WEBVTT

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 All right.

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 Well, good morning again.

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 It's good to have you with us.

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 We are continuing in our sermon series in the book of Colossians.

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 And as we have seen along the way, the Apostle Paul has written this letter to a church that

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 he did not plant and probably has never visited, but he's heard about God's work in them and

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 he wants to encourage them.

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 He wants them to have greater confidence in Christ, which is sort of the overwhelming

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 message.

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 But in it, you see laced at points, there are these warnings.

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 There's a concern that he expresses.

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 The concern is that you don't lose, that they would not lose their way in seeing that Christ

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 is all that they really need.

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 Paul's concern that this fledgling church as it's growing might turn aside from the right

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 path.

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 And like a toddler grabbing onto a pant leg that looks really familiar but ends up being

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 the wrong mother in the crowded mall, that they would grab onto the wrong thing and be

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 led astray from true worship of Christ and true confidence in what he has done.

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 They might do this out of immature zeal or willful rebellion or weakness of understanding, but

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 they might be led astray.

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 And if you've read any commentaries on Colossian or even have been here, even if you were here

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 last week as Pastor Greg punted on this completely from verse 8 in chapter 2 when he said, don't

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 be deceived by these philosophies, he just said, and Pastor Matt's going to preach on that next

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 week.

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 This is where we're at.

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 We're figuring out what is it that Paul's really concerned about?

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 What are the dangers that he sees?

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 And how is it that he expresses themselves?

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 How is it that he sees them expressing themselves as potential false paths for the Colossians to

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 fall down?

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 And there has been a lot of ink spilled on what the quote-unquote Colossian heresy is.

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 And as we start, I want to say a few things.

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 One is that it's fascinating how creative people can be in trying to figure out what the Bible

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 is talking about when they aren't really sure.

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 And it's fascinating to see them look into historical context to say, oh, maybe it connects

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 with this or maybe it connects with this.

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 And what I do want to say with confidence, though, is that the book of Colossians is not

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 like the book of Galatians, where there's a very clear false teaching that is being addressed

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 very clearly and opposed very strongly.

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 It's not even like the book of 1 Corinthians, where there are false teachers coming in and

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 and whatever they're doing, Paul goes after them with a polemical force.

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 And Paul doesn't take that tone here in Colossians.

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 And I think we need to be careful not to overstate how we approach this.

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 But it seems that Paul is laying down concerns about, hey, this is the world that you live

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 in.

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 This is the water that you drink and the air that you breathe.

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 These false paths are all around you.

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 And I want you to be aware of what they might be.

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 I want you to see their dangers.

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 And I want you to see Christ as sufficient in the midst of them.

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 And that's where we're going to do this morning.

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 We're going to dive into what those things actually look like and what some of those dynamics

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 are.

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 And as much as we can unpack what those problems might be, and hopefully that we will see and

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 have benefit for ourselves as we look at these things and think, oh, I need to be aware of

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 that danger in my own life, in our own world, in my own heart.

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 So that's what we're going to do this morning.

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 Let me read.

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 We're going to look at Colossians chapter 2, starting in verse 16.

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 We're going to read 16 to 23.

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 And I completely forgot.

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 Anyone want to give me a page number?

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 9?

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 84?

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 9.84, I'm being told.

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 There you go.

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 9.84, we'll get you there.

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 And so let's read God's word together.

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 Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you.

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 In questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon,

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 or Sabbath.

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 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

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 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about

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 visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the head, from

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 whom the whole body nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments grows with a growth that is from God.

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 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why?

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 As if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations?

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 Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father, Lord, we ask for your help this morning as we look at this passage.

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 We ask that you would make it clear to us, Lord, what you are saying, and Lord, that you would apply

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 these truths to our hearts.

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 Lord, I ask by your Holy Spirit, Lord, you would show us where we are prone to wander,

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 where we are prone to fall into the dangers that Paul is concerned about in this passage,

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 that we would see how easily we do stray from true and complete confidence in Christ.

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 Lord, we ask that by your Spirit you would work in us, Lord, to deepen our confidence in you this morning.

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 And Lord, I ask for your help.

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 You would help me to speak clearly and that my words would be, Lord, in your hands,

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 useful to proclaim the truth of the gospel.

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 And we pray these things in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Don't let yourself be confused about what the gospel is really about.

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 That's the summary of what this is about.

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 He has three warnings, and I'm going to state them as warnings to you as we read through.

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 So we're going to look at three warnings.

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 The first one is in verses 16 and 17, where Paul is telling us,

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 don't let people judge you by replacing Christ with things meant to point to Christ.

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 What does that mean?

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 Well, let's look at it.

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 Paul says in verse 16,

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 Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival

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 or a new moon or a Sabbath.

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 Now, for those of us, we sort of think, huh?

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 This is a very odd set of categories that we don't normally think about.

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 But for a first century Christian, this would be a very common category because all of this

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 flows from the Old Testament.

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 All of this flows from the Jewish context out of which Christianity grew.

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 And it seems that in the air there was a message going around of, if you really want to follow

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 Christ, recognize that He is grounded in the Old Testament.

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 And in the Old Testament, you had to keep these laws.

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 You had to keep laws of eating and drinking these things and not these things to set yourself

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 apart as being pure and faithful.

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 You had to follow these patterns and rituals of a yearly calendar of festivals and sacrifices

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 and offerings because this is how you worship God in the Old Testament.

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 And it seemed that there was not only a strong exhortation, hey, this is really valuable to do,

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 but even a condemnation.

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 If you don't do these, you're not really a Christian.

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 Now, look, we need to understand this carefully.

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 The Old Testament law was good in that it meant it was there to display the dynamics of God's kingdom

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 to show us the fabric of His character.

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 And it teaches about the ways of His salvation.

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 It established a righteousness and gave us standards for God's kingdom,

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 but it was powerless to change us.

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 And we see this so clearly in other places.

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 The law could not save us.

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 And that's why Christ came.

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 In fact, the law was given to point to that helplessness

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 and to point to the need for a Savior who is greater than us,

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 one who could actually keep the law that we could never keep.

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 One who could actually be righteous in ways that we never could.

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 But as in verse 17, we see clearly,

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 those things, the Old Testament laws, were shadows.

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 And by shadows, that doesn't mean murky or mysterious.

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 It means these things are signposts.

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 These were forerunners pointing ahead to a truth.

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 Again, in Galatians, we see the law was a tutor, a teacher to instruct us on our need for a Savior.

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 And this is what this is pointing to.

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 And so we don't need to, as believers in Christ,

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 submit to the laws of the Old Testament anymore

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 for our salvation, for our standing with God.

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 We need to look to them to know the character of God and the ways of His kingdom,

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 but we don't need to submit to it as for the means of our salvation.

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 And it seems that there were those in the Colossian context

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 who would be promoting this idea.

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 Real Christians are not only those who believe in Jesus,

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 but who keep the law too.

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 You've got to do it both.

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 And you've got to especially do these ritual parts.

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 You've got to keep the ceremonial law.

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 You've got to follow the patterns.

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 Now, I doubt that there are many of us here today who struggle with this

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 and think, oh, man, I had pork on Sunday or on Saturday.

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 Maybe I shouldn't have done that because I believe in Jesus.

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 You don't have to worry about pork.

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 Thank God.

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 That's a good thing.

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 But what I do want to recognize is that the same impulse

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 that I think was in a first century Jew to want to gravitate towards that

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 can be a heart impulse for us as well.

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 We love to have a standard of external conformity

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 that we can try to meet to look good and to please God.

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 We love to create rules and laws.

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 We love to, and even when we're explicitly not doing it,

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 we implicitly often do it over and over again.

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 You're only a real Christian if you do this or don't do that.

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 We love it because it creates an insider and an outsider dynamic.

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 We're the ones who do it right.

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 And you poor people out there, well, do you see?

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 That's what he's concerned about, that you're not just doing it,

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 but you're passing judgment on people about what they're doing.

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 And these external things are easier for us to do.

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 I know that I can do these things, and then I can say,

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 I'm doing it right, aren't I?

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 And isn't that good?

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 Rather than the incredibly humbling call of the gospel,

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 which is to be transformed by the power of God.

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 We are to grow in righteousness.

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 We are to honor God with everything we do.

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 We are to schedule our whole life around worshiping him.

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 But as we'll see in chapter 3,

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 the heart of that is not about laws and rituals,

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 but it's about character transformation.

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 Putting on Christ and living as a Christian,

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 as a follower of Christ,

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 is not about keeping these external laws

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 as much as it is being transformed

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 so that with humility and kindness and gentleness

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 and patience and self-control

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 and forgiveness and love,

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 spurring one another on in our hearts.

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 This is what the true signs of following Christ are.

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 And that in Christ,

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 we actually find the power to live them out.

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 I don't know if you've ever been hiking

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 and lost the trail.

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 It's kind of bewildering when it happens.

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 You're halfway up a mountain.

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 You know you want to get up there,

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 or at least that's where you think.

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 But suddenly you don't know

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 what the next 50 yards looks like.

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 And it could go that way.

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 It could go that way.

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 It could go that way.

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 And I've done this.

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 You fan out.

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 Where's the next blaze?

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 Where's the next trail?

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 But friends, if you found the blaze,

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 would you then stop and say,

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 woo, we found the blaze.

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 Now we know where we're going.

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 All right, we're done.

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 Let's party.

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 We're going to camp out here and celebrate

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 because we have found the blaze.

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 Friends, this is what the problem that Paul has

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 with those who would want to impose the law.

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 They found the blazes,

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 but never got to the point.

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 They didn't get to the destination

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 that the blazes were leading to,

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 which was Christ.

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 And somehow they're making the signposts

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 the point rather than the end.

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 And we need to be aware that we too might do the same thing.

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 We are free to follow Christ.

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 Free from obeying the law for the basis of our justification

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 and acceptance with God.

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 Free from those patterns.

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 Now look, I need to say this well

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 because you could hear this and think,

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 great, so I don't have to worry about those things at all.

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 I don't have to do anything.

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 Well, no, let me say two things.

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 One is that we need to recognize

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 that this freedom does have some limits to it.

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 The limit is that we do make Christ the center of our lives.

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 There are boundary markers for the people of God,

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 but the boundary markers for the people of God

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 are not the external performance of certain things,

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 but it is actually the believing faith in Christ

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 for our salvation.

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 It is looking back at chapter 2, 11 through 15

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 and believing that in Christ the fullness of God dwelt

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 and in Christ God has done everything we need.

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 That the condemnation that is ours

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 has been nailed to the cross.

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 That by the resurrection from the dead

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 the power of sin and death has been broken.

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 And by his being seated at the right hand of God

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 we now know there's no power in heaven

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 that can control us.

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 And we have to believe in that

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 and trust in that as the central point

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 and as the focal point

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 and as the foundation

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 and as the goal of our lives.

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 This is the boundary marker for true Christianity.

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 And we need to recognize that the gospel

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 and trusting in the gospel is that.

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 The second thing we need to say

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 is that there's a lot of wisdom out there

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 about how we cling to Christ

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 and how we pursue that.

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 Scripture has given us patterns

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 maybe even New Testament commands.

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 We need to be in God's word.

00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:27.559
 We need to be praying.

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:29.679
 We need to be in fellowship with one another.

00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.439
 We need to be giving and serving

00:17:31.439 --> 00:17:33.939
 in God's kingdom and in God's church

00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:36.439
 for the glory of God.

00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:40.039
 We need to be gathering with other believers.

00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.319
 I don't need to tell you that

00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.059
 because you're here.

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.519
 But we need to be gathering

00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.980
 with other believers.

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:47.400
 These are all normal parts

00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:49.400
 of those who follow Christ.

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:51.620
 These are means of grace

00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:53.920
 that are so clear in the New Testament.

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.079
 They are not laws.

00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.519
 But they are patterns

00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:01.180
 that is wisdom given to us

00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:03.960
 on how we are meant to do that.

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:07.559
 So we need to hold them

00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.039
 not as basis of judgments

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.700
 but as gifts from God

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.059
 to recognize how it is

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.319
 that we actually pursue

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:16.200
 a knowledge of God in Christ.

00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.759
 And look, there's a whole other level

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.559
 of things too.

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:23.259
 You may have been super helped

00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.299
 by Dave Ramsey

00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:26.039
 on how to manage your finances

00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.600
 to the glory of God.

00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:28.900
 You may have found

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:32.519
 that a certain time management program

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.920
 has been your salvation

00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:35.019
 and how to organize

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.000
 your chaotic life

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.079
 so that you can actually

00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:39.160
 serve God the way you want to.

00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.619
 There are all sorts of things

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.819
 but you know what we do?

00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:44.279
 We then become the apostles

00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.879
 for time management

00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.900
 or Dave Ramsey

00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:48.539
 or whatever else it is.

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.599
 The things that we have found

00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.680
 particularly helpful

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:54.099
 in the application level

00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.779
 of pursuing Christ.

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:58.339
 We then glorify

00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.879
 and raise to a level

00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.740
 of law,

00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.799
 of expectation.

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.220
 then we judge other people

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.500
 when they don't do that.

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.559
 Oh, you watch Netflix.

00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.539
 Well, okay.

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.240
 Good for you.

00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.639
 I'll pray for you.

00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.240
 You know,

00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:15.039
 or whatever it is, right?

00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:15.359
 I mean,

00:19:15.659 --> 00:19:16.879
 I could go on it.

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.980
 We are so prone to do that

00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:20.319
 and I don't want to go on and on

00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.659
 because all of us

00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.659
 are prone to do it

00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:24.059
 and we need to be careful

00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:25.579
 not to judge one another

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.599
 in these things

00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.779
 even as we ought to be free

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.859
 to seek

00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:31.000
 and to share wisdom

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.740
 with one another.

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.279
 Hey, this is what's been helpful

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.859
 for me.

00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:34.819
 This has been,

00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.519
 but these things are only helpful

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.319
 in as much as they point to Christ

00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.519
 and help us to Christ

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.859
 and when we cling to them

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.119
 and think,

00:19:42.219 --> 00:19:43.479
 well, if you have this,

00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.500
 this is really going to like

00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.099
 jumpstart your spiritual life.

00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:46.839
 No,

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.519
 Christ will jumpstart

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.479
 your spiritual life.

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.459
 The Holy Spirit

00:19:50.459 --> 00:19:51.539
 will jumpstart

00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.559
 your spiritual life

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:54.419
 and maybe he might use

00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.139
 something like that

00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.720
 along the way

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.279
 and if so,

00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:56.919
 praise God

00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:58.259
 and be thankful for it

00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.159
 and don't condemn it

00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:00.059
 and don't get up,

00:20:00.159 --> 00:20:01.500
 but also don't deify it

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.399
 and make it everything.

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.700
 So the passage warns us

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.500
 of a danger

00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.960
 of judging,

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.220
 judging others

00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:16.700
 by replacing Christ

00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:18.599
 with things that point to Christ

00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.940
 in our lives.

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.840
 The passage goes on

00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:23.120
 in verse 18 and 19

00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:25.320
 points to a second danger

00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:26.240
 and that is

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:28.299
 don't let others exclude you

00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.820
 on the demand

00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:31.880
 of a deeper spiritual life

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:33.720
 apart from Christ

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:36.820
 rather than a deeper spiritual life

00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:38.279
 in Christ.

00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:40.480
 Did you get all that?

00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.000
 It's a little complicated.

00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:42.820
 Let me read that again.

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.900
 Don't let others exclude you

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.799
 on the demand

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:47.559
 of a deeper spiritual life

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.860
 apart from Christ

00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.359
 rather than a deeper

00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.279
 spiritual life

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.659
 in Christ.

00:20:53.199 --> 00:20:53.939
 Look with me again

00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.639
 in verse 18

00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.939
 so we see the language.

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.819
 Let no one disqualify you.

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.759
 It's a strong word,

00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.839
 disqualification.

00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:06.459
 If you're a world football

00:21:06.459 --> 00:21:08.659
 aficionado,

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.639
 I mean a soccer fan,

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:12.219
 then you know what it means

00:21:12.219 --> 00:21:13.459
 to be disqualified, right?

00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.659
 You get a red card

00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.419
 in a game

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.700
 when you have been,

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.539
 when you have transgressed

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.300
 the boundaries,

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.940
 the laws,

00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.120
 when you have,

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:23.880
 you've become disqualified

00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:25.840
 from continuing in the game

00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:27.080
 and you are removed

00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:28.100
 from the field

00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.800
 and you're removed

00:21:29.800 --> 00:21:30.580
 from the stadium.

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.240
 You're removed from your team

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.180
 because of that

00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.600
 and that's the picture here.

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.700
 Some of the language behind it

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.519
 is like an umpire

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.160
 or like an Olympic referee

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.420
 who disqualifies a runner

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:42.240
 for leaving the starting blocks

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.019
 too early

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:45.140
 or for interfering

00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.200
 with another runner.

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.279
 It's a very strong word.

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.779
 It's a very categorical word.

00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.960
 You're being separated out

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.339
 and divided from

00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:55.480
 and excluded from something.

00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.620
 On what basis

00:21:58.620 --> 00:22:00.140
 is Paul concerned

00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.400
 that that exclusion

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.640
 could happen?

00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.980
 Because as we've seen earlier,

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.440
 there is an exclusion.

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.960
 If you are not in Christ,

00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.099
 you are separate

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.359
 from the people of Christ.

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.859
 But that's not the problem

00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.779
 he's dealing with.

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.799
 He's dealing with the problem

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:16.179
 within a church community,

00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.079
 within a body

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:19.279
 that people are excluding others

00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.759
 on a basis of

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.539
 some kind of demand

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:24.659
 for what I'm calling

00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:26.939
 a deeper spiritual life.

00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.319
 Look with me again

00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.079
 in verse 18.

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.500
 See how he describes it.

00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:34.839
 Insisting on asceticism

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:37.959
 and worship of angels,

00:22:38.719 --> 00:22:40.199
 going on in details

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.100
 about visions,

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.160
 puffed up

00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:44.700
 and without reason

00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:47.500
 by his sensuous mind.

00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:53.240
 Now, this is where

00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.620
 all the ink has been spilled

00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:56.019
 in commentaries

00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.680
 about what in the world

00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:59.559
 is he really referring to.

00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.840
 If the first part

00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:01.700
 was pretty clear

00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.420
 that it was coming

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:04.080
 from some kind of impulse

00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:05.500
 towards a return to Judaism

00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:07.319
 or submitting to the Jewish law,

00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.440
 the Old Testament law,

00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.519
 here we have

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:11.380
 a broad number of terms

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.120
 that people have

00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:13.460
 really wrestled with.

00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.500
 And I don't think

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.519
 anyone has succeeded

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.600
 in convincingly identifying

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:21.039
 particular strands

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:23.759
 of first century religious

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:25.220
 or mystical practices

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.680
 that ought to be

00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:28.360
 pegged as

00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.799
 this is what it was talking about.

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.120
 But I do think

00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:31.740
 that actually

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.680
 as you read this,

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.160
 the patterns are pretty clear.

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.160
 Right?

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.560
 On what basis

00:23:37.560 --> 00:23:38.160
 is this disqualification

00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.440
 happening?

00:23:39.540 --> 00:23:40.060
 Well, one,

00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:42.480
 the basis all seems

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.880
 to be in some form

00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:45.640
 of experiential religion.

00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:46.940
 All right?

00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.320
 On one end,

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.519
 you have asceticism.

00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.860
 I'm going to deny

00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:53.720
 my body.

00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:55.000
 I'm going to deny

00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.120
 the goodness

00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.600
 of the physical world

00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.660
 that I live in.

00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.200
 I see that it's dangerous,

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.279
 that it could lead me

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.160
 away from pure

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.700
 spiritual worship.

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.380
 And I'm going to do that.

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:07.259
 This is the kind of thing

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.220
 that led monks

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.740
 to, in the fourth century,

00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.880
 live their lives

00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.880
 literally on the tops

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:13.080
 of pillars in the desert

00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:14.740
 to separate themselves

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.900
 from the world

00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:18.380
 to try to subdue

00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:19.080
 their body.

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:22.100
 This is the kind of impulse

00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:23.340
 that leads us

00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.600
 at times

00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:28.600
 to self-destructive patterns

00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:33.160
 of bodily control.

00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:38.440
 we treat the world

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.880
 as a,

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.740
 this impulse

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.980
 is to treat the world

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.519
 as a,

00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.299
 as a,

00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.519
 the physical world

00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.840
 as something

00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:45.880
 that wasn't good

00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:47.059
 and created by God.

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:50.279
 And call that spiritual.

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.660
 We set them up

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.519
 in contrast

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.220
 to one another.

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:58.579
 there are lots of ways

00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.600
 this could live itself

00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:00.259
 out today.

00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.400
 But I think that

00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.839
 recognizing that

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.120
 it's,

00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.039
 it's an experience.

00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.039
 If I can pursue

00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.940
 this hard enough,

00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:09.779
 I,

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.600
 I'm going to show

00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.720
 that I'm really serious

00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.880
 and that I'm really gonna,

00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.079
 I'm really devoted

00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:15.539
 and that I'm really

00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:17.360
 committed

00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:18.220
 to sacrificing

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.059
 for Christ.

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:22.819
 but it's more

00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.000
 about our own

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:26.299
 experience

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:28.599
 of devotion

00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:30.000
 than it is about

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.099
 truly submitting

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.839
 all things

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.679
 to God.

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:37.759
 Let me go on.

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.820
 The second thing,

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.700
 spiritualism.

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.299
 The worship

00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.259
 of angels

00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.539
 and going on

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:44.420
 insisting on visions.

00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.360
 Well,

00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.640
 yeah,

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.799
 this is the one

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.480
 that people really

00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.200
 don't understand

00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.400
 exactly what he's

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:51.980
 talking about

00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.980
 or even remotely

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.620
 what he's talking

00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.320
 about at one level.

00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.519
 Some people even

00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.220
 think that it's

00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.720
 talking about

00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.500
 being joined

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.500
 with the angels

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.259
 in their worship

00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.820
 of God.

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.360
 Other people think

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.959
 that it's more

00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:04.379
 worshiping angels

00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:05.240
 as the object

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.159
 of their devotion

00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:08.039
 but whatever it is,

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:10.179
 it's a spiritual practice

00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:11.919
 that has an experiential

00:26:11.919 --> 00:26:12.599
 component

00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.699
 that includes

00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.579
 visions

00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.979
 and dreams

00:26:15.979 --> 00:26:17.719
 and some kind

00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:18.519
 of ecstatic

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.699
 experience

00:26:19.699 --> 00:26:22.179
 that doesn't seem

00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:23.000
 to have Christ

00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.879
 in it

00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.799
 at the end

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.379
 of the day.

00:26:25.959 --> 00:26:27.279
 But the focal point

00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.279
 is how it's relating

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.219
 to angels.

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:34.360
 And it seems

00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:34.920
 that some

00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.960
 were suggesting

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:37.019
 that real

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.259
 Christianity

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:40.680
 looks like

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.259
 having those

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.039
 experiences.

00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.680
 Then the third

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.579
 part of this,

00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:49.700
 he says,

00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.940
 puffed up without

00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.059
 reason by his

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.559
 sensuous mind.

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.140
 The core

00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.440
 of these,

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.279
 this pursuit

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.399
 of experiential

00:26:59.399 --> 00:26:59.879
 religion

00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.399
 is that it's

00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.839
 actually

00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.759
 deeply,

00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.980
 deeply

00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.899
 self-centered.

00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.220
 It is about

00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.740
 me.

00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.119
 I am pursuing

00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.980
 these kinds

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.660
 of experiences.

00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.519
 I am pursuing

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.379
 this kind

00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:11.960
 of discipline.

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:13.399
 I am pursuing

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.420
 these kinds

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.420
 of things

00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.960
 in a way

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.740
 that puffs

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.299
 me up

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.859
 and that

00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.759
 tickles

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.299
 the fancy

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.539
 of my own

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:25.240
 fallen heart.

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.139
 When it talks

00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.039
 about a sensuous

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.480
 mind,

00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:27.899
 the word

00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.159
 there is

00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:28.480
 actually

00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.299
 fleshly.

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.279
 And in Paul,

00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:31.220
 the fleshly

00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.839
 mind is the

00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.779
 mind that

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.519
 rather than

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.279
 submitting to

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.680
 God and

00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.559
 receiving from

00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.019
 God,

00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:36.980
 sets itself

00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.700
 up against

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.119
 God in

00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.720
 some kind

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.879
 of proud

00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:42.200
 rebellion

00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.980
 or resistance.

00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.200
 sense.

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.880
 So whatever

00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.960
 this is,

00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.960
 this pursuit

00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.019
 of experience

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.860
 of God

00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.460
 in certain

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.039
 ways,

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.720
 it ultimately

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.420
 is a very

00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:58.019
 self-centered

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.740
 spirituality.

00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.440
 I had an

00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.160
 experience with

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.660
 this quite a

00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.180
 while ago.

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.360
 Some friends

00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.019
 who I worked

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.160
 with got really

00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.860
 excited about

00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:11.120
 visions and

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.779
 how God was

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.220
 going to work

00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.819
 in a particular

00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.399
 way,

00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.500
 in a particular

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.119
 face,

00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.119
 in a particular

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.759
 space,

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.740
 in a particular

00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.399
 time.

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.379
 And the further

00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:19.980
 along it went,

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.559
 it got more

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:20.839
 and more

00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.579
 particular and

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.019
 there's this

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.559
 invitation,

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.279
 come in and

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.879
 be a part of

00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.220
 this.

00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.279
 But at its

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.799
 core,

00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.299
 what I saw

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.940
 was exactly

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.599
 what Paul

00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:33.839
 was warning

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.500
 about here.

00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.720
 That it

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.839
 didn't bless

00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:37.819
 and invite

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.839
 and express

00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.859
 the glory of

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.339
 God in the

00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.000
 face of Christ

00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.940
 with a gracious

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.980
 winsomeness,

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.740
 but it

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.279
 excluded.

00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.599
 Why weren't

00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:45.980
 you at the

00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.440
 prayer meeting?

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:46.940
 Don't you

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.740
 really want

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.160
 to seek

00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.099
 God to

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.619
 work here?

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.220
 Well,

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.500
 I know you

00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:53.960
 haven't had

00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.420
 this vision,

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.940
 but I have,

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.200
 so why don't

00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.980
 you believe me

00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.500
 and get on

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.000
 board with

00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.720
 this particular

00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.279
 plan?

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.079
 Oh,

00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:03.500
 you're not

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.819
 fasting with

00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.579
 us again

00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.039
 today?

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:09.579
 maybe you're

00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:09.980
 not really

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.680
 committed to

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.000
 us.

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.599
 This is the

00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:12.980
 kind of

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.980
 disqualification

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.759
 that happened

00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.440
 in the

00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:16.859
 circumstance

00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.680
 that I saw

00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.259
 it happening

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.559
 in.

00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.319
 It's one of

00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.899
 those times

00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.359
 where we

00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:24.139
 see when

00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:25.399
 excessive

00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:26.279
 zeal for

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.920
 the glory of

00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.819
 God gets

00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.440
 warped.

00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.299
 These are

00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.680
 some of the

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.220
 ways we can

00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.899
 see the

00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.759
 cracks show.

00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.039
 When it

00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.720
 becomes a

00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.259
 self-centered

00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.740
 zeal,

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.740
 this kind

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:35.900
 of

00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:36.900
 disqualification

00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.960
 and separation

00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:39.059
 and judgmental

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:41.200
 spirit is

00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.140
 exactly what

00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:42.980
 we can look

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.900
 for as a

00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:45.599
 fruit of

00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.940
 not true

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:49.240
 growth in

00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.839
 Christ,

00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.039
 but some

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.519
 kind of

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.160
 self-centered

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.000
 counterfeit.

00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.720
 We become

00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.140
 the church

00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.519
 of mean

00:29:59.519 --> 00:29:59.880
 girls,

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.779
 spiritually,

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.279
 when we

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.740
 do that.

00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.559
 Right?

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:07.880
 I've got it

00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.279
 together.

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.819
 What's wrong

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.279
 with you?

00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.480
 This is where

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.200
 God is leading

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.440
 us.

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:12.880
 If you're not

00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.259
 with us,

00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.740
 you're against

00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.220
 us.

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:17.940
 Oh,

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.220
 you don't

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.599
 have that?

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.000
 I feel

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.660
 sorry for

00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:19.900
 you.

00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.099
 There's so

00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:23.640
 many different

00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.519
 ways that we

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.200
 can express

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.460
 it.

00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.359
 Paul says,

00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.240
 don't let

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.019
 this happen

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.019
 God.

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.519
 Because in

00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.240
 fact, what

00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.879
 these people

00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.519
 are pursuing,

00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.460
 maybe with

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.319
 honest hearts

00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.079
 and misguided

00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.660
 direction,

00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.960
 maybe with

00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.599
 much more

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.139
 nefarious

00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.539
 hearts,

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.379
 what they're

00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:42.059
 pursuing is

00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.539
 a real

00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.200
 knowledge of

00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.619
 God and

00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.099
 a true

00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.460
 deep

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.980
 spirituality.

00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.079
 And what

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.759
 verse 19

00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.480
 reminds us is

00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.379
 that we know

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.099
 where we find

00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:49.480
 that.

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.960
 We've already

00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.720
 seen it.

00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.639
 Christ is the

00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.240
 head of the

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.619
 body.

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.299
 He is the

00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.379
 kingpin.

00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.980
 He is the

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.039
 control center

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:02.039
 for the

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.599
 church.

00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.440
 And in the

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.200
 church, as we

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.000
 live under

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.960
 Christ's headship,

00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.279
 he is the

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.299
 one who

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.940
 causes the

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.460
 growth.

00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:10.799
 And do you

00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.519
 notice that one

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:11.940
 of the things

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.639
 that Paul says

00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.519
 in verse 19,

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.399
 but from

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:15.899
 whom the

00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:17.039
 whole body

00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.879
 nourished and

00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.399
 knit together

00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:18.819
 through its

00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.319
 joints and

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.759
 ligaments,

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.539
 it's this

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.960
 picture of

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.779
 the totality.

00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.720
 Nobody is

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.619
 excluded from

00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.180
 a being under

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.720
 the head.

00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.740
 If you're in

00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.559
 Christ, you're a

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.000
 part of the

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.240
 body.

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.799
 And if you're

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.259
 a part of the

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.059
 body, then

00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.920
 you are in.

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.279
 And Christ

00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.039
 is able to

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.660
 make the

00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:36.359
 growth that

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.160
 God wants to

00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.259
 do in your

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.799
 life.

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:45.220
 In Christ, we

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.640
 are not

00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.579
 disqualified.

00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:47.859
 But as we

00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:48.279
 saw in

00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.099
 chapter 1,

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:50.879
 verse,

00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:53.279
 where is it?

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:53.640
 Verse,

00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.640
 I should

00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.460
 have wrote

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:56.900
 this down.

00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.099
 Verse 12,

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.180
 giving thanks

00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.559
 to the

00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.119
 Father who

00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:01.000
 has qualified

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:02.160
 you to

00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.879
 share in

00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.460
 the inheritance

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.339
 of the saints

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:05.099
 in light.

00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:05.920
 He has

00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.559
 delivered us

00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:06.900
 from the

00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.440
 domain of

00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.019
 darkness and

00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.680
 transferred us

00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:08.980
 to the

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.420
 kingdom of

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.980
 his beloved

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.900
 son in

00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:11.259
 whom we

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.900
 have redemption,

00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.519
 the forgiveness

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.379
 of sins.

00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.940
 Christ has

00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.940
 qualified us

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.039
 to be God's

00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.799
 people and

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.500
 to be in

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:20.140
 him to

00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:21.180
 experience the

00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.519
 salvation that

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.480
 delivers us from

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.400
 sin and death

00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:24.920
 and the kingdom

00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.619
 of darkness and

00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.480
 brings us into

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.400
 God's kingdom

00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.039
 and God's

00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.420
 people.

00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.400
 Paul is

00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:30.880
 saying to

00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:31.799
 the Colossian

00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.220
 church,

00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.180
 don't think

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.799
 there's something

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.380
 more.

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.500
 The lure of

00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.559
 a higher life,

00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.759
 of a higher

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.599
 vision of

00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.400
 Christianity

00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:40.839
 is somehow

00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:42.039
 separate from

00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.819
 the grace that

00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.539
 brought you in.

00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.860
 It's not true.

00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.839
 It's an illusion.

00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.660
 It's a false

00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.279
 path.

00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.460
 Because the

00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:49.240
 true path

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.440
 continues in the

00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:50.920
 path that you

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.720
 started in,

00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.460
 which is in the

00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.420
 path of Christ.

00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.319
 It is the

00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.099
 gospel of Jesus

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.980
 Christ, the

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.819
 grace of God

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.639
 meeting us in

00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:59.019
 our fallenness

00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.559
 and our

00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.819
 inability to

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.259
 turn to

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.599
 him.

00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:03.980
 He says,

00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.919
 we have a

00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.559
 head and

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.179
 that's where

00:33:06.179 --> 00:33:06.519
 you're going

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.359
 to find all

00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.099
 the spirituality

00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.480
 that you

00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.819
 want.

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.519
 You want

00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:10.879
 more?

00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.579
 You want a

00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:13.279
 deeper walk

00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.899
 with God?

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.579
 Don't go

00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.339
 somewhere else.

00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.319
 Go more

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:17.579
 into Christ.

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.439
 And yes,

00:33:22.719 --> 00:33:24.240
 you may have

00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.619
 visions.

00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.740
 as you

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.579
 pursue Christ.

00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.399
 And yes,

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.179
 you may

00:33:28.179 --> 00:33:29.779
 practice

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:31.359
 self-discipline

00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.799
 of your

00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.779
 schedule or

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.240
 of your

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.059
 eating or

00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.679
 of your

00:33:35.679 --> 00:33:36.179
 physical,

00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.679
 of all sorts

00:33:37.679 --> 00:33:37.980
 of things.

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.639
 You may do

00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:39.459
 those things.

00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:42.199
 But they're

00:33:42.199 --> 00:33:43.339
 all in service

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.139
 to pursuing

00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:45.599
 Christ and

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.500
 knowing him.

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:50.000
 He is the

00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:51.500
 one in whom

00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.219
 we have the

00:33:52.219 --> 00:33:52.719
 deepest

00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:54.220
 spiritual

00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.720
 life.

00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:58.600
 Friends,

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.380
 Paul is

00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.539
 then leading

00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.039
 to his

00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.480
 third and

00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.160
 final warning

00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.860
 in chapter

00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.259
 two,

00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.600
 which builds

00:34:05.600 --> 00:34:06.240
 and expands

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.839
 on what he's

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.680
 already said.

00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:08.960
 In verses

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.659
 20 through

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.320
 23,

00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:12.380
 he says,

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:12.900
 don't be

00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.659
 deceived by

00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.199
 the empty

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.059
 promises of

00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.500
 man-made

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.619
 religion when

00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.699
 Christ is all

00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:18.179
 you really

00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.539
 need.

00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:21.000
 Look with

00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.380
 me again

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:21.739
 at this.

00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.019
 You may

00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.179
 have,

00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.119
 if with

00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.539
 Christ you

00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:24.960
 died to

00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.440
 the elemental

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.079
 spirits of

00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.440
 the world,

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:27.079
 why is if

00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:27.739
 you were

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.480
 still alive

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:28.739
 in the

00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:28.900
 world?

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.179
 Do you

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.679
 submit to

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.380
 the regulations,

00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:30.860
 do not

00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.099
 handle,

00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:31.500
 do not

00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:31.860
 touch,

00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:32.460
 taste,

00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:32.860
 do not

00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.279
 touch,

00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.440
 referring to

00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.219
 things that

00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.119
 all perish as

00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.779
 they are used

00:34:36.779 --> 00:34:37.400
 according to

00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.300
 human precepts

00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:38.779
 and teaching?

00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:40.259
 These have

00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:40.519
 indeed

00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.259
 appearance of

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.000
 wisdom in

00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.360
 promoting

00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:42.920
 self-made

00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:44.039
 religion and

00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:44.940
 asceticism and

00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:45.659
 severity to the

00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:45.960
 body,

00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:47.199
 but they are of

00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:48.059
 no value in

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:49.139
 stopping the

00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:50.679
 indulgence of

00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.320
 the flesh.

00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.340
 Paul paints

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:56.940
 out a picture.

00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.480
 Before you

00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:58.880
 were in

00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.259
 Christ,

00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:00.019
 you lived in

00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.179
 a world and

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.739
 you were under

00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:03.259
 the influence of

00:35:03.259 --> 00:35:03.980
 these elemental

00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.420
 spirits,

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.039
 and these elemental

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.559
 spirits,

00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:07.000
 maybe they're more

00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.619
 personal,

00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.259
 spiritual,

00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.079
 like demonic

00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.539
 forces,

00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:10.500
 maybe they're

00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.699
 more cultural

00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:14.400
 or just human

00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:16.199
 dynamics in a

00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:17.019
 fallen world.

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.059
 world.

00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:18.039
 I don't think we

00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.880
 need to determine

00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.759
 or say which

00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.039
 one.

00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.380
 I think we're

00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:22.099
 influenced by

00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.659
 both.

00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.079
 He says,

00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.960
 you lived in a

00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:27.059
 world whereby

00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:28.619
 people sought

00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.480
 means of

00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.400
 justifying

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.239
 themselves,

00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:33.199
 of belonging

00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:34.280
 to a people,

00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.559
 of changing

00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.400
 themselves,

00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.079
 of being

00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:38.259
 accepted in

00:35:38.259 --> 00:35:38.860
 the world

00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:41.820
 by external

00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.519
 things.

00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:43.980
 Do not

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.420
 taste.

00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:45.800
 Right?

00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:46.560
 Sorry,

00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:47.140
 let's say it

00:35:47.140 --> 00:35:47.380
 right.

00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:48.019
 Do not

00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.420
 handle,

00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:48.940
 do not

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.300
 taste,

00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:49.760
 do not

00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.100
 touch.

00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:50.700
 One

00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:51.220
 commentator

00:35:51.220 --> 00:35:51.600
 made it funny

00:35:51.600 --> 00:35:52.580
 that this is

00:35:52.580 --> 00:35:53.380
 actually ironic

00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:53.940
 and he's sort

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.440
 of saying how

00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.519
 ridiculous these

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.340
 rules can get.

00:35:56.640 --> 00:35:57.340
 It's kind of

00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.019
 like saying,

00:35:58.840 --> 00:35:59.140
 son,

00:35:59.320 --> 00:35:59.860
 I don't want

00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:01.280
 you to go on

00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:01.720
 a date with

00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:02.080
 that girl.

00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:02.420
 As a matter

00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:02.640
 of fact,

00:36:02.700 --> 00:36:03.140
 I don't even

00:36:03.140 --> 00:36:03.660
 want you to

00:36:03.660 --> 00:36:04.080
 look at that

00:36:04.080 --> 00:36:04.200
 girl.

00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:04.480
 As a matter

00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:04.720
 of fact,

00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:05.180
 you can't

00:36:05.180 --> 00:36:05.660
 even think

00:36:05.660 --> 00:36:06.160
 about that

00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:06.460
 girl.

00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:07.519
 And he's

00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:07.940
 sort of saying

00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.519
 this is the

00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.480
 extremity of

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.220
 the ways that

00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:11.400
 these kind of

00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.500
 regulations can

00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.660
 go as we're

00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.260
 trying to

00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:14.860
 pursue

00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:16.940
 some kind

00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.680
 of acceptance

00:36:17.680 --> 00:36:18.579
 or belonging

00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.720
 or justifying

00:36:19.720 --> 00:36:20.860
 ourselves and

00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.519
 our lives in

00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.140
 this world.

00:36:25.220 --> 00:36:25.860
 It's

00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.280
 characterized

00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.460
 by rules

00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:30.240
 and it

00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:31.019
 reflects the

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.880
 building of a

00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:32.940
 religious system

00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.900
 that is man

00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.460
 made.

00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:38.019
 We know

00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.500
 that we are

00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.360
 made for God

00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:40.980
 but apart

00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.519
 from Christ,

00:36:41.620 --> 00:36:42.019
 we don't know

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.480
 how to get

00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:42.800
 there.

00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:44.000
 and we

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.700
 fill that

00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:46.380
 gap in

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:46.940
 all sorts

00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:47.420
 of ways.

00:36:47.580 --> 00:36:48.220
 We create

00:36:48.220 --> 00:36:48.780
 our own

00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.280
 religions

00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:50.780
 whether they

00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:51.440
 be more

00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:52.460
 spiritual or

00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:52.800
 not.

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.600
 We create

00:36:53.600 --> 00:36:54.160
 our own

00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:55.220
 ways of

00:36:55.220 --> 00:36:56.180
 getting to

00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:56.820
 be acceptable

00:36:56.820 --> 00:36:57.660
 by God.

00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.539
 And Paul

00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:58.900
 says,

00:36:59.400 --> 00:36:59.940
 you know what

00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.519
 it was like

00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.060
 to be under

00:37:01.060 --> 00:37:01.300
 that?

00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:02.300
 That's slavery.

00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:03.580
 There's no

00:37:03.580 --> 00:37:04.460
 freedom there.

00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.340
 There's no

00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:06.160
 hope there.

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.260
 It's an

00:37:08.260 --> 00:37:08.900
 ongoing

00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.800
 hamster wheel

00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:10.620
 of performance

00:37:10.620 --> 00:37:11.620
 that grinds

00:37:11.620 --> 00:37:11.920
 you till

00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.659
 you die.

00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.740
 It's a

00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:15.280
 standard of

00:37:15.280 --> 00:37:16.320
 unmeetable

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.260
 expectations

00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:19.180
 that causes

00:37:19.180 --> 00:37:19.559
 you to

00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:20.420
 despair and

00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:20.840
 give up

00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.340
 hope

00:37:21.340 --> 00:37:24.180
 or to

00:37:24.180 --> 00:37:24.740
 succeed,

00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.500
 which is

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:26.119
 even worse

00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:27.139
 because then

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.980
 as a puffed

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.420
 up person

00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:28.880
 you walk

00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:30.420
 around pitying

00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.960
 all the others

00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.579
 who can't do

00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.000
 it as well

00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.599
 as you can.

00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.820
 This is the

00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.680
 human heart.

00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:38.440
 Verse 23,

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:38.940
 it says,

00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.320
 they have

00:37:39.320 --> 00:37:40.039
 the appearance

00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:40.740
 of wisdom

00:37:40.740 --> 00:37:45.519
 but they

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.119
 have no

00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:46.820
 power.

00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:49.659
 Friends,

00:37:49.700 --> 00:37:50.119
 has it ever

00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:50.800
 occurred to

00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:51.679
 you that

00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.179
 we live in

00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:52.960
 an age where

00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:54.000
 we think

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:55.200
 that humanity

00:37:55.200 --> 00:37:56.200
 ought to be

00:37:56.200 --> 00:37:57.099
 getting better?

00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:59.460
 We ought to

00:37:59.460 --> 00:38:00.159
 be improving.

00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:01.179
 We ought to

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.740
 be showing

00:38:01.740 --> 00:38:02.740
 that we can

00:38:02.740 --> 00:38:04.159
 actually grow

00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:05.179
 and become a

00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:06.019
 better society

00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:06.340
 and a

00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:07.139
 better world.

00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:10.579
 As a

00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.219
 history major,

00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:12.320
 it's just

00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:12.960
 not true.

00:38:14.539 --> 00:38:15.199
 There are

00:38:15.199 --> 00:38:15.860
 some ways

00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.400
 in which

00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:17.420
 by God's

00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:17.739
 grace

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.639
 things have

00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.219
 improved.

00:38:19.659 --> 00:38:20.579
 Wonderfully so.

00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.179
 There are

00:38:21.179 --> 00:38:21.940
 ways in which

00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.759
 God's gracious

00:38:22.759 --> 00:38:23.219
 common,

00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:24.400
 that His

00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.320
 common grace

00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:26.199
 is blessing

00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:26.940
 this world

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.719
 in wonderful

00:38:27.719 --> 00:38:28.159
 ways.

00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:28.800
 And there are

00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:29.360
 ways in which

00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:29.960
 humanity has

00:38:29.960 --> 00:38:30.619
 progressed that

00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:31.320
 is glorious

00:38:31.320 --> 00:38:32.139
 and beautiful.

00:38:33.559 --> 00:38:34.559
 But friends,

00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.280
 we're not

00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.680
 better.

00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:37.660
 That has

00:38:37.660 --> 00:38:38.500
 come alongside

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.200
 with an

00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:39.920
 ongoing

00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:40.740
 persistent

00:38:40.740 --> 00:38:41.860
 show that

00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.460
 in fact,

00:38:42.600 --> 00:38:43.100
 people are

00:38:43.100 --> 00:38:43.720
 sinful and

00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:44.160
 the world

00:38:44.160 --> 00:38:44.720
 has fallen

00:38:44.720 --> 00:38:45.320
 and we

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:45.940
 can't fix

00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.380
 it.

00:38:48.260 --> 00:38:48.920
 And we

00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:49.460
 can't make

00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:49.900
 it better.

00:38:52.660 --> 00:38:53.460
 We can't

00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:53.900
 do it on a

00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:54.600
 societal and

00:38:54.600 --> 00:38:54.980
 a global

00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:55.800
 level and

00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:56.260
 we can't

00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:56.780
 even do it

00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.360
 on a personal

00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:57.760
 level.

00:39:03.300 --> 00:39:04.100
 It's what

00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.719
 sin of

00:39:04.719 --> 00:39:05.239
 Adam and

00:39:05.239 --> 00:39:05.699
 Eve in the

00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:06.179
 garden was

00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:06.639
 about.

00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:08.619
 God, I'd

00:39:08.619 --> 00:39:09.259
 rather create

00:39:09.259 --> 00:39:09.739
 my own

00:39:09.739 --> 00:39:10.759
 way rather

00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:11.380
 than follow

00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:11.960
 yours.

00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:13.319
 Thank you

00:39:13.319 --> 00:39:13.920
 very much.

00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.159
 I'll do it

00:39:16.159 --> 00:39:16.619
 myself.

00:39:18.839 --> 00:39:19.639
 And we

00:39:19.639 --> 00:39:20.579
 create our

00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:21.380
 own religions.

00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.380
 And Paul

00:39:22.380 --> 00:39:22.980
 says, why

00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:23.539
 would you go

00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:24.360
 back to that?

00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:25.480
 Why would you

00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.079
 go back to

00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:26.880
 these rules and

00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:27.519
 laws that

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.139
 create these

00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:28.980
 ins and outs?

00:39:28.980 --> 00:39:30.019
 when you

00:39:30.019 --> 00:39:30.740
 have something

00:39:30.740 --> 00:39:31.719
 so much

00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.119
 better?

00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:36.099
 Verse 23

00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:36.880
 ends with

00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:37.500
 the fact that

00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:38.199
 these things

00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:39.000
 have no value

00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:39.619
 in stopping

00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:40.340
 the indulgence

00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:41.039
 of the flesh.

00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:42.099
 That is,

00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:42.840
 they have no

00:39:42.840 --> 00:39:44.280
 true ability

00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:45.199
 to transform

00:39:45.199 --> 00:39:46.460
 us so that

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:47.539
 we no longer

00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.579
 are enslaved

00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.980
 to our

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.679
 darkest

00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:51.460
 desires

00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:52.380
 and most

00:39:52.380 --> 00:39:53.019
 destructive

00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:53.840
 impulses.

00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:57.220
 He goes

00:39:57.220 --> 00:39:57.620
 on in

00:39:57.620 --> 00:39:58.360
 chapter 3

00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.240
 and this

00:39:59.240 --> 00:39:59.500
 is what

00:39:59.500 --> 00:39:59.780
 we're going

00:39:59.780 --> 00:40:00.240
 to see.

00:40:01.920 --> 00:40:02.700
 In Christ

00:40:02.700 --> 00:40:03.200
 we really

00:40:03.200 --> 00:40:03.720
 do have

00:40:03.720 --> 00:40:04.300
 all that

00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:04.820
 we need.

00:40:06.860 --> 00:40:07.480
 He looks

00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:07.820
 back,

00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.480
 what we

00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:08.880
 talked about

00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.300
 earlier in

00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:09.860
 chapter 2

00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:10.500
 verses 9

00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:11.059
 through 15.

00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:11.900
 Christ has

00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:12.380
 saved us

00:40:12.380 --> 00:40:12.900
 completely,

00:40:13.120 --> 00:40:13.420
 fully,

00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:14.000
 all that

00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:14.500
 we need.

00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:15.740
 Chapter 3

00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:16.240
 then is going

00:40:16.240 --> 00:40:16.500
 to say,

00:40:16.620 --> 00:40:17.240
 not only has

00:40:17.240 --> 00:40:17.680
 He saved

00:40:17.680 --> 00:40:17.860
 us,

00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:18.660
 but if you

00:40:18.660 --> 00:40:19.000
 want to

00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:20.059
 pursue Christ,

00:40:20.200 --> 00:40:20.600
 if you want

00:40:20.600 --> 00:40:21.300
 to know God,

00:40:21.360 --> 00:40:21.900
 if you think

00:40:21.900 --> 00:40:23.800
 that there's

00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:24.340
 more,

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.940
 there is.

00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:28.000
 And it's

00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.780
 in Christ.

00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:29.820
 And it's

00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:30.400
 only in

00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:30.880
 Christ.

00:40:33.240 --> 00:40:33.700
 And we're

00:40:33.700 --> 00:40:33.900
 going to

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.340
 see that

00:40:34.340 --> 00:40:34.900
 in Christ

00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:35.220
 there is

00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:35.800
 a power

00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:37.080
 to change

00:40:37.080 --> 00:40:37.460
 and be

00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:37.940
 transformed.

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:38.700
 There is

00:40:38.700 --> 00:40:39.220
 a power

00:40:39.220 --> 00:40:40.019
 to put

00:40:40.019 --> 00:40:40.539
 off

00:40:40.539 --> 00:40:41.539
 patterns

00:40:41.539 --> 00:40:42.160
 of sin

00:40:42.160 --> 00:40:43.039
 and godlessness

00:40:43.039 --> 00:40:43.640
 in our

00:40:43.640 --> 00:40:44.260
 lives,

00:40:44.640 --> 00:40:45.340
 to put

00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:46.380
 off the

00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.140
 evil things

00:40:47.140 --> 00:40:47.780
 that continue

00:40:47.780 --> 00:40:48.440
 to destroy

00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:48.700
 our

00:40:48.700 --> 00:40:49.360
 relationships.

00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:52.480
 We have

00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.440
 the ability

00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:53.980
 to put

00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.679
 off these

00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.320
 things that

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:56.220
 dishonor God

00:40:56.220 --> 00:40:56.760
 and ruin

00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.380
 our lives.

00:40:57.579 --> 00:40:57.920
 We can

00:40:57.920 --> 00:40:58.400
 put them

00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:58.960
 off because

00:40:58.960 --> 00:40:59.700
 of Christ

00:40:59.700 --> 00:41:00.559
 and because

00:41:00.559 --> 00:41:00.980
 we have

00:41:00.980 --> 00:41:01.900
 been transformed

00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:02.360
 and made

00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:03.059
 new in

00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:03.340
 Christ.

00:41:03.599 --> 00:41:04.019
 There is

00:41:04.019 --> 00:41:04.440
 now this

00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:05.079
 new life

00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:05.599
 that is

00:41:05.599 --> 00:41:06.179
 in Christ

00:41:06.179 --> 00:41:06.840
 for us

00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.500
 where He

00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:08.000
 will give

00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:08.360
 us a

00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:08.639
 character

00:41:08.639 --> 00:41:08.980
 that we

00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:09.480
 don't have

00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:09.780
 on our

00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:10.159
 own.

00:41:10.700 --> 00:41:10.900
 We're

00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:11.460
 in humility

00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:12.179
 and patience

00:41:12.179 --> 00:41:12.720
 and kindness

00:41:12.720 --> 00:41:13.420
 and gentleness

00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:14.099
 and forgiveness

00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:15.179
 and grace

00:41:15.179 --> 00:41:15.900
 and truth

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.519
 and worship.

00:41:16.519 --> 00:41:17.300
 We are

00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.240
 able to

00:41:18.240 --> 00:41:18.720
 follow

00:41:18.720 --> 00:41:19.720
 and know

00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.420
 God.

00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:22.240
 and the

00:41:22.240 --> 00:41:22.579
 fullness

00:41:22.579 --> 00:41:23.700
 is there.

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:25.099
 It's not

00:41:25.099 --> 00:41:25.480
 in these

00:41:25.480 --> 00:41:26.139
 other things.

00:41:26.260 --> 00:41:26.780
 It's not

00:41:26.780 --> 00:41:27.099
 in these

00:41:27.099 --> 00:41:27.599
 practices

00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:29.300
 of self-made

00:41:29.300 --> 00:41:29.760
 religion

00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:30.360
 of various

00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:30.820
 ways,

00:41:30.960 --> 00:41:31.460
 but it's

00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:32.099
 in Christ

00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:32.440
 that we

00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:33.200
 find these

00:41:33.200 --> 00:41:33.820
 things.

00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:40.780
 So in

00:41:40.780 --> 00:41:41.119
 closing,

00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:41.579
 if you

00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:42.019
 have found

00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:42.440
 yourself

00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:43.159
 put off

00:41:43.159 --> 00:41:44.579
 by the

00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:45.039
 empty

00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:46.039
 powerlessness

00:41:46.039 --> 00:41:47.300
 of

00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:48.139
 churchianity,

00:41:48.599 --> 00:41:49.039
 I just

00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:49.320
 made that

00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:49.500
 up.

00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:50.400
 Maybe I

00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:50.639
 didn't.

00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:51.340
 Somebody's

00:41:51.340 --> 00:41:51.500
 probably

00:41:51.500 --> 00:41:51.920
 thought about

00:41:51.920 --> 00:41:52.199
 it for

00:41:52.199 --> 00:41:52.380
 me,

00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:54.360
 but churchianity.

00:41:55.460 --> 00:41:56.099
 That's my

00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:56.639
 word for

00:41:56.639 --> 00:41:58.019
 the self-made

00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:58.619
 religion that

00:41:58.619 --> 00:41:59.179
 looks a lot

00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.599
 like

00:41:59.599 --> 00:42:00.759
 Christianity,

00:42:01.279 --> 00:42:02.239
 but it's

00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:02.840
 really about

00:42:02.840 --> 00:42:03.559
 ourselves and

00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:04.000
 not about

00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:04.440
 Christ.

00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.400
 If you

00:42:05.400 --> 00:42:05.759
 have found

00:42:05.759 --> 00:42:06.400
 yourself put

00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:07.019
 off by the

00:42:07.019 --> 00:42:07.579
 powerlessness

00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.239
 of it,

00:42:09.159 --> 00:42:09.900
 know that

00:42:09.900 --> 00:42:10.880
 yeah,

00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:11.460
 there's a lot

00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:12.059
 of counterfeit

00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:12.559
 out there,

00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:14.719
 but the

00:42:14.719 --> 00:42:15.480
 substance is

00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:16.099
 in Christ.

00:42:18.740 --> 00:42:19.500
 If you

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:19.940
 have felt

00:42:19.940 --> 00:42:20.380
 yourself

00:42:20.380 --> 00:42:21.880
 excluded from

00:42:21.880 --> 00:42:22.340
 the people

00:42:22.340 --> 00:42:22.980
 of God

00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:24.340
 because they

00:42:24.340 --> 00:42:24.820
 have held

00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:25.460
 ungodly

00:42:25.460 --> 00:42:26.099
 standards,

00:42:26.699 --> 00:42:27.579
 because they

00:42:27.579 --> 00:42:28.360
 have created

00:42:28.360 --> 00:42:29.159
 these in

00:42:29.159 --> 00:42:29.679
 and out

00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.820
 groups that

00:42:30.820 --> 00:42:31.199
 are not

00:42:31.199 --> 00:42:31.719
 based on

00:42:31.719 --> 00:42:32.099
 scripture,

00:42:32.260 --> 00:42:32.519
 but are

00:42:32.519 --> 00:42:33.280
 based in

00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:34.039
 human religion,

00:42:35.340 --> 00:42:35.960
 know that

00:42:35.960 --> 00:42:36.519
 that's not

00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:37.119
 the gospel,

00:42:37.719 --> 00:42:38.300
 and that's

00:42:38.300 --> 00:42:39.039
 not Christ,

00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:40.619
 and that

00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:41.539
 Christ welcomes

00:42:41.539 --> 00:42:41.900
 you.

00:42:41.900 --> 00:42:45.519
 if you

00:42:45.519 --> 00:42:46.039
 are tempted

00:42:46.039 --> 00:42:48.440
 because the

00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:49.000
 long,

00:42:49.420 --> 00:42:50.240
 hard road

00:42:50.240 --> 00:42:50.940
 of fits

00:42:50.940 --> 00:42:51.480
 and starts

00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:52.019
 of pursuing

00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.840
 Christ can

00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:53.619
 sometimes get

00:42:53.619 --> 00:42:54.559
 really hard,

00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:55.420
 and you

00:42:55.420 --> 00:42:55.700
 think,

00:42:55.800 --> 00:42:56.260
 can't I

00:42:56.260 --> 00:42:57.059
 just skip

00:42:57.059 --> 00:42:57.480
 to the

00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:57.920
 end?

00:42:58.160 --> 00:42:58.960
 If you're

00:42:58.960 --> 00:42:59.680
 tempted to

00:42:59.680 --> 00:43:00.240
 want to

00:43:00.240 --> 00:43:00.880
 do that

00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:02.639
 by adding

00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:03.500
 on to

00:43:03.500 --> 00:43:04.160
 Christ,

00:43:06.680 --> 00:43:07.380
 heed Paul's

00:43:07.380 --> 00:43:07.780
 warnings.

00:43:08.639 --> 00:43:09.180
 Don't add

00:43:09.180 --> 00:43:09.500
 on,

00:43:09.500 --> 00:43:10.739
 but go

00:43:10.739 --> 00:43:11.099
 deeper,

00:43:11.920 --> 00:43:12.599
 go deeper

00:43:12.599 --> 00:43:13.500
 into Christ.

00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:14.659
 Come for

00:43:14.659 --> 00:43:15.059
 the next

00:43:15.059 --> 00:43:15.639
 three weeks

00:43:15.639 --> 00:43:16.019
 so you

00:43:16.019 --> 00:43:16.599
 will see

00:43:16.599 --> 00:43:17.400
 how it

00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:17.739
 is that

00:43:17.739 --> 00:43:18.280
 Paul wants

00:43:18.280 --> 00:43:18.699
 to lay

00:43:18.699 --> 00:43:19.300
 out what

00:43:19.300 --> 00:43:19.880
 there is

00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:20.579
 for us

00:43:20.579 --> 00:43:21.619
 in Christ

00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:23.139
 and see

00:43:23.139 --> 00:43:24.039
 its glory

00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:24.760
 and its

00:43:24.760 --> 00:43:25.320
 power

00:43:25.320 --> 00:43:28.039
 and be

00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:28.440
 renewed

00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:29.039
 in hope

00:43:29.039 --> 00:43:32.000
 that this

00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:33.440
 fumbling,

00:43:33.920 --> 00:43:34.320
 stumbling

00:43:34.320 --> 00:43:35.039
 walk of

00:43:35.039 --> 00:43:36.119
 faith in

00:43:36.119 --> 00:43:36.920
 Christ really

00:43:36.920 --> 00:43:38.760
 is headed

00:43:38.760 --> 00:43:39.140
 in the

00:43:39.140 --> 00:43:39.340
 right

00:43:39.340 --> 00:43:39.880
 direction

00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:42.220
 and that

00:43:42.220 --> 00:43:42.760
 Christ will

00:43:42.760 --> 00:43:43.500
 carry you

00:43:43.500 --> 00:43:44.560
 and Christ

00:43:44.560 --> 00:43:45.040
 will take

00:43:45.040 --> 00:43:45.400
 you to

00:43:45.400 --> 00:43:45.900
 the places

00:43:45.900 --> 00:43:46.320
 that you

00:43:46.320 --> 00:43:46.880
 want to

00:43:46.880 --> 00:43:47.200
 go

00:43:47.200 --> 00:43:49.380
 and that

00:43:49.380 --> 00:43:50.200
 in Christ

00:43:50.200 --> 00:43:51.640
 you will

00:43:51.640 --> 00:43:52.060
 find all

00:43:52.060 --> 00:43:52.420
 that you

00:43:52.420 --> 00:43:52.720
 need.

00:43:53.420 --> 00:43:53.960
 He really

00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:54.740
 is enough.

00:43:54.980 --> 00:43:55.440
 Let's pray.

00:43:55.440 --> 00:44:04.220
 Lord,

00:44:04.300 --> 00:44:04.579
 thank you

00:44:04.579 --> 00:44:04.900
 for this

00:44:04.900 --> 00:44:05.440
 word and

00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:05.780
 thank you

00:44:05.780 --> 00:44:06.599
 for the

00:44:06.599 --> 00:44:07.840
 pastoral

00:44:07.840 --> 00:44:08.420
 heart of

00:44:08.420 --> 00:44:08.960
 the apostle

00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:11.019
 for us

00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:11.300
 Lord,

00:44:11.380 --> 00:44:11.740
 that we

00:44:11.740 --> 00:44:12.300
 would not

00:44:12.300 --> 00:44:13.579
 miss the

00:44:13.579 --> 00:44:14.500
 glorious riches

00:44:14.500 --> 00:44:15.159
 of Christ

00:44:15.159 --> 00:44:15.619
 in whom

00:44:15.619 --> 00:44:16.019
 are hidden

00:44:16.019 --> 00:44:17.320
 all the

00:44:17.320 --> 00:44:17.679
 treasures

00:44:17.679 --> 00:44:18.200
 of wisdom

00:44:18.200 --> 00:44:18.800
 and knowledge.

00:44:20.400 --> 00:44:20.920
 Lord,

00:44:20.960 --> 00:44:21.179
 that we

00:44:21.179 --> 00:44:21.500
 would not

00:44:21.500 --> 00:44:21.920
 miss out

00:44:21.920 --> 00:44:22.280
 on that

00:44:22.280 --> 00:44:22.760
 or allow

00:44:22.760 --> 00:44:24.019
 that to

00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:24.780
 be replaced

00:44:24.780 --> 00:44:25.940
 by

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.619
 counterfeit

00:44:26.619 --> 00:44:28.559
 self-made

00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:29.300
 religion.

00:44:30.739 --> 00:44:31.300
 Lord,

00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:32.099
 search our

00:44:32.099 --> 00:44:32.719
 hearts to

00:44:32.719 --> 00:44:33.400
 see us

00:44:33.400 --> 00:44:34.860
 that we

00:44:34.860 --> 00:44:35.340
 might see

00:44:35.340 --> 00:44:35.840
 ourselves

00:44:35.840 --> 00:44:36.360
 and see

00:44:36.360 --> 00:44:36.719
 how we

00:44:36.719 --> 00:44:37.039
 may be

00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:37.360
 tempted

00:44:37.360 --> 00:44:37.800
 in these

00:44:37.800 --> 00:44:38.219
 ways.

00:44:39.219 --> 00:44:39.440
 Lord,

00:44:39.519 --> 00:44:39.920
 help us

00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:40.280
 as a

00:44:40.280 --> 00:44:40.739
 church

00:44:40.739 --> 00:44:42.059
 to fight

00:44:42.059 --> 00:44:42.599
 against

00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:43.880
 cultural

00:44:43.880 --> 00:44:46.059
 developments

00:44:46.059 --> 00:44:46.619
 in our

00:44:46.619 --> 00:44:47.280
 body that

00:44:47.280 --> 00:44:47.639
 might

00:44:47.639 --> 00:44:48.460
 communicate

00:44:48.460 --> 00:44:49.739
 or build

00:44:49.739 --> 00:44:50.159
 up these

00:44:50.159 --> 00:44:50.719
 kinds of

00:44:50.719 --> 00:44:51.280
 self-made

00:44:51.280 --> 00:44:51.780
 standards.

00:44:51.780 --> 00:44:51.940
 words.

00:44:53.120 --> 00:44:53.340
 Lord,

00:44:53.420 --> 00:44:53.880
 help us

00:44:53.880 --> 00:44:54.220
 to be

00:44:54.220 --> 00:44:54.640
 faithful

00:44:54.640 --> 00:44:55.240
 and true

00:44:55.240 --> 00:44:56.420
 to the

00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:56.920
 message of

00:44:56.920 --> 00:44:57.300
 Christ

00:44:57.300 --> 00:44:57.760
 and Him

00:44:57.760 --> 00:44:58.340
 crucified,

00:45:00.040 --> 00:45:00.740
 Christ

00:45:00.740 --> 00:45:01.260
 and Him

00:45:01.260 --> 00:45:01.780
 raised

00:45:01.780 --> 00:45:02.180
 from the

00:45:02.180 --> 00:45:02.500
 dead,

00:45:03.400 --> 00:45:03.760
 Christ

00:45:03.760 --> 00:45:04.240
 the fullness

00:45:04.240 --> 00:45:04.920
 of God

00:45:04.920 --> 00:45:05.640
 and all

00:45:05.640 --> 00:45:05.940
 that we

00:45:05.940 --> 00:45:06.220
 need.

00:45:08.100 --> 00:45:08.780
 We pray

00:45:08.780 --> 00:45:09.160
 this in

00:45:09.160 --> 00:45:09.360
 Jesus'

00:45:09.560 --> 00:45:09.720
 name.

00:45:10.180 --> 00:45:10.400
 Amen.

00:45:12.560 --> 00:45:13.100
 Well,

00:45:13.180 --> 00:45:13.500
 friends,

00:45:13.760 --> 00:45:15.019
 we will

00:45:15.019 --> 00:45:15.580
 close

00:45:15.580 --> 00:45:17.540
 with a

00:45:17.540 --> 00:45:17.980
 song of

00:45:17.980 --> 00:45:18.320
 worship,

00:45:18.580 --> 00:45:19.180
 so let me

00:45:19.180 --> 00:45:19.740
 invite you

00:45:19.740 --> 00:45:20.500
 to stand

00:45:20.500 --> 00:45:21.160
 as we

00:45:21.160 --> 00:45:21.580
 do so.

00:45:21.780 --> 00:45:23.260
 what

00:45:23.260 --> 00:45:24.820
 to tend

00:45:24.820 --> 00:45:26.340
 to we

00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:27.180
 do so?

00:45:27.580 --> 00:45:33.660
 love you

00:45:38.240 --> 00:45:38.600
 love you

00:45:38.600 --> 00:45:39.400
 love you

00:45:39.400 --> 00:45:39.700
 and

00:45:40.200 --> 00:45:40.440
 that

00:45:40.440 --> 00:45:41.400
 know

00:45:42.380 --> 00:45:42.660
 how

00:45:42.660 --> 00:45:42.860
 you

00:45:42.860 --> 00:45:45.180
 love you

00:45:45.180 --> 00:45:45.500
 love me

00:45:45.500 --> 00:45:45.800
 love you

00:45:45.800 --> 00:45:47.019
 love you

00:45:47.019 --> 00:45:47.620
 love you

00:45:47.620 --> 00:45:48.980
 love you

00:45:48.980 --> 00:45:50.480
 love you

00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:50.960
 love you

00:45:50.960 --> 00:45:51.160
 love you

00:45:51.160 --> 00:45:51.360
 love you