WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:08.199 Well, good evening again. If you've got a Bible near you, if you could turn to 2 Timothy 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:15.820 chapter 2, we'll be looking at the passage that we read together earlier from verse 14 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:24.960 onwards. I must start tonight with a confession. When the first version of the preaching rota 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:31.020 was issued, the passage I was assigned was from the middle of 1 Peter. And to be honest, 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:38.140 it looked quite interesting. I had some issues there that would be, I guess, quite fun to 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:47.040 grapple with, to try and work out how they applied to us today. And then the preaching 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:56.060 plan was changed. And I was given this passage. And I must admit, my initial reaction was not 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:05.599 excitement. Because you see, obviously, we know that all Scripture is God-breathed, useful 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:14.180 for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. But what really is the relevance 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:22.340 of a passage about teaching the words correctly and avoiding false teaching in a good evangelical 00:01:22.340 --> 00:01:33.760 church like this, where the Bible is faithfully preached week in, week out. However, news I 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:42.280 received a couple of weeks ago came as a real shock and convinced me of the real and present 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:51.240 danger we live in. And of the vital importance and urgency of this teaching. You see, I received 00:01:51.240 --> 00:02:00.700 news of a friend. A friend I've known as a Christian for well over 10 years. A friend who knew his Bible 00:02:00.700 --> 00:02:10.139 inside out. Who devoured online sermons. Who was that person that always, when you went out for a meal, 00:02:10.139 --> 00:02:18.539 prayed embarrassingly long and loud prayers. And this friend had renounced his faith. 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:27.099 For reasons I've still to properly understand, he's decided that what was once so important to him, 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:34.979 he now wants nothing to do with. And as I thought about it longer, I thought of others. 00:02:34.979 --> 00:02:42.639 For others, people I've known, some who sat in the seats here, who at one point seemed to be living 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:54.319 for Christ, and are now far away. For some, they've been unwilling to accept things that the Bible teaches. 00:02:55.179 --> 00:03:01.060 For others, they've been unable to reconcile the lifestyle they want with walking with Christ. 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:06.979 But for whatever reason, they have gone. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:16.379 And as I thought about it even more, I realized I could even think of a couple of teachers that some of us 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:20.180 watched on video in this very room. 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:31.400 One whose questioning of everything has led him to a place so far from the center of the gospel. 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:35.800 So far that it can't really be recognized as the gospel at all. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:40.620 And another who, while still probably orthodox in his beliefs, 00:03:41.700 --> 00:03:46.800 his personal failings have brought the church he founded collapsing in a heap around him. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:54.020 And so all this goes to show that there's absolutely no room for complacency. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:04:02.280 There's no room for us to think that we here at Brunsfield Evangelical Church are somehow immune. 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:10.379 Or that any of the teachers we respect and learn from, whether in books, whether online, 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:15.080 or whether on this very platform here, are incapable of falling. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:24.060 Several times recently I've heard references to one particular scene at the Last Supper. 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:31.139 When Jesus has just revealed to his disciples that one of them will betray him. 00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:36.699 And each of them, one after the other, says, 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:38.420 Is it I, Lord? 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:46.319 Each of them recognizes that somehow inside them there is that weakness, 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:49.439 that doubt, that rebellious nature, 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:57.180 that means that it isn't inconceivable that it could be them. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:01.680 But there's another scene that comes to mind. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:04.639 Jesus has been teaching his disciples, 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.719 and they've been finding the teaching hard. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:10.899 And many of them have been turning away. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:15.299 And Jesus says to them, 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:19.639 You do not want to leave too, do you? 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:22.659 And Simon Peter answered him, 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:25.899 Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:29.759 You have the words of eternal life. 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:33.479 We have come to believe and to know 00:05:33.479 --> 00:05:36.319 that you are the Holy One of God. 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:41.519 So hopefully, as we dig into this passage, 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:43.879 that serves as a bit of an explanation 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:47.839 as to why I believe this short passage 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:51.759 in a letter written to Timothy all those years ago 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:55.300 is vital and urgent to us today. 00:06:00.339 --> 00:06:03.319 Because you see, in verse 14, 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:09.199 we read that Paul exhorts Timothy 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:13.839 to keep reminding God's people of these things. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:17.319 They don't need to hear anything new. 00:06:18.139 --> 00:06:19.579 Nothing novel, nothing radical. 00:06:20.539 --> 00:06:22.120 They know this already. 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:25.699 They've heard it from Paul, 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:28.600 from Timothy, many times. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:31.400 But like us, 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.560 they forget. 00:06:34.400 --> 00:06:36.760 They're drawn away so easily. 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:39.400 And there are all sorts of other messages 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:41.220 clamoring for their attention. 00:06:42.140 --> 00:06:44.300 Some that would claim to be more exciting, 00:06:44.960 --> 00:06:45.700 more attractive, 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:48.780 or maybe just easier to follow. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:51.620 And so they need reminded. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:54.300 They need reminded again. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:56.360 And again. 00:06:56.360 --> 00:07:01.800 Because Timothy may receive discouragement. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.300 There may be reasons 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:05.960 that he would want to stop. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:09.460 People might be looking down on him 00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:12.439 for preaching that same old gospel 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:14.819 that Paul preached all those years ago. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:17.460 He's not moving with the times. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:20.660 He's not preaching the new, trendy message. 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:24.500 Or maybe he might just think, 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:27.600 he's already said it enough times. 00:07:27.820 --> 00:07:29.000 He just wants a break. 00:07:30.580 --> 00:07:32.380 But Paul tells him to keep on. 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:35.160 To tell them again. 00:07:37.400 --> 00:07:37.900 And so, 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:41.000 what are these things that it's so important 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:42.820 that Paul reminds them of? 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:48.579 It's unclear whether he's just referring back 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:49.980 to the couple of verses before, 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:52.060 or everything that's gone before. 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:54.219 But I don't think it really matters. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:55.800 Either way, 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:58.480 we see it comes down to one thing. 00:07:58.980 --> 00:07:59.519 The gospel. 00:08:01.159 --> 00:08:02.039 In verse 8, 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:03.899 he has told Timothy 00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:06.739 to remember Jesus Christ, 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:08.560 raised from the dead, 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:10.399 descended from David. 00:08:11.339 --> 00:08:13.099 This is my gospel 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:14.959 for which I am suffering. 00:08:16.239 --> 00:08:17.079 In verse 10, 00:08:17.179 --> 00:08:18.579 he writes of the salvation 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.179 that is in Christ Jesus 00:08:20.179 --> 00:08:21.500 with eternal glory. 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:24.920 Back in chapter 1, 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:26.759 verses 9 and 10, 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:27.399 he's written, 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:29.300 He has saved us 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:31.600 and called us to a holy life. 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:34.200 Not because of anything we have done, 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:37.240 but because of his own purpose and grace. 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:40.299 This grace was given us 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:41.700 in Christ Jesus 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:43.620 before the beginning of time. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.379 But it has now been revealed 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:48.559 through the appearing of our Savior, 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:49.539 Christ Jesus, 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:51.620 who has destroyed death 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.939 and has brought life 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:54.919 and immortality to light 00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:56.099 through the gospel. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:08:58.319 And you see here 00:08:58.319 --> 00:08:58.839 that Paul, 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.539 every time he speaks of it, 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:02.459 emphasizes a different part. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:04.299 If we look through all his writings, 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:06.419 we get all different angles on it. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.959 He talks of the unmerited grace. 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:11.339 He talks of the power of the resurrection. 00:09:12.099 --> 00:09:13.439 The fulfilled prophecies. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.059 The future glory. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:17.399 The call to holy living. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:21.500 He tells Timothy 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:22.319 to remind them 00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:23.639 of these things. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.980 To remind the Ephesians 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:26.980 of the glory 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:28.019 of the gospel. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:31.079 That whatever way you look at it, 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:32.579 whatever side you take it from, 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:34.519 is better than anything 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:36.399 that these false teachers could offer. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.759 And that it's something 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:40.299 that's worth living for. 00:09:40.959 --> 00:09:42.439 Something worth suffering for. 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:45.100 Even something worth dying for. 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:49.180 But along with the glory 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:49.879 of the gospel, 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:52.440 he also reminds Timothy 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:54.540 of the exclusivity of the gospel. 00:09:55.800 --> 00:09:56.700 In verse 12, 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:57.379 he said, 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:59.300 if we disown him, 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:01.240 he will disown us. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:04.100 The gospel he is proclaiming 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:05.980 has glorious promises. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:08.360 But it's a gospel 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.279 that can be accepted 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:10.740 or rejected. 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:12.899 It's a gospel 00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:15.700 that is a universal offer. 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.480 But it's not 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.480 a gospel 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:20.220 of universal salvation. 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.060 And so you see, 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:25.000 it's not just of academic interest 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:26.740 whether the Ephesians 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.620 accept the teachings of Timothy 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.960 or the teachings 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:30.920 of these other teachers. 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.800 As we're going to see repeatedly 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:35.299 through this passage, 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:37.159 the truth matters. 00:10:40.099 --> 00:10:41.000 And you see, 00:10:41.359 --> 00:10:42.359 while this was written 00:10:42.359 --> 00:10:43.179 to Timothy 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:45.079 all those years ago 00:10:45.079 --> 00:10:46.959 in a specific circumstance, 00:10:48.079 --> 00:10:49.799 I don't think this call 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:51.299 is relevant only to him. 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:53.000 In fact, 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:53.859 I don't think this call 00:10:53.859 --> 00:10:55.439 is even just relevant 00:10:55.439 --> 00:10:56.919 to church leaders, 00:10:57.579 --> 00:10:58.000 teachers, 00:10:59.299 --> 00:10:59.919 evangelists, 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:01.759 other professional Christians. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.600 Instead, 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.399 this is a task 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.360 for all of us. 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:07.700 A few months ago 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.019 in Hebrews 3, 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:09.919 we were reminded 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:11.179 to encourage 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:12.159 one another 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.000 daily 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:15.220 so that none of you 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.019 may be hardened 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:17.240 by sin's deceitfulness. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:19.879 All of us 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:21.200 need to be reminded 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.159 constantly 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:23.419 of the gospel. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.939 In particular, 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.559 when our brothers 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:28.120 and sisters 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:28.799 are struggling, 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.120 when they come to us 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:30.860 for advice, 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:31.960 for counsel, 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:32.779 for encouragement, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:35.460 do we just 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.340 give them 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:37.100 the best advice 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:37.899 we can think of? 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.100 The things that we have 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:41.659 learnt from our own experience, 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.259 the things that 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:43.139 we can somehow 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:43.899 work out, 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:44.340 yeah, 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:45.639 that should probably work. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.940 Or are we reminding them 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:48.500 again 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.799 of the gospel? 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.940 Are we reminding them 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.799 of their status in Christ 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.940 when they doubt it? 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:57.440 Are we reminding them 00:11:57.440 --> 00:11:58.900 of the great price 00:11:58.900 --> 00:11:59.580 that has been paid 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.060 for them? 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:02.140 Both the wonderful 00:12:02.140 --> 00:12:03.360 reassurance of that, 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:05.220 but also the challenge 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.680 that they have been bought. 00:12:06.920 --> 00:12:07.840 They are not their own. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.360 Are we reminding them 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:10.960 of the work 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:12.460 that is being done 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.020 in them 00:12:13.020 --> 00:12:14.000 and through them? 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:15.860 Are we reminding them 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.780 of the hope 00:12:16.780 --> 00:12:18.320 that's reserved for them? 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:20.720 Are we reminding them 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:21.360 of the Father 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:23.180 whose eye is on the sparrow, 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.980 the Father who cares 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.240 about their particular 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.000 circumstance 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:29.080 far more than they ever could, 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:31.560 but cares infinitely more 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:33.480 about their eternal glory? 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.379 One of the old hymns 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.620 has the following lines. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:42.340 Tell me the story often, 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:45.100 for I forget so soon. 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:47.560 The early dew of morning 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:49.659 has passed away at noon. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:52.759 Tell me the story always, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:54.899 if you would really be 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:57.039 in any time of trouble 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.700 a comforter to me. 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:02.799 Tell me the same old story 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:05.059 when you have caused to fear 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:07.860 that this world's empty glory 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:09.879 is costing me too dear. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:13.559 Tell me the old, old story 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:16.460 of Jesus and his love. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.439 And so following this call 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:22.620 to remind him of the gospel, 00:13:23.900 --> 00:13:25.000 in verse 15, 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.980 we see that Timothy is told, 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.660 do your best 00:13:29.660 --> 00:13:31.760 to present yourself to God 00:13:31.760 --> 00:13:33.000 as one approved. 00:13:34.380 --> 00:13:35.020 A worker 00:13:35.020 --> 00:13:36.160 who does not need 00:13:36.160 --> 00:13:36.820 to be ashamed 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.980 and who correctly 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:41.120 handles the word of truth. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.100 Must admit, 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.860 that's a quite challenging passage 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.240 to be the one handling. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:48.279 But, 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:50.259 in the context 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:52.379 of false teachers, 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.620 of people looking for other, 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.360 more palatable teaching, 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.840 Paul wants Timothy 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.539 to remember 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:01.100 whose approval 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.320 actually matters. 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:05.080 It doesn't matter 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:06.440 whether people 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:07.659 approve of his teaching. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.399 It doesn't matter 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.899 if they look down on him, 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.259 ridicule him. 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.879 It doesn't even matter 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.419 if the church 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:14.959 is preaching 00:14:14.959 --> 00:14:16.000 and empties 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.519 as they all go 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.519 to the one down the road 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.519 where someone else 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.039 is preaching 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:21.059 something that they prefer 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.599 to hear. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.039 What matters 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.679 is that he can stand 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.799 unashamed 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.199 before God 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:30.360 because he 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:32.299 is doing his best 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:32.899 to handle 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.500 the word 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.459 correctly. 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.939 Seems there's 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:39.279 numerous ways 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:39.980 of translating 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.679 these words. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.399 correctly handles, 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:44.559 rightly divides, 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:46.339 cutting in a straight line, 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.159 preaching straightforwardly, 00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.459 and numerous 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:50.659 attempts to explain 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.279 what the metaphor 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:51.859 is about. 00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:54.019 But basically, 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:56.879 it seems to just be 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.639 about treating 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.139 the Bible 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.000 honestly 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.639 and accurately. 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:03.019 About reading 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.239 what it says, 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:06.159 not what you want 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.559 it to say. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:09.039 about seeking 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.979 to understand 00:15:09.979 --> 00:15:11.119 what it means, 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:13.319 not what you want 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:13.719 it to mean. 00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:15.439 And of trying 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:16.379 to apply it 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:18.000 as it shapes 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.259 your world view, 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:20.579 your thoughts, 00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:21.679 your words, 00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:23.119 your actions. 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.679 But I'm not 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.019 naive. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.199 I know 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.479 this is often 00:15:30.479 --> 00:15:31.959 much easier 00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:32.619 said than done. 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:35.120 many times 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.039 we'll struggle 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.600 to understand 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:39.320 what the text 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:39.700 means. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.080 Other times 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.039 we'll struggle 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.440 to understand 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:44.879 how we can 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.580 apply it 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.399 today 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:46.879 in our 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.759 21st century 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.220 world. 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.820 And often 00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:52.279 we'll struggle 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.620 with putting 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.100 that call 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.679 into action. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.120 And there may 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.299 be a lot 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:58.720 of background 00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.159 reading, 00:15:59.279 --> 00:15:59.680 a lot of 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.480 other things 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:00.899 that we need 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.580 to look into 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:03.139 to understand 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:04.700 the context 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.420 in which 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:05.960 it's written. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:08.280 Things that 00:16:08.280 --> 00:16:08.639 we need 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.200 to understand 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.680 to be able 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.060 to get 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.700 what the 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:12.080 author is 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.540 on about. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:15.540 And even 00:16:15.540 --> 00:16:16.000 then, 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.420 often two 00:16:17.420 --> 00:16:18.060 Christians 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.940 faithfully 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.980 and prayerfully 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.680 seeking 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.940 to understand 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.480 the Bible 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:25.100 make it 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.540 come up 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:25.900 with two 00:16:25.900 --> 00:16:26.480 different 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.740 interpretations 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.379 of the same 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.860 passage. 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:31.440 and that's 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:31.639 to be 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.100 expected. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.680 We're 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.000 weak. 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:35.080 We're 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.440 limited. 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.039 We're 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.440 fallen, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:38.919 although 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.360 being 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:39.899 redeemed. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.300 But are 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:42.560 we, 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.399 like Timothy, 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.919 doing our 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.300 best to 00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:46.740 correctly 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.480 handle the 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:47.759 word? 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.539 Or are we 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.659 slapdash at 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.060 best? 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.580 Or are we 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.560 even looking 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.139 to handle 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.820 scripture in a 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.399 way so that it 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:56.960 backs up our 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:58.039 ideas, our 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.839 preconceptions, 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:00.599 our views? 00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:03.360 As Shakespeare 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.279 would remind us 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.759 in The Merchant 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.359 of Venice, 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:06.680 the devil 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.559 can cite 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.740 scripture for 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.139 his own 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.659 purpose. 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.659 And once 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:13.099 again, 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.500 this is not 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:14.879 just to 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:15.220 Timothy. 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.359 This is not 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:16.980 even just to 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.299 teachers. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.460 This is 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.159 relevant for 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:19.619 us all. 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:20.859 We should 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.639 all be 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.220 handling the 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.460 word. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.119 And we 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.460 should all 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.980 be seeking 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.940 to handle 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.819 it well. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.019 So how 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.399 are we 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.119 handling it 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.599 in our 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.379 private study, 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.000 in our 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.700 devotions, 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.559 in our 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.099 conversations 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.899 with friends, 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.119 in our 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.879 small groups, 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.220 as we 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.639 teach our 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.079 children, 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:41.259 in whatever 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.819 context that 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.339 we're handling 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:43.720 it? 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:45.259 Are we 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.819 seriously 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.000 trying to 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.460 handle it 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.980 properly? 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.399 Because you 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:52.639 see, 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:53.879 we've got 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:54.779 these positive 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.839 encouragements 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.559 that Paul 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:56.859 gives 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.279 Timothy, 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.759 but he 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.319 sets them 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.259 off against 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.759 warnings, 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:03.419 against 00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:04.259 things that 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.579 are to be 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.000 avoided. 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.919 In verse 00:18:07.919 --> 00:18:08.519 14, 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.339 Timothy 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.319 was told, 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.799 warn them 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.980 before God 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.779 against 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.439 quarreling 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:15.579 about words. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:17.599 It seems 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.240 what he's 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.799 warning them 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.559 about is 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.220 the exact 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.339 opposite of 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.939 correctly 00:18:21.939 --> 00:18:22.879 handling the 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.240 word of 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.519 truth. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.980 they're 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.879 focusing on 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.359 the words. 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.079 They're 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.500 trying to 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.799 find hidden 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.299 meanings, 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.379 trying to 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:31.920 work out 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.119 a different 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:33.559 way of 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.059 interpreting 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.680 the text, 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.420 ultimately 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.579 trying to 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.139 avoid the 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:40.059 truth that 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:40.519 is staring 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:40.900 them in 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.420 the face 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.180 if they 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.660 were willing 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.720 to actually 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.299 read it. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.139 If we 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:47.819 remember back 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.079 to the 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.519 Garden of 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:48.779 Eden, 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.359 the serpent 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:50.960 said to 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.259 Eve, 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.839 did God 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.599 really 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.220 say? 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.740 It seems 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.099 that this 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.779 is exactly 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.660 what's 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.079 going on 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.359 here. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.940 And then 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.259 in verse 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.759 16, 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.299 he's told 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.819 to avoid 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.480 godless 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:04.940 chatter, 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.079 another 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.720 phrase that 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.460 gets translated 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.720 a huge 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.180 number of 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.779 different ways. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.680 But what 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:11.980 does it 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.200 mean? 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.720 Godless 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.119 chatter? 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.720 Does that 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.160 mean ideally 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:16.759 discussing the 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.440 weather or 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.440 other trivial 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:18.839 things? 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:22.559 gossiping and 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.099 other things 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:23.559 like that? 00:19:24.939 --> 00:19:25.839 The first 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.919 at times 00:19:26.919 --> 00:19:27.779 may be a 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.199 distraction. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.099 The second 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.500 is condemned 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.099 outright 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:33.599 elsewhere. 00:19:35.439 --> 00:19:36.379 But in the 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.740 context, I 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.139 don't think 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:38.519 that's what 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:38.939 he's talking 00:19:38.939 --> 00:19:39.240 about. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.379 At the 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.299 end of 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.079 the first 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.579 letter to 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.399 Timothy, he 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:44.939 uses the 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:45.519 exact same 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:45.959 words. 00:19:46.959 --> 00:19:47.319 But he 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:49.319 continues the 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.960 sentence to 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.759 elaborate a 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.019 bit. 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.200 He talks 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.500 about 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:52.980 godless 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.159 chatter, the 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:55.359 opposing ideas 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.019 of what is 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.500 falsely 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:56.899 called 00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.500 knowledge. 00:19:59.439 --> 00:19:59.960 It seems 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.399 that what 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:00.819 he's talking 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.220 about is 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.939 instead the 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.299 sort of 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.119 talk or 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:04.960 debate that 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.240 claims to 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.799 be profound, 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.139 that claims to 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.799 be intelligent, 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:10.519 important, 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.980 to teach us 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.639 something new. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.039 But ultimately 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.899 it's speculation 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:19.160 at best and 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.320 deception at 00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:20.720 worst. 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:25.380 But when we 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.280 read warnings 00:20:26.280 --> 00:20:27.000 like this, 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.940 some Christians 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.220 would take 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.660 this as a 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:32.080 reason to 00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:33.300 avoid all 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:34.120 theological 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.720 discussions. 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.180 In fact, the 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.920 whole concept of 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.759 theology at all, 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.780 they would say, 00:20:39.300 --> 00:20:39.840 well, actually, 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:41.060 no, no, 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.840 that's arguing 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.360 about words, 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:42.860 we shouldn't be 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.400 doing that. 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:45.600 And I don't 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.540 think that at 00:20:46.540 --> 00:20:47.680 all is what 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.280 Paul intends 00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:48.600 us to 00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:49.140 understand. 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.860 Because you 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.180 see, we 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.180 repeatedly, 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.940 through Acts, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.700 we read that 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.640 Paul was 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.220 very well 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.840 educated, 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.320 both in the 00:20:59.320 --> 00:21:01.060 scriptures and 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:01.759 in the writings 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.519 and philosophy 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.140 of the culture 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.740 around him. 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:06.140 He was more 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.840 than willing to 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:08.360 debate with 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:08.880 the Jews, 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.840 with the 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:10.200 Greeks, 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:11.580 even with 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.200 other apostles 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.000 when necessary. 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.380 And so, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.500 I don't think 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.900 Paul is 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.380 saying that 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:19.600 all debate, 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.799 discussion, 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:22.140 argument of 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.779 any sort 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.019 is wrong. 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.080 While some 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.519 things that 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.539 go on under 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.200 the name of 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:33.539 theology are 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.259 dubious, 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:35.700 dangerous, 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.180 and exactly 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.840 what Paul is 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:38.500 condemning here, 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.940 I think it's 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.539 important that 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.259 we recognize 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.339 there are 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.579 different sort 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.279 of arguments. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.359 Some are 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.539 necessary and 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:47.839 good. 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.659 Some are 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:49.899 to be 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.299 condemned. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.220 Then there 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.579 are some 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.000 that are to 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.379 be handled 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:54.960 with caution. 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.460 The first 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:00.139 sort is what 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:01.339 Anselm called 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.659 faith-seeking 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.399 understanding. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:05.360 this is when 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.100 we're honestly 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:07.320 trying to 00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:09.140 understand in 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:09.759 order that we 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.360 can follow, 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.420 worship, 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.519 and obey 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.220 better. 00:22:14.800 --> 00:22:15.620 This is the 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.280 questioning of 00:22:16.280 --> 00:22:16.580 Mary, 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.140 who in her 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:19.480 acceptance of 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.180 the role given 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.720 to her, 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:22.040 asks, 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:22.960 how will 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.540 this be? 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.500 Or of the 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.000 Bereans, 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.600 who examined 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.200 the scriptures 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.900 daily to see 00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.460 if what Paul 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:30.960 said was 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.279 true? 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.200 Or this is 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.660 the council 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.319 at Jerusalem 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:37.079 trying to 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:38.079 work out 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.940 how to 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:40.059 handle this 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:41.220 new Gentile 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.799 church? 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.700 Or Paul 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:46.059 reasoning daily 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.120 in the 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:47.660 lecture hall 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.440 of Tyrannus? 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:49.960 This is 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.819 exactly the 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.240 sort of 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.740 discussion, 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.059 even at 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.900 times argument, 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.799 that we 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.539 should be 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.240 engaging in. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:58.480 as we 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.039 seek to 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.039 understand, 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.160 as we 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.480 seek to 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.059 encourage one 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.599 another to 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.140 understand, 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:05.000 to grow in 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.400 truth, 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.400 and to 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.160 correct error. 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.980 And then 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.279 there's the 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.819 second sort, 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.660 the sort 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.700 that probably 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.319 I would find 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:14.779 the easiest 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.140 to get 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.680 involved in. 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.160 This is 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.579 the sort 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.480 that is 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.019 intellectually 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.599 enjoyable, 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.099 but 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.799 potentially 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.680 distracting. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.539 It's the 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:26.880 sort that 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.359 involves 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.359 playing about 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.120 with ideas 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:30.160 just for 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.420 the sheer 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:30.960 pleasure of 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.420 doing so. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.180 Sometimes 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.099 it will 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.079 provide 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.720 understanding. 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.240 Other 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.859 times, 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.640 I would 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.299 suggest 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.799 it's a 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.140 perfectly 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.940 acceptable 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.500 form of 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.900 leisure, 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.120 of celebrating 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:48.220 the 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:50.140 intellect 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.640 God has 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.180 given us. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.259 In another 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.299 context, 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.019 running a 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.700 race is 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.420 essentially 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.720 pointless, 00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.600 achieves no 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.059 purpose. 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:01.920 And yet 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.519 Eric Liddell 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.080 could say, 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.240 God made 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.880 me fast, 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:05.980 and when 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.460 I run, 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.120 I feel 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.779 his pleasure. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:08.920 And so 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.480 sometimes 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:11.140 just using 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:12.420 the gifts 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:12.900 God has 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.500 given us 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:13.960 for 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.519 enjoyment 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.860 are actually 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.480 a form of 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.860 worship. 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.240 But, 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.759 but there 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.200 is danger 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.559 in it. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:22.880 Firstly, 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.539 it can serve 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:23.819 as a 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.240 substitute. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.920 and a 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.400 distraction 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.259 from real 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:29.059 truth-seeking. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.680 It can 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.500 also result 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:34.000 in flippantly 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.039 questioning 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.059 the core 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.380 of our 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.759 faith, 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.920 which to 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.380 question 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.559 in the 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.400 right context, 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.039 trying to 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.859 seek understanding 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.660 is good, 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.339 but to 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:46.839 question 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.539 as a 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:47.740 leisure 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.279 activity, 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.000 less so. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:52.619 and 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.319 particularly 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.059 caution 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.579 must be 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:54.940 taken 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.920 if there 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.039 are 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.640 others 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.019 listening 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.299 in. 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.339 What to 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.720 us 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.700 might 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:02.640 be 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:04.019 a 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.440 discussion 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:04.779 that we 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:04.960 know 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.440 exactly 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.920 what we're 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.279 doing, 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.119 to someone 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.460 else, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.019 particularly 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.519 just hearing 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:10.839 a bit 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.259 of it, 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.940 might be 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.480 led down 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.400 a completely 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.160 wrong path. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.259 truth. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.560 And so 00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:19.500 there I would 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.019 say we 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.360 should have 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:20.740 caution. 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.120 But then 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.840 there's the 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.920 sort that 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.300 Paul is 00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:25.800 talking about 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.080 here. 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.000 This is the 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.380 sort of 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.480 argument that 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.820 is not 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.420 seeking truth 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:30.800 at all. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.279 This is the 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.560 sort of 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.100 argument that 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:33.440 seeks to 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:33.920 twist the 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.180 truth, 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:35.120 the sort 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:35.600 of argument 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:37.360 that tries 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.259 to avoid 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.560 it, 00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:39.240 tries to 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.620 turn it 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:39.920 into 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.680 something 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.620 completely 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.220 different. 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.759 And it's 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.080 clearly 00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:46.180 something that 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.880 Paul takes 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.900 very seriously. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.279 In verse 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.820 14, 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.759 he's said 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.320 to warn 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:52.920 them before 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.420 God. 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.259 This is the 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:56.279 same strong 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.019 words that 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.460 he's going to 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.860 use to 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.840 Timothy in 00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.580 chapter 4. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.140 This is a 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.500 solemn charge 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:02.880 to them. 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.440 This is not 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:03.960 just a 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.000 maybe encourage 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.500 them slightly. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.580 So if it's 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.300 this important, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.180 why? 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.899 Why does 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:12.299 it matter? 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.919 I think 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:16.319 Paul gives 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.119 three reasons 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.899 although they're 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.559 essentially all 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:18.859 one. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.440 In verse 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.059 14, 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.359 we read, 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.819 it only ruins 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.599 those who 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:24.940 listen. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.099 And in 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.879 verse 16, 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.059 those who 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.639 indulge in 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.200 it will 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.379 become more 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.159 and more 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:33.059 ungodly. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.039 And in 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.759 verse 18, 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.359 they destroy 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.539 the faith 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.359 of some. 00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.740 What Paul 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.200 is saying 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.740 loud and 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.420 clear here 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.480 is that 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:45.920 the truth 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.799 matters. 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:49.139 It's not 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:51.059 a matter 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.720 of mere 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.379 interest 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:53.899 whether you 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.440 believe the 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.440 teachings of 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.279 Jesus Christ 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.039 or Joseph 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.460 Smith. 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.639 What is at 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.299 stake here 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.359 is salvation, 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.839 the eternal 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.159 destinies of 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:04.799 those who are 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.019 deceived by 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.680 false teaching? 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:10.319 If we were 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:10.879 to teach 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:12.180 that all 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.139 ways lead 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.639 to God, 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.740 that the 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.819 gospel doesn't 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.980 involve a 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.359 call to 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:18.799 repentance, 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.339 to a changed 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.839 life, 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:23.220 that there 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.819 is no 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.819 future 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.319 punishment, 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.759 that God 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.379 wants us 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.000 all to be 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.319 healthy and 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.740 rich, 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:33.299 if we 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.599 were to 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.220 teach such 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.720 things and 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.519 many others 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:38.099 instead of 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.559 holding out 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:38.880 the truth 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.140 of the 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:39.500 gospel, 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.180 truth that 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.039 warns of 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.500 that coming 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:42.900 judgment, 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.400 but truth 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:43.980 that also 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.079 offers full 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.839 and free 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.519 salvation, 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.779 we're giving 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.440 false hope. 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.200 We're causing 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.519 those who 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:52.940 know the 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.539 truth to 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:53.880 doubt. 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.279 And so 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.799 this is 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:58.420 really vitally 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.299 important. 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:03.039 Paul gives 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.419 us a bit 00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:03.839 of a case 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.480 study here 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.980 in verses 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:07.980 17 and 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.419 18. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.579 He writes 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:11.919 here of 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:12.639 two teachers, 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.720 Hymenaeus 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.899 and Philetus. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.039 Hymenaeus, 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.779 he mentioned 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.359 back in his 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.899 first letter 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.500 to Timothy, 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.919 at that time 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.359 as a 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:23.960 blasphemer 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.019 who had 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.559 shipwrecked 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.139 his faith, 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:26.799 and he's 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.339 still there. 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.720 He's still 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.220 doing the 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.740 same thing. 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.079 And what 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.339 they are 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.039 teaching here 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.019 is that 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.700 the resurrection 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:36.079 has already 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.220 taken place. 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.000 It would 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.660 be obvious 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.579 to all of 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.039 them there 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:44.059 that this 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.779 is not 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.400 true in 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:46.839 a literal 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.460 sense, 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:49.160 because 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:50.700 Stephen 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.759 and other 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.400 martyrs are 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:52.779 not coming 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.180 to preach 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.539 to them. 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.160 And 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.240 they are 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.180 clearly still 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:58.160 living 00:28:58.160 --> 00:29:00.100 in ordinary 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.560 fallen bodies, 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.380 in an 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:02.740 ordinary 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.660 fallen world, 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.519 with all 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.160 the evil, 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:05.900 sin, 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.500 pain, 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.100 and suffering 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:07.740 around them. 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.960 And so 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.299 when they're 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.920 teaching that 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.560 the resurrection 00:29:11.560 --> 00:29:12.240 has already 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.700 happened, 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.940 they're actually 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.519 saying that the 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.200 resurrection is 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.840 no resurrection 00:29:16.840 --> 00:29:17.380 at all. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.920 They're saying, 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.460 well, 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:21.380 it doesn't 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.140 really mean 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:22.380 that. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.080 it's just 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:23.680 a metaphor, 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.500 a metaphor 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.820 for some 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:26.880 spiritual 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.480 mystery. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.980 But then 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:32.860 there's no 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.540 future hope. 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.300 As Paul 00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:36.840 said to the 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.280 Corinthians, 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.680 if there is 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.640 no resurrection, 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.760 then, 00:29:42.580 --> 00:29:43.640 what does he 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.000 say again? 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.600 Sorry? 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.680 Our hope is in vain. 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.580 Exactly. 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.660 Our hope is in vain. 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.740 So, 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.300 if the 00:29:54.300 --> 00:29:54.700 resurrection 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.400 has happened, 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.680 well, 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.060 it's not a 00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:57.500 resurrection. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.600 But also, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.960 they're continuing 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.540 the lie 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.660 that the 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.540 physical world, 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.420 the physical 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:05.900 body, 00:30:06.320 --> 00:30:06.900 didn't matter. 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.460 And by doing 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.720 that, 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.400 they're essentially 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.880 saying, 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.580 what we do 00:30:11.580 --> 00:30:12.300 with our bodies 00:30:12.300 --> 00:30:13.160 doesn't matter. 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:15.200 That there's 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.740 no need 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.640 for change, 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.840 for repentance, 00:30:18.580 --> 00:30:19.560 for sanctification, 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:19.940 because, 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.180 well, 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.320 this body, 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.540 we can forget 00:30:23.540 --> 00:30:24.040 about it. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.779 And so, 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.220 essentially, 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:27.900 they were teaching 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.460 the lie 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.880 that our world 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.440 would teach us 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:30.779 today. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.500 That what we 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.600 believe is a 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.920 purely personal, 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.279 internal matter. 00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:38.920 It should have 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:40.120 no impact 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:41.360 on how we 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.740 act, 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.480 and it has 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.160 absolutely no 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.540 relevance to 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:46.080 do with the 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:47.460 realities of 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.259 life and death. 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:51.140 And so, 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.680 it's easy 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.640 to see 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.840 how such 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.259 teaching 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.200 could have 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.860 devastating 00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:56.920 impact 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.759 on the 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.140 faith of 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:58.500 those who 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.019 heard them. 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.240 Especially 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.420 if they had 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:02.940 not been 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.320 grounded 00:31:03.320 --> 00:31:04.240 in sound 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.640 teaching, 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.759 if they were 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.259 not being 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.840 repeatedly 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.840 reminded 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:08.680 of the 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.019 truth of 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.480 the gospel, 00:31:10.040 --> 00:31:10.580 if they 00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:10.920 did not 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.320 have that 00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:11.860 foundation 00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:13.220 to realize 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.240 that this 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.620 could not 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.120 be true. 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.240 And I'm 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:22.160 aware of 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.700 the danger 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:24.140 in some of 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.440 the things 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:24.720 I've been 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.019 saying. 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:28.019 I've talked 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.559 of those 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.519 who have 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.059 walked away 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.480 from their 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:30.839 faith. 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.180 Paul has 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.600 talked of 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:35.100 those who 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.660 hear false 00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.299 teachings been 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:38.039 ruined and 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.620 their faith 00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:39.380 destroyed. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:41.880 and I've 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.320 talked of 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:42.900 the necessity 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:44.220 to constantly 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:45.620 remind one 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.160 another of 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.660 the gospel 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.940 that we 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.760 too will 00:31:48.760 --> 00:31:49.420 not fall. 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:52.020 But this 00:31:52.020 --> 00:31:52.980 passage finishes 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:54.480 with a verse 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.380 that at once 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:55.800 gives us 00:31:55.800 --> 00:31:56.520 reassurance 00:31:56.520 --> 00:31:58.340 and challenge. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.660 In verse 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.240 19, 00:32:03.520 --> 00:32:04.120 God's 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:04.900 solid 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.620 foundation 00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:06.540 stands 00:32:06.540 --> 00:32:06.880 firm. 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:09.120 however 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.960 dangerous 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.860 these false 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.180 teachers 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:11.820 might be. 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.760 The gospel 00:32:14.760 --> 00:32:16.480 still stands 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:18.220 and God 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.820 is still 00:32:18.820 --> 00:32:19.920 building 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.780 his church 00:32:20.780 --> 00:32:22.600 long after 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:23.380 we can 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:23.820 remember 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.680 what those 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:24.920 false 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.240 teachers 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.760 were teaching 00:32:25.760 --> 00:32:26.100 about. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.840 And then 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:30.140 it goes 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.520 on to 00:32:30.520 --> 00:32:30.840 say, 00:32:31.580 --> 00:32:32.080 the Lord 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.120 knows 00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:33.940 those who 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.400 are his. 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:37.400 as Jesus 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:39.420 said, 00:32:39.540 --> 00:32:40.220 recorded in 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.000 John's 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.380 gospel, 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:41.980 I know 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:43.360 them and 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:43.800 they follow 00:32:43.800 --> 00:32:44.120 me. 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:44.880 I give 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.460 them eternal 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.660 life and 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.000 they shall 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.960 never perish. 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.259 No one 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.180 shall snatch 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.000 them out 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.740 of my hand. 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.980 So if we 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.460 are his, 00:32:55.560 --> 00:32:56.160 then our 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.600 salvation 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.700 is secure. 00:32:58.800 --> 00:32:59.440 That 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.800 can never 00:33:00.800 --> 00:33:01.660 be taken 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.160 away from 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:02.440 us. 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:05.480 which 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.880 leaves the 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.340 question 00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:07.440 of those 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.660 who have 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.100 turned away 00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:08.480 from their 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:08.779 faith. 00:33:11.080 --> 00:33:11.740 To a 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:11.980 certain 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.500 extent, 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:15.160 we are 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.420 not 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:15.860 qualified 00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:17.000 to 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.500 understand. 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:19.860 However, 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:21.000 there are 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.660 two options. 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.180 One, 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.600 they were 00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.220 never saved 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.500 in the 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.019 first place. 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.640 They only 00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:28.480 were putting 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:28.940 on an 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.200 outward 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:29.759 display, 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:30.940 an outward 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:31.680 display that 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.060 may have 00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:32.400 deceived 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:32.680 even 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.180 themselves. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.660 Or, 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:36.900 they are 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.160 truly and 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.660 permanently 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:41.380 saved and 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.120 have temporarily 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:42.860 turned away 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:43.820 to be brought 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.460 back again. 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.420 To a certain 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:47.840 extent, 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:48.880 as far as 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.160 we are 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:49.720 concerned, 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:51.820 it makes 00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:53.460 little 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.019 difference. 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.279 Either way, 00:33:56.840 --> 00:33:57.480 they need to 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.560 hear once 00:33:58.560 --> 00:33:59.960 again the 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.680 gospel that 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:00.940 they have 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.380 rejected. 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:04.160 Either to 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.640 bring them 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.460 to salvation 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.920 or to 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.259 bring them 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:08.240 back to 00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:08.700 a fruitful 00:34:08.700 --> 00:34:09.500 Christian 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.119 life. 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.039 Because, 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:13.800 along with 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.019 this 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.700 reassurance, 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.639 there is a 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.079 challenge. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:18.920 Everyone 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:20.920 who confesses 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.440 the name of 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.900 the Lord 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.960 must turn 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.500 away from 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.079 wickedness. 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:29.159 truth on 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:29.639 its own 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.579 is not 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:30.940 enough. 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.299 It's not 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:33.699 an option, 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.179 in fact. 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.599 Truth 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.599 demands a 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.139 response. 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.039 And that 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:40.840 response must 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:42.219 result in 00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:42.860 transformation. 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:42.960 salvation. 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.720 And so that 00:34:49.720 --> 00:34:50.360 gets us to 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.660 the end of 00:34:51.660 --> 00:34:52.240 this passage 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:52.579 here. 00:34:53.620 --> 00:34:54.320 But what 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.000 can sometimes 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.360 be frustrating 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.340 as we read 00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:57.960 these letters 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.420 in the New 00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:58.900 Testament, 00:34:59.480 --> 00:34:59.780 is we're 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.180 getting one 00:35:00.180 --> 00:35:00.559 bit of a 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.099 conversation. 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.320 We don't 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.860 quite know 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.400 what happened 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:03.860 before, 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.079 can make 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:06.200 some guesses 00:35:06.200 --> 00:35:07.260 on some 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.860 other things, 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:08.780 and we don't 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.539 really know 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.220 what happened 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:10.840 afterwards. 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:12.420 how they 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.079 were received. 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:14.740 Did this 00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:15.079 have the 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.059 desired effect? 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.420 In this 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.820 case, 00:35:19.100 --> 00:35:19.559 actually, 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.220 we do 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:20.440 know. 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:23.000 Because 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.340 probably around 00:35:24.340 --> 00:35:25.019 about 15 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.640 years later 00:35:25.640 --> 00:35:26.079 or so, 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.559 John is 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.100 in exile 00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:29.760 on Patmos. 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.800 And he 00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.519 receives there 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.059 a vision 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:33.700 of the 00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.519 risen Christ 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.400 who gives 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.019 him messages 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:37.660 for several 00:35:37.660 --> 00:35:38.280 of the 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:38.620 churches. 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:38.779 churches. 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.819 The first 00:35:40.819 --> 00:35:41.339 of these 00:35:41.339 --> 00:35:42.659 is to 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.659 this church, 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.719 the church 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.400 in Ephesus. 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.259 And we 00:35:48.259 --> 00:35:48.559 read, 00:35:49.219 --> 00:35:50.420 these are 00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:50.859 the words 00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:51.339 of him 00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:51.960 who holds 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.380 the seven 00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:52.960 stars in 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.319 his right 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:55.039 hand and 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.599 walks among 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.019 the seven 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.199 golden lampstands. 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.599 I know 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.159 your deeds, 00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:00.259 your hard 00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:00.619 work, 00:36:00.819 --> 00:36:01.199 and your 00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:01.779 perseverance. 00:36:02.839 --> 00:36:03.679 I know 00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:03.960 that you 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.719 cannot tolerate 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.420 wicked people 00:36:05.420 --> 00:36:07.059 and that 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:07.339 you have 00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:08.400 tested those 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.160 who claim 00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:09.460 to be 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.640 apostles but 00:36:10.640 --> 00:36:11.380 are not 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.200 and have 00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:12.720 found them 00:36:12.720 --> 00:36:13.140 false. 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.039 You have 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.740 persevered 00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:17.019 and have 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.480 endured 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.579 hardships 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.360 for my 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.260 name and 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.620 have not 00:36:20.620 --> 00:36:21.240 grown weary. 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:23.720 And so, 00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:25.460 it seems 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:25.860 the warnings 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.500 had effect. 00:36:27.780 --> 00:36:28.160 The false 00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:29.420 teachers that 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.519 Paul had 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:31.000 warned the 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.780 elders about 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.760 way back 00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.440 at Miletus, 00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:34.220 that he'd 00:36:34.220 --> 00:36:34.700 written to 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:35.380 Timothy about 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:36.000 in his first 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.380 letter, 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.039 and that 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.500 Timothy was 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:37.900 still 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.619 struggling 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.460 with when 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.780 he writes 00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.200 his second 00:36:40.200 --> 00:36:40.559 letter. 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.260 It seems 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:42.599 that they've 00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:42.920 been dealt 00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.220 with. 00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:44.680 They have 00:36:44.680 --> 00:36:45.480 recognized the 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:46.099 false teachers 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:48.019 and they've 00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:49.680 rejected them 00:36:49.680 --> 00:36:50.280 and their 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.619 teaching. 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:52.760 So, 00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:53.160 everything's 00:36:53.160 --> 00:36:53.360 good? 00:36:54.700 --> 00:36:55.260 Everything's 00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:55.519 sorted? 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.619 Not quite. 00:37:00.200 --> 00:37:00.760 Because, 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:01.059 you see, 00:37:01.160 --> 00:37:01.599 the message 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.240 continues. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:04.179 yet, 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.799 I hold 00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:06.699 this against 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:06.959 you. 00:37:08.399 --> 00:37:08.759 You have 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.319 forsaken 00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:10.199 the love 00:37:10.199 --> 00:37:11.039 you had 00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:11.639 at first. 00:37:13.179 --> 00:37:13.559 Consider 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:15.000 how far 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.639 you have 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.000 fallen. 00:37:16.959 --> 00:37:17.479 Repent 00:37:17.479 --> 00:37:18.779 and do 00:37:18.779 --> 00:37:19.339 the things 00:37:19.339 --> 00:37:19.979 you did 00:37:19.979 --> 00:37:20.500 at first. 00:37:21.219 --> 00:37:21.739 If you do 00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:22.339 not repent, 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.639 I will come 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.079 to you 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.419 and remove 00:37:25.419 --> 00:37:26.299 your lampstand 00:37:26.299 --> 00:37:26.699 from its 00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:27.179 place. 00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:29.719 And so, 00:37:29.799 --> 00:37:30.079 what's 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.519 presented 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.000 here 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:33.319 is possibly 00:37:33.319 --> 00:37:34.039 a fate 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:35.139 worse 00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:35.759 than 00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:36.179 heresy. 00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:38.139 What they 00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:38.699 have here 00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.259 is an 00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.039 orthodoxy 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:40.619 that is 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:40.899 dead. 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:43.039 They've 00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:43.480 rejected 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.099 the false 00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:44.419 teachers. 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:45.819 They've 00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:46.219 got their 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:46.719 theology 00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:47.460 right. 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.279 They're 00:37:49.279 --> 00:37:49.639 teaching 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.440 the right 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:50.879 things. 00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:51.819 They've 00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:52.319 ticked all 00:37:52.319 --> 00:37:52.799 the boxes 00:37:52.799 --> 00:37:54.179 but they've 00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:54.639 forgotten 00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:56.679 why it 00:37:56.679 --> 00:37:57.099 matters. 00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:59.399 they've 00:37:59.399 --> 00:37:59.919 worked so 00:37:59.919 --> 00:38:00.440 hard 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.239 fighting 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:01.659 for the 00:38:01.659 --> 00:38:01.980 truth, 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.000 opposing 00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:03.480 those who 00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:03.839 would teach 00:38:03.839 --> 00:38:04.299 lies, 00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.159 but they've 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:06.559 forgotten 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:08.859 who it 00:38:08.859 --> 00:38:09.279 is truth 00:38:09.279 --> 00:38:09.639 about. 00:38:11.759 --> 00:38:12.480 And so, 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:12.679 I would 00:38:12.679 --> 00:38:13.460 repeat again, 00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:14.460 truth 00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:15.519 matters. 00:38:15.859 --> 00:38:16.399 It really 00:38:16.399 --> 00:38:17.359 does matter. 00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.359 It's a 00:38:18.359 --> 00:38:18.899 matter of 00:38:18.899 --> 00:38:20.019 more than 00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.460 life and 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:20.819 death. 00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:23.239 But truth 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:24.259 only matters 00:38:24.259 --> 00:38:25.399 if we're 00:38:25.399 --> 00:38:25.879 seeking to 00:38:25.879 --> 00:38:26.440 learn it, 00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:27.159 explore, 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:27.500 it, 00:38:27.819 --> 00:38:28.719 understand it, 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.579 teach it, 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.779 correct error 00:38:30.779 --> 00:38:31.379 and train 00:38:31.379 --> 00:38:32.500 others because 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:33.859 of our 00:38:33.859 --> 00:38:34.619 love for 00:38:34.619 --> 00:38:35.039 Christ. 00:38:35.980 --> 00:38:36.899 If we do 00:38:36.899 --> 00:38:37.719 it for any 00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:38.420 other reason, 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.019 then quite 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.440 frankly, 00:38:40.899 --> 00:38:41.460 we're wasting 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.139 our time. 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:44.639 Knowing the 00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:45.759 truth inside 00:38:45.759 --> 00:38:46.920 out will 00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:48.099 not help 00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.519 us stand 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:48.940 secure. 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.659 Sorry. 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.199 Will not 00:38:53.199 --> 00:38:53.940 enable us to 00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.779 stand secure. 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:55.599 It will help. 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:58.739 truth matters. 00:38:59.219 --> 00:39:00.000 But what 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.719 matters far 00:39:00.719 --> 00:39:02.380 more is 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:02.639 that we 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.739 love the 00:39:03.739 --> 00:39:05.619 one that 00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:06.059 the gospel 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.539 is all 00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:06.920 about. 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:08.700 God 00:39:08.700 --> 00:39:09.340 is all 00:39:09.340 --> 00:39:10.380 about it. 00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:10.619 And if 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:10.900 we're to 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:11.380 continue 00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:12.460 loving him, 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.360 we need to 00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:13.980 keep reminding 00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:14.519 each other 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.480 of the 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.860 truth about 00:39:16.860 --> 00:39:17.760 him so 00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:18.059 that we can 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.480 love him, 00:39:18.800 --> 00:39:19.119 so that we 00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:19.840 can tell 00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.200 each other 00:39:20.200 --> 00:39:20.680 about him, 00:39:21.180 --> 00:39:21.500 so that we 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.139 can love 00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:22.400 him. 00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:25.000 And it 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:25.460 feeds back 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:26.019 and forwards. 00:39:27.400 --> 00:39:28.139 So once 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:28.519 again, 00:39:29.400 --> 00:39:30.380 tell me the 00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:30.599 old, 00:39:30.659 --> 00:39:31.180 old story 00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:32.360 of Jesus 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:33.420 and his 00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:33.700 love. 00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:34.519 Amen.