WEBVTT

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 Romans, page 1141.

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 So, Romans, page 1141, chapter 15, starting from verse 1 to 13.

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 That's page 1141.

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 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

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 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

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 For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written,

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 the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

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 For everything that was written in the past is written to teach us,

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 so that through endurance and encouragement, and the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.

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 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves,

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 as you follow Christ Jesus,

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 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

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 For I tell you that Christ has become the servant of the Jews,

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 on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

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 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy.

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 As it is written,

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 Therefore I praise you among the Gentiles, I will sing hymns to your name.

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 Again it says,

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 Rejoice, O Gentiles, with this people.

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 And again,

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 Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.

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 And again Isaiah says,

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 The root of Jesse will spring up,

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 one who will arise to rule over the nations.

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 The Gentiles will hope in him.

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 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace,

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 as you trust in him,

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 so that you may overflow with the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Thank you Stephen.

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 Well we've been looking at

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 chapters 14 and 15,

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 which is on the whole theme of unity,

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 bringing together God's people together.

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 Well we're going to pray and ask for his help to us now,

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 as we look at this section in Romans 15.

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 Let's pray.

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 Amen.

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 Our Father God, we thank you so much for your amazing grace to us.

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 We thank you for what Christ has done in our lives,

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 to bring us together as one people,

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 united under Christ.

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 We pray, Father, for your protection on our unity,

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 and we pray for your ongoing work in our lives,

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 so that we work together,

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 and live together as your people,

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 reaching out to our community,

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 and reaching out to the world.

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 We pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, with the World Cup well and truly underway,

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 we're beginning to get an idea as to who's going to win.

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 It's not going to be England anyway,

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 that's for sure.

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 My money's still on Argentina.

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 But vital to the success of every team is unity.

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 So you can have the most skillful players in the world on your team,

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 but if they're all fighting and arguing and squabbling with each other,

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 they're not going to win anything.

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 But the team that's united,

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 players, coaches, and managers,

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 all working together,

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 they're going to be successful.

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 In the same way,

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 the local church is to be a united team.

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 Under our one true manager,

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 the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 our goal is to preach the gospel,

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 the good news about Jesus Christ,

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 to all people in all places.

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 But to achieve that,

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 if we're going to reach that goal,

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 we've got to protect our unity,

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 in Christ.

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 In other words,

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 if we're divided,

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 it's not going to happen.

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 You see,

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 sometimes within the life of the church,

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 we can lose our shape.

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 And we can begin to argue and fight over,

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 if you go back to chapter 14,

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 verse 1,

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 the very end of verse 1,

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 we can begin to argue and fight over

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 what's called here disputable matters.

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 And as we've seen over the last couple of weeks,

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 these are not primary issues of faith,

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 like salvation by grace,

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 or the authority of scripture.

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 So not the primaries of issues of faith,

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 but the practice of our faith.

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 So some of the things we were looking at by way of example was,

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 one person may view Sunday just like any other day,

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 and they can go play sport,

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 they can go to the shops,

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 they can do all sorts of things,

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 but for another person,

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 they must keep it special.

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 For one person,

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 they might be free to have a glass of wine,

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 or a smoke after dinner.

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 For another person,

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 they may be not free to do so.

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 Or somebody might say,

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 well, I can listen to secular music,

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 I can watch an 18s movie.

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 Another says,

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 I'm not free to do that.

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 So instead of dividing over these disputable matters,

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 look at chapter 14, verse 13.

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 There's the strong command,

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 therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.

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 Instead,

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 make up your mind.

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 So,

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 don't judge each other,

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 but make good judgments with each other.

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 Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

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 In other words,

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 don't behave in such a way that's going to cause your fellow brother or sister in Christ

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 to trip in their faith and fall.

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 Verse 15.

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 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat,

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 and I don't think we have a problem here with the kinds of things we eat,

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 but so distressed because of your behavior,

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 you are no longer acting in love.

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 Do not,

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 by your eating or your behavior,

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 destroy your sister for whom Christ died.

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 So rather than pursuing your particular freedoms in Christ,

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 here's a call to protect the unity we have in Christ.

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 Verse 22.

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 So whatever you believe about these things,

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 whatever your opinion or your view is on these disputable matters,

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 keep between yourself and God.

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 Don't make your private convictions a public controversy.

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 So there are two ways in chapter 15 that we're going to look at that will help us to protect the unity we have in Christ.

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 First,

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 please each other

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 as Christ pleased you.

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 Please each other as Christ pleased you.

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 So look at verse 1 of chapter 15.

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 We who are strong,

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 that is,

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 those who are strong in faith,

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 so where the gospel has taken effect in their lives,

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 and they've come to know the freedom that the gospel brings,

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 we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak,

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 and not to please ourselves.

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 You know what the reason for every conflict and argument is?

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 What causes conflicts and arguments?

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 We want to please ourselves.

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 It's the cause of every war in the world,

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 every family breakup within our communities,

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 and every division within the church.

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 We have a desire to always please ourselves,

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 insisting on what we want and behave as we choose to.

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 But,

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 verse 2,

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 each of us,

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 rather than please ourselves,

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 should please his neighbour

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 for his good to build him up.

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 So rather than pursuing my freedom in Christ,

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 I am protecting the unity we have in Christ.

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 I want to please my fellow Christian.

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 I don't want to upset them or cause them to trip.

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 Look back at verse 1.

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 That little phrase where it says,

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 we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak.

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 To bear with means,

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 doesn't just mean,

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 well,

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 I've got to put up with this person,

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 I don't really like them,

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 and they're a little bit awkward,

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 and I've got to put up with them in a condescending kind of way.

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 No,

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 it means that,

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 actually,

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 I'm willing to change my behaviour,

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 so that my fellow Christian doesn't trip up in the faith.

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 Instead of destroying each other by our behaviours,

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 we build each other up by our behaviours.

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 So,

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 pleasing our neighbour,

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 pleasing each other,

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 that's hard to do.

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 And if we struggle to do this,

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 look at verse 3.

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 So,

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 we are to please ourselves,

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 verse 3,

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 for or because,

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 even Christ did not please himself,

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 but,

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 as is written,

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 the insults of those who insult you,

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 have fallen on me.

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 This is a reference,

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 back from the Psalms,

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 but it's talking about Jesus when he went to the cross.

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 As Jesus made his way,

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 with all the beatings that he endured,

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 and all the mocking from the soldiers,

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 and all the abuse from the crowds,

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 and all the taunting from those who were at the cross,

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 and all the insults that heaped down on Jesus,

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 everything that happened that day,

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 as Jesus made his way to the cross,

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 and as he hung on the cross,

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 all that was going on was humanity's hostility towards God,

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 mankind shaking their fist at God,

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 saying,

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 we don't want you,

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 we don't want you ruling us,

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 we don't want you in our lives.

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 But all of that hostility,

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 although directed towards God,

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 fell on Jesus Christ.

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 Look at the quote again that we have in verse 3.

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 The insults of those who insult you,

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 they're the insults that insult God,

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 have fallen on me.

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 That is, Jesus.

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 And as Jesus endured all of that,

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 he didn't avoid the insults.

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 Jesus didn't insist on getting his way.

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 He took the insults.

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 He didn't please himself.

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 Rather, he went through all of that to please his neighbour.

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 He went through it all to please you and me.

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 He suffered on the cross.

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 He endured all of that for our good,

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 to build us up,

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 to strengthen us,

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 so that we might be accepted by the Father

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 and welcomed into his family.

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 Now, if Jesus has done that for me,

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 if Jesus has done that for you,

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 shouldn't we be willing

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 to bear with our fellow Christian?

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 Rather than please ourselves,

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 we seek to please each other.

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 We should be willing to take the insults

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 rather than put the other person down.

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 So if I'm free to go to the pub

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 or to buy a lottery ticket,

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 and I know that's going to offend you

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 or hurt you in some way,

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 I change my behaviour

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 so that I do not cause

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 another Christian to stumble

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 and fall.

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 We live to please one another.

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 Now, the reason

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 we please each other

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 is because

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 of the wonderful hope

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 that is to come.

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 So, look at verse 4.

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 For everything that was written

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 in the past,

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 including the quote there

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 from Psalm 69

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 we've just read,

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 for everything that was written

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 in the past

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 was written to teach us

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 so that through endurance

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 and the encouragement

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 of the scriptures,

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 we might have hope.

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 Now, let's be honest here,

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 and I think the scriptures

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 are really refreshingly real with us

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 to say to us,

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 living with each other

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 within the church family

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 is hard work.

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 To be a part of the church family

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 with all our differences

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 and all our cultures

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 and our backgrounds

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 and our different traditions

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 isn't easy.

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 We're going to clash

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 at certain times.

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 But here's the encouragement.

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 Hope awaits us.

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 That's said at the end of verse 4.

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 Through endurance

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 and the encouragement

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 of the scriptures

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 we might have hope.

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 And the hope that he's referring to

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 here is the hope of glory,

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 the hope that is to come.

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 So keep your finger there

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 in chapter 15

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 and just have a quick look back

00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:34.240
 to chapter 8.

00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.500
 Chapter 8, verse 21.

00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:38.780
 And here he's been talking about

00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:40.780
 the hope that's to come,

00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.660
 the new creation,

00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:43.680
 the new beginning

00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:45.139
 that we are all

00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:47.060
 looking forward to.

00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:51.559
 So he's looking forward in hope,

00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:55.599
 chapter 8, verse 21.

00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.799
 The hope that creation itself

00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.979
 will be liberated

00:15:00.979 --> 00:15:02.839
 from its bondage to decay

00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:05.319
 and brought into the glorious freedom

00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:07.099
 of the children of God.

00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:08.399
 Verse 24.

00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:11.319
 For in this hope

00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.619
 we were saved.

00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.899
 But hope that is seen

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.940
 is no hope at all.

00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:19.600
 Who hopes for what he already has?

00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:23.600
 But if we hope for what we do not yet have,

00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:26.799
 we wait for it patiently.

00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:30.060
 Go back to chapter 15.

00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.419
 You see, this is the hope

00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:33.519
 we are all longing for.

00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:36.060
 This is the glory we all want

00:15:36.060 --> 00:15:39.039
 when everything is going to be put right.

00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.679
 Everything in the universe

00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:43.379
 is all going to be put

00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.579
 ordered again

00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:46.559
 and everything is going to flow right

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:48.419
 and everything is going to work out right.

00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.899
 And in chapter 15, verse 4,

00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.339
 we're told that the scriptures

00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:54.939
 give us the hope.

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:57.439
 As we read through the scriptures,

00:15:57.599 --> 00:15:58.679
 they remind us

00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:00.699
 of God's promise in his word

00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.659
 that one day

00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.139
 we, his people,

00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.459
 are going to be

00:16:04.459 --> 00:16:05.719
 living together

00:16:05.719 --> 00:16:06.819
 with him

00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.980
 in the new heavens

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:09.139
 and the new creation.

00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.300
 You and me

00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:12.600
 together with him.

00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:15.019
 And when we are together

00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.940
 in glory,

00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.060
 there's going to be

00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:18.460
 no more disagreements.

00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:20.860
 There's going to be

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.019
 no more disputes.

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.899
 There's going to be

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.019
 no more struggles.

00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.200
 There's going to be

00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.659
 no more division.

00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:32.120
 Now if that's what you and I

00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.360
 are looking forward to,

00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.980
 if that's what's ahead,

00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:37.180
 the encouragement here is,

00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.419
 well why don't we

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.599
 start living it now?

00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.879
 This is what we have.

00:16:42.319 --> 00:16:43.699
 This is what we've been given.

00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:45.939
 So as God's people,

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.620
 start living it now.

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.439
 If we're all going to be

00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:50.459
 pleasing each other

00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:51.139
 in glory

00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.419
 with all our differences

00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.839
 and all our cultures

00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:55.099
 and all our traditions

00:16:55.099 --> 00:16:56.199
 and a whole lot more

00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:57.079
 together,

00:16:58.079 --> 00:17:00.879
 then we can start living

00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:02.599
 to please each other now

00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:04.480
 as God's people.

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.319
 for that's what it's

00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.140
 going to be like.

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:10.279
 And to do that

00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:13.819
 and to live like that,

00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.279
 we need to pray.

00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.519
 Look at verse 5.

00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:22.839
 May the God who gives

00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:25.200
 endurance and encouragement

00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:28.500
 give you a spirit of unity

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:31.019
 among yourselves

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:33.299
 as you follow

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:35.000
 Christ Jesus.

00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:38.380
 If we are going to

00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.299
 keep together,

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.319
 if we are going to

00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.580
 work together,

00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.740
 then we need to

00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.799
 pray together.

00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:48.080
 We've got to ask

00:17:48.080 --> 00:17:49.019
 our Father

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.480
 as his children

00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.720
 to give us,

00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:52.860
 look at verse 5,

00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.740
 a spirit of unity.

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.479
 So,

00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:58.379
 if you and I

00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.639
 have some dispute

00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.240
 about,

00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:01.179
 well,

00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.039
 how often we should

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.379
 celebrate the Lord's Supper

00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.399
 and whether we can do it

00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.199
 in our home groups

00:18:05.199 --> 00:18:06.179
 as well as church

00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:07.099
 and there's a bit

00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.719
 of disagreement

00:18:07.719 --> 00:18:08.719
 going on there,

00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:09.819
 well,

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.839
 then we need to pray

00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:12.379
 for a spirit of unity

00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:14.579
 to ask God

00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.879
 to change us

00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:17.459
 through the gospel

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:20.299
 so that our minds

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.220
 are transformed

00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.660
 and our behaviours

00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.559
 are conformed

00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.900
 so that we come

00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.720
 to one mind,

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.319
 that we have

00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.140
 an agreement together.

00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:31.460
 And as we pray

00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.759
 for the spirit

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:34.279
 of unity amongst us,

00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:35.480
 it will be answered.

00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.440
 Look at verse 6.

00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:40.320
 So that with one heart

00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:41.200
 and one mouth

00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:43.120
 you will glorify

00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:44.440
 the God and Father

00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:46.580
 of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:47.720
 Our unity

00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:49.320
 will be so strong

00:18:49.320 --> 00:18:50.799
 that we're no longer

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.360
 arguing and disputing

00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:54.360
 all these debatable matters.

00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:55.840
 Instead,

00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:57.019
 we will be a people

00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.960
 with one heart

00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.860
 and one mouth

00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:01.380
 praising the Lord together.

00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.160
 In other words,

00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.840
 getting on with the task

00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.579
 of preaching the gospel

00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.619
 to all people

00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:08.799
 in all kinds of places

00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.859
 because that will be our focus.

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.339
 We won't be arguing

00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.279
 and disputing.

00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.659
 We will be focused

00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:16.159
 on what he's called us to do.

00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.720
 So first,

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.699
 please each other

00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:24.339
 as Christ pleased you

00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:26.699
 because we are going

00:19:26.699 --> 00:19:27.919
 to be united together

00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:28.619
 in glory.

00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.439
 And until we get there,

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.819
 pray for that

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.939
 spirit of unity

00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:36.059
 to be at work

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.519
 amongst us.

00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.000
 Maybe there's somebody

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.879
 you have on your mind

00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:42.519
 that you need

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.500
 to be praying for

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.700
 or a situation.

00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:46.779
 Pray

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.599
 for God's unity

00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.539
 to be at work

00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:51.220
 among you.

00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:53.159
 Second,

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:56.679
 the second way

00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:58.559
 to protect our unity,

00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.119
 accept each other

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:02.799
 as Christ has accepted you.

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.659
 accept each other

00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:06.919
 as Christ has accepted you.

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.119
 Look at verse 7.

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.259
 Accept one another then

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:14.399
 just as Christ accepted you

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:16.240
 in order to bring praise

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.859
 to God.

00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.399
 Now this whole idea

00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:19.139
 of accepting

00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.899
 means

00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:21.279
 that we are to give

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.980
 one another

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.480
 a rich welcome

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.299
 into the family

00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.259
 of the church

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.720
 because

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.740
 that is how God

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.599
 has treated you.

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:32.899
 if you are a Christian,

00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:35.500
 God has welcomed you

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.319
 into his family.

00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:40.139
 He has taken us

00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.119
 and accepted us

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.839
 on the basis

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.459
 of

00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:43.980
 not our culture

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.019
 or our tradition

00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.199
 or our background

00:20:46.199 --> 00:20:47.480
 but our faith

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.179
 in Christ.

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.379
 Not our opinion

00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:52.059
 over some disputable matter.

00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.419
 He's welcomed us

00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:55.439
 because of our faith

00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:55.919
 in Christ.

00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:57.300
 So who am I

00:20:57.300 --> 00:20:58.700
 and who are you

00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:00.660
 to reject

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.220
 who God

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:02.960
 has accepted?

00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.720
 You see,

00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.560
 you and I

00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.080
 don't actually

00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:08.039
 get to decide

00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.060
 who we welcome

00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:10.000
 into his family.

00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.980
 God decides that.

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.120
 And if God

00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.759
 has accepted

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.220
 somebody

00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.320
 by his grace,

00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:17.820
 then we are

00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:18.259
 to welcome

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.860
 each other

00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.700
 in grace.

00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.039
 We mightn't

00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.779
 agree about

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.300
 everything.

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.259
 We might have

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.359
 differences of opinion

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.399
 over some things.

00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.180
 But that doesn't mean

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.700
 to say we don't

00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.659
 welcome each other

00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.319
 in grace.

00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.099
 We need to be

00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.000
 so careful

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.099
 as a church family

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.279
 that we don't

00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.000
 accept people

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.940
 on the same basis

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.960
 that they hold

00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.759
 the same opinion

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.319
 as me.

00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.460
 If everybody

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.480
 held my opinion

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:42.980
 or everybody

00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.859
 held your opinion

00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.359
 and we only

00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:44.940
 welcomed those

00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.599
 kind of people,

00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:46.700
 well,

00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.500
 let's face it,

00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:47.919
 there would only

00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.740
 be one person

00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.519
 in the church.

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.200
 No,

00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.980
 we accept

00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.480
 each other

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.339
 because Christ

00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.519
 has accepted us.

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.240
 And when we

00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.180
 accept each other,

00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.799
 look at the end

00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.480
 of verse 7,

00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.819
 it brings praise

00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.519
 to God.

00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.139
 In other words,

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.799
 it's not just

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.680
 kind of our singing

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.400
 that we're talking

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.920
 about here,

00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.839
 but when we

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.900
 welcome each other

00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.519
 in Christ,

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.980
 we are declaring

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.779
 to the world

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.559
 around us

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.519
 how welcoming

00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:16.019
 God is.

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.740
 When we're

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.200
 accepting each other,

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:21.079
 we are proclaiming

00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:21.700
 to the world

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.720
 how God

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.859
 accepts people

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:25.119
 in Christ.

00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.519
 Now,

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.180
 the reason

00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.619
 we are to

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.660
 accept each other

00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.779
 is because

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:34.660
 of God's

00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.220
 promise

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.680
 of grace

00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:38.819
 to the nations.

00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.759
 God's promise

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.319
 of grace

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.079
 to the nations.

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.720
 Look at

00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.259
 verse 8.

00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.240
 We are to

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.779
 accept

00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.740
 one another,

00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.859
 verse 8,

00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:50.859
 for or because

00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:52.079
 I tell you

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.859
 that Christ

00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.399
 has become

00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:53.879
 a servant

00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.819
 of the Jews

00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.299
 on behalf

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:56.979
 of God's

00:22:56.979 --> 00:22:57.399
 truth

00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.939
 to confirm

00:22:58.939 --> 00:22:59.619
 the promises

00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.319
 made to the

00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.599
 patriarchs

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.740
 so that

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.819
 the Gentiles

00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.139
 may glorify

00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:05.619
 God

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.199
 for his

00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:06.759
 mercy.

00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.099
 Now,

00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:08.699
 that's quite a

00:23:08.699 --> 00:23:09.139
 mouthful,

00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:09.500
 isn't it,

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:09.939
 to try and

00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:10.299
 work through,

00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:11.099
 but let me

00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.779
 try and put it

00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.279
 this way.

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.559
 God had

00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.119
 promised

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:17.339
 the patriarchs.

00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.000
 He had

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.359
 made a

00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.000
 promise to

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.579
 Abraham

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.239
 and to

00:23:20.239 --> 00:23:20.919
 his children

00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:22.299
 that he

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.779
 was going

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.459
 to send

00:23:23.459 --> 00:23:24.439
 his saving

00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:25.159
 king,

00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:25.959
 the Lord

00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:27.019
 Jesus Christ.

00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:28.359
 And his

00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:28.759
 coming,

00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.299
 when the Lord

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.039
 Jesus was to

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.619
 come into the

00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:30.859
 world,

00:23:31.219 --> 00:23:31.859
 he was to

00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.339
 welcome

00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.759
 and he was

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.539
 to save

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.439
 not just

00:23:35.439 --> 00:23:36.559
 Jewish people,

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.359
 but all

00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.279
 kinds of

00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.799
 people from

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.559
 all kinds

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.099
 of nations

00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:42.079
 and all kinds

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.579
 of backgrounds.

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.220
 he was

00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.679
 going to

00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:44.199
 welcome

00:23:44.199 --> 00:23:45.559
 in the

00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.240
 Gentiles

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.740
 too.

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.099
 Because

00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.539
 God,

00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.000
 by his

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.319
 grace,

00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:50.059
 longs to

00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.399
 welcome

00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.019
 and accept

00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.019
 people in

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.599
 all kinds

00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.259
 of places.

00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.019
 And so

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.480
 we're given

00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:54.899
 all these

00:23:54.899 --> 00:23:55.579
 different quotes

00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.939
 from the

00:23:55.939 --> 00:23:56.839
 Old Testament

00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.579
 to remind

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.359
 us of

00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:58.819
 God's

00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.379
 promise of

00:23:59.379 --> 00:23:59.899
 grace to

00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.500
 all these

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.240
 different kinds

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.740
 of people.

00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:02.539
 So look at

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.179
 verse 9.

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.899
 Therefore,

00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.460
 I will

00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.480
 praise you

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.939
 among the

00:24:08.939 --> 00:24:09.659
 Gentiles,

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.539
 I will sing

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.379
 hymns to

00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:11.939
 your name.

00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.639
 God's

00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:14.500
 desire and

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.519
 longing is

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:15.899
 that the

00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:16.579
 nations would

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.439
 be included

00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:18.019
 and that they

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.639
 would join

00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.339
 in the praise

00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.139
 and celebration

00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:20.779
 of God.

00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.579
 And there

00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.279
 is great

00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.659
 rejoicing when

00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.500
 all the people

00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.119
 come together.

00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.679
 So look at

00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:28.339
 the theme of

00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.539
 rejoicing and

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.339
 praising that's

00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.939
 going on as

00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.659
 these people are

00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.240
 brought together.

00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.839
 Verse 10.

00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:33.939
 Again it says,

00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.619
 rejoice,

00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.439
 O Gentiles,

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.299
 with his

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.839
 people.

00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.899
 And again,

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.079
 praise the

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.419
 Lord,

00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.379
 all you

00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:42.139
 Gentiles.

00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:46.560
 And again,

00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.520
 Isaiah says,

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.200
 the root of

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.580
 Jesse,

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.160
 in other words,

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.759
 coming from

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.420
 his line,

00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.560
 will spring

00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:52.920
 up one who

00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.920
 will arise to

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.900
 rule over the

00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.300
 nations.

00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:55.920
 That's the

00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.580
 Lord Jesus.

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.740
 And the

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.340
 Gentiles will

00:24:59.340 --> 00:25:00.460
 hope in

00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:00.860
 him.

00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:02.640
 Jesus,

00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.280
 by his

00:25:03.280 --> 00:25:03.720
 grace,

00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:04.380
 had come

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.220
 into the

00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.840
 world to

00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:07.280
 accept and

00:25:07.280 --> 00:25:08.320
 welcome all

00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.879
 kinds of

00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.399
 people from

00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.240
 all kinds

00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.859
 of places.

00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.099
 And if

00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.619
 God is

00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.139
 this kind

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.559
 of God

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.279
 who accepts

00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.960
 people and

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.419
 welcomes

00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:15.939
 people,

00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.539
 if he's

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.039
 come to

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.159
 save people

00:25:19.159 --> 00:25:19.599
 from all

00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.399
 different places

00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.119
 and cultures,

00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:22.259
 isn't that

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.779
 the kind

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.500
 of church

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.079
 and the

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.399
 kind of

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.980
 people that

00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.419
 we should

00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:25.720
 be?

00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:26.919
 And

00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:27.639
 welcoming and

00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.299
 accepting

00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.879
 people.

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.220
 Rather than

00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.259
 arguing and

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.859
 fighting over

00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.740
 disputable

00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.259
 matters,

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:37.339
 instead we

00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.440
 are rejoicing

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.379
 together and

00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.359
 praising God

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.339
 together in

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.259
 the grace that

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.079
 we have all

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.920
 received from

00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.259
 him.

00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.160
 We are to

00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.319
 celebrate our

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.379
 unity in

00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:51.059
 Christ and

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.700
 how he has

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.400
 brought us

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.259
 together.

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.119
 At the very

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.799
 beginning of our

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.559
 time together we

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.200
 went through the

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.119
 nations that are

00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:00.180
 represented here.

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.599
 And we are all

00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.420
 people brought

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.740
 together through

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.460
 Christ and

00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.220
 his grace.

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.299
 Well how are we

00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.140
 going to keep

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.440
 and protect that

00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:11.839
 unity?

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.220
 Well we need to

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:14.620
 pray.

00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.099
 Verse 13.

00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:19.779
 May the

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.819
 God of hope

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:22.220
 fill you,

00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:22.920
 fill the

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.480
 church,

00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:25.059
 with all

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.319
 joy and

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:28.599
 peace as

00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.339
 you trust in

00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.660
 him.

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.680
 Rather than a

00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.259
 church filled

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.019
 with arguments

00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.980
 and disagreements,

00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.819
 we are a

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.420
 church to be

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.680
 filled with

00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.460
 joy and

00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:37.960
 peace.

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.019
 In other

00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.440
 words our

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.319
 focus is to

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.839
 be on the

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:42.319
 primary matters,

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:42.860
 not on

00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.599
 disputable

00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.019
 matters.

00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.900
 So if I

00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.779
 find myself or

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.240
 you find

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.839
 yourself in a

00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.500
 conflict with

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.180
 someone else,

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:49.440
 I need to

00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.700
 pray that God

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.759
 will fill me

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.740
 with his joy

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:54.539
 so that I

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.480
 rejoice in the

00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.259
 grace that you

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.920
 have received

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.460
 and that I

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.200
 have received.

00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.160
 And I need to

00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:00.819
 pray that God

00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.759
 will fill me with

00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.539
 his peace so

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.240
 that I don't

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.799
 do anything

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.240
 that's going

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.900
 to cause you

00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.420
 to stumble in

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.200
 your face.

00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.660
 And this is

00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.400
 the prayer we're

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.119
 to pray for

00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.740
 each other as

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.619
 a church family.

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.259
 And as we

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.379
 do, as we

00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:16.000
 pray this

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.960
 prayer, look

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.240
 at what

00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.700
 happens.

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.279
 Look at the

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.720
 end of verse

00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.259
 13.

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.240
 May the

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:21.779
 God of hope

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.339
 fill you with

00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:22.980
 all joy and

00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.519
 peace as you

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.140
 trust in him

00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:25.839
 so that you

00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:27.240
 may overflow

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:29.299
 with hope by

00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.160
 the power of

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.000
 the Holy Spirit.

00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.940
 As we pray

00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.680
 this prayer,

00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.579
 God fills us

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.620
 with joy and

00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.599
 peace and the

00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.500
 Holy Spirit is

00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.319
 at work within

00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.259
 us and as we

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.880
 are filled it

00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.539
 begins to

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.680
 overflow with

00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.440
 hope to a

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:46.079
 world without

00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.779
 hope.

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.420
 We begin to

00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.640
 overflow to the

00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.759
 community and

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.460
 to the nations

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:54.700
 beyond us to

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.900
 show people how

00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.920
 God welcomes

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.759
 and accepts

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.160
 others in

00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.680
 Christ.

00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.280
 Together as

00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:03.900
 we live out

00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.580
 this prayer,

00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:06.400
 we declare

00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.400
 and proclaim

00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:09.120
 the hope we

00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:10.180
 have in

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.680
 Christ.

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.820
 So the

00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:15.640
 local church

00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:17.880
 is to be a

00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.900
 united team.

00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:20.980
 We are

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.980
 together under

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.060
 our one true

00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:23.800
 manager, the

00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.460
 Lord Jesus

00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.040
 Christ.

00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.079
 our goal, and

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.519
 this is the

00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.339
 big theme of

00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.240
 Romans, is

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.980
 that together

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.500
 as one

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.079
 people we

00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.420
 would be

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.279
 united together

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.960
 to preach

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.759
 the gospel,

00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.559
 the good news

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.039
 about the

00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.579
 Lord Jesus

00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.460
 Christ to

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.240
 all people

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.960
 in all

00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.460
 places.

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.559
 That's the

00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.039
 purpose of

00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.460
 our unity.

00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.079
 That's why

00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:40.579
 he's brought

00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.200
 us together,

00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.139
 so that we

00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:42.639
 would be a

00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.619
 people together

00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:44.440
 as one

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.980
 body reaching

00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.460
 out.

00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.119
 But to

00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:49.139
 achieve that,

00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.879
 we must

00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.599
 protect our

00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.059
 unity.

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.139
 unity.

00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.019
 Just as

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.440
 Christ

00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:56.299
 pleased us,

00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:57.740
 so we

00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.359
 please each

00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:58.619
 other.

00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.899
 Just as

00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.679
 Christ has

00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.740
 accepted us,

00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.619
 we accept

00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.779
 each other.

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.599
 And with

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:09.299
 that, let's

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.759
 pray those

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.460
 prayers from

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.779
 verse 5 and

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.500
 verse 13.

00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.240
 Let's pray

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.960
 together.

00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:24.720
 May the

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.519
 God who

00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.019
 gives

00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.180
 endurance

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.720
 and

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.460
 encouragement

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:31.880
 give us

00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.019
 a spirit

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.740
 of unity

00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:35.279
 among

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.980
 ourselves

00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.620
 as we

00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.160
 follow

00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.740
 Christ

00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.200
 Jesus.

00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.500
 And may

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.180
 the God

00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.240
 of hope

00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.460
 fill us

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.779
 with all

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.779
 joy and

00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.600
 peace as

00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.380
 we trust

00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.920
 in him

00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.900
 so that

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:52.460
 we may

00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.299
 overflow

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.299
 with hope

00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.700
 by the

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.920
 power of

00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.480
 the Holy

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:57.920
 Spirit.

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:01.539
 We ask

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:03.100
 this in

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.579
 Jesus'

00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.039
 name.

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.460
 Amen.