WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 Excellent. Well, folks, Galatians chapter 3, as we get back into this series this morning, 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:10.019 having had a little break last week. It's great to think about last week, wasn't it? Jesus saying that 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:16.179 he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that reminder to be a church that's driven by that zeal 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:21.640 to reach lost people with the good news of Jesus. But we're back in this morning at Galatians chapter 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:26.780 3. So come with me to verse 15. And maybe to get us started, I wonder if you've ever heard the joke 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:34.640 about Michael O'Leary, the owner of Ryanair. He walks into a pub in Dublin one evening and he asks 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:40.179 for a drink. And the barman nods, goes to the till and says, that'll be 65 pence, please. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:46.640 Wow, that's cheap, says Michael O'Leary. Ah, says the barman, but that's just the price for the drink. 00:00:47.380 --> 00:00:55.560 You'll be wanting a glass as well. And back to the till he goes. Ryanair is the masters of the 00:00:55.560 --> 00:01:03.460 hidden terms and conditions, the changing terms and conditions. What is it we'd say today? Someone 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:09.040 has moved the goalposts. You know that phrase? Have you ever used it? The terms have changed. 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:16.120 What's going on? Where can we stand? What's true in life? Friends, here's the wonderful thing that 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:22.659 we can be strengthened by from this passage today. And it's that the God of the Bible is a God of 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:30.219 wonderful consistency. There's no shadow of change due to him. And if you're in our world, if you're 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:35.439 living your life in this world today and you're thinking, I don't know what's going on. I see so 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:40.959 much change. I don't know who to trust. And this passage is for you, my friend, because it tells you 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:46.120 about who the God of the Bible is. And at the heart of this, it tells us that he's the God who is 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:53.180 wonderfully trustworthy. And if you're after a story in your life just now, one that's maybe bigger than 00:01:53.180 --> 00:02:00.240 what you can see, then it doesn't get much older than this. Someone that's been tried and tested and 00:02:00.240 --> 00:02:06.240 not found wanting, but found to be wonderfully delivering. He's the God of wonderful consistency. 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:12.480 He's not like the football manager who switches formation at halftime because who knew Harry 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:19.319 Maguire couldn't play in a back three. Or the politician who gets wind of shifting public opinion 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:25.659 and so rose back on manifesto pledges. Or like the tradesperson who rings you up saying, 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:31.439 listen, perhaps I underestimated how long this is going to take and how much this is going to cost. 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:38.659 You know, I just love those phone calls. No, human beings are like that. Our world is like that. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:44.219 But this passage here is telling us, if you take one thing from this, let it be this, that this 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:54.039 God isn't like that. He never goes back on his word. And in his wisdom, he really has planned 00:02:54.039 --> 00:03:05.479 the end from the beginning. And that kind of God we can totally trust with our uncertain times 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:12.679 and our uncertain lives. And we're going to find exactly where specifically we can entrust them 00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:18.359 today in this passage. Here's the thing though. Paul knows there's a rumor that's doing the rounds in 00:03:18.359 --> 00:03:30.419 Galatia. All about how we're made right with God. Essentially, the rumor is that God has ditched plan A 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:40.659 and he's now moved to plan B. The word standing at the center of plan A comes up eight times in these 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:44.299 verses. And it's always worth when you're reading the passage looking for words that are repeated 00:03:44.299 --> 00:03:50.319 because it more often than not gives you an idea into the center of the passage. Did you pick up the 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:58.159 word? It's the word promise. That's the word that's at the center of plan A. The phrase at the middle of 00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:10.139 plan B, however, is keeping the law. And Paul's arguing in this passage that God's never had a plan B. 00:04:11.519 --> 00:04:19.319 You can't even really call it plan A. It's just always been the plan. A plan that centers on a promise 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:29.819 that God made that cannot be, verse 15 and 17, a plan that cannot be set aside. 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:37.199 And so as we enter the game at verse 16, see the connection to what we thought about last time 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:41.980 about the promises God made to Abraham back in Genesis 12. 00:04:41.980 --> 00:04:53.060 promises of a place, promises of a people, promises of blessing that through him and his line would come 00:04:53.060 --> 00:05:00.920 to the nations of the world. And key to the argument in this passage is the timeline. 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:10.060 those promises were made 430 years before the law was even a thing. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:21.060 But see who Paul says these promises that God made were specifically made to. Do you see it? 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:33.319 Do you see it in the passage? And that word, according to Paul, isn't plural. 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:40.800 That word is singular. Now we're building up a case here that we're going to hopefully, 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:44.600 magnificently come back to at the end. So these details are all really important, okay? 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:50.120 It's singular. Do you see him say it? So God made these promises, not so much to a people, 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:57.040 but to a person who would come down Abraham's family line. You with me? Right? What does he say? 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:02.980 That person is Jesus. Didn't quite get the arc or the PowerPoint. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:09.680 So Jesus, even though he comes way later in the Bible story, is no late addition. 00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:14.240 He's in the father's mind, even as he speaks these promises to Abraham. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:19.540 Now Jesus is the one who deserves the blessings of God. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:23.560 Jesus is the one who will inherit the promises of God. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:28.959 So these promises in Genesis 12 are made to Jesus. 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:33.519 Park that thought for where we're going to finish in about 15 minutes time, okay? 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:36.360 Promises made to Jesus. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:40.899 So Paul anticipates a question at verse 19. 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:44.919 If it's always been about that promise, 00:06:45.239 --> 00:06:49.819 then what on earth was the point in God giving the law to his people? 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:51.139 Do you see the question? 00:06:52.179 --> 00:06:53.159 Great question. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:07:00.139 And the law there is almost like it's an umbrella term for the Ten Commandments 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:06.799 and all the periphery laws and the sacrificial system that God had given to his people. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:10.819 And Paul simply anticipating the question, what on earth was the point in all of that? 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:19.459 Because up until this point in the letter, you could be forgiven for thinking that Paul is anti-law. 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:24.879 Like he's encouraging people now to ditch it. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:30.620 But Paul's attitude to the law in this letter is a lot more nuanced than that. 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:36.339 Paul knows, and remember his background, we thought about it a few weeks ago, 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:39.420 his background having been raised in the school of Judaism. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:45.540 Paul knows that the law that God gave Israel after he saved them from Egypt 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:50.420 and called them out to be his special possession is a glorious thing. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:08:01.900 It is a revelation of just how good and how different 00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:12.720 and how just and how holy and how perfect and how loving this God is. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:17.960 And if you want to know what it looks like to keep the law, 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:23.400 just look at Jesus who kept it perfectly and who kept it joyously. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.439 In fact, you read Psalm 119. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:29.700 It's a psalm that's all about the beauty of the law. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:33.899 Paul's not against the law. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:34.759 How could he be? 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:40.899 But he is against people thinking they can use it 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:44.559 as a means by which they try and get right with God. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:47.899 So what was the point then? 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.139 Paul's going to give us three things in this passage. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:56.480 Now, if you're a note taker, I've tried to break this up into three Es. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:09:00.759 And if you're thinking about the Bible and how it fits together 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:03.220 and how you can understand particularly the Old Testament 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.840 and light of the new and Jesus coming, 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:07.639 friends, this is a great thing to get into today 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:09.360 if you want to understand the Bible story. 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:09.879 Are you with me? 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:10.840 Here's the three things. 00:09:10.920 --> 00:09:12.420 If you're taking notes, three Es. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:15.960 First purpose was to expose people. 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:20.500 Verse 19, do you see in the passage here, 00:09:20.560 --> 00:09:22.279 the law was given because of what? 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:24.279 Transgressions. 00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:25.699 Do you see it? 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:29.039 That word there, it just means overstepping the line, 00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:32.419 overstepping the mark, crossing the line. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.539 What we would say as parents, if you're like me, 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:38.039 you've gone too far this time, right? 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:40.879 What was thin ice is now cracked. 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:46.279 So the law was given so that God's people would know 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:50.480 what is right and what is wrong in God's eyes. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.800 I guess it's a bit like the scene in The Lion King 00:09:53.800 --> 00:09:55.320 when Mephasa says to Simba, 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:59.060 that shadowy place, don't go there, right? 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:01.899 Elfin graveyard, don't go there. 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:02.320 Why? 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:03.480 Why? 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:06.440 Because it's for your good that you don't go there. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.820 It's for your good that you don't go there. 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:13.700 And I think that's why so much of it is in negative form. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:16.639 Again, it's because of the hardness of the human heart. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:19.580 We need to be told what is not good for us to do, right? 00:10:19.580 --> 00:10:21.600 Like God's saying to his people, 00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:23.759 it's not good for you or your neighbor 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:26.540 or your community for you to do that. 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:27.340 But you know what? 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:29.320 It is good for you and your soul 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.759 and your community and your neighbor 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.960 if you'd go this way. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:36.100 And so the law, if you like, it does two things. 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:40.080 It curbs sin, stops them doing things 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.700 that God knows is harmful. 00:10:41.780 --> 00:10:42.620 But here's the other thing. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.240 Think back to Mephasa. 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.560 What does Simba now know? 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:50.500 He knows where not to go. 00:10:51.119 --> 00:10:53.099 Mephasa has named it. 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:56.239 He's named it. 00:10:57.079 --> 00:10:58.399 And that's what the law does. 00:10:58.479 --> 00:11:00.279 It names sin. 00:11:00.959 --> 00:11:01.559 Names it. 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:06.719 So it's not like anger and murder and stealing and envy 00:11:06.719 --> 00:11:08.479 weren't a thing before the law. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:11.500 No, those things, if you like, 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:14.480 now God has written down on paper 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:15.700 so that you see it. 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:17.360 God's named it. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:19.159 So you see that you've crossed the line 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:21.340 and you see it in a new way 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:23.740 and you see it for the evil, for what it is. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:26.200 And by naming it, verse 21, 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:30.379 you see that no one gets righteous 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:34.120 by trying to earnestly and perfectly keep it. 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:36.139 You can't do it. 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:39.919 The law, it exposes. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:41.899 Exposes us. 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:42.919 Exposes you. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.519 And because that's true, 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:46.179 secondly, verse 23, 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.840 it enslaves you. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.399 Enslaves you. 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:55.659 That's the image that the custody language there 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.360 is meant to conjure up in our minds. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:59.580 Twice Paul says it, doesn't he? 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:02.780 Verse 22, first of all. 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:07.800 And verse 23, 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:11.060 the law had you locked up. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:14.240 It found you guilty. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:17.500 It found you facing life in the cell. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.020 Enslaved you. 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:21.000 So God's people were meant to look at the law, 00:12:21.400 --> 00:12:24.259 understand that they couldn't keep the law perfectly, 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:27.040 and conclude that I am up the creek without a paddle. 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:29.000 It enslaves you. 00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:33.620 And thirdly, verse 25, 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:36.519 it educates you. 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:41.439 So Paul uses, and we'll riff on this for a little bit, right? 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:44.179 He uses that word, do you see it in the text? 00:12:45.079 --> 00:12:45.480 Guardian. 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:50.539 In the Greek, it's pedagogos, that's it there, 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:54.240 but it is someone who is in authority over you, 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:57.399 and whose job it is, 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:59.180 because of that authority over you, 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:01.620 to teach you. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:06.480 And a big function of the law 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:11.000 was to teach you about and get you ready for 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.539 Jesus. 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.460 And here's how this plays out 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.580 in your quiet times, 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.679 in your Bible reading, 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.340 in our Bible reading every day. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:21.639 You're reading Exodus, for example. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:24.500 That whole rescuing people from slavery stuff, 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.419 what's the point? 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.379 Paul would say, 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.600 in its own unique way, 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:31.120 it was to teach you things 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.820 about the person and the work 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:34.000 of Jesus, 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.220 ultimately. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.639 You're reading Leviticus, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:41.080 what's the point of the day 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:42.279 of atonement, 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:43.439 all this stuff about 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:45.399 me needing to offer a sacrifice, 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.299 and blood needing to be shed 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:49.559 for my trespasses. 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:50.759 What's the point? 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.600 Paul would say, 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:54.039 in its own unique way, 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.759 it was to teach you something 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.960 about your heart, 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:01.059 and about the person 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:01.759 and work of Jesus. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.799 And this is what you get, 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.639 particularly in the first five 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:09.759 books of the Bible, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.340 history. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.559 You get types, 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.659 you get pictures, 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.319 you get, 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.899 as you move on in the story, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.039 you get prophecies. 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.799 The law 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:18.860 is prepping you 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.600 for Jesus. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:23.659 And all of that 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.399 made me think about 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.559 my old biology teacher 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:26.100 at school. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:28.799 His name was 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.620 Dr. Williams. 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.000 Right? 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.879 I sat in his class 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.860 for about four years 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.759 trying to learn biology. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.559 I remember, 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.159 I don't tell him this, 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.919 I remember one phrase 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:40.120 from all that time 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.779 that he taught me. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.120 Do you know what it is? 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.919 You'll never guess. 00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:44.059 Three words. 00:14:45.079 --> 00:14:46.839 Larger surface area. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:48.919 Everyone know 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.579 what I'm talking about? 00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:50.579 Yeah? 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.139 No? 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:52.159 Right. 00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:54.539 Larger surface area. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.399 It's all I can hear 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.000 in my mind. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.219 Right? 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:57.120 So every time, 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.360 here's how this plays out, 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.339 every time we get 00:14:59.339 --> 00:15:00.079 some new flowers 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.759 in our house, 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:02.699 I get the stems, 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:03.820 and the first thing I do 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.520 is I cut them 00:15:04.520 --> 00:15:05.240 at a right angle. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:06.759 Anyone else do that? 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:07.620 Why? 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:11.020 Larger surface area. 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.040 Yeah? 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:13.300 No. 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:13.820 Okay. 00:15:15.640 --> 00:15:16.500 Larger surface area. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.600 I learned this stuff 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.100 from him. 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.300 He was kind of prepping me 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:20.400 for what life 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:21.120 would be like 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:23.000 in the real world 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.900 when I graduated. 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:24.200 Okay? 00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:24.780 But here's the thing 00:15:24.780 --> 00:15:25.480 about Dr. Williams. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.620 He's taught me stuff, 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:27.800 but he didn't take 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:28.620 any snash. 00:15:29.780 --> 00:15:31.040 Didn't take any nonsense. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.439 He was no stranger 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:33.459 to the dishing out 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.500 of detentions. 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:36.219 He taught me stuff. 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.039 I was under his authority. 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:39.939 And in the same way, 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.639 the law, 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:41.279 says Paul, 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:42.059 the law 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:44.099 was your teacher. 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.500 It was your guardian 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.159 teaching you 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:49.299 and disciplining you. 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.099 But you know what would be 00:15:51.099 --> 00:15:52.019 the weirdest thing, 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:53.059 going back to Dr. Williams 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:53.480 for a minute, 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.519 the weirdest thing, 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:58.019 is if he phoned me tonight 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.919 and he said, 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.339 are you remembering 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:01.979 your homework 00:16:01.979 --> 00:16:02.819 for Monday morning? 00:16:05.719 --> 00:16:06.299 I tell him 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.120 to get on his bike. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.819 Because the moment 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:11.159 I walked out that door 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:11.860 of his class 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.039 at the end of sixth year, 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.179 our relationship 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:15.419 totally changed. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.839 And that's what Paul 00:16:18.839 --> 00:16:19.500 is saying 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:21.039 has happened 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.059 with the arrival 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.019 of Jesus 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:25.539 in terms of 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.559 your relationship 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:28.059 to the law. 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:31.439 the law 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:32.259 has served 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.619 its exposing 00:16:33.619 --> 00:16:35.159 and enslaving 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:37.159 and educating 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.399 purpose. 00:16:38.739 --> 00:16:39.219 It has 00:16:39.219 --> 00:16:40.079 done 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:41.179 its job. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.859 It's done 00:16:43.859 --> 00:16:44.619 its role 00:16:44.619 --> 00:16:46.139 because 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.639 now 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.459 Christ, 00:16:47.619 --> 00:16:48.119 the one 00:16:48.119 --> 00:16:48.500 who 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.459 the law 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:50.859 was getting 00:16:50.859 --> 00:16:51.359 you ready 00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:51.759 for, 00:16:51.859 --> 00:16:52.619 the promise 00:16:52.619 --> 00:16:53.399 inheritor 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.039 has 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:55.459 arrived. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:57.320 So do you see 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:57.820 in the context 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.780 of Galatians, 00:16:58.960 --> 00:16:59.600 Paul is saying 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.320 it doesn't make 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.139 any sense 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:01.500 for you 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.080 to go back 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.700 to the law, 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.180 to think 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:03.620 and that's 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.200 how you get 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.140 right with 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:05.480 God. 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.240 If you do 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.519 that, 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:06.900 do you see 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.319 how you're 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.360 just self-admitting 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:09.079 yourself to 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.420 prison? 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.740 Now 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.400 Christ has 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.700 come, 00:17:13.840 --> 00:17:14.380 Paul says, 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.380 verse 29, 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:18.160 by faith 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.779 you are 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.259 now 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.420 Abraham's 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.279 seed. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.799 Whoa, 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:23.940 whoa, 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.079 whoa, 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.119 whoa, 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.259 whoa, 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.339 whoa, 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:24.899 whoa, 00:17:24.899 --> 00:17:25.259 whoa, 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.779 wait a 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.019 minute. 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:28.759 Time out. 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.819 I thought 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.599 Jesus was 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.200 Abraham's 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.480 seed. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.139 You've 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:36.899 just told us 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.119 that, 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.440 Paul. 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.420 I thought 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.420 Jesus alone, 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.059 singular, 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:40.779 you made a 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.399 big thing 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.359 about that. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.420 I thought 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.139 Jesus alone, 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:44.660 singular, 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.500 inherited the 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:45.920 promise. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.200 Correct. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.519 Well, 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.079 how does 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.740 that work? 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.180 And friends, 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.720 this is where 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:54.980 it gets 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.519 really good. 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.980 Paul would 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.319 say, 00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.000 it works 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.599 because of 00:17:59.599 --> 00:17:59.779 your, 00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:00.639 verse 29, 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.279 faith, 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.779 because of 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.359 your faith, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.799 and notice 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.279 this, 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.059 you belong 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.579 to him. 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.259 Do you see 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.480 it? 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.339 Got to see 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:13.539 it. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:16.119 You belong 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.920 to him. 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:20.860 now, 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:21.200 imagine 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.960 one with 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.360 me that 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:22.880 one day 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:25.400 a team 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.080 of scientists 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:26.880 discover a 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.580 new tallest 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:28.180 mountain in 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:28.620 the world. 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.259 It's twice 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.920 the size of 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.360 Everest. 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:32.960 It is more 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.880 dangerous than 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.680 Kilimanjaro. 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.240 In fact, 00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:36.560 so treacherous is 00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.500 it that no 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:37.980 one has 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:39.240 ever or 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.039 will ever 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.920 have any 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.700 hope of 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.160 getting to 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.640 the top. 00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:46.140 Except 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.220 one day 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.960 a woman 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.420 does. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.180 No team, 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.340 no Sherpa, 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.440 no nothing. 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:55.200 She overcomes 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.100 all the odds. 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:56.840 She reaches 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.420 the summit. 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.800 She plants 00:18:58.800 --> 00:19:00.100 her victor's 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.759 pole at 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.360 the peak. 00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.320 And let's 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:02.840 assume they 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:03.340 get mobile 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.900 coverage at 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.400 the top of 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:04.800 the mountain. 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.360 She takes 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:06.060 a selfie of 00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:06.440 herself, 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.220 posts it on 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.660 Instagram with 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.500 the caption, 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:11.240 we did it. 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:14.320 We did it. 00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:17.380 Sorry, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:17.680 we? 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:21.700 Well, 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.200 it turns out 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.920 this woman is 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.440 carrying a 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:23.740 child. 00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:27.120 We did it. 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.940 Now, 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.480 question for 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:29.600 you, 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.140 how did 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.759 the child 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.400 come to 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:32.080 share in 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.500 her victory? 00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:36.640 Not by 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.940 doing anything 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:41.200 other than 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.039 being one 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:44.060 with the 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:44.360 woman. 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:47.840 Now, 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.060 friends, 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.580 Jesus, 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.560 through his 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:51.180 life and 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.180 his death 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.759 and his 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.560 glorious 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:55.019 resurrection, 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.980 is the 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.299 great 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.700 victor. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.299 Unrivaled, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.120 unmatched, 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.000 unrepeatable, 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.940 no one 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.720 can topple 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.680 him from 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:08.000 his throne. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.700 To him 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.519 alone belong 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.099 the blessings 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:11.880 of God. 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:12.819 To him 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.700 alone belong 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.460 the promises 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.180 of God. 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.279 And we 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.839 sang that 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.500 song earlier, 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.039 Christ is 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.380 victor. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.360 Jesus is 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.360 the victor. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.720 But my 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.099 friends at 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.519 Nidri would 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.120 call that a 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:22.460 kingdom 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.059 banger. 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:23.640 Okay, 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.480 looking forward 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:24.920 to learning 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.099 it. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.120 Christ is 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:26.599 victor. 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.120 And I 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.759 love singing 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.339 songs about 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.819 the victory 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.440 of Jesus. 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.059 But here's 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.700 the question, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.059 what on 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.579 earth does 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:31.980 that have 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.299 to do 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.900 with me? 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.519 Friends, 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:36.799 if your 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.259 faith is 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.799 in Jesus, 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.960 the answer 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.400 to that 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.799 question is 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.539 everything. 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.420 Everything. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.160 His 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.160 victory. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.220 victory. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.660 Because we 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.279 are one 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:52.880 with him. 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.540 The promises 00:20:54.540 --> 00:20:55.740 he's inherited. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.620 The future 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.400 that he has 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:57.720 won. 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:58.759 The victory 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.480 over sin 00:20:59.480 --> 00:20:59.900 and death 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.440 that's his. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.400 How do we 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.100 share it? 00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:06.160 We belong 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.700 to him. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.300 That's it. 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.440 That's it. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:16.259 We belong 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:18.279 to him. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:21.299 And if 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.839 you're feeling 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.660 today like, 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.000 what on 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.460 earth am I 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:23.839 doing with 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.399 my life? 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.440 Is there 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.059 any future? 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.460 Is it 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.660 worth keeping 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.079 on going? 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.559 Life is 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.599 so hard. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:31.940 Friends, 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.399 this one's 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.859 for you. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:34.899 You 00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:36.319 belong 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:38.039 to him. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.240 Can I 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.680 just give you 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.079 two quick 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.519 things that 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.000 that means 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.519 to try and 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:42.859 whet your 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.460 appetite for 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.000 next week? 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.339 You've got to 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.660 come back 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:45.220 next week 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.680 and Ian 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.019 will take 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.440 us through 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.500 the first 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:47.799 little bit 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.140 of chapter 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:48.480 four, 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.200 which is 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.920 golden. 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.559 Two quick 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:52.940 things that 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.319 that means. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.759 Firstly, 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.220 it means, 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:54.539 friends, 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:54.960 that there's 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.279 a new 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.660 me. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.259 Because I 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.700 belong to 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:58.880 him. 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.019 In Christ, 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.400 you are 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.319 someone who 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.860 has been, 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.839 verse 27, 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.000 clothed with 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.400 Christ. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:04.880 You see the 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.299 language? 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.180 Put off the 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.480 old, 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.059 you've put 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.460 on the 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.759 new. 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.519 You are 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.480 a child 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:12.160 of God. 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:12.740 That is 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.059 who you 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.419 are. 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.700 It's not 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.519 speculation. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.099 It's 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.659 declaration. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.519 You have 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:19.779 new 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.379 privileges. 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:20.919 You have 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:21.179 a new 00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:21.759 future. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.379 And you 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:22.740 have a 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:22.899 new 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.579 calling on 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.179 your life. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.079 Kevin 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.440 de Young 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.700 in his 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.119 great little 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.639 book called 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:27.980 The Hole 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.220 in Our 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.579 Holiness 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.200 says this 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.980 rather cheekily 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.399 and I love 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:30.619 it. 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:32.779 He says, 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.399 God does 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.940 want you to 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.399 be true to 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:34.859 yourself. 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:36.980 But the 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.639 you that he's 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.220 talking about 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:38.679 is the 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.419 you that you 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:39.839 are by 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.500 grace and 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:40.799 not by 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.159 nature. 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:43.220 Yeah? 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:44.500 The 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:44.820 you, 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.460 the new 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.759 you, 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.200 the you 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.460 that you 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.840 are by 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.180 grace. 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.500 He wants 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.740 you to 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.040 be true 00:22:48.040 --> 00:22:48.519 to yourself. 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:48.700 No, 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.160 they owed 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.460 you. 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:49.960 Do you 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.200 see what 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.380 he's 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:50.680 saying? 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.300 God 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:52.080 has saved 00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:53.120 us for 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:53.759 radical 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.240 holiness 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:56.180 that baffles 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.060 the world. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.220 And I 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.860 take it if 00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:00.060 growing as a 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:00.480 Christian is 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.200 being transformed 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.720 more into 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.140 Jesus' 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:02.620 image, 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.080 if it was 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:03.920 a joy for 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.460 Jesus to 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.900 obey the 00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.120 law, 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.460 friends, 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.380 it's going 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:06.800 to look like 00:23:06.800 --> 00:23:07.200 that in 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.700 our lives 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.100 as well. 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.320 We're going 00:23:08.320 --> 00:23:08.580 to think 00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:08.920 about that 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.240 in a few 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.460 weeks' 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.759 time. 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.800 Not saved 00:23:11.800 --> 00:23:12.120 by the 00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:12.400 law, 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.180 but as 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.720 we follow 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.140 Christ, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.720 I take it 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:14.980 this will 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.300 be all 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:15.680 over our 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.000 lives. 00:23:18.040 --> 00:23:18.840 Number two, 00:23:19.300 --> 00:23:19.820 it means that 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:20.400 there's a new 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.060 we. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.380 And this is 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:22.940 bigger here. 00:23:25.580 --> 00:23:27.180 Because you 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.700 belong to 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.000 him, 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:31.779 you belong 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.300 to each 00:23:33.300 --> 00:23:33.600 other. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:35.259 God's 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.259 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:37.599 holy 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.599 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:44.659 blessings of God in the same way? Do you see how God has created a radical equality among you? 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:51.359 Remember we saw a few weeks ago how Peter, he withdrew himself from the Gentiles because of 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:57.299 the sneers of these Jewish teachers that had come up from Jerusalem, who said to Peter, 00:23:57.299 --> 00:24:05.159 you're eating with who? You're eating with them? I wonder if the Gentiles in Galatia might just 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:13.380 have been feeling like second-class citizens in God's kingdom. Like if God's people were all to 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:18.600 board a flight, they would be shown right to economy while the Jews would go left to business. 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:25.779 Why? Well, because they've got the history, they've got the law, got all the stuff, got all the stories. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:31.100 Remember Jewish men in this day would pray each morning thanking God that he hadn't made them a 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:39.439 Gentile, a slave, or a female. Categories that would have meant an awful lot in terms of the social 00:24:39.439 --> 00:24:50.859 hierarchy of the Roman Empire as well. Paul says, see when it comes to being children of God? Not so. 00:24:50.859 --> 00:25:03.819 And that's why verse 28, friends, is so, so explosive. And it is the proverbial cat in among 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:10.019 the pigeons. And remember in the context, it's all about being God's children, probably more accurately 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:16.159 God's sons. Again, that's not the gender stuff there is specific and important because it's all 00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:20.779 about inheritance. We'll see that more next week. But here's what Paul writes, there's neither Jew nor 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:30.899 Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:38.019 All one in Christ Jesus. Now, understand that the distinctions haven't disappeared. 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:48.920 But the barriers have been demolished. And the relationship between you all has totally changed. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:53.500 Imagine a community like that living in the Roman Empire. 00:25:55.139 --> 00:26:01.579 A CEO working in Mayfair in London, hanging out with a single mom living 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:07.240 in the east end of Glasgow. They're one. Why are they one? Well, they're one in Christ Jesus. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:12.180 See how radical that is, what he's saying. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:16.779 Oh, friends, you are all one in Christ Jesus. Listen, just as we close, 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:19.720 our doorbell went at 6.43 on Monday evening. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:24.420 And I opened it and there was a lady standing there. 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:30.139 And she said, it's Graham, isn't it? And I could see where the conversation was going. 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:33.200 And I almost thought about saying no, but I thought, no, I'll go with this one. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:38.579 So I nodded. And she said, do you mind me asking who you are planning to vote for at next year's election? 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:44.740 And at that point, I was so grateful for four little children who poked their heads around the door 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:50.199 at that precise moment. And she read the room and got the vibe that now maybe wasn't the time 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:52.500 for a long, deep and meaningful conversation. 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:56.579 But here's the thing. See, as I closed the door and said my goodbyes to her, 00:26:56.639 --> 00:26:59.000 I wondered why that question made me so uneasy. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:10.720 And I think the answer that I came away with is that we're all aware just how divisive a question that is currently. 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:16.400 And if you like it, that is just a difference of opinion. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:22.000 But you look at our world, friends, and it is full of so much inequality. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:30.140 Economic inequality, social inequality, ethnic inequality. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:34.400 And we don't have any answers for it. 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:42.940 And this week of all weeks has helped us realize the evil that exists in human hearts 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:47.660 and the divisions that there are amongst the peoples of our country. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:52.060 And so do you see how glorious a picture that is? 00:27:53.900 --> 00:28:01.380 In a world that is so divided and hotly so, do you see how precious and beautiful 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:10.279 and stunning the unity and diversity, the radical equality that God has brought about through his son? 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:20.299 In his multinational, multi-generational, multi-lingual people of faith, 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:29.079 that somehow, somehow, through the cross of Jesus, he has made them one. 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:35.019 And it's all because God doesn't have a plan B. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:38.539 This is the plan. 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.559 And this is what Jesus is doing. 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:42.440 He is building his church. 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:44.879 And so maybe, listen, maybe put it at this point. 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.319 As we move towards communion, 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:49.859 since we pass it around to each other, friends, 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:52.379 take a moment just to look the other person in the eye. 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:53.779 Right? 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:56.039 Just think to yourself, 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:59.839 brother and sister in Christ. 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.900 Let me pray. 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:01.900 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:09.940 And so, Father, we're just so thankful this morning for Jesus. 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:14.740 Jesus, who is our life. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:21.579 Father, we thank you for the forgiveness and the newness of life that we have in him. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:28.240 That nothing in our hands that we bring simply to the cross we cling. 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:32.720 Naked run to you for dress, helpless run to you for grace. 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:37.240 Thank you that Jesus is an all-sufficient saviour. 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:43.279 So, Father, I just pray, Lord, that you would remind us this morning of the glorious unity that we have. 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:46.420 What we were thinking about a few weeks ago, 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:52.660 this snow globe, this little microcosm of this global reality across the church, 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:58.380 that in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. 00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:02.860 So, Father, be with us as we move to a time of communion now. 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:04.020 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.580 Amen. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.680 Amen.