WEBVTT 00:00:00.860 --> 00:00:07.320 If you're a guest here, as we go through the book of Romans, verse by verse, every week, 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:12.259 I want to try to help you to understand that everything that you read is connected to Romans 00:00:12.259 --> 00:00:13.620 1, 16 and 17. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:16.420 So we read it together at least once every Sunday. 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:21.039 And so while we're standing, you don't have to stand, I mean, while we're standing, could 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:23.160 you say this out loud with me? 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:30.660 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:34.640 who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:00:35.120 --> 00:00:40.079 For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:43.960 As it is written, the righteous shall live by faith. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:45.620 Just bow your heads in prayer. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:52.600 Father, we give you thanks and praise that you have done the right thing and you have 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:58.600 moved with effective power in the person of your son to make human beings who trust and 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:01.179 believe in Jesus, to make them right with him. 00:01:01.620 --> 00:01:06.099 We thank you, Father, for your kindness, forbearance, and patience towards us. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:12.280 We ask, Father, that you would pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, to deliver us from all 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:19.000 presumption, from all presumption that we somehow are special, that we get a pass, that you cut 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:23.359 us slack, that we don't need Jesus and what he did for us on the cross. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:28.460 Father, we ask that you would deliver us from all presumption and replace that presumption 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:35.400 with a deep humility before you and a deep hunger for what you have effectively and powerfully 00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:37.780 done for us in the person of your son. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:40.200 Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. 00:01:40.539 --> 00:01:43.659 We ask this in the name of Jesus, your son and our savior. 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:44.439 Amen. 00:01:44.439 --> 00:01:45.819 Please be seated. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:02:00.439 So, imagine for a moment that Islam is right and we're wrong and Allah is God. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:03.120 That would suck, eh? 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:04.459 For a lot of us. 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:14.039 And so, we discover, we die and we go before, you know, we die and we're expecting to see 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:20.079 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and all that, but instead we see Allah. 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:26.859 And if I understand the teaching correctly, I mean, maybe we have a friend here who's a 00:02:26.859 --> 00:02:29.560 Muslim who's joined us, but we're all going to hell. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:31.639 And that would suck. 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:37.299 And so, you know, if that was the case, I think I could very easily say, oh, come on, 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:39.019 Allah, give me a break, okay? 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:44.839 First of all, like, I was pretty sure that Jesus was the Son of God and that there's the 00:02:44.839 --> 00:02:47.759 Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and that I put my faith and trust in him. 00:02:47.839 --> 00:02:52.079 And beyond that, like, I actually, you know, I lived, you know, by the standards of Canada, 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:53.560 I lived a fairly moral life. 00:02:54.179 --> 00:02:54.739 And come on. 00:02:54.779 --> 00:02:57.619 And then the second thing I'd say to him, I said, and come on, Allah, you got to give me 00:02:57.619 --> 00:02:58.079 a break. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:03.740 Like, how on earth could you expect me to learn seventh century Arabic so I could read 00:03:03.740 --> 00:03:06.460 the Koran and figure out how I'm supposed to live? 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.380 Like, that's not a very fair way of judging. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:13.900 I don't think Allah would be particularly impressed by that. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:16.120 And off to hell I would go. 00:03:16.720 --> 00:03:21.060 But inwardly, I would say, gosh, that's just not very fair of Allah that expect me to learn 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:26.060 seventh century Arabic so I could properly read the Koran and understand his demands. 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:28.000 Now, here's the thing. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:34.920 That scenario is exactly how most people in Ottawa view Christianity. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:41.420 Like, when we pose that mental examination of what it would be like if we die and we 00:03:41.420 --> 00:03:45.860 discover that we're wrong and Allah is God and Islam has always been right, Muhammad was 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:50.340 the prophet, and how that would suck and it doesn't seem very fair, that's exactly how 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:55.060 our co-workers and our neighbors view the Christian faith and the Bible's claims. 00:03:56.060 --> 00:04:02.420 So the question is, is God really unfair and unreasonable? 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:10.280 Does he expect us to live up to his particular commands and understand his word and to judge 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:10.699 it by us? 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:16.060 And just as we would think it was unfair of Allah, are our neighbors, do they have a really 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:19.040 good point that God is maybe being unfair? 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:26.240 Well, our Bible text that Ken read actually talks directly to this question in a profound 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:29.100 way, a very, very, very profound way. 00:04:29.200 --> 00:04:33.280 So it would be a great help to me if you could get your Bibles out and turn to Romans chapter 00:04:33.280 --> 00:04:33.700 two. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:35.960 And once again, there's always Bibles at the front. 00:04:36.080 --> 00:04:38.980 Don't mind if people are sitting around, you notice, you can just get up and get a Bible 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:39.840 at any point in time. 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:44.779 If you use your phones to follow the Bible, I just ask that you don't check your Facebook 00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:48.639 profile or updates or anything like that, just try to stay focused. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:53.379 But the Bible, in fact, addresses this. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:54.319 How does it address it? 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:00.279 And it's Romans chapter two, verses one to, well, I'll read verses one to five and then 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:03.459 we'll circle back and I'll draw out to you what's going on in the text. 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:08.079 Therefore, you have no excuse. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:13.459 If you want to listen later on to the sermon last week, you have a sense of what went on 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:14.299 just before this. 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:21.319 And sort of from that, Paul is moving into something that follows sort of logically from 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:21.519 it. 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:26.679 Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:33.179 For in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself because you, the judge, 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:35.299 practice the very same things. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:36.539 Just pause there for a second. 00:05:37.039 --> 00:05:40.319 What we're going to see here is that the Bible is not talking about hypocrisy. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:43.919 It's not warning us against our hypocrisy. 00:05:44.159 --> 00:05:48.799 The Bible, we're going to see it in a moment, the Bible is making a far different point than 00:05:48.799 --> 00:05:49.779 mere hypocrisy. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:56.159 Verse two, we know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:05:56.359 --> 00:06:02.459 Do you suppose, O man, you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:04.819 that you will escape the judgment of God? 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:11.239 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that 00:06:11.239 --> 00:06:14.099 God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 00:06:14.979 --> 00:06:21.019 But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:24.259 day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:27.319 Just before I get into my first point, you know what? 00:06:27.399 --> 00:06:31.319 One of the things that just struck me this morning, not this morning, this week as I 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:35.860 was working on this sermon, you'll notice here it's a very, very different way that 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:38.879 we understand God's wrath is what the Bible says right here. 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:42.339 You are storing up wrath for yourself. 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:46.199 It doesn't say God is storing up wrath. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:49.019 It says you are storing up wrath. 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:53.259 Maybe we'll talk about that in a moment, but it's a very thought-provoking idea, isn't it? 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:58.559 It sort of throws how a lot of us think about these things on its head and throws a whole 00:06:58.559 --> 00:06:59.959 lot of what we think out the window. 00:07:01.039 --> 00:07:03.359 But here, Andrew, if you could put up the first point for me. 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:07.399 Here's the first point, and I'll explain what it is in the text. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:14.060 God impartially judges me by the judgments I pass on others. 00:07:14.719 --> 00:07:21.019 God impartially judges me by the judgments I pass on others. 00:07:21.799 --> 00:07:27.779 So one of the first things to see here, remember the question that is before us is, you know, 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:34.120 just as we would feel it would suck big time if it turns out that Allah is God and Muhammad 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:39.600 was his prophet, and all of a sudden we're judged on a 7th century Arabic text which we 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:40.780 can't even read. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:46.199 In fact, most Muslims can't read 7th century Arabic. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:50.399 I mean, and that sort of would be, seems really unfair. 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:56.800 So is the God of the Bible, is the Christian faith doing the same type of thing to all of us? 00:07:56.860 --> 00:08:00.800 Well, the first thing to notice is verse 4, how it describes God. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.819 The Bible here describes God, it says, 00:08:03.960 --> 00:08:08.460 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:12.560 not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:18.900 The true and living God who's created all things and sustains all things and sovereignly is over 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:25.439 all things and will bring all things to their proper end is rich, rich in kindness, 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:30.160 rich in forbearance, and rich in patience. 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:38.299 You see, you know, it sometimes really bothers some Christians this idea that God has no needs, 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:41.080 that he has no environment, that God is unchanging. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:49.080 But, and we can take those truths in a way that will lead us into a type of cold, heartless, arid deism. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:55.440 But it's meant, those doctrines are meant to protect this wonderful truth that God is rich. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:09:00.920 And in the original language, it's like an overabunding, unending richness. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:08.139 That because God has no environment, has no needs, and is therefore completely and utterly unchanging, 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:12.300 we don't have to wake up tomorrow thinking that God is somehow now a different God. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:18.579 That tomorrow, God wakes up and he ran out of coffee and he has a caffeine withdrawal headache, 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:21.199 and so he's going to be unbelievably grumpy. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:22.639 We don't have to worry about that. 00:09:23.339 --> 00:09:26.899 God is the kindest being that you will ever know. 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:30.519 He is the most patient and most forbearing. 00:09:31.219 --> 00:09:35.799 And everything that he does, even his judgment, comes out of his kindness. 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:42.559 And that's the first, and we see his kindness in terms of verse 1. 00:09:43.359 --> 00:09:44.759 Therefore, look at that again, 00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:48.459 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges, 00:09:49.579 --> 00:09:54.419 for in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself, 00:09:54.599 --> 00:09:57.319 because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:00.719 And it's very, notice that phrase, passing judgment. 00:10:01.479 --> 00:10:04.039 Like in Canada, who legally passes judgment? 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:05.399 The court. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.199 Right? 00:10:07.359 --> 00:10:07.799 The court. 00:10:08.599 --> 00:10:10.740 And in Paul's time, there could be the courts, 00:10:10.839 --> 00:10:14.479 but ultimately the emperor is the one who can override most of these things 00:10:14.479 --> 00:10:15.779 at the time that Paul is writing. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:22.899 And so, in a sense, what Paul is saying here is that in our average moral experience, 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:27.979 we regularly act as if we are the emperor of the earth, 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.359 of all of the known earth. 00:10:29.359 --> 00:10:34.979 In fact, we act like we are Zeus or Venus or some god with a small g. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:39.960 And there are times when we look down our nose at others and pass judgment. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:45.280 We pass judgment on how they dress, how they eat, how they walk, how they exercise, 00:10:45.920 --> 00:10:51.900 how they study, how they sleep, how they drive, as well as moral things. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:55.379 Just the other day, I was driving along and I was behind a car. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:58.220 And obviously, the guy had a bit of a, I don't know, 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:01.360 maybe his girlfriend or his kids or something put it on him, 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.960 and then he couldn't get it off. 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.519 But the bumper sticker said, 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:07.940 why is it that I'm the only person on the planet who knows how to drive? 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:14.159 And, you know, the fact of the matter is, 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:16.419 probably somebody had been sitting in the seat with him 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:18.680 and hearing how he talked about other people's driving, 00:11:18.680 --> 00:11:24.320 and he was sitting like Zeus in judgment over all of us other drivers. 00:11:24.800 --> 00:11:27.980 Meanwhile, we're thinking, one moment, I can drive better than him. 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:28.279 Right? 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:28.959 Isn't that what happens? 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:36.299 So, what this text is saying is completely and utterly shocking. 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.480 God says, I'm a kind God. 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:42.959 I am forbearing and I'm very patient. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:46.399 And so what I'm going to do, George, 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:49.100 is something unbelievably self-effacing. 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:51.839 I am going to set aside my own character, 00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:54.819 the fact I am the good, the true, and the beautiful. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.559 I am love itself. 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:59.619 And I am not going to judge a single human being right now 00:11:59.619 --> 00:12:03.659 by the proper standards that I would be well within my rights to do. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.259 You know what I'm going to just do, George? 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:06.359 I'm going to take you. 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:11.319 And so I die, and I appear now before God's judgment seat, 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:15.139 and God says, George, you know, I'm so kind. 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:17.599 What I'm going to do is, you didn't realize this, 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:22.100 but throughout your life, I've tape recorded every time you, like Zeus, 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.300 have sat in judgment. 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:27.259 And I'm going to play them on the screen. 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.420 And so there's an audience watching, 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:33.600 and every one of those times that I, like Zeus, 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:36.540 have passed judgment on people. 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:38.319 It's all recorded. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.339 And then God says to me, 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.899 so George, I'm not going to pass judgment on you 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.379 based on my standards. 00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:47.659 You've acted like God. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.139 I'm going to let you judge yourself. 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:50.659 No, no, no, no, no, no. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.980 I'm not going to let you give you a pass. 00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:55.740 We now have all of these judgments that you have made, 00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:59.159 and now we're going to roll a second video. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:02.980 And the second video is what you've actually done in your life, 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:05.259 not only what you've done and failed to do, 00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:07.000 but also what you've thought in your head. 00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:11.620 And every time you, by your action or your thought, 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:13.679 violate one of your own judgments, 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:17.219 I'm going to have an angel over here 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:19.959 bang a big drum really hard. 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.839 And before you know it, 00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:26.799 as the screen starts to play, 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:33.259 the sound of the drum would be constant and unending 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:35.819 and get louder and louder and louder and louder. 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.379 And it would unmake me. 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:44.479 With God not doing a single thing in terms of his judgments, 00:13:44.719 --> 00:13:45.819 just letting me, 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:48.199 when I thought I was like Zeus, 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:50.299 passing judgment on others, 00:13:50.479 --> 00:13:53.279 just letting me judge myself by those same standards, 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:56.419 the drumming would be deafening 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:59.159 and would in and of itself unmake me. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:03.779 In those old English cathedrals with lots of bells, 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.799 according to Dorothy Sayers, 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:08.519 if you're up there when they're all going off, 00:14:08.839 --> 00:14:10.559 it can actually kill you, 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:12.199 according to Dorothy Sayers. 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:12.879 It must be true. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.519 That's the image here 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:18.639 of chapter 2, verse 1. 00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:20.779 It's a profound image. 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.759 That's, you see, 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:24.819 why I said that God impartially judges me 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:27.519 by the judgments I pass on others. 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.799 It's why, 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.579 in verse 1, 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.059 it says, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.000 therefore you have no excuse. 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:36.100 In fact, 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.899 if we just realize, 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:39.679 if you think about it for a second, 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:41.339 what it would be like for God 00:14:41.339 --> 00:14:42.319 to just show, 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.079 I mean, 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.500 first of all, 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.179 wouldn't we just be, 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.419 I mean, 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:45.059 we're already dead, 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:46.699 but we would just be so mortified 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:49.739 that others would actually get to hear 00:14:49.739 --> 00:14:52.099 the ways that we have been like Zeus 00:14:52.099 --> 00:14:53.839 and what we've judged them over. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.559 And then, 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:57.039 when they actually as well 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:58.739 see how we have violated 00:14:58.739 --> 00:14:59.759 our own judgments 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.399 or not done our own judgments, 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:04.559 that we would want to cry out, 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.299 God, 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:08.539 unless you do something to rescue me, 00:15:08.619 --> 00:15:09.500 I am undone. 00:15:11.099 --> 00:15:12.019 Only you, 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:14.039 only you can act 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.879 to rescue me 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.639 from such a thing. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.199 I can't rescue myself 00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:18.879 from the fate 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.799 that I have imposed 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:20.899 and brought upon myself 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.600 that I have stored up 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:24.159 for myself. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.740 Not knowing 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.919 that your kindness 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.279 was to give me time 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.259 to call out to you 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:30.779 and realize 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.519 what I've been doing 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.860 and how I've been living my life 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.879 and call out to you 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.159 to say, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:34.860 only God, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.639 only you, 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.240 only you can act 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.319 to rescue me 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:39.480 from such a situation. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.240 Now, 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.740 some of us 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.759 might even just wonder 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.139 a little bit 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.519 about this whole judgment thing. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.419 One of the things 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:50.860 with God 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.720 has been very kind 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.620 to us as a congregation 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:54.139 is that people 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.199 have left our congregation 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:56.840 to become missionaries. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.419 In a sense, 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.939 it's part of our wider reach. 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.279 In fact, 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.439 some of the people 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:01.939 who have gone off 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.399 for missionaries, 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.279 I can't even tell you 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:03.919 where they've gone 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.819 because they're sort of 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.860 closed societies. 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:07.179 But, 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.879 we have somebody 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.699 preparing now 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.259 to go off, 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.980 hoping to go off, 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.980 within the next little while 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.779 to the mission field. 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.539 And we had Jeremy 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.819 who was with us last week 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:17.019 who for a season 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.759 is in Sarnia 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.299 but in the spring 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.919 he'll be going to Zambia. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:21.879 And he was telling me 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:24.240 that when he was in Holland 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:26.399 for his 10 days 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.740 of intensive preparation 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.460 to go off 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.559 to the mission field 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:31.220 and Operation Mobilization 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.799 brought people 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.779 from all over the world 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.179 together 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:34.419 for 10 days of training 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:36.620 in rural Holland. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.279 And part of the training 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.939 that they did 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:40.980 was to understand 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.340 the cultural context 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.940 of hearing 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.279 how people will hear 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.940 different things 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.480 in the Bible. 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.240 And one of the things 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.240 about how people 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.820 hear things 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.519 in the Bible 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.100 is that they're all 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.680 just used to 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.840 a social culture 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.300 where judgments 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:55.539 are passed on them 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.500 and consequences 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.220 come to them 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.399 by different type 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.000 of grounds 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.800 or criteria. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.600 So, for instance, 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.740 like if one of us 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.380 was driving 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.539 after this service 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.660 or just even walking, 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.640 let's say we're driving, 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:08.820 and all of a sudden 00:17:08.820 --> 00:17:09.520 a cop car 00:17:09.520 --> 00:17:10.280 comes behind us 00:17:10.280 --> 00:17:11.460 and the lights go on 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.740 and they pull us over 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.040 and if the cop 00:17:14.040 --> 00:17:14.580 came to me 00:17:14.580 --> 00:17:15.500 and it was a woman cop 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.540 and I said, 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.320 I'm sorry officer, 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.020 what have I done? 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:18.400 And she said, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.140 I'm giving you a ticket 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.920 because you're a man. 00:17:21.060 --> 00:17:22.440 I give tickets to men. 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.020 I think they all 00:17:24.020 --> 00:17:24.840 deserve tickets. 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:27.020 I would be shocked. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.800 Or if she said, 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.640 well you have gray hair, 00:17:28.780 --> 00:17:29.840 I give tickets 00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:31.460 to people with gray hair. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.120 Or for one of you, 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.820 if you got a ticket 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.540 and they said to you, 00:17:34.580 --> 00:17:35.560 well you're black 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.259 or you're Asian, 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.720 I give tickets to Asians. 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.980 Well, if we were smart, 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.059 we wouldn't get really mad at them. 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:44.099 We would take that ticket 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.919 and we couldn't wait 00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:45.940 until we went to court. 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:46.980 Right? 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.299 For our day in court 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.779 to get that cop. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.980 Because we, 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:55.139 without realizing it, 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.019 our culture 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.059 has been profoundly influenced 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.919 by the Bible 00:17:58.919 --> 00:18:00.220 in terms of how 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.559 it understands judgment. 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.339 I want to bring out 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.440 not only how our culture, 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.359 even if we no longer 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.179 understand that it comes 00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:06.759 from the Bible, 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.659 but how our culture 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:08.299 has been influenced 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:08.979 by judgment 00:18:08.979 --> 00:18:10.099 and how it is 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.799 that we are to hear 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.859 this whole idea of judgment 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:13.279 and how it is different 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.419 from many people in the world 00:18:14.419 --> 00:18:14.919 hearing this. 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.439 It's in verses 6 to 11. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.399 If you would follow along 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:17.779 with me, 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.819 verses 6 to 11. 00:18:20.219 --> 00:18:20.459 He, 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.259 that's God, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.559 will render 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:24.019 to each one, 00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:24.979 each person, 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:26.659 according to his 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.740 or her works. 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.000 We're going to explain 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.559 this in a moment. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.979 To those who, 00:18:31.159 --> 00:18:31.939 by patience 00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:32.719 and well-doing, 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.699 seek for glory 00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:34.240 and honor 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.200 and immortality, 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.339 God will give 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.000 eternal life. 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.779 But for those 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.120 who are self-seeking 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:41.539 and do not obey 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.220 the truth, 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:44.299 but obey unrighteousness, 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.440 there will be wrath 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.079 and fury. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.960 There will be tribulation 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.599 and distress 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.900 for every human being 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.720 who does evil, 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:51.920 the Jew first 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.859 and also the Greek. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.380 But glory and honor 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:54.880 and peace 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.480 for everyone 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.259 who does good, 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.640 the Jew first 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.680 and also the Greek. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.839 For God 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.680 shows 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.480 no partiality. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.200 And just at a literary 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.980 point of view, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:08.400 this long section 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.519 in the original language 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.099 is what's called 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.700 a chiasm. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.700 And this is a 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:14.420 grammar geek moment. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.259 I hope I don't put you 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.880 to sleep with it. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.120 But in this case, 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.319 unlike most texts 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.660 where the key thing 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.180 is in the middle 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.640 and this thing, 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.360 it's the frame 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.200 which is important. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.960 Verse 6 and verse 11. 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.259 He will render 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.980 to each one 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.160 according to his works 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.799 for God shows 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.920 no partiality. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.000 In fact, Andrew, 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.599 if you could put up 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.380 the second point, 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.240 here's how I put it. 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:36.839 God impartially judges me 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.359 by what I do 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:40.259 and why I do it. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.799 And I always try 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.660 to put my points, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.059 if I can remember 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.420 to do it, 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.079 I always try to put it 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.480 with I, 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.519 not to be self-centered 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.359 but so that if you 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:47.960 write it down 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.619 to remember it, 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.279 then you're writing 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.980 it down as I. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.839 So the point isn't saying, 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.960 oh, George is like that. 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:53.839 It's like, 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.319 this is for you 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.119 to take home, right? 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.759 So that you write down 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.140 in light of verses 6 to 11, 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:01.080 and God impartially judges me 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.280 by what I do 00:20:02.280 --> 00:20:04.000 and why I do it. 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:06.120 And so we see here 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:07.460 that in many parts 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.160 of the world, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.500 in many parts 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:10.940 of the world, 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:12.280 and I think Canada 00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:13.259 is losing this 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.660 biblical heritage 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.759 of understanding 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.420 of justice. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.100 You can get pulled over 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:20.960 by what caste, 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:22.240 you will be treated 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.660 different by what caste 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.259 you're in 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.819 or what tribe 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.740 you're part of 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:29.000 or what social class 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.359 that you are part of 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:35.539 or just how you look 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.319 and that's how judgment 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.839 is meted out to you. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.859 That in many parts 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.299 of the world, 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.160 it does, 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.420 you know, 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.460 if you get pulled over 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.140 by a cop 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:44.539 and you say, 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:44.960 by the way, 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.359 did you know 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:47.160 that my cousin 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.920 is the governor? 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:49.839 They'd say, 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.259 oh, I'm really, 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:50.879 really sorry. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.519 Really, 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.079 really sorry. 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:54.939 Really sorry. 00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.000 Didn't mean to do that. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.099 It depends, 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.939 in many parts 00:20:59.939 --> 00:21:00.460 of the world, 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.199 in your circle 00:21:02.199 --> 00:21:03.240 of relationships, 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.519 who your protector 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.419 or mentor 00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:07.759 or boss 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:09.019 or company is, 00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:10.839 it depends on your caste, 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.759 on your tribe, 00:21:11.939 --> 00:21:12.500 on the color 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.259 of your skin 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.299 and that's how 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.899 you're judged. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.460 And what the Bible 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.279 is saying here 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:19.419 is that if you 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.619 are from that background, 00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:21.779 in the back of your mind, 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.500 you think that you 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.059 should be treated 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.279 a little bit differently 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.079 because of, 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.700 well, 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.059 because I'm university educated, 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.859 because I'm Canadian 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.299 or whatever. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.779 A couple of years ago, 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.359 my wife and I 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.200 were coming home 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.700 and we were coming 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.920 down Sussex 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.220 and all of a sudden 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.000 all of the traffic 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.539 stopped. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.180 And the traffic 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.839 all stopped 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.759 because a certain 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.599 very prominent 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.259 Canadian, 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:44.000 known for his 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.319 sort of 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:47.579 left of center views, 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.460 his daughter 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.259 was married. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.440 and so 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.160 the important 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.819 poobahs 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.420 at the wedding 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.420 in the cathedral 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:56.039 to walk across 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.539 the street, 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.299 they weren't like 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.920 other people 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.460 who had to wait 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:58.900 for the light 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.339 to change. 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.099 They had police 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.660 there to stop 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.359 all the traffic 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.440 until they got across. 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.720 My Irish blood 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.359 was boiling. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.200 Us Irish people 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.140 have a long history 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.859 of resenting 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.339 the English. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.700 Sorry, 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.900 I had to get that out. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.620 I will confess 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.300 it afterwards. 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.180 It's one of those 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.780 things I'm still 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:20.759 in therapy over 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.740 and seeking 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.560 healing over. 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.240 It's just that 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.640 in this Irish blood 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.900 and it just boils 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.400 at that. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.820 But you see, 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.840 the green lights 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.960 don't apply to him 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.660 in that particular 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.900 case and his family 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:33.400 because 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:36.160 important Canadian 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.740 with important 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.700 Canadian guests. 00:22:39.300 --> 00:22:40.000 Coach of the Senators 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.660 was one of the guys 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.240 at the time 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.660 was walking 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.440 across the street. 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:45.799 And so the Bible 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.320 here is saying 00:22:46.320 --> 00:22:47.500 something which is 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:49.519 profoundly revolutionary 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.380 because you see 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:51.160 the fact of the matter 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.120 is that being treated 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.900 impartially 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.980 is not a natural fact. 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.140 In fact, 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.000 by nature, 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.220 by nature 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.299 we are not equal. 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.380 By nature, 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.000 some are old 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.700 and some are young. 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.320 Some are rich 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.000 and some are poor. 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.720 Some are strong 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.539 and some are weak. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.840 Some are well-connected 00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:06.960 and some have no connection. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.240 Some have lots of skills. 00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:09.620 Some have no skills. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.880 And so by nature, 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.460 it's very obvious 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.340 that certain people 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.020 in certain groups 00:23:14.020 --> 00:23:14.620 in my group 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.380 and not your group 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.280 should have some type 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:17.680 of special edge. 00:23:17.840 --> 00:23:18.620 That there should be 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:19.780 some presumption 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:21.260 or bias towards us. 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.660 But the Bible here says 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:24.700 that is not what God is like. 00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:26.660 It is so easy for us 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:28.900 to project onto God 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:30.840 our natural inclinations 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:31.580 and proclivities 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.480 and the way 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.740 that our culture works 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.540 and think that 00:23:34.540 --> 00:23:36.360 that is what God is like 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.520 and then we don't like it 00:23:37.520 --> 00:23:38.680 without realizing 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.620 that we're not actually 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:40.440 looking at God. 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.640 We're looking at ourselves. 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.160 But the God 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.100 who does exist, 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.580 verse 6, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.539 He will render 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.400 to each one 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.820 according to His works. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.480 And God shows 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.559 no partiality. 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.180 Doesn't matter 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.140 if you're prominent Canadian. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.620 Doesn't matter 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.440 if you're poor Canadian. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:56.960 Doesn't matter 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.740 what color you are, 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.500 what race you are, 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.960 what sexual orientation 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.480 you have. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.420 God is completely 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.900 and utterly impartial. 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.340 And He's rich 00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:05.940 in kindness 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.799 and forbearance 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.320 and patience 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:08.299 and there is no one 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.240 that you will ever meet 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.099 that is more kind 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:10.559 than Him. 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.359 Now some of you 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:14.839 might be saying, 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.140 George, 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.519 aren't you, 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.380 doesn't this text 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.079 contradict yourself? 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.400 That was, 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.079 whoa, 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.039 that was pretty good, 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.319 George. 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.720 But look, 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.299 aren't you going to try 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.039 to say that it's all 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.700 up to Jesus? 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.380 But here, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.180 doesn't it seem to say 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.819 in verse 7, 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:27.259 to those who by practice, 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.039 by patience 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.720 and well-doing 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.400 seek for glory 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.740 and honor 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.519 and immortality, 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.339 He will give 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.819 eternal life. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.079 George, 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.620 doesn't that sort of 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.319 contradict what, 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.539 like Romans 1, 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.759 16 to 17? 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.480 Gotcha. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.139 No, 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.980 it doesn't contradict 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.539 it at all. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:40.960 It's helping us 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.659 to understand 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.379 what the righteousness 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.299 of God means 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.379 and what salvation 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:46.220 means. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:49.399 And I'll use it 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:49.859 to give a bit 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.639 of an illustration, 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.399 just around the 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.519 illustration of glory, 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:57.819 which usually has 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.440 with it a bit 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:58.859 of an image 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.460 of brightness 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.399 or light. 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:03.580 And the problem 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:05.800 is that human beings, 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:07.100 because we like 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.300 to act like Zeus, 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:09.240 and we're not even 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.980 aware of the fact 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.660 that we like to act 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.300 like Zeus 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:12.980 and stand in judgment 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.300 high above other people, 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.340 pointing our fingers, 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.040 and, you know, 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:18.220 we should just be so glad 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.720 that in Canada 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.280 all we can do 00:25:19.280 --> 00:25:20.280 is point our fingers. 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.420 A very well-known 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:24.140 pacifist songwriter, 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:24.720 I think it was 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.200 in the 80s 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.880 or the 90s, 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.940 wrote a famous song, 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.500 If I Had a Rocket Launcher. 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:30.940 If I Had a Rocket Launcher, 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.319 some bleepity-bleepity-bleep 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.859 would die. 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.799 And all we can do 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.039 is point our fingers. 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.339 But we have this 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.519 deep-seated, 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.319 inbuilt sense 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.900 that somehow 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.680 we are a God 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.539 with a small g. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.359 We don't wake up 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.200 every morning saying, 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.200 isn't it remarkable 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.079 that I once again 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.880 awake in a world 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.759 where there is a creator 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.000 who sustains all things 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.779 who has made me. 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.440 That's not how we wake up 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.720 usually and how we think. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:59.799 And so we inherently think 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:01.200 that we are like 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.220 a light source 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.640 and not like a mirror. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.559 And so the glory 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.420 refers to us 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.940 getting better batteries. 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:12.059 We're shining our lens 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.779 so that we will 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:14.759 shine more brightly. 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:17.100 But the Bible 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:18.759 is realistic 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.940 without being cynical 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:21.420 and always knows 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.500 that as a created being, 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:24.620 I am never a flashlight. 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:25.799 I am only a mirror. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:28.639 And so what that means, 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.000 you see, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.099 is if we're in a world, 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.740 if we were to go 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.279 into a room, 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:32.059 I don't know if this room 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.659 would manage it, 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.480 but it might come close. 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:33.879 No, it wouldn't 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.240 because of light. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.879 If we were able to have 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:36.139 a complete power outage 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.119 and we were to be 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.799 in this building 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.259 and every single door 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.440 was completely sealed 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.220 so that no light 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.839 could get in, 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.480 we wouldn't, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.159 we tend to think of ourselves 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.859 as flashlights 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.659 that we would shine. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.819 But we're not like that. 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.579 We're like mirrors. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:50.799 And so whatever glory 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:54.759 pertains or comes to us 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.579 or from us 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.720 is only if we are 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.399 like a mirror 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.759 reflecting the glory 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.679 and the light of God. 00:27:00.699 --> 00:27:01.319 So you see, 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.279 we read verse 7 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.819 and we say, 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.899 oh yeah, 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.019 well that's just all 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.399 about me becoming brighter. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.299 That's about me 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.980 becoming more, 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.899 I don't know how 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.839 I can become immortal. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:14.099 But what the text 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.980 is saying here, 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.819 it's actually, 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.240 all the way through the Bible, 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.359 whenever it talks about 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:21.960 to those who by patience 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.299 in well-doing 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.359 seek for glory 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.659 and honor 00:27:25.659 --> 00:27:26.599 and immortality, 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.139 he will give eternal life. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:31.519 But it's all, 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.339 it's referring 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:35.819 to when we call out to God 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:39.740 and ask God 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.839 to do what only he can do. 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.859 When we, in a sense, 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.339 finally give up 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.639 our posture 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:49.000 of being like this 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:53.280 and we say, 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:54.080 only God, 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.320 only you, 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:57.340 only you can rescue me 00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:57.820 from this. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.540 That at that point in time 00:28:00.540 --> 00:28:01.960 we're no longer seeking 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.259 our own ambition 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:05.860 and our own exaltation, 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.840 but we are seeking God 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.500 to act 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:10.780 and then like a mirror, 00:28:10.780 --> 00:28:13.160 a mirror with the back 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:14.280 which does not reflect 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.819 and when we look down 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:16.839 and when we look down, 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.599 we're closing ourselves 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.379 off from the light. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.839 All we do is create shadows, 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.579 not brightness. 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.379 But all of a sudden 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.299 when we turn 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:27.279 to him alone 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.599 who can give eternal life, 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:32.200 then the light comes 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:33.440 and shines on us 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.059 who are a mirror 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.220 and it is reflected out. 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.779 And the honor we get 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.539 is not honor 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.880 because of anything 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.880 we've done or accomplished 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.640 but an honor 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.480 and a recognition 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.220 and a welcome 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.299 that comes from God 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.259 to us. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:45.700 In fact, 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.740 in verse 8, 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.279 you'll notice 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.079 how it goes 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:50.980 to those who by patience 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.579 and well-doing 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.360 seek for glory 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.779 and honor 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.559 and immortality. 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.600 It's talking about 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.799 a change of our direction 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.779 to call out to God 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:58.100 to do what only he can do. 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.400 In verse 8, 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.720 it says, 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.079 but, 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.240 and that's a good word, 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:01.500 but, 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:03.079 in the original language, 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.900 it's a far, 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.640 there's no word, 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.039 almost to put it 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.980 in proper English 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.380 to really get the emphasis there, 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.420 you'd have to put the but, 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.160 all three letters 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.440 capitalized and bold 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.339 and underlined. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.619 And that's what it does 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.460 in the original language. 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.039 But, 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:19.019 for those who are self-seeking, 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.099 and here's another 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.140 grammar geek moment, 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.519 this is a word 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.619 that up until the time 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.359 of the New Testament 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.920 was only used by Aristotle. 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.779 And it can be translated, 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.160 I don't know how 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.920 some of your versions 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.680 translate it. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:32.259 It's a man 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.820 or a woman 00:29:32.820 --> 00:29:34.080 who's given completely 00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:35.019 and utterly over 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.180 to self-ambition 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.580 at the expense of others. 00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.759 And some of you might say, 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.600 that's a hard way 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.320 to describe us, 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.060 but didn't we all 00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:42.940 just agree for a moment 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.840 that every one of us 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:44.900 have a moral experience 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.600 of walking around 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.200 like Zeus? 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.340 And the fact of the matter is, 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.799 is that many of us, 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:53.600 we don't die to self 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.259 in serving, 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.700 but we serve 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.980 to assert ourselves, 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:58.580 to be able to boast 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.279 in ourselves, 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.140 even if it's just 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:01.140 to be able to 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:02.140 to be able to 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:03.640 to congratulate ourselves, 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.460 to feel better 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.520 about ourselves, 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.080 that that's often 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:07.640 why we do 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.340 even things 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.200 which are apparently 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.580 generous and selfish, 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.720 that often it leads 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.100 to internal boasting 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:15.080 and internal 00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:17.040 self-exaltation. 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:20.140 And so the Bible here 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.020 is pointing at 00:30:21.020 --> 00:30:22.240 two fundamentally 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.280 different ways 00:30:23.280 --> 00:30:23.880 to live. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:27.300 God will judge them 00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:28.080 impartially. 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.220 God will judge them 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.680 impartially. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.160 And he goes 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.940 to the heart. 00:30:33.760 --> 00:30:33.980 You see, 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:34.580 verses 7, 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.780 remember my point up there 00:30:35.780 --> 00:30:36.660 is that God 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:38.080 impartially judges me 00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:39.040 by what I do 00:30:39.040 --> 00:30:41.040 and why I do it. 00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:42.920 The Bible regularly 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:45.180 helps me to see 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.180 my heart, 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.280 my inner self 00:30:47.280 --> 00:30:48.220 in the context 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.980 of the reality 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:50.040 of the living God. 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.880 Never with cynicism, 00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:53.200 always with realism 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:54.700 and always with the hope 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:56.460 that we will see this 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:56.860 and say, 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:58.760 God, only you, 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.440 only you 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:02.040 can help me out of this. 00:31:02.260 --> 00:31:03.100 Only you 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:04.960 can do what I cannot do. 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.260 You see, 00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:07.720 it's at the level 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.520 of the heart 00:31:08.520 --> 00:31:09.520 that it goes to. 00:31:10.060 --> 00:31:10.700 Which way? 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.380 Zeus 00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:13.280 or only God? 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.300 Zeus 00:31:15.300 --> 00:31:16.880 and self-seeking 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:19.020 or only God? 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:21.160 Only God. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.120 Only you 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.640 can do it. 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:27.440 God 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.800 impartially judges me 00:31:28.800 --> 00:31:29.740 by what I do 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.140 and why I do it. 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.720 In the gospel text 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.540 this morning 00:31:34.540 --> 00:31:35.080 that we just read 00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:36.019 a couple of minutes ago, 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:36.720 Jesus, 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:37.820 if you go back 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.220 and look at it, 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.060 there's a whole series 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:39.700 of questions 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.720 that Jesus' enemies 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.259 ask him. 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.340 And he deals 00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:42.860 with a question, 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.620 deals with a question, 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.300 deals with a question, 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:44.940 deals with a question, 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.460 and then he says, 00:31:45.540 --> 00:31:46.200 now it's my turn 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.960 to ask a question. 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:48.740 Okay? 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.599 And in fact, 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.120 that's sort of 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.359 a little bit 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.039 what Paul is doing. 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.960 That's at the beginning 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.460 of the text, 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:53.960 O man, 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.420 O man, 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:54.759 O man. 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.279 And this week 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.339 in going deeper, 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.259 I have you, 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:57.960 if you want to look, 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.920 you go to 2 Samuel 12, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.559 I think it is, 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.660 in the story of David 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.799 being confronted 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:04.140 by the prophet Nathaniel. 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:04.759 O man, 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.240 thou, 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:05.799 O man, 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.279 art the one. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.579 That's the whole context 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.220 to it. 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.660 So now it's sort of valid 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.279 for us to ask 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.920 a question 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:12.700 of our culture. 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.440 People who say, 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:13.819 well, you know, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.579 this is what, 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.380 here's the question. 00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:16.840 I mean, 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.420 like George, 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.000 isn't the Bible, 00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:19.220 now that we sort of see 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.940 that God actually 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:21.660 is far more kind 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.180 and fair 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:23.680 than we could possibly imagine 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.340 in terms of how 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.240 he's going to deal with us 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.840 and judge with us 00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:27.700 by using our own 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.700 Zeus-like moments 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.400 to judge us. 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.760 But here's the question. 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.460 Why is it that we have 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.820 any moral sense at all? 00:32:35.300 --> 00:32:35.560 Like, 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:37.080 if evolution is correct 00:32:37.080 --> 00:32:39.080 and if we are a result 00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:41.520 of natural selection, 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.580 time and chance, 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.720 and before there was 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.900 any biological life, 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.700 it's just ultimately 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:47.140 a result of molecules 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:48.300 happening to come together 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:48.980 in such a way 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.140 that planets are formed 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.920 in such a way 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:53.660 and chemical compounds 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.240 are formed 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.080 and somehow or another 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:56.400 life just spontaneously 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.720 erupted out of all of that 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.220 and then there's 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.060 natural selection 00:32:59.060 --> 00:32:59.800 and chance 00:32:59.800 --> 00:33:01.600 and then we come like this. 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.040 Well, 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:02.860 why is it that 00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:04.460 moral life exists at all? 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:05.640 Like, 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.259 what are the most 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.380 successful creatures 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:08.000 on the planet 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.940 according to evolution? 00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.340 Cockroaches. 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:13.460 Alligators or dinosaurs. 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:15.779 Crocodiles or dinosaurs. 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.660 Lizards or dinosaurs. 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:21.660 Fortunately, 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:23.579 I have never met 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.920 an alligator face-to-face. 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.700 There was a really, 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:27.740 I don't read the comics 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.140 very often, 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.059 but there was a really funny, 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:30.079 I think it was in Bizarro, 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:30.819 there was a really funny 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.660 comic this week. 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.880 It's at veterinary office 00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.940 and there's two people 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.579 who come in 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:38.400 and on the table 00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:40.100 is a huge boa constrictor 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:41.200 with a big lumpy part 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:42.019 in the middle 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:43.360 and one person 00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:44.480 says to the other person, 00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:46.080 the doctor's still 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:47.299 examining your pet 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:49.559 and obviously 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.539 the doctor's the big, 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.740 big bump 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.120 in the middle 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.160 of the boa constrictor 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.620 who has a very happy smile 00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:56.039 on its boa constrictor face. 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:57.600 But if you think about it 00:33:57.600 --> 00:33:58.019 for a second, 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.600 alligators are completely 00:33:59.600 --> 00:34:00.799 and utterly amoral. 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.319 Crocodiles, 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.019 amoral. 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.700 Lizards, 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.440 amoral. 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.220 Cockroaches, 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:05.880 amoral. 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:07.620 There's no trace 00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:09.099 of moral thinking, 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.000 moral reasoning, 00:34:10.200 --> 00:34:11.019 moral claims. 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.119 They never have 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.079 Zeus-like moments, 00:34:13.160 --> 00:34:14.000 they just eat. 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.320 And after they eat, 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.320 they rest until 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:17.059 they can eat again. 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.740 They're completely 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:20.079 and utterly amoral. 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:20.860 Like, 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.700 why is it 00:34:21.700 --> 00:34:22.880 that if we're just, 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.180 like, 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.460 why, 00:34:23.640 --> 00:34:23.960 you know, 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.780 all of a sudden, 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.660 why is it, 00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:27.660 I get to ask the question now, 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.320 like, 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:29.240 why is it that there's 00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:30.579 any moral stuff at all? 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.880 Why is it that there's 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:33.840 no human culture or race? 00:34:34.160 --> 00:34:34.340 I mean, 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:34.720 granted, 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.439 there's different moralities around, 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.500 but why is it that there's 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.159 no moral, 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.619 no race that has no, 00:34:39.959 --> 00:34:42.039 that they look like human beings, 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:43.659 but they're really lizards. 00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.379 They're really alligators. 00:34:45.379 --> 00:34:46.319 And they're completely 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.279 and utterly amoral. 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.599 Why is that 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.480 if your account 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:50.899 for how everything exists 00:34:50.899 --> 00:34:51.539 is true? 00:34:53.459 --> 00:34:54.779 The Bible says 00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:55.439 that your account 00:34:55.439 --> 00:34:56.739 for how things exist 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.439 is not true. 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:59.000 The Bible gives an account 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.859 for why it is 00:34:59.859 --> 00:35:00.939 that even when we have 00:35:00.939 --> 00:35:01.959 different moralities, 00:35:02.419 --> 00:35:03.099 the fact is 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.639 that they are morality. 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.959 Look at verses, 00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:07.500 sort of in closing, 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:09.559 verses 12 and following. 00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:12.439 For all who have sinned 00:35:12.439 --> 00:35:13.199 without the law 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.319 will also perish 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.199 without the law, 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:16.980 and all who have sinned 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.619 under the law 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.879 will be judged by the law. 00:35:19.739 --> 00:35:20.319 For it is not 00:35:20.319 --> 00:35:21.539 the hearers of the law 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.079 who are righteous 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.819 before God, 00:35:22.899 --> 00:35:24.079 but the doers of the law 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.959 will be justified. 00:35:25.319 --> 00:35:26.239 Just pause there. 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.519 This is sort of 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.019 a little bit 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:30.339 of a rhetorical trap 00:35:30.339 --> 00:35:31.559 that Paul is doing here 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.279 because later on 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:32.899 he's going to say 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.800 that nobody's actually 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:34.700 able to be justified 00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:36.059 by what they've done. 00:35:36.660 --> 00:35:37.200 His point, 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:37.980 he's setting up something 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.680 that we're going to look at 00:35:38.680 --> 00:35:39.360 next week, 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.440 which just because 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.619 you hear moral laws 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.720 doesn't mean you are moral. 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:45.760 Just because you've spent time, 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:46.059 you know, 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:46.780 you're spending time 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:48.139 in an airplane hangar 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.760 doesn't make you 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.320 an airplane. 00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:53.139 And spending time 00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:53.800 in a church 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.940 listening to the Bible 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.760 doesn't necessarily 00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:57.639 make you experience 00:35:57.639 --> 00:35:58.260 any of these things 00:35:58.260 --> 00:35:58.900 that are being experienced. 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.480 He's setting up 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.139 what he's going to talk 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.099 about more next week. 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.920 But verse 14, 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.559 for when Gentiles 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.320 or pagans 00:36:05.320 --> 00:36:06.780 who do not have the law, 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.680 that's referring to 00:36:07.680 --> 00:36:08.780 the first five books 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.660 of the Old Testament, 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.460 the First Testament, 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.519 by nature do what 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.480 the law requires, 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:13.639 they are a law 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:14.340 to themselves 00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:14.940 even though they 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:15.900 do not have the law. 00:36:16.720 --> 00:36:17.480 Here's the thing, 00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:18.340 verse 13, 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.960 they show that 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.280 the work of the law 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:22.160 is written 00:36:22.160 --> 00:36:23.680 on their hearts. 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.119 Let's just think 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.440 of that again. 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.639 They show that 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.460 the work of the law, 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.740 the Ten Commandments, 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:32.340 God's basic instructions 00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:33.659 are written 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:35.740 on their hearts 00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:37.760 while their conscience 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:39.400 also bears witness 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:41.619 and their conflicting thoughts 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:43.880 accuse or even excuse them 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:44.940 on that day 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:46.260 when according to my gospel 00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:48.199 God judges the secrets of men 00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:49.920 by Messiah Jesus. 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.639 Andrew, if you could put up 00:36:51.639 --> 00:36:52.300 the third point. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:56.039 So the first point 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:57.699 is that God impartially judges me 00:36:57.699 --> 00:36:58.379 by the judgments 00:36:58.379 --> 00:36:59.319 I pass on others. 00:36:59.439 --> 00:37:00.219 The second is that 00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:01.599 God impartially judges me 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.259 by what I do 00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:03.179 and why I do it. 00:37:03.259 --> 00:37:03.939 And the third one 00:37:03.939 --> 00:37:05.099 is that my conscience 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:07.019 shows that the true God 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:07.739 speaks 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:09.699 and that I am not God. 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:12.199 My conscience 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:14.319 shows that the true God 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:15.179 speaks 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:16.719 and he exists. 00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:18.699 He exists and he speaks 00:37:18.699 --> 00:37:20.559 and that I am not God. 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:22.559 Well, how do you... 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:26.460 You see, on one hand, 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:27.099 this is all part 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:28.320 of the kindness of God. 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:31.000 That, you know, 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.019 last week I talked about 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.880 this image of God 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.559 gave them up 00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.400 and there's an image 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:35.340 of common grace 00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:36.900 that God restrains 00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:39.420 our Zeus-like moments, 00:37:39.799 --> 00:37:41.500 our Zeus-like character. 00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:43.179 He restrains that. 00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:44.679 That's why society can... 00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:45.699 That's why places like Ottawa 00:37:45.699 --> 00:37:46.559 can still be a pleasant 00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.259 place to live 00:37:47.260 --> 00:37:48.600 and why, you know, 00:37:48.680 --> 00:37:49.620 all sorts of people, 00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:50.820 they can love their children 00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:51.620 and love dogs 00:37:51.620 --> 00:37:53.040 and care for their animals 00:37:53.040 --> 00:37:54.860 and be good bosses. 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.520 And there's a type 00:37:55.520 --> 00:37:56.640 of common grace 00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:57.760 that God always does 00:37:57.760 --> 00:37:58.800 to restrain evil. 00:37:59.020 --> 00:38:00.860 And by the same common grace 00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:02.560 that God made us 00:38:02.560 --> 00:38:03.460 human beings 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.440 in his image 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.900 and as he makes us 00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:06.940 in his image, 00:38:07.020 --> 00:38:07.480 in a sense, 00:38:07.580 --> 00:38:08.240 he writes 00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:09.940 the moral laws 00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:11.020 upon our hearts. 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.360 And when we, 00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:13.940 in our ancestors, 00:38:14.160 --> 00:38:14.660 Adam and Eve, 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:15.900 rebelled against God 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.820 and said that we did not 00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.000 want to be under God 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:18.660 as creatures, 00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:19.660 but we wanted to be 00:38:19.660 --> 00:38:20.460 like Zeus 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:22.760 and be able to pass judgment, 00:38:23.280 --> 00:38:24.260 that what that did 00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:25.400 is that God did not 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:27.200 remove his image from us, 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:28.820 but God's image within us, 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.960 it became twisted, 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.640 it became bent, 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.780 it became out of shape, 00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:35.240 but it was not removed. 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:38.880 And so that moral impulse 00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:40.120 is still there 00:38:40.120 --> 00:38:41.440 and remnants of 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:43.340 what is truly true 00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:44.440 and rightly right 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:46.760 is seen in every moral system, 00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:48.140 no moral system 00:38:48.140 --> 00:38:49.059 is so completely 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:50.220 and utterly absent 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:51.380 of any sense 00:38:51.380 --> 00:38:52.200 of God's law 00:38:52.200 --> 00:38:53.100 that it would look 00:38:53.100 --> 00:38:54.240 not like a moral system 00:38:54.240 --> 00:38:54.600 at all 00:38:54.600 --> 00:38:55.780 as if we were talking 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.580 to an alligator 00:38:56.580 --> 00:38:57.380 or a crocodile 00:38:57.380 --> 00:38:59.019 and not another human being. 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:00.120 It's a mark 00:39:00.120 --> 00:39:01.120 of God's kindness 00:39:01.120 --> 00:39:02.080 that he has left 00:39:02.080 --> 00:39:03.200 that within us, 00:39:03.260 --> 00:39:04.660 that trace within us, 00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:05.559 but that trace 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:06.640 is not sufficient. 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:08.200 Conscience shows, 00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:08.720 in a sense, 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:09.940 as opposed to those 00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:10.360 who believe 00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:11.240 that everything came 00:39:11.240 --> 00:39:12.300 as a result of time 00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:12.880 and chance 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:14.220 and cannot account 00:39:14.220 --> 00:39:15.400 for why we are not 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.940 lizards and alligators 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.940 and crocodiles 00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:19.700 because that's vastly 00:39:19.700 --> 00:39:20.700 more successful 00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:21.680 for adapting 00:39:21.680 --> 00:39:22.480 to our environment. 00:39:22.599 --> 00:39:22.720 In fact, 00:39:22.740 --> 00:39:23.559 it's a common joke 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:24.840 that after the nuclear 00:39:24.840 --> 00:39:26.039 or biological hazard, 00:39:26.140 --> 00:39:26.579 whatever it is 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.460 that's going to ruin the world, 00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.440 the only things left 00:39:28.440 --> 00:39:28.820 on the earth 00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:29.980 will be cockroaches. 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:32.180 They're far better adapting 00:39:32.180 --> 00:39:32.940 to situations 00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:34.099 than human beings are. 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.559 And so that's why 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:37.920 I say that my conscience 00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:39.059 shows that the true God 00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:39.659 speaks, 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:41.179 he speaks within, 00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.119 in the writing 00:39:42.119 --> 00:39:43.900 of the moral, 00:39:44.639 --> 00:39:45.980 what is good 00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:46.420 and true 00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:46.980 and beautiful 00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:47.639 and love, 00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:48.559 right in terms 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.079 of the center 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.400 who we are, 00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:50.119 even though it's now 00:39:50.119 --> 00:39:51.239 twisted and bent. 00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:53.719 But at the same time, 00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.860 our conscience shows 00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.759 that we aren't Zeus. 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.559 We aren't Zeus. 00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.239 Because, you know, 00:40:00.279 --> 00:40:00.880 the fact of the matter 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:01.619 is that sometimes 00:40:01.619 --> 00:40:03.139 I make my pronouncements 00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:03.659 and judgments 00:40:03.659 --> 00:40:05.199 as if I'm the best driver 00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:05.759 in the world, 00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:06.799 and sometimes I make 00:40:06.799 --> 00:40:07.940 my pronouncements 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.420 and judgments 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:09.400 as if I am the most 00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:10.659 selfless, 00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:13.099 kind person in the world. 00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:14.760 And other times 00:40:14.760 --> 00:40:15.619 I make my judgments 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:16.599 as if I'm the smartest 00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:17.519 person in the world. 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:18.740 And other times 00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:19.500 I make my judgments 00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:20.280 as if I'm the most 00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:21.380 humble person in the world. 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.099 And everybody should be 00:40:22.099 --> 00:40:22.960 as humble as I am. 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:24.159 I know that's an unbelievably 00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:25.280 proud thing to say, 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:26.579 but I'm sure I'm not 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:27.320 the only one in the room 00:40:27.320 --> 00:40:27.960 who's like this. 00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:28.800 What are we? 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:31.720 I don't have one idol 00:40:31.720 --> 00:40:32.780 in the throne of my heart, 00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:33.700 so I have 20. 00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.579 And they disagree. 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:38.819 And they accuse each other. 00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:40.099 And we have, 00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:41.019 sometimes we'll have 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:41.799 a sleepless night 00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:42.259 that we weren't 00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:43.099 assertive enough. 00:40:43.679 --> 00:40:44.259 And other times 00:40:44.259 --> 00:40:45.219 we have sleepless nights 00:40:45.219 --> 00:40:46.099 because we weren't 00:40:46.099 --> 00:40:46.880 humble enough. 00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:48.239 And that's not 00:40:48.239 --> 00:40:49.259 what God's like. 00:40:50.619 --> 00:40:52.039 My very conscience 00:40:52.039 --> 00:40:53.179 and moral experience 00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:54.139 shows that there is 00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:55.139 a God that does exist 00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:55.960 who speaks 00:40:55.960 --> 00:40:58.400 and that I am not God. 00:40:59.239 --> 00:41:00.159 Only God. 00:41:00.619 --> 00:41:01.440 Only God. 00:41:02.440 --> 00:41:03.159 Only God. 00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:03.239 God. 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:06.079 Andrew, could you put up 00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:06.799 the final point? 00:41:10.799 --> 00:41:12.719 Jesus is the just judge 00:41:12.719 --> 00:41:13.599 who in mercy 00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:15.299 dies to justify 00:41:15.299 --> 00:41:16.879 all who humbly 00:41:16.879 --> 00:41:18.099 call upon him. 00:41:19.099 --> 00:41:20.859 Jesus is the just judge 00:41:20.859 --> 00:41:21.659 who in mercy 00:41:21.659 --> 00:41:22.759 dies to justify 00:41:22.759 --> 00:41:23.960 all who humbly 00:41:23.960 --> 00:41:25.139 call upon him. 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:26.679 The title of my sermon 00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:28.139 this week is, 00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:29.099 see, one of the things 00:41:29.099 --> 00:41:30.099 that people mistake 00:41:30.099 --> 00:41:30.699 about Christians 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:31.339 is they think 00:41:31.339 --> 00:41:32.139 that Christians think 00:41:32.139 --> 00:41:32.619 that they're better 00:41:32.619 --> 00:41:33.199 than themselves. 00:41:33.900 --> 00:41:34.799 And one of the reasons 00:41:34.799 --> 00:41:36.119 people think that 00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:36.799 is because a lot 00:41:36.799 --> 00:41:37.799 of Christians do think 00:41:37.799 --> 00:41:38.839 that they're better 00:41:38.839 --> 00:41:39.579 than other people. 00:41:40.099 --> 00:41:41.179 And that just means 00:41:41.179 --> 00:41:42.199 not that they're Christians 00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:43.039 but that we're being 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.900 bad Christians. 00:41:45.379 --> 00:41:46.239 Because the fact 00:41:46.239 --> 00:41:47.039 of the matter is 00:41:47.039 --> 00:41:47.879 is that Christians 00:41:47.879 --> 00:41:48.779 don't believe 00:41:48.779 --> 00:41:49.519 that good people 00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:50.139 go to heaven. 00:41:52.639 --> 00:41:53.659 Christians believe, 00:41:53.779 --> 00:41:54.279 if you're listening 00:41:54.279 --> 00:41:55.000 to Romans 2, 00:41:55.099 --> 00:41:56.059 that moralism 00:41:56.059 --> 00:41:57.739 doesn't work. 00:41:57.739 --> 00:41:59.779 Christians believe 00:41:59.779 --> 00:42:02.099 that only bad people 00:42:02.099 --> 00:42:03.439 go to the new heaven 00:42:03.439 --> 00:42:04.099 and the new earth. 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:07.399 Only people who cry out 00:42:07.399 --> 00:42:07.739 and say, 00:42:07.899 --> 00:42:08.599 only God, 00:42:08.779 --> 00:42:09.659 only you 00:42:09.659 --> 00:42:11.099 can deal with this. 00:42:11.979 --> 00:42:12.879 And this gets us 00:42:12.879 --> 00:42:13.959 to the final thing 00:42:13.959 --> 00:42:14.859 of the kindness 00:42:14.859 --> 00:42:15.639 of God. 00:42:16.379 --> 00:42:17.019 Remember I gave you 00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:17.459 at the beginning 00:42:17.459 --> 00:42:18.059 this early, 00:42:18.239 --> 00:42:18.919 this analogy 00:42:18.919 --> 00:42:20.299 that God just, 00:42:20.479 --> 00:42:21.959 he brings us all together 00:42:21.959 --> 00:42:22.500 before, 00:42:22.659 --> 00:42:23.279 after death 00:42:23.279 --> 00:42:24.139 and before whatever's 00:42:24.139 --> 00:42:24.939 going to happen to us 00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:25.420 and he just says, 00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:26.079 okay George, 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:28.019 roll the George 00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:29.679 as Zeus moments 00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.700 on the screen. 00:42:31.820 --> 00:42:32.440 And then, 00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:33.240 okay, 00:42:33.440 --> 00:42:34.179 angels, 00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:35.380 roll the George 00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:36.700 how he lived his life 00:42:36.700 --> 00:42:38.380 and we'll just measure 00:42:38.380 --> 00:42:39.240 it against George 00:42:39.240 --> 00:42:39.800 as Zeus 00:42:39.800 --> 00:42:41.300 and the drum goes, 00:42:41.780 --> 00:42:42.159 boom, 00:42:42.980 --> 00:42:44.300 every time George 00:42:44.300 --> 00:42:45.059 doesn't live up 00:42:45.059 --> 00:42:46.079 to his Zeus moments 00:42:46.079 --> 00:42:46.659 and it's going, 00:42:46.820 --> 00:42:47.340 before you know it, 00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:48.000 it's going boom, 00:42:48.159 --> 00:42:48.360 boom, 00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:48.720 boom, 00:42:48.860 --> 00:42:49.059 boom. 00:42:49.720 --> 00:42:50.920 But it just can't be 00:42:50.920 --> 00:42:51.740 one angel doing it, 00:42:51.760 --> 00:42:52.320 it has to be lots 00:42:52.320 --> 00:42:53.440 of angels doing it. 00:42:54.200 --> 00:42:54.679 Sometimes, 00:42:54.679 --> 00:42:55.059 it's just, 00:42:55.299 --> 00:42:56.219 and it's deafening 00:42:56.219 --> 00:42:57.159 and it's unmaking. 00:42:58.139 --> 00:42:59.319 And God who is rich 00:42:59.319 --> 00:43:00.019 in kindness 00:43:00.019 --> 00:43:02.460 which has the fairest 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:03.279 possible way 00:43:03.279 --> 00:43:04.579 for me to be judged, 00:43:05.239 --> 00:43:06.159 the scriptures say 00:43:06.159 --> 00:43:07.619 that he's even kinder 00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:08.199 than that, 00:43:09.059 --> 00:43:11.099 that he sets aside 00:43:11.099 --> 00:43:12.440 his seat 00:43:12.440 --> 00:43:14.259 on the judgment throne. 00:43:15.019 --> 00:43:16.079 Jesus sets aside 00:43:16.079 --> 00:43:17.019 and leaves his seat 00:43:17.019 --> 00:43:18.099 on the judgment throne 00:43:18.099 --> 00:43:19.599 and he goes 00:43:19.599 --> 00:43:20.359 to the cross 00:43:20.359 --> 00:43:22.699 and he says 00:43:22.699 --> 00:43:23.519 in a sense 00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:24.319 to George, 00:43:24.679 --> 00:43:25.259 and to you, 00:43:26.259 --> 00:43:28.599 this will 00:43:28.599 --> 00:43:30.559 unmake you. 00:43:31.940 --> 00:43:33.719 You will not 00:43:33.719 --> 00:43:35.399 survive this. 00:43:36.099 --> 00:43:37.460 I love you. 00:43:38.460 --> 00:43:39.659 Let me take 00:43:39.659 --> 00:43:40.519 your place 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:41.859 and let 00:43:41.859 --> 00:43:43.199 that judgment 00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:44.099 that you have 00:43:44.099 --> 00:43:45.480 pronounced on yourself 00:43:45.480 --> 00:43:47.179 in your Zeus-like moments, 00:43:47.379 --> 00:43:48.099 your arrogance 00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:49.000 and presumption, 00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:51.380 let that fall 00:43:51.380 --> 00:43:52.480 on me 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:54.039 in your step. 00:43:54.039 --> 00:44:03.179 the judge 00:44:03.179 --> 00:44:03.880 leaves 00:44:03.880 --> 00:44:05.360 the judgment seat 00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:06.559 that's properly 00:44:06.559 --> 00:44:07.079 his 00:44:07.079 --> 00:44:08.980 to set aside 00:44:08.980 --> 00:44:09.659 his glory 00:44:09.659 --> 00:44:11.320 and go upon 00:44:11.320 --> 00:44:12.019 a cross 00:44:12.019 --> 00:44:13.360 to take 00:44:13.360 --> 00:44:13.980 the judgment 00:44:13.980 --> 00:44:15.119 that I deserve 00:44:15.119 --> 00:44:15.739 in 00:44:15.739 --> 00:44:16.759 himself 00:44:16.759 --> 00:44:17.880 in 00:44:17.880 --> 00:44:18.480 my 00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:19.199 place. 00:44:19.199 --> 00:44:21.019 you can 00:44:21.019 --> 00:44:21.439 look it up 00:44:21.439 --> 00:44:22.000 afterwards, 00:44:22.119 --> 00:44:23.059 but Romans 3 00:44:23.059 --> 00:44:24.259 verse 26, 00:44:25.259 --> 00:44:26.359 which we're going 00:44:26.359 --> 00:44:26.759 to come to, 00:44:26.879 --> 00:44:27.039 of course, 00:44:27.099 --> 00:44:28.000 more in a few weeks, 00:44:28.099 --> 00:44:29.259 but it speaks 00:44:29.259 --> 00:44:30.239 directly to this 00:44:30.239 --> 00:44:30.599 section. 00:44:30.719 --> 00:44:31.019 It says, 00:44:31.119 --> 00:44:31.899 it was to show 00:44:31.899 --> 00:44:33.419 his righteousness 00:44:33.419 --> 00:44:34.399 at the present 00:44:34.399 --> 00:44:34.899 time 00:44:34.899 --> 00:44:36.899 so that he 00:44:36.899 --> 00:44:38.299 might be 00:44:38.299 --> 00:44:39.059 just 00:44:39.059 --> 00:44:40.379 and the 00:44:40.379 --> 00:44:41.299 justifier 00:44:41.299 --> 00:44:42.759 of the one 00:44:42.759 --> 00:44:43.799 who has faith 00:44:43.799 --> 00:44:44.399 in Jesus. 00:44:44.400 --> 00:44:45.639 Jesus 00:44:45.639 --> 00:45:01.320 is the 00:45:01.320 --> 00:45:01.880 just 00:45:01.880 --> 00:45:02.800 judge 00:45:02.800 --> 00:45:03.680 who in 00:45:03.680 --> 00:45:04.079 mercy 00:45:04.079 --> 00:45:05.059 dies 00:45:05.059 --> 00:45:06.079 to justify 00:45:06.079 --> 00:45:07.200 all 00:45:07.200 --> 00:45:07.619 who 00:45:07.619 --> 00:45:08.260 humbly 00:45:08.260 --> 00:45:09.099 call 00:45:09.099 --> 00:45:09.519 upon 00:45:09.519 --> 00:45:09.840 him. 00:45:11.480 --> 00:45:11.960 Only 00:45:11.960 --> 00:45:12.720 God, 00:45:12.719 --> 00:45:13.980 only 00:45:13.980 --> 00:45:14.579 God 00:45:14.579 --> 00:45:15.439 can 00:45:15.439 --> 00:45:15.919 act 00:45:15.919 --> 00:45:16.359 with 00:45:16.359 --> 00:45:17.000 effective 00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:17.699 power 00:45:17.699 --> 00:45:18.500 in a 00:45:18.500 --> 00:45:18.699 way 00:45:18.699 --> 00:45:18.959 which 00:45:18.959 --> 00:45:19.139 is 00:45:19.139 --> 00:45:19.519 right 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.799 and 00:45:19.799 --> 00:45:20.299 just 00:45:20.299 --> 00:45:21.079 to 00:45:21.079 --> 00:45:21.359 make 00:45:21.359 --> 00:45:21.939 ordinary 00:45:21.939 --> 00:45:22.379 people 00:45:22.379 --> 00:45:22.659 like 00:45:22.659 --> 00:45:22.879 you 00:45:22.879 --> 00:45:23.059 and 00:45:23.059 --> 00:45:23.319 me 00:45:23.319 --> 00:45:23.859 right 00:45:23.859 --> 00:45:24.119 with 00:45:24.119 --> 00:45:24.579 himself. 00:45:25.339 --> 00:45:25.419 And 00:45:25.419 --> 00:45:25.579 he 00:45:25.579 --> 00:45:25.739 has 00:45:25.739 --> 00:45:26.019 done 00:45:26.019 --> 00:45:26.179 it 00:45:26.179 --> 00:45:26.359 in 00:45:26.359 --> 00:45:26.519 the 00:45:26.519 --> 00:45:26.859 person 00:45:26.859 --> 00:45:27.019 of 00:45:27.019 --> 00:45:27.199 his 00:45:27.199 --> 00:45:27.519 son 00:45:27.519 --> 00:45:27.899 in 00:45:27.899 --> 00:45:28.019 the 00:45:28.019 --> 00:45:28.219 death 00:45:28.219 --> 00:45:28.480 upon 00:45:28.480 --> 00:45:28.639 the 00:45:28.639 --> 00:45:28.980 cross. 00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.559 This 00:45:29.559 --> 00:45:29.739 I 00:45:29.739 --> 00:45:30.119 proclaim 00:45:30.119 --> 00:45:30.439 to 00:45:30.439 --> 00:45:30.679 you. 00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:31.279 Andrew, 00:45:31.359 --> 00:45:31.459 could 00:45:31.459 --> 00:45:31.559 you 00:45:31.559 --> 00:45:31.739 put 00:45:31.739 --> 00:45:32.079 Romans 00:45:32.079 --> 00:45:32.319 1, 00:45:32.399 --> 00:45:32.739 16, 00:45:32.819 --> 00:45:32.919 and 00:45:32.919 --> 00:45:33.259 17 00:45:33.259 --> 00:45:33.519 up 00:45:33.519 --> 00:45:33.799 again? 00:45:35.119 --> 00:45:35.319 Could 00:45:35.319 --> 00:45:35.539 you all 00:45:35.539 --> 00:45:35.919 stand, 00:45:36.059 --> 00:45:36.319 please? 00:45:37.619 --> 00:45:37.879 Could 00:45:37.879 --> 00:45:38.259 you read 00:45:38.259 --> 00:45:38.459 this 00:45:38.459 --> 00:45:38.959 with me? 00:45:41.659 --> 00:45:42.099 Read 00:45:42.099 --> 00:45:42.199 it 00:45:42.199 --> 00:45:42.399 with 00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:42.619 me. 00:45:43.320 --> 00:45:43.539 For 00:45:43.539 --> 00:45:43.639 I 00:45:43.639 --> 00:45:43.740 am 00:45:43.740 --> 00:45:43.980 not 00:45:43.980 --> 00:45:44.500 ashamed 00:45:44.500 --> 00:45:44.700 of 00:45:44.700 --> 00:45:44.840 the 00:45:44.840 --> 00:45:45.320 gospel. 00:45:45.860 --> 00:45:46.079 For 00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:46.320 it 00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:46.539 is 00:45:46.539 --> 00:45:46.720 the 00:45:46.720 --> 00:45:47.160 power 00:45:47.160 --> 00:45:47.400 of 00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:47.760 God 00:45:47.760 --> 00:45:48.039 for 00:45:48.039 --> 00:45:48.680 salvation 00:45:48.680 --> 00:45:49.099 to 00:45:49.099 --> 00:45:49.660 everyone 00:45:49.660 --> 00:45:50.099 who 00:45:50.099 --> 00:45:50.680 believes, 00:45:50.980 --> 00:45:51.320 to 00:45:51.320 --> 00:45:51.519 the 00:45:51.519 --> 00:45:51.760 Jew 00:45:51.760 --> 00:45:52.280 first 00:45:52.280 --> 00:45:52.559 and 00:45:52.559 --> 00:45:53.019 also 00:45:53.019 --> 00:45:53.300 to 00:45:53.300 --> 00:45:53.460 the 00:45:53.460 --> 00:45:53.760 Greek. 00:45:54.380 --> 00:45:54.579 For 00:45:54.579 --> 00:45:54.840 in 00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:55.039 the 00:45:55.039 --> 00:45:55.500 gospel 00:45:55.500 --> 00:45:55.800 the 00:45:55.800 --> 00:45:56.320 righteousness 00:45:56.320 --> 00:45:56.720 of 00:45:56.720 --> 00:45:57.099 God 00:45:57.099 --> 00:45:57.380 is 00:45:57.380 --> 00:45:57.880 revealed 00:45:57.880 --> 00:45:58.280 from 00:45:58.280 --> 00:45:58.780 faith 00:45:58.780 --> 00:45:59.039 to 00:45:59.039 --> 00:45:59.380 faith. 00:45:59.860 --> 00:46:00.160 As 00:46:00.160 --> 00:46:00.280 it 00:46:00.280 --> 00:46:00.460 is 00:46:00.460 --> 00:46:00.760 written, 00:46:01.180 --> 00:46:01.320 the 00:46:01.320 --> 00:46:01.740 righteous 00:46:01.740 --> 00:46:02.200 shall 00:46:02.200 --> 00:46:02.460 live 00:46:02.460 --> 00:46:02.720 by 00:46:02.720 --> 00:46:03.039 faith. 00:46:03.400 --> 00:46:03.700 God 00:46:03.700 --> 00:46:04.180 makes 00:46:04.180 --> 00:46:04.400 us 00:46:04.400 --> 00:46:04.700 right. 00:46:04.880 --> 00:46:04.960 And 00:46:04.960 --> 00:46:05.160 as 00:46:05.160 --> 00:46:05.400 the 00:46:05.400 --> 00:46:05.880 gospel 00:46:05.880 --> 00:46:06.480 grips 00:46:06.480 --> 00:46:06.940 us, 00:46:07.460 --> 00:46:07.639 it 00:46:07.639 --> 00:46:08.039 starts 00:46:08.039 --> 00:46:08.280 to 00:46:08.280 --> 00:46:08.539 free 00:46:08.539 --> 00:46:08.860 us. 00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:09.460 As 00:46:09.460 --> 00:46:09.680 the 00:46:09.680 --> 00:46:10.180 gospel 00:46:10.180 --> 00:46:10.720 grips 00:46:10.720 --> 00:46:11.079 us, 00:46:11.360 --> 00:46:11.539 as 00:46:11.539 --> 00:46:11.700 it 00:46:11.700 --> 00:46:12.280 confronts 00:46:12.280 --> 00:46:12.440 us 00:46:12.440 --> 00:46:12.599 of 00:46:12.599 --> 00:46:12.820 our 00:46:12.820 --> 00:46:14.320 Zeus-like 00:46:14.320 --> 00:46:15.039 moments, 00:46:15.180 --> 00:46:15.500 that's a 00:46:15.500 --> 00:46:15.680 tongue 00:46:15.680 --> 00:46:16.019 twister, 00:46:16.140 --> 00:46:16.300 our 00:46:16.300 --> 00:46:17.280 Zeus-like 00:46:17.280 --> 00:46:18.079 moments, 00:46:18.440 --> 00:46:18.740 it 00:46:18.740 --> 00:46:19.480 frees us 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:19.860 up, 00:46:20.039 --> 00:46:20.660 not to 00:46:20.660 --> 00:46:21.340 stand in 00:46:21.340 --> 00:46:21.720 moral 00:46:21.720 --> 00:46:22.280 judgment 00:46:22.280 --> 00:46:22.760 on the 00:46:22.760 --> 00:46:23.099 rest of 00:46:23.099 --> 00:46:23.240 the 00:46:23.240 --> 00:46:23.579 world 00:46:23.579 --> 00:46:24.079 as if 00:46:24.079 --> 00:46:24.240 we 00:46:24.240 --> 00:46:24.420 are 00:46:24.420 --> 00:46:24.820 Zeus, 00:46:25.700 --> 00:46:26.160 but to 00:46:26.160 --> 00:46:26.680 humbly 00:46:26.680 --> 00:46:27.680 learn to 00:46:27.680 --> 00:46:28.120 have our 00:46:28.120 --> 00:46:29.019 consciences 00:46:29.019 --> 00:46:29.840 healed 00:46:29.840 --> 00:46:30.320 and 00:46:30.320 --> 00:46:30.740 renewed, 00:46:31.260 --> 00:46:31.660 and to 00:46:31.660 --> 00:46:32.160 see the 00:46:32.160 --> 00:46:32.460 moral 00:46:32.460 --> 00:46:33.019 world and 00:46:33.019 --> 00:46:33.160 the 00:46:33.160 --> 00:46:33.380 moral 00:46:33.380 --> 00:46:33.800 universe 00:46:33.800 --> 00:46:34.640 not as 00:46:34.640 --> 00:46:35.220 Zeus, 00:46:35.219 --> 00:46:36.459 but as 00:46:36.459 --> 00:46:37.579 yet another 00:46:37.579 --> 00:46:38.459 human being, 00:46:38.619 --> 00:46:38.939 another 00:46:38.939 --> 00:46:39.480 ordinary 00:46:39.480 --> 00:46:40.259 person like 00:46:40.259 --> 00:46:40.919 those around 00:46:40.919 --> 00:46:41.339 us, 00:46:42.439 --> 00:46:42.819 who do 00:46:42.819 --> 00:46:43.399 not live up 00:46:43.399 --> 00:46:43.659 to the 00:46:43.659 --> 00:46:44.139 moral law, 00:46:44.219 --> 00:46:45.019 but desire 00:46:45.019 --> 00:46:45.779 to know 00:46:45.779 --> 00:46:46.799 who God 00:46:46.799 --> 00:46:47.339 is through 00:46:47.339 --> 00:46:47.879 what Jesus 00:46:47.879 --> 00:46:48.339 has done 00:46:48.339 --> 00:46:48.659 for us 00:46:48.659 --> 00:46:48.939 on the 00:46:48.939 --> 00:46:49.199 cross, 00:46:49.419 --> 00:46:50.219 his kindness 00:46:50.219 --> 00:46:51.199 and forbearance 00:46:51.199 --> 00:46:51.919 and patience, 00:46:52.359 --> 00:46:53.039 that he is the 00:46:53.039 --> 00:46:53.579 good, the 00:46:53.579 --> 00:46:54.079 true, the 00:46:54.079 --> 00:46:54.480 beautiful, 00:46:54.739 --> 00:46:55.319 not with 00:46:55.319 --> 00:46:55.699 arrogance, 00:46:55.919 --> 00:46:56.359 not with 00:46:56.359 --> 00:46:56.859 presumption, 00:46:56.980 --> 00:46:57.539 not like we 00:46:57.539 --> 00:46:57.919 are Zeus, 00:46:58.159 --> 00:46:59.059 but humbly 00:46:59.059 --> 00:46:59.799 under what 00:46:59.799 --> 00:47:00.500 Jesus has done 00:47:00.500 --> 00:47:00.959 for us on 00:47:00.959 --> 00:47:01.439 the cross. 00:47:01.579 --> 00:47:02.099 As the 00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:03.099 gospel grips 00:47:03.099 --> 00:47:03.480 us, 00:47:03.959 --> 00:47:04.659 it means that 00:47:04.659 --> 00:47:05.079 we can 00:47:05.079 --> 00:47:07.099 actually start 00:47:07.099 --> 00:47:08.159 realizing that 00:47:08.159 --> 00:47:09.219 God, knowing 00:47:09.219 --> 00:47:10.079 the depths of 00:47:10.079 --> 00:47:10.840 our pride and 00:47:10.840 --> 00:47:11.460 arrogance and 00:47:11.460 --> 00:47:12.179 our Zeus-like 00:47:12.179 --> 00:47:13.059 moments, it 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.000 frees us up to 00:47:14.000 --> 00:47:14.940 actually look at 00:47:14.940 --> 00:47:15.679 ourselves for 00:47:15.679 --> 00:47:16.619 the first time 00:47:16.619 --> 00:47:18.000 and not look at 00:47:18.000 --> 00:47:19.139 ourselves either 00:47:19.139 --> 00:47:20.119 with depression or 00:47:20.119 --> 00:47:20.779 with boasting, 00:47:21.159 --> 00:47:21.940 but to start to 00:47:21.940 --> 00:47:22.539 look at ourselves 00:47:22.539 --> 00:47:23.159 as who we 00:47:23.159 --> 00:47:24.819 really are and 00:47:24.819 --> 00:47:25.619 who God has 00:47:25.619 --> 00:47:26.460 showered his 00:47:26.460 --> 00:47:27.199 love and his 00:47:27.199 --> 00:47:28.079 mercy upon us. 00:47:28.900 --> 00:47:29.380 And most of 00:47:29.380 --> 00:47:30.059 all, it helps us 00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:31.000 to understand that 00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:31.980 as we go around 00:47:31.980 --> 00:47:33.299 the city of 00:47:33.299 --> 00:47:34.199 Ottawa and around 00:47:34.199 --> 00:47:34.739 the world, 00:47:35.079 --> 00:47:35.840 and while we 00:47:35.840 --> 00:47:36.179 have an 00:47:36.179 --> 00:47:37.000 obligation to 00:47:37.000 --> 00:47:37.500 tell others 00:47:37.500 --> 00:47:38.699 that there is 00:47:38.699 --> 00:47:39.599 a God who 00:47:39.599 --> 00:47:40.059 loves them, 00:47:40.139 --> 00:47:40.539 who has died 00:47:40.539 --> 00:47:40.980 upon the 00:47:40.980 --> 00:47:41.480 cross to 00:47:41.480 --> 00:47:41.980 save them, 00:47:42.579 --> 00:47:43.380 our posture 00:47:43.380 --> 00:47:44.460 is not that 00:47:44.460 --> 00:47:45.000 we are better, 00:47:45.799 --> 00:47:46.460 but that I 00:47:46.460 --> 00:47:47.440 am one beggar 00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:48.719 telling another 00:47:48.719 --> 00:47:49.460 beggar who 00:47:49.460 --> 00:47:50.079 doesn't realize 00:47:50.079 --> 00:47:50.639 they're a beggar, 00:47:50.759 --> 00:47:51.400 but I am one 00:47:51.400 --> 00:47:52.279 beggar telling 00:47:52.279 --> 00:47:53.079 another beggar 00:47:53.079 --> 00:47:54.000 where to find 00:47:54.000 --> 00:47:54.719 free bread, 00:47:55.159 --> 00:47:55.779 the bread of 00:47:55.779 --> 00:47:56.420 eternal life. 00:47:58.559 --> 00:47:59.079 Friends, 00:47:59.119 --> 00:47:59.500 there's no 00:47:59.500 --> 00:48:00.360 better time than 00:48:00.360 --> 00:48:01.719 today to get 00:48:01.719 --> 00:48:02.719 off of Olympus, 00:48:02.719 --> 00:48:04.439 to get off of 00:48:04.439 --> 00:48:04.959 thinking you're 00:48:04.959 --> 00:48:05.279 Zeus. 00:48:06.059 --> 00:48:07.139 And I'm not 00:48:07.139 --> 00:48:07.619 using any 00:48:07.619 --> 00:48:08.539 formulaic prayers. 00:48:08.779 --> 00:48:09.319 All you have to 00:48:09.319 --> 00:48:10.000 say to God is 00:48:10.000 --> 00:48:11.419 God, Romans 1, 00:48:11.500 --> 00:48:12.379 16 to 17, 00:48:12.480 --> 00:48:12.719 we're going to 00:48:12.719 --> 00:48:13.219 say it one more 00:48:13.219 --> 00:48:13.599 time and then 00:48:13.599 --> 00:48:13.799 we're going to 00:48:13.799 --> 00:48:14.519 pray, God, 00:48:15.299 --> 00:48:17.439 that only you 00:48:17.439 --> 00:48:17.879 can do it. 00:48:18.099 --> 00:48:19.079 I need that. 00:48:19.199 --> 00:48:20.500 I want that to 00:48:20.500 --> 00:48:21.399 be the identity 00:48:21.399 --> 00:48:22.699 and the path of 00:48:22.699 --> 00:48:23.119 my life. 00:48:23.219 --> 00:48:24.679 I want that to 00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:25.239 grip me. 00:48:25.719 --> 00:48:26.980 I want that to 00:48:26.980 --> 00:48:27.399 grip me. 00:48:27.400 --> 00:48:29.260 Say it with 00:48:29.260 --> 00:48:29.760 me one more 00:48:29.760 --> 00:48:30.119 time. 00:48:31.059 --> 00:48:31.680 For I am not 00:48:31.680 --> 00:48:32.539 ashamed of the 00:48:32.539 --> 00:48:34.019 gospel, for it 00:48:34.019 --> 00:48:35.039 is the power of 00:48:35.039 --> 00:48:36.280 God for salvation 00:48:36.280 --> 00:48:37.619 to everyone who 00:48:37.619 --> 00:48:38.980 believes, to the 00:48:38.980 --> 00:48:39.980 Jew first and 00:48:39.980 --> 00:48:40.880 also to the 00:48:40.880 --> 00:48:41.139 Greek. 00:48:41.680 --> 00:48:42.400 For in the 00:48:42.400 --> 00:48:43.139 gospel the 00:48:43.139 --> 00:48:44.019 righteousness of 00:48:44.019 --> 00:48:45.160 God is revealed 00:48:45.160 --> 00:48:46.200 from faith to 00:48:46.200 --> 00:48:46.519 faith. 00:48:46.980 --> 00:48:47.660 As it is 00:48:47.660 --> 00:48:48.579 written, the 00:48:48.579 --> 00:48:49.400 righteous shall 00:48:49.400 --> 00:48:50.400 live by faith. 00:48:50.900 --> 00:48:51.619 Father, I ask 00:48:51.619 --> 00:48:53.039 that thank you so 00:48:53.039 --> 00:48:53.599 much for your 00:48:53.599 --> 00:48:54.480 kindness and your 00:48:54.480 --> 00:48:55.220 mercy to us. 00:48:55.340 --> 00:48:55.820 Thank you for 00:48:55.820 --> 00:48:56.720 your forbearance 00:48:56.719 --> 00:48:56.980 and your 00:48:56.980 --> 00:48:57.480 patience. 00:48:58.039 --> 00:48:58.739 Father, deliver 00:48:58.739 --> 00:48:59.619 us from all 00:48:59.619 --> 00:49:00.299 presumption. 00:49:00.419 --> 00:49:00.919 You know how 00:49:00.919 --> 00:49:01.939 easy, Father, it 00:49:01.939 --> 00:49:02.579 is for us to 00:49:02.579 --> 00:49:03.419 slide into 00:49:03.419 --> 00:49:03.939 presumption. 00:49:04.399 --> 00:49:04.919 Father, you know 00:49:04.919 --> 00:49:05.839 how easy it is to 00:49:05.839 --> 00:49:06.959 trust in Jesus but 00:49:06.959 --> 00:49:08.059 to still want to 00:49:08.059 --> 00:49:08.819 have those Zeus 00:49:08.819 --> 00:49:09.559 moments in our 00:49:09.559 --> 00:49:10.259 lives and to 00:49:10.259 --> 00:49:11.099 have idols in 00:49:11.099 --> 00:49:11.919 our lives and to 00:49:11.919 --> 00:49:12.399 boast in 00:49:12.399 --> 00:49:13.199 ourselves or be 00:49:13.199 --> 00:49:13.959 depressed that we 00:49:13.959 --> 00:49:14.759 can't boast about 00:49:14.759 --> 00:49:15.079 ourselves. 00:49:15.459 --> 00:49:16.239 Father, you know 00:49:16.239 --> 00:49:17.079 what it's like to 00:49:17.079 --> 00:49:18.099 be us because your 00:49:18.099 --> 00:49:19.119 son came and 00:49:19.119 --> 00:49:19.959 walked amongst us 00:49:19.959 --> 00:49:20.599 and suffered the 00:49:20.599 --> 00:49:21.199 trials and 00:49:21.199 --> 00:49:21.959 temptations that 00:49:21.959 --> 00:49:22.819 we do only 00:49:22.819 --> 00:49:23.459 without sin. 00:49:23.859 --> 00:49:24.799 Father, make us 00:49:24.799 --> 00:49:25.639 disciples of 00:49:25.639 --> 00:49:26.439 Jesus, gripped 00:49:26.440 --> 00:49:27.240 by the gospel 00:49:27.240 --> 00:49:27.860 who live for 00:49:27.860 --> 00:49:28.340 your glory. 00:49:28.800 --> 00:49:29.900 May Romans 1, 00:49:30.019 --> 00:49:31.480 16 to 17, Father, 00:49:31.619 --> 00:49:32.440 that may that be 00:49:32.440 --> 00:49:33.340 our identity, may 00:49:33.340 --> 00:49:34.480 that be what the 00:49:34.480 --> 00:49:35.159 ground of our 00:49:35.159 --> 00:49:35.960 life is, may that 00:49:35.960 --> 00:49:37.579 shape our life as 00:49:37.579 --> 00:49:39.059 we learn and as 00:49:39.059 --> 00:49:39.740 it shapes our 00:49:39.740 --> 00:49:40.340 life, may we 00:49:40.340 --> 00:49:41.300 live our lives not 00:49:41.300 --> 00:49:42.200 for our glory but 00:49:42.200 --> 00:49:42.679 for yours. 00:49:42.800 --> 00:49:43.659 And this we ask in 00:49:43.659 --> 00:49:44.559 Jesus' name. 00:49:45.179 --> 00:49:45.500 Amen. 00:49:45.500 --> 00:49:45.599 Amen. 00:49:47.699 --> 00:49:48.239 We're trazer to you 00:49:48.239 --> 00:49:50.119 the Bible and ́–‘Collarde