WEBVTT

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 Colossians chapter 4. Our text for today will be verses 5 and 6 as we are coming to the conclusion of our first by verse exposition through the book.

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 Look, it's been a joy to be able to preach most of the book to you.

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 I took a bit of a break this summer and had a couple of wonderfully gifted men in our church fill in on my behalf.

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 And now we're coming to the end of Paul's exhortation to the church at Colossae.

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 And then we'll glean, Lord willing, I believe next week we'll finish up the book and glean from it in his final greeting.

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 A few lessons that we can learn from there as well.

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 But this is kind of the end, the kind of final punches of what he's trying to say to the church at Colossae.

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 So I'm going to read just for a little bit of context, beginning in verse 2 down through verse 6.

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 And our text today will be verses 5 and 6.

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 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

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 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word to declare the mystery of Christ,

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 on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear which is how I ought to speak.

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 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

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 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

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 This is God's word to us.

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 It was written for His glory and our good.

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 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 Now let me remind you or catch you up if you're a guest with us here today.

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 As we've been working through chapter 3,

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 Paul's been presenting to us the concept, the idea of the life of the new self.

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 Having been made new in Christ, Christ having changed our hearts and set us on a different road,

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 our life necessarily looks different.

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 And he lays that out for us, what that difference is and how that changes who we are.

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 And he does it in an ever narrowing way.

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 He starts broad and he's getting more and more particular in his exhortation.

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 And we saw verses 5-17, these exhortations to the Christian church,

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 the way in which we're meant to engage with one another as believers.

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 Now in verse 18-4, 1, the Christian household.

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 In our context, you'll find there at the end of chapter 3,

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 in the beginning of verse 1, the workplace.

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 And he comes down now a little more narrow to the individual

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 and the way in which the individual is going to interact with the world around them.

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 So last week we saw two exhortations from verses 2-3 and then part of 3, the second one.

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 Firstly, the prayer of the new self.

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 That the Christian person will pray because the road that the Christian has been put on

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 is a road of godliness, it's a pursuit of holiness,

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 it's living in this world in a different way, set apart.

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 And this is something accomplished by God in our lives,

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 by the work of the Spirit who's continually changing us.

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 We've been set apart, we've been sanctified, but we are also being sanctified.

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 And therefore, as people set on that road,

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 we recognize our great need of God's intervention and His continued work in our life.

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 He has given us grace and we continue by grace and so we pray for that grace.

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 Christian people recognize that without prayer, nothing.

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 Sine qua non.

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 Without which, nothing happens.

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 We can do nothing apart from God.

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 And God uses the prayers of His people to enact,

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 to put in play His providential purposes in our lives.

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 And so, the new self prays.

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 We saw, secondly, the opportunity of the new self.

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 The way in which Paul sought to seize every opportunity,

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 even his imprisonment for the sake of the gospel,

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 for the advancement of the kingdom.

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 And we ought to live in the same way with new eyes.

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 At the beginning of chapter 3, it says,

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 with our minds set on things above.

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 Looking for and seizing every opportunity.

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 Today, we'll look at verse 5 and verse 6 with a bit of verse 4,

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 since I didn't quite get to it last week.

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 For two more exhortations.

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 That is the activity of the new self and the speech of the new self.

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 The activity of the new self, verse 5,

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 and the speech of the new self, verses 6 and 4.

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 Now, my closing remark from last week was this.

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 In summary of those first two exhortations to pray and to seize opportunities was this.

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 Pray and seize every opportunity to experience, proclaim, and display the supremacy of Jesus Christ

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 in all things to all peoples.

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 Pray and seize every opportunity to experience, proclaim, and display the supremacy of Jesus Christ

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 in all things to all peoples.

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 And if you are wrapping your mind around that,

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 you don't have it in front of you like I do.

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 I guess you do a bit here.

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 But you'll see that these other exhortations are found in that very statement itself.

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 We are to proclaim, this is the speech of the new self,

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 and we are to display, this is the activity of the new self,

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 the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things to all peoples.

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 So we're missing something in that phrasing.

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 Pray and seize every opportunity.

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 To experience, proclaim, and display the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things to all peoples.

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 The word experience.

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 Am I right?

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 If you see it in our vision statement up here.

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 The experience of Jesus Christ as supreme in all things to all peoples,

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 as a more excellent way,

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 the way for reconciliation back to God,

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 has not been ignored in the text.

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 So if you will with me to walk back up the text a bit,

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 I just want you to see that.

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 The beginning of chapter 3, Colossians 3, 1-3.

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 If then you have been raised with Christ,

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 seek the things that are above where Christ is,

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 seated at the right hand of God.

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 Set your minds on things that are above,

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 not on things that are on earth.

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 For you have died,

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 and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

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 This has been a reality in your life.

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 You are finding that Christ is better than,

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 more supreme than.

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 You have been raised with Christ,

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 and your life is now in Christ.

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 Christ is your life.

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 Verse 4 goes on to say.

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 Back up a bit more.

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 Colossians 2, 6.

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 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord,

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 as you have received Him,

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 as you have experienced the saving work of Christ,

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 so walk in Him.

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 Let me go back a bit further.

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 Colossians 1, 15-23.

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 Here's the strong supremacy statement.

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 Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God,

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 the firstborn of all creation.

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 For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth,

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 visible and invisible,

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 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.

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 All things were created through Him and for Him.

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 And He is before all things,

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 and in Him all things hold together.

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 And He is the head of the body, the church.

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 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

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 that in everything He might be preeminent or supreme.

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 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

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 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things,

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 whether on earth or in heaven,

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 making peace by the blood of His cross.

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 And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind,

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 doing evil deeds,

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 He is now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death,

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 in order to present you holy and blameless

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 and above reproach before Him.

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 If indeed you continue in the faith,

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 stable and steadfast,

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 not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard,

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 which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven,

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 and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

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 So do you see that the experience has been carried throughout,

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 and then the appropriate response thereof?

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 Verse 21 of chapter 1,

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 you, Colossian believers,

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 and us, those of us who have received the gospel,

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 we once were alienated and hostile in mind.

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 We once were separated from God.

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 We once were not part of God's family.

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 Our minds were hostile towards the things of God.

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 We were doing evil deeds.

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 We see the evidence of that.

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 Everything we did was a fist shake at God.

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 Everything we did said,

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 I am king.

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 I am self-directing.

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 I rule, which is a massive offense to God.

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 We were God's enemy.

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 Verse 22,

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 But He's now reconciled in His body,

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 fleshed by His death,

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 in order to present you holy and blameless

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 and above reproach before Him.

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 Because of what Christ has done on our behalf,

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 if we place saving faith in Him,

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 it was our sin that He died for on the cross.

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 It is His righteousness that we now have.

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 And Paul goes on to say,

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 if indeed you continue in the faith,

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 stable and steadfast.

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 So we are not saved by works.

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 We are saved by the providential purposes of God.

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 God the Father is sovereign in salvation

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 from the very beginning to the very end.

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 God saves us.

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 We cannot save ourselves.

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 God saves us.

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 However,

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 once we are in Christ,

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 this work of God takes part,

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 there must be an evidencing of it beyond.

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 There must be a reality

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 that our heart has been changed.

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 That our heart has been set on a different road.

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 That we are no longer His enemy,

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 but rather His friends.

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 And this has been thematically developed

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 throughout the book of Colossians.

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 Gospel reconciliation leads to gospel living.

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 And we live in a day

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 where I'm so fearful

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 that there are so many

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 that are not found in Christ

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 that they think they are

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 because this is not being taught to them.

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 That there's not an appropriate response

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 to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 Many fear that this is a works-based salvation.

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 Hear me clearly.

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 I'm not saying we ever earned it.

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 What I'm saying is that we have it.

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 Therefore, we live in light of it.

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 There must be a healthy response.

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 Right and proper living

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 is the right and proper outcome

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 of changed hearts.

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 Paul writes in Romans 12.

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 I appeal to you, therefore, brothers,

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 by the mercies of God,

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 to present your bodies

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 as a living sacrifice,

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 holy and acceptable to God,

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 which is your spiritual worship.

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 The first 11 chapters of Romans

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 have been a systematic gospel presentation.

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 It's in this beautiful outlay

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 of the doctrines of salvation.

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 And then he turns from there

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 in chapter 12, verse 1,

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 to say, now, in light of that,

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 because of what God has done

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 on your behalf,

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 now live in this way.

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 And beloved, we have to ask ourselves

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 a serious question

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 as we don't see our lives

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 lining up with the command of Scripture.

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 And we don't.

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 None of us do.

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 None of us are carrying this out perfectly.

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 We all sin still,

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 even if in Christ.

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 Right?

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 If you don't think you do,

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 therein is your sin.

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 Right?

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 Be humble before God.

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 You are not perfect.

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 All of us still sin.

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 All of us carry the old self.

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 All of these things

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 we're meant to be putting to death

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 and putting off.

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 All of that is still carried with us.

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 We do still sin.

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 We have to ask ourselves the question,

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 am I in Christ?

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 I progress in these things.

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 Am I in Christ?

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 Has He saved me?

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 Or has He not?

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 If He hasn't,

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 repent and believe.

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 I plead with you

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 to repent and believe.

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 Because final judgment

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 is going to be harsh and severe

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 and forever.

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 If He has,

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 repent and believe.

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 You're in Christ.

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 Repent and believe.

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 Turn from the sin

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 and pursue holiness.

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 Unrighteousness should not

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 be named amongst us.

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 We too often, I think,

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 elevate grace to this degree.

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 This cheap grace idea

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 where we can just go on

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 being the messes that we are.

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 And in so doing,

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 we say that God doesn't have

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 the power to change me.

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 Heresy.

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 Heresy that is.

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 God can and He will

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 change you

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 if you're in Christ.

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 Don't belittle

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 the power of the Spirit of God

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 in your life

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 to make you new.

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 You must progress

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 in holiness.

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 Right?

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 I've talked to you before

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 about laying the plot lines

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 of your life.

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 You should be able

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 to look back on your life

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 and see

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 that you once loved sin

00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.240
 more than you do now.

00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:33.720
 Right?

00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:35.220
 You're hating sin more today

00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:36.160
 than you did before.

00:13:36.640 --> 00:13:37.780
 And you once didn't

00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:38.660
 love righteousness

00:13:38.660 --> 00:13:39.820
 the way you do now.

00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:40.820
 There's a progression

00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.740
 in these things.

00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.160
 Right?

00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:43.379
 That you're moving toward

00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.580
 the city of God.

00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.740
 You're moving toward

00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.360
 Christ-likeness

00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.519
 and not away from it.

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.279
 So there has to be

00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.320
 some activity.

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:52.919
 There has to be

00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.500
 some outward display

00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.940
 of what's been happening

00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.580
 in your heart

00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:58.379
 or it's not happened

00:13:58.379 --> 00:14:00.360
 in your heart at all.

00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.240
 So test yourself.

00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.680
 Consider this

00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:05.799
 as we look at these exhortations.

00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.700
 So verse 5 says,

00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:10.120
 Walk in wisdom

00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.919
 toward outsiders,

00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:14.480
 making the best use

00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.840
 of the time.

00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:17.500
 Put your salvation,

00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.560
 put your faith

00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:19.539
 on display

00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:21.840
 in real ways

00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.740
 to those

00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.680
 outside

00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:25.120
 the faith.

00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:26.940
 Walk in wisdom.

00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:27.620
 NASB,

00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:29.039
 I like the rendering,

00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:30.759
 says conduct yourselves

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:32.379
 with wisdom.

00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.180
 It means to

00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:34.340
 go about

00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.560
 the dealings

00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:36.519
 of your life

00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.720
 wisely.

00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.700
 Stated in the negative,

00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:40.519
 that's the positive.

00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:41.440
 Walk in wisdom.

00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.580
 Stated in the negative,

00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.060
 do not walk

00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:45.740
 in foolishness.

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.840
 To be the opposite

00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.300
 of wise

00:14:47.300 --> 00:14:48.680
 is to be foolish.

00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.040
 Don't be foolish.

00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:51.280
 Be wise.

00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:53.259
 Ephesians 5,

00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.780
 11-15.

00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:57.180
 It's a parallel text

00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:58.000
 to ours today.

00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:58.660
 It says,

00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.420
 Take no part

00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:01.020
 in the unfruitful works

00:15:01.020 --> 00:15:01.700
 of darkness,

00:15:02.280 --> 00:15:03.840
 but instead expose them.

00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.240
 For it is shameful

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.080
 even to speak

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.580
 of the things

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.440
 they do in secret,

00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.200
 but when anything

00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.060
 is exposed

00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:09.759
 by the light,

00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.660
 it becomes visible.

00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.779
 For anything

00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.819
 that becomes visible

00:15:12.819 --> 00:15:13.839
 is light.

00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:14.699
 Therefore,

00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.139
 it says,

00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.039
 Awake, O sleeper,

00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.240
 and arise from the dead,

00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.299
 and Christ will shine

00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:18.899
 on you.

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.819
 Look carefully then

00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.819
 how you walk,

00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:23.500
 not as unwise,

00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.379
 but as wise.

00:15:26.219 --> 00:15:27.159
 So what Paul is saying

00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:28.339
 here is that

00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:29.219
 if you were to walk

00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:30.079
 in wisdom,

00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:30.899
 you're going to walk

00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.579
 in the light.

00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.299
 You're going to do

00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.319
 those things

00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:34.100
 that we know

00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.220
 or we're meant to do

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.439
 that are righteous things,

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.220
 that are good things,

00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.220
 that are right things,

00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.840
 and you're not going

00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.840
 to walk in the darkness

00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:41.220
 as those who aren't

00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.519
 in Christ do.

00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:43.740
 Careful.

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.120
 Be careful how you walk.

00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.680
 Not as unwise,

00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.660
 but as wise.

00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.560
 So how do we know

00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.279
 the difference?

00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.259
 How do we know

00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:52.639
 the difference

00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.460
 between what is wise

00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.680
 and what is unwise?

00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:56.580
 How are we to discover

00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:57.940
 the wise way

00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:59.379
 in which we should walk?

00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.180
 And I hope the answers

00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:01.340
 are popping up in your head

00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:02.639
 as I ask the question.

00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.139
 How are we supposed

00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:04.680
 to discover

00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.540
 the wise way

00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:07.399
 in which we should walk?

00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.139
 Exhortation,

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.939
 walk in wisdom.

00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:09.600
 How?

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.459
 What do we do?

00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.360
 How do I know?

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.539
 I want to walk in wisdom.

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.659
 I want to be obedient

00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.159
 to this exhortation.

00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.240
 What do I do?

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.720
 And there are four sources

00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.819
 of wisdom.

00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.399
 Four sources of wisdom.

00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.199
 The first one is worship.

00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:26.019
 And I don't mean music

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.399
 when I say that.

00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.519
 We don't call that...

00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.100
 That's worship,

00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.899
 but it's musical worship.

00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.100
 I don't mean

00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.779
 show up at a service

00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.659
 and sing some songs.

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.319
 Right?

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.139
 Worship.

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.259
 Put yourself

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:39.139
 in proper relationship

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.519
 with the Lord God Almighty.

00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.120
 The Creator of heaven

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.000
 and earth.

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.539
 The One who created

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.539
 ex nihilo

00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.539
 from nothing.

00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.779
 The One that existed

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.819
 before anything existed

00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:51.860
 for all eternity past.

00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:54.120
 He is the Creator

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:56.840
 and you are merely creation.

00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:59.740
 Worship Him as such.

00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.639
 Humble yourself before Him.

00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:05.599
 Recognize that He is the Lord

00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.659
 and you are merely

00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:08.059
 a subject.

00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.199
 Proverbs 9.10 says,

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.000
 The fear of the Lord

00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.639
 is the beginning of wisdom

00:17:12.639 --> 00:17:13.839
 and the knowledge

00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.819
 of the Holy One

00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.219
 is insight.

00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:18.500
 Proverbs 3.7 says,

00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:19.599
 Be not wise

00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.839
 in your own eyes.

00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.319
 Fear the Lord

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.659
 and turn away

00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:24.459
 from evil.

00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:26.319
 So it begins with that.

00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.939
 It begins with that subjection.

00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:29.399
 Understanding rightly.

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:31.140
 You come up underneath

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.259
 the Creator.

00:17:32.780 --> 00:17:33.800
 Far too many people

00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:34.980
 read their Scripture

00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:36.700
 in judgment over it.

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.200
 Right?

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.200
 As if this is a book

00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.040
 that's meant for us

00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:40.580
 to critique and deal with.

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.140
 When we find error in it,

00:17:42.280 --> 00:17:43.460
 the problem is not with it.

00:17:43.540 --> 00:17:45.280
 The problem is with us.

00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.040
 Right?

00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.180
 Our dark minds

00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.080
 are of inability

00:17:48.080 --> 00:17:48.980
 to understand.

00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.880
 This thing

00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:51.120
 is the Holy Word of God.

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.780
 It stands over us.

00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.980
 We should submit ourselves

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.540
 to it

00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:55.780
 as we submit ourselves

00:17:55.780 --> 00:17:56.880
 to God.

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.700
 So worship is the first.

00:17:58.780 --> 00:17:59.760
 Second, prayer.

00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.200
 We've already talked

00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.360
 a bit about that last week

00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.980
 from verse 2.

00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:06.080
 James 1.5 says,

00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.480
 If any of you lacks wisdom,

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.440
 let him ask God

00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.440
 who gives generously

00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:12.580
 to all without reproach

00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:14.700
 and it will be given him.

00:18:15.580 --> 00:18:15.980
 You want to know

00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.900
 how to be wise

00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.720
 and to walk wisely

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.180
 in the world?

00:18:18.320 --> 00:18:19.520
 Ask that God would help you

00:18:19.520 --> 00:18:20.340
 to walk wisely

00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:21.220
 in the world.

00:18:21.300 --> 00:18:22.260
 And it's just that.

00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.340
 Simple.

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.600
 I get asked so many questions.

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.520
 Help me, Nathan.

00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.299
 Help me with wisdom

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.400
 in this particular thing.

00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.579
 And so often I say,

00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.379
 Have you been in prayer

00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:30.900
 about this?

00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.480
 And the answer is no.

00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:33.759
 Pray.

00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.879
 Ask that God would show you

00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:36.019
 the wise way

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.779
 and the more excellent way.

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.619
 Thirdly, the Scripture.

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.859
 Proverbs 2.6 says,

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.059
 For the Lord gives wisdom

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.379
 from His mouth

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.319
 come knowledge

00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.900
 and understanding.

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.720
 Colossians 3.16

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.139
 Not too long ago

00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.000
 we looked at it.

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.339
 Let the Word of Christ

00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:54.160
 dwell in you richly,

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:54.960
 teaching

00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:56.079
 and admonishing

00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.620
 one another

00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:58.660
 in all wisdom.

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.779
 God has spoken.

00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.160
 He has written us

00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.340
 a book.

00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.720
 And it's not an outdated book.

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.940
 It's not an irrelevant book.

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.180
 It's a sufficient book.

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.700
 It contains within it

00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.819
 everything we need to know

00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:14.039
 as a guide and rule

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.860
 for holiness.

00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:15.900
 You want to know

00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:17.059
 how to walk wisely?

00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:19.460
 As you worship God

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.960
 and you pray and ask for wisdom,

00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:21.980
 read His Word.

00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.579
 He's spoken to you

00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.799
 for every situation

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.779
 that you're going to encounter

00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.599
 to give you wisdom

00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.759
 to walk as you should.

00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.879
 And lastly,

00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.399
 counsel.

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.899
 Now by counsel,

00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.700
 I certainly mean

00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.639
 godly counsel.

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.319
 It just seems

00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.559
 a bit redundant

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.559
 to say that in this setting.

00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:39.720
 But I do mean, of course,

00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:40.859
 godly,

00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.859
 well-informed,

00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.859
 biblical counsel.

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.379
 I don't mean

00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.719
 pop psychology counseling.

00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:46.439
 Right?

00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.139
 Ask a brother

00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.479
 or ask a sister.

00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.719
 Ask a leader

00:19:50.719 --> 00:19:52.059
 about a situation.

00:19:52.219 --> 00:19:53.079
 Do the others first

00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:53.740
 and then ask.

00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.939
 What do you think?

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.019
 What's your perception

00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.759
 of this situation?

00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.699
 Proverbs 27.9

00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.139
 says,

00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.279
 Oil and perfume

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.519
 make the heart glad

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.719
 and the sweetness

00:20:03.719 --> 00:20:04.979
 of a friend

00:20:04.979 --> 00:20:06.599
 comes from his earnest

00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.740
 counsel.

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.059
 Again,

00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:09.979
 in the book of Colossians

00:20:09.979 --> 00:20:10.799
 1.28

00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.539
 Him we proclaim,

00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.299
 Jesus Christ.

00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.039
 Him we proclaim,

00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.079
 warning everyone

00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.680
 and teaching everyone

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.659
 with all wisdom

00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.960
 that we may present

00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.379
 everyone mature

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.759
 in Christ.

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.839
 So if you desire to,

00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.539
 if you want to walk

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.059
 in wisdom,

00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:26.180
 these are the sources.

00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.899
 These are the ways

00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:28.680
 in which you gather wisdom

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.899
 that you may walk

00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:30.759
 as such.

00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.339
 We're supposed to walk

00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.720
 in wisdom,

00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:33.420
 but specifically,

00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.059
 Paul says,

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:36.119
 toward outsiders.

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.440
 Toward outsiders.

00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:38.220
 And I just want to point

00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.899
 out two things

00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:40.779
 from that two-word phrase.

00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.460
 Firstly,

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:43.920
 Christians should

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.920
 interact with those

00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.220
 who are not of the faith.

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.900
 Christians should

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.920
 interact with those

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.160
 who are not

00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.940
 of the faith.

00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.660
 We often tend

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.079
 to be

00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:54.819
 so monastic.

00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.860
 We pull ourselves in.

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.299
 We huddle together

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.900
 in the castle,

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:00.779
 rather than being

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.579
 the army that goes

00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.200
 and advances

00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.880
 against

00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.600
 the purposes

00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.240
 of the devil.

00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.200
 The presupposition

00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.980
 in this phrase

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.920
 is that they will.

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.200
 There's an assumption

00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.700
 there that

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.980
 Christian people

00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.100
 will be interacting

00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.100
 with outsiders.

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.720
 That there will be

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.240
 a normative thing

00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.240
 happening there,

00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:19.259
 not a monastic thing,

00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:20.100
 a pulling away

00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:21.519
 from the world.

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.600
 But we are to follow

00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.320
 the example

00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:24.880
 of our Lord

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:26.019
 who ate

00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.900
 with sinners

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:28.740
 and tax collectors.

00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:30.779
 Mark 2.16.

00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:31.920
 Firstly,

00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:32.700
 secondly,

00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:34.840
 when those

00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:36.140
 who profess Christ

00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.440
 display foolishness

00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.940
 toward outsiders,

00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.319
 the gospel

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.200
 of Jesus Christ

00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.519
 appears to be

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.160
 of little worth.

00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.400
 Do you recognize

00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.799
 that so many of us

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.559
 seem to be

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.980
 peddlers

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:54.140
 of a belief

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.980
 that doesn't really

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.840
 have any bearing

00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.380
 and effect

00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.059
 in our life

00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.880
 at all?

00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.019
 In some ways

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.600
 it does.

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.600
 Maybe for you,

00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.859
 your faith

00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.299
 somehow

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.099
 is affirming

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.919
 to you,

00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.679
 you have some

00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:06.299
 experience

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.559
 that you enjoy,

00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.119
 but it hasn't

00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.399
 changed who you are

00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.359
 in an outward way

00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.399
 that people can see

00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:12.259
 and observe

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.159
 that this person

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.819
 doesn't walk

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.839
 as a fool,

00:22:14.959 --> 00:22:15.659
 this person

00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.480
 walks in the way

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.699
 of wisdom.

00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.219
 Quite a few months ago

00:22:20.219 --> 00:22:20.899
 we started studying

00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.759
 the book of Proverbs

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.379
 together in our

00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.119
 community outreach groups

00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.079
 for this very reason.

00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.879
 We should be a people

00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.659
 very familiar

00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.379
 with the ways

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:27.759
 of wisdom,

00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.339
 the way in which

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.059
 God has designed

00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.220
 and built the world

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.460
 though corrupted

00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.119
 by sin

00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.759
 and disrupted

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.619
 there are still

00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.819
 things at play

00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.419
 in the world

00:22:35.419 --> 00:22:36.359
 that are right

00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.220
 and proper ways

00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.879
 that we should live

00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.839
 and people can see

00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.339
 that.

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.259
 Do you know

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.379
 a Christian person

00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.159
 whose life seems

00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:43.980
 to be fairly put

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.399
 together

00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.699
 because they walk

00:22:45.699 --> 00:22:46.099
 in the way

00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.099
 of wisdom?

00:22:48.199 --> 00:22:48.960
 And there's this

00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.039
 affirming

00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.460
 note because

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.480
 of who you are

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.740
 to the gospel

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.279
 of Jesus Christ.

00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.119
 Some of you

00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.420
 are more of a mess

00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.019
 than the people

00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.819
 around you.

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.039
 Does the gospel

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.899
 have power

00:23:01.899 --> 00:23:02.579
 to affect

00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.599
 and to change

00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.379
 and to direct

00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:04.960
 your life?

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.379
 Of course it does.

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.819
 You should be living

00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.180
 in light of that.

00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.659
 So we are to

00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.879
 walk in wisdom

00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.539
 towards outsiders

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.859
 and make the best

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:20.019
 use of the time

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.079
 making the best

00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:23.480
 use of the time.

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.359
 Beloved,

00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.119
 our lives

00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:27.000
 are very,

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.839
 very short.

00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:29.940
 And I know

00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.359
 that it doesn't

00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.259
 always feel that way.

00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.619
 College students,

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.920
 your life right now

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.980
 seems to take

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.519
 an eternity

00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.619
 because you have

00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.460
 a plan of study

00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.480
 and you can see

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.220
 everything you're

00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.900
 going to have to do

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.740
 until this phase

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.359
 of your life

00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.579
 is over.

00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.180
 If you don't have

00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.619
 a plan of study

00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.220
 you should get one.

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.019
 Trying to get

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.720
 to that spot

00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.859
 and get to that end.

00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:48.940
 I'll tell you

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.400
 right now

00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.480
 that being beyond

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.480
 that and not

00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:53.200
 having the major

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.680
 thing coming next,

00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.340
 your life accelerates.

00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.000
 I think if you ask

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.360
 the older folks

00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.100
 in the room

00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.880
 if this is true,

00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:01.500
 it absolutely is.

00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.880
 Where has this

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.840
 decade gone?

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.019
 We are halfway

00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:05.900
 through it already.

00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.720
 It's staggering

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.120
 to me

00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.480
 that this is the case.

00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:09.680
 Our life

00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.380
 is so incredibly

00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.340
 fleeting.

00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:13.620
 The Bible

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.280
 speaks of this.

00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.900
 Psalm 103,

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.940
 15 and 16,

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.740
 as for man,

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.180
 his days are like

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.840
 grass.

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.120
 He flourishes

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.900
 like a flower

00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.860
 of the field

00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.680
 for the wind

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.940
 passes over it

00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:25.160
 and it is gone

00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.539
 and its place

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.440
 knows it

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.640
 no more.

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.680
 Not very significant

00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.880
 in span

00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:33.320
 are our lives.

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:33.820
 Our lives

00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:34.860
 are incredibly

00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.840
 short.

00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.720
 And the opportunities

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.580
 to share

00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.080
 the supremacy

00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:39.960
 of Jesus Christ

00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.340
 are limited.

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:43.019
 so we should

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.240
 leverage our time

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.919
 for the sake

00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:46.079
 of the kingdom.

00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.019
 Every moment

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.539
 that we have,

00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.319
 every possibility

00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:49.980
 that we have

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.980
 to work for the kingdom

00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.459
 ought to be used

00:24:52.459 --> 00:24:53.199
 in that manner

00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:54.000
 because our lives

00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.959
 are so,

00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:57.019
 so very fleeting.

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.500
 We too often

00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.619
 live as if

00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.179
 this life

00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:01.159
 is all that there is.

00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.179
 Christian people

00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.099
 who should have

00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.259
 minds set on eternity

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.220
 so often live

00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.599
 like this is it.

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.740
 My joy

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.559
 and satisfaction

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.759
 right now

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.399
 in the things

00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:10.899
 of this world

00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.920
 is all that matters

00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.580
 because there is

00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.660
 nothing out

00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.460
 and beyond

00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.720
 which is so,

00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:19.000
 so very foolish.

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.900
 Do not divorce

00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.620
 making the best use

00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.519
 of the time

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.960
 from walk in wisdom.

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.259
 The two things

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.160
 carry together.

00:25:28.280 --> 00:25:28.519
 Remember,

00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.720
 we're in the same sentence

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.000
 here.

00:25:30.060 --> 00:25:30.700
 Walk in wisdom

00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:32.600
 and make the best use

00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.500
 of the time.

00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.340
 It's foolish

00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:36.019
 not to do so.

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.100
 Psalm 90,

00:25:38.300 --> 00:25:39.040
 verse 12

00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:39.880
 says,

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:41.280
 so teach us

00:25:41.280 --> 00:25:43.320
 to number our days

00:25:43.320 --> 00:25:44.880
 that we may get

00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.620
 a heart

00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:47.120
 of wisdom.

00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.820
 The psalmist is saying,

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.640
 give us proper

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.940
 and right perspective

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.360
 on our life.

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.760
 Help us to know

00:25:53.760 --> 00:25:54.820
 not the specific

00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.820
 number of our days.

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:57.040
 That's not the prayer

00:25:57.040 --> 00:25:57.720
 happening here,

00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:58.860
 but to help us to know

00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:00.000
 that our life is short

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.160
 and it is passing

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.240
 and it is fleeting

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.760
 so that we will walk

00:26:03.760 --> 00:26:04.820
 wisely.

00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.840
 We will have hearts

00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:07.120
 of wisdom.

00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.339
 Again,

00:26:08.399 --> 00:26:09.219
 the parallel text

00:26:09.219 --> 00:26:10.039
 to our text

00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.659
 in Colossians,

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.459
 Ephesians 5,

00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:12.679
 16 and 17

00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.459
 says,

00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:15.279
 making the best use

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.199
 of the time

00:26:16.199 --> 00:26:17.799
 because the days

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.099
 are evil.

00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.759
 The days are evil.

00:26:20.979 --> 00:26:21.519
 Verse 17,

00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:21.899
 therefore,

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.739
 do not be foolish,

00:26:24.199 --> 00:26:25.359
 but understand

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.539
 what the will

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.119
 of the Lord

00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:28.579
 is.

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.919
 Are you foolish

00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:31.679
 with your time?

00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:34.000
 We should not

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.880
 waste it.

00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.660
 You have a limited

00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.840
 number of years,

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.720
 a limited number

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.299
 of days,

00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:41.440
 a limited number

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:43.140
 of hours.

00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.560
 What do you waste

00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:46.500
 your time on?

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.460
 I believe that in America

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.560
 one of our greatest

00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:52.220
 vices is leisure.

00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.220
 Which isn't to say

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.640
 that we're not

00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.680
 meant to rest.

00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.320
 We're designed

00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.860
 that way

00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:01.019
 as creation

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:03.039
 that's sinful.

00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.059
 Things have been

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.559
 disrupted.

00:27:04.719 --> 00:27:05.699
 We're falling apart.

00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.539
 A lot of you young people

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.639
 are still building.

00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.439
 Soon,

00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.079
 you're going to start

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.019
 degrading.

00:27:12.699 --> 00:27:14.059
 We're not invincible.

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.279
 We're designed

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.199
 to go through cycles.

00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.859
 We're designed to rest.

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.319
 I'm not saying

00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.279
 that we can't rest.

00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:18.959
 I'm not even saying

00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:19.679
 that we can't rest

00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.500
 doing things.

00:27:20.719 --> 00:27:21.379
 I'm not just saying

00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:22.319
 only sleep.

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.179
 There's relaxing things

00:27:24.179 --> 00:27:24.659
 that help us

00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.579
 to reset our minds.

00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:27.439
 There's a good design

00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.139
 for us to be

00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:29.220
 doing this.

00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:32.059
 But what are we doing

00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.679
 with the extra free time?

00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:35.039
 The out and beyond?

00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.559
 I want my life

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.039
 to be spent

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:39.839
 to the very last drop.

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.079
 I want to leave it

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.939
 all on the table

00:27:41.939 --> 00:27:43.119
 when I die.

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.779
 You will not look back

00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.500
 at your life

00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.779
 on your deathbed

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.379
 and say,

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.599
 if only I had spent

00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.819
 a little more time

00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.299
 playing video games.

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.039
 If I could have

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.960
 just passed that level,

00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.120
 my life would be complete.

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.420
 I wish I had given

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.860
 more of my time

00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:01.720
 to Facebook.

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.940
 My life would have

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.960
 been better spent

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.960
 being more versed

00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.500
 in UGA football

00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:11.100
 history and stats.

00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:14.039
 I'm not against

00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.720
 watch football.

00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.200
 I don't care.

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.880
 I'm just saying,

00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.680
 how much of your time

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.240
 do you invest

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.220
 in these pursuits?

00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.319
 I just wanted

00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.279
 more time

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.279
 in my deer stand.

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:27.019
 I would be happy

00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:28.920
 if I could dig my toes

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.019
 into beach sand

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.480
 one more time.

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.839
 You will, however,

00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.000
 if you are in Christ,

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:37.299
 have more heavenward

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.379
 regrets.

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.359
 I think we all will.

00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:41.200
 I would like to be able

00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.220
 to say that on my deathbed

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.779
 I will be fully satisfied

00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.299
 with the life

00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:45.180
 that I lived for the Lord.

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.980
 I'm sure I will have regrets,

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.059
 but I hope at least

00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:49.579
 they're heavenward.

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:49.940
 Like,

00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.220
 I wish I had given

00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.900
 more time to my

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.820
 lost family members.

00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.980
 If only I had invested

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.360
 more gospel

00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.700
 in my children.

00:28:58.700 --> 00:29:00.000
 If only I had served

00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.840
 my pastor more.

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.740
 I said that one

00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.059
 to make sure

00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.680
 you're paying attention.

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.620
 I'm kidding, of course.

00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:10.000
 I hope that our hearts

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.700
 can join with

00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.519
 that of David Brainerd.

00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.080
 This is on the front

00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.680
 of your bulletin.

00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.680
 David Brainerd

00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.019
 was an 18th century missionary

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.200
 to the Delaware Indians

00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.920
 of New Jersey.

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:20.180
 Not New Jersey as it is.

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.500
 It was very rough.

00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.120
 It was a wilderness

00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:23.539
 at the time.

00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:24.860
 And he said,

00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:26.980
 Oh, how precious is time

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.640
 and how it pains me

00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:30.400
 to see it slide away

00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:32.140
 while I do so little

00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:34.100
 to any good purpose.

00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.700
 Paul writes in Romans

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.940
 chapter 13,

00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.620
 verse 11 through 14,

00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.120
 Besides this,

00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.160
 you know the time

00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.320
 that the hour has come

00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:44.000
 for you to wake

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.860
 from sleep.

00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:46.300
 For salvation is nearer

00:29:46.300 --> 00:29:46.720
 to us now

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.820
 than when we first believed.

00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.420
 The night is far gone,

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.580
 the day is at hand.

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.400
 So then let us

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.300
 cast off the works

00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:52.720
 of darkness

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.680
 and put on the armor

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.180
 of light.

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.560
 Let us walk properly

00:29:55.560 --> 00:29:56.400
 as in the daytime,

00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.640
 not in orgies

00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.300
 and drunkenness,

00:29:58.620 --> 00:30:00.000
 not in sexual immorality

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.820
 and sensuality,

00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.100
 not in quarreling

00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:02.900
 and jealousy,

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.080
 but put on

00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:05.340
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:06.400
 and make no provision

00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.160
 for the flesh

00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.980
 to gratify its desires.

00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.640
 You see that

00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.420
 what he's saying

00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.200
 about the importance

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.300
 of us putting on

00:30:12.300 --> 00:30:13.080
 new self,

00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:13.860
 that is putting on

00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:15.160
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.220
 in light of

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.279
 the evil days

00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.140
 and the shortness

00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:18.680
 of time.

00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:20.500
 Pursue righteousness

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.839
 with your time.

00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.420
 Make the best use

00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.220
 of it.

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.799
 Charles Spurgeon said,

00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.480
 this is all in your bulletin

00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.799
 as well,

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:30.359
 serve God by doing

00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.899
 common actions

00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:33.619
 in a heavenly spirit

00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.319
 and then,

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:36.139
 if your daily calling

00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:37.059
 only leaves you

00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.259
 cracks and crevices

00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.940
 of time,

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.379
 fill them up

00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:41.819
 with holy service.

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.940
 I'm not suggesting

00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.759
 that everybody

00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:47.000
 stop working,

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.319
 please don't do that,

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.740
 stop going to school

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.680
 and devote

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.200
 100% of their time

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.659
 to vocational service

00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.579
 of the kingdom.

00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.279
 God has intended

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.619
 to work in so many

00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.539
 varied ways

00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.119
 in the world

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.339
 by giving us

00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:01.000
 tasks,

00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.700
 schooling,

00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.539
 jobs.

00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.539
 Those things are good

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.399
 and right

00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:05.700
 and proper to do,

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.879
 but to do so

00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:08.099
 with that heavenward

00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.420
 bent,

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.379
 to do so in order

00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.519
 to glorify God.

00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.519
 Sometimes that means

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.519
 you're going to do

00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:14.039
 things that are mundane

00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:15.059
 and seem pointless

00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.720
 and boring,

00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.899
 but you're to do them

00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:18.099
 with a right and proper

00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:19.180
 heart through the glory

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.619
 of God.

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.599
 You don't have to

00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.500
 understand completely

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.359
 how it is that God

00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:23.259
 is working and moving

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.039
 in those mundane

00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:25.160
 things of life.

00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.700
 Take the classes

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.220
 that aren't part

00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:27.759
 of your major.

00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.060
 Work the job.

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.940
 Do whatever is asked

00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.920
 of you to do.

00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:32.440
 That's cleaning the floors

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.720
 or typing up a spreadsheet.

00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.019
 Do it for the glory

00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.940
 of God.

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.600
 And what Spurgeon here

00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:37.019
 is suggesting

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.420
 is you take the extra time

00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.600
 and you fill it in

00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.660
 with things that are

00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:43.540
 particularly of holy service.

00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:45.180
 The cracks

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.740
 and the crevices.

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.860
 Many of you don't fill

00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.980
 the cracks and crevices

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:50.100
 with that type

00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:51.120
 of activity.

00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:51.920
 Some of you

00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:54.080
 have large gaps,

00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.740
 huge schisms

00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.259
 to fill

00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:58.019
 and you should figure

00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.079
 the best use

00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:00.359
 of that time.

00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:02.000
 So display.

00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.579
 Display the supremacy

00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:05.299
 of Jesus Christ

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.159
 in the way you live

00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.859
 before others

00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.579
 and proclaim it.

00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.619
 Let your speech

00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.960
 always be gracious.

00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:13.220
 Season with salt

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.559
 so that you

00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.460
 may know

00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.119
 how to answer.

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:16.599
 Excuse me.

00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.319
 So that you may know

00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.500
 how you ought to answer

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:20.299
 each person.

00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.740
 Now before we address

00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:23.079
 the specific exhortation,

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:24.000
 I'd first like to make

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.140
 just a few comments

00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:26.319
 and point you to

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.240
 a few references

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:29.599
 concerning speech.

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.440
 And I want to do so

00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.180
 because the Scripture

00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.380
 throws a great deal

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.079
 of weight

00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:35.460
 into warnings

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:37.400
 concerning what we say

00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:39.240
 and how we say it.

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.039
 I also want to do so

00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.400
 because we're a small

00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.059
 congregation

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:45.440
 of a lot of young people

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:47.799
 and news travels fast

00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.019
 in this congregation.

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:51.139
 You all have no idea

00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:52.339
 how many things

00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.000
 I hear

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.160
 throughout a week

00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:55.019
 that I find

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.960
 it's not my business

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.599
 to know.

00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.299
 There's a lot of

00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.680
 gossiping

00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.819
 that happens.

00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.139
 And I think sometimes

00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:03.039
 with the best intention,

00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.599
 with the hope of

00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.980
 helping us all

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.900
 to be transparent,

00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.720
 a lot of times

00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.799
 that's not your place.

00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.440
 What you end up doing

00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.700
 is you betray trust

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.940
 rather than helping

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.759
 build it

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.960
 in people.

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.180
 So let's look

00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:17.720
 at a few places.

00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.539
 I want you to go with me

00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.779
 to Luke chapter 6.

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:37.680
 Verses 43, 44, and 45.

00:33:38.399 --> 00:33:39.220
 This should be familiar

00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.680
 to you

00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:41.319
 if you were singing

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.079
 with us this morning

00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:42.759
 with the kids.

00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.079
 Jesus said,

00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.319
 Therefore,

00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:48.480
 no good tree

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:50.220
 bears bad fruit,

00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:51.699
 nor again does a bad tree

00:33:51.699 --> 00:33:52.639
 bear good fruit,

00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.859
 for each tree is known

00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:55.379
 by its own fruit.

00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.419
 For figs are not gathered

00:33:56.419 --> 00:33:57.119
 from thorn bushes,

00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.279
 nor are grapes

00:33:58.279 --> 00:34:00.159
 picked from a bramble bush

00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:02.059
 or bananas from plum trees.

00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:04.039
 The good person

00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:05.119
 out of the good treasure

00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:05.619
 of his heart

00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:06.399
 produces good,

00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.519
 and the evil person

00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.920
 out of his evil treasure

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:10.159
 produces evil,

00:34:10.299 --> 00:34:11.119
 for out of the abundance

00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.519
 of the heart

00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:14.099
 his mouth speaks.

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:17.480
 Now, Jesus is directly

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.480
 speaking to,

00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:20.279
 he's specifically speaking

00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:21.139
 to in this text

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.000
 to the Pharisees,

00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:23.599
 and he's pointing out

00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:25.719
 their evil nature

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.880
 because of the words

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.679
 that they speak.

00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.059
 But the truth of this

00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.739
 gives application

00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:30.440
 to us as well.

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.179
 Those who are found

00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.799
 in Christ,

00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:33.480
 if we don't speak

00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.420
 true things,

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.400
 if our language

00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:37.219
 is not grace-filled,

00:34:37.299 --> 00:34:38.279
 it says something

00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:39.219
 about our heart.

00:34:39.739 --> 00:34:40.679
 Even if it's redeemed

00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.159
 in Christ,

00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:41.759
 it says something

00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:42.440
 about our heart.

00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.780
 Possibly that we still

00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:44.559
 love the sin,

00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.599
 we love the gossip,

00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.780
 we love the no,

00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.320
 more than we love

00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:49.860
 Christ and his kingdom

00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:51.200
 and his ways.

00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.679
 It speaks about

00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.860
 who we are.

00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:55.200
 This is why I try

00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:55.860
 to be very careful

00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.659
 with my language.

00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.780
 I know I'm not always

00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.260
 very careful

00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:59.079
 with my language.

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.679
 One of the great

00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.740
 troubles of my heart

00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:02.800
 when I get up to preach

00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:04.039
 is that I give

00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.780
 misunderstanding

00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:05.920
 to something that's

00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:06.539
 of weight

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.639
 and is true.

00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.579
 It's the reason

00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.440
 that we're very careful

00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:11.300
 about what we call,

00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:12.060
 what we do up here

00:35:12.060 --> 00:35:12.920
 with music.

00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.460
 It's why we're very careful

00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.260
 to not talk about

00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:16.240
 altar calls

00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:16.920
 because Jesus

00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:18.000
 has once and for all

00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:19.420
 paid the price.

00:35:19.560 --> 00:35:20.260
 There's no longer

00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:21.720
 a need for an altar.

00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:23.580
 The work has been finished.

00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:24.660
 It's why we're careful

00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.880
 about calling this building

00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:27.180
 the church

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:28.440
 because it's not.

00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.300
 It's a building.

00:35:29.580 --> 00:35:30.620
 It's turning to dust

00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:31.080
 someday,

00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:32.800
 but we are God's

00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.860
 holy people

00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:35.260
 because out of the

00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:36.360
 abundance of our hearts,

00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:38.220
 our mouth speaks.

00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:40.019
 Listen to what James

00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.599
 had to say

00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:42.139
 about the way

00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:42.739
 we speak.

00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.759
 James chapter 3.

00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.380
 Go there with me,

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:44.759
 please.

00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.900
 James chapter 3,

00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:58.659
 beginning in verse 3.

00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.360
 James here talks

00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.119
 about the tongue.

00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:00.780
 He's talking about

00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:01.400
 the speech.

00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:02.559
 What we do

00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:03.219
 with our mouths

00:36:03.219 --> 00:36:04.059
 is what he means.

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:06.380
 If we put bits

00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.119
 into the mouths

00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.719
 of horses

00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:08.880
 so that they obey us,

00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:10.460
 we guide their whole body

00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.320
 as well.

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.440
 A very small thing

00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.380
 guides the entire body

00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:13.820
 of a horse.

00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.719
 Look at the ships also.

00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:17.739
 Though they are so large

00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.340
 and are driven

00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:19.779
 by strong winds,

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.659
 they are guided

00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:22.639
 by a very small rudder

00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:24.099
 wherever the will

00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:25.599
 of the pilot directs.

00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:27.239
 So also,

00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.279
 the tongue

00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:29.500
 is a small member,

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.799
 yet it boasts

00:36:30.799 --> 00:36:31.799
 of great things.

00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:33.519
 How great a forest

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.519
 is set ablaze

00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:36.440
 by such a small fire.

00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.000
 And the tongue

00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:38.680
 is a fire,

00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:40.200
 a world of unrighteousness.

00:36:40.660 --> 00:36:41.019
 The tongue

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:42.240
 is set among our members,

00:36:42.460 --> 00:36:43.600
 staining the whole body,

00:36:44.060 --> 00:36:44.820
 setting on fire

00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:46.260
 the entire course of life,

00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:47.560
 and set on fire

00:36:47.560 --> 00:36:48.340
 by hell.

00:36:49.140 --> 00:36:49.800
 Strong words

00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.380
 about the tongue,

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.000
 are they not?

00:36:51.100 --> 00:36:51.620
 Verse 7.

00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:52.640
 For every kind

00:36:52.640 --> 00:36:53.800
 of beast and bird,

00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:55.100
 of reptile and sea creature

00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:56.060
 can be tamed

00:36:56.060 --> 00:36:57.320
 and has been tamed

00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:57.900
 by mankind,

00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:59.640
 but no human being

00:36:59.640 --> 00:37:00.620
 can tame the tongue.

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:02.299
 It is a restless evil,

00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.900
 full of deadly poison.

00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.219
 With it we bless

00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:05.980
 our Lord and Father,

00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.900
 and with it we curse

00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:07.839
 people who are made

00:37:07.839 --> 00:37:09.000
 in the likeness of God.

00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:10.460
 From the same mouth

00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.339
 come blessing

00:37:11.339 --> 00:37:12.480
 and cursing.

00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:13.380
 My brothers,

00:37:13.719 --> 00:37:14.519
 these things

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.960
 ought not be so.

00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:17.279
 Does a spring

00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:18.079
 pour forth

00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:19.099
 from the same opening

00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:19.819
 both fresh

00:37:19.819 --> 00:37:20.859
 and salt water?

00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:22.059
 Can a fig tree,

00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.559
 my brothers,

00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:23.239
 bear olives,

00:37:23.299 --> 00:37:24.239
 or a grapevine

00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:25.219
 produce figs?

00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:27.400
 Neither can a salt pond

00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:29.000
 yield fresh water.

00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:30.739
 And this question

00:37:30.739 --> 00:37:32.019
 should ring in our heads.

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:32.940
 Is it even possible

00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.820
 to tame the tongue?

00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.940
 Can mankind

00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:35.840
 tame the tongue?

00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.500
 And the answer to that

00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:36.980
 is no,

00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.119
 but God can.

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.800
 What we speak

00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.500
 is an overflow

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:42.280
 of our heart.

00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:44.019
 And God changes

00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:45.179
 our hearts.

00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:46.099
 And so we have to be

00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:47.219
 constantly checking

00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:48.340
 what we say

00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:50.159
 and why we say it

00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:51.280
 because it's indicative.

00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:52.760
 It's a symptom

00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:53.820
 of what's going on

00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:55.800
 inside of our heart.

00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:57.920
 One last quick note

00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.420
 and we'll get back

00:37:58.420 --> 00:37:59.400
 to the main exhortation.

00:37:59.820 --> 00:38:00.880
 Proverbs 26, 20.

00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:02.080
 I happened across this

00:38:02.080 --> 00:38:03.019
 this week,

00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:04.019
 which was timely

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.560
 and wonderful.

00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:05.300
 It says,

00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.519
 For lack of wood,

00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:08.140
 the fire goes out

00:38:08.140 --> 00:38:09.500
 and where there is

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:10.539
 no whisperer,

00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:12.880
 quarreling ceases.

00:38:14.160 --> 00:38:14.900
 I think that needs

00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.800
 to set in some

00:38:15.800 --> 00:38:16.340
 of your minds

00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:17.160
 this week.

00:38:18.140 --> 00:38:19.060
 So verse 6,

00:38:19.140 --> 00:38:20.000
 let your speech

00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:22.539
 always be gracious.

00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:24.460
 Gracious speech

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.300
 is what we're to have

00:38:25.300 --> 00:38:25.820
 as believers.

00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:27.360
 NASB renders this,

00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.139
 Let your speech

00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:29.960
 always be with grace,

00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.940
 which I really like

00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:32.539
 the translation that way.

00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.240
 Let your speech

00:38:33.240 --> 00:38:36.559
 always be with grace.

00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:37.300
 And that is,

00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:38.360
 the redeemed

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:39.960
 should speak like

00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:41.320
 their Redeemer.

00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:42.420
 Luke 4, 22.

00:38:42.900 --> 00:38:43.940
 And all spoke well

00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.519
 of Him,

00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:45.400
 Jesus Christ,

00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:46.599
 and marveled

00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:47.960
 at the gracious words

00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:49.039
 that were coming

00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:50.340
 from His mouth.

00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:52.019
 The words that we speak

00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:53.740
 should be with grace.

00:38:53.739 --> 00:38:54.659
 And I take that

00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.239
 to mean that they

00:38:55.239 --> 00:38:56.279
 should be both

00:38:56.279 --> 00:38:57.279
 from grace

00:38:57.279 --> 00:38:59.699
 and for grace.

00:39:00.359 --> 00:39:00.899
 From grace,

00:39:00.959 --> 00:39:02.000
 we can see verse 3.

00:39:02.799 --> 00:39:03.179
 Paul writes,

00:39:03.259 --> 00:39:04.199
 At the same time,

00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:06.039
 pray also for us

00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:07.319
 that God may open

00:39:07.319 --> 00:39:07.779
 to us a door

00:39:07.779 --> 00:39:08.199
 for the Word

00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:09.019
 to declare the mystery

00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:09.479
 of Christ,

00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:10.459
 that God would give us

00:39:10.459 --> 00:39:11.059
 opportunity

00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:12.959
 to declare the gospel

00:39:12.959 --> 00:39:14.039
 on account of which

00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:14.619
 I am in prison.

00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:15.299
 And then verse 4,

00:39:15.359 --> 00:39:15.899
 here we're picking

00:39:15.899 --> 00:39:16.739
 verse 4 back up

00:39:16.739 --> 00:39:17.659
 from last week

00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.439
 and bringing it in,

00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:20.899
 that I may make it clear

00:39:20.899 --> 00:39:22.479
 which is how I ought

00:39:22.479 --> 00:39:22.899
 to speak.

00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.380
 And so you see

00:39:23.380 --> 00:39:24.260
 what Paul is saying is,

00:39:24.480 --> 00:39:25.660
 please pray for me

00:39:25.660 --> 00:39:26.720
 that I have both

00:39:26.720 --> 00:39:29.480
 opportunity and clarity

00:39:29.480 --> 00:39:30.700
 in my speech.

00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:32.700
 So it's from grace.

00:39:32.860 --> 00:39:33.519
 Paul recognizes

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.860
 that he needs God

00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:36.360
 to work in the way

00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:38.320
 in which he shares.

00:39:38.760 --> 00:39:39.680
 Also the last part

00:39:39.680 --> 00:39:40.420
 of verse 6,

00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:42.340
 so that you may know

00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:44.200
 how you ought to answer

00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:45.559
 each person.

00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:47.119
 How are we to know?

00:39:47.740 --> 00:39:49.119
 We are to speak

00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:51.039
 with grace,

00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:52.099
 with the grace

00:39:52.099 --> 00:39:53.279
 that God provides

00:39:53.279 --> 00:39:54.519
 to give us words

00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:55.579
 for utterance

00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.360
 of the gospel.

00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.019
 So we're to speak

00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:57.559
 from grace,

00:39:57.639 --> 00:39:58.279
 we're also to speak

00:39:58.279 --> 00:40:00.000
 for grace.

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:01.980
 To bring it about

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:03.079
 in others.

00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:04.059
 Ephesians 4.29

00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:04.360
 says,

00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:05.599
 let no corrupting talk

00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:06.779
 come out of your mouths,

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:08.500
 but only such as is good

00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:09.820
 for building up

00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:11.340
 as fits the occasion

00:40:11.340 --> 00:40:13.739
 that it may give grace

00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:15.779
 to those who hear.

00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:16.860
 So whether you're speaking

00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.560
 to an outsider

00:40:17.560 --> 00:40:20.960
 or for the sake of my language

00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:21.860
 call them the insiders,

00:40:22.580 --> 00:40:24.160
 those who are outside of faith

00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:25.060
 or in faith,

00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:26.240
 our talks should be

00:40:26.240 --> 00:40:28.400
 building one another up.

00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:30.140
 Our language is to be

00:40:30.140 --> 00:40:31.920
 seasoned with salt.

00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:34.820
 Salt is purifying.

00:40:35.640 --> 00:40:36.200
 Something is,

00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.360
 if you have a wound,

00:40:37.600 --> 00:40:38.400
 salt is a way

00:40:38.400 --> 00:40:39.600
 that you can heal that wound,

00:40:39.700 --> 00:40:40.900
 that you can kill

00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.680
 the stuff in the wound

00:40:41.680 --> 00:40:42.640
 that's bad for the wound.

00:40:42.720 --> 00:40:43.400
 It's purifying.

00:40:43.780 --> 00:40:44.600
 It's preserving.

00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:46.579
 Most of us know this.

00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.679
 In case you don't know this,

00:40:48.099 --> 00:40:49.159
 a lot of your preserved food

00:40:49.159 --> 00:40:50.139
 has salt in it.

00:40:50.219 --> 00:40:51.400
 It helps with that process.

00:40:52.259 --> 00:40:53.440
 And it's flavorful.

00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:54.699
 It's the way

00:40:54.699 --> 00:40:55.799
 that our speech should be.

00:40:55.900 --> 00:40:56.699
 It should be purifying,

00:40:56.860 --> 00:40:57.179
 preserving,

00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.860
 and it should be flavorful.

00:40:58.960 --> 00:40:59.900
 I really tried to find you

00:40:59.900 --> 00:41:00.799
 a third P there

00:41:00.799 --> 00:41:01.360
 for flavorful,

00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:03.599
 but pungent didn't have

00:41:03.599 --> 00:41:04.679
 the white ring to it.

00:41:04.940 --> 00:41:06.819
 So it's purifying,

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.360
 it's preserving,

00:41:07.659 --> 00:41:08.579
 and it's flavorful.

00:41:08.619 --> 00:41:09.199
 And our speech

00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:10.960
 should also be such.

00:41:11.779 --> 00:41:13.960
 And we should know

00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:14.820
 how to answer

00:41:14.820 --> 00:41:16.440
 each person.

00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:17.320
 Again, verse 4,

00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:19.179
 that I may make it clear,

00:41:19.579 --> 00:41:21.280
 which is how I ought

00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:22.820
 to speak.

00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.820
 Because God employs

00:41:24.820 --> 00:41:25.900
 human means

00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:27.300
 in His salvific purposes,

00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:29.380
 we should give clear

00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:30.579
 presentations of the gospel

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:33.019
 and appropriate responses

00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.740
 to objections

00:41:33.740 --> 00:41:34.480
 to the gospel.

00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:35.860
 We should be able

00:41:35.860 --> 00:41:36.500
 to do this.

00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:37.940
 If you're found in Christ,

00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:38.740
 you should be able

00:41:38.739 --> 00:41:39.859
 to do this.

00:41:39.959 --> 00:41:41.639
 And if you can't do this,

00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:43.979
 in even the basest of ways,

00:41:44.219 --> 00:41:45.339
 you may feel foolish

00:41:45.339 --> 00:41:46.119
 as you're doing it,

00:41:46.319 --> 00:41:47.059
 you may not think

00:41:47.059 --> 00:41:47.719
 you're giving clear

00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:48.439
 explanation,

00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:49.399
 but if you can't do this

00:41:49.399 --> 00:41:50.259
 in the basest of ways,

00:41:50.339 --> 00:41:51.219
 I have a concern

00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:52.239
 for your soul.

00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:53.839
 Hear me carefully.

00:41:54.799 --> 00:41:56.099
 If you have responded

00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:57.259
 in faith to the gospel

00:41:57.259 --> 00:41:58.000
 of Jesus Christ,

00:41:58.119 --> 00:41:58.899
 you should know

00:41:58.899 --> 00:41:59.639
 the doctrines

00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.179
 of the gospel

00:42:00.179 --> 00:42:01.139
 of Jesus Christ.

00:42:01.239 --> 00:42:01.979
 Not that you give them

00:42:01.979 --> 00:42:02.919
 fancy terms,

00:42:03.359 --> 00:42:04.099
 not that you use

00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:05.059
 flowery speech

00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:06.000
 to explain it,

00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:06.559
 that you give up

00:42:06.559 --> 00:42:07.679
 and you give a sermon

00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:08.559
 and someone's interested

00:42:08.559 --> 00:42:09.219
 in your faith

00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:10.340
 and you stand up

00:42:10.340 --> 00:42:10.659
 and you go,

00:42:10.759 --> 00:42:11.880
 well, let me tell you

00:42:11.880 --> 00:42:13.719
 and you thunder on with it.

00:42:13.820 --> 00:42:15.000
 But if you can't lay out

00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:16.039
 the simplicity

00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:17.059
 of the gospel,

00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:19.279
 I try to do this for you

00:42:19.279 --> 00:42:20.599
 week in and week out.

00:42:20.639 --> 00:42:22.000
 It's not all that complex.

00:42:22.759 --> 00:42:23.940
 But if you can't do that,

00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:24.759
 then I'm concerned

00:42:24.759 --> 00:42:25.619
 that you've believed

00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.059
 in something

00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:27.299
 that you don't even understand.

00:42:28.219 --> 00:42:29.480
 You can't possibly

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:30.940
 be found in Christ

00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:32.099
 if you don't know

00:42:32.099 --> 00:42:33.320
 the gospel.

00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:35.099
 And there are too many churches

00:42:35.099 --> 00:42:36.000
 that don't preach

00:42:36.000 --> 00:42:36.619
 the gospel.

00:42:37.679 --> 00:42:38.539
 Churches that ignore

00:42:38.539 --> 00:42:39.780
 sin altogether

00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:41.099
 and the just punishment

00:42:41.099 --> 00:42:41.639
 of it.

00:42:41.699 --> 00:42:42.179
 And that's where

00:42:42.179 --> 00:42:43.239
 the gospel starts.

00:42:43.940 --> 00:42:44.739
 The gospel starts

00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:45.800
 with a holy God

00:42:45.800 --> 00:42:47.119
 who had a standard

00:42:47.119 --> 00:42:47.760
 for us.

00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:48.539
 We're covering it

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.000
 with the kids.

00:42:49.079 --> 00:42:50.179
 He had one rule

00:42:50.179 --> 00:42:51.360
 and man broke it.

00:42:52.599 --> 00:42:53.820
 Separated us from him

00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:54.920
 eternally.

00:42:55.179 --> 00:42:56.159
 Nothing we could do

00:42:56.159 --> 00:42:56.699
 to get back

00:42:56.699 --> 00:42:57.380
 to that place.

00:42:57.739 --> 00:42:58.739
 We were then

00:42:58.739 --> 00:42:59.880
 by nature

00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:00.800
 sinful.

00:43:01.719 --> 00:43:02.360
 Adam is our

00:43:02.360 --> 00:43:03.219
 federal head.

00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:04.320
 We are all sinful

00:43:04.320 --> 00:43:05.539
 in Adam.

00:43:05.539 --> 00:43:07.219
 Born into sin.

00:43:07.779 --> 00:43:08.500
 If you don't have kids,

00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.460
 you'll know one day.

00:43:10.199 --> 00:43:11.480
 Born into that sin.

00:43:12.320 --> 00:43:13.239
 Willfully committing

00:43:13.239 --> 00:43:13.980
 sin.

00:43:14.480 --> 00:43:15.860
 In all kinds of ways

00:43:15.860 --> 00:43:16.400
 saying to God

00:43:16.400 --> 00:43:16.860
 that we hate him.

00:43:16.880 --> 00:43:17.619
 I've said this to you before.

00:43:17.840 --> 00:43:18.699
 We want to be king.

00:43:18.920 --> 00:43:20.019
 We want to be like God.

00:43:20.219 --> 00:43:21.460
 This very problem

00:43:21.460 --> 00:43:22.380
 that Adam and Eve had,

00:43:22.480 --> 00:43:23.219
 the very lie

00:43:23.219 --> 00:43:23.719
 that they believed

00:43:23.719 --> 00:43:24.400
 that Satan told them

00:43:24.400 --> 00:43:24.880
 is that they would be

00:43:24.880 --> 00:43:25.539
 like God

00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:25.860
 and they said

00:43:25.860 --> 00:43:27.039
 that sounds great.

00:43:27.480 --> 00:43:28.519
 We don't want to be creation.

00:43:28.659 --> 00:43:30.019
 We want to be creator.

00:43:30.719 --> 00:43:31.279
 And that's what

00:43:31.279 --> 00:43:32.300
 was disrupted there.

00:43:33.200 --> 00:43:34.320
 Christ sets that

00:43:34.320 --> 00:43:35.280
 straight for us.

00:43:35.680 --> 00:43:36.480
 Christ came and lived

00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:37.160
 a perfect life.

00:43:37.240 --> 00:43:37.820
 He had to.

00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:38.820
 He had to be both

00:43:38.820 --> 00:43:39.920
 human and divine.

00:43:40.200 --> 00:43:40.760
 He came and lived

00:43:40.760 --> 00:43:41.780
 a perfect life for us.

00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:42.820
 The perfect righteousness,

00:43:43.140 --> 00:43:44.200
 the fulfillment of the law,

00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:45.900
 God's holy standard

00:43:45.900 --> 00:43:47.019
 given to his people

00:43:47.019 --> 00:43:47.480
 to keep

00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:48.200
 in order for him

00:43:48.200 --> 00:43:49.360
 to keep his covenant promise,

00:43:49.580 --> 00:43:50.600
 we couldn't do.

00:43:50.920 --> 00:43:52.120
 Christ did it for us.

00:43:52.340 --> 00:43:52.880
 He came and lived

00:43:52.880 --> 00:43:54.400
 a perfect life,

00:43:54.600 --> 00:43:54.800
 right?

00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:56.160
 So that if we believe in him,

00:43:56.220 --> 00:43:57.200
 we're given righteousness.

00:43:57.519 --> 00:43:59.200
 We have his righteousness.

00:43:59.199 --> 00:44:01.379
 And he died a sinner's death.

00:44:01.500 --> 00:44:02.839
 He took our sin

00:44:02.839 --> 00:44:04.119
 and put it on himself,

00:44:04.299 --> 00:44:04.519
 right?

00:44:04.899 --> 00:44:05.579
 Just the death

00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:06.379
 wasn't enough,

00:44:06.980 --> 00:44:07.159
 right?

00:44:07.159 --> 00:44:07.739
 That would have brought us

00:44:07.739 --> 00:44:08.579
 back up to neutral.

00:44:08.819 --> 00:44:09.519
 That would have put us

00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:10.319
 at ground zero.

00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:11.759
 No longer a debt to God,

00:44:11.859 --> 00:44:12.919
 but we hadn't yet

00:44:12.919 --> 00:44:13.619
 made the payment

00:44:13.619 --> 00:44:14.359
 that was necessary,

00:44:14.480 --> 00:44:15.139
 which was righteousness.

00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:16.339
 So we have this

00:44:16.339 --> 00:44:18.759
 double imputation

00:44:18.759 --> 00:44:19.699
 that happens,

00:44:19.819 --> 00:44:20.000
 right?

00:44:20.079 --> 00:44:21.579
 Our sin given to Christ,

00:44:21.719 --> 00:44:22.399
 his righteousness

00:44:22.399 --> 00:44:23.419
 given to us.

00:44:23.599 --> 00:44:24.259
 Martin Luther called it

00:44:24.259 --> 00:44:25.460
 the great exchange,

00:44:26.079 --> 00:44:26.299
 right?

00:44:26.359 --> 00:44:27.379
 So that if we place

00:44:27.379 --> 00:44:29.139
 believing faith in him,

00:44:29.199 --> 00:44:30.480
 we are found right

00:44:30.480 --> 00:44:31.739
 before God.

00:44:32.299 --> 00:44:32.819
 You should be able

00:44:32.819 --> 00:44:33.819
 to explain this to people.

00:44:34.279 --> 00:44:34.939
 It doesn't have to use

00:44:34.939 --> 00:44:35.659
 the words I use.

00:44:36.119 --> 00:44:36.639
 You should be able

00:44:36.639 --> 00:44:37.059
 to do it.

00:44:37.239 --> 00:44:37.919
 There are resources

00:44:37.919 --> 00:44:39.359
 for you to do it with,

00:44:39.519 --> 00:44:39.719
 right?

00:44:39.839 --> 00:44:40.679
 You get all jumbled

00:44:40.679 --> 00:44:41.219
 and nervous.

00:44:41.399 --> 00:44:42.579
 There's some great tracks.

00:44:42.659 --> 00:44:43.699
 I'm not against tracks.

00:44:44.039 --> 00:44:44.779
 I'm just against you

00:44:44.779 --> 00:44:45.859
 putting them in random places

00:44:45.859 --> 00:44:46.799
 like on the back of your journals

00:44:46.799 --> 00:44:47.239
 and leaving,

00:44:47.739 --> 00:44:47.980
 right?

00:44:50.079 --> 00:44:50.799
 You ought to be able

00:44:50.799 --> 00:44:52.699
 to share the gospel.

00:44:53.219 --> 00:44:53.639
 You ought to be able

00:44:53.639 --> 00:44:54.719
 to entertain objections

00:44:54.719 --> 00:44:55.519
 to it,

00:44:55.719 --> 00:44:55.899
 right?

00:44:55.939 --> 00:44:56.359
 You have to have

00:44:56.359 --> 00:44:56.939
 all the answers.

00:44:57.299 --> 00:44:57.899
 No one expects you

00:44:57.899 --> 00:44:58.719
 to have all the answers.

00:44:59.199 --> 00:45:00.099
 But you ought to be able

00:45:00.099 --> 00:45:00.439
 to entertain

00:45:00.439 --> 00:45:01.659
 and go find the answers,

00:45:02.079 --> 00:45:02.199
 right?

00:45:02.219 --> 00:45:03.039
 You have resources

00:45:03.039 --> 00:45:04.899
 abounding at your fingertips.

00:45:05.099 --> 00:45:05.639
 You have resources

00:45:05.639 --> 00:45:06.659
 in this church.

00:45:07.359 --> 00:45:08.559
 Many, many faithful

00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.159
 men and women

00:45:09.159 --> 00:45:11.219
 who are wonderful

00:45:11.219 --> 00:45:12.639
 at sharing their faith

00:45:12.639 --> 00:45:13.359
 that you can pull

00:45:13.359 --> 00:45:14.159
 that information

00:45:14.159 --> 00:45:15.779
 from.

00:45:17.199 --> 00:45:17.719
 Now,

00:45:18.719 --> 00:45:19.719
 in the sharing

00:45:19.719 --> 00:45:20.859
 of the gospel,

00:45:21.500 --> 00:45:22.419
 even in the clearest

00:45:22.419 --> 00:45:23.099
 of ways,

00:45:23.639 --> 00:45:23.859
 right,

00:45:24.419 --> 00:45:25.859
 illumination by the Spirit

00:45:25.859 --> 00:45:26.480
 is required,

00:45:26.879 --> 00:45:27.139
 right?

00:45:27.139 --> 00:45:27.839
 For God to do

00:45:27.839 --> 00:45:28.940
 a work in people's lives,

00:45:29.339 --> 00:45:30.119
 our sharing

00:45:30.119 --> 00:45:31.079
 has to be combined

00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:31.839
 with His work

00:45:31.839 --> 00:45:33.059
 to change the hearts

00:45:33.059 --> 00:45:33.379
 of people

00:45:33.379 --> 00:45:34.279
 that they would believe it,

00:45:34.420 --> 00:45:34.579
 right?

00:45:34.699 --> 00:45:35.339
 Dark hearts

00:45:35.339 --> 00:45:36.179
 don't hear the gospel.

00:45:36.279 --> 00:45:36.659
 They don't want

00:45:36.659 --> 00:45:37.239
 to hear the gospel.

00:45:37.559 --> 00:45:38.460
 It's foolishness

00:45:38.460 --> 00:45:39.199
 to them.

00:45:39.699 --> 00:45:40.299
 So this won't

00:45:40.299 --> 00:45:41.839
 always find success,

00:45:42.599 --> 00:45:44.339
 but we ought to know

00:45:44.339 --> 00:45:45.619
 how to answer each person,

00:45:46.299 --> 00:45:47.559
 and we ought to make it clear

00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:49.259
 and let God work.

00:45:50.260 --> 00:45:51.260
 And sometimes this is going

00:45:51.260 --> 00:45:51.760
 to come out

00:45:51.760 --> 00:45:54.060
 in favor of what we would

00:45:54.060 --> 00:45:54.860
 think is the right outcome,

00:45:54.940 --> 00:45:55.540
 that people would turn

00:45:55.540 --> 00:45:56.000
 to Christ,

00:45:56.060 --> 00:45:57.100
 and sometimes it won't.

00:45:57.880 --> 00:45:58.660
 And that's up to God.

00:45:58.740 --> 00:45:59.960
 It's our job to share

00:45:59.960 --> 00:46:00.600
 and to go

00:46:00.600 --> 00:46:02.000
 and to do so faithfully.

00:46:02.880 --> 00:46:03.620
 2 Corinthians 2,

00:46:03.680 --> 00:46:04.680
 14-17 says,

00:46:04.740 --> 00:46:05.460
 But thanks be to God

00:46:05.460 --> 00:46:06.100
 who in Christ

00:46:06.100 --> 00:46:07.140
 always leads us

00:46:07.140 --> 00:46:08.880
 in triumphal procession

00:46:08.880 --> 00:46:09.940
 and through us

00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:10.980
 spreads the fragrance

00:46:10.980 --> 00:46:11.760
 of the knowledge

00:46:11.760 --> 00:46:13.080
 of Him everywhere.

00:46:13.680 --> 00:46:14.180
 Is this true

00:46:14.180 --> 00:46:14.780
 of our church?

00:46:15.320 --> 00:46:16.380
 For we are the aroma

00:46:16.380 --> 00:46:17.300
 of Christ to God

00:46:17.300 --> 00:46:17.780
 among those

00:46:17.780 --> 00:46:18.600
 who are being saved

00:46:18.599 --> 00:46:19.299
 and among those

00:46:19.299 --> 00:46:20.199
 who are perishing.

00:46:20.559 --> 00:46:21.599
 To one a fragrance

00:46:21.599 --> 00:46:22.619
 from death to death.

00:46:22.940 --> 00:46:23.839
 To the other a fragrance

00:46:23.839 --> 00:46:24.940
 from life to life.

00:46:25.259 --> 00:46:26.619
 Who is sufficient

00:46:26.619 --> 00:46:28.179
 for these things?

00:46:28.900 --> 00:46:30.319
 For we are not

00:46:30.319 --> 00:46:31.279
 like so many

00:46:31.279 --> 00:46:32.099
 peddlers

00:46:32.099 --> 00:46:33.679
 of God's Word,

00:46:33.880 --> 00:46:35.219
 but as men of sincerity,

00:46:35.460 --> 00:46:37.000
 as commissioned by God,

00:46:37.299 --> 00:46:38.559
 in the sight of God,

00:46:38.559 --> 00:46:40.819
 we speak in Christ.

00:46:42.019 --> 00:46:44.380
 If we go out this week

00:46:44.380 --> 00:46:45.500
 with that in mind.

00:46:46.679 --> 00:46:47.519
 In Thessalonica,

00:46:47.639 --> 00:46:48.420
 Paul and Silas

00:46:48.420 --> 00:46:49.820
 are accused of being

00:46:49.820 --> 00:46:51.579
 men who have turned

00:46:51.579 --> 00:46:53.680
 the world upside down.

00:46:54.559 --> 00:46:56.019
 And here Paul is just saying,

00:46:56.760 --> 00:46:58.400
 I just want to make it clear.

00:46:58.659 --> 00:46:59.400
 Just give me the opportunity

00:46:59.400 --> 00:47:00.000
 to make it clear

00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:01.119
 to preach the Gospel.

00:47:01.340 --> 00:47:02.119
 In other places,

00:47:02.260 --> 00:47:02.920
 in Ephesians,

00:47:02.980 --> 00:47:03.579
 he talks about

00:47:03.579 --> 00:47:05.420
 the way in which

00:47:05.420 --> 00:47:05.920
 we're to share

00:47:05.920 --> 00:47:07.000
 and to not be of offense.

00:47:07.260 --> 00:47:07.980
 1 Peter 3,

00:47:08.059 --> 00:47:09.019
 15-16 says,

00:47:09.019 --> 00:47:09.960
 In your hearts,

00:47:10.119 --> 00:47:11.000
 honor Christ the Lord

00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:11.980
 as holy,

00:47:12.380 --> 00:47:13.420
 always being prepared

00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:14.059
 to make an offense

00:47:14.059 --> 00:47:15.119
 to anyone who asks you

00:47:15.119 --> 00:47:15.579
 for a reason

00:47:15.579 --> 00:47:16.119
 for the hope

00:47:16.119 --> 00:47:16.719
 that is in you.

00:47:17.099 --> 00:47:17.779
 Yet do it

00:47:17.779 --> 00:47:18.880
 with gentleness

00:47:18.880 --> 00:47:20.259
 and respect.

00:47:20.779 --> 00:47:21.799
 Have a good conscience

00:47:21.799 --> 00:47:22.960
 so that when you are slandered,

00:47:23.079 --> 00:47:23.799
 those who revile

00:47:23.799 --> 00:47:24.519
 your good behavior

00:47:24.519 --> 00:47:25.119
 in Christ

00:47:25.119 --> 00:47:26.420
 may be put to shame.

00:47:26.679 --> 00:47:27.460
 These men shared

00:47:27.460 --> 00:47:28.900
 the Gospel in that way,

00:47:29.219 --> 00:47:30.219
 speaking it clearly,

00:47:30.519 --> 00:47:31.259
 in love,

00:47:31.460 --> 00:47:32.460
 and the Thessalonians

00:47:32.460 --> 00:47:33.480
 said that they were

00:47:33.480 --> 00:47:34.659
 turning the world

00:47:34.659 --> 00:47:36.400
 upside down.

00:47:36.799 --> 00:47:37.259
 These weren't

00:47:37.259 --> 00:47:38.319
 happy recipients

00:47:38.319 --> 00:47:39.500
 of the Gospel

00:47:39.500 --> 00:47:40.779
 of Jesus Christ.

00:47:40.780 --> 00:47:42.080
 They were disrupting

00:47:42.080 --> 00:47:42.860
 everything

00:47:42.860 --> 00:47:44.260
 with this kind

00:47:44.260 --> 00:47:45.280
 and loving,

00:47:45.740 --> 00:47:47.800
 amazing message

00:47:47.800 --> 00:47:49.519
 of Jesus Christ.

00:47:51.240 --> 00:47:52.240
 And so we are

00:47:52.240 --> 00:47:54.060
 to display

00:47:54.060 --> 00:47:55.320
 the supremacy

00:47:55.320 --> 00:47:56.380
 of Jesus Christ

00:47:56.380 --> 00:47:57.580
 in all things

00:47:57.580 --> 00:47:58.120
 to all people.

00:47:58.600 --> 00:47:59.980
 We are to proclaim it

00:47:59.980 --> 00:48:01.560
 as well.

00:48:03.160 --> 00:48:03.420
 And beloved,

00:48:03.500 --> 00:48:04.040
 I believe

00:48:04.040 --> 00:48:05.620
 that if we would

00:48:05.620 --> 00:48:06.680
 begin to pray,

00:48:06.760 --> 00:48:07.120
 if we would get

00:48:07.120 --> 00:48:07.800
 on our faces

00:48:07.800 --> 00:48:08.960
 and we begin

00:48:08.960 --> 00:48:10.380
 to ask that God

00:48:10.380 --> 00:48:11.360
 would pour His Spirit

00:48:11.360 --> 00:48:12.400
 out on our community

00:48:12.400 --> 00:48:13.840
 and that we would

00:48:13.840 --> 00:48:14.500
 be faithful

00:48:14.500 --> 00:48:16.099
 in our own experience,

00:48:16.900 --> 00:48:18.160
 not looking to this world,

00:48:18.260 --> 00:48:19.079
 not setting our mind

00:48:19.079 --> 00:48:19.380
 on it,

00:48:19.460 --> 00:48:20.260
 setting our mind

00:48:20.260 --> 00:48:21.700
 on things that are above,

00:48:22.019 --> 00:48:22.880
 pursuing holiness

00:48:22.880 --> 00:48:23.860
 in our living

00:48:23.860 --> 00:48:25.780
 so that we can display

00:48:25.780 --> 00:48:26.800
 that to people around us,

00:48:26.860 --> 00:48:27.260
 that we say

00:48:27.260 --> 00:48:28.039
 to people around us,

00:48:28.440 --> 00:48:30.260
 Christ is precious

00:48:30.260 --> 00:48:31.760
 and everything

00:48:31.760 --> 00:48:32.599
 that I do

00:48:32.599 --> 00:48:34.880
 should be a chorus

00:48:34.880 --> 00:48:35.980
 to that end.

00:48:36.400 --> 00:48:37.519
 Everything that I do

00:48:37.519 --> 00:48:38.640
 says Jesus Christ

00:48:38.640 --> 00:48:39.079
 is better

00:48:39.079 --> 00:48:40.119
 than anything else

00:48:40.119 --> 00:48:41.139
 and everything else.

00:48:41.380 --> 00:48:42.079
 Jesus Christ

00:48:42.079 --> 00:48:42.920
 is the way

00:48:42.920 --> 00:48:44.359
 back to God

00:48:44.359 --> 00:48:45.819
 and He is mine

00:48:45.819 --> 00:48:47.239
 and I am His.

00:48:48.559 --> 00:48:49.139
 And that if we would

00:48:49.139 --> 00:48:50.099
 just say that,

00:48:50.880 --> 00:48:51.980
 that God would bless it.

00:48:52.699 --> 00:48:53.639
 That God has a purpose

00:48:53.639 --> 00:48:54.639
 for our community.

00:48:54.960 --> 00:48:55.859
 God has a people

00:48:55.859 --> 00:48:56.940
 to call out of it.

00:48:57.099 --> 00:48:58.759
 But He wants to use us,

00:48:59.000 --> 00:49:00.460
 not because He needs us,

00:49:00.739 --> 00:49:02.000
 but because He loves us.

00:49:02.000 --> 00:49:03.179
 He wants to draw us

00:49:03.179 --> 00:49:04.799
 in to His purposes.

00:49:05.699 --> 00:49:06.679
 Do we love Him

00:49:06.679 --> 00:49:08.599
 in a response

00:49:08.599 --> 00:49:09.460
 to the Gospel

00:49:09.460 --> 00:49:10.839
 in such a way

00:49:10.839 --> 00:49:11.799
 that we will?

00:49:12.619 --> 00:49:13.599
 Please join me in prayer.

00:49:14.039 --> 00:49:14.039


00:49:14.039 --> 00:49:14.039


00:49:14.039 --> 00:49:14.179
 of God.

00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


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00:49:14.179 --> 00:49:14.179


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!

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 of God.