WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.620 Well, happy belated Thanksgiving. 00:00:04.740 --> 00:00:10.800 I know that for many of us, Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing, but others of us, Thanksgiving 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:15.000 is a hard thing because, let's be frank, relationships tend to be messy. 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:20.339 And relationships can be downright hostile from time to time. 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:22.219 Here's why. 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:28.600 Whenever you have people coming together, there's usually some kind of relational mess 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:29.300 that happens. 00:00:29.300 --> 00:00:32.079 Has anybody seen the Peanuts Thanksgiving? 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:34.820 Do you know who Pigpen is? 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:41.359 Pigpen is that little guy with kind of the smoky dirt cloud that kind of goes around with 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:41.620 him. 00:00:41.960 --> 00:00:44.140 That's kind of like a picture of us. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:50.260 We bring this little kind of relational mess around with us because we've got something 00:00:50.260 --> 00:00:55.439 in us called the flesh that likes to wreak havoc on relationships. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:01:02.479 The church is no exception to relational mess. 00:01:02.820 --> 00:01:07.640 Our church is no exception to relational mess. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:10.459 I don't know about you, but imputing motives? 00:01:10.459 --> 00:01:15.739 When someone says something to you and you think, oh, I know why they're telling me this. 00:01:16.699 --> 00:01:18.259 I know what's going on in them. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:25.020 Or maybe it's defensiveness or being critical with one another, holding grudges, avoiding 00:01:25.020 --> 00:01:29.219 each other, fear, control, gossip, envy, anger. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:35.000 All of these things wreak havoc within a church. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:38.200 It's the little dirt around Pigpen. 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:45.259 Now, I don't know about you, but I see all of these things I've just named in me. 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:48.380 How about you? 00:01:51.380 --> 00:02:01.719 Every one of us has this potential to inflect harm on our church and not just insignificant 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:04.840 harm, significant harm. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:15.879 What resides in us, what Paul calls the flesh, can undo what God by His Spirit is seeking 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:16.719 to do. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:19.120 Unite us in love. 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:26.659 Apparently, back when this letter was written to the churches in Galatia, there was this 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:31.699 major threat of losing the gospel of grace with this threat of legalism. 00:02:31.699 --> 00:02:37.879 But in addition to this threat to the gospel, there was this other threat of infighting. 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:43.699 And so if you're in Galatians 5, if you look at verse 15, we read it this way. 00:02:43.799 --> 00:02:47.719 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you're not consumed by one another. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:53.959 Now, if you flip down to 5, 19, and 20, we read, now the works of the flesh are evident, 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:59.620 sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits 00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:02.140 of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, and envy. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:04.980 It's a kind of infighting. 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:19.439 Now, it should not surprise us when we hear that when a people loses sight of the gospel, 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:23.259 that there is this resultant infighting. 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:30.259 Because when you lose sight of the gospel of grace, when it ceases to become central to 00:03:30.259 --> 00:03:35.859 your community, you tend to forget what God in His love has done for you. 00:03:37.299 --> 00:03:43.459 And when you forget what God in His love has done for you on the cross, it's just a matter 00:03:43.459 --> 00:03:50.500 of time before you revert back to your old way of doing things, living for your flesh. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:59.180 And when your flesh is governing your interactions with others, especially within the church, the 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:06.939 result is a harmful chaos, biting, devouring, and consuming. 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:16.579 We're all prone to give way to our flesh and wreak havoc on one another. 00:04:16.719 --> 00:04:21.319 Whether that's on a Sunday morning, whether that's on a ministry team, whether that's in 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:27.519 your life group, whether that's in your marriage, or in your parenting, or in your friendships, 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:30.240 our flesh is a threat. 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:32.740 But it's not the gospel way. 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:45.180 Our freedom in Christ doesn't give us the license to wreak havoc in our flesh, but our 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:50.939 freedom in Christ compels us to serve one another in love. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:52.199 So let me put it this way. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:59.519 Our freedom in Christ is not an opportunity for our flesh, but an opportunity for our love. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:05.959 So this morning, I'm going to walk you through this passage, and I want you to see three 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:06.319 things. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:09.299 There is a gospel reminder in 513. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:13.120 You were called to freedom, brothers. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:16.639 There is a gospel warning. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:21.599 Also in 13, do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:25.700 And then there is a gospel mandate. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:28.020 It's the end of verse 13. 00:05:28.760 --> 00:05:31.700 Through love, serve one another. 00:05:31.840 --> 00:05:38.360 Our freedom in Christ is not an opportunity for our flesh, but an opportunity for our love. 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:42.960 So let's look at this gospel reminder. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:47.720 You were called to freedom, brothers. 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:51.700 Brothers, who's doing this calling? 00:05:53.060 --> 00:06:00.380 Well, if you look back to verse 8, Paul says, this persuasion is not from him who calls you. 00:06:01.020 --> 00:06:04.740 The one who calls us to freedom is God himself. 00:06:05.340 --> 00:06:13.600 It is an effectual call in which once you hear the gospel, you respond to God. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:24.939 God has called every Christian in this room to freedom in Christ. 00:06:26.820 --> 00:06:33.140 On January 1st, 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the 00:06:33.140 --> 00:06:35.060 Emancipation Proclamation. 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:47.439 Quote, that all persons held as slaves are and henceforward shall be free. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:49.259 End quote. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:59.220 At that moment in our nation's history, every slave in the Union was legally free. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:05.920 Regardless of how they, the slaves, felt about it. 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:09.780 Regardless of how their southern masters felt about it. 00:07:10.080 --> 00:07:14.180 Regardless of how the southern economy felt about it. 00:07:14.380 --> 00:07:16.100 They were free. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:22.740 And ever since, we've been fighting for the equality of our African American brothers and sisters. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:33.920 The gospel is God's emancipation proclamation to sinners that sets us free. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:37.360 Freedom from what? 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:43.120 Well, freedom from a certain slave mentality. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:50.180 Thinking that our obedience to God's law is what saves us. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:53.120 That's what we're set free from. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:08:02.400 We're set free from thinking that we save ourselves by obeying God's law. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:09.680 We're set free from thinking that if only I obey God's word so much, then he'll love me. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:13.180 We're set free from that. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:18.740 And this particular slave mentality is called legalism. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:22.220 It's one of two mistakes that distort the gospel. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:25.939 But we know. 00:08:26.900 --> 00:08:30.680 And this is what Paul has been hammering on in the book of Galatians. 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:34.700 We know that it's not our obedience that saves us. 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:39.840 It's only the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross that saves us. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:44.960 And that saves us once and for all and forever. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:46.960 If you believe it. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:47.540 If you believe it. 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:56.600 If you believe in what God has done for you through Christ on the cross, you have been set free. 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:00.759 God has called you to that. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:04.060 God has set you free. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:06.059 God has called you to that. 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:08.059 God has called you to that. 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:08.500 God has called you to that. 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:09.639 How do you apply this? 00:09:09.819 --> 00:09:19.419 Well, if you're not a Christian in the room, you need to turn to Christ and call out to him to set you free. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:23.799 You simply say something like this. 00:09:23.959 --> 00:09:24.699 Lord Jesus. 00:09:24.979 --> 00:09:26.519 Risen Lord Jesus. 00:09:27.699 --> 00:09:29.620 Set me free from me. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:37.839 And if you are a Christian in the room, here's what I'd like you to do. 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:40.399 Turn to the person next to you. 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:43.319 And say this. 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:46.079 Christ has set me free. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.139 Go on. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.720 Christ has set me free. 00:09:57.459 --> 00:10:04.500 So, this gospel reminder is this reminder that God himself through the cross has called us to freedom. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:08.120 It's God's emancipation proclamation. 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.320 And if you believe it, you're free. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:16.559 Free from earning God's acceptance through obedience to his law. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:23.039 So, we move from a gospel reminder to a gospel warning. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:26.700 This is the second part of verse 13. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:29.039 For you were called to freedom, brothers. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:33.679 Brothers, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:38.699 If one mistake, one distortion of the gospel is legalism. 00:10:39.819 --> 00:10:44.179 Seeking to earn God's love and acceptance through obedience to his law. 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:46.579 There's another mistake. 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:51.939 There's another way to fall off the horse of the gospel. 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:54.259 You can fall off the gospel in one of two ways. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:11:05.620 If legalism, we lose the gospel of grace, licentiousness is the abuse of the gospel of grace. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:08.200 Legalism loses the gospel. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.340 Licentiousness abuses the gospel. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:21.080 If legalism says, I must obey the law to be saved, licentiousness says, now that I'm saved by God's grace, 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:24.159 I don't need to obey the law of God anymore. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:30.080 In that word, licentiousness, I hope you hear the word license. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:41.159 This thinking is that God's justifying grace gives us license to sin. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:44.100 It does not. 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:53.439 What you need to understand is both legalism and licentiousness are just two different forms of slavery. 00:11:54.259 --> 00:12:04.139 So we read in 13a, you are freed, saved by believing in the gospel of grace. 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:11.659 And then 13b, only do not use your salvation as an opportunity for the flesh. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:16.220 If you truly get what Christ has done for you. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:19.139 If you truly understand the gospel. 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:29.720 If you realize that all of your sin, past, present, future has been forgiven at the cross once and for all and forever. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:37.779 However, if you realize that, and you're an immature Christian, you can hear a blank check to sin. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:42.100 Holy cow, man, he has forgiven me all that. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.259 I can do whatever I want. 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:49.460 It's like a teenage boy who gets his father's credit card and unlimited balance. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.600 He's just going to rack up charges, baby. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:59.399 But that's an abuse of God's grace. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:05.259 The gospel is not an opportunity for the flesh. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:09.179 Let me help you understand what this word flesh means. 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:18.120 When you read this, when you hear the word flesh, you might be thinking the skin and the muscle on your bones. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.240 Don't think that. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:26.580 The apostle Paul is not talking so much about your physicality. 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:31.700 The apostle Paul, when he talks about do not give an opportunity for the flesh, 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:35.980 he's talking about a different aspect of who you are. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:46.740 He's talking about that part of you or parts of you that have yet to be brought under the lordship of Jesus Christ. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:54.320 That part or parts of you that have yet to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.080 That's your flesh. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:14:01.600 That part of you that resists God still. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:04.840 Let me try to put it this way. 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:10.460 Do you remember in the Garden of Eden, Jesus was praying, dripping drops of blood? 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.539 Do you remember what he prayed? 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:17.500 Father, not my will, but your will be done. 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:20.459 Here's what the flesh says. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:25.639 The flesh says, my will be done, not yours. 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:28.779 That's how the flesh operates. 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:37.599 So fleshly thinking, fleshly feeling, fleshly desires, they all have the motto, me first. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:46.840 Self-centered thinking, self-centered feelings, self-centered desires that look around and say, 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:49.220 I don't exist for you, you exist for me. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.560 That's the flesh. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:56.580 Now, I want to help you think this through a little bit. 00:14:56.580 --> 00:15:04.200 Because when you became a Christian, all of who you are was crucified with Christ. 00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:05.780 I've been crucified with Christ. 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:08.480 It's no longer I who live, Galatians 2.20. 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:17.780 If you flip over to 5.24, you read, and those who belong to Christ, Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:23.220 So the flesh has been crucified at the cross. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:30.019 And what that's getting at, it's the power of the flesh has been crucified at the cross. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:33.579 But here's the distinction. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:42.319 The cross, though it crucified the power of the flesh, did not eradicate the presence of the flesh. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:49.920 That will happen when either you die or when Jesus comes back. 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:57.180 And now we have this existence in the presence of God without the flesh, without the sinful nature. 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:59.379 It's going to be really weird. 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:01.360 Wonderfully so. 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:09.159 So the point is, the flesh still exerts influence in our lives. 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:12.840 Which means daily, we have a choice to make. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:19.879 A choice between either sowing to the flesh or sowing to the spirit. 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:27.980 And what Paul is saying here is, do not use your freedom. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:31.779 What Christ has purchased for you at the cross. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:36.340 Do not use your salvation as an opportunity for the flesh. 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:40.200 That word opportunity is a great word in and of itself. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:48.620 It was used of an army's forward base of operations in order to mount military campaigns. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:51.500 In order to advance its purposes. 00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:55.639 It's a place from which to expand. 00:16:55.639 --> 00:17:03.480 And what Paul is saying is, don't let your salvation purchased through Christ become the base of expanding your flesh. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:11.559 So here's what God is telling us this morning. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:20.519 Do not use what Christ has accomplished for us. 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:26.220 As some kind of beachhead for fleshly advance. 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.859 Don't do that. 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:34.779 Christ did not die for us so that we could live for our flesh. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:39.700 Christ died for us so that we could truly love one another. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:47.279 Now, I thought it would be helpful to spell this out in a little bit more detail. 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:51.119 So I want to introduce you to a family. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.339 The Fleshlies. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.079 Maybe you've heard of the Brady Bunch. 00:17:57.079 --> 00:18:00.759 This is the Fleshly Bunch. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.839 Maybe you'll see yourself. 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:11.779 The first person I want to introduce you to is Ivan Fleshly. 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.619 A.K.A. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.960 Ivan the Imputer. 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:22.480 Ivan imputes motives onto other people as if he knows their hearts. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:26.940 It usually shows up when someone is saying something that Ivan doesn't want to hear. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:32.900 Ivan is quick to say, there you go again. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.360 Judging me. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:41.360 Ivan wreaks havoc in relationships. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.759 Denise Fleshly. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.519 Defensive Denise. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:58.720 Denise is very guarded when you raise issues that threaten her. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.900 She lives in fear. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.980 She's guarded. 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.879 She's suspicious. 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.420 She's self-protective. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:11.660 Oftentimes it's because something's happened in her past. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:19.700 But when Denise is in a life group, Denise does not share much. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.519 Because the Fleshly. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:25.139 Because the Flesh is ruling her. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:29.339 And then there's Gary Fleshly. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:31.460 Gary the Grudge. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:42.440 He holds past offenses or perceived past offenses against the one who offended him. 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.440 Gary. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.440 Gary. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:48.539 His lack of forgiveness has hardened his heart. 00:19:49.080 --> 00:19:51.940 And he's become quite cynical. 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.940 You know when Gary shows up. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.940 Gary. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.539 You know when Gary shows up. 00:19:55.840 --> 00:20:01.480 Because when Gary shows up to a Christian gathering, usually a chill runs through the room. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:05.480 And then there's Alice Fleshly. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:08.259 Alice the Avoider. 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:13.200 Alice avoids all conflict. 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:22.360 If you've offended her or she's offended you, she will find out where you're sitting on a Sunday morning. 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:27.519 And she will purposely sit as far away from you as possible. 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:38.120 Or if Alice sees you walking towards her in the hallway, Alice will quickly find an alternative route to her destination and go after it. 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:40.779 She thinks she's keeping the peace. 00:20:44.219 --> 00:20:46.779 But in reality, peace, peace. 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:49.459 When there is no peace. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:54.599 And then there's Chris Fleshly. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.699 Chris the Controller. 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:02.659 Chris always needs to have the last word. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:06.459 He always needs to be the one that makes the decision. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:11.959 Sometimes Chris will be heard saying, 00:21:11.959 --> 00:21:16.179 Better to ask for forgiveness afterwards than permission beforehand. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:22.639 And if you go and make plans without Chris, he's deeply offended. 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.500 Chris has a cousin. 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.500 Her name is Kendra. 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.299 Kendra Fleshly. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.500 She's also a controller. 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:32.359 And here's how Kendra rolls. 00:21:32.739 --> 00:21:35.059 Her life, her marriage could be in shambles. 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:38.559 She could have just lost her job. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:41.919 Her mortgage payment might be past due. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:45.919 But when you go up to Kendra and ask how she's doing, she says, 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.740 Everything's great. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.099 Everything's just fine. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.659 Controlling the way things look. 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:59.299 Could it be an operation of the flesh? 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:13.099 When any of these fleshlies are given an opportunity to take over among God's people, 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:18.119 it can wreak havoc among God's people. 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:20.899 And not only does it wreak havoc, 00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:30.919 it dramatically limits the degree of relationship and intimacy and mutual understanding. 00:22:31.479 --> 00:22:36.479 It limits the kind of peace and unity a fellowship can experience. 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:45.640 Some may say that this is like a multiple personality disorder of the flesh. 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:48.660 Because I'm guessing if you're like me, 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:53.640 you've seen a number of these fleshlies in you. 00:22:53.640 --> 00:23:00.160 Now I could just move on to the last point here. 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:03.140 But I wouldn't serve you well. 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:07.920 When you see a fleshly show up in you, 00:23:08.020 --> 00:23:12.040 whether that's imputing motives or being defensive, avoiding, 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:16.720 projecting that everything is fine when it's not, 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:22.480 you need to say something to that fleshly. 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:27.400 You need to say something like this to yourself. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:31.940 You need to say something because I belong to Christ. 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:39.560 This manifestation of the flesh belongs on the cross. 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:44.520 When I see defensiveness in me, I must speak. 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:49.360 That has been crucified with Christ. 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:55.359 When I see imputation of motives coming from me on another, 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:59.079 that's been crucified with Christ. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.519 When I avoid people, 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:05.179 that's been crucified with Christ. 00:24:07.179 --> 00:24:11.199 Get back on Christ's cross. 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:13.339 That's what you need to say. 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:16.459 You can't brush it aside. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.139 You must kill it. 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:23.359 If we don't put the fleshlies in their place, 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:24.539 which is on the cross, 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:28.259 they will find their place among us 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:31.139 and wreak havoc. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:34.280 That's why you have this warning in 515. 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:36.520 But if you bite and devour one another, 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:39.380 watch out that you're not consumed by one another. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.840 Do you know what this is a picture of? 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:43.520 This is like a picture of a dog fight, 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.720 biting and devouring one another. 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:50.020 My favorite book is Jack London's Call to the Wild. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:54.359 And it's a story of this dog named Buck 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:57.599 who goes from living a really comfortable life 00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:59.319 to going wild. 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:05.359 And Buck turns into this raging beast 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.859 that kills. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.859 Brothers and sisters, 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:17.059 is the church to be a place like a dog fight? 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:20.419 Biting and devouring one another? 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.799 Consuming each other? 00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:25.500 That is not the gospel way. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:32.299 So let's now turn to the gospel way. 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.619 At the end of verse 13, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:37.099 we have a gospel mandate. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.859 But through love, 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.599 serve one another. 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:47.240 If we're not to use our freedom in Christ 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:49.839 as an opportunity for the flesh, 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:54.579 what opportunity does our freedom in Christ afford us? 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:59.599 How are we to use our freedom in Christ? 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.779 But through love, 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.000 serve one another. 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:08.219 Our freedom in Christ 00:26:08.219 --> 00:26:10.599 is not an opportunity to serve ourselves 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:13.240 ourselves in our flesh, 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:16.879 but to serve one another in love. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:22.740 Do you see that word in verse 13? 00:26:22.959 --> 00:26:23.799 It's in the ESV. 00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.179 It says, 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:24.919 but through love, 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.279 serve one another. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:30.799 The English kind of loses its force. 00:26:32.699 --> 00:26:33.899 It really means 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:36.079 to enslave yourself to others. 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:40.240 It means to give up your rights, 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.740 die to yourself, 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:44.240 and seek what's best for others 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.439 like a slave. 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:48.619 A slave has no rights. 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:52.039 And what Paul says here, 00:26:52.179 --> 00:26:54.079 we are to enslave ourselves 00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:56.960 to one another through love. 00:26:56.960 --> 00:27:01.079 Does anybody see the paradox here? 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:05.360 Our freedom in Christ 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:10.340 results in enslaving ourselves to others. 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:11.980 Do you see it? 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.980 It's not enslavement to the law. 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:18.120 It's not enslavement to the flesh. 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:21.039 It's enslavement through love to one another. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:24.519 The Apostle Paul talks about this 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:26.480 in Ephesians 5.21 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:28.460 as submitting to one another 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.980 out of reverence for Christ. 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.899 Christ freed us 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:38.339 from ourselves, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:41.119 serving ourselves 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:43.539 to serve one another 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:45.539 in love. 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:51.139 Another way to think about it is this. 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.799 In our church, 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.920 there's not one master 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:59.319 with many servants. 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.359 One servant 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:04.440 with many masters. 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.839 You figure that? 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.440 See that? 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:09.359 If you're hearing this right, 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.379 you're seeing yourself 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.339 as a servant, 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.000 seeking to serve 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.279 the many masters 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:17.339 of our church. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.099 And Paul 00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:20.599 zeroes in 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.740 on the motive. 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:24.000 Through love, 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.740 enslave yourself 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.440 to one another. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.119 Our freedom in Christ 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.619 from the law 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:31.579 is a mandate 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:33.359 to serve one another 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:35.059 through love. 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.700 It's not optional. 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:40.319 It's a command. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.000 When you hear the word love, 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.559 don't think feelings, 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:49.019 think commitment. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:52.720 Don't think 70s love songs. 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.519 I'm lost in love 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.799 and I don't know much. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.519 Do, do, do, do. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:01.859 Don't think love song. 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.200 Think wedding vow. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:07.259 One spouse 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.720 vowing to another 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:10.400 to do what's best 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.400 for the other, 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.200 for better, 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.900 for worse, 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.640 for richer, 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.340 for poorer, 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.340 in sickness 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:16.240 and in health 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.880 till death do us part. 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.360 Our love 00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:20.299 for one another 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.559 makes us 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.580 slaves 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.720 to one another 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:25.000 to submit 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.700 ourselves 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.600 to each other. 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:30.019 So, biblical love 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.699 is essentially 00:29:30.699 --> 00:29:32.119 an abiding commitment 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:33.119 to one another 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:35.059 to do 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.059 what's 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.679 best 00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:37.679 for each other 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.879 even 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.439 at great cost 00:29:40.439 --> 00:29:41.779 to ourselves. 00:29:42.199 --> 00:29:42.740 It's the nature 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.319 of slavery. 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:47.799 You don't need 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.799 to go any further 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.299 than our Lord Jesus Christ 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.019 for the model 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.480 of this. 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.740 He himself said, 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.759 I came not to 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.319 be served 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:59.200 but to serve 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.819 and to give 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:02.099 my life 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:03.440 as a ransom 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.740 for many. 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:07.220 He is our model. 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.500 And did you notice 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.380 in verse 14 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:14.000 how Paul grounds 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.240 this command 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.779 to love, 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:16.359 this mandate? 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.400 He says, 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.319 for the whole law 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.759 is fulfilled 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.480 in one word, 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.079 you shall love 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.480 your neighbor 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.120 as yourself. 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.700 The whole law 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.319 is fulfilled 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.200 in just 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.819 one word. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:31.339 All 613 commandments 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.180 fulfilled 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:33.220 in one word. 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.640 Love. 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.500 Do what's 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.160 best 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.220 for the other. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.440 Do the greatest 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:41.859 good 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.500 as you 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.039 would have 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.420 the greatest 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:45.380 good done 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.940 to you. 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.440 Now, 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:49.880 if you're thinking 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:50.339 right now, 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:50.759 if you're looking 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.680 over at your spouse 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.180 and saying, 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.960 finally, 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.060 someone is telling 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:55.480 you how to be 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.100 my servant. 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.500 You're totally 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.340 missing the point. 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.440 This is a call 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.240 to you 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:05.519 and save yourself 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.980 to your spouse, 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:11.160 to your family, 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.840 to your life group, 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.279 to your church. 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.379 love. 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:14.420 Love. 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.440 Love. 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.480 Love. 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.579 Love. 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.259 Love. 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.279 Love. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.160 Love. 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.279 Love. 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:16.339 Love. 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.180 Love. 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.200 Love. 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.420 Love. 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:18.440 Love. 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:20.160 Love. 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.180 Love. 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.500 What are we aiming 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:24.940 at here? 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:28.259 It's very interesting 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:30.200 because you shall love 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:30.559 your neighbor 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.259 as yourself. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:33.099 If I really like 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:34.799 Ben and Jerry's 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:36.500 chocolate therapy, 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.000 does that mean 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.920 you love me 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.799 by getting chocolate 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.500 therapy for me 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:40.980 all the time? 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:43.079 Is that what 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.900 slavery looks like? 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.660 No, the understanding 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.240 of what the Bible 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:47.779 is this. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.480 The best thing 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.599 I know is for me 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.980 is Jesus. 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.880 He's my first love. 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.140 He's your first love. 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.839 He's the vine. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.620 We're the branches. 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.120 We love each other 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:00.920 best by pointing 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.360 one another 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.180 to Jesus 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.980 sacrificially. 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.259 So I hope you see 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.900 what's going on 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.620 in this passage. 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:09.659 We've been set free 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.699 from the law 00:32:10.699 --> 00:32:11.939 through Christ 00:32:11.939 --> 00:32:13.579 in order to 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.779 become slaves 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.500 of one another 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:17.079 just like Christ 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.879 which fulfills 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:20.699 the whole law 00:32:20.699 --> 00:32:22.799 which pleases Christ. 00:32:25.199 --> 00:32:26.599 We don't fulfill 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:27.199 the law 00:32:27.199 --> 00:32:29.219 to be saved. 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:32.659 We've been saved 00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:34.639 so now we fulfill 00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.479 the law 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:38.180 by Christ-like 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.200 love for one another. 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.700 Our freedom in Christ 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.640 is not an opportunity 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.360 for our flesh 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.099 but an opportunity 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:45.779 for us to 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:47.220 love one another 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.880 like Christ. 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.160 And do you know 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.299 what's really encouraging 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:51.200 about this passage? 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.880 This is why 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:53.140 I reached into 00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:53.920 verse 16. 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:55.700 Paul says 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.220 but I say 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.140 walk by the spirit 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.539 and you will not 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.620 gratify the desires 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.200 of the flesh. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.620 Do you know 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:01.500 what's so encouraging 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.539 about verse 16? 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:04.839 when you realize 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.399 you're more like 00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:05.920 pig pen 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:08.639 and you make 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:09.480 relational messes 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.000 where you go 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:12.200 isn't it good 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.839 to know 00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:13.980 that God 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.440 has put 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:15.779 an inside man 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.339 in you 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:18.539 the Holy Spirit. 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:21.099 And what the Holy Spirit 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.960 is looking to do 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.159 is to direct 00:33:23.159 --> 00:33:24.839 and empower us 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.619 daily 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:29.239 to love one another 00:33:29.239 --> 00:33:30.019 sacrificially 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:32.399 to fulfill 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:33.079 the law 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:35.559 and please Christ. 00:33:37.239 --> 00:33:38.119 That's what it means 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:39.259 to walk by the spirit. 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:41.439 To daily depend 00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:42.219 on the spirit 00:33:42.219 --> 00:33:43.179 to direct 00:33:43.179 --> 00:33:44.679 and empower us 00:33:44.679 --> 00:33:46.259 in order to 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.459 not gratify 00:33:47.459 --> 00:33:48.119 the desires 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.019 of the fleshlies 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:52.479 but to live out love. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:56.839 The Holy Spirit 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:59.099 is the hallmark feature 00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:01.519 He is the hallmark feature 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.660 of the new covenant 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.579 people of God. 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.700 He was the one 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.339 anticipated 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:06.539 in Jeremiah 31 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.559 Ezekiel 36 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.300 and Joel 2. 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.860 He is the game changer 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:11.179 God who would come 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.900 and dwell within us 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:14.460 to work 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:16.559 in each of us 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.760 to fulfill 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.679 God's law 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:21.940 directing us 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.880 and empowering us 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.280 daily 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.800 to love each other 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.960 sacrificially 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.280 isn't it good 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:27.880 to know 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:30.360 that the third person 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.079 of the Trinity 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.960 dwells in us 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.420 to bring all this 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.300 love stuff 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:35.780 about. 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.720 He wants to do it. 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.500 Do you remember 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.200 the fruit of the spirit? 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.700 Do you remember 00:34:45.700 --> 00:34:46.760 the first 00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:48.260 fruit of the spirit? 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.220 Love. 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:54.599 the fulfillment 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.760 of the whole law 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:57.880 is just one word 00:34:57.880 --> 00:35:00.420 and the Holy Spirit 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.980 is seeking 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.920 to bring it about 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.280 in us. 00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:08.200 Our shared freedom 00:35:08.200 --> 00:35:08.820 in Christ 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:10.059 is not an opportunity 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.440 to gratify 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.220 our flesh 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:13.820 with one another 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:16.079 but to fulfill 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.220 the law 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.320 with one another 00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:19.340 to love 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:20.179 one another. 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:21.679 So I want to boil 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.399 this down 00:35:22.399 --> 00:35:23.119 a little bit 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.500 more. 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.500 I want to boil 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.139 it down to 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:27.500 just one question 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.480 that is a 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.879 diagnostic question 00:35:29.879 --> 00:35:31.359 to govern 00:35:31.359 --> 00:35:32.339 your relationships 00:35:32.339 --> 00:35:33.239 with other people 00:35:33.239 --> 00:35:33.899 in our church. 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:35.980 Here's something 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.519 that you can be 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.299 asking yourself 00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:38.019 before you write 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.379 an email. 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.940 Before you send 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.440 a text. 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:41.719 Before you make 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.379 a phone call. 00:35:42.859 --> 00:35:43.599 Before you talk 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.579 to someone 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.739 about someone 00:35:45.739 --> 00:35:46.179 else. 00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:48.859 Before you think 00:35:48.859 --> 00:35:49.839 certain thoughts 00:35:49.839 --> 00:35:50.779 about someone. 00:35:51.399 --> 00:35:52.739 Before you act 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:53.659 towards someone. 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.899 Here's the question 00:35:55.899 --> 00:35:56.719 that you need to be 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:57.619 asking yourself 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:59.299 from this text. 00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:02.180 Will this thought 00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:04.320 does this feeling 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:06.200 will this word 00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:07.720 does this text 00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.460 email 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.300 or action 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:10.600 does this 00:36:10.600 --> 00:36:11.860 lovingly 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:12.720 serve 00:36:12.720 --> 00:36:13.640 my brother 00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:14.900 or my sister 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:16.140 in the relationship 00:36:16.140 --> 00:36:16.800 with Christ? 00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:19.519 Does it serve 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.600 their relationship 00:36:20.600 --> 00:36:21.280 with Jesus? 00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:23.740 That's how we love 00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:24.220 one another. 00:36:25.580 --> 00:36:26.220 And inevitably 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:26.900 here's what's 00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.420 going to happen. 00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:28.440 when he started 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.780 asking that question 00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:31.380 and started asking 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:31.920 okay God 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.099 this doesn't feel right 00:36:33.099 --> 00:36:34.240 feels kind of defensive 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:35.579 what's going on 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:37.099 spirit lead on. 00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:39.000 You know what's 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.420 going to happen? 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.579 It's going to expose 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.340 the spirit 00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:42.320 out of love for you. 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:43.420 He's going to expose 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.380 sin in you. 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:46.599 He's going to expose 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.659 the fleshlies. 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:49.880 And now you're 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.900 going to have a choice 00:36:50.900 --> 00:36:51.960 to either 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:53.420 respond in faith 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:53.980 and repentance 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:55.099 or ignore 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:56.400 the spirit's prompting. 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:59.260 So 00:36:59.260 --> 00:37:01.079 when I start 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.480 praying 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.139 and asking 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.700 beforehand 00:37:02.700 --> 00:37:03.740 will this 00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.700 whatever it is 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:06.119 serve this person's 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:07.320 relationship with Christ? 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:08.639 Will this 00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.940 really love them? 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.300 It helps me 00:37:12.300 --> 00:37:12.900 to start seeing 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:14.200 my imputing 00:37:14.200 --> 00:37:15.360 motives tendency. 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.599 And it helps me 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:18.139 then to be able 00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:18.659 to say wait wait 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.240 I'm imputing 00:37:19.240 --> 00:37:20.260 motives on that person. 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:21.079 I don't know 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.700 what's going on 00:37:21.700 --> 00:37:22.220 in their heart. 00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:23.940 Oh Lord Jesus 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.960 that belongs 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.460 with you 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.360 on the cross. 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.460 And then I'm 00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:29.400 reminded of this. 00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:31.280 1 Corinthians 13 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:31.699 7 00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:33.360 Love believes 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:33.960 all things. 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.559 I'm going to 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.179 believe the best 00:37:37.179 --> 00:37:37.860 in this person. 00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.820 If I start 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:41.740 seeing defensiveness 00:37:41.740 --> 00:37:42.340 in me 00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:43.460 kind of a 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.159 guardedness 00:37:44.159 --> 00:37:44.960 I'm going to say 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:45.599 okay Lord 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.860 that belongs 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.420 on the cross 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.139 with you 00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:49.579 because in 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:50.500 1 Corinthians 13 00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:51.599 love does not 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:52.380 insist on 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.019 its own way. 00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:56.680 If I start 00:37:56.680 --> 00:37:57.599 seeing envy 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:58.500 in me 00:37:58.500 --> 00:38:01.519 that I'm 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.079 going to send 00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:02.619 an email 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:03.640 out of envy 00:38:03.640 --> 00:38:08.220 I'm going to 00:38:08.220 --> 00:38:09.019 say oh Lord 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.099 that too 00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:10.500 has been 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:11.039 crucified 00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:11.840 with Christ 00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:12.559 on the cross. 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:15.079 And then I'm 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:15.840 not going to envy 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:16.340 I'm going to 00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:16.920 weep with those 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.360 who weep 00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:17.700 I'm going to 00:38:17.700 --> 00:38:18.280 rejoice with 00:38:18.280 --> 00:38:19.260 those who rejoice 00:38:19.260 --> 00:38:20.780 I'm going to 00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:22.059 love this person 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:25.639 If you start 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:27.159 seeing grudge 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:27.980 in you 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:29.420 you're avoiding 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:30.219 someone because 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:30.599 you're on a 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.320 grudge against 00:38:31.320 --> 00:38:31.699 them 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.480 it's 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.639 it's the 00:38:33.639 --> 00:38:34.699 Alice Gary 00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.420 mix 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:40.779 crucify that 00:38:40.779 --> 00:38:41.420 with Christ 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:45.019 because love 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.420 is not 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.039 irritable 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:47.400 or resentful 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.539 it does not 00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:49.460 keep records 00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.579 of wrongs 00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.960 it forgives 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.699 as God 00:38:52.699 --> 00:38:53.199 in Christ 00:38:53.199 --> 00:38:54.099 has forgiven 00:38:54.099 --> 00:38:54.559 me 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:54.900 and I've 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.380 been forgiven 00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:56.259 way more 00:38:56.259 --> 00:39:00.699 what this 00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:02.519 love ethic 00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.599 does for us 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:04.980 this spirit 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:06.299 working 00:39:06.299 --> 00:39:07.360 love ethic 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:08.299 does for us 00:39:08.299 --> 00:39:09.219 it helps us 00:39:09.219 --> 00:39:09.679 to bear 00:39:09.679 --> 00:39:10.460 one another 00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:11.719 in love 00:39:11.719 --> 00:39:12.619 Ephesians 1 00:39:12.619 --> 00:39:13.900 Ephesians 4 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.599 1-2-3 00:39:14.599 --> 00:39:16.539 so church 00:39:16.539 --> 00:39:17.039 let me ask 00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:17.139 you 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:17.980 what happens 00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:19.960 when more 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.199 and more 00:39:20.199 --> 00:39:20.719 Christians 00:39:20.719 --> 00:39:21.339 from our 00:39:21.339 --> 00:39:21.739 church 00:39:21.739 --> 00:39:24.099 are seeking 00:39:24.099 --> 00:39:24.960 to put 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:25.440 to death 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.179 the flesh 00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:27.839 and by 00:39:27.839 --> 00:39:28.380 the spirit 00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:29.059 bring to 00:39:29.059 --> 00:39:29.460 life 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.319 this love 00:39:30.319 --> 00:39:32.839 we're not 00:39:32.839 --> 00:39:33.119 going to be 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:33.500 consuming 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.079 one another 00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:36.920 we're going 00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.099 to be 00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:37.619 building each 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:38.059 other up 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.599 in love 00:39:38.599 --> 00:39:39.219 or in 00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:39.960 Galatians 6 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:40.639 9-10 00:39:40.639 --> 00:39:41.739 we're going 00:39:41.739 --> 00:39:42.159 to be doing 00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:43.259 good to 00:39:43.259 --> 00:39:43.779 each other 00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:46.840 this morning 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:47.280 God has 00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:47.980 reminded us 00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:48.360 of 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:50.840 the gospel 00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:53.019 we've been 00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:53.560 freed 00:39:53.560 --> 00:39:54.840 in Christ 00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:56.400 God has 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:57.540 helped us 00:39:57.540 --> 00:39:58.040 to see 00:39:58.040 --> 00:39:58.680 a gospel 00:39:58.680 --> 00:39:59.200 warning 00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:00.940 give no 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:01.440 opportunity 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:01.880 for the 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:02.300 flesh 00:40:02.300 --> 00:40:04.720 God has 00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:05.340 also helped 00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:05.980 us to see 00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:07.560 a gospel 00:40:07.560 --> 00:40:08.260 mandate 00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:09.820 to love 00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:10.540 one another 00:40:10.540 --> 00:40:11.780 at cost 00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.940 but I want 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:13.300 to close 00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:13.820 by saying 00:40:13.820 --> 00:40:14.240 this 00:40:14.240 --> 00:40:17.940 we have 00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:18.440 a unique 00:40:18.440 --> 00:40:19.039 challenge 00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:19.700 as a 00:40:19.700 --> 00:40:20.080 church 00:40:20.080 --> 00:40:21.480 along 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:21.760 these 00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:22.180 lines 00:40:22.180 --> 00:40:25.080 it's a 00:40:25.080 --> 00:40:25.300 unique 00:40:25.300 --> 00:40:25.740 challenge 00:40:25.740 --> 00:40:26.300 we must 00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:26.740 face 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.500 together 00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.420 as a 00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:28.820 church 00:40:28.820 --> 00:40:31.260 because 00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:32.680 this call 00:40:32.680 --> 00:40:33.240 to love 00:40:33.240 --> 00:40:33.680 one another 00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:34.560 sacrificially 00:40:34.560 --> 00:40:35.360 would be 00:40:35.360 --> 00:40:36.039 hard enough 00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:36.860 if all 00:40:36.860 --> 00:40:37.280 of us 00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:37.780 were of 00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:38.280 the same 00:40:38.280 --> 00:40:38.840 ethnicity 00:40:38.840 --> 00:40:39.940 if all 00:40:39.940 --> 00:40:40.260 of us 00:40:40.260 --> 00:40:40.640 were of 00:40:40.640 --> 00:40:41.160 the same 00:40:41.160 --> 00:40:42.460 socioeconomic 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:43.220 class 00:40:43.220 --> 00:40:44.019 if all 00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:44.340 of us 00:40:44.340 --> 00:40:44.840 were the 00:40:44.840 --> 00:40:45.179 same 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:45.940 age 00:40:45.940 --> 00:40:46.599 if all 00:40:46.599 --> 00:40:46.940 of us 00:40:46.940 --> 00:40:47.400 had the 00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:47.740 same 00:40:47.740 --> 00:40:48.619 cultural 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.260 background 00:40:49.260 --> 00:40:50.039 we would 00:40:50.039 --> 00:40:50.440 have all 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:50.760 of those 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.199 things in 00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:51.599 commons 00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:51.940 and it 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:52.340 would still 00:40:52.340 --> 00:40:52.840 be hard 00:40:52.840 --> 00:40:54.240 to love 00:40:54.240 --> 00:40:54.599 one another 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.039 because we 00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:55.320 still have 00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:55.800 to die 00:40:55.800 --> 00:40:56.500 to ourselves 00:40:56.500 --> 00:40:59.280 but God 00:40:59.280 --> 00:40:59.699 has called 00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:00.480 us as a 00:41:00.480 --> 00:41:00.900 church 00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:02.639 to live 00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:02.920 out the 00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.579 gospel in 00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:03.940 such a 00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:04.220 way 00:41:04.220 --> 00:41:05.720 we're praying 00:41:05.720 --> 00:41:06.340 that God 00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:07.179 will unite 00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:07.880 a people 00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:08.500 through the 00:41:08.500 --> 00:41:08.920 cross 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:10.079 of very 00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:10.500 diverse 00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:11.119 backgrounds 00:41:11.119 --> 00:41:13.680 and that 00:41:13.680 --> 00:41:14.099 is going 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:14.619 to raise 00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:15.440 a unique 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.119 temptation 00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:16.920 with us 00:41:16.920 --> 00:41:19.940 because when 00:41:19.940 --> 00:41:21.280 we interact 00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:22.579 more with 00:41:22.579 --> 00:41:22.940 more and 00:41:22.940 --> 00:41:23.440 more people 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:24.000 who are 00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:24.700 different 00:41:24.700 --> 00:41:26.220 than us 00:41:26.220 --> 00:41:28.619 we're going 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:28.860 to be 00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.220 tempted 00:41:29.220 --> 00:41:30.760 to withdraw 00:41:30.760 --> 00:41:31.880 from them 00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:38.640 but we 00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:39.300 must not 00:41:39.300 --> 00:41:39.780 withdraw 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.559 from them 00:41:40.559 --> 00:41:41.480 the gospel 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.500 compels us 00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.039 to move 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.860 towards 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.640 people who 00:41:44.640 --> 00:41:45.099 are different 00:41:45.099 --> 00:41:45.660 than us 00:41:45.660 --> 00:41:46.500 we must 00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:47.019 purpose 00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:47.880 all the more 00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:48.960 not to 00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:49.680 use our 00:41:49.680 --> 00:41:50.119 freedom 00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:51.300 as an 00:41:51.300 --> 00:41:51.980 opportunity 00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:52.940 to withdraw 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:53.599 in the 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:53.980 flesh 00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:54.740 but to 00:41:54.740 --> 00:41:55.019 move 00:41:55.019 --> 00:41:55.980 forward 00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:56.500 to our 00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:56.940 people 00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:58.140 in love 00:41:58.140 --> 00:41:58.800 to serve 00:41:58.800 --> 00:41:59.140 them 00:41:59.139 --> 00:42:03.519 and not 00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:03.920 only will 00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:04.659 we experience 00:42:04.659 --> 00:42:05.279 depth of 00:42:05.279 --> 00:42:05.739 community 00:42:05.739 --> 00:42:06.279 and richness 00:42:06.279 --> 00:42:07.159 of diversity 00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:11.579 we will 00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:12.099 live out 00:42:12.099 --> 00:42:12.859 something 00:42:12.859 --> 00:42:13.420 Jesus 00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:14.039 himself 00:42:14.039 --> 00:42:14.480 prayed 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:14.940 for us 00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.239 for 00:42:15.239 --> 00:42:17.799 in 00:42:17.799 --> 00:42:18.139 John 00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:18.440 chapter 00:42:18.440 --> 00:42:19.019 17 00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:19.420 20 00:42:19.420 --> 00:42:20.039 and 21 00:42:20.039 --> 00:42:20.500 Jesus 00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.079 prayed 00:42:21.079 --> 00:42:22.579 I do 00:42:22.579 --> 00:42:23.099 not ask 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:23.559 for these 00:42:23.559 --> 00:42:23.879 only 00:42:23.879 --> 00:42:24.440 but also 00:42:24.440 --> 00:42:25.000 for those 00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:25.279 who will 00:42:25.279 --> 00:42:25.579 believe 00:42:25.579 --> 00:42:25.920 in me 00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:26.179 through 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:26.379 their 00:42:26.379 --> 00:42:26.599 word 00:42:26.599 --> 00:42:26.920 that's 00:42:26.920 --> 00:42:27.239 us 00:42:27.239 --> 00:42:28.879 that they 00:42:28.879 --> 00:42:29.379 may all 00:42:29.379 --> 00:42:30.000 be one 00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:31.779 just as 00:42:31.779 --> 00:42:32.319 you father 00:42:32.319 --> 00:42:32.899 are in 00:42:32.899 --> 00:42:33.239 me 00:42:33.239 --> 00:42:33.839 and I 00:42:33.839 --> 00:42:34.379 in you 00:42:34.379 --> 00:42:35.679 that they 00:42:35.679 --> 00:42:36.479 also may 00:42:36.479 --> 00:42:36.799 be in 00:42:36.799 --> 00:42:37.319 us 00:42:37.319 --> 00:42:38.639 so that 00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:39.479 the world 00:42:39.479 --> 00:42:41.219 may believe 00:42:41.219 --> 00:42:42.359 that you 00:42:42.359 --> 00:42:42.959 have sent 00:42:42.959 --> 00:42:43.259 me 00:42:43.259 --> 00:42:46.199 not only 00:42:46.199 --> 00:42:47.539 is the 00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.439 quality of 00:42:48.439 --> 00:42:49.299 our fellowship 00:42:49.299 --> 00:42:50.519 dependent on 00:42:50.519 --> 00:42:51.179 our putting 00:42:51.179 --> 00:42:51.819 death the 00:42:51.819 --> 00:42:52.479 flesh and 00:42:52.479 --> 00:42:53.000 bringing to 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.439 life 00:42:53.439 --> 00:42:55.959 love 00:42:55.960 --> 00:42:57.699 our 00:42:57.699 --> 00:42:58.440 witness 00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:59.360 to this 00:42:59.360 --> 00:42:59.840 city 00:42:59.840 --> 00:43:00.460 depends 00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:00.720 on 00:43:00.720 --> 00:43:00.900 it 00:43:00.900 --> 00:43:05.820 our 00:43:05.820 --> 00:43:06.139 freedom 00:43:06.139 --> 00:43:06.380 in 00:43:06.380 --> 00:43:06.800 Christ 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:09.119 is not 00:43:09.119 --> 00:43:09.679 an opportunity 00:43:09.679 --> 00:43:10.320 for our 00:43:10.320 --> 00:43:10.760 flesh 00:43:10.760 --> 00:43:12.760 but an 00:43:12.760 --> 00:43:13.179 opportunity 00:43:13.179 --> 00:43:13.780 for our 00:43:13.780 --> 00:43:14.119 love 00:43:14.119 --> 00:43:15.900 let's 00:43:15.900 --> 00:43:16.179 pray 00:43:16.179 --> 00:43:21.519 God in 00:43:21.519 --> 00:43:21.699 heaven 00:43:21.699 --> 00:43:22.059 we are 00:43:22.059 --> 00:43:22.519 in over 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.059 our heads 00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:25.259 we make 00:43:25.259 --> 00:43:25.980 messes of 00:43:25.980 --> 00:43:26.119 our 00:43:26.119 --> 00:43:26.799 relationships 00:43:26.799 --> 00:43:29.000 this 00:43:29.000 --> 00:43:29.579 flesh 00:43:29.579 --> 00:43:30.019 that 00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:30.659 influences 00:43:30.659 --> 00:43:31.400 and exerts 00:43:31.400 --> 00:43:31.840 itself 00:43:31.840 --> 00:43:32.679 in us 00:43:32.679 --> 00:43:33.639 oh God 00:43:33.639 --> 00:43:34.219 it can wreak 00:43:34.219 --> 00:43:34.940 havoc among 00:43:34.940 --> 00:43:35.219 us 00:43:35.219 --> 00:43:35.659 God would 00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:35.960 you do 00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:36.380 a work 00:43:36.380 --> 00:43:36.679 in us 00:43:36.679 --> 00:43:37.099 by your 00:43:37.099 --> 00:43:37.480 spirit 00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:39.299 would you 00:43:39.299 --> 00:43:39.599 do a 00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:40.340 purifying 00:43:40.340 --> 00:43:40.940 work 00:43:40.940 --> 00:43:42.500 would you 00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:43.139 do a 00:43:43.139 --> 00:43:44.199 mortifying 00:43:44.199 --> 00:43:44.900 work 00:43:44.900 --> 00:43:46.380 in which 00:43:46.380 --> 00:43:46.920 you 00:43:46.920 --> 00:43:48.039 kill the 00:43:48.039 --> 00:43:48.559 flesh in 00:43:48.559 --> 00:43:49.000 us 00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:49.759 so that 00:43:49.759 --> 00:43:50.219 we 00:43:50.219 --> 00:43:51.159 can love 00:43:51.159 --> 00:43:51.779 one another 00:43:51.779 --> 00:43:52.619 unto you 00:43:52.619 --> 00:43:54.960 God we 00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:55.519 pray that 00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:56.119 you would 00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:56.940 grow us 00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:57.319 as a 00:43:57.319 --> 00:43:57.579 church 00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:58.159 not only 00:43:58.159 --> 00:43:59.179 to love 00:43:59.179 --> 00:43:59.880 one another 00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:00.380 in this 00:44:00.380 --> 00:44:00.819 room 00:44:00.819 --> 00:44:01.559 but to 00:44:01.559 --> 00:44:01.960 love 00:44:01.960 --> 00:44:02.500 those 00:44:02.500 --> 00:44:03.000 who are 00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:03.659 more and 00:44:03.659 --> 00:44:04.139 more different 00:44:04.139 --> 00:44:04.679 from us 00:44:04.679 --> 00:44:05.400 outside 00:44:05.400 --> 00:44:06.619 of this 00:44:06.619 --> 00:44:07.059 building 00:44:07.059 --> 00:44:09.440 God would 00:44:09.440 --> 00:44:09.699 you do 00:44:09.699 --> 00:44:10.139 a work 00:44:10.139 --> 00:44:10.900 and it 00:44:10.900 --> 00:44:11.299 can only 00:44:11.299 --> 00:44:11.699 be by 00:44:11.699 --> 00:44:11.900 your 00:44:11.900 --> 00:44:12.259 spirit 00:44:12.259 --> 00:44:13.179 only 00:44:13.179 --> 00:44:13.400 through 00:44:13.400 --> 00:44:13.559 the 00:44:13.559 --> 00:44:13.880 power 00:44:13.880 --> 00:44:14.179 of the 00:44:14.179 --> 00:44:14.619 cross 00:44:14.619 --> 00:44:15.460 by which 00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:15.639 you 00:44:15.639 --> 00:44:16.239 unite 00:44:16.239 --> 00:44:16.599 a 00:44:16.599 --> 00:44:17.000 people 00:44:17.000 --> 00:44:17.259 a 00:44:17.259 --> 00:44:17.719 diverse 00:44:17.719 --> 00:44:18.319 people 00:44:18.320 --> 00:44:21.580 in the 00:44:21.580 --> 00:44:21.840 worship 00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:22.300 of your 00:44:22.300 --> 00:44:22.660 name 00:44:22.660 --> 00:44:25.200 for the 00:44:25.200 --> 00:44:25.460 good of 00:44:25.460 --> 00:44:25.600 all 00:44:25.600 --> 00:44:25.960 people 00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:28.180 amen 00:44:28.179 --> 00:44:29.500 amen