WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:16.960 This morning we're going to look at Philippians chapter 3. 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:28.400 I'd like to read the first three, the first 16 verses. 00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:34.820 Philippians 3, beginning at verse 1, and I'll read down through verse 16. 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:41.659 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:47.859 To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 00:00:49.239 --> 00:00:50.500 Look out for the dogs. 00:00:51.379 --> 00:00:52.679 Look out for the evildoers. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:56.179 Look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 00:00:56.179 --> 00:01:06.420 For we are the circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:11.719 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:17.680 If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:30.460 As to the law, a Pharisee. 00:01:31.220 --> 00:01:35.060 As to zeal, a persecutor of the church. 00:01:36.100 --> 00:01:41.500 And as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:49.159 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:57.799 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:03.819 For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish. 00:02:04.759 --> 00:02:08.620 In order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:12.919 Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law. 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:16.060 But that which comes through faith in Christ. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:21.159 The righteousness from God that depends on faith. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:26.579 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection. 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:29.560 And may share his sufferings. 00:02:30.079 --> 00:02:32.680 Becoming like him in his death. 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:38.719 That by any means possible, I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:43.960 Not that I've already obtained this or am already perfect. 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:48.920 But I press on to make it my own. 00:02:49.480 --> 00:02:53.060 Because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 00:02:53.920 --> 00:02:57.000 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:59.400 But one thing I do. 00:03:00.640 --> 00:03:02.319 Forgetting what lies behind. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:06.100 And straining forward to what lies ahead. 00:03:07.100 --> 00:03:09.540 I press on towards the goal. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:13.420 For the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:17.159 Let those of us who are mature think this way. 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:19.180 And if anything you think otherwise. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.140 God will reveal that also to you. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:27.000 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:35.020 One of these days my voice will clear. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:38.439 At least in theory. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:43.259 You know, this is the time of year where. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:44.859 And I've been, you see it. 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:46.400 I've been seeing it on social media. 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:47.979 And seeing it all over the place. 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:53.159 It's just that time of year where we all kind of want to take stock. 00:03:53.859 --> 00:03:57.340 Of, you know, looking back on the last year. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:03:58.620 How's it gone? 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:00.819 And thinking ahead to the new year. 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:03.539 You know, and this is why at this time of year. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:06.219 We make New Year's resolutions. 00:04:07.019 --> 00:04:09.759 We don't make Fourth of July resolutions. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:11.719 We make New Year's. 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:15.139 Because it's the end of the old beginning of something new. 00:04:16.719 --> 00:04:24.159 And I know that there's a lot of different thoughts and ideas about resolutions. 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:27.660 Some people just don't like to make resolutions. 00:04:28.020 --> 00:04:29.780 You know, some people do every year. 00:04:30.700 --> 00:04:32.520 Some people don't think much of them. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:38.280 Because it seems almost like an exercise in futility. 00:04:39.020 --> 00:04:41.080 And I use that word exercise. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:48.980 Because it's probably one of those very common themes in some of our resolutions. 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:54.060 You know, it's the season that if you watch television, you're going to see. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.800 Really, you've already seen it. 00:04:56.140 --> 00:05:00.340 The exercise machine advertisements are going to multiply. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:05.000 All the diet programs are going to multiply. 00:05:05.900 --> 00:05:08.840 And you're going to see that heavy on TV. 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:13.000 And then what that's going to do, it's going to last for a little bit. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:17.540 But it's actually going to supply eBay with a lot of new merchandise come February. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:26.240 Because, you know, it just doesn't get us very far. 00:05:26.640 --> 00:05:31.980 The self-help section in the bookstore and on Amazon is by far the most popular. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:34.280 But again, where does it get us? 00:05:36.280 --> 00:05:47.220 You know, regardless of hair color, exercise, makeup, diets, or spandex if the diets don't work. 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:53.740 Or hair transplants, self-management techniques, or other self-help. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:06:00.500 All that does for most of us is just increase our frustration with life. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:06.960 And so, New Year's resolutions are really a waste of time. 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:11.979 And besides, we're grace people. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.919 God loves us unconditionally. 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:20.099 And he accepts us exactly the way we are. 00:06:21.099 --> 00:06:24.799 So, here you have it. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:35.340 That said, you know, if I don't have any resolve to be different, 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:47.500 maybe I've gotten too content with this broken self that I am. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:54.379 You know, maybe I've come to the point where I've got this very unhealthy sense of contentment 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:59.199 for sinful patterns in my life. 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:08.199 Ways that I damage relationships and other wasteful things. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:17.159 Yes, I am to accept myself fully as I am, as the broken self that I am. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:19.539 That is very true. 00:07:20.099 --> 00:07:22.379 But yet, am I to be content? 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:27.300 The Bible says, be content in all circumstances. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:31.579 But does that mean that I have to be content 00:07:31.579 --> 00:07:43.060 in all of this junk that still seems to run rampant through my life? 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:51.959 I think the gospel calls me to something different. 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:58.599 Yes, the gospel says it calls me just as I am. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:01.620 And I am embraced just as I am. 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:08.120 But the gospel comes never to leave me as I am. 00:08:10.140 --> 00:08:14.080 The gospel comes to take me somewhere. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:23.480 And God, because what Christ has come to do in his work of redemption 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:31.160 is to make all things new and all things includes me. 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:39.300 And he's not waiting until the last day when he comes again 00:08:39.300 --> 00:08:41.340 and I enter into heaven. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:44.259 The process has begun. 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:47.240 And it's continuing. 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:51.620 And so this is his desire for me. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:58.840 And I love in this passage how Paul marries two glorious concepts. 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:07.440 He marries this idea of my full acceptance and embracing of the Father 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:11.179 through the work of Christ alone. 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:14.320 That I am righteous in Christ. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:19.940 He takes that concept and then weds it with a passion 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:23.460 to be something different. 00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:27.600 Because you see, in the first part of this chapter, 00:09:27.760 --> 00:09:31.720 there's a lot of passive ideas, passive concepts 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:35.660 where he wants to be found in the righteousness of Christ. 00:09:35.900 --> 00:09:39.580 Not because of my works, but I want to be found in Christ. 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:42.639 But then as soon as this, in his next breath, 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:45.080 he says, I press on. 00:09:47.900 --> 00:09:49.139 And so how does all this work? 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:53.920 Well, this is what I want us to look at 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:57.379 in this passage this morning. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:00.560 And so I want us to see a couple of things. 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:04.379 First, we are going to look at this reality of Christ. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:09.519 The reality of who we are because of the work of Christ alone. 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:14.360 But then secondly, we're going to look at 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:19.519 then the resulting call to pursue Christ. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:25.120 And then finally after that, we're going to look at 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:29.419 at least I'm going to give you a window 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:31.559 into some personal resolutions 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:37.079 that I think flow from these words of Paul. 00:10:37.819 --> 00:10:41.379 First, let's look at the reality of being in Christ. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:44.979 You know, in the first six verses of this chapter, 00:10:45.579 --> 00:10:47.839 I really, this is one of my favorite chapters 00:10:47.839 --> 00:10:48.620 in all of Scripture. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.860 Because in these first six verses, 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:54.139 what Paul does, he first gives us a warning 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.679 about some false gospels. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:58.799 In one of those false gospels, 00:10:58.979 --> 00:11:02.899 the primary one is putting confidence in the flesh. 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:07.459 And that is simply that I'm going to trust me 00:11:07.459 --> 00:11:10.419 to make everything happen. 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:13.579 I'm going to trust me to be good enough. 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:17.899 I'm going to trust me to gain my acceptance before God. 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:22.459 And he calls those who promote such a gospel 00:11:22.459 --> 00:11:24.259 dogs. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:28.360 And he's not using dogs the way we use them, 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:29.519 the word. 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:32.759 We use the word dogs as people. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:36.259 He's talking about mongrels. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:38.860 These are beasts that are hated. 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:44.039 So we're not talking about your little pet schnauzer. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:49.899 This is a junkyard dog who's vicious 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:52.220 and will devour you. 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:56.419 But then he goes through, starting in verse four, 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:59.559 then he goes through his own testimony 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:03.240 of how he used to put confidence in the flesh. 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.600 And he said, I did it better than anybody. 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:08.620 He said, I've got the pedigree. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.840 I was a Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:13.379 I was no Johnny-come-lately convert. 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:16.240 I was, I can trace my lineage 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:18.860 all the way back to the tribe of Benjamin. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:26.500 He said, I was, I was zealous for the faith. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.679 But then he makes this statement and he says, 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:32.819 as to the righteousness which is in the law, 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:35.779 blameless. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:43.819 How many of you could say that about yourself? 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.799 Blameless? 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:49.279 Not me. 00:12:51.339 --> 00:12:55.240 Paul was the goodest of the good. 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:04.299 But then he makes this amazing statement. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.699 He said he found something else. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.839 In all of this other stuff, 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:11.359 he said, I counted his loss 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:15.500 because of the surpassing value 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:17.300 of knowing Christ. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:20.740 And what was it he found in Christ? 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:25.080 He found righteousness 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:29.600 or rightness. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.360 He was right. 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:34.139 He was good. 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.379 He was perfect. 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.519 He was beautiful. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:40.539 He was as he should be. 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:42.240 That's righteousness. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:45.480 And he found that in Christ. 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.779 Not in his own works. 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:49.399 Not in what he did. 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.899 He found it through faith. 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:52.980 It was passive. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.679 It was something he received. 00:13:56.340 --> 00:14:00.319 That he was in Christ right. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:05.200 It means he was good enough. 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:09.540 It means he was beautiful enough. 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:13.840 It means he was perfect enough 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:19.379 that he would have God's full acceptance, 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:22.680 approval, and delight. 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.380 Wow. 00:14:28.380 --> 00:14:28.460 Wow. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:32.120 You know what? 00:14:32.140 --> 00:14:32.800 I'm not right. 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.460 And I'm not. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.580 Just in and of myself. 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.220 And I think this is the common experience 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:40.800 for all of us. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.540 We feel guilty. 00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:43.760 When we do things 00:14:43.760 --> 00:14:45.300 or when we don't do things, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.260 when we fail 00:14:46.260 --> 00:14:48.280 to keep up that standard, 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:49.580 we know. 00:14:49.800 --> 00:14:51.940 We sense it down inside. 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:53.500 We're not right. 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:55.540 But it's not just that. 00:14:56.260 --> 00:14:57.420 There's something else. 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:59.719 It's not just guilt 00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:01.679 that makes us feel not right. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.539 It's shame. 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.679 Because you go and look in the mirror 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:07.419 in the mornings 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:07.979 and you, 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:09.219 what you see 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:10.879 looking back at you 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.799 is not right. 00:15:12.819 --> 00:15:14.360 You see all the flaws, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.339 all the mistakes, 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:18.039 places where there used to be hair 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.500 and now you see places 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.379 where there is hair 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.699 where there shouldn't be. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.659 And you, 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:25.259 you see parts sagging out 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.480 and, 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:27.220 but that's just the physical. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.740 And we work hard 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.240 at hiding all of that. 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:35.179 But it's also that behavior, 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.559 the words that we say, 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.340 the things that we do, 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.700 we're just not right. 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:44.659 And we know it. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.439 So what do we do with that? 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:49.840 Well, 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:52.039 our options are 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:53.720 basically two. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:56.259 The first one is 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.300 you fix it yourself. 00:15:59.160 --> 00:16:00.420 You become right. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.680 You change your behavior 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.399 to be good. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:06.320 You fix all the flaws 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.019 so that you can be beautiful. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.879 Or you just try to 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.420 cover them over 00:16:12.420 --> 00:16:13.960 and deny that they're there. 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:14.759 It's kind of the 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.540 Photoshop approach 00:16:16.540 --> 00:16:17.620 to life. 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:20.519 that at least 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:22.320 I can make a good impression 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.240 out there 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.279 for everyone else 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.659 to see. 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.820 I can fix myself 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.659 well enough 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:28.100 that when people 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.799 look at me, 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.620 they'll approve 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.740 and accept me. 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.679 But we still know 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:35.100 the truth. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:39.379 It doesn't get us 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.980 very far. 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.060 It doesn't get us 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.080 very far. 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.960 There's another option. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:47.720 You can get it 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.580 from somebody else. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.740 And this is what Paul did. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.960 As good as he was 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:59.580 and as well as he did, 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.240 he could not be good enough. 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.860 He could not stand 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.639 before God 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.660 and say, 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.900 I've done enough. 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:10.920 But what he could do 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:13.440 is he could stand 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.280 before God 00:17:14.280 --> 00:17:16.460 with what he received. 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:18.960 You see, 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.040 he was clothed 00:17:20.040 --> 00:17:21.780 with rightness. 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.440 It was kind of like 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.580 being covered 00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:27.060 with all of your 00:17:27.060 --> 00:17:28.580 dirt and your filth 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:29.780 and your dirty clothes 00:17:29.780 --> 00:17:31.080 and ragged pants 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:31.660 and shirt. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.280 All of that is covered 00:17:33.280 --> 00:17:34.060 with glorious, 00:17:34.280 --> 00:17:35.540 beautiful wedding garments 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.960 that you didn't make, 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.099 you didn't purchase, 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.759 were given to you 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:41.180 and were put on you 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.039 by another. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.159 And now, 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.299 in those garments, 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.799 we're beautiful. 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.859 In that rightness, 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:55.799 I am beautiful. 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:01.879 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:01.920 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.539 It's amazing. 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.139 It's amazing. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:07.539 It's amazing. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.039 It's amazing. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.839 That's who we are 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.059 in Christ. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.059 That's what we get 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.119 from Christ 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:13.279 and we receive it 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.019 by faith. 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:17.819 That is the gift, 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.859 the surpassing value 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:21.180 of knowing Christ 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.779 that I can quit working. 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.579 I can quit covering up. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:27.379 I can just enjoy 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.839 the pleasure 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:30.359 and delight 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.680 and approval 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:33.039 and acceptance 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.019 of this holy God. 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.599 And that's the gospel. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.519 It has nothing to do 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.359 with what we do. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.980 It has nothing to do 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.460 with what we can earn. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:49.799 It's everything to do 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.740 with Christ. 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.940 Coming to Christ means 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:58.740 I simply quit 00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:00.720 this self-centered, 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.579 self-focused, 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.480 self-sufficient, 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.039 self-justification. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.399 And I rest 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:08.159 in a righteousness 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:09.359 which is given to me 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.919 that is enough 00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:12.819 and will always be enough. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.539 And I'll never be, 00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.539 when I get to heaven 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.619 and stand before Christ, 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.819 I will not then 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.639 be more righteous 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:20.439 than I am right now. 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.619 And it's all because 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:24.019 of Christ. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.539 Think about that. 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:32.899 Every time I think about this, 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.299 it just, 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:34.200 it blows me away 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.180 because when I look back 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.019 at all my failure, 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:38.500 all of the crud 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.659 that I can see, 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:41.220 especially you take stock 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.720 and look back 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.579 over a whole year 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.779 and there's plenty there. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.359 But God, 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.480 the Holy One, 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.879 looks upon me 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.139 with delight. 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.359 He's not. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.980 He's pleased. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:20:01.620 because of Christ. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.480 And we have to get this. 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.360 This cannot be diluted. 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.640 If we don't get this, 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.480 we miss everything. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.500 I stand before God 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:21.839 and I am pleasing to him 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:25.539 because someone else 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.140 was righteous 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:29.980 and gave that credit to me. 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.279 Now, 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:40.279 that is glorious. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:44.319 But Paul doesn't stop there. 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.899 He moves on. 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.399 That truth, 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:52.099 that wonderful theology 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:55.899 does something to Paul. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.940 It doesn't make him 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:59.799 just sit back on his laurels 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.720 and do nothing. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.819 It drives him. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:08.679 It energizes him 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:12.119 for a whole new work, 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:14.279 a whole new pursuit. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.439 And it's not something 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.919 that's from self-effort. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.960 It's something else 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.379 inside of him 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:23.139 that is now driving him. 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.159 And I think, 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.500 I want to call our attention, 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.179 especially as we look now 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.099 in verses 12 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:29.240 down through verse 16. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:31.359 There's four things 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:33.039 I want us to see 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:35.400 about what is now 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.940 at work in Paul. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.160 And the first thing is 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.220 there's a new calling. 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.140 Look what he says. 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.059 He talks about this 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.579 upward call 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.759 of God 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.019 which is in Christ Jesus. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.480 I am called 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.200 to something new. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.940 He is called 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:54.620 out of the old. 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.640 But he's called 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.339 to something. 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.619 And this is where 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:01.439 I may have used 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:03.159 this illustration before 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:06.119 but I love fairy tales 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.500 because they reflect 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:09.199 realities of, 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.539 I think, 00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:12.480 even some spiritual realities, 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.659 some hopes 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:15.220 that we have. 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.740 And one of my favorite 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.779 in this is Cinderella. 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.339 Cinderella lived 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.779 in the ash heap 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.379 with these three ugly 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:26.419 brutal stepsisters. 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.980 But she was called 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:31.019 to something new. 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:33.500 She was called 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.599 out of that world. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.559 She was now called 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:37.000 to live in the palace. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.799 She was called 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.859 to be the bride 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:42.480 of the prince himself. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:47.000 To have nothing more 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.879 to do 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:50.579 with the ash bin. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:55.759 It says, 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:57.019 and in Christ 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.319 I am now the bride. 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:03.439 I am more beautiful 00:23:03.439 --> 00:23:04.659 than Cinderella 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:06.859 ever dreamed of. 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.939 Because I'm with the prince. 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.359 I am called 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.079 to be like him. 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.759 I am called 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.519 to serve him. 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.539 I am called 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:20.039 to reflect his glory. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.400 And let me tell you something. 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:23.119 This is not laborious. 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.559 If you would have 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.339 asked Cinderella, 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.859 what do you want to do? 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:28.619 She says, 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.519 I want to be with him. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.680 Because he's totally 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.759 changed my life. 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:36.160 So there's this new calling 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.960 out of the old 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.859 to glory. 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:43.559 Because we are now 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.919 wedded 00:23:44.919 --> 00:23:46.179 to 00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:47.699 the glorious 00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.759 prince. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.339 You know, 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:50.559 I experienced this somewhat 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:53.279 when I got married 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:55.119 to my wife, 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.019 my bride, 00:23:56.199 --> 00:23:56.759 a little over 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.059 34 years ago. 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.779 34 and a half years ago. 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.139 Because I know 00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:02.359 for, 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.619 when you think about 00:24:03.619 --> 00:24:04.719 weddings for so many, 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.539 you have 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.500 the night before 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.019 the wedding, 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:09.299 these bachelor parties 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.099 and so forth. 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.720 And they're almost 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.940 kind of like wakes. 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.259 It's kind of a last 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.480 ditch 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:16.980 thrill session 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:20.059 before 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.700 you take on 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.960 the bondage 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.759 of marriage. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.619 So it's this, 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.639 we're going to celebrate, 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:27.879 you know, 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.799 these last moments 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.319 of freedom. 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.819 We're going to have fun 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.599 because that's all 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.599 going to end tomorrow. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.419 I'm sorry. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:41.740 I never had one of those. 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:45.119 And I didn't want one. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.799 Because I wanted to be 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.259 with her. 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.759 There was no, 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:55.000 this was no labor. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:57.339 This is no bondage. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.759 This was a fulfillment 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:02.039 of the dreams 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.960 of my life. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.019 life. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:07.039 And it still is. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.319 And so, 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.519 for me 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.579 to give myself 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.279 to her 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.600 alone 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:19.559 and now say 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.180 no 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.360 to everyone 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.980 else, 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:23.880 to say 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.660 no 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.640 to just 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.200 a life 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.660 of 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:28.559 self-focus, 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:32.179 I'm not 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:32.740 complaining. 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.940 Because it's the 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.480 great joy 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.159 of my life. 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.039 And when we 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.919 come to Christ, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.619 this is the call 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:46.200 to a glorious 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.720 wedding 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:50.099 where our 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.619 prince 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:52.159 is the fulfillment 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:54.660 of every desire. 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.220 Secondly, 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:57.860 there is this 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.680 new focus. 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.980 Paul says 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.800 in verse 13, 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.160 he says, 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.040 forgetting what 00:26:02.040 --> 00:26:03.040 lies behind 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:04.820 and straining 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.720 forward 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.840 to what lies 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:07.100 ahead. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.840 I love these 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.360 verbs. 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.700 As you read 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.120 through this, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.120 look at the verbs. 00:26:11.540 --> 00:26:12.820 He's straining. 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.580 He's not just 00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.120 leaning. 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:15.800 He's not just 00:26:15.800 --> 00:26:16.080 looking. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.320 He's straining. 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:21.740 You know, 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.639 this is 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.460 how he 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.259 describes 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.000 his new 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.480 calling, 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.200 this upward 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.740 call. 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.740 His focus 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.539 is no longer 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.679 on the past, 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:32.279 but it's 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.779 all on 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.220 what's to 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.559 come. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.019 And it's 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.779 the past, 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:37.079 you know, 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:37.740 we can think 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.379 of it in two 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:39.099 different ways. 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.899 That past 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:40.059 is, 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.500 okay, 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.839 I no longer 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.659 look on the 00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:43.039 negative. 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.399 I no longer 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:45.460 look on 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:47.000 the bad 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.039 and all 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.480 of that 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.420 that's behind 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.660 me. 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.519 It's done. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.619 It's forgiven. 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.839 But there's 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.500 something else 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.200 I turn away 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.440 from. 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.099 I don't look 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.480 on my 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.180 successes 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:56.680 either. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.799 You know, 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.319 I can go 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.220 back in 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.240 time and 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.019 relive 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.759 those glorious 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.619 moments and 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.400 you have them 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:05.880 too. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.839 Those moments 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.900 where you 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.380 experience just 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.420 a taste of 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.000 glory. 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.920 Like for me, 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.079 it was that 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.299 backwards, 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.220 over the 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.559 top, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.319 catch the 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.779 ball in 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.079 the air, 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.379 slam dunk, 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.680 goal on 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.460 a foosball 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:23.940 table. 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.659 The very 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.599 last shot I 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.359 took as I 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.899 was leaving 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:29.859 World Harvest 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.519 Mission, 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.339 I left 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.460 in glory. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.960 And I can 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.659 relive that 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.519 and obviously 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.079 I do. 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.139 I do. 00:27:42.139 --> 00:27:42.180 I do. 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.220 I do. 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.680 I do. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:42.700 I do. 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:50.659 It doesn't 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.059 count for 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.779 anything anymore 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:56.639 because I've 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.180 got something 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.779 else. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:01.460 The past, 00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:04.619 the negative 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.419 is resolved 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:06.220 in Christ. 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.759 And even 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.159 what was 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:10.399 positive is 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.220 swallowed up 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:13.460 in righteousness 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.039 which is 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.559 far, 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.240 far more 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.840 profitable 00:28:17.840 --> 00:28:19.279 and glorious. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.400 So all 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:22.840 of that, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.579 all that I 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.200 would count 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.279 as valuable, 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:27.340 it's nothing 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:29.220 now because 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.720 I'm looking 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:31.759 forward to 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.299 what I have 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.860 in Christ. 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.799 That is my 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.180 goal. 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.319 That is my 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.840 identity. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.579 And to 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.240 that I 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.840 strain. 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:41.279 thirdly, 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:41.619 there's a 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.299 new passion 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.919 in Paul. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.539 In these 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:45.899 verses, 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.099 twice he 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.699 uses the 00:28:47.699 --> 00:28:48.359 same word. 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.500 He says, 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.480 I press 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.000 on. 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.139 And that 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:54.159 word is a 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:56.079 strong word. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.079 It's a little 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.759 stronger than 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.639 what's communicated 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.199 in English. 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.399 And especially 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:01.099 since this is 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:02.039 a great football 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.539 weekend, 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.740 this is, 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.399 the way I 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.059 think of this 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.299 word is that 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:07.899 that pressing 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.639 on is kind 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.400 of the gleam 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.300 in the eye 00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:11.020 of a defensive 00:29:11.020 --> 00:29:12.120 end with a 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:13.140 quarterback in 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:13.620 his sight. 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.880 And there's 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.440 nothing going to 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.280 stop him from 00:29:17.280 --> 00:29:17.720 getting there. 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:22.000 That is the 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:23.000 passion now that 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.220 is driving Paul 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.780 to press on. 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.080 He has one 00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:30.960 thing in mind. 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:31.960 Notice there 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.660 again he says, 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:34.420 one thing I 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.020 do. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.200 Just one. 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:41.180 And basically 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.860 this is a new 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.300 love. 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:44.020 It's a new 00:29:44.020 --> 00:29:45.200 heart passion. 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:47.620 And that's 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.320 where Paul's 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:48.780 getting his 00:29:48.780 --> 00:29:49.280 energy. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:49.980 And that's 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.640 what's driving 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:50.900 him. 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.940 We are driven 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.900 by our loves. 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:53.460 We're not 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.600 driven by our 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:55.080 thoughts, 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.759 but the things 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.040 that we love 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:58.920 drive us. 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.420 And Paul now 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.120 had one 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.900 love. 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:05.420 fourthly, 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:05.860 there's new 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.420 resources. 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.380 And you have 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:08.960 to step back 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.700 to verse 10. 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:10.480 He says, 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:11.000 I want to 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.700 know him 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.700 and the 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.540 power of 00:30:13.540 --> 00:30:14.259 his resurrection. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:15.420 And in 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.200 that power, 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.940 that's the 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.820 same power 00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:18.880 now working 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.660 in Paul 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.460 that raised 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.440 Christ from 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.060 the dead. 00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:24.759 And a lot 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.360 of times we 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.840 think that we 00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:27.540 are beyond 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.280 change. 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:30.100 I have tried 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.680 to change 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.220 year after 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.680 year, 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.400 month after 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:32.800 month. 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.300 I'm getting 00:30:33.300 --> 00:30:33.840 nowhere. 00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.880 I can't 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.540 do it, 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:41.820 but the 00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:42.500 Holy Spirit 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.240 himself, 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:45.160 the one 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.900 who brought 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.640 Christ up 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.120 from the 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.720 dead, 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.780 now dwells 00:30:49.780 --> 00:30:50.600 in me, 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.720 and I 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.180 think I 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.519 can't 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.040 change. 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.740 See, 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.400 for Paul, 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.540 he knew 00:30:59.540 --> 00:30:59.960 it wasn't 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.259 up to 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:00.580 him. 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:02.900 But he 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.200 had a 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:03.900 resource 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.280 that now 00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:05.580 he could 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.180 turn to. 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.560 In all 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:09.900 of these 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.360 things, 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.019 this new 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.900 calling, 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:12.320 this new 00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:13.019 focus, 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.340 new passion, 00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:15.900 in this new 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.440 resource, 00:31:16.800 --> 00:31:17.680 it's not just 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.600 true of Paul. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.720 It's true of 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.740 every one of 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.220 us in 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.660 Christ. 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:24.860 So, 00:31:25.300 --> 00:31:26.280 what does 00:31:26.280 --> 00:31:26.620 it mean? 00:31:28.060 --> 00:31:28.700 What does 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.080 this mean 00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:29.500 for me? 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:31.059 I'll try 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.339 to go 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:31.500 through 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:31.700 these 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.079 quickly. 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.380 But that's 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:35.880 probably one 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.559 resolution I 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:36.819 won't 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.680 fulfill. 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.299 First, 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.200 there's three 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.539 things. 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.599 I need to 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:46.339 develop a 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:46.740 healthier 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.819 discontentment. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.279 I need to 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.880 develop a 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:52.779 healthier 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.759 discontentment 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:56.019 with myself, 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.240 with where 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.819 I am, 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.000 and what 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.460 I'm doing. 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:02.160 I need to 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.819 more fully 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.720 comprehend 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:06.339 the things 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:06.640 that I 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.019 love, 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.019 and the 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.559 things that I 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:09.940 love that 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.480 are worthless 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.819 and cheap. 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:13.980 Paul says 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.359 in verse 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:14.720 eight, 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.640 he says, 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.520 I count 00:32:17.520 --> 00:32:18.100 everything as 00:32:18.100 --> 00:32:18.560 a loss 00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:19.100 because of 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.759 the surpassing 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.240 value of 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.759 knowing Christ 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.080 Jesus, 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.820 my Lord. 00:32:22.780 --> 00:32:23.000 He said, 00:32:23.060 --> 00:32:23.400 for his 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:23.940 sake I have 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.380 suffered the 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:24.720 loss of 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.560 all things 00:32:25.560 --> 00:32:26.220 and count 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.060 them as 00:32:27.060 --> 00:32:28.280 rubbish. 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:30.960 That word 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:32.960 rubbish is a 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.720 four-letter word. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.580 And it 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:37.000 describes 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.540 something you 00:32:37.540 --> 00:32:37.980 would flush 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.380 down a 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:38.660 toilet. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.520 And that's 00:32:43.520 --> 00:32:44.100 the value 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:45.200 he gives 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.860 all of his 00:32:45.860 --> 00:32:46.200 past 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.900 accomplishments. 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.460 And there 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:48.940 are a lot 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.559 of things 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.340 that I am 00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:51.420 pursuing in 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.100 my life 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:53.100 that smell 00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:53.740 bad. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.580 And I 00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:56.920 need to 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.220 know. 00:32:59.120 --> 00:32:59.920 This last 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.840 fall, I'm 00:33:00.840 --> 00:33:01.799 given some 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.519 insight into 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:02.880 some of 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.279 these things. 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.200 One of the 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.500 things the 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:04.860 Lord has 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.319 begun to 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:05.779 show me, 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:06.580 well, not 00:33:06.580 --> 00:33:07.120 show me for 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:07.580 the first 00:33:07.580 --> 00:33:08.640 time, this 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.279 is a long 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.880 running issue 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.519 with me, 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.660 is that I 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:14.220 can be 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.299 very, 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.799 very, 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.659 very 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:18.139 arrogant. 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.399 To the 00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:22.539 point which 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:24.379 I will, 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.159 any group 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:25.799 of people, 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.119 in order for 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:27.779 me to get 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:29.940 attention and 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:31.159 recognition and 00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:31.839 acknowledgement, 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.599 even just by 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.399 way of a few 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:35.899 laughs, I'll 00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:36.659 throw you under 00:33:36.659 --> 00:33:37.159 the bus. 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.919 I'll put you 00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:40.659 down, I'll 00:33:40.659 --> 00:33:41.440 belittle you, 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:44.279 and I'm not 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.059 proud of that. 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:47.259 I hate it. 00:33:48.340 --> 00:33:49.259 I grieve 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.080 over it. 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.600 But that 00:33:54.600 --> 00:33:56.799 revelation is 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.380 a gift. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.860 Because what he's 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.860 showing me is 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:03.420 that there's this 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:05.100 value that I 00:34:05.100 --> 00:34:09.920 have is 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.599 rubbish. 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.320 And we 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.760 need to get 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.240 rid of it. 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.440 And so I 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.500 think I need 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.099 more of this. 00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:20.500 How and 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:20.680 when we're 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:21.039 going to do 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.400 this? 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:24.079 Well, one of 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:24.659 the things that I 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.900 need to do is a 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.599 practice that I 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.579 did some years 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:27.920 ago. 00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.680 I need to have 00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.500 people praying 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.220 for me. 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.119 Some of you 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.579 think in your 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:33.360 resolutions you 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.920 need to start 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.639 praying more. 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.340 Well, that 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:36.220 might be, and 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:36.780 we'll talk about 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:37.180 that in a 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.220 second, but I 00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:38.740 need people 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.699 praying for me. 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.939 I need to go 00:34:41.939 --> 00:34:42.859 out and enlist a 00:34:42.859 --> 00:34:44.139 few people who 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.879 will faithfully 00:34:44.879 --> 00:34:46.559 pray that God 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:47.359 would make me 00:34:47.359 --> 00:34:48.079 very, very 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:50.799 discontent with 00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:52.500 who I am until 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.959 I get to the 00:34:53.959 --> 00:34:54.599 perfection of 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:54.919 Christ. 00:34:57.919 --> 00:34:59.000 Second thing, I 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.799 need to develop a 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:01.000 healthier obsession. 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.719 And that 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.559 obsession needs to 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.179 be with Jesus. 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:09.239 you know, what I 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:09.940 find is that I'm 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.919 willing, you 00:35:10.919 --> 00:35:11.719 know, I fill my 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.519 life with so many 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:15.779 things, so many 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.639 worthless things. 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.179 I mean, they're 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:18.119 not bad in 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:19.419 themselves, but 00:35:19.419 --> 00:35:20.059 they're just, 00:35:21.339 --> 00:35:22.919 they're not the 00:35:22.919 --> 00:35:23.359 best. 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.500 And so I need 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:27.239 this year, I 00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:27.940 need more and 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.839 more to fill my 00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:30.039 eyes, to fill my 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:31.079 mind, to fill my 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:33.440 vision with 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:34.380 glory. 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:37.200 Real glory. 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.860 So what does 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.360 that mean? 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.280 Well, how do I 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:43.840 do that? 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.320 Well, it probably 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:46.559 means that I start 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.400 reading my Bible 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:49.840 from my Bible and 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.400 not from my 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:50.740 iPad. 00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:55.119 The iPad is 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.920 great, especially 00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:57.619 the older you get, 00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:58.840 you can make that 00:35:58.840 --> 00:36:00.059 text really big. 00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:02.440 but there's too 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:03.139 many things on 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.659 there that are 00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:07.500 distracting, that 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.340 take my attention, 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:10.659 that again are not 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.739 evil in themselves, 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:14.320 but when they 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.440 capture the love of 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:18.159 my heart, they've 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.840 become evil. 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:18.900 people. 00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:27.900 So, I need to 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.800 probably put that 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:30.600 away and get 00:36:30.600 --> 00:36:31.519 back to filling my 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.840 mind, my eyes, with 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:33.940 the vision of the 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.900 beauty of Christ. 00:36:36.600 --> 00:36:38.380 To read more 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:40.240 from people who 00:36:40.240 --> 00:36:42.140 also see this 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:43.039 beauty. 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:45.800 Finally, the 00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:46.860 third thing is I 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:48.059 need to develop a 00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:49.139 healthier dependence. 00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:51.940 A dependence on the 00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:52.880 power of God to 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.440 transform. 00:36:54.259 --> 00:36:54.679 And this is 00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:56.019 something I, like 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.840 many of you, have 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.559 trouble believing. 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:00.420 You know, if I'm 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.900 honest, this is 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:02.639 where I struggle 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:03.960 because, like you, 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.960 I have tried to 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:05.460 change. 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:07.000 I have tried to 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:09.400 reform my life. 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.360 I have tried to do 00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:11.199 better in a lot of 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:11.920 these areas. 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:14.159 And sometimes, when I 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:15.159 don't see a whole lot 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.259 of success, I get 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:17.099 very cynical. 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:19.059 I have tried to 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.940 do better in a 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.440 way. 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.940 I have tried to 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.440 do better in a 00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:22.500 way. 00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:22.940 I have tried to 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.440 do better in a 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:23.460 way. 00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.360 The problem is, though, 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:26.440 it's me that I've 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:28.940 been trusting and not 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.199 him. 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.840 And so, instead of 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:35.659 determining myself what 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.420 must be done and 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:38.099 determining that I 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.159 myself will make it 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.380 happen, I need a 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.239 different outlook. 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:41.299 work. 00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:45.519 It's not up to me. 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.559 But I am not 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:48.919 helpless. 00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:51.579 And I have not been 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:53.000 abandoned to myself. 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:56.440 I have the spirit. 00:37:58.000 --> 00:38:01.159 And to him, I need to 00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:03.260 more often, more 00:38:03.260 --> 00:38:05.840 constantly turn in 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:07.039 prayer and 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:08.780 dependence that he 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:10.579 might come and do in 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:14.019 me what he desires to 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.360 do. 00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:18.240 and then rest in his 00:38:18.240 --> 00:38:19.519 work. 00:38:24.360 --> 00:38:25.420 So how am I going to 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.280 see all this happen? 00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:31.620 If it's just me, it 00:38:31.620 --> 00:38:32.180 won't. 00:38:34.519 --> 00:38:35.860 But it has to start 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:36.160 here. 00:38:37.680 --> 00:38:40.460 That I am in 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:41.600 Christ. 00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:47.180 I am righteous. 00:38:47.800 --> 00:38:48.960 I am pleasing. 00:38:49.660 --> 00:38:50.700 I have been drawn 00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:51.220 near. 00:38:51.620 --> 00:38:52.920 I have been approved. 00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:54.480 He accepts me. 00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:55.519 And I am the 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:57.199 delight of his 00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.019 heart. 00:38:58.239 --> 00:39:00.380 Because I am 00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:01.320 his bride. 00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:07.519 And that has 00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:08.980 to capture my 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.420 heart. 00:39:10.199 --> 00:39:11.599 So that now 00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:12.440 me, 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:15.739 the bride, 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:18.099 who is totally 00:39:18.099 --> 00:39:19.239 overcome 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:22.199 by the love 00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:23.500 of my bridegroom, 00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:28.039 I want nothing 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:30.320 more than 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:30.659 him. 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:33.679 May this 00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:34.199 year, 00:39:35.199 --> 00:39:36.239 may God 00:39:36.239 --> 00:39:36.719 through his 00:39:36.719 --> 00:39:37.219 spirit, 00:39:38.039 --> 00:39:38.559 give me 00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:40.059 a greater 00:39:40.059 --> 00:39:40.719 sense 00:39:40.719 --> 00:39:42.280 of him. 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:45.000 And I hope 00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:45.679 he'll do it for you 00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:45.880 too. 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:47.000 Let's pray. 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.059 Father, 00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:48.860 thank you for 00:39:48.860 --> 00:39:49.659 your grace. 00:39:49.659 --> 00:39:51.420 thank you for 00:39:51.420 --> 00:39:52.079 your love. 00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:55.539 Help us to 00:39:55.539 --> 00:39:56.239 comprehend it 00:39:56.239 --> 00:39:56.759 more fully. 00:39:58.399 --> 00:39:59.159 That you would 00:39:59.159 --> 00:39:59.859 have our hearts 00:39:59.859 --> 00:40:01.339 holy to 00:40:01.339 --> 00:40:01.859 yourself. 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:03.639 Because it's 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.859 only in you 00:40:04.859 --> 00:40:06.059 that we will 00:40:06.059 --> 00:40:06.859 find the joy 00:40:06.859 --> 00:40:07.799 that you've 00:40:07.799 --> 00:40:08.139 promised. 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:10.599 Thank you, 00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:11.399 in Jesus' name. 00:40:11.519 --> 00:40:11.719 Amen. 00:40:11.719 --> 00:40:11.819 Amen. 00:40:11.820 --> 00:40:17.640 For more 00:40:17.640 --> 00:40:18.180 information, 00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:18.960 visit us 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:19.860 online at 00:40:19.860 --> 00:40:20.760 southwood.org.