WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:04.679 If you have a Bible, go ahead and turn with me to Romans 2. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:15.300 We're continuing our march through Romans, and today we find ourselves at Romans 2, verses 17 through 24. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:26.719 Romans 2, 17 through 24. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:30.299 This is God's Word. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:01:00.820 You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:04.319 While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:09.939 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:13.819 You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:18.519 You who boast in the law, dishonor God by breaking the law. 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:25.619 For as it is written, the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:26.640 Let's pray. 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:29.519 Lord, we thank you for your Word. 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:32.780 We thank you that it shows us that we need Jesus. 00:01:33.459 --> 00:01:36.039 We pray that you might remind us of this fact, 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:41.640 and that you would impress upon our hearts our need of Christ. 00:01:42.199 --> 00:01:43.840 And it's in his name that we pray. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:44.699 Amen. 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:44.780 Amen. 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:48.439 So what does a pastor do during the week? 00:01:48.579 --> 00:01:58.439 So this week, I'll tell you, Matthew and I and 50 to 100 of our closest pastor, elder, nerd friends 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:04.359 spent the day in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which I don't think many, I don't know if anybody's from Cheyenne. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:06.020 You're not going there on vacation, okay? 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:15.639 But 50 to 100 of our closest pastor and elder friends met from across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:17.960 for the morning and late into the evening. 00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:23.560 And I wish I could tell you that it was riveting, that it was worshipful, 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:26.500 that it was up-building at every single point. 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:29.079 And if I did that, I would be lying to you. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:32.000 It was interesting. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:39.340 Now, at every moment, at all times, worshipful. 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:40.620 It was not. 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:42.580 It was exciting. 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:43.879 It was not. 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:45.500 Encouraging? 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:46.379 Sometimes. 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:52.000 But for the entirety of it, it was not all those things. 00:02:52.079 --> 00:02:53.379 But at some points, it was. 00:02:53.819 --> 00:03:01.280 And for those brief moments, even when there was debate and argument and disagreement, 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:03.519 because surprise, Christians disagree. 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:05.560 Look at Paul and his missionary buddies. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:07.740 They disagree, and they go different ways. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:10.159 It was all those things. 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:19.120 But sometimes in the midst of disagreement and boredom, I was reminded of the fact that we are doing God's work. 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:26.240 And in the midst of that, if we forget what we're doing and why we're doing it, 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:34.460 that a presbytery meeting or a meeting of the wider church can look a lot like Congress if we forget what we're doing. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:36.359 Now, what do I mean by that? 00:03:36.360 --> 00:03:41.480 Like I am straight taking C-SPAN in the early morning to my brain. 00:03:41.660 --> 00:03:43.120 It is not exciting. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:46.600 In fact, it's anything but. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:50.760 Now, for us, why is it like Congress? 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:53.320 It's like Congress because we use the same form. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:58.900 Because surprise, Congress is kind of based on our church government, as I've informed somebody I work with. 00:03:59.160 --> 00:04:04.860 We also use that really weird thing of Robert's Rules, where we make motions and we second them. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:09.060 We have committees that do work and then bring things to the floor. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:15.120 And if you're confused about that, let's reference your childhood or maybe for some of you. 00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:20.240 Schoolhouse Rocks, I'm Just a Bill, How Bills Get to Capitol Hill. 00:04:20.900 --> 00:04:23.180 It's the same thing in Presbyterian church government. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:27.400 Now, what makes the work of the church in the Mountain West different than Congress? 00:04:27.900 --> 00:04:28.960 I'll tell you this. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:32.259 It has the same process, yes. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:33.819 There are people in suits. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:34.879 Yes, there's disagreement. 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:35.719 There's debate. 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:43.979 And even for a time, we broadcasted our meetings on TV, just like C-SPAN, except for we had very few people tune in on Zoom. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:51.839 But if we miss the fact that we are here for God, then it looks just like Congress. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:05:06.959 If we forget, as we were reminded at the very end of the meeting, it can look a lot like Congress and a lot less like church if we forget the essential element that it's about God. 00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:10.439 If we lose that fact, then it's just like Congress. 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:15.920 We lose who we are in the midst of all these other things. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:22.740 Paul tells us this morning in this text, the Jews, God's people, forgot who they are. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:27.220 They forgot an essential element of their identity. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:31.920 They forgot that they had to rely upon God. 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:38.800 They forgot God in the midst of all these things that are good, but along the way, they lost who they were. 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:49.219 Just like if the church forgets the promise, not just of the Great Commission, to go and do these things, but if they forget who God is. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:51.100 He is the person that brings them together. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:54.980 He is the one that upholds them, that informs all that they're doing. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:58.399 We can't forget that. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:03.240 You might be saying, I see in this text, did they really forget? 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:05.680 Hold on here. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.680 They had God's law, right? 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:10.319 They had his promises. 00:06:10.900 --> 00:06:12.139 They had his signs. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:21.000 All those things made them better than those unruly, ungodly Gentiles that were outside the walls. 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:22.439 Right? 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:23.900 That's what made them great. 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:26.259 How did they forget these things? 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:31.360 They had all those things, but they forgot it was about God himself. 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:37.120 In fact, Matthew made this reference earlier. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:41.020 These first few chapters of Romans are doing that very thing. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:45.139 They're showing God's people that they are just like everyone else. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:46.259 They need God. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:48.259 They can't do it on their own. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:53.240 Even if they have all these things, that they're just like the Gentiles. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:59.779 Those people that don't have the promises, don't have the land, don't have the signs, 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:01.819 that don't have the law. 00:07:01.819 --> 00:07:07.860 Paul is showing them without God, they got nothing. 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:14.079 So this morning we're going to see, because of sin, the law can't save. 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:18.120 That might seem obvious to us, but it wasn't obvious to them. 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:22.259 And we're going to make the argument, it's not often obvious to us. 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:30.860 Even if you're a Jew, even if you're a Christian, even if you're a Gentile, even if you're us, 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:35.959 even if you have God's word, we can't forget that we need God. 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:39.060 And because of sin, we need a Savior. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:43.519 And as we examine that this morning, we're going to look at something to take you back 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:47.779 to elementary school, a conditional phrase, an if and then. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:51.759 If something happens, if X happens, then Y will happen. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:52.240 Okay? 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.560 So first we're going to look at all these ifs. 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:57.599 And if you're reading along as I was reading the text, 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:00.639 you see that word repeated over and over again. 00:08:01.719 --> 00:08:02.120 If. 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:08.819 As you've been watching through Romans, if you have been with us for any amount of time, 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.360 Paul is not giving any free passes to anyone. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:13.719 Jew, Gentile, doesn't matter. 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:18.180 Sin is not just a Gentile problem, it's also a Jew problem. 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:24.199 It's in every person that's ever lived for all time, then and now and to come problem. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:28.879 Look with me at verses 17 and 18. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:36.399 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:38.779 because you are instructed from the law. 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:41.939 There's this whole big list. 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:46.019 And it starts with if, but if applies to all of these things. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.839 If you call yourself a Jew. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.740 That seems obvious. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:50.139 Jew is God's people, right? 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:52.839 But remember, it's a full range of terms. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:57.120 It's a full range of meanings for one term. 00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:59.019 It could be somebody that's from Judea. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:01.340 It could be somebody that's part of God's people. 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:04.560 And if you remember back when we studied judges, right, 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:09.920 the identity factor was not that you were a Jew, but you were a what? 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:10.940 A tribe member. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:12.379 You were a Benjamin. 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:13.580 Benjaminite. 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.820 You were of the tribe of Judah. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:17.260 Those things were important. 00:09:17.420 --> 00:09:22.360 But now those terms have collapsed and coalesced around just being God's people. 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:30.260 But even still, it was a badge of honor because in worshiping God, you could assign a name to yourself. 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:31.300 That's pretty cool. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.500 If you call yourself a Jew. 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:34.460 That's how he starts. 00:09:35.280 --> 00:09:39.500 Then he goes on and says, if you rely upon the law, if you rest upon the law, 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:44.060 if your being has definition in the law, 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:48.779 if that is your security blanket, is that your comfort and sweet support? 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:53.299 Is the law the thing that you treasure most? 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:57.359 Are you resting and receiving upon the law? 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:03.639 And if you boast in God, if you glory in God, 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:05.959 glorious in God as another version has put it. 00:10:06.459 --> 00:10:07.519 It's kind of a good term. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:12.439 The irony is when we read boasting, and if you read the rest of the New Testament, 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:15.900 you're kind of keyed into what Paul will say at different points. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.840 You're boasting in Christ. 00:10:19.520 --> 00:10:22.620 Boasting not in yourself, but boast in the Lord. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:27.660 And when you even hear that term, it should point us to the rest of Scripture. 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:31.920 Not just what Paul has said, but when Paul's readers were hearing this, 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.080 they were thinking back. 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:36.440 They were thinking back to something from Jeremiah 9 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:39.200 that gives us a fuller picture where he says this, 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:42.660 let not the wise man boast in wisdom, 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:45.580 let not the mighty man boast in his might, 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:48.120 let not the rich man boast in his riches, 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.860 but let him who boasts in this, 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.680 that he understands and knows me, 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:57.520 that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, 00:10:58.380 --> 00:11:00.960 justice, and righteousness in the earth. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:01.280 Boast. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.360 Boast. 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:05.259 Boast in God. 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:10.080 At this point, there's kind of a hint to the careful Jewish reader. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:14.100 He knows that maybe there's something going on here. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:18.420 Paul is not just extolling all these great things about what's going on. 00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:19.620 Boasting. 00:11:20.280 --> 00:11:20.800 Got it. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.080 I have the law. 00:11:22.420 --> 00:11:22.980 I'm a Jew. 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:24.900 And he goes further. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.960 Knowing his will, or knowing the will. 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:31.180 That's kind of a euphemism or shorthand for having the scriptures. 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:34.379 He's alluding to this Jewish obsession, 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:37.360 and rightfully so, with God's word. 00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:40.300 But not only that, they've studied it, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.980 and they can discern the difference between good and evil. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:44.660 They can approve what's excellent, 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:47.920 and then they can challenge what is not, what is not good. 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:52.120 They're applying God's law, kind of just like us as Christians. 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:55.920 They're exegeting, they're squeezing out every last drop 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:58.779 of what's important for application. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.679 That's a big list so far. 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:04.699 And if you haven't gotten it, 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:08.259 Paul is using these sets of lists in this text 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:12.000 to explain something, really just to overwhelm us. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.599 And that's the point. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:17.699 It's a lengthy list, but why is it so long? 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.039 Yes, Paul, I get it. 00:12:20.079 --> 00:12:20.699 I'm a Jew. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:21.740 I get it. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:22.839 I depend on the law. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:23.920 I get it. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.100 I boast in God. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.040 I know your word, and I apply it. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:29.220 I know the difference between good and evil. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.480 Okay, okay, I get it already. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:39.180 When I was a kid, I was pretty strong-headed. 00:12:39.680 --> 00:12:41.080 Stubborn is probably a better word. 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:43.560 Sometimes they'd get me in trouble, 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:47.259 and I would come to my parents or my grandparents, 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:49.480 and I would lay out a plan for doing something. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:53.019 Now, sometimes I would think through every little detail, right? 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:55.279 And I'd present that plan to them. 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:59.620 And then sometimes I would come with kind of a half-baked plan, 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:01.240 which is okay sometimes, 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:04.159 but I would know that I'm going to muscle my way through it, 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.279 whatever it was, right? 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:08.539 For how I was going to accomplish a list of chores, 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:11.200 how I was going to make money, 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.539 how I was going to start a business, 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:17.019 how I was going to clean my room. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:19.399 That was a one-pointer with a lot of muscle, 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.439 or not a lot of muscle. 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:24.299 And at every turn, my dad would respond, 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:25.960 or my grandfather would respond with, 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:29.799 we'll see, or if he had questions about it, 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.240 he would say, that ain't going to work. 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:34.539 And my response in both those situations 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:37.159 would be two things almost simultaneously. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:40.480 I would look around and say, okay, what am I missing? 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.980 Did I miss a detail in my plan? 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:46.200 And then almost a half a second later, 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.560 my thought would be, I'll show him. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.399 I'll get it done. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:55.440 The Jews at this point are checking around to see, 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.700 are they missing something here? 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.300 Paul is listing out this list, 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.360 and they're looking around. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.539 Did I miss something? 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.700 Why is he doing this? 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.639 He should know that. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.379 We know that. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:06.639 But then at the same time, 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:08.159 they're doubling down as well. 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:09.120 Yeah, that's right. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.200 That's who I am. 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:11.680 That's my identity. 00:14:12.780 --> 00:14:14.980 But that's just the first list of ifs. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.900 The second is this. 00:14:17.520 --> 00:14:19.560 Look in verse 19 with me. 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:22.080 And if you are sure that you yourself 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:23.220 are a guide to the blind, 00:14:23.640 --> 00:14:25.340 and a light to those who are in darkness, 00:14:25.900 --> 00:14:27.400 an instructor of the foolish, 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:29.060 a teacher of children, 00:14:29.420 --> 00:14:31.420 having in the law the embodiment 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:33.000 of knowledge and truth. 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:35.879 So we pivoted in this list. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:38.180 It's gone from things in relation to God 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:40.439 to kind of things that are related laterally. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.519 They're still about God, 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:43.939 but it has an application to other people. 00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:46.439 It's an expansion on this list. 00:14:47.839 --> 00:14:49.219 A guide to the blind. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:51.679 Yeah, I have eyes that can see. 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.699 I have God's word, so I know. 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:57.199 Not only do I know his will, 00:14:57.819 --> 00:15:00.159 but I promise to be a beacon of light, 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:02.819 to show people that are lost in darkness 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:04.420 what the right way is. 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.780 A standard bearer. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.800 A city on the hill. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.080 An example. 00:15:09.160 --> 00:15:10.420 A paragon of virtue. 00:15:10.900 --> 00:15:11.120 Okay. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:12.720 Not ignorant, 00:15:13.020 --> 00:15:14.780 but enlightened because of his word. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.740 We're kind of building steam again. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:19.060 A teacher of the foolish. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.240 Instructing children. 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.740 Whether those are actual children 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.920 or children of the faith. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.440 People that are unwise. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.700 I know all this, right? 00:15:28.780 --> 00:15:30.040 Because I have God's word. 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:32.320 Because I have the law. 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:34.100 Because I have knowledge and truth. 00:15:34.640 --> 00:15:35.840 Okay, now we feel that. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:38.280 The Jewish reader has kind of been drawn 00:15:38.280 --> 00:15:39.440 into this trap. 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:41.640 And something's going on. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.620 They don't know it yet. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.280 It's like, I'm not a music person, 00:15:44.420 --> 00:15:45.700 but I think this is the right term. 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.000 Tempo. 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.600 How fast something is going. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:49.460 Right? 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:51.240 It's rising and rising and rising. 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:54.560 And so someone that's musically uneducated like me, 00:15:54.640 --> 00:15:56.340 I can't keep up anymore. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.879 Or when I'm running, 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.040 I'm on that treadmill, 00:15:59.420 --> 00:16:00.860 and I'm going faster and faster, 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:03.920 and I know that I can kind of keep up, 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:05.060 but it better stop soon, 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:07.080 or I'm going to end up behind me 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.639 because that treadmill is going to spit me out. 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.840 Something is rising. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:12.360 Something is mounting in Paul's argument. 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:14.280 And we need some relief. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:17.280 Because these lists are long, 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.580 and there's a lot there. 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.860 And you might be thinking, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:22.780 hey, why have I gone kind of point by point 00:16:22.780 --> 00:16:23.600 through this list? 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:25.379 Because if we don't, 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:27.879 we miss the sense Paul is trying to communicate 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.519 that it's overwhelming. 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:36.940 There's a sense in which everything is about everyone 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:39.759 but the most important thing. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.000 God. 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:46.360 These aren't bad things in and of themselves at all. 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:47.040 Right? 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.660 Let's review. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.540 God's people. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.060 Okay. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.220 Yeah, that's really important. 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:52.100 Holiness is important. 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.080 Yeah, of course. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:55.759 We should prize his law, his word. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:56.879 Obviously. 00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:58.620 Those aren't bad things. 00:16:58.620 --> 00:17:01.520 But when we depend upon them for life, 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:05.380 that's when we've misstepped. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.900 If we reduce the Christian life or following God 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.279 down to these things, 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:13.660 that is where we miss the mark. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:17.319 There's a very famous Dutch theologian that says, 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.059 hey, about this, 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:21.019 when we try to keep the law, 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.759 what we're doing is saying to God, 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.019 we don't need you. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:28.420 When we try to keep the law and we don't worship God, 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:31.720 we exchange the gift for the giver. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:35.539 When we keep the law apart from Christ, 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.359 when we think that we can do it, 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:40.200 that's human sin par excellence. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.840 Now, a Christian is called to keep the law, 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.440 obviously. 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:44.259 Right? 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.640 It's a guide for Christian living. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.900 The law tells us what holiness looks like. 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:49.279 But when we do it, 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:52.840 and we think we can achieve eternal life, 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.259 that's where we've misstepped. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:57.460 Human sin to the uttermost. 00:17:57.460 --> 00:18:02.920 We do the same things even in our day, 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:05.779 except for we don't have that badge of the name. 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:09.259 We depend on things like our skills, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.720 our degrees, 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:13.180 the titles before our name, 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:15.400 or those little letters that come after. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.840 What we have in our bank account, 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:21.660 our membership in this church, 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.579 that's a good thing. 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.740 Coming to worship, 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.839 that's a good thing. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.720 But that is not Jesus. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.240 That is not God. 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:33.480 That's how we worship God. 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.900 That's how we commune with him. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:37.859 But when we exchange God 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:39.240 for these things that are good, 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:41.680 and the things that he uses for us to know him, 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.980 it's not him itself. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:49.180 And that's what Paul's readers are doing. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:52.660 They're exchanging God for his good gifts, 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.920 for the things, 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:56.060 the means by which we know him, 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.220 and worship him. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:00.100 Those are all the ifs. 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.340 Okay, what about the then? 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:06.500 If you look at the end of verse 20, 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.860 and the beginning of verse 21, 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:10.060 most Bibles will have this long dash, 00:19:10.560 --> 00:19:10.779 right, 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:12.380 because he's building that tempo again. 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.900 He's gaining speed. 00:19:15.040 --> 00:19:16.140 The pace is increasing, 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.560 and we need a relief. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.599 If, 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.879 and then he has that dash, 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:22.200 and then everything that follows. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.139 You then who teach others, 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.240 do you not teach yourself? 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:27.619 While you preach against stealing, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.359 do you steal? 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:31.259 He's giving some relief, 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.379 but is he really? 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.740 The thens that follow the ifs 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.059 aren't X, 00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:36.899 then Y. 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:40.099 It's honestly more burdensome. 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:42.799 Now they know that trap 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.919 that they've been drawn into. 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:46.219 They have to examine their own hearts 00:19:46.219 --> 00:19:47.459 before that law 00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:49.859 to see if they really are keeping the law. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:52.000 Because we know, 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.279 because of sin, 00:19:53.699 --> 00:19:55.639 the law can't save them. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.819 We know that. 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.319 Look with me at the end of 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:02.659 verse 21. 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.259 Or sorry, 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:04.659 excuse me, 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.119 verse 20. 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.919 It's building, 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.379 building, 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:08.719 building, 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:08.860 building, 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.019 having in the law 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:12.000 the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.920 and then there's no relief. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.660 These questions that come 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:17.339 are even more burdensome, 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:19.140 and they know that the trap 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.440 has not just been set, 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:22.380 but it's been closed on them. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.740 Paul is talking about something different. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:27.600 He's not commending them, 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:29.059 he's condemning them. 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:31.019 And he's doing it in the ways 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.900 that are honestly the most painful for them. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:37.000 He realizes that in these verses, 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.000 in these verses, 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:40.039 the things that separated them 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.160 from all those dirty, 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.559 nasty people outside 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:44.740 were in fact true of themselves. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.579 Look at teaching, right? 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:49.180 He's talking to them about teaching. 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:53.500 He's pointing back to that earlier part, 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.759 their knowledge of their law. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.200 They're resting in the law. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:59.940 They were the ones that were guides to the blind. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:02.380 They taught children. 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:05.120 Paul is making the point 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.039 that if you're teaching, 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:08.720 you have to practice what you preach. 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:13.120 It's not the old critique 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.460 that we've heard in our day, 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.660 that if you can't do, 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.320 then teach. 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.460 He's saying, 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:17.880 no, 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.860 you only teach when you do. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.960 You only practice what you preach. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:25.500 That's how it should work. 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:29.039 Any parent is helpfully reminded about this 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:31.559 when you get into the far reaches 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.500 of your expertise. 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.420 Like, 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:35.360 I am not an astrophysicist, 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.319 right? 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.480 I don't know everything 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:39.019 about the biology of Colorado. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.319 I don't know every tree 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.100 and every plant. 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.420 And what do I hear? 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:44.100 The constant refrain is, 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.700 Dad, 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.440 do you really know 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.319 what you're talking about? 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:50.000 Paul is asking them, 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.039 do you really know 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.960 what you're talking about? 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.279 Do you really understand 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.059 God's law? 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.039 Do you really understand 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.920 who God is? 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:00.340 Or is it more like this? 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.819 When Jesus said 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:03.420 to those crowds, 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:05.440 to the scribes and Pharisees 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.960 that sit on Moses' seat, 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.840 so do and observe 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.759 what they tell you, 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.500 but not the works they do, 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.680 for they preach, 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.100 but do not practice. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.340 They teach, 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.720 but they don't know. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.059 It's not just teaching, though. 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.240 It's stealing, 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.259 adultery, 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.980 robbery. 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:25.079 He's building this case 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.379 again against them. 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.379 The Jews, 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.000 the scribes, 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.640 the Pharisees, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.379 anyone who thought 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.019 their salvation 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.980 came from keeping 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:33.099 God's law, 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:35.019 do they actually keep it? 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.519 And the answer is, 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:36.879 what? 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.879 Absolutely not. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.500 And those things 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.839 that they very much 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:44.160 hated about other people 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.099 and they would point out 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.339 and say, 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.319 we're better than you, 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.579 those are the things 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.359 that they do. 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:50.599 Those are the things 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.579 that they're disgusted 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.619 by in other people, 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:54.419 but they do themselves. 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:58.479 They hated their neighbor's sin, 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.139 but it was their own sin 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:01.319 that did this. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.799 And as if that list 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.839 couldn't grow enough, 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.199 look at verse 23. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:09.500 You who boast in the law 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.519 dishonor God 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.140 by breaking the law. 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:14.240 It's clear now, 00:23:14.580 --> 00:23:15.600 not only do you fail 00:23:15.600 --> 00:23:16.340 to keep the law, 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.799 but you dishonor God 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.600 in the process. 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.460 It's clear now 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.700 that they're actually 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.640 the reason 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:27.120 that those people 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.840 outside, 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.700 the Gentiles, 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:30.019 all those other nations, 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.580 didn't worship God 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.360 himself. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.400 Look at verse 24. 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.780 For as it is written, 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.740 the name of God 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.600 is blasphemed 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:37.740 among the Gentiles 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.860 because of you. 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.180 So when all those nations 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.140 were looking at Israel 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:42.620 and saying, 00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:42.980 hey, 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:43.800 yeah, 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.840 that captivity, 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.780 that's not going 00:23:45.780 --> 00:23:46.600 really well for you. 00:23:46.780 --> 00:23:47.740 That really stinks. 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.100 You know, 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:50.040 all those promises 00:23:50.040 --> 00:23:50.620 that you're supposed 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.160 to have, 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.820 I don't really see them 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:53.540 come to fruition. 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:55.019 That wasn't the thing 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.780 that testified 00:23:55.780 --> 00:23:56.900 against the God 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:59.000 of all the universe. 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:01.400 It was the actions, 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.440 it was the conduct 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.660 of the Gentiles. 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:05.039 That is the thing 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.700 that made those other nations 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.440 look at them 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.840 and say, 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.160 that's not for me, man. 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.820 I'm not sure that's real. 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.960 It was their hypocrisy. 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:17.299 There's a very famous quote 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.660 that says, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.580 missions exist 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.920 because worship does not. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.900 If we re-engineer that 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.480 for here, 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.220 worship doesn't exist 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:28.140 because holiness 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.240 doesn't exist. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.019 God's people 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.940 aren't 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:35.299 acting like God's people. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.460 Now, 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.160 if we're honest, 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.500 we hear this critique 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.740 a lot in the modern day. 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.139 If it's your non-Christian 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.740 neighbor, 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.379 your family member, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.160 whatever, 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.420 they have a fine-tuned 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.639 eye for hypocrisy 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:49.539 because it's on display. 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.839 And we see these 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:52.900 very famous failings 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.920 of so-called Christians 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:55.500 or so-called celebrity Christians. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:55.579 Christians, 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.140 and we see them 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.599 and they say, 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.700 look, look at that. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.000 And they're right. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.079 Or they see those things 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.900 in our lives 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.339 and they say, 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.740 you're not like 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.599 what God's word 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.960 says you should be like. 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.299 And they're right. 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.039 But they're not 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.059 completely right. 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.759 Because the thing 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.380 that marks out 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.859 a Christian 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:15.180 is realizing 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.359 that God's law 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.460 shows us 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.640 our need for Jesus. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:23.400 He shows us 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.720 that we can't do it 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.240 on our own. 00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:26.700 That we need a Savior. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.880 Paul is saying 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.740 that same thing 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.620 as Jesus said, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.380 practice what you preach. 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.460 But in practicing, 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:37.460 remember God Himself. 00:25:38.560 --> 00:25:40.100 The law is not all bad 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.000 as we've seen 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.900 because the law 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.360 is the one 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.140 that shows us 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:44.020 our need of Jesus. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.700 It shows us 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.500 that we need a Savior. 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.600 It shows us 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.259 that even when 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.799 we're a Christian 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.680 and we're living 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.279 by faith, 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.180 we are actually 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.779 more sinful 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.940 than we originally thought. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.339 The law 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.799 is a really bad means 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.819 to earn salvation 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:02.680 because we are sinners. 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:05.059 Because we have sinned 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:06.500 and continue to sin. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.160 It ain't gonna work. 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.660 And if we place ourselves 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.480 in the position 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.839 of this Jewish opponent, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.539 right, 00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.460 that Paul's writing to, 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.059 we realize 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.720 real quickly 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.339 that that holiness 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.200 we're called to 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.839 as Christians, 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.019 we fail to do. 00:26:23.419 --> 00:26:24.220 That holiness 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.440 that we think, 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.579 that right living 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:28.159 that's gonna earn us heaven, 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.519 it ain't gonna happen. 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.679 It ain't gonna work. 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:33.279 But we need something more. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.480 We need Jesus. 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.559 Now to the one 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.179 who works, 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.319 his wages 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.099 are not counted 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.679 as a gift 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.720 but as his due. 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.119 And the one 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.099 who does not work 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.379 but believes in him 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:47.160 who justifies the ungodly, 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.520 his faith 00:26:48.520 --> 00:26:49.040 is counted 00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:49.780 as righteousness. 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.660 Paul is making 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.800 this giant case 00:26:52.800 --> 00:26:53.440 that sin 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.700 applies to everyone, 00:26:55.040 --> 00:26:56.160 both Gentiles, 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:57.160 both Jews, 00:26:57.520 --> 00:26:58.480 to everyone. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.680 Because blessed 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.360 are those 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.480 whose lawless deeds 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.020 are forgiven 00:27:04.020 --> 00:27:05.360 and whose sins 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:05.960 are covered. 00:27:06.520 --> 00:27:07.460 Blessed is the man 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.500 against the whom 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.960 the Lord 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:10.180 will not count his sin. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:13.039 because of sin 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.360 the law cannot save. 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.920 If that's true, 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.560 if you call yourself holy, 00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:20.180 if you love God's word, 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:22.140 if you worship 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.120 the one true God 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.640 and you teach it to others, 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.100 if you know the gospel, 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.759 if you think it's true, 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.480 all those ifs, 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.840 then you know 00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:32.220 that you failed 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.380 to keep the law perfectly. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.759 Then you know 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.980 you need something else. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.000 Then you know 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.900 you need a redeemer. 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.720 Then you know 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.380 that you're actually 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.040 more sinful 00:27:41.040 --> 00:27:41.780 than you thought. 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.160 But you're more 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.660 delivered from sin 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:46.380 than you could ever imagine 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.580 in Jesus. 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:50.040 You know you need 00:27:50.040 --> 00:27:50.780 something else. 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:53.100 You know that you need Christ. 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:56.620 But God shows 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.540 his love for us 00:27:57.540 --> 00:27:58.840 in that while we were 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.500 still sinners, 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.360 Christ died for us. 00:28:02.060 --> 00:28:03.500 That is a great comfort 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.080 because the law 00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:06.340 cannot save us. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.800 It points us to 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.180 Christ 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:10.079 and shows us 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.779 our need of him. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.700 Let's not forget 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:14.720 it is about him. 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.200 Let's pray. 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.559 Lord, we thank you 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.619 for this reminder 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.500 from your word 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:21.319 about our need 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.759 of Jesus. 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.119 We pray that you 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.759 would work that 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.700 into our hearts, 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.139 that you would use 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:27.259 the law as a guess, 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.819 as a guide 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.619 for Christian living, 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:30.200 as a guide 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.079 for what is holiness. 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.200 But Father, 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.359 we would see more 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.839 and more 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.819 how we fall short 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.819 and more 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.419 and more 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:37.019 how we need 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:38.159 to cling to Christ 00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:38.819 in faith 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.240 for righteousness. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.000 And may you show 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.740 that to us 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.539 even now 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.759 in this meal 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.379 that you have set 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.059 before us. 00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:47.099 And we pray this 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.019 in Christ's name. 00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:48.599 Amen. 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.219 Amen. 00:28:49.219 --> 00:28:49.579 Amen. 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:49.899 Amen. 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:50.399 Amen. 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.799 Amen. 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.259 Amen. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.299 Amen. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.139 Amen. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.679 Amen. 00:28:58.939 --> 00:28:59.039 Amen. 00:28:59.199 --> 00:28:59.459 Amen. 00:28:59.459 --> 00:29:01.699 Amen. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.059 Amen. 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.459 Yeah. 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.099 Amen. 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.179 Amen. 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:07.579 Amen. 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:07.759 Amen. 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.259 Amen. 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.639 Amen. 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:08.699 Amen. 00:29:08.699 --> 00:29:09.219 Amen. 00:29:09.219 --> 00:29:09.599 Amen. 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.279 Amen. 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.459 Amen. 00:29:10.459 --> 00:29:10.779 Amen. 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:10.819 Amen. 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:10.879 Amen. 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:11.399 Amen. 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:11.879 Amen. 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.319 Amen. 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.399 Amen. 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:12.899 Amen. 00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.159 Amen. 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.179 Amen. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.519 Amen. 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:15.559 Amen. 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.859 Amen. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:16.959 Amen. 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.659 Amen.