WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 It is just a wonderful thing whenever we can have an opportunity to preach at a different

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 church, a fellow church that has brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is a wonderful

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 reminder that Jesus is establishing His church all across the U.S. and the world.

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 And so, as we dive into Mark 2 today, I invite you to open up your Bibles.

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 It should be on the screen behind me, but we'll be kind of following the text pretty closely

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 today.

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 So if you have your Bibles, I invite you guys all to follow along.

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 And it's a passage that we tend to overlook sometimes, a passage that is a truth that

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 as Christians we sort of take for granted sometimes.

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 And so, it's my hope today that we can slow down and enjoy and smell the roses, so to

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 speak, as we sort of go into this passage that has a wonderful truth of Jesus' identity.

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 Let me pray first.

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 Dear Lord, I need your help this morning to proclaim your truth.

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 You have spoken.

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 We trust that you have spoken.

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 And it's contained in this wonderful word that you have given to us.

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 So we pray that you give me the ability to articulate my words and to articulate the message and

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 hone in on the message that you have for us today.

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 We ask and trust that you have been preparing the hearts of your people up until this point

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 and that we trust your timing of this passage.

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 We pray that it would affect your people deep into their soul.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 So let us read from Mark chapter 2 verses 1 through 12.

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 Follow along with me.

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 It says,

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 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

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 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door.

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 And he was preaching the word to them.

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 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

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 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him.

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 And when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

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 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,

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 Son, your sins are forgiven.

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 Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts,

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 Why does this man speak like that?

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 He's blaspheming.

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 Who can forgive sins but God alone?

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 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves,

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 said to them, Why do you question these things in your heart?

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 Which is easier to say to the paralytic?

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 Your sins are forgiven?

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 Or to say, Rise, take up your bed and walk.

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 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,

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 he said to the paralytic,

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 I say to you, Rise, pick up your bed and go home.

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 And immediately, he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all.

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 So they were all amazed and glorified God, saying,

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 We never saw anything like this.

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 Now, I don't think I can start this sermon without first telling you that my beautiful wife gave birth to our first baby two weeks ago.

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 And she's absolutely beautiful.

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 Yeah, that deserves an amen.

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 God literally knit together a human being inside my wife.

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 So the last couple days have been stressful.

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 The last couple weeks have been stressful.

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 And especially because I've also had a few other life changes.

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 I recently just switched careers.

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 I used to be a geologist.

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 Now I work at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission in their drug and recovery program.

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 And so this is the first time that I've actually had to commute to work in probably a few years.

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 I don't think, since my wife and I have been married since 2020,

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 I don't think I've ever regularly commuted to work.

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 So there's been a lot of adjustment that's had to kind of go on.

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 But as you can expect with all these life changes,

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 you could also expect some tensions to arise in our household from time to time.

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 Take this hypothetical scenario, okay?

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 Say this week I come home.

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 It's been a long day.

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 I'm a little on edge because I know that as soon as I get home,

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 I'm going to have to start preparing a sermon for this upcoming Sunday.

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 And I can see as soon as I walk in that the baby's crying.

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 My wife Olivia is stressed.

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 And the first thing that she says to me,

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 Nick, can you please go down and grab the laundry?

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 And I'm thinking to myself, I just got home.

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 I deserve a second, right?

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 But being the loving, you know, the husband and father that I am,

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 I do it without any question.

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 And then shortly after dinner,

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 she asked me if I had remembered to call the insurance company

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 about an upcoming appointment to make sure that we had coverage.

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 And at that point, I just kind of snap because,

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 one, I think that perhaps she thinks that I've just been goofing off all day.

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 And two, because I didn't actually do it.

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 And so I snap and I finally say,

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 no, I haven't gotten around to it.

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 I have all this other stuff to do.

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 Stop bothering me about it.

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 And then instantly, I...

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 This is a hypothetical scenario, okay?

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 Instantly, I see her face sort of deflate,

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 her demeanor deflate.

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 I know that I'm in the wrong,

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 and I know that if I don't say something and go to her,

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 we're going to be at odds with one another for the next few hours.

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 But for some reason, I just can't do it.

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 It's this feeling inside me that I just can't do it.

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 I can't get myself to do it.

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 Perhaps I still blame her for maybe aggravating me,

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 that that's her fault.

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 That's her fault.

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 But also, perhaps there's a chance that I go to her

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 and she could just shove it right back in my face.

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 She doesn't accept my apology.

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 There's a part about asking forgiveness

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 that actually puts your heart on the chopping block.

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 It's vulnerable.

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 It takes humility.

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 So now I'm irritated that I can't even go to her.

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 So now I'm irritated at my own irritation.

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 And now I don't even have any time to focus on my sermon

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 that I so wanted to do so in the first place.

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 So something tells me that I'm not the only one

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 that's experienced this in this room.

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 And it doesn't have to be a spouse.

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 It could be a coworker.

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 It could be a family member.

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 But Christian, it is good news for us this morning

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 that God has not left us to drown, right?

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 And so a passage like Mark 2 can actually empower us

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 for obedience in situations like this.

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 And so this morning we're going to learn

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 a very important truth about this man, Jesus.

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 And that is that Jesus has divine authority

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 to forgive sins as shown by his divine authority

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 to heal the paralytic.

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 Jesus has divine authority to forgive sins

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 as shown by his divine authority to heal the paralytic.

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 So to see this this morning,

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 we're going to sort of just walk through the story

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 once again, slowly.

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 And as we do so,

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 I'm going to be adding a few things to the story

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 to colorize it, sort of bring it to life.

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 And we're not just going to do this just for fun.

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 Hopefully it is fun, right?

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 And hopefully it sort of gets your imagination going.

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 But the reason we're doing this

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 is because we want to see the climax of the story.

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 Because when we can do that,

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 we can hone in on the main point of the passage.

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 And that's actually a hard thing to do from time to time.

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 In fact, this last week,

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 a client of mine was telling me that he read a story on this,

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 a book on this story,

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 on this Mark 2 passage called The Stretcher.

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 And he said it was focusing on the four men

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 who carried the man to Jesus.

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 And it was talking about how,

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 when we're on the stretcher of life,

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 we need to find four friends.

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 Well, that might be a good truth,

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 but is that the truth of the passage?

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 That's what we want to hone in today.

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 So we're going to walk through the story

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 to get a better idea of what the main emphasis is.

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 So let's go ahead and do that.

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 Let's start with verse 1.

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 It says that he returned to Capernaum,

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 which means that this isn't the first time

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 that he's been there.

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 Last time he was there,

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 it was actually in chapter 1.

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 He preached in a synagogue with authority

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 and demonstrated authority over unclean spirits.

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 Chapter 1, verse 28 says that his fame spread

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 throughout all Galilee.

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 And so upon his return now,

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 everyone has heard of him

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 and now they want a glimpse of him, right?

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 They want to hear him speak.

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 There's this expectation now

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 in the very onset of the story

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 that Jesus is going to perform for them.

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 So in verse 2,

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 it's not surprising that we read

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 that many gathered together

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 so that there was no more room.

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 It says that they were packed in there

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 like sardines, basically.

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 It's hard to breathe.

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 There's not a single word being said, though,

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 because they're all trying to hear Jesus.

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 And the people outside the door

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 can't even see him.

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 Perhaps they're leaning in

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 just trying to grasp every other word or so.

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 That's how desperately they want to hear

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 what Jesus is preaching.

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 And Jesus is doing that.

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 He's preaching the word with them.

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 People are gathered to hear it.

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 It's a teaching with authority,

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 as it says back in chapter 1.

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 Now, if I was directing a movie

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 of this scene right now,

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 at this point,

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 I'd probably take a step back.

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 I'd cut to a different scene,

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 one that's a little more quiet.

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 There's a man, okay,

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 who hasn't arrived on the scene yet.

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 He, too, has heard that Jesus is in town,

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 but there is a fundamental problem.

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 He's paralyzed from the waist down.

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 He's sitting by the window.

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 He's waiting for these other men

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 to come and get him.

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 Perhaps it was an injury from birth,

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 or perhaps it was an injury

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 from a work-related injury

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 that he injured his spine,

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 and now he can't work anymore.

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 Maybe he had people caring for him.

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 Maybe he was being cared

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 for another family member.

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 Maybe he was ostracized by the community.

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 We don't really know.

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 It doesn't really show us that many details.

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 About this man.

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 But he seems to at least have

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 a few friends and family

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 because there are some men

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 who come and grab him, right?

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 And he, too, has heard

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 that Jesus has the authority

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 to cast out unclean spirits.

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 And one report from just a couple days ago

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 says that he actually healed a man

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 with leprosy.

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 So perhaps in his mind,

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 he's thinking,

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 this is my chance.

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 This is my chance to get within

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 just armed distance of this man.

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 Hopefully I can be healed.

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 But naturally, he's late to the party, right?

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 I mean, he needs to be carried.

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 Everyone else has gotten there first.

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 He's just showing up a few minutes after.

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 And as he gets there,

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 he can tell that he's not going to be able

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 to push through, right?

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 The crowds, like we saw,

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 are packed in there.

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 There's no way a man on a stretcher

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 and four others

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 are going to kind of weave their way

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 in between that group.

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 And at that point,

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 you can almost see his tears

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 start to run down his face.

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 He's beginning to feel

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 a little more desperate.

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 Perhaps this isn't going to work out

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 the way that he wanted.

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 So you see in this replay,

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 you see him raising his hand

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 to the roof,

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 to the people carrying him

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 in the stretcher.

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 Take me to the roof.

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 Take me to the roof.

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 I'm trying to imagine

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 what the four carrying him

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 would have been thinking.

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 They're probably looking around.

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 How long are we going

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 to entertain this?

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 I don't know what going

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 to the roof is really going to do.

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 But they don't find it

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 within themselves

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 to sort of break his heart.

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 So they oblige.

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 They carry him up

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 to the flat top roof

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 up the stairs.

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 At this time,

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 there would likely have been

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 some stairs going up

00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.740
 the outside of the house

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 to the top of the roof.

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 So the people inside

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 at this point,

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 they hear some footsteps

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 above them.

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 But Jesus is continuing

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 to teach.

00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.459
 Soon enough,

00:13:14.719 --> 00:13:15.620
 people are starting

00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.279
 to look upwards.

00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.319
 What's all the commotion

00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:18.099
 above?

00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.019
 There's a sound

00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.139
 of some muffled voices

00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:22.500
 and then all of a sudden,

00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.339
 wham!

00:13:25.199 --> 00:13:25.839
 Wham!

00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:26.099
 I mean,

00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:26.740
 I have to imagine

00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.740
 they get through the roof

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.360
 somehow, right?

00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.979
 They begin pounding

00:13:30.979 --> 00:13:32.399
 at the roof.

00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:35.659
 Now, roofs during that time

00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:37.759
 were likely made of reeds

00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.679
 that were covered

00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:40.559
 with a mud plaster.

00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:42.120
 So it probably wasn't

00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.340
 hard to get through,

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:45.019
 but probably wasn't easy either.

00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:47.519
 So mud and dust,

00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.939
 as you can kind of imagine it,

00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.340
 are falling on the people

00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.220
 inside.

00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.159
 Everyone's looking now,

00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.259
 but what is going on?

00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.679
 At this point,

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.120
 Jesus has stopped teaching.

00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.199
 Everyone's just waiting.

00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:00.120
 And I'm not really

00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.420
 an expert in ancient

00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:03.060
 Israel roof break-ins,

00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:04.140
 but it's going to take

00:14:04.140 --> 00:14:05.600
 at least five to ten minutes,

00:14:05.660 --> 00:14:05.879
 right?

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.240
 Finally,

00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:09.600
 sunlight breaks through.

00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:12.540
 You hear the count of three

00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:13.620
 in Hebrew.

00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:14.360
 Echad,

00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:14.920
 shenayim,

00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.340
 shalosh,

00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:17.100
 they let down the man

00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.420
 and lower him

00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:19.140
 to the ground.

00:14:20.900 --> 00:14:21.920
 And as the man

00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:22.740
 reaches the ground,

00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.700
 it's a small town.

00:14:23.900 --> 00:14:24.860
 Everyone probably knows

00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.820
 who this man is

00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.540
 at this point.

00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:28.900
 People are muttering,

00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:29.900
 is Jesus going to

00:14:29.900 --> 00:14:30.580
 heal this man?

00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:33.300
 Everyone is waiting

00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:34.300
 with anticipation.

00:14:35.400 --> 00:14:36.220
 I sort of picture it

00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:38.340
 like some of those movies

00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.780
 where the nerd

00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:40.780
 kind of goes in

00:14:40.780 --> 00:14:41.440
 for the kiss.

00:14:41.660 --> 00:14:42.379
 He's just kind of,

00:14:42.780 --> 00:14:43.740
 his lips are puckered,

00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.040
 his eyes are closed,

00:14:45.140 --> 00:14:46.000
 he's waiting for

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.720
 the girl to kiss him.

00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.400
 I kind of think,

00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:51.740
 when I think of this story,

00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:53.800
 I imagine the paralyzed man,

00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.800
 he's on the stretcher,

00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:56.680
 he's waiting for the feeling

00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:58.079
 to return to his feet.

00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.639
 Everyone knows

00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.599
 he's got a big grin

00:15:00.599 --> 00:15:01.439
 on his face.

00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.759
 And then in verse 5,

00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:06.139
 Jesus says this.

00:15:06.239 --> 00:15:06.620
 He says,

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.959
 esteem their faith.

00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.319
 He says,

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.199
 your sins are forgiven.

00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.239
 Now,

00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:13.959
 imagine the man

00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:14.959
 kind of opens one eye,

00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.179
 he's like,

00:15:15.239 --> 00:15:15.359
 what?

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.000
 No.

00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:17.859
 You misunderstand.

00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.139
 I'm here to be healed,

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.519
 right?

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.860
 For the modern reader,

00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:22.220
 this is actually surprising

00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.639
 as well.

00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.379
 Everyone is expecting

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.799
 a miraculous healing,

00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.199
 and instead,

00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.879
 Jesus pronounces,

00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.720
 his sins are forgiven.

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:33.960
 I mean,

00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.100
 it's obvious

00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.000
 why the man is there,

00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.299
 right?

00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.100
 And so what we have here

00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.720
 is sort of a false summit

00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.460
 of the story.

00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:43.019
 The issue of the man's paralysis

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.939
 is still not resolved.

00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:45.740
 So,

00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.940
 pausing for a second,

00:15:49.660 --> 00:15:50.160
 I just want to say,

00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.000
 is it not good,

00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:51.420
 church,

00:15:52.260 --> 00:15:53.500
 that when we come to God

00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.200
 with our greatest felt need,

00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.660
 that he gives us

00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.860
 what we truly need,

00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:58.220
 right?

00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.180
 It can be a hard reality

00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:01.720
 at times,

00:16:01.760 --> 00:16:02.860
 but I personally,

00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.440
 I'm thankful that God knows

00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.640
 what I need more than I do,

00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:07.480
 and doesn't always give me

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:09.160
 what I think I want,

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.980
 because that would be bad

00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.340
 for me,

00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:10.620
 right?

00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:13.680
 But returning to the text,

00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:16.099
 now we have another problem

00:16:16.099 --> 00:16:17.019
 on our hands,

00:16:18.219 --> 00:16:19.139
 and that is that Jesus

00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.339
 has just pronounced

00:16:20.339 --> 00:16:22.699
 that this man's sin

00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.679
 has been forgiven.

00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.919
 And that's a big deal.

00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.599
 Jesus is claiming

00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.739
 to be God here,

00:16:29.859 --> 00:16:30.599
 and blasphemy,

00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:32.399
 blasphemy was punishable

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.919
 by death,

00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:33.899
 so he better make sure

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.799
 that he's telling

00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.399
 the truth here,

00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:36.639
 right?

00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.159
 And up to this point,

00:16:39.219 --> 00:16:39.879
 the Jewish leaders

00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.879
 may have been open

00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.859
 to Jesus' teaching,

00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.339
 and perhaps even curious

00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.100
 about his ability

00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:45.000
 to heal others,

00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.879
 but now,

00:16:45.920 --> 00:16:46.720
 now he's gone

00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.580
 way too far.

00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.340
 I think,

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:58.220
 one thing that would have

00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.060
 upset these people

00:16:59.060 --> 00:16:59.780
 at this is that

00:16:59.780 --> 00:17:01.040
 he's claiming

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:01.759
 to be God,

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.180
 right?

00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:03.540
 And that's a big deal.

00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.319
 So let me give you

00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.740
 an example.

00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.840
 Let's just say that

00:17:05.840 --> 00:17:06.860
 Zach is up here,

00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.340
 and I just punch him

00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:09.620
 square in the face,

00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:09.880
 right?

00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:11.320
 Now,

00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.260
 would it make any sense

00:17:12.260 --> 00:17:13.480
 for me to go to my mom,

00:17:13.560 --> 00:17:14.120
 my mom,

00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.000
 and ask for forgiveness?

00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:16.560
 No.

00:17:17.520 --> 00:17:18.120
 Zach's the one

00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.700
 that I've offended.

00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:19.640
 He's the only one

00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.340
 who's going to offer

00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:21.420
 forgiveness towards me.

00:17:21.780 --> 00:17:22.700
 And so in the same way,

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.260
 for Jesus to announce

00:17:24.260 --> 00:17:25.200
 your sins are forgiven,

00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.700
 he's proclaiming

00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.640
 that he is the one

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.400
 who is offended.

00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:32.100
 Only God

00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:32.940
 can pronounce

00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.380
 forgiveness

00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:35.140
 of sins.

00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:38.940
 Now,

00:17:39.020 --> 00:17:39.780
 the scribes,

00:17:40.040 --> 00:17:41.360
 if you know

00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:42.440
 who the scribes were,

00:17:42.520 --> 00:17:43.400
 they were individuals

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.820
 who were responsible

00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:45.680
 for copying

00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.440
 the Bible

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.320
 over and over again.

00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:47.800
 They were very

00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:48.759
 detail-oriented.

00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.220
 They knew

00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.259
 the scriptures

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.040
 pretty well.

00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.400
 And they knew it

00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.080
 front and back.

00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.620
 They probably even

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.620
 taught it as well.

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.220
 Now,

00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.200
 there's a part of me

00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.040
 that understands

00:17:59.040 --> 00:17:59.660
 their question,

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.440
 right?

00:18:01.060 --> 00:18:02.240
 Not too long ago,

00:18:02.780 --> 00:18:04.080
 Israel was in exile

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:05.699
 because of their idolatry.

00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.419
 And now here's this man

00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.220
 coming to proclaim

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.939
 that he's God.

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.199
 He's kind of leading

00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:10.839
 the people.

00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.419
 People are starting

00:18:12.419 --> 00:18:13.319
 to follow him,

00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:13.539
 right?

00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.439
 So now the scribes

00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:14.799
 are saying,

00:18:15.199 --> 00:18:15.279
 well,

00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.399
 we don't want this exile

00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:17.079
 to happen again.

00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:18.039
 We need to preserve

00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.939
 the scriptures.

00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:22.059
 So I understand.

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.240
 It would be a good question

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.559
 to ask,

00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:24.679
 is this guy really

00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:26.099
 who he proclaims to be?

00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.519
 Because if he's not,

00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.039
 we shouldn't follow him.

00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:34.180
 They're afraid

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.279
 that Israel's going

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.879
 to fall back

00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.839
 into idolatry.

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.899
 But Jesus responds

00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:40.299
 in a very interesting way.

00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.559
 First he says to them,

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.079
 why do you question

00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.899
 these things

00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:46.200
 in your hearts?

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.019
 Like we said,

00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:50.379
 to question Jesus' authority

00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.500
 seems like a pretty

00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.460
 legit question.

00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.720
 But Jesus makes it seem

00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.480
 as if they shouldn't

00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.500
 even be surprised

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.680
 at all at this point

00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.380
 that he can forgive sins.

00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.920
 The second question

00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.560
 is rhetorical.

00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:02.880
 He says,

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.680
 which is easier

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.560
 to say to the paralytic?

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.600
 Your sins are forgiven

00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:06.640
 or to say,

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.120
 rise,

00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:08.360
 take up your bed?

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:09.960
 Now,

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.920
 it's a rhetorical question

00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.980
 so it's almost assumed

00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.279
 that the original audience

00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.060
 was going to know

00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:15.060
 the answer to this.

00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:15.940
 For us,

00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.539
 it's not,

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.140
 I don't think

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.060
 it's quite as obvious.

00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.620
 So let's just take a second

00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.180
 to work through

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.940
 the possibilities

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.080
 of what he's actually

00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:22.840
 meaning here.

00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:25.480
 There's three main options.

00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.799
 One is that perhaps

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.579
 it is more difficult

00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.460
 to say your sins

00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:29.940
 are forgiven

00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:32.220
 than to say

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.960
 get up and walk.

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.659
 He goes on to say,

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:35.879
 though,

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.899
 to prove to you

00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:38.180
 that I have the authority

00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.359
 to forgive sins,

00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.839
 I'm going to show you

00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.980
 that I have the authority

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.980
 to heal

00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.779
 this man's paralysis.

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:47.359
 So this first option,

00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:49.919
 that to say

00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:50.680
 your sins are forgiven

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.139
 is more difficult,

00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:53.440
 doesn't actually fit

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.919
 with the outcome

00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.639
 of the story.

00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:56.300
 because if forgiving sins

00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:57.200
 was more difficult,

00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:58.220
 then a demonstration

00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.720
 of something less difficult

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.780
 probably wouldn't

00:20:00.780 --> 00:20:01.680
 prove anything, right?

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.360
 It's like if I kick

00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.720
 a 30-yard field goal

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.620
 and then say

00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:05.360
 that proves it,

00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.460
 I can kick

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.560
 a 60-yard field goal.

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.820
 Say no,

00:20:09.060 --> 00:20:09.900
 that doesn't prove anything.

00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.360
 You just did

00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:10.960
 what was easier.

00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:11.880
 The easier does not

00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:13.020
 prove what is more difficult.

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.920
 That doesn't seem

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.460
 to be what he's meaning there.

00:20:18.280 --> 00:20:18.920
 Second option

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.600
 is that perhaps

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.360
 it's easier to say

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.200
 your sins are forgiven

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.440
 than to say

00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.480
 get up and walk.

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.079
 Now this option

00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:26.120
 is definitely plausible.

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.819
 I would think of it

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.759
 as sort of

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:32.079
 flippantly saying

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.079
 I love you to someone.

00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:35.700
 It's quite easy to say

00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:37.480
 but it's not quite

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.640
 easily verifiable.

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.279
 Something like that

00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.279
 takes some time

00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.900
 to verify

00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:42.160
 over the course of time.

00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.519
 It's kind of like

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.220
 if I were to say

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.860
 check your pocket,

00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.420
 there's $100.

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.660
 That's easy for me to say

00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:49.099
 but it's very easy

00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.460
 to verify.

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.860
 It's difficult

00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.700
 in the sense that

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.380
 you could just check

00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:53.160
 your pocket right now

00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:53.880
 and see if there's $100.

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.680
 If there's not,

00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.620
 I'm a liar.

00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.200
 If there is,

00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:57.180
 I was telling the truth.

00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.880
 So the same seems

00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:01.120
 to go for the situation here.

00:21:01.320 --> 00:21:02.980
 At the same time though,

00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:05.700
 to say your sins

00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.160
 are forgiven

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.920
 without actually

00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:08.420
 being able to verify it

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.440
 would be a very risky

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.180
 thing to do.

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.500
 So the text shows us

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.519
 that they immediately

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.840
 accused him of blasphemy,

00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.840
 proclaiming to be God

00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:17.200
 when he really wasn't.

00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.940
 This was punishable

00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.360
 by death

00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.040
 as we just said.

00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.620
 Don't dare say

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.240
 these words.

00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:23.400
 So that option

00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.079
 is plausible.

00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.720
 I think the third option

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.200
 is the best option.

00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.339
 Third option

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.059
 and final option

00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.759
 is that it is

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.799
 equally difficult

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:32.359
 to say your sins

00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.900
 are forgiven

00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.220
 than to say,

00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.220
 as it is to say,

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.319
 get up and walk.

00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.059
 And this seems

00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.220
 the most closely

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.279
 fit the details

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.200
 of this story.

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:43.839
 And Jesus

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.759
 is calling

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.599
 to their attention

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.120
 the fact that

00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:47.759
 they are upset

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:50.559
 that he displays

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.500
 divine authority

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.099
 to forgive

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.599
 the man's sins,

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.599
 but yet they are

00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.680
 open to him

00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.539
 showing his divine

00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.160
 authority

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:58.640
 to heal the man.

00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.039
 Jesus is asking

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.720
 them this rhetorical

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.220
 question,

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.259
 which is easier

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.859
 because both

00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.440
 are possible

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.740
 only by God's power.

00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.819
 I was happy

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.440
 that we read

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.220
 Psalm 103

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.140
 this morning

00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.720
 because that

00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.519
 gives us a glimpse

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.400
 into this situation

00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.540
 where it says,

00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.400
 bless the Lord,

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.740
 O my soul,

00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:20.000
 and forget not

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.060
 all his benefits.

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.460
 Who forgives

00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.280
 your iniquity

00:22:23.280 --> 00:22:24.640
 and who heals

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.480
 all your diseases?

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.160
 Who has the authority

00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.920
 to do both?

00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.759
 God alone.

00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.620
 So at this point

00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.300
 in the story,

00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.380
 it can go

00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.180
 one of two ways.

00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.019
 Either the man

00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.680
 gets up

00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.620
 and Jesus

00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:41.140
 demonstrates

00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.700
 that he has

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.320
 the power

00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:43.259
 to heal

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.420
 and to forgive sins,

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.880
 or the man

00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.560
 doesn't get up

00:22:46.560 --> 00:22:47.779
 and Jesus

00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.900
 looks like a fool

00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:50.600
 and possibly

00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.279
 gets stoned

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.400
 for claiming

00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:52.900
 to be God.

00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.440
 This is the

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.580
 climax of the story,

00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.160
 the point

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.240
 in which the story

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.519
 could go either way.

00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.600
 So what does

00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.220
 the text say?

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.060
 It says,

00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.740
 and he rose

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.120
 and immediately

00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.900
 picked up his bed

00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.860
 and went out

00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:06.640
 before them all

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.740
 so that they were

00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.660
 all amazed

00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.759
 and glorified God

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.060
 saying,

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.400
 we never saw

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.680
 anything like this.

00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:16.420
 both the healing

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.600
 of the incurable

00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.779
 medical conditions

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.519
 and the forgiveness

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.580
 of sins

00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:21.680
 are rooted

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.640
 in the authority

00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.460
 of God

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.380
 alone.

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.440
 And so when Jesus

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.620
 displays his authority

00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.620
 to heal this man's

00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.160
 paralysis,

00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.560
 he's demonstrating

00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:31.180
 that he has

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.860
 the authority

00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.440
 to forgive

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.539
 this man's sins.

00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:36.060
 Jesus is proclaiming

00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:37.080
 that he is God

00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:39.160
 and he proves it

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.820
 by healing

00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:40.860
 the man.

00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:42.079
 Dozens of people

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:44.519
 see this authority

00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.299
 on display

00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:47.279
 and the scribes

00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.039
 really have nothing

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.839
 in response

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.279
 to say.

00:23:50.959 --> 00:23:51.759
 So once again,

00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:53.199
 what do we learn

00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:54.119
 from this passage?

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.159
 It is that Jesus

00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:56.740
 has divine authority

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:58.219
 to forgive sins

00:23:58.219 --> 00:23:59.139
 as shown by his

00:23:59.139 --> 00:24:00.059
 divine authority

00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.599
 to heal

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.219
 the paralytic.

00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.419
 So I want to focus

00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:05.539
 the rest of this time

00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:07.019
 now on what do we

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.439
 actually do

00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:08.039
 with this passage?

00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.740
 Like I said

00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.159
 in the beginning,

00:24:09.459 --> 00:24:10.179
 sometimes this is

00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.820
 the passage we

00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.900
 just quickly

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.039
 pass over.

00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.740
 It's a truth

00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.180
 that Christians

00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.920
 should know.

00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:17.180
 Yes, Jesus has

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.660
 the authority

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.620
 to forgive sins.

00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.279
 Well first,

00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:21.920
 I want to speak

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.940
 to the non-believer

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.759
 that could be here

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.279
 this morning.

00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.400
 Because I don't think

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.940
 I can preach

00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.580
 this passage

00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:29.279
 on the forgiveness

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.060
 of sins

00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:32.120
 than to invite

00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:33.160
 the non-believer

00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.460
 to accept

00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.380
 this truth.

00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.539
 And when I say

00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.279
 non-believer,

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.460
 I mean those

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.119
 who are not

00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.700
 submitting their lives

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:43.359
 under the authority

00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.180
 of Christ.

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.680
 And I feel

00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.379
 that I need to

00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.000
 clarify this

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.500
 unfortunately

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.799
 in this American

00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.339
 church

00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.519
 because it's

00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.139
 unfortunately

00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.839
 common

00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:53.099
 that people

00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:54.119
 believe that God

00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.519
 exists,

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.240
 that Jesus

00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.039
 is God,

00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.519
 but then they

00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:57.980
 don't submit

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.599
 their lives

00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.399
 to his rule

00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:00.379
 and kingship.

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.000
 So in other words,

00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.579
 they believe

00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.500
 that God exists,

00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.099
 but then they're

00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.759
 still living a life

00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.319
 of rebellion.

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.319
 And so this only

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.279
 offers a false

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.019
 assurance that we

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.960
 must be very weary

00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.539
 and cautious

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.940
 of.

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.660
 Because the Bible

00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.299
 doesn't have a

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.480
 category for the

00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.299
 individual who has

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.200
 one foot in the

00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.140
 world and one foot

00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:22.819
 in the gospel.

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.559
 So either you are

00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.160
 a Christian

00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.220
 walking in step

00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.599
 in repentance

00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.279
 and in step

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.900
 with the gospel,

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.579
 or you are not.

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.099
 And just to clarify,

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.619
 that puts you

00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.519
 outside the grace

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.000
 of God.

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.920
 You don't have

00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.940
 forgiveness of sins.

00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.180
 And this is important

00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.460
 because as we find

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.200
 out very early

00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.819
 in the book of

00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.139
 Genesis,

00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.460
 that the wages

00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.839
 of sin is death.

00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.160
 And any sin,

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.099
 no matter how

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.700
 small,

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.660
 is worthy of

00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.000
 eternal punishment

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.460
 before an infinitely

00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.240
 holy God.

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.700
 And so in order

00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.440
 for God to

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.220
 uphold his

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.639
 justice,

00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.180
 he must carry

00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.460
 out sin's

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.119
 sentence,

00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.700
 lest his own

00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.940
 character be

00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.539
 undermined.

00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.740
 But in his

00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.620
 loving kindness,

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.920
 he made a way

00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.860
 for his creation

00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:12.799
 to be restored

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.980
 in right relationship

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.799
 to him.

00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.940
 We see in the

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.440
 Old Testament

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.039
 that the Old

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.120
 Testament sacrifices,

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.799
 the animal

00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.819
 sacrifices were

00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:23.440
 insufficient to

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.360
 properly atone

00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:25.460
 for and give

00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.319
 any lasting

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.380
 forgiveness of

00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:27.779
 sins.

00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.180
 And therefore,

00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:30.980
 those Old Testament

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.140
 sacrifices always

00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.020
 looked forward

00:26:33.020 --> 00:26:34.500
 to a greater

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.200
 and a better

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.940
 sacrifice,

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.220
 the Messiah,

00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.580
 Jesus Christ.

00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.420
 The book of

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.120
 Hebrews says,

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.380
 without the shedding

00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.800
 of blood,

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.420
 there is no

00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.340
 forgiveness of

00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:43.700
 sins.

00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:45.040
 And so as this

00:26:45.040 --> 00:26:45.940
 passage shows,

00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.740
 he has the

00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.820
 authority to

00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.520
 forgive sins

00:26:48.520 --> 00:26:49.080
 because he is

00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.480
 God,

00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.360
 he is the one

00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:50.720
 offended,

00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:52.980
 and he is also

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.000
 the sacrifice,

00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:55.600
 which we find

00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.040
 out later,

00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.840
 the unblemished

00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.620
 lamb who can

00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.259
 defeat death

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.560
 once and for

00:26:59.560 --> 00:27:00.500
 all because

00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.360
 death has no

00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.299
 hold on him.

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.959
 And so our

00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:05.819
 only hope,

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.579
 therefore,

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.579
 is to be united

00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.179
 to him,

00:27:09.439 --> 00:27:10.219
 to seek safety

00:27:10.219 --> 00:27:10.819
 underneath his

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.599
 wing and that

00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.779
 death may pass

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:14.000
 over us.

00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.639
 In Romans 2,

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.179
 Paul warns

00:27:18.179 --> 00:27:19.039
 those who

00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.559
 confess Jesus

00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.919
 is Lord with

00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:22.559
 their mouths,

00:27:23.219 --> 00:27:25.159
 but they don't

00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:25.519
 repent.

00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.240
 They feel

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.740
 convicted,

00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.299
 they even

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.240
 confess their

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.579
 sins,

00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.059
 even the

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.839
 most heinous

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.279
 criminals,

00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.379
 after they've

00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:32.819
 been convicted

00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.319
 in a court

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.699
 of law,

00:27:34.179 --> 00:27:34.480
 you might

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:34.839
 even see

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.460
 them crying.

00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.799
 Most often

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.220
 than not,

00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.039
 they're crying

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.579
 because they

00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.159
 now have to

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.919
 pay the

00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:42.699
 penalty for

00:27:42.699 --> 00:27:44.000
 their crimes,

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.259
 right?

00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:44.659
 They're not

00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:45.299
 living in

00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.119
 repentant faith.

00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:47.460
 So we want

00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.919
 to be careful

00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:48.379
 that we're not

00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.059
 doing that as

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.379
 well.

00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:49.579
 So,

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:54.339
 Paul says

00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.220
 in Romans 2,

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.579
 he says,

00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.419
 or do you

00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:57.220
 presume on

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.619
 the riches

00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.039
 of his

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.859
 kindness and

00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.480
 forbearance

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.240
 and patience,

00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.679
 not knowing

00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.379
 that God's

00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.079
 kindness is

00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.859
 meant to

00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.460
 lead you

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.199
 to repentance,

00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:07.579
 but because

00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:07.879
 of your

00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:08.379
 hard and

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.379
 infinite heart,

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.279
 you are

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.799
 storing up

00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.460
 wrath for

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.199
 yourselves on

00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:12.720
 the day of

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.659
 wrath when

00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:14.639
 God's righteous

00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:15.740
 judgment will

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.439
 be revealed.

00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.460
 And so here's

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:18.919
 where a lot of

00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.460
 people go wrong.

00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:19.840
 They believe

00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:20.320
 God exists.

00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.700
 They know

00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.060
 that they are

00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:21.340
 a sinner.

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.640
 They confess

00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:24.200
 that they have

00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.720
 done what is

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.360
 wrong, but they

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.160
 do not submit

00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.039
 themselves underneath

00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.920
 the authority

00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.039
 of God.

00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.519
 They're still

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.900
 living in

00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.720
 open rebellion.

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:34.759
 Now,

00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:35.080
 obviously,

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.880
 perfection is

00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.759
 not required.

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.620
 The gospel

00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.620
 assumes this.

00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.519
 But a growing

00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.840
 hatred of sin,

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.480
 a continual

00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.259
 turning away

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.880
 from sin

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:45.259
 and turning

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.500
 towards God

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.400
 because they

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.180
 delight in

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.299
 obeying him

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.720
 and seeing

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.400
 his glory

00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.700
 and not

00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.240
 their own

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:53.160
 being realized.

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.180
 My former

00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:56.160
 boss once

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.720
 told me that

00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.740
 he asked for

00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.600
 God's forgiveness

00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.560
 before he

00:28:59.560 --> 00:28:59.920
 sins.

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.039
 That is

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.940
 conviction

00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.320
 and confession

00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:06.019
 without repentance

00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.200
 because repentance,

00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:07.680
 like we just

00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:07.820
 said,

00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.560
 is turning away

00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:08.960
 from sin,

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.519
 not turning

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.220
 towards it.

00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.340
 And so

00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.039
 when in Mark

00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.740
 1.15,

00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.620
 Jesus says that

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.320
 he begins his

00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:15.080
 ministry saying,

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.859
 the time

00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:16.759
 is fulfilled

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.139
 and the

00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:17.619
 kingdom of

00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.079
 God is

00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.619
 at hand,

00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:20.079
 repent and

00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.019
 believe in

00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.519
 the gospel.

00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.919
 So my

00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.759
 invitation for

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.419
 the non-Christian

00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.980
 is will you

00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.819
 respond to the

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.819
 truth of this

00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.359
 passage today

00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.039
 and place your

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.139
 faith in the

00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.919
 one and only

00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:33.139
 person who

00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:33.799
 actually has

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.519
 any ability

00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.199
 to forgive

00:29:35.199 --> 00:29:35.699
 sins.

00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:36.899
 Because only

00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.199
 by him can

00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:38.819
 you have any

00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.839
 hope of

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.699
 reaching

00:29:40.699 --> 00:29:41.980
 eternal life.

00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:46.099
 at this

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.420
 point I

00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.019
 turn to the

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.920
 application for

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.400
 the believer,

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:48.980
 the one who

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.740
 is prone to

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.360
 forgetting this

00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:50.720
 truth.

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.519
 For most of

00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:53.779
 us here,

00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.079
 Jesus'

00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.279
 authority to

00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.900
 forgive sins

00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.420
 seems like a

00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.059
 no-brainer to

00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:57.339
 us.

00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.319
 And as

00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.680
 Christians,

00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.240
 we have

00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.140
 repented of

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.539
 our sins

00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.960
 and put our

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.420
 faith in

00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:01.720
 Christ,

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.740
 but functionally,

00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.440
 I think this

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.240
 is a gospel

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.819
 truth that we

00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.500
 all need

00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.579
 reminder of

00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.200
 on a daily

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.620
 basis.

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.140
 And trust

00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.380
 me,

00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:11.160
 I'm giving

00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.700
 a sermon

00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:13.519
 needing this

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.319
 truth myself.

00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:19.000
 So as I

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.600
 was reflecting

00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:20.180
 on the main

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.720
 truth of this

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.000
 passage,

00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:21.600
 I considered

00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.880
 a few ways

00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.600
 to actually

00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:24.279
 that we can

00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.920
 struggle to

00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.519
 believe this

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:25.799
 truth.

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.299
 The first

00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:26.840
 is this.

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.360
 One way

00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:30.080
 that we can

00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:31.059
 show ourselves

00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.080
 not to trust

00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:32.759
 in the truth

00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.100
 of this

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:34.640
 passage is

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.160
 when we

00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.779
 don't actually

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.460
 make a regular

00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.200
 habit of

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.960
 repenting of

00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.660
 all of our

00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:38.960
 sin.

00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:40.980
 I have found

00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.360
 that I

00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:42.039
 prefer to

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.740
 categorize

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.240
 my sins

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.759
 in those

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.360
 of sort

00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:44.700
 of like a

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.099
 tiered

00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.360
 system.

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:45.940
 Some are

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.400
 very grievous,

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.200
 some are not

00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.799
 very grievous,

00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.360
 you don't need

00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:49.980
 to repent all

00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.480
 the time,

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.079
 and that is

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.799
 a dangerous

00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.680
 place to be.

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.200
 Something like

00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.279
 maybe stealing

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.539
 something,

00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.400
 that's under the

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.000
 category of

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.720
 always repent,

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.099
 but then

00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.740
 simply getting

00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:01.200
 angry at my

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.460
 wife,

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:03.000
 that's maybe a

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.500
 sometimes repentance

00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:04.880
 thing.

00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:07.820
 and like I

00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:07.940
 said,

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.200
 it's a

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.600
 dangerous

00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:09.280
 place to

00:31:09.280 --> 00:31:09.880
 be because

00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.880
 one,

00:31:11.060 --> 00:31:11.460
 I can't

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:11.720
 be at

00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.200
 odds,

00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:12.900
 it's hard

00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.160
 for me to

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.380
 be at

00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:13.760
 odds with

00:31:13.760 --> 00:31:14.000
 her,

00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.520
 for one,

00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:15.660
 but if I

00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.040
 don't go

00:31:16.040 --> 00:31:16.500
 to God,

00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:16.860
 the one

00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:17.320
 who is the

00:31:17.320 --> 00:31:17.960
 one offended

00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.540
 first and

00:31:18.540 --> 00:31:18.920
 foremost,

00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:19.460
 the one who

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.360
 has commanded

00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:20.920
 me to love

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.860
 my wife and

00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.340
 to live with

00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:22.620
 her in an

00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:23.160
 understanding

00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.600
 way,

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:24.680
 if I'm

00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.240
 disobeying

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.480
 him,

00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.220
 I've first

00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.920
 and foremost

00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.840
 disobeyed the

00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:28.320
 one and

00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:29.580
 true God.

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.180
 Why should it

00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.000
 be then that I

00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.820
 can bear at

00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.500
 being at odds

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.500
 with him and

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.539
 not bear

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:37.220
 with being at

00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.839
 odds with

00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.440
 my wife?

00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.519
 My sin is

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.119
 first and

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.779
 foremost a

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.559
 rebellion against

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.460
 his rule and

00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:44.819
 reign.

00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.319
 So we

00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:48.980
 undermine the

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.880
 seriousness of

00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.559
 our sin when

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:53.380
 we do not

00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.000
 live in the

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.440
 goodness of

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.140
 this truth,

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.799
 that Jesus

00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.359
 has the

00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.859
 authority to

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.680
 forgive sins.

00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.500
 And then

00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:02.839
 two,

00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.759
 the second

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.339
 way that I

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:04.899
 thought that

00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.759
 we can

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.179
 sometimes

00:32:06.179 --> 00:32:07.579
 struggle to

00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.199
 believe this

00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:08.579
 truth,

00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:09.859
 is when we

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.439
 try to pay

00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.179
 the fine for

00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:11.779
 an offense that

00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.339
 has already

00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.279
 been forgiven.

00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:15.519
 There's been a

00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.259
 number of times

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.939
 over the last

00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:18.079
 few weeks as

00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.480
 I've led

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.399
 worship at

00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.000
 Crossway

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.439
 Milwaukee,

00:32:21.179 --> 00:32:21.659
 that immediately

00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.059
 after the

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.480
 service is

00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:22.759
 done, I

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.059
 turned to

00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.279
 all the

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.659
 members and

00:32:23.659 --> 00:32:23.980
 I started

00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.959
 apologizing for

00:32:24.959 --> 00:32:25.339
 all the

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.879
 mistakes that

00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.220
 I made,

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.279
 and just for

00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:27.619
 them putting

00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.099
 up with me,

00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:28.679
 my horrible

00:32:28.679 --> 00:32:29.480
 performance.

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:32.099
 And so

00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.339
 there's a

00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.759
 part of me

00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.279
 that does

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.660
 this because

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.099
 I want them

00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.799
 to see that

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.519
 I am punishing

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.599
 myself above

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:36.960
 and beyond.

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.319
 I'm doing

00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.680
 jail time for

00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.339
 my mistakes.

00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:39.720
 I want them

00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.319
 to know that

00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.360
 I see this

00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:41.940
 as serious.

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.539
 What does

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.099
 that do?

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.079
 When we

00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:46.400
 have that

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.339
 same mentality

00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.500
 towards our,

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.259
 when we

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.900
 approach God

00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.440
 with our sin.

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.759
 Well, it

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.839
 says that

00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.799
 while we need

00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.500
 to be

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.579
 remorseful,

00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:55.860
 right?

00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:56.900
 Don't hear me

00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:57.160
 wrong.

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.000
 But when

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.580
 we cross

00:32:58.580 --> 00:32:59.420
 over to

00:32:59.420 --> 00:32:59.960
 unbelief,

00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.460
 it's when

00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.440
 we refuse

00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:01.880
 to let

00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.759
 Jesus pay

00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.200
 the fine.

00:33:04.060 --> 00:33:04.560
 So we

00:33:04.560 --> 00:33:04.880
 feel the

00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.180
 need to

00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:05.480
 punish

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.140
 ourselves

00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:07.560
 beyond the

00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:07.900
 punishment

00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.440
 that's already

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.000
 been paid.

00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.680
 And so

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:11.920
 when we

00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.580
 approach God

00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:12.960
 this way,

00:33:13.040 --> 00:33:13.480
 we are not

00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.580
 declaring to

00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:18.240
 Him that

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.840
 we believe

00:33:18.840 --> 00:33:19.360
 and trust

00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:19.740
 that His

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.400
 death was

00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.620
 sufficient for

00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.120
 paying for

00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.640
 our sins.

00:33:22.800 --> 00:33:23.600
 And we're

00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:24.220
 suggesting that

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.860
 perhaps there's

00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:25.380
 some debt

00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.240
 left to pay

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.740
 that He

00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.299
 hasn't already

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.740
 paid.

00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.160
 And so in

00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:30.880
 those moments

00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.420
 when we

00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.000
 don't believe

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.880
 that Jesus

00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.519
 has the

00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.720
 authority to

00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.480
 forgive sins,

00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:39.400
 but Christian,

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.539
 I assure you,

00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:42.460
 what a

00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.620
 rejoiceful thing

00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.220
 when we can

00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:44.920
 come to the

00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.460
 Lord Jesus

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.039
 with our

00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.000
 greatest and

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.559
 darkest,

00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.680
 deepest sins.

00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:49.960
 And He can

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.579
 look at us in

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.019
 the eye and

00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.140
 say,

00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.700
 go free.

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.880
 Let sin

00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.660
 rule you

00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.480
 no longer.

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.299
 Your sins

00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.380
 are forgiven.

00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.140
 There is no

00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:59.420
 fine left

00:33:59.420 --> 00:34:00.519
 to pay.

00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:02.380
 And then as

00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:03.039
 we proceed

00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.620
 throughout the

00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:04.019
 week to

00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.940
 wage war on

00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:05.500
 the flesh and

00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.920
 we stumble

00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.460
 once again,

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:06.940
 we go to

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:08.139
 the Lord and

00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.619
 He says,

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.380
 go free

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.019
 once again.

00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.460
 That too

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.000
 I have

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.519
 paid for.

00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.199
 Your sins

00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.639
 are forgiven.

00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.219
 Let sin

00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:17.780
 rule you

00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.400
 no more.

00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.579
 Christian,

00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.460
 God is

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.360
 patient with

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.699
 us.

00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:22.619
 Right?

00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:24.280
 He's gracious

00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.260
 to us.

00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.700
 It's actually

00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.440
 God's mercy

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.019
 that He

00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:29.980
 reveals our

00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.760
 sin to us

00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:31.780
 slowly over

00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.160
 the course

00:34:32.160 --> 00:34:32.480
 of time

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:32.960
 because if

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.440
 He were to

00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:33.820
 show us

00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:34.300
 all of our

00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:34.800
 sin all at

00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:34.980
 once,

00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.180
 it would

00:34:35.180 --> 00:34:35.860
 crush us.

00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:37.920
 So He

00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:38.420
 peels it

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.540
 slowly like

00:34:39.540 --> 00:34:39.880
 an onion

00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:40.300
 over the

00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:40.740
 course of

00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.120
 time.

00:34:43.040 --> 00:34:43.500
 One,

00:34:43.600 --> 00:34:44.000
 that we

00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.560
 would not

00:34:44.560 --> 00:34:45.100
 be crushed,

00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:45.700
 but two,

00:34:46.100 --> 00:34:46.519
 that we

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.100
 might not

00:34:47.100 --> 00:34:47.680
 think that

00:34:47.680 --> 00:34:48.100
 there is

00:34:48.100 --> 00:34:48.660
 a single

00:34:48.660 --> 00:34:49.140
 day that

00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:49.440
 we can

00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.600
 go without

00:34:50.600 --> 00:34:51.600
 God's

00:34:51.600 --> 00:34:52.140
 ongoing

00:34:52.140 --> 00:34:52.880
 grace to

00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.180
 us.

00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.440
 We

00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.099
 depend on

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:56.800
 Him fully

00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:58.519
 as we

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.019
 continue to

00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.760
 be sanctified

00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:00.420
 by His

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.180
 Word.

00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.220
 So then

00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:04.500
 what would

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:04.880
 it actually

00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.519
 look like

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.160
 for this

00:35:06.160 --> 00:35:06.720
 passage to

00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:07.200
 be helpful

00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:07.660
 for us

00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:08.160
 this week?

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.380
 Let's

00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:10.079
 return to

00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.340
 the original

00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:12.140
 scenario that

00:35:12.140 --> 00:35:12.980
 I put forth

00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.539
 at the

00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:13.860
 beginning.

00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:14.860
 Remember,

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.280
 I've just

00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:16.140
 responded

00:35:16.140 --> 00:35:17.760
 in simple

00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.340
 anger to

00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:18.660
 Olivia.

00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:20.940
 First thing

00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.340
 we observe

00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:21.579
 is that

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:21.880
 there's a

00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:22.460
 rift between

00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.400
 me and

00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:23.699
 Olivia,

00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.099
 but there's

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.539
 also a

00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.039
 rift between

00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.840
 me and

00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.599
 God vertically.

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:27.819
 I've

00:35:27.819 --> 00:35:28.440
 disobeyed

00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:29.199
 Him in

00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.579
 a way that

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.179
 I'm called

00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:30.539
 to love

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.119
 my wife,

00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.000
 but Jesus

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.500
 has the

00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.219
 authority to

00:35:34.219 --> 00:35:35.119
 forgive sins.

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.259
 He has

00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:36.940
 paid my

00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:37.519
 fine.

00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:37.920
 He has

00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.340
 paid my

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.659
 debt.

00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:39.460
 So

00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:39.819
 immediately,

00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.199
 what do I

00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:40.340
 do?

00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.819
 I run

00:35:40.819 --> 00:35:41.299
 to God

00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:41.559
 and I

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:41.679
 say,

00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:41.960
 I've

00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:42.179
 sinned

00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.500
 against

00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:42.739
 you.

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:43.860
 I've

00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.259
 sinned

00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:44.539
 against

00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:44.860
 Olivia.

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.119
 You

00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.259
 have

00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.599
 called

00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:45.920
 me to

00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:46.099
 love

00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:46.400
 others,

00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:46.659
 but what

00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:46.960
 have I

00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.179
 done?

00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:47.819
 I've

00:35:47.819 --> 00:35:48.299
 shown her

00:35:48.299 --> 00:35:49.099
 unrighteous

00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.039
 that you

00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:52.559
 are rich

00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:52.840
 in

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.119
 mercy.

00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:54.039
 I know

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.299
 that the

00:35:54.299 --> 00:35:54.659
 blood of

00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.219
 Christ has

00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:55.639
 paid my

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.000
 fine.

00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:57.179
 Please

00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.880
 forgive me

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.360
 and help

00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:58.880
 me live

00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.440
 in obedience.

00:36:00.719 --> 00:36:00.920
 And so

00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.259
 at that

00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:01.539
 point,

00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.199
 the claim

00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:02.579
 of Mark

00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.679
 2 calls

00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:04.079
 back to

00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.219
 me,

00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:04.860
 dear child,

00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:05.799
 your sins

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.799
 are forgiven.

00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.500
 That too

00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:07.860
 I have

00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.340
 paid for.

00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:10.139
 Let sin

00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:12.099
 reign no

00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:12.480
 longer.

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.239
 Go and

00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:15.599
 sin no

00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:15.860
 more.

00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:17.559
 And so

00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:18.199
 when I am

00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:18.759
 made right

00:36:18.759 --> 00:36:19.539
 with God,

00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:20.519
 His promise

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.079
 of forgiveness

00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:22.039
 empowers me

00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.500
 to live

00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.079
 in obedience.

00:36:23.819 --> 00:36:24.400
 My pride

00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.739
 has been

00:36:24.739 --> 00:36:25.099
 broken,

00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.000
 and now

00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:26.279
 I can

00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:26.519
 go to

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:26.819
 Olivia

00:36:26.819 --> 00:36:27.639
 and display

00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.219
 the gospel

00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:28.719
 at work

00:36:28.719 --> 00:36:28.980
 with me.

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.319
 Is that

00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:29.719
 not what

00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.299
 we want

00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:31.299
 as spouses

00:36:31.299 --> 00:36:31.759
 or as

00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:32.199
 co-workers

00:36:32.199 --> 00:36:32.840
 to show

00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:34.380
 the power

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:34.639
 of the

00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:34.940
 gospel

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.400
 at work

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:35.799
 with us?

00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:36.519
 We all

00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:36.980
 know how

00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.360
 difficult

00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:37.799
 it is

00:36:37.799 --> 00:36:38.059
 to go

00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:38.360
 to someone

00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:38.860
 in forgiveness.

00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:39.659
 And when

00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.539
 someone does,

00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.400
 as a

00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:42.719
 Christian,

00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:43.019
 that is

00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.480
 evidence

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.759
 that God,

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.340
 the power

00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:45.619
 of the

00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:45.940
 gospel

00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.299
 is at

00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:46.539
 work

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.059
 within them.

00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.159
 That's

00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.420
 how we

00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:48.900
 display

00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.659
 the truth

00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:49.920
 of the

00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.259
 gospel.

00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:53.500
 And I

00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.119
 tell my

00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.699
 clients this

00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.000
 all the

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.319
 time.

00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.460
 We should

00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.099
 be discouraged

00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:58.860
 if it takes

00:36:58.860 --> 00:36:59.819
 some time

00:36:59.819 --> 00:37:00.500
 for this

00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:01.139
 to actually

00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:01.860
 take root

00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.619
 in ourselves.

00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.719
 It could be,

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.539
 at first,

00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:05.000
 it could be a

00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.799
 day until I

00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:06.920
 realize my

00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.460
 sin and the

00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:07.980
 truth of the

00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:08.299
 gospel.

00:37:09.259 --> 00:37:09.900
 But over the

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.340
 course of

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:10.639
 time,

00:37:10.699 --> 00:37:11.319
 as we begin

00:37:11.319 --> 00:37:12.179
 to practice

00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:13.739
 the message

00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.279
 of this

00:37:14.279 --> 00:37:14.779
 passage,

00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:15.900
 as Romans

00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.179
 says,

00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:17.559
 be transformed

00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:17.980
 by the

00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.639
 renewal of

00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.099
 your mind,

00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:19.819
 that process

00:37:19.819 --> 00:37:20.599
 takes place

00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:20.940
 over the

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.319
 course of

00:37:21.319 --> 00:37:21.759
 time.

00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:22.980
 And so

00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.699
 the goal

00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.079
 is that

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.599
 the amount

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:24.899
 of time

00:37:24.899 --> 00:37:25.119
 that it

00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:25.460
 takes me

00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:25.859
 to sin

00:37:25.859 --> 00:37:26.199
 against,

00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:26.819
 for instance,

00:37:26.899 --> 00:37:27.219
 Olivia,

00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:27.980
 and for me

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.419
 to go to

00:37:28.419 --> 00:37:29.059
 her and

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.819
 ask for

00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:30.199
 forgiveness,

00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.419
 that time

00:37:31.419 --> 00:37:31.859
 should be

00:37:31.859 --> 00:37:32.379
 decreasing

00:37:32.379 --> 00:37:33.379
 over the

00:37:33.379 --> 00:37:33.779
 course of

00:37:33.779 --> 00:37:34.299
 my Christian

00:37:34.299 --> 00:37:34.679
 walk.

00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.019
 Why?

00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:37.319
 Because God

00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:39.519
 is transforming

00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.119
 my mind.

00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.219
 I'm seeking

00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:43.899
 and actively

00:37:43.899 --> 00:37:44.559
 turning away

00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.139
 from my sin

00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:45.639
 and trying

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.099
 to love

00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:46.500
 her and

00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:46.920
 show her

00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:47.299
 that the

00:37:47.299 --> 00:37:47.759
 power of

00:37:47.759 --> 00:37:48.219
 the gospel

00:37:48.219 --> 00:37:49.059
 is at

00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.799
 work within

00:37:49.799 --> 00:37:49.920
 me.

00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.179
 So don't

00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:50.900
 be discouraged

00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.420
 if it

00:37:51.420 --> 00:37:53.279
 takes a

00:37:53.279 --> 00:37:54.460
 day or

00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.219
 hours at

00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:55.980
 some point.

00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:57.019
 It may be

00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:57.360
 like that

00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:57.639
 for a

00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:57.840
 while,

00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:58.699
 but pretty

00:37:58.699 --> 00:37:59.259
 soon,

00:37:59.420 --> 00:37:59.880
 over the

00:37:59.880 --> 00:38:00.239
 course of

00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:00.440
 time,

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:00.880
 as God

00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:01.420
 is working

00:38:01.420 --> 00:38:01.980
 in you,

00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:02.380
 which I

00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:02.860
 trust that

00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:03.239
 he will

00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:03.500
 be,

00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:05.500
 pretty

00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:05.840
 soon,

00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:06.179
 it can

00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.940
 almost be

00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.659
 instantaneous

00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.820
 that you're

00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:10.360
 remembering the

00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:11.239
 truths of

00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:12.360
 the gospel

00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.320
 and that it

00:38:13.320 --> 00:38:13.880
 would empower

00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:14.259
 you to

00:38:14.259 --> 00:38:14.500
 then,

00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:14.880
 go and

00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.360
 make things

00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:15.799
 right on

00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:16.480
 a horizontal

00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:18.659
 plane with

00:38:18.659 --> 00:38:19.659
 our earthly

00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:20.480
 relationships.

00:38:23.380 --> 00:38:24.119
 And then

00:38:24.119 --> 00:38:24.679
 perhaps it's

00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:25.079
 the other way

00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:25.500
 around.

00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:26.659
 Perhaps it's

00:38:26.659 --> 00:38:27.259
 Olivia that

00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:27.699
 has sinned

00:38:27.699 --> 00:38:28.139
 against me

00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:29.299
 or putting

00:38:29.299 --> 00:38:30.139
 myself in

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.820
 Olivia's

00:38:30.820 --> 00:38:31.179
 shoes.

00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.000
 I've sinned

00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.579
 against her.

00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:36.000
 Perhaps she

00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.279
 has sinned

00:38:36.279 --> 00:38:36.619
 against me

00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.059
 and comes

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.840
 to me asking

00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:38.920
 for forgiveness

00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:40.440
 and just as

00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:41.380
 Jesus forgives

00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:42.279
 me, so now

00:38:42.279 --> 00:38:43.179
 I can display

00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.819
 the gospel

00:38:43.819 --> 00:38:44.679
 at work

00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:45.039
 in me

00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:46.359
 and extend

00:38:46.359 --> 00:38:46.799
 to her

00:38:46.799 --> 00:38:47.599
 the offer

00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:48.500
 of complete

00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.460
 forgiveness.

00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:52.460
 And there

00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:52.940
 we have

00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:53.500
 her sin

00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:54.039
 against me

00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:54.399
 as an

00:38:54.399 --> 00:38:54.919
 opportunity

00:38:54.919 --> 00:38:55.379
 for me

00:38:55.379 --> 00:38:55.980
 to minister

00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:57.419
 the gospel

00:38:57.419 --> 00:38:57.899
 to her,

00:38:59.319 --> 00:38:59.659
 to minister

00:38:59.659 --> 00:39:00.099
 the gospel

00:39:00.099 --> 00:39:00.460
 to my

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:00.960
 coworkers,

00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:01.879
 to my

00:39:01.879 --> 00:39:02.659
 family members.

00:39:02.659 --> 00:39:03.659
 God's

00:39:03.659 --> 00:39:04.299
 love.

00:39:04.299 --> 00:39:04.719
 It is

00:39:04.719 --> 00:39:05.739
 evidence of

00:39:05.739 --> 00:39:06.460
 the work

00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:07.259
 of God

00:39:07.259 --> 00:39:07.719
 in our

00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.219
 hearts when

00:39:08.219 --> 00:39:08.659
 we're able

00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:08.980
 to do

00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.339
 this.

00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:13.319
 Christian,

00:39:13.399 --> 00:39:13.659
 we are

00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:14.239
 fully

00:39:14.239 --> 00:39:14.759
 deserving

00:39:14.759 --> 00:39:15.539
 of God's

00:39:15.539 --> 00:39:15.940
 wrath.

00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:16.759
 And we

00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:17.119
 were a

00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:17.779
 people who

00:39:17.779 --> 00:39:18.279
 were dead

00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:18.879
 in our

00:39:18.879 --> 00:39:19.420
 sins.

00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:20.940
 But now,

00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:22.099
 what are

00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:22.299
 we?

00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:23.159
 We're a

00:39:23.159 --> 00:39:23.960
 people who

00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.659
 received the

00:39:24.659 --> 00:39:25.019
 forgiveness

00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:26.259
 of sin.

00:39:26.379 --> 00:39:26.699
 And so,

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:27.619
 as I

00:39:27.619 --> 00:39:28.019
 close,

00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:28.799
 I want to

00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.539
 close with

00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.420
 Romans 6,

00:39:30.420 --> 00:39:31.940
 5-7,

00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.420
 which says

00:39:32.420 --> 00:39:32.800
 this,

00:39:34.700 --> 00:39:35.400
 and this

00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:35.780
 is for

00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:36.840
 believers only

00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.220
 when it

00:39:37.220 --> 00:39:37.519
 says,

00:39:38.180 --> 00:39:38.680
 for if we

00:39:38.680 --> 00:39:39.099
 have been

00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:40.000
 united with

00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:40.559
 him in a

00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:41.039
 death like

00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:41.340
 his,

00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:42.480
 we shall

00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.519
 certainly be

00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:43.980
 united with

00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:44.360
 him in a

00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:44.700
 resurrection

00:39:44.700 --> 00:39:45.480
 like his.

00:39:46.260 --> 00:39:46.820
 We know

00:39:46.820 --> 00:39:47.139
 that our

00:39:47.139 --> 00:39:47.860
 old selves

00:39:47.860 --> 00:39:48.500
 were crucified

00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.019
 with him

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.420
 in order

00:39:49.420 --> 00:39:50.119
 that the

00:39:50.119 --> 00:39:50.700
 body of

00:39:50.700 --> 00:39:51.680
 sin might

00:39:51.680 --> 00:39:52.360
 be brought

00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:53.480
 to nothing.

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:55.240
 So that we

00:39:55.240 --> 00:39:55.760
 are no longer

00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:56.579
 enslaved to

00:39:56.579 --> 00:39:56.760
 sin.

00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:57.119
 No,

00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:58.740
 for the

00:39:58.740 --> 00:39:59.180
 one who

00:39:59.180 --> 00:39:59.700
 has died

00:39:59.699 --> 00:40:00.519
 has been

00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:01.359
 set free

00:40:01.359 --> 00:40:02.000
 from sin.

00:40:02.879 --> 00:40:03.219
 It's my

00:40:03.219 --> 00:40:03.679
 prayer,

00:40:04.259 --> 00:40:04.939
 as we go

00:40:04.939 --> 00:40:05.379
 into this

00:40:05.379 --> 00:40:05.599
 week,

00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:05.919
 that this

00:40:05.919 --> 00:40:06.639
 would come

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.259
 alive for

00:40:07.259 --> 00:40:07.599
 us.

00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:08.319
 As we

00:40:08.319 --> 00:40:08.799
 go into

00:40:08.799 --> 00:40:09.799
 our workplace,

00:40:10.039 --> 00:40:10.299
 into our

00:40:10.299 --> 00:40:10.699
 homes,

00:40:10.899 --> 00:40:11.079
 and our

00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:11.639
 interactions

00:40:11.639 --> 00:40:11.980
 with our

00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:12.399
 spouses,

00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:12.799
 and our

00:40:12.799 --> 00:40:13.159
 kids,

00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:14.279
 that the

00:40:14.279 --> 00:40:15.419
 truth that

00:40:15.419 --> 00:40:16.099
 Jesus has

00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:16.599
 the authority

00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:17.099
 to forgive

00:40:17.099 --> 00:40:18.359
 sins would

00:40:18.359 --> 00:40:18.960
 come alive

00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:19.299
 in our

00:40:19.299 --> 00:40:19.639
 hearts.

00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:22.039
 Let's

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.599
 bow our

00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:22.980
 heads in

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:23.239
 prayer.

00:40:26.019 --> 00:40:26.639
 Dear Lord,

00:40:26.779 --> 00:40:27.819
 you are

00:40:27.819 --> 00:40:28.919
 an awesome

00:40:28.919 --> 00:40:29.500
 God who

00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:30.099
 has provided

00:40:30.099 --> 00:40:30.880
 one way,

00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.400
 one way

00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:34.420
 alone for

00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.099
 eternal life,

00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:35.519
 and that is

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:36.059
 through your

00:40:36.059 --> 00:40:36.400
 Son,

00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.420
 Jesus Christ,

00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:38.360
 who has

00:40:38.360 --> 00:40:39.199
 taken on

00:40:39.199 --> 00:40:39.639
 flesh,

00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:40.079
 who has

00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:40.719
 lived a

00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:42.900
 life unstained

00:40:42.900 --> 00:40:43.500
 from sin,

00:40:44.219 --> 00:40:46.519
 so that you

00:40:46.519 --> 00:40:47.400
 may extend

00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:48.840
 and restore

00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:49.480
 the relationship

00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.000
 that has been

00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.760
 broken by our

00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.599
 own depravity,

00:40:51.719 --> 00:40:51.900
 Lord.

00:40:52.800 --> 00:40:53.619
 We pray that

00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:54.179
 those who are

00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:54.619
 in this room

00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.400
 who have not

00:40:55.400 --> 00:40:56.099
 yet confessed

00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:56.519
 and given

00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:56.920
 their life

00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:57.500
 over to you,

00:40:57.500 --> 00:40:58.579
 that their

00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.039
 hearts would

00:40:59.039 --> 00:40:59.780
 be softened

00:40:59.780 --> 00:41:00.639
 and they

00:41:00.639 --> 00:41:01.159
 would reflect

00:41:01.159 --> 00:41:01.539
 on this

00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:02.119
 passage and

00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:02.639
 know that

00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:03.280
 it is not

00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:03.960
 by anything

00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:04.320
 of this

00:41:04.320 --> 00:41:04.659
 world,

00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:05.039
 not of

00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.579
 worldly

00:41:05.579 --> 00:41:06.340
 desires or

00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:07.119
 striving that

00:41:07.119 --> 00:41:07.400
 they can

00:41:07.400 --> 00:41:08.179
 come to

00:41:08.179 --> 00:41:10.280
 have forgiveness

00:41:10.280 --> 00:41:11.079
 for their

00:41:11.079 --> 00:41:11.340
 sins,

00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:12.440
 but only by

00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:12.960
 entrusting

00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:14.179
 themselves under

00:41:14.179 --> 00:41:14.860
 the authority

00:41:14.860 --> 00:41:15.739
 of you

00:41:15.739 --> 00:41:16.159
 alone.

00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:17.739
 We pray that

00:41:17.739 --> 00:41:18.460
 those who are

00:41:18.460 --> 00:41:18.880
 Christians,

00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:20.079
 that this

00:41:20.079 --> 00:41:20.719
 would become

00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:21.679
 more and more

00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:22.760
 realized in

00:41:22.760 --> 00:41:23.320
 their life,

00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:24.059
 in their hearts,

00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:25.299
 in the

00:41:25.299 --> 00:41:25.960
 upcoming weeks

00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.380
 and months

00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:26.940
 and years,

00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:28.519
 that you

00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.380
 would put

00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:29.900
 on their

00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:30.579
 hearts in

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.199
 times of

00:41:31.199 --> 00:41:31.940
 great struggle,

00:41:32.219 --> 00:41:32.779
 in times that

00:41:32.779 --> 00:41:33.139
 they have

00:41:33.139 --> 00:41:33.960
 sinned against

00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:34.360
 someone or

00:41:34.360 --> 00:41:34.960
 times in

00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:35.239
 which they

00:41:35.239 --> 00:41:35.519
 have been

00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:36.159
 sinned against,

00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:37.000
 that this

00:41:37.000 --> 00:41:37.659
 truth would

00:41:37.659 --> 00:41:38.579
 come to

00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:39.059
 bear on

00:41:39.059 --> 00:41:39.679
 their minds,

00:41:40.420 --> 00:41:40.820
 that they

00:41:40.820 --> 00:41:41.239
 would know

00:41:41.239 --> 00:41:42.759
 that you

00:41:42.759 --> 00:41:43.460
 have first

00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:44.059
 and foremost

00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.880
 restored us

00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:45.539
 by forgiveness

00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:46.039
 and therefore

00:41:46.039 --> 00:41:46.759
 we are free

00:41:46.759 --> 00:41:47.440
 to then go

00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:49.139
 and ask for

00:41:49.139 --> 00:41:49.480
 forgiveness

00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:50.539
 and give

00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:51.219
 forgiveness to

00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:52.759
 those around

00:41:52.760 --> 00:41:53.120
 us.

00:41:53.200 --> 00:41:53.380
 Lord,

00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:54.560
 this is a

00:41:54.560 --> 00:41:55.100
 passage that

00:41:55.100 --> 00:41:55.480
 we cannot

00:41:55.480 --> 00:41:55.920
 forget.

00:41:56.700 --> 00:41:57.320
 This is a

00:41:57.320 --> 00:41:57.840
 passage that

00:41:57.840 --> 00:41:58.340
 we cannot

00:41:58.340 --> 00:41:59.700
 glance over.

00:42:00.820 --> 00:42:01.300
 This is a

00:42:01.300 --> 00:42:01.820
 passage that

00:42:01.820 --> 00:42:02.800
 we need each

00:42:02.800 --> 00:42:03.560
 and every

00:42:03.560 --> 00:42:04.300
 day of our

00:42:04.300 --> 00:42:04.720
 lives.

00:42:06.320 --> 00:42:07.020
 Please come

00:42:07.020 --> 00:42:07.320
 and be in

00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:07.800
 our hearts

00:42:07.800 --> 00:42:08.460
 this week.

00:42:08.620 --> 00:42:08.960
 In Jesus'

00:42:09.120 --> 00:42:09.320
 name,

00:42:09.600 --> 00:42:09.820
 Amen.