Spirit is the, 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:59.840 strongly emphasizing the key to living a faithful Christian life. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:01.219 There's a lot of things involved. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.400 We want to really know the Lord, 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:05.800 become more like Him, 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:08.919 make a difference in people's lives. 00:02:09.079 --> 00:02:10.460 There's a lot of things involved. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:15.840 You've got to be a person who knows what God thinks 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:17.400 by reading His Word, 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:19.780 knowing how He wants us to live. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:22.240 You've got to spend some time with Him in prayer. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:25.480 But no matter what we do, 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:28.040 as Christians, 00:02:28.140 --> 00:02:31.800 we must have the indwelling power of the Spirit of God 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:34.879 to make it all sort of come together. 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:37.860 He is the key, 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:39.740 most important key, 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:42.740 if we're serious about living a faithful Christian life. 00:02:43.420 --> 00:02:44.260 Now, two weeks ago, 00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:49.240 we looked at what Paul said in verses 16 through 17, 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.300 16, 17, and 18 of Galatians 5, 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:54.659 he talked about how we've got to depend on the Holy Spirit's power. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:58.780 The Christian faith is a supernatural faith. 00:03:00.760 --> 00:03:03.560 When God does something in us, 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:05.040 it is something supernatural 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:07.780 where He changes us from the inside out. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:10.060 He causes us to think differently, 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:12.000 want to live differently. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:14.500 He regenerates us, 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:16.520 gives us a whole new perspective. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:18.379 He puts His Spirit in us. 00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:22.740 And so if we are going to be different from people 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:24.040 who are not Christians, 00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:28.320 if we are going to develop real Christian character, 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:30.580 we've got to depend on the Holy Spirit's power 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:32.060 to enable us. 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:34.980 Last week, we saw that we must make the Holy Spirit 00:03:34.980 --> 00:03:38.780 the dominant source of influence in our lives. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:42.120 A lot of things influence us. 00:03:43.160 --> 00:03:44.320 People influence us. 00:03:44.320 --> 00:03:47.700 The world, the culture today influences us. 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:51.099 We have our own sinful desires, 00:03:51.099 --> 00:03:53.099 our old habits. 00:03:54.979 --> 00:03:57.519 We've got to make sure that it's the Spirit within us 00:03:57.519 --> 00:04:02.579 that is the dominant force in our lives. 00:04:03.619 --> 00:04:05.500 That's the only way that we're going to be able to 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:10.079 be loving and peaceful 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:13.219 and demonstrate kindness when it's not easy. 00:04:14.040 --> 00:04:16.100 As Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:20.139 in Galatians 5, verses 22 and 23. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:23.420 Well, today we're going to look at how the Spirit of God uses us 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:26.980 to make a positive difference in people's lives. 00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:28.740 We're going to summarize it like this. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:31.800 Demonstrate the Holy Spirit's fruit in all your relationships. 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:37.240 That's what this passage, beginning in chapter 5, verse 26, 00:04:37.520 --> 00:04:42.180 through chapter 6, really verse 10, is telling us. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:45.420 We are called by God. 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:48.840 God expects us in our relationships with one another, 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:50.199 brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:55.580 He expects us to demonstrate that love and joy and peace 00:04:55.580 --> 00:04:57.220 and patience and kindness and so on. 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:59.740 Let's start reading it. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.360 Galatians chapter 5. 00:05:02.260 --> 00:05:03.500 Let's read verse 25. 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:05.640 That's where a new paragraph starts. 00:05:05.820 --> 00:05:08.420 If you've got a Bible translation that has paragraphs, 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:11.560 most likely the new paragraph begins in verse 25. 00:05:12.640 --> 00:05:12.940 He says, 00:05:13.080 --> 00:05:14.220 If we live by the Spirit, 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:17.720 let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:20.240 Let us not become conceited, 00:05:21.260 --> 00:05:22.500 provoking one another, 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:24.540 envying one another. 00:05:25.380 --> 00:05:25.820 Brothers. 00:05:25.819 --> 00:05:28.519 And that could be translated brothers and sisters. 00:05:30.099 --> 00:05:33.360 If anyone is caught in any transgression or sin, 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:38.420 you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:41.060 Keep watch on yourself, 00:05:41.719 --> 00:05:43.959 lest you too be tempted. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:45.159 We're going to stop there 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:47.039 because we're going to look at this part 00:05:47.039 --> 00:05:49.539 about our relationships with one another 00:05:49.539 --> 00:05:53.000 over a period of about three different messages. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:56.259 The way we are instructed to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit 00:05:56.259 --> 00:05:58.779 in all of our relationships 00:05:58.779 --> 00:06:03.000 involves both what we would call negatives and positives. 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:05.300 Let's look at the negative first. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:08.319 How we should not treat one another. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:10.160 Verse 26. 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:13.779 Let us not become conceited, 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.660 provoking one another, 00:06:16.660 --> 00:06:18.580 envying one another. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.660 Paul is beginning this 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:21.900 by 00:06:21.900 --> 00:06:26.220 talking about their spiritual pride among you. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:29.200 Their spiritual pride in the church. 00:06:29.880 --> 00:06:31.220 It seems that those who 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:33.360 consider themselves to being, 00:06:33.900 --> 00:06:36.460 to living Spirit-led lives, 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:38.900 they've become conceited. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:42.579 They thought they were spiritually superior 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:44.039 to most other Christians. 00:06:44.659 --> 00:06:46.399 Whenever I hear that word conceited, 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:49.439 I think about two guys 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.479 that I went to high school with 00:06:50.479 --> 00:06:52.159 that are one year ahead of me. 00:06:52.599 --> 00:06:54.299 They were best friends. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:56.279 I want you to understand that at first. 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:57.959 They were best friends. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:06:59.519 One of them, 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:02.000 he was just arrogant 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:04.719 because he thought he was a superstar athlete. 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:06.399 He was a good athlete. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.639 But his best friend, 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:11.859 if he told him once, 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:15.239 he told him a dozen times 00:07:15.239 --> 00:07:16.439 that I heard it, 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.699 his friend would say, 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.419 he's not conceited, 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:22.019 he's convinced. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:25.739 That's what a conceited person is, isn't it? 00:07:26.799 --> 00:07:28.179 Prideful, arrogant. 00:07:29.219 --> 00:07:32.579 They're convinced about themselves that. 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:34.259 Paul is telling us 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:35.739 that there's people in the church 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:37.600 there's Christians 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.300 who are convinced 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:41.980 that they are more spiritually minded 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:44.460 than everybody else in the church. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:45.519 Maybe they know more, 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.480 maybe they know more about the Bible. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:49.620 Maybe they've memorized more verses. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.960 Maybe they are more gifted. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:53.139 The fact is, 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:55.300 everybody's gifted differently, 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:56.860 some more so than others. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:07:59.300 Maybe they were prideful 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:00.579 because they were involved. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.460 I've known people who took pride 00:08:02.460 --> 00:08:03.600 just because they were here 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:04.879 Sunday morning, 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:05.300 Sunday night, 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:05.840 and Wednesday night 00:08:05.840 --> 00:08:06.840 as if that made them 00:08:06.840 --> 00:08:08.120 some kind of spiritual giant. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.220 You can be a doorstop 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:11.180 and be here Sunday morning, 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:11.480 Sunday night, 00:08:11.520 --> 00:08:12.000 Wednesday night. 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:15.340 Makes no difference. 00:08:16.520 --> 00:08:16.780 But they, 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:17.100 hey, 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.080 the people I'm talking about, 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:19.640 they were prideful. 00:08:19.700 --> 00:08:20.320 They let you know 00:08:20.320 --> 00:08:21.100 they were here Sunday morning, 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:21.500 Sunday night, 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.079 Wednesday night. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:24.180 So, 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:26.319 I want you to think about it. 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:27.680 Let me, 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:29.339 let me mention something here. 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:31.240 We talk about Christian friends, 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:32.600 Christians in the church. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:35.360 Most of the New Testament letters 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:36.379 were written 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:38.559 to a church 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:39.620 in a city. 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:41.480 Galatia, 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:42.580 Galatians, 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:43.299 that letter, 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.100 it was written to a group of churches 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:47.000 in a region called Galatia. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.460 Here's what I want you to know. 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:51.019 When Paul wrote to the Galatians, 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:54.000 those people in the church, 00:08:54.160 --> 00:08:55.280 they were all the Christians 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:55.860 they knew. 00:08:56.540 --> 00:08:58.139 When Paul wrote to the church 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:58.840 in Ephesus, 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:00.220 the letter to the Ephesians, 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:02.400 most likely, 00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:03.440 the only Christians 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:04.340 those people knew 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.780 were those who were part 00:09:05.780 --> 00:09:07.080 of this Ephesian church. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:08.960 We're not like that. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:13.240 You may have more friends 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:14.900 who are committed Christians 00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:16.940 outside this church 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:17.700 than you have inside. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.280 Some of you may, 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:22.660 you have good Christian friends here, 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:24.960 but your life revolves 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:27.480 in another place, really. 00:09:27.900 --> 00:09:29.580 Maybe you've got some good Christian friends 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:30.340 you work with. 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:31.860 Maybe there's a group at school 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:32.460 that you know. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:34.660 They care about their relationship 00:09:34.660 --> 00:09:35.040 with the Lord, 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.280 and so you hang out with them. 00:09:36.420 --> 00:09:36.900 They're your, 00:09:37.300 --> 00:09:37.900 they're sort of like 00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:38.920 your church family. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:39.860 They're your Christian brothers 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:40.360 and sisters 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:42.440 that you have a closer relationship with. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:43.820 So as we go through this message, 00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:46.060 I'm going to apply it a lot 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:46.960 to this church, 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.780 but I want you to understand 00:09:47.780 --> 00:09:49.600 it applies to you 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:50.600 and your relationships 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:51.960 with other Christians 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:53.720 in other places. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:55.780 So, 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:57.940 Paul's telling us 00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:58.460 there's people, 00:09:59.259 --> 00:09:59.639 Christians, 00:10:00.160 --> 00:10:01.560 spiritually minded Christians, 00:10:01.559 --> 00:10:05.619 who've maybe let their spiritual maturity 00:10:05.619 --> 00:10:06.659 go to their head, 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:09.679 and they're very prideful. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:11.939 They're condescending towards some others. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:13.039 You know, 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:15.159 such attitudes are usually spotted quickly. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:18.439 You pretty well can see it pretty early, 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:21.139 and it causes problems, doesn't it? 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.559 It causes problems at work. 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:24.019 It causes problems among your friends 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:25.099 when one person's sort of 00:10:25.099 --> 00:10:27.099 looking down at everybody else. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:28.800 it causes problems in the church. 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:32.060 An arrogant person, 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:34.120 condescending person, 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:35.960 they, 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.800 they provoke people. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.980 They stir up trouble. 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:42.220 They stir up a lot of negative attitudes, 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:45.040 including envy. 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:48.300 Paul singles that out here. 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.220 I want you to picture the problem 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:50.879 in this church. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.680 You've got a small group of members 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.359 who are probably more spiritually minded, 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:54.779 truly, 00:10:55.859 --> 00:10:57.839 and they use their gifts and talents 00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:58.839 in the ministry. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.199 They're involved. 00:11:00.479 --> 00:11:00.679 They're, 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:00.719 they're, 00:11:00.719 --> 00:11:01.279 they're up front. 00:11:01.359 --> 00:11:01.939 They're doing things. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.859 People see them, 00:11:03.859 --> 00:11:06.219 but they think they're spiritually superior. 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.779 And because of that, 00:11:07.819 --> 00:11:09.379 they're really not all that spiritual. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.359 They're displeasing to God. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.879 Pride's one of the most serious sins. 00:11:15.359 --> 00:11:17.179 It can ruin our lives. 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:18.699 It can ruin a lot of relationships. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.339 But you've got another group, 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:25.479 they not only resent 00:11:25.479 --> 00:11:28.479 these arrogant spiritual people, 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:30.459 they're envious. 00:11:31.719 --> 00:11:34.039 They envy the gifts and talents 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:37.059 of those who are up front and serving. 00:11:38.479 --> 00:11:41.859 These people feel spiritually inferior. 00:11:43.339 --> 00:11:44.500 And the other ones, 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:46.039 these arrogant ones, 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:48.419 they feel spiritually superior. 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:50.899 Now let's apply that. 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:53.159 We, 00:11:53.479 --> 00:11:55.799 we need to guard against 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:57.479 both an attitude of inferiority 00:11:58.199 --> 00:11:59.259 and superiority. 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:03.679 No one is superior to anyone 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.379 in this church 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:07.639 or anywhere else. 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:09.439 I want you to understand that. 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.819 There's no pecking order 00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:13.419 in the family of God. 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:17.720 We are all in this room sinners 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:20.439 that if we're Christians, 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:22.340 we're saved by the grace of God 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.759 and the grace of God's unearned. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:24.879 I want you to understand something. 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.000 Not many people, 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.159 this may not apply to, 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.259 but God is not impressed with you. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:33.120 God's not impressed with me. 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:35.720 You see, 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:39.039 God's standard is perfection. 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:41.860 And we're far from that. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:46.799 God stooped down. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:49.259 I better not do that again. 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:50.240 I won't get back up. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:53.419 My knees aren't like they used to be. 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:59.220 God really bent way over 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:03.240 to make us His child. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.340 And He didn't have to do that. 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:08.039 God chose to be gracious 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:09.159 and merciful 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.919 and not give us what we deserve, 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:13.419 but give us the gift of salvation 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:15.680 through the work of His Son, 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.960 the death of His Son on the cross, 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:19.120 that we just received by faith, 00:13:19.400 --> 00:13:21.240 the gift of salvation. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:27.680 We have nothing to feel superior about. 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.780 Whatever gifts we have, 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:34.420 they've been given to us by God. 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.900 Some of you in this room, 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:41.100 you have some real gifts and talents 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:42.580 that you use for God 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.780 in some visible ways, 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.580 some things behind the scene, 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:48.580 maybe not even in this church, 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:50.480 but in other realms of life. 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.480 You use what God's given you 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:54.360 and it's significant. 00:13:56.400 --> 00:13:58.040 But He gave you those gifts 00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:59.560 for you to serve Him 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.460 and serve other people, 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:03.320 not to make you feel superior. 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:07.060 So in light of what Paul is saying here, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.600 the best thing for you to do this morning 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.280 is to forget about yourself. 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:14.680 Don't seek to be honored. 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.400 To be thanked. 00:14:17.400 --> 00:14:20.759 Don't even seek to be noticed. 00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:23.259 Just think instead 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.900 that you have the privilege, 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:25.820 by the grace of God, 00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:26.840 you have the privilege 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:28.840 to use what God's given you 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:31.320 in a way that does 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:33.160 help other people, 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:35.420 that does help 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:37.879 serve God's purpose in this world. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:39.879 number two, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:42.820 that not only is no one superior, 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:44.139 no one is inferior. 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.939 No one is inferior 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:48.679 to anyone in this church 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:50.600 or anywhere else. 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:53.980 We're all made in the image of God. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:55.860 There's people, 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.919 everywhere you go, 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.939 there's people who battle 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:59.159 this thing about self-image. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.100 I want you to know, 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:02.240 as a human being, 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.200 even if you're not a Christian, 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:05.240 as a human being, 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.320 you were created 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.800 in the image of God 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.840 and that gives you automatically 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:12.180 worth and value. 00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.680 We should treat 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.480 all human beings, 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:18.060 no matter what their walk of life, 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.000 with worth, 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:20.000 with value, 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:21.620 with a sense of dignity 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.860 because they are created 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.879 in the image of God. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.000 And if you're a Christian, 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:26.780 you need to think 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:27.440 a little bit more. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:31.700 Jesus Christ died for me, 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:32.880 gave up His life, 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:34.800 suffered for me, 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:37.100 for my sins, 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.140 so that I could be forgiven 00:15:38.140 --> 00:15:39.400 and not suffer. 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:41.940 That does make you 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.380 worth something, 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:44.600 doesn't it? 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:46.600 Worth a lot. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:48.920 Now, 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:50.840 if someone is more gifted 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:52.160 or talented than you are, 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.960 and somebody is, 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:55.580 always, 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:58.820 that's not their fault. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.020 Don't be mad at somebody 00:16:01.020 --> 00:16:02.240 because they're smarter than you, 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:03.100 they're sharper than you, 00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:04.300 they can do certain things 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.160 that you can't do. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:09.000 If you've come on Sunday nights some, 00:16:09.780 --> 00:16:11.220 you spiritually minded people 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.200 who come on Sunday nights, 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:14.680 you know that a lot of times 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:16.220 we have done some video studies 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.360 with Matt Chandler. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:20.300 He's one of my favorite preachers. 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.140 And I know 00:16:22.140 --> 00:16:24.040 he's better than me. 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.120 I mean, 00:16:25.719 --> 00:16:26.599 he just communicates, 00:16:26.719 --> 00:16:28.019 I can sit and listen to him 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.319 for an hour. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.379 I couldn't listen to me 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:31.860 for an hour. 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.919 Some of you have made it plain, 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.799 you won't listen to me 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.219 for an hour. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:36.759 So, 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.919 I get that. 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:41.059 But I really like Chandler. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.299 And I'm thankful 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.379 that God gave him 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.019 those gifts, 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.919 he's helped me 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:46.860 in some ways, 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.839 taught me some things, 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.620 I've learned some things 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.099 from him. 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:51.319 I can honestly say 00:16:51.319 --> 00:16:52.459 I'm not jealous of him. 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:54.720 I'm thankful for him. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.340 And I recognize 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.360 that he's more gifted 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.400 than me. 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.540 We need to learn 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.100 to do that. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.460 Learn to do that 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:04.740 in whatever realm 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.980 of life you're operating in, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.059 that there are people 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.759 better than you, 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:08.860 so what? 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.340 If they're just more 00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:12.380 naturally gifted, 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.680 or they've just got that drive 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.819 that makes them better, 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.460 your problem 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.220 is not with them, 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.160 your problem's really 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.680 with God 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.620 because he made them 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.100 that way. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.680 Why be jealous 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.019 of somebody 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.300 who is quicker than you, 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.019 faster than you, 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.960 in whatever sports 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.380 you play? 00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:31.120 God made them 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.560 that way. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:33.860 So, 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.019 accept that. 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.400 But instead of 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.040 being jealous, 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.980 just appreciate it. 00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:42.740 And in the church, 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:43.900 if there's somebody 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.600 who's serving 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:45.380 more than you, 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.240 they're just more faithful 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.560 than you, 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:47.160 they're more gifted 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.700 than you are, 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.580 or they're having 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:49.960 a greater impact 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.620 than you are, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.480 instead of being jealous, 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.960 why don't you just try 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.920 to follow their example, 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.240 maybe? 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.039 Learn from them, 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.380 maybe. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.819 Serve like they do. 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:03.940 Be involved 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.700 like they are. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.299 What I want us to see, 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.240 what Paul wants us 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.759 to see here, 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.240 there is no place 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.900 for an attitude 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.580 of superiority 00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:13.660 or inferiority 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.660 among Christians 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.560 in any setting, 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.660 in any setting, 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:20.620 and that is especially 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:22.279 true in the church. 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:25.320 But if we are either, 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:28.360 looking down 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:29.680 or looking up, 00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.300 feeling inferior, 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.100 feeling superior, 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:35.200 either way, 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.660 if that's true 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.519 about us right now, 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.640 that means we're not 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:40.120 living in the power 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.940 of the Holy Spirit, 00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:42.600 we're giving in 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.419 to the temptation. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.639 We're giving in 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.379 to the temptation 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:50.079 to let how someone else is 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:52.019 affect how we are 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.539 and how we actually function 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.399 in the church 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.879 or even among our friends. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.699 That's the negative, 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.459 how we should not 00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:59.139 treat one another. 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.079 Let's move on. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.459 He tells us how we should 00:19:01.459 --> 00:19:02.219 treat one another. 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:04.000 The first thing 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.439 he tells us 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.359 is in verse 1, 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:08.459 and this is very hard. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:09.799 We're just going to look 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:11.139 at verse 1 this morning. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.960 I want you to think 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.539 about it as we go 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.000 through this. 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.119 What we're going to look 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.039 at is something 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.059 God expects you and me 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:20.859 to do in each other's life 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.980 when necessary. 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:23.659 We hope it's never necessary, 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:25.539 but it may be necessary 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.419 for you to do something 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.799 in a person's life, 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:29.720 in my life. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.379 Look at what he says, 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:32.940 verse 1. 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:33.980 Brothers, 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.279 brothers and sisters, 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.579 if anyone is caught 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.680 in any transgression, 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.700 you who are spiritual 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:41.600 should restore him 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:43.240 in a spirit of gentleness. 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:45.400 Keep watch on yourself 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:47.320 lest you too be tempted. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:49.380 Paul's telling us here 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:49.860 we need to learn 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.480 to confront sin 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:54.320 in one another's lives. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.539 Now he's not telling us 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:58.220 to pronounce judgment 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.920 on somebody 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.940 and just write them off. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.180 He's not telling us 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.960 to have this judgmental spirit 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.720 and just looking for faults 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.000 and trying to condemn people. 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.380 He's talking about 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:10.299 confronting someone 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.320 that we know, 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.279 that we care about, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.799 that we see something 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.880 happening in their life 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.700 and we want to help them 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:18.840 and not let it hurt them. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.299 Let's look at it. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.440 The time to confront. 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.740 If anyone is caught 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.820 in any transgression. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.700 The NIV says 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.400 if anyone is caught 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:27.880 in a sin. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.820 The idea here now 00:20:30.820 --> 00:20:32.279 is that, 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:32.759 let's just say, 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.720 let's just talk about 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.259 the church. 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:35.500 But it applies to you 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.740 and your friends at work. 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.720 It applies to you 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.259 and your friends 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.700 at church, 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.480 at school. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.859 Let's just say 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.700 you've got a friend. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.799 We're not talking about 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.859 nitpicking someone, 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.700 looking for trouble. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.759 We're not talking about 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.660 getting our spiritual 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.880 microscopes out 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.079 and trying to find 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:54.460 flaws in people. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.539 That's not what 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.160 he's talking about. 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.620 Here's what he's talking about, 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.480 something serious. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.660 Maybe you notice 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.720 your friend. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.120 It seems, 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:09.240 it seems inappropriate 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.200 the attention 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.920 they're giving 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.460 to someone 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.640 of the opposite sex 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.920 and it's not their spouse. 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.300 Or maybe it's 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:17.640 one of your friends 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:19.400 you go to school with 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.980 and you know 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:23.000 they're too involved 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.460 with the person 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:23.920 they're dating. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.600 Maybe it's someone 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.680 you work with 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.660 and you've, 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.880 you have found 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:30.759 something that gives 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.440 you the idea 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.360 you're almost, 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.600 you're 99% sure 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:35.400 they're embezzling 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.259 from the company. 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.940 We're talking about 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.759 something serious 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:42.840 that is sinful. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.340 Something that would 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:45.560 not please God 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:46.640 if he sees it 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.700 in one of his children. 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:49.840 we're supposed 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.779 to confront them. 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.220 Now how do we do it? 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.440 Well, 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.519 we don't ignore it. 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.440 How do we respond 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.120 to these situations? 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.100 We don't ignore it. 00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.960 That's the natural 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.460 thing to do. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.700 You just don't, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.519 you shake your head. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:02.819 Don't, 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.080 just ignore it. 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:04.860 I didn't see that. 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.319 Stick your head 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.799 in the sand. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.580 We do that sometimes. 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:08.900 We, 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.340 we should not respond 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:11.600 by exposing it 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.340 to other people 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:13.039 and gossiping. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.400 You don't go 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:14.920 to somebody else 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.180 and say, 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.319 you know what I'm thinking? 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.680 You know what I've seen? 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.880 That's not what he's saying. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.140 And right here, 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:24.059 he is not talking about 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:26.580 passing on 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.700 what we know 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.400 to somebody else 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.279 like in the church. 00:22:29.580 --> 00:22:30.580 He's not saying 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:32.120 go and tell the pastor 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.420 or another church leader. 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.519 No. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.720 There may be a time 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.480 and place for that 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.360 but initially, 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.980 if there's a Christian friend, 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.000 you see something 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.900 going on in their life 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.819 that it needs 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.819 to be dealt with 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.200 and they need 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.779 to be confronted 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.420 and the Lord 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.339 lays it on your heart 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.940 and you see it 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.500 and you know it, 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.920 you've got to do that. 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.460 That's a part of living 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.940 a spirit-filled life, 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:56.359 bearing one another's burdens 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:58.279 that when someone 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.319 is caught in a sin 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.559 and we're talking 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.220 about privately, 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.259 everybody doesn't know 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.759 this yet 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.799 according to what 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.660 we're reading here. 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.359 We'll go to them 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.859 privately 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:10.219 with the prayer 00:23:10.219 --> 00:23:12.579 that God will help us 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:14.399 help them 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:17.359 to turn around, 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.479 to stop it 00:23:18.479 --> 00:23:20.299 and hopefully never even 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.379 be publicly exposed. 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:23.019 Now there are exceptions 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.759 to be made 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.259 for crimes. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.879 Child abuse, 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:33.500 nothing private. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:36.059 child abuse, 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.740 we call the police 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.920 or the sheriff's department. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.519 Child abuse, 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.960 I want to know it. 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.960 It will not be ignored, 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.859 it will not be swept 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.440 under the carpet. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.779 Spousal abuse, 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:52.259 the church for too long 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.200 has tried to just 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.460 close their eyes, 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.460 hope things go away, 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.740 stick their head 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.299 in the sand. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:24:00.139 That should not be. 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.799 So we're not talking 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.259 about covering up 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.240 crimes. 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.079 We're not talking 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.200 about failing to do 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.119 what we're supposed 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:08.539 to do. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.259 We're not talking 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.039 about protecting 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.819 children or other 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.519 vulnerable people. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.659 We're talking 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.539 about friends 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.779 who are doing 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.799 something and no one 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.379 else knows it 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.220 but you find out 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.680 about it, 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.919 you can intervene. 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.879 Number two, 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.980 look at the person 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.299 who confronts. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.399 He says, 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.559 you who are spiritual. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.559 The spiritual would be 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.960 those people who are 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:33.619 seeking to obey 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.259 the Holy Spirit's 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.539 leadership. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.819 They're people who 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.720 are growing in their 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.079 faith. 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.180 They demonstrate 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.980 Christian character. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.740 They're not perfect. 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.680 No one is perfect 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.639 but some people 00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.220 are more spiritually 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.839 minded than others. 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.460 Some are more 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.259 mature than others. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.079 This is the kind 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.680 of person who could 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.720 deal with such an 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.299 issue in love 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.799 and try to help 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.359 the person, 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:53.139 not hurt them. 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.259 Don't ever get 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.059 involved in trying 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.799 to deal with 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.579 someone else's 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:57.919 sin. 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.599 If you don't have 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.720 that spirit-given 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.579 maturity 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.579 and wisdom 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:06.359 and you can do 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.500 it in love. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.179 Number three, 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.159 the way to confront 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:11.279 is in a spirit 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.059 of gentleness. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.879 Gentleness is part 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.460 of the fruit of the 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.720 spirit. 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.179 That's why Paul says 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:16.079 only the spiritual 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.059 can do this. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.419 Now, 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.379 such gentleness 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.079 does not mean 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.779 leniency. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:20.920 intimacy. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.139 We're not talking 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.139 about overlooking 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:24.660 a problem. 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.779 Sometimes love's 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.359 got to be tough. 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.099 You know that. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.379 Sometimes love 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.359 has got to be tough 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.559 in families 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:33.279 and among friends. 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.819 The idea here is 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.339 that the work 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.180 of restoration 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.960 should be done 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.399 with sensitivity, 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.039 care, 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.200 concern for the 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.700 other person. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.399 Number four, 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.220 the goal of 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.299 confrontation is to 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:45.879 restore. 00:25:46.520 --> 00:25:46.960 You're not trying 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.460 to punish. 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.780 The sin you have 00:25:50.780 --> 00:25:51.400 seen in this 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.020 person's life 00:25:52.020 --> 00:25:53.640 has alienated 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.420 them from God. 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.420 Their relationship 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.580 with Him is strained. 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:58.040 And so you're 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:58.600 wanting to bring 00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:59.420 them back to a 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.060 right relationship 00:26:00.060 --> 00:26:00.420 with Him. 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.640 You're wanting 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.200 to help them 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.260 to be restored 00:26:03.260 --> 00:26:04.560 to where they 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.000 need to be 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.440 in their walk 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.880 with the Lord. 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.400 So the purpose 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.680 of such confrontation, 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.720 the purpose of 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.600 church discipline 00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:11.800 is always to help 00:26:11.800 --> 00:26:12.420 never to hurt. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.480 It's always 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.320 redemptive, 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.080 not punitive. 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:16.159 Number five, 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.279 the caution 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.220 about confrontation. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:18.919 If you don't 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.699 hear anything else, 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.659 you listen to this. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:21.759 He says, 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.699 keep watch on 00:26:22.699 --> 00:26:23.220 yourself, 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.079 lest you too 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.619 be tempted. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.599 There's no place 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:28.240 in the whole 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.299 kingdom of God 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.559 for this spiritual 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.579 pride where you 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.439 think of yourself 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:34.119 as something, 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.159 you're above sin, 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.019 you're above what 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.079 somebody else can do, 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.879 and you just look 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:40.059 condescendingly down 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.559 at them, 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.299 and you're going 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.179 to correct them 00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:42.819 because you're so 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.439 much better than 00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:43.679 them. 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.759 None of us 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.240 are immune 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.899 from any kind 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:47.519 of temptation. 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.659 None of us 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.319 are above any 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:50.639 sin. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.779 Some people 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.359 in churches 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:52.839 today, 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.179 and we're a 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:54.839 church today, 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.159 some people 00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:56.579 need to really 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.699 let that sink in. 00:26:57.699 --> 00:26:58.460 If you don't 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.819 see in your own 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:01.059 life a personal 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.460 battle with sin, 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:05.240 that means you 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.939 have a very 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.879 poor understanding 00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.939 of what sin is 00:27:07.939 --> 00:27:08.819 and how holy 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.500 God is. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.519 If you have 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.299 any understanding 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.079 at all of how 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.639 holy and pure 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:15.079 God is, 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.659 and how 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.699 repulsed he 00:27:17.699 --> 00:27:18.359 is by 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.659 sin, 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.519 you'll know 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.159 I am a 00:27:23.159 --> 00:27:23.379 sinner. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.559 I'm not 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.179 above anybody. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.240 I could fall 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.899 in a lot of 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:29.839 different kinds 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:31.019 of ways. 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.779 No matter what 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.220 you see in 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:33.779 another person's 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.099 life, 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.480 you could, 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:39.079 under certain 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.859 circumstances, 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:42.299 you could fall 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:44.339 in a very 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:46.799 equally bad 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.779 way. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.719 You may not 00:27:49.719 --> 00:27:50.459 be as susceptible 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:51.079 to the same 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.979 sins as somebody 00:27:51.979 --> 00:27:52.459 you know, 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.919 but there are 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:54.799 other ways 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:56.439 the devil tempts 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.219 us and traps 00:27:57.219 --> 00:27:58.079 us if we're not 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.979 on guard 00:27:58.979 --> 00:28:00.539 and seeking to 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.019 be faithful. 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.479 We need to 00:28:02.479 --> 00:28:03.099 always guard 00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.839 against pride 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.000 and self-righteousness, 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:05.679 and that is 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:06.519 always present 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.579 in many churches. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.099 Some Christians, 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:12.259 I don't understand 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.439 it, 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.779 just have this 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:15.839 smug attitude 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.879 as if they are 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.819 above 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:20.439 other Christians. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.199 Confronting 00:28:24.199 --> 00:28:24.919 someone in their 00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:27.339 sin is a very 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.039 uncomfortable 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.379 thing to do, 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.259 but it's an 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.019 important thing 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.179 if you really 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:34.740 love your 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.259 brother or 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.599 sister. 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:37.759 sometimes it's 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:37.980 just, 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.279 you just got 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.500 to be 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.000 uncomfortable 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.399 because you 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:41.839 love them 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.279 enough. 00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:43.480 You're going 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.879 to say 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.299 something, 00:28:44.419 --> 00:28:44.679 you're going 00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:45.039 to step 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:46.199 up before 00:28:46.199 --> 00:28:46.980 they ruin 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.019 their family, 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.079 before they 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.599 lose their 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.199 job, 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.019 before they 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.480 ruin their 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.059 reputation, 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.379 before they 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:53.740 ruin their 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.179 life. 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.179 It's also 00:28:56.179 --> 00:28:56.699 important for 00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.500 us to realize 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:59.879 somebody may 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.379 need to talk 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:00.659 to me 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.039 someday. 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:06.139 if somebody 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.680 comes to 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:07.079 you that 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.680 you know 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.920 is a 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.279 godly 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.700 person, 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.139 you know 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:12.740 that they're 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.379 saying it 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.700 because they 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.180 just have 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.339 to, 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:15.659 they don't 00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:16.119 want to, 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.180 and you 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.639 know they're 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.019 coming to 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.440 you because 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.039 they love 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.399 you, 00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:21.819 swallow your 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.440 pride and 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.799 listen. 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.799 It may be 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.779 that it's 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.420 not true, 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.980 but listen 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.299 to them, 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.019 find out why 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.619 they're coming 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.059 to you. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.740 Something has 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.500 caused that. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.200 We all need 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.920 to be open 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.879 to such 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:39.299 confrontations 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:41.240 because that's 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.680 how the Lord 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.599 may intervene 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:44.480 to help us 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.819 or save us 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:47.079 in some way. 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.240 Are you 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.980 demonstrating the 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.720 Holy Spirit's 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.660 fruit in your 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.460 relationships with 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:52.940 other people? 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.599 Let me ask you 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.660 this, are you 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.299 involved in 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.079 meeting relationships 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.220 with other 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.639 Christians? 00:29:59.640 --> 00:29:59.860 Christians? 00:30:02.560 --> 00:30:03.540 Do you have, 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.240 I mean, 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:04.800 real, 00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:08.100 close relationships 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:08.500 with other 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.540 Christians in 00:30:09.540 --> 00:30:10.120 this church? 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.040 Maybe in other 00:30:12.040 --> 00:30:12.520 settings. 00:30:13.300 --> 00:30:13.980 Maybe your life 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.860 is mostly at 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.420 work, at 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:17.040 school, and 00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:17.320 you're just 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:17.640 here on 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.040 Sundays. 00:30:18.540 --> 00:30:18.880 You don't 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.200 really have 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.540 the opportunity 00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:19.940 to know that 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.259 many people 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.380 here. 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.120 Are you 00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.680 involved with 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.220 other Christians 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.960 in a meaningful 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.560 way, have 00:30:24.560 --> 00:30:24.900 meaningful 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.380 relationships? 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:25.600 relationships. 00:30:26.800 --> 00:30:28.360 You need, I 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.500 need, every 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.040 Christian needs 00:30:30.040 --> 00:30:30.580 the blessings 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:32.680 that come from 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.500 other Christians 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.980 who demonstrate 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.780 the fruit of the 00:30:35.780 --> 00:30:37.140 Spirit toward us. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.560 Your friends need 00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:40.120 it from you. 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.960 Not just your 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.620 friends in general, 00:30:44.060 --> 00:30:45.460 but your Christian 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.180 friends need it. 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:48.260 Will you be this 00:30:48.260 --> 00:30:48.800 kind of friend? 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:51.259 It may be that 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.119 you need to be 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:52.759 more intentional 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:54.159 about developing 00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:56.859 better, deeper, 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.740 more meaningful 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.480 friendships with 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.019 other Christians. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.859 You may need 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:03.480 some help in 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.039 doing that. 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.159 You may need to 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:07.119 think, I've got 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:07.599 good Christian 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:09.139 friends, but we 00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:09.680 only talk about 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.319 sports. 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.200 We only talk 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.519 about the 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:12.819 weather. 00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:14.619 We only talk 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:14.980 about our 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.440 families. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.600 families. 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.519 Why don't you 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.900 work on developing 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.600 a relationship 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:21.100 with them in 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:21.620 which you can 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:22.059 talk about 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.860 spiritual things? 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:26.039 Maybe if 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.580 they're a member 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.380 of this church, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.100 talk about this 00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:29.440 sermon. 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.660 There's you in 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:31.980 opening. 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.039 Talk about how 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.700 God is working 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.460 in your life. 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.740 If you're a 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.380 really good friend 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.019 and you trust 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.620 Him, talk about 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.400 how you need 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.200 God's help in 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.059 certain areas of 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.380 your life. 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:42.980 Talk about some 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.660 of your struggles, 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:44.700 some of your 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.200 weaknesses. 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.279 And if anybody 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.320 ever does confide 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:48.380 in you that way, 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.019 that means you've 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.420 got to keep it 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:49.880 confidential. 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.140 You don't tell 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.000 your spouse, you 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.620 don't tell anybody, 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.200 you just don't 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.700 mention it. 00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:57.120 It may be that 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:58.059 you ask somebody 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.860 to pray for you. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.880 That's an opening. 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.200 Maybe you even 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.100 get together and 00:32:03.100 --> 00:32:03.880 pray together. 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.200 God works through 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.279 His Spirit and 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:09.680 His people to 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:12.000 develop us into 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.380 the people He 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:12.980 wants us to be. 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.779 I want to 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.360 encourage you, 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.799 make sure you 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.220 are in the 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:19.180 position to 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.880 grow, to 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:22.000 develop more 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.480 Christ-like 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.039 character by 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.360 living in 00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:27.220 obedience to 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.740 the Spirit of 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.079 God who 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:30.900 indwells you and 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.500 by living in 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.319 closer fellowship 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:34.339 with other 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.660 Christians that 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:36.279 God's put in 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.740 your life to 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.599 also help you. 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.819 let's pray 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.139 together. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.500 Dear God, 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:46.480 help us to 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.019 think about 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.839 what you have 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.579 said here in 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.159 this passage 00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:53.859 about how we 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:54.359 should and 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:57.019 should not live 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.500 in relationship 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.199 with one another. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.599 If there's sin 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.279 in our lives, 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:01.699 if there's 00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:02.379 shortcomings, 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.039 failures, 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.559 convict us, 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:05.179 make it clear and 00:33:05.179 --> 00:33:05.719 help us to know 00:33:05.719 --> 00:33:06.299 what we need to 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.219 confess and turn 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.819 from, show us 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.299 how we need to 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:10.839 change specifically. 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.279 Father, if there 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.059 are some situations 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:15.100 that you have 00:33:15.100 --> 00:33:16.420 touched us about 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:18.220 that we see in 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.819 another person's 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:22.100 life, Lord, 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:25.440 help us to be 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.940 willing to get 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.339 out of our 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:29.640 comfort zone and 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.559 because we love 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.299 that person so 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:33.579 much, help us to 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:36.339 confront them in a 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.159 spirit of love 00:33:37.159 --> 00:33:38.759 gently. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.819 Father, if 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.480 somebody comes 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:46.500 to us, help 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.299 us to listen 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:49.619 and receive it 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:52.000 as something 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:54.119 done in love by 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:54.720 a brother or 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.539 sister in Christ. 00:33:57.159 --> 00:33:57.740 Lord, if there 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.099 are people in 00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.519 this room who 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:58.899 are not 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.939 Christians, and 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:00.480 all through this 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.199 message, we've 00:34:01.199 --> 00:34:01.759 talked about 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.419 Christians, Christian 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.579 friends, you've 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:07.699 convicted them that 00:34:07.699 --> 00:34:08.579 they're not one of 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.360 yours, they're not 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.699 one of your 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.059 children. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.019 They don't have 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:13.299 any real Christian 00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:14.279 friends. 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:19.259 Lord, so work in 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:19.880 them right now that 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:22.659 they have a desire to 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.519 turn from the way 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.219 they've been living 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:26.099 away from you. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.860 Call them to truly 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:30.099 trust Jesus as their 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:30.920 Savior and Lord and 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.559 surrender their lives 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.179 to Him now. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:35.859 help them to begin 00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:36.639 today to start 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:38.359 developing real 00:34:38.359 --> 00:34:41.319 Christian friendships. 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.339 And let's just 00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:44.639 pray. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.179 Listen to the Lord 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:47.319 and you obey Him 00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:48.079 during this time. 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.319 And if I can pray 00:34:50.319 --> 00:34:51.039 with you, I'm here 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.059 at the front, happy 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.940 to do that right 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.199 now. 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:53.299 Amen. 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:53.359 Amen. 00:34:53.359 --> 00:34:53.440 Amen. 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:53.460 Amen. 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:53.839 Amen. 00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:53.940 Amen. 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.440 Amen. 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:54.460 Amen. 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:54.940 Amen. 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.000 Amen. 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.059 Amen. 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.399 Amen. 00:34:55.399 --> 00:34:55.440 Amen. 00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:55.480 Amen. 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:55.500 Amen. 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:55.940 Amen. 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.000 Amen. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.059 Amen. 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.399 Amen. 00:34:56.399 --> 00:34:56.480 Amen. 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:57.019 Amen.