WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.620 Happy Daylight Savings Time. 00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:11.140 The most wonderful time of the year. 00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:16.000 When you compare the various religions of the world, 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:19.019 you'll find that they actually have a lot in common. 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:22.400 Some of you have done this, studied this academically. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:27.960 Many religions in the world share ideas 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:30.140 about how human beings are to live, 00:00:30.400 --> 00:00:31.859 how we are to treat one another. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:38.120 You will even see concepts such as incarnation, 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:41.120 the idea of a divine being becoming human, 00:00:42.060 --> 00:00:43.200 such as resurrection, 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:45.719 the idea of someone coming back from death. 00:00:46.340 --> 00:00:49.579 You can see versions of these concepts 00:00:49.579 --> 00:00:51.980 in multiple religions in the world. 00:00:51.979 --> 00:00:58.140 But there is one thing that sets Christianity apart. 00:00:59.199 --> 00:01:01.739 There is one thing that you will find 00:01:01.739 --> 00:01:05.060 in no other religion, ancient or modern. 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:07.039 Grace. 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:10.379 The concept of grace. 00:01:11.539 --> 00:01:15.359 The notion that God's love would come to people 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:19.379 free of charge, with no strings attached, 00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:24.659 that seems to run against every fiber of our being 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:27.479 as human beings. 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:31.259 If you look at the Buddhist eightfold path 00:01:31.259 --> 00:01:34.140 or the Hindu doctrine of karma 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:38.479 or the Jewish covenant with its requirements 00:01:38.479 --> 00:01:42.060 or the Muslim code of law, 00:01:42.199 --> 00:01:46.319 each of these offers a way for human beings 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:49.319 to earn their way into the approval 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:51.439 and the blessing of God. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:55.639 Only Christianity dares to claim 00:01:55.639 --> 00:02:00.079 that God's love would be completely unconditional 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:03.060 in the way it enters our lives. 00:02:03.619 --> 00:02:05.500 And this is why the Christian gospel 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:08.659 is uniquely able to transform 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:11.659 human hearts and lives. 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:15.900 And you will probably find no better description 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:19.219 of grace and the Christian gospel 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:22.180 than the one we have in the lectionary reading this week 00:02:22.180 --> 00:02:24.099 in Paul's letter to the Ephesians, 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:27.379 chapter two, verses one through 10. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:28.599 So we're going to look at this 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:32.740 as we consider this unique concept of grace 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:35.060 and the power that it brings. 00:02:35.519 --> 00:02:36.960 And we're gonna ask three questions. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:37.900 Why do we need it? 00:02:38.819 --> 00:02:39.900 How do we get it? 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:41.460 And then what is it all for? 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:42.879 Let's pray. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:46.260 Lord, we thank you for your word 00:02:46.260 --> 00:02:48.960 and we thank you for the opportunity 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.599 to look at the very core of our faith. 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:54.159 For those of us who are Christians, 00:02:54.420 --> 00:02:56.040 this is something that we need to hear 00:02:56.040 --> 00:02:57.759 again and again and again. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:02:59.759 No sooner have we heard it 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:01.240 than we begin to forget it. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:03.800 For those of us here who are not Christians, 00:03:03.920 --> 00:03:04.920 not sure what we believe, 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.520 Lord, perhaps this is a time 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.800 where you might open our hearts 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:11.420 to help us to see the life 00:03:11.420 --> 00:03:12.740 and the love that is on offer. 00:03:13.820 --> 00:03:15.520 Lord, wherever we may be this morning, 00:03:15.600 --> 00:03:17.200 we pray that you would do your work in us 00:03:17.200 --> 00:03:17.840 for your glory. 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:19.500 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:23.520 So why do we need grace? 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:27.120 This is where Paul begins in verse one. 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:29.460 He answers this question for us 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:30.540 when he says this. 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:31.679 He says, 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:32.439 and you, 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:35.879 you were dead in the trespasses and sins 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:37.519 in which you once walked. 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:39.939 You were dead. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:42.239 Now, I would guess 00:03:42.239 --> 00:03:43.560 that most people in our culture, 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:45.519 including people who are Christians, 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:47.419 who have grown up around Christianity, 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:50.259 fail to grasp the full meaning 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:51.399 of Paul's words here. 00:03:52.239 --> 00:03:53.459 One of my favorite movies 00:03:53.459 --> 00:03:54.719 is The Princess Bride. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:58.000 And Wesley is the main character. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.139 There's probably somebody here 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:01.060 who has not seen it. 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:02.319 So for your sake, 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:04.099 Wesley is the main character. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:05.479 And at one point in the movie, 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:08.439 his friends think that Wesley is dead. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.759 And so they bring him 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:12.479 to a man named Miracle Max. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:16.240 And Miracle Max takes a look at Wesley 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:17.319 and examines him. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.139 And he says, 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:19.139 and they say, 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:19.680 he's dead. 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:20.379 What can you do? 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:21.459 And Max replies, 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:23.139 oh, look who knows so much. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:23.899 And he said, 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.220 I'm not gonna do the impersonation, 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:25.959 but it's very tempting. 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:26.979 He says, 00:04:27.039 --> 00:04:27.979 it just so happens 00:04:27.979 --> 00:04:29.060 that your best friend here 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:30.519 is only mostly dead. 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:32.560 There's a big difference 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:34.060 between mostly dead 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:35.379 and all dead. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:39.919 And since Wesley is just mostly dead, 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:41.339 it turns out all he needs 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:42.599 is a magic pill. 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:45.060 And once he swallows that pill, 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:46.699 he's good to go. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:48.500 And he goes and he saves the princess. 00:04:50.179 --> 00:04:51.500 Most people, I believe, 00:04:51.599 --> 00:04:52.240 in our culture 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:53.959 have a kind of Miracle Max mentality 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:56.879 when it comes to the human condition. 00:04:58.359 --> 00:04:58.659 Right? 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:00.239 They would read Paul 00:05:00.239 --> 00:05:00.819 and they would say, 00:05:00.919 --> 00:05:01.759 well, surely doesn't, 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:03.799 Paul doesn't actually mean 00:05:03.799 --> 00:05:04.919 that we are all dead. 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:06.699 That would be extreme. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:09.099 Surely what Paul means, 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:10.659 and this is just rhetoric, 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:13.259 is that we need a little help. 00:05:13.919 --> 00:05:15.899 We just need the right medicine 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:17.740 to get us on track. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:19.419 Now, different people 00:05:19.419 --> 00:05:20.539 have different ideas 00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:22.159 about what that medicine might be. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:23.640 Religious traditionalists, 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:24.960 maybe some of us in this room, 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:27.120 might say we need moral reform. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:29.060 That's the medicine 00:05:29.060 --> 00:05:30.100 that society needs 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:31.240 to get us back on track. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:33.080 Some of you might be more 00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:34.840 in the secular progressive camp. 00:05:35.320 --> 00:05:36.660 Secular progressives might say 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:38.460 we need more tolerance 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:39.820 and we need more inclusion 00:05:39.820 --> 00:05:41.300 and we need less 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:42.060 of the religious 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:43.780 closed-mindedness and bigotry. 00:05:43.860 --> 00:05:45.100 That's what society needs. 00:05:45.200 --> 00:05:45.879 That's the medicine. 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:48.400 Social media gurus. 00:05:48.940 --> 00:05:49.920 Now we've been fasting 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:51.200 from social media, right? 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.459 So this doesn't apply 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:53.120 to any of us, 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:54.000 but for other people, 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:55.819 social media gurus might say 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:57.800 we need cold plunges 00:05:57.800 --> 00:05:58.379 every morning. 00:05:59.159 --> 00:06:01.699 We need a keto diet, right? 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:02.699 These are things 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:04.500 that are going to radically 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:05.920 restart our lives 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:07.419 and get us on the right track. 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:09.819 People love to believe 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:10.879 these kinds of things. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:12.159 People love to believe 00:06:12.159 --> 00:06:13.899 that all we need 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:15.159 is just a little more discipline. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:16.360 All we need 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:18.000 is just a better strategy. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.120 People love to believe 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:21.019 that we are just one book 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:22.620 or one retreat 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:24.759 or one life hack away 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:25.540 from becoming 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:27.279 the best version of ourselves. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:31.339 Even though all of these approaches 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:33.319 look different on the outside, 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:34.300 different packaging, 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:36.980 underneath they're all the same. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:38.800 They all flow out of the idea 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:40.399 that we are fully capable 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.720 of solving all of our problems 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:44.279 in our own strength. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:47.439 We just need the right medicine. 00:06:48.619 --> 00:06:50.419 We love to believe that, 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:54.039 but medicine does not work 00:06:54.039 --> 00:06:55.319 on dead people. 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:58.839 It works on sick people, 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:00.779 and if you're mostly dead, 00:07:01.479 --> 00:07:03.179 but medicine does not work 00:07:03.179 --> 00:07:04.099 on dead people. 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:06.559 And what Paul is saying here 00:07:06.559 --> 00:07:07.359 very clearly 00:07:07.359 --> 00:07:09.119 is that human beings 00:07:09.119 --> 00:07:09.899 on our own 00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:12.779 are spiritually dead. 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:12.819 dead. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:14.959 To quote Miracle Max, 00:07:15.239 --> 00:07:16.039 all dead. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:17.479 That no amount 00:07:17.479 --> 00:07:18.279 of human effort 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.000 can fix what is wrong with us. 00:07:20.059 --> 00:07:21.359 There is no magic pill 00:07:21.359 --> 00:07:22.639 that can wake us up 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:23.619 from our slumber. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:25.419 He's saying 00:07:25.419 --> 00:07:26.859 the world is full of people. 00:07:27.419 --> 00:07:28.459 Some of those people 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:29.099 are religious, 00:07:29.239 --> 00:07:29.759 and by the way, 00:07:29.919 --> 00:07:30.939 in Paul's day, 00:07:31.119 --> 00:07:32.339 everybody was religious. 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:34.359 There were no secular 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:35.439 progressive people. 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.939 Everybody was religious. 00:07:40.059 --> 00:07:41.879 The world is full of people. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:43.100 Some religious, 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:43.959 some secular, 00:07:44.159 --> 00:07:45.620 who seem alive. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:48.180 You can have people 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:49.500 who are highly moral. 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:50.540 You can have people 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:52.120 who do a lot of good 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:52.819 in the world. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.579 People where you look at them 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:55.019 and you think, 00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:56.740 that's a much better person 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:57.879 than me. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:07:59.620 But what Paul is saying 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:00.420 is that person 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:01.379 may very well be 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.980 spiritually dead. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:04.659 And we say, 00:08:04.719 --> 00:08:05.680 well, how do we know that? 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:07.959 Jonathan Edwards, 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.060 who was a pastor 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:09.659 and theologian 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:10.560 during the first 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:11.420 great awakening, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.699 he got to see people 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.699 coming to faith 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:15.780 in numbers 00:08:15.780 --> 00:08:16.800 that most of us 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.660 can't imagine. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.480 He saw these incredible 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.740 spiritual transformations, 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.899 and he wrote a lot about it. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:24.060 He thought a lot about it, 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:25.120 and he wrote a lot about 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.360 what is the evidence 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:28.399 of genuine spiritual life 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:29.699 in a person. 00:08:30.340 --> 00:08:31.680 And what he says is this, 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:32.879 the clearest evidence 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:33.820 of spiritual life 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:35.399 is not that they 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:36.740 intellectually assent 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:37.440 to the tenets 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.080 of the faith. 00:08:39.180 --> 00:08:40.780 It's not their morality. 00:08:42.140 --> 00:08:43.700 It's not the good works 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:44.360 that they do 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:45.300 or the external 00:08:45.300 --> 00:08:46.520 religious practices 00:08:46.520 --> 00:08:47.940 that they partake in. 00:08:49.040 --> 00:08:49.900 Edwards says that 00:08:49.900 --> 00:08:51.020 the clearest evidence 00:08:51.020 --> 00:08:52.400 of spiritual life 00:08:52.400 --> 00:08:53.980 is love. 00:08:56.160 --> 00:08:59.220 Do you love God? 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:02.720 Do you delight in God? 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:05.899 Do you delight in God's word? 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:08.980 And does that love for God 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:10.960 overflow into the lives 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:12.879 of the people around you? 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:14.960 The point is, 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:16.580 it's all about our motivations. 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:18.460 You can have a highly moral, 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.100 highly religiously devoted person 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.680 who looks like they are 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:23.920 spiritually alive, 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:25.660 but what motivates them? 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:28.440 Edwards says there's a lot 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:29.759 of possible motivations. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:30.919 It could be fear. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.419 Maybe they're afraid 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:33.639 of divine punishment. 00:09:33.819 --> 00:09:34.000 You know, 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:34.580 in his day, 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.279 that was a thing, 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:36.799 not so much in our day. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:38.939 Maybe they're moral 00:09:38.939 --> 00:09:39.679 and upright 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:40.340 and do good 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.939 because they fear rejection 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:43.860 from their friend group 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:44.779 or their family, 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:46.799 and so they keep up appearances. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:49.480 Or maybe it's pride, 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:50.220 he says. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.819 It feels good 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:53.580 to do good. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.399 We live in a culture 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.360 that rewards people 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:59.840 who do good 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:00.579 and who advertise 00:10:00.579 --> 00:10:01.659 that they do good. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.639 If you do the right good 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:05.919 in the way that your friend group 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:06.819 defines good, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:08.240 you're going to get 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:09.360 a lot of affirmation, 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:10.500 and that feels good. 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.860 Getting praise from other people 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:12.759 makes us feel good 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.539 about ourselves. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.559 But what Edwards would say 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:15.919 is this. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.679 That may produce 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:17.559 a highly moral 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:19.679 or highly religiously devoted life, 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:21.360 but all of these motivations 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:23.059 are ultimately self-serving. 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:24.539 We're not doing good 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:26.019 because we love God 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:27.419 and delight in God. 00:10:27.619 --> 00:10:28.479 We're doing good 00:10:28.479 --> 00:10:30.039 because it benefits us. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.399 And it is therefore 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.479 a kind of shallow 00:10:34.479 --> 00:10:36.199 and fragile morality 00:10:36.199 --> 00:10:37.559 because as soon as it starts 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:38.879 to not benefit us, 00:10:39.839 --> 00:10:42.359 we may stop doing so much good. 00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:44.679 The truth is, 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:46.279 as we see in verses two and through, 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:48.279 whether we are moral or immoral, 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.419 whether we are religious 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.599 or irreligious, 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:52.419 on our own, Paul says, 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.899 we follow the prince 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:55.439 of the power of the air. 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:56.740 In other words, 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.000 we follow the message 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:58.799 of the deceiver 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:00.059 who has been deceiving humans 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:00.799 since the beginning 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:03.559 who said and continues to say, 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:05.959 you're better off on your own. 00:11:07.079 --> 00:11:08.279 You're better off 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:10.039 living for yourself. 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:12.439 And so Paul is saying, 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:14.079 we're driven not by love 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:15.319 and delight in God, 00:11:15.479 --> 00:11:16.939 spiritual life and vitality. 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:18.879 We're driven by our appetites 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:19.860 and desires 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:21.819 and the ways of the world around us. 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:24.379 And the key point here 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.379 in context, 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.820 religion is powerless 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.740 to make a difference. 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.240 Religion is powerless to help. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.379 Religion can turn 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.980 less religious people 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:38.440 into more religious people. 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:41.080 We're really good at doing that. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.540 Religion can turn 00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:44.680 immoral people 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:45.880 into moral people. 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.920 Religion can also turn 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.719 immoral people 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:50.919 into immoral people. 00:11:51.479 --> 00:11:52.299 We're pretty good 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:52.939 at doing that. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.799 But religion cannot 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.559 raise the dead. 00:11:58.339 --> 00:11:59.199 It's powerless 00:11:59.199 --> 00:12:00.099 to raise the dead. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:03.019 And so this first point 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:03.899 is crucial for us 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:04.379 to understand 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.459 how and why grace 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:06.459 changes lives. 00:12:06.599 --> 00:12:07.319 The first thing 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:08.240 that we need to recognize, 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:08.839 Paul says, 00:12:08.959 --> 00:12:10.939 is that true spiritual formation 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.240 is not possible 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.919 until we recognize 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:14.399 that on our own, 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.099 we are helpless. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:17.920 And if we don't see 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:19.120 that we are spiritually helpless, 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.779 if we don't recognize that, 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:21.879 in other words, 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:23.000 if we think that we are 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.960 fully capable 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:25.040 of solving 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:26.139 all of our own problems 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.659 in our own strength, 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:30.100 what happens 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:31.120 when we see someone 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:31.960 who doesn't have 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:32.740 their life together? 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.779 What happens 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.700 when we see someone 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:36.100 who 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:39.100 isn't doing a good job 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:39.660 of solving 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:40.560 their problems? 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:43.139 Well, 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:43.739 if we think 00:12:43.739 --> 00:12:44.519 that we're capable 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.139 of doing it 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.739 on our own 00:12:45.739 --> 00:12:46.479 and we see somebody 00:12:46.479 --> 00:12:47.579 who's clearly not doing it 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:48.299 on their own, 00:12:48.359 --> 00:12:49.019 what does that mean 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:49.599 about them? 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.139 It's very easy 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:52.799 to look down 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:53.759 on such a person. 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:55.139 You know, 00:12:55.219 --> 00:12:56.019 you see someone 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:57.279 who's homeless 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.019 on the street. 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.399 You pass them every day 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.279 on your walk, right? 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:01.000 The same person 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:01.759 is there on the corner 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.259 and they ask you 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:03.559 for something 00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:04.319 and you give them something 00:13:04.319 --> 00:13:05.019 and the next day 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.679 it's the same thing 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:06.839 and you think to yourself, 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.559 you're here every morning, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.359 couldn't you show up 00:13:09.359 --> 00:13:10.000 to a job? 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:11.619 Right? 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.519 If you can get here, 00:13:12.619 --> 00:13:13.459 can't you get to a job? 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.159 Why aren't you working? 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:14.919 You need to be working. 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:17.179 Or you see somebody 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.279 struggling with addiction 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:19.099 and you say, 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:19.619 you know, 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.259 they just need 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.199 more self-discipline. 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.000 They just need 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.539 more self-discipline. 00:13:23.739 --> 00:13:24.619 You see somebody 00:13:24.619 --> 00:13:25.559 who's undocumented 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:26.299 and you say, 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:27.219 they never should have 00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:28.379 come here to begin with. 00:13:30.719 --> 00:13:31.119 Right? 00:13:31.219 --> 00:13:31.979 And you're looking, 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.199 why didn't you solve 00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:33.919 these problems? 00:13:34.599 --> 00:13:35.559 I solved my problem, 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.559 why can't you do that? 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.699 Once the truth 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:41.420 of our spiritual helplessness 00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:42.480 begins to hit home, 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.360 it begins to fundamentally 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.420 change how we see ourselves 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:48.100 and how we see other people 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:48.700 and frankly, 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.080 it is profoundly humbling 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:51.580 because you know 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.680 that you're no better 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:54.060 than anyone else. 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.879 When you see people 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.840 whom society 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:58.240 tends to look down on, 00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:00.040 people who are homeless 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:01.520 or people with addictions, 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:03.100 you say, 00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:04.440 well maybe on the outside 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.480 we look different, 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.540 maybe at this point 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.459 in my life 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:08.860 our lives don't look 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:10.059 the same on the outside 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:11.500 but you know 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:13.740 that deep down, 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.339 spiritually, 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:16.299 you are no better 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:17.439 than anyone else 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:19.099 and in fact, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.919 you may very well 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.599 be much, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.299 much worse 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:25.039 than that person, 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.219 spiritually speaking. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.939 You know that even 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.480 if you're not 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.980 addicted to a substance, 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:33.459 you're spiritually addicted. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.460 Right? 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.120 That even if you're 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.160 not currently struggling, 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:39.019 not having a place to live, 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.519 that you on your own 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.759 are spiritually homeless. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.560 You're an outcast. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.200 You're no different. 00:14:45.160 --> 00:14:46.320 You're looking into a mirror. 00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:49.759 When we begin 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.220 to recognize this truth 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.220 that on our own 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.160 we are spiritually dead, 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.840 it changes how we see ourselves. 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:55.360 Also, 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.740 if we don't recognize 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:58.080 this truth about ourselves, 00:14:58.540 --> 00:15:00.360 we will never really believe 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.639 that we need God's grace. 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.720 We will simply believe 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.340 that we need 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.500 what God owes us, 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:08.220 which is a very different matter. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.100 That's other religions. 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.360 So that's why we need it. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.019 How do we get it? 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:14.600 Paul says in verse three, 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.879 we were by nature 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.899 children of wrath 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.179 like the rest of mankind. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.220 Now listen, 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.919 the idea of God's wrath 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.220 is frankly very disturbing 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:26.620 for most people today. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.559 Because I think 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.659 when we hear wrath, 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:30.399 like honestly, 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.759 when I hear the word wrath, 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:33.279 my first mental image 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.899 is that God 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:36.240 is storming around 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.000 like a dad 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.959 with anger issues. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.480 I think of that 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:40.379 as being God's wrath. 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:41.399 He's just storming around. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:41.620 He's like, 00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:42.220 I can't believe 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:42.879 they did it again. 00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:44.000 I've given all these chances 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.399 and they're just, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.439 you know, 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.980 that's how I imagine wrath. 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.799 But that's a completely 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:51.120 unbiblical image of wrath. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.779 What does it mean 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.279 when the Bible 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.519 talks about God's wrath? 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:53.840 Well, 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.000 imagine that you live 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.539 in a really, 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.159 really big, 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.879 nice house. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.639 You're going to have 00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.439 to really try hard. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.139 But imagine, 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:02.139 pretend that you live 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.019 in a really big, 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.519 nice, 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.960 multi-million dollar mansion 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.639 and you've got 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.399 original art everywhere 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.139 and it's just, 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:09.799 it's this amazing place, 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.039 right? 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.620 And imagine that you have 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.600 to go away for a few weeks 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.899 and you ask your friend 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.080 to house sit for you. 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.480 And your friend says, 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:16.620 yeah, 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.439 I'll house sit for you. 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.299 And then while you're away, 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.740 they throw a huge party. 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:22.000 And it gets way out of control. 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:24.159 And there may be live animals. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:27.459 And things catch on fire, 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:27.819 right? 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.059 And all the art, 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.219 everything gets destroyed. 00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:31.019 And it may be that 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.139 at one point late in the night, 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.319 a car gets driven 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:34.199 through one of your walls 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:35.000 or something like that, 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.179 right? 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:36.699 So it's a crazy 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.959 out of control situation. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.500 And you come home 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.819 and everything is trashed. 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:43.500 The whole house is trashed. 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:45.019 The fire department's there, 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.419 right? 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.360 It's a mess. 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:48.659 You have a couple of options. 00:16:49.839 --> 00:16:50.740 You could, 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.600 option one, 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:54.019 demand that they pay 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.220 every penny 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.480 that it's going to cost 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.899 to restore your house. 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:00.940 They have to pay it all off. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.779 You haul them 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.600 in front of a judge 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.220 and you request 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:05.059 a court mandated payment plan 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.440 and they have to pay 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.220 everything back. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.360 But let's say 00:17:09.360 --> 00:17:10.299 it's going to cost 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:12.019 at least a couple million dollars 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.180 to restore everything. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:14.519 Right? 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.160 Some of that stuff 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:15.799 is priceless. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.539 What happens to your friend 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.339 in that relationship? 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:19.680 Well, 00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:21.039 they might never be able 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.740 to pay it off. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.379 And so for the rest 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:23.960 of their lives, 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.579 the rest of your lives together, 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.720 they're going to be paying 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.480 and paying and paying 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.000 but they're never going 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.579 to pay it off. 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.920 So that's option A. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.420 What's option B? 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.460 You could choose 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.159 to forgive them. 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.500 But what happens? 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.000 What happens 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.700 when you say 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.659 I forgive you? 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.659 What are you choosing 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.659 to do in that moment? 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:45.420 Wait, 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.319 you're choosing 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.939 to absorb 00:17:47.939 --> 00:17:49.480 the cost 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:52.319 of the damage 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.059 that they did 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.899 to your house 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:56.019 and you're choosing 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.879 to absorb 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:58.159 the pain 00:17:58.159 --> 00:18:00.899 of their profound 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:02.019 disrespect for you 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.839 and their disregard 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.839 for your things. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.500 And you're choosing 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.559 to absorb 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.659 all of that. 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:11.759 The price doesn't go away 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.879 but you're the one 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.759 who's going to pay it. 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.579 You're the one 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.359 who's going to be writing 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:15.899 the check 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:17.240 to pay 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.460 for all of those 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.480 repairs to be done. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.679 They're not going to have 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:21.899 any debt to pay. 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.419 Not because there's not a debt 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.759 but because you paid it 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.139 so they wouldn't have to. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.419 You're choosing, 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:28.919 in other words, 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.659 to absorb 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.559 the full cost 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.259 of the wrong 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.500 and you're choosing 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.299 to extend 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.039 friendship 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.799 and love 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.659 and acceptance 00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:38.839 instead of demanding 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.019 that they repay you 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.599 even though 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.179 that would be 00:18:41.179 --> 00:18:42.119 just and right 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.779 and fair. 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:43.659 You're choosing 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.580 to absorb it 00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:46.140 to set them free 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:46.900 from that debt 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:48.400 so that you can continue 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.100 in your friendship. 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:51.720 The point is this 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.960 is that God created 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.720 this world 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.980 and then God entrusted 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.240 this world to us 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:58.060 and we've rejected 00:18:58.060 --> 00:18:59.640 and ignored God 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.180 in the world 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:00.820 that he made 00:19:00.820 --> 00:19:02.060 and then we have defaced 00:19:02.060 --> 00:19:02.840 and destroyed 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:03.620 his creation 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:05.040 as well as ourselves 00:19:05.040 --> 00:19:06.800 and there is 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:08.540 an accumulated cost 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:10.420 of all of the sin 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.160 and the rebellion 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.120 of humanity 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.639 throughout the centuries 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.319 there's a debt owed 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.779 for all of the damage 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.539 that we've done. 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.679 There's a debt owed 00:19:19.679 --> 00:19:21.559 for the disrespect 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.559 and rejection 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.500 of God. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.479 God's wrath 00:19:27.479 --> 00:19:30.759 is his righteous desire 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.759 for that debt 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.399 to be paid. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.919 It is God 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:36.039 looking at that debt 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.759 and saying 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:40.859 out of his righteousness 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:43.160 somebody must pay 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.700 this debt. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.359 Things have to be 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:46.940 made right. 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.400 Somebody's going 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.039 to write the check. 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.920 The problem is 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.599 we owe 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:55.019 such a vast sum 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.160 that even if we had 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.099 all of eternity 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.400 and we were all 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.299 working together 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.799 we would never 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.779 be able to pay it. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.660 We would never be able 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.700 to put a dent in it. 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:06.920 That's the predicament. 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:11.400 Hear Paul's words. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.740 But God 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:16.220 being rich 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.039 in mercy 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:19.140 because of the 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.960 great love 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.620 with which 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.900 he loved us 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.400 even when we 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.140 were dead 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:25.440 in our trespasses 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:27.420 made us alive 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:27.920 together 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:29.000 with Christ. 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.039 And then he says 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:31.380 by grace 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.299 you have been 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.160 saved. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.880 On the cross 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.680 he's saying 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.580 Jesus 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:37.600 absorbed 00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.720 the cost 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.720 of all of that 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.180 sin 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:41.580 and rebellion. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.340 He paid 00:20:43.340 --> 00:20:44.160 the price 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:45.660 in full 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.440 and the reason 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.160 is because 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.440 he has chosen 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:50.519 to embrace 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.160 us 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.860 as sons 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:53.980 and as 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.640 daughters 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:56.279 even though 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.900 we deserve 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.500 the opposite. 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:00.120 He said 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.860 I will write 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:01.319 the check 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.160 for the damages 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.860 and it will 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.160 come out 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.560 of my 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.000 account. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.440 Right? 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.400 And this is 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.140 what grace 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.800 means. 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.560 It is God's 00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:08.980 willingness 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:10.300 to absorb 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:11.180 the cost 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.560 of our 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:12.040 rebellion 00:21:12.040 --> 00:21:13.220 and forgive 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.920 us rather 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.759 than demanding 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.519 repayment. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.560 And you say 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:19.100 well how do we 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.120 get this grace? 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.600 How does it 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:21.180 come into 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.820 our lives? 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.220 And Paul 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.660 says in 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:23.100 verse 8 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:24.140 by grace 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.560 you have 00:21:24.560 --> 00:21:25.279 been saved 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.940 through faith 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.600 meaning anyone 00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:28.320 who comes 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.220 to him 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.240 in faith 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.599 will be 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.139 embraced. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.859 It's a 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.460 guaranteed 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.379 response. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.480 Their debt 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.819 will be 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.299 paid in 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.659 full. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.559 And there 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:38.960 are three 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.460 verbs 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:39.819 that we 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.599 see here 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.619 and they 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.079 all have 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.480 the same 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.079 prefix 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.819 sin 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:46.019 which means 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.700 with or 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.339 alongside. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.220 God made 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.139 us alive 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:50.599 with Christ. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.159 God raised 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.679 us up 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:54.279 with Christ. 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:55.399 God seated 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.359 us with 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.819 Christ in 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.240 the heavenly 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.799 places. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.479 And what 00:21:59.479 --> 00:21:59.839 we see 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.199 here is 00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:01.039 that grace 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.939 is not 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:03.459 just about 00:22:03.459 --> 00:22:04.359 clearing the 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:04.699 debt. 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:06.079 It's an 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.799 invitation 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:09.319 to do 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.359 life with 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.000 Christ. 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.659 To leave 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.379 behind a 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.839 life of 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.339 spiritual 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.339 alienation 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.079 and death 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.379 to begin 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.219 to live 00:22:19.219 --> 00:22:20.339 life with 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.459 him. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.259 I love 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.839 how Eugene 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.299 Peterson 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.079 translates 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.859 Jesus' 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.799 invitation 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.339 in Matthew 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:26.759 11. 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.279 He says 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.220 this, 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.740 Are you 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.259 tired? 00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:31.180 Worn 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.519 out? 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.279 Burned 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.779 out on 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.180 religion? 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.119 Come to 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.539 me. 00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:38.200 Get away 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.919 with me 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:39.460 and you 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.200 will recover 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.940 your life. 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.500 I will 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.119 show you 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.379 how to 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:43.919 take a 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.879 real rest. 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.659 Walk 00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.319 with me 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.419 and work 00:22:48.419 --> 00:22:49.000 with me. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:49.879 Watch 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.460 how I 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:50.940 do it. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.480 Learn 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.819 the 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.019 unforced 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.620 rhythms 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:56.099 of grace. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:57.980 Learn 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.200 the 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.140 unforced 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.700 rhythms 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.799 of grace. 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:03.819 The 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.500 reason that 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.860 we need 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.440 grace is 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.019 because we 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.259 are 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.019 spiritually 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.279 helpless. 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.640 And the 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.220 way to get 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.000 grace is by 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.460 faith. 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.079 To come to 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.779 Jesus in 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.440 faith and 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.640 simply to 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.180 ask. 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.200 And then the 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.039 task simply 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.019 becomes this. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.159 Learn the 00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:21.159 unforced 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:22.059 rhythms of 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.159 grace by 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.799 beginning to 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.420 do life 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.359 with Jesus. 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.399 That's it. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.359 Final 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.000 question though, 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.500 what's this 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.039 all for? 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.839 What's the 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.119 purpose? 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:35.139 What is our 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.940 salvation for? 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.180 And here's 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.240 where it 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.799 begins to 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.599 really come 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.019 into our 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.379 lives. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.279 Every single 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.940 one of us 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.359 in this 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.659 room, 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.299 you have a 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.920 God-given 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.579 vocation. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.019 Right? 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.420 There are 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.099 all kinds 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.579 of ways 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.000 that God 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.319 has given 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.019 you resources 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.639 and gifts 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.259 and talents 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.799 and abilities 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.400 and connections 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.960 and all the 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.400 things that 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:53.900 make you 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.420 you and the 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.900 things that 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.519 when you're 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.980 doing them 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.599 you're in 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.059 the sweet 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.559 spot of 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:57.859 what you 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.220 should be 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:58.460 doing. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:58.819 This is 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.299 why you're 00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.579 here. 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.259 You have 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.920 a vocation. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.660 So some 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:01.900 of you 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.639 are creators. 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.359 Some of 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.700 you are 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.200 thinkers. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.639 Some of 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:05.940 you are 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.480 caregivers 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.359 and you're 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.039 nurturers. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.579 Some of 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:08.980 you are 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:10.220 you build 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.099 or you 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.779 organize, 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.339 you optimize. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.500 Some of 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.039 you help. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:15.720 Some of 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.519 you heal. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.000 Some of 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.119 you restore. 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.599 Some of 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.180 you teach 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.240 or inspire 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.460 or lead. 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.000 We all 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.700 have a 00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.500 vocation. 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.759 And there 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.359 are ways 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:25.819 that God 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.879 has specifically 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.799 gifted you 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.599 to be a 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.440 blessing in 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.019 the world, 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.200 called you 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.980 to participate 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.920 in the healing 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.740 and restoring 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.639 of the world. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.819 The brilliance 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.799 of the image 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.619 that we have 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.099 of the new 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.680 creation 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.920 at the culmination 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.660 of all things 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.600 is that you 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.400 have a garden 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.680 and a city 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.320 that have 00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:46.100 come together, 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.900 that it is a 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.980 combination of 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.140 God's design 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.519 and his 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.519 creative power 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:52.080 and human 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.759 creativity. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.600 We participate 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.420 in building 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:54.980 that which 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.500 will last 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.279 into eternity 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.720 and God 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.120 has given 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.779 you a 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.360 vocation 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.100 as a way 00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.800 of building 00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:00.560 into that 00:25:00.560 --> 00:25:01.420 future eternal 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.700 reality right 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.380 here and now. 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:05.000 So let me 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.380 ask you a 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:05.680 question. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:05.779 question. 00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:07.620 When you 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.240 do your 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.039 work well 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.400 and you 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:09.880 are in 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.660 your sweet 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.100 spot, 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:13.600 who gets 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.080 the glory? 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.480 I have a 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.920 feeling that 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.480 probably the 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.340 biggest challenge 00:25:19.340 --> 00:25:20.340 for most of 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:20.820 us in this 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.440 room, and you 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.200 can raise your 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.799 hand if you're 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.259 an exception, 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.600 most people 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.039 care about 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.480 living good 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:26.799 lives. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.620 You might 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.080 say, not 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:29.539 me, but 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.000 most people 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.240 do. 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:31.799 We care 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.360 about justice. 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.100 We want 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:34.700 to help make 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.160 the world a 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.620 better place. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.360 Probably some 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.080 of us moved 00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:37.680 to D.C. 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.120 to be a 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.460 part of 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.039 some job 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.600 or cause 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.160 to try to 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.480 help make 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:40.759 the world 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.019 a better 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.279 place. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.160 That's what 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.000 animates you. 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.279 So the 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.820 challenge that 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.220 I believe 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.799 for us is 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.759 not doing 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.500 good works. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.039 It's doing 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.600 good works 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.060 that call 00:25:51.060 --> 00:25:51.640 attention to 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.620 God's glory 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.500 instead of 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.019 our glory. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.680 So this 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.080 is why 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:58.060 Paul says, 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:00.180 this is not 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.740 of your own 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.019 doing. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.560 This, he 00:26:01.560 --> 00:26:02.440 means, grace 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.019 coming into 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.539 your life, 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:04.620 transformation. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.699 This is not 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.119 of your own 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.379 doing. 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:07.500 He says, this 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.019 is a gift 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.899 of God, not 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:11.339 a result of 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:14.159 works, so 00:26:14.159 --> 00:26:15.399 that no one 00:26:15.399 --> 00:26:16.119 may boast. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.539 He says, if 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.779 you are boasting 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.899 about any of 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.459 this, then you've 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:21.419 completely missed 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:21.919 the point. 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:23.979 For, he says in 00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:24.639 verse 10, we 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.639 are his 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.519 workmanship, 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.259 created in 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.199 Christ Jesus 00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:30.139 for good works, 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.199 which God 00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:32.259 prepared beforehand 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.119 that we should 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.059 walk in them. 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.460 So what is he 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.740 saying? 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.379 We're not 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.460 saved by good 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:41.059 works, but we 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.819 are saved for 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.339 good works. 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.700 That's the 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.099 purpose. 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.759 Some of you 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.339 may know this, 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.099 that the word 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:49.299 for workmanship 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.440 is poiema. 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.599 You know, we 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:52.980 get the word 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.920 poem from that. 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.599 You know, so a 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.160 way of saying 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.799 this is that 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.720 Paul is saying, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.160 our lives are 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.839 meant to be 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.980 God's love 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.959 poem written 00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:02.699 to the world 00:27:02.699 --> 00:27:04.240 to put his 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.919 love and grace 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.839 on display. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.359 When you look 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:08.959 at a piece of 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:10.019 great art, you 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.019 don't praise the 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.740 art, you praise 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.259 the artist. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:14.240 You say, this is 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.799 amazing, what a 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.619 phenomenal artist 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.819 to create something 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.419 this beautiful. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.699 When you hear a 00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.359 great piece of 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.259 music, you don't 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.839 praise the 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.240 instrument. 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.459 I don't say, wow, 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.159 what an amazing 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:24.500 guitar. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.779 I say, what an 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.559 amazing musician. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.220 What a skilled 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.059 musician, right? 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.199 God's vision is 00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:33.199 that our community 00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:35.579 would be a 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.379 community that 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.459 puts him on 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.000 display. 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.059 That when people 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.740 see the way we 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.399 live our lives, 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.220 they wouldn't 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.959 praise us. 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.819 They would praise 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.199 him. 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.579 So we are the 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.419 art, but he's 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:47.919 the artist. 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.019 We are the 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.959 instruments, but 00:27:51.959 --> 00:27:52.759 he is the 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.119 musician. 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:53.759 He's the 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.259 composer. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.959 The vision is 00:27:56.959 --> 00:27:57.399 that our 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.079 community would 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.679 be like a 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.420 great symphony 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.120 of grace. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.920 That each of 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.480 us would see 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.100 ourselves, that 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.539 you would see 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.380 yourself as an 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.180 instrument of 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.539 God's orchestra. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.320 You're an 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:10.060 instrument in 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:10.740 God's orchestra, 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.560 and when you 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:14.019 play your role, 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.960 when you follow 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.940 Jesus faithfully, 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.740 when you do your 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.880 job with excellence 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.779 and integrity, 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.480 when you love and 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.200 care for your 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.460 neighbors, when 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.560 you're patient and 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.880 gentle with your 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.860 children, right? 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.419 When you're doing 00:28:28.419 --> 00:28:29.099 all the things 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.359 that you're 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.039 called to do, 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.299 God is playing 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.740 his music through 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:35.099 the good works that 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:37.799 he has composed for 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.579 you to do, right? 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.759 He wrote the sheet 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.559 music beforehand, and 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.419 he's given you the 00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.559 sheet music, and now 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.519 you're playing it with 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.019 your life. 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:48.719 And the God-given 00:28:48.719 --> 00:28:49.719 purpose of each one 00:28:49.719 --> 00:28:50.439 of us is that the 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:51.899 song of our life would 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.899 glorify him. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:55.320 And the good news of 00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:57.720 this is, living for 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.080 God's glory is not 00:28:59.080 --> 00:29:00.580 only right, it's not 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.780 only the reason that 00:29:01.780 --> 00:29:02.700 we're here, but it is 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:04.519 also incredibly freeing. 00:29:06.280 --> 00:29:07.460 Because let's just be 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:09.519 honest, some people have 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.900 a lot of anxiety about 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.600 whether or not they are 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:13.080 being faithful to God's 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:14.140 expectations of them. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.780 But most of us are far 00:29:17.780 --> 00:29:18.680 more worried about the 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.900 expectations that other 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:22.400 people place on us, or 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.620 the expectations that we 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:25.259 place on ourselves. 00:29:25.540 --> 00:29:27.060 And most people I know 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:29.440 who feel crushed under 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:29.840 the weight of 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.420 expectations is the 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.400 expectations from other 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.620 people and from 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:36.000 ourselves that brings 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.759 the most weight. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:39.180 And grace not only sets 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:41.400 us free from the demands 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.420 and the requirements of 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:43.860 the law, it sets us free 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:45.140 from having to live for 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.519 anyone's expectations. 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.560 Because we know that we 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:50.059 have the delight of God. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.279 And that's all that 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.539 matters. 00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:53.519 I love the story of the 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:55.000 great artist Michelangelo. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.839 I never knew this until 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.359 more recently. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.039 He was apparently plagued 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.379 throughout his life. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:04.139 To try, he was sort of 00:30:04.139 --> 00:30:05.379 plagued with anxiety and 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:06.639 stress trying to live up 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:09.259 to his other, or to his 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:11.319 own demands for himself 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.500 and to the demands that 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.899 other people placed on him. 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:16.179 He got notoriety and so 00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:17.559 people just demanded and 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.819 expected brilliant, 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.899 amazing artwork. 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.779 And he found that to be 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.139 crushing. 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.200 And most of his life, he 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.240 just lived crushed under 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.200 the weight of those 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.220 expectations and this 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.519 incredible perfectionism. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.779 But as he approaches the 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.899 end of his life, a 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:32.220 spiritual rebirth begins 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.759 to occur. 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:35.319 And one of his final works 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:37.259 was intended to be his 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.980 gravestone. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:40.099 And it was a statue of 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:42.139 himself, but in the guise 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:44.359 of Nicodemus from John 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.460 chapter 4, the one who 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.319 was born again. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:48.419 And it's a statue of him 00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:50.039 as Nicodemus holding the 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.039 dead body of Jesus. 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:55.319 And in a poem, Michelangelo 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:57.480 describes coming to the 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.200 end of his life and 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.720 recognizing that his 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:02.839 artwork had actually become 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:04.500 harmful to his soul because 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:06.240 it became, quote, my idol 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.980 and my king. 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:09.819 Because he was living for his 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.419 own glory. 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:12.279 He was living to try to 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:14.000 appease the expectations of 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.599 others and that he had 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.539 placed on himself. 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.059 And what happened at the 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.240 end of his life is that 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:21.480 grace liberated him from the 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.500 crushing weight of 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.180 expectations. 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:25.079 He began to realize that his 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:27.200 only true hope was not being 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:29.079 a great artist or receiving 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.880 acclaim from others, which is 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:32.680 like a black hole, but rather, 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:34.960 quote, his greatest hope was 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:39.000 this, the divine love, who to 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:42.319 embrace us opened his arms upon 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.980 the cross. 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:47.740 Grace set him free. 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:50.059 And that would be my prayer for 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:52.500 everyone in this room, if you've 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.700 been a Christian your whole life, 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:56.160 or you're just now considering this 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:58.259 for the first time, that grace 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.859 would set us free. 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:00.579 Let's pray. 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:04.919 Lord, we pray for your spirit to 00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:07.419 do what only you can in our 00:32:07.419 --> 00:32:10.879 hearts, that somehow, as the word 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:14.240 became flesh in Jesus, you would 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.720 take these words from your 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:17.399 scripture and that they would 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:19.720 become a flesh and bone reality 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:22.579 in us, that you would impress upon 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:25.859 us and within us into our marrow, 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:29.059 into our sinews, the freedom that 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.759 grace offers. 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:32.559 I pray that we would cling to it as 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:34.159 though our lives depended on it. 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:36.179 And I pray that you would set us 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:39.899 free to delight in you, free to 00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:42.279 love you, free to feel your 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:44.019 embrace, free from the crushing 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:46.819 expectations of the world, free to 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:50.619 live lives that glorify you, that 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:52.399 embody this promise and this 00:32:52.399 --> 00:32:53.819 invitation that you extend to the 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.079 world. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:57.419 We pray this in Jesus' holy name. 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:57.819 Amen. 00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:00.000 Amen. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:00.799 Amen. 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.740 Amen. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:02.619 Amen. 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.200 Amen. 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.099 Amen. 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:05.139 Amen. 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.000 Amen. 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.039 Amen. 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.839 Amen. 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:06.940 Amen. 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.179 Amen. 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:07.720 Pokémon 1 1964 00:33:08.419 --> 00:33:08.919 Amen. 00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:09.119 Amen. 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.779 Amen. 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.740 Amen.