WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.560 Father, we come now before you, before your word. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:12.380 Lord, we ask that you would speak to us this morning. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:20.039 Lord, thank you that by your Holy Spirit you enable us to know spiritual truths, Lord, 00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:26.440 that are wonderful, precious, sweet. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:34.260 Lord, we pray this morning that we would not have hard hearts, Lord, and that we would 00:00:34.260 --> 00:00:41.039 not resist your teaching, but Lord, that you would give us soft hearts to receive what 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:42.799 you have to speak to us this morning. 00:00:43.900 --> 00:00:50.140 God, I pray for your help, that I might proclaim your word faithfully, that Christ would be 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:51.840 lifted up in our midst. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:57.000 Lord, be with us, we pray, in Jesus' name. 00:00:57.960 --> 00:00:58.400 Amen. 00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:06.060 My son Eli had a doctor's appointment, actually a dentist appointment this week. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:10.260 He's seven and his teeth are coming in. 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:16.939 His two lower front teeth are coming in, but his baby teeth haven't fallen out. 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:19.800 As a matter of fact, until this week, they hadn't even been loose. 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:27.939 And I, as a, doing this for the first time around, had no idea how serious this was or 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:28.079 not. 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:30.140 So I called the dentist, made up an appointment. 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:34.039 I was hoping they could just call me back and talk me through it, but they couldn't. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:35.219 They had to set up an appointment. 00:01:35.659 --> 00:01:40.620 So, so we set him up to take him in on Thursday. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:49.080 And, you know, my poor little boy, he just hates being treated for things like cuts and 00:01:49.080 --> 00:01:51.380 bruises and, you know, band-aids. 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:53.120 He just, he hates it. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:59.280 And I thought, oh, Lord, if they have to take out four of his little teeth to make room for 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:02.320 those big honking ones that are sticking up through his gums right now. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.280 Oh, Lord, have mercy on him. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:10.439 I just wanted so much for him to not have to go through that. 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:17.259 I wanted so much for him to not go through that pain and that trial. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:22.560 And I realized that it's just a little window into my heart. 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:26.139 That's how I often think about him and Katie. 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:32.239 As a parent, I want them to not have to go through trials and loss. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:39.879 I hope that as they go to school, they don't have to face mockery and scorn from their peers 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:40.619 at school. 00:02:41.239 --> 00:02:47.779 I pray as they grow that they won't have to face the sufferings of disappointment, of dashed 00:02:47.779 --> 00:02:49.139 hopes and broken hearts. 00:02:52.659 --> 00:02:53.819 I'll be honest with you. 00:02:53.819 --> 00:02:56.120 I think, haven't they already seen enough? 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:00.099 Haven't they lost enough? 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:05.780 And you know, it's not a bad instinct for a parent to feel this way about their children. 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:11.019 Goodness, it's far better than neglecting them or not caring at all what happens to them. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:18.680 But as I examined my heart this week and as we looked at our, as I was studying this passage, 00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:22.319 I saw in it that there's a deeper longing in my heart. 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:27.519 I just want my life to be free from suffering and trial altogether. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:30.919 I want it to be successful. 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:33.599 I want it to be triumphant. 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:38.239 Even the trials, I want to be able to say, I've overcome them and look at all the good 00:03:38.239 --> 00:03:39.639 that they've produced in my life. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:46.419 I want it to be easy and carefree. 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:55.699 I think we live in a world where this is often the subtext that life is supposed to work. 00:03:56.279 --> 00:03:57.979 It's supposed to work out well. 00:03:58.519 --> 00:04:00.560 Even the hard things produce good things. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:06.659 And if there's something wrong, there must be a problem and the problem has to be fixed 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:08.719 or we sue somebody. 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:18.480 I think we spend in our culture a lot of time avoiding pain and suffering. 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:23.459 And you know, I think we can even import this into the church 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:26.659 and think that, well, isn't this what God wants for us? 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:28.680 God has saved us from sin. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:31.540 God has saved us from our foolishness. 00:04:31.780 --> 00:04:34.280 God has, in Christ, given us a new life. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:39.139 It gives us hope that God will be good to us. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:43.360 Not only in our eternal salvation, but in our everyday life. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:49.899 And again, this is not an untrue thing that God would be good to us in our everyday life. 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:56.819 And yet, we expect God to preserve us from every pain and trial. 00:04:57.479 --> 00:05:02.000 To preserve us and rescue us from every distress quickly. 00:05:04.219 --> 00:05:06.259 And when he doesn't, we blame. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:08.959 We reject him. 00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:11.139 We withdraw from him. 00:05:11.139 --> 00:05:20.680 I think we often go through our life, rather than asking the question that I think the Bible wants us to ask, 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:24.259 which is, how can we glorify God in whatever our situation? 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:30.979 We ask ourselves and God the question, how can I avoid pain in this situation? 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:34.740 Here's your test. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.560 Think about how you pray. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:42.139 When you have an evaluation at work. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:48.939 As you think about your kid going off to junior high. 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:53.660 As you go on a date. 00:05:54.379 --> 00:05:59.779 Or, nowadays, a dating online match moment. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:01.740 I don't even know what that is. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.939 When you go into your doctor's office for your routine evaluation. 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:13.920 Or, for something that you don't know quite what it is. 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:18.379 When you launch out on a new business venture. 00:06:19.340 --> 00:06:21.540 Set off to a new place to live. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:23.519 What do you pray for? 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:30.019 Do you pray for anything other than God's help? 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:33.439 That your endeavors would be successful. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:36.060 That your problems would be fixed. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:47.800 I know that I often don't pray for much more than that. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.280 Maybe you're like me. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:56.579 Thankfully, God has spoken to us in his word. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:59.160 And so, if you want to turn with me. 00:07:00.080 --> 00:07:01.160 Page 953. 00:07:02.260 --> 00:07:05.840 We're looking at 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:07:07.280 --> 00:07:08.439 Starting in verse 6. 00:07:08.520 --> 00:07:10.480 We're looking at verse 6 to the end of the chapter. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:13.540 And as we turn there. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:16.500 I want to remind you. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:18.180 Because this is actually the end of a section. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:20.740 The first four chapters of the book of 1 Corinthians. 00:07:20.900 --> 00:07:22.400 Are kind of an opening salvo. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:25.599 And then you will see a strong transition. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:27.239 Beginning of chapter 5. 00:07:28.219 --> 00:07:31.279 And in this, Paul has been addressing broadly. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:33.500 Their understanding of the Christian life. 00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:35.479 Of what Christian leadership ought to look like. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:36.239 And specifically. 00:07:36.739 --> 00:07:39.319 Of what the gospel that they believe. 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:41.319 Actually is and promises. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:44.699 And for much of this. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:46.379 He has been uncovering. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:47.699 In their thinking. 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:48.939 And in their hearts. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:52.860 That their understanding is far more Corinthian. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:55.240 Than it is Christian. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:57.899 Far more Corinthian. 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:59.800 Than it is cruciform. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.779 Shaped by the cross. 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:04.139 One commentator explained. 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:06.199 That for the Corinthian church. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.500 It seemed that their values. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:10.199 Were form above content. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:12.560 Prestige above humility. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:15.060 Stoicism above passion. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:18.079 An organizing philosophy of wisdom. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.139 Above frank confession. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:22.500 Frank confession of ignorance. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:25.040 And the limitations of human knowledge. 00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:26.759 Rhetoric above truth. 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:28.139 Money above people. 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:31.939 And reputation above integrity. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:35.539 The church had in many ways. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:37.980 Adopted the thinking of the culture. 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:39.559 That they had lived in. 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:41.959 And one of the effects of it. 00:08:42.099 --> 00:08:42.959 Was that they thought. 00:08:43.199 --> 00:08:45.279 That the kingdom had already come. 00:08:46.459 --> 00:08:48.819 They took the successful. 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:50.339 Get ahead culture. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:51.740 Of Corinth. 00:08:51.959 --> 00:08:53.059 And they imported it. 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:54.759 Into their understanding of God's kingdom. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:57.860 And they thought. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.039 That the kingdom that was. 00:08:59.219 --> 00:08:59.899 That is future. 00:09:00.099 --> 00:09:01.679 Has now become theirs. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:02.599 In the present. 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:02.700 That. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:07.279 They wanted to get ahead. 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:08.700 For God to be sure. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:10.800 But by the means. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:13.500 Of the Corinthian thought patterns. 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.820 Paul has been unpacking this. 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:20.259 And attacking it. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:22.540 Over and over again. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:24.500 In the last three and a half chapters. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:25.220 And here. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:27.060 He ends with a very passionate. 00:09:27.300 --> 00:09:28.560 And very personal appeal. 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:29.740 To the Corinthians. 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:30.580 To consider. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:33.320 What God has actually called them to. 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:35.539 So let's read this passage together. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.620 First Corinthians chapter four. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:39.480 Starting in verse six. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:50.460 I have applied all these things to myself. 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.560 And Apollos. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:53.320 For your benefit brothers. 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:55.620 That you may learn by us. 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:58.000 Not to go beyond. 00:09:58.180 --> 00:09:58.740 What is written. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.960 That none of you may be puffed up. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:02.580 In favor of one another. 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:04.080 One against another. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.759 For who sees anything different. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:07.300 In you. 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:08.879 What do you have. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.219 That you did not receive. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:11.979 If then you received it. 00:10:12.079 --> 00:10:12.959 Why do you boast. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:15.199 As if you did not receive it. 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:19.019 Already you have all you want. 00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:21.019 Already you've become rich. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:22.199 Without us. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.819 You have become kings. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.639 And would that you did reign. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:28.799 So that we might share the rule with you. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:33.699 For I think God has exhibited us apostles. 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:35.519 As last of all. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:38.059 Like men sentenced to death. 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:41.039 Because we have become a spectacle to the world. 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:42.240 To angels. 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:43.500 And to men. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:46.419 We are fools for Christ's sake. 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:48.840 But you are wise in Christ. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.340 We are weak. 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:51.740 But you are strong. 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:54.179 You are held in honor. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.740 But we in disrepute. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.819 To the present hour. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.019 We hunger and thirst. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.179 We are poorly dressed. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:01.879 And buffeted. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.879 And homeless. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.759 And we labor. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.840 Working with our own hands. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:06.679 When reviled. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.419 We bless. 00:11:07.939 --> 00:11:09.039 When persecuted. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.779 We endure. 00:11:10.439 --> 00:11:11.379 When slandered. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.200 We entreat. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.360 We have become. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:16.500 And are still. 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:18.500 Like the scum. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.460 Of the world. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.139 The refuse. 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:23.059 Of all things. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:26.219 I do not write these things. 00:11:26.219 --> 00:11:27.239 To make you ashamed. 00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:29.199 But to admonish you. 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:31.679 As my beloved children. 00:11:32.619 --> 00:11:34.219 For though you have countless guides. 00:11:34.219 --> 00:11:34.979 In Christ. 00:11:35.119 --> 00:11:36.459 You do not have many fathers. 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:39.019 For I became your father. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:39.939 And Christ Jesus. 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:40.799 Through the gospel. 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:43.259 I urge you then. 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.919 Be imitators of me. 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:48.619 This is why I sent you Timothy. 00:11:48.619 --> 00:11:50.179 My beloved and faithful child. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:50.759 And the Lord. 00:11:51.359 --> 00:11:52.719 To remind you of my ways. 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:53.399 In Christ. 00:11:54.099 --> 00:11:55.379 As I teach them everywhere. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.459 In every church. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.739 Some are arrogant. 00:11:58.979 --> 00:12:01.120 As though I were not coming to you. 00:12:01.339 --> 00:12:02.979 But I will come to you soon. 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:04.139 If the Lord wills. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.739 And I will find out. 00:12:05.819 --> 00:12:06.599 Not their talk. 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:08.979 Not the talk of these arrogant people. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.539 But their power. 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.659 For the kingdom of God. 00:12:12.739 --> 00:12:14.099 Does not consist in talk. 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.939 But in power. 00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:16.659 What do you wish? 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:19.100 Shall I come to you with a rod. 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.799 Or with love. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:23.000 In a spirit of gentleness. 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:29.360 In this argument. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:32.579 There is actually only two central commands. 00:12:32.839 --> 00:12:33.279 That he said. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.959 And one is an implication. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.740 That you might not be puffed up. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.719 The central command here. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:41.860 Is what we see in verse. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:43.639 I took off my glasses. 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:44.240 What is it? 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.620 16. 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:47.779 Verse 16. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.819 Imitate me. 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:50.980 Imitate me. 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.199 This is the. 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:54.539 This is Paul's passionate appeal. 00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:57.019 To the Corinthian church. 00:12:57.219 --> 00:12:58.179 Is to say. 00:12:58.579 --> 00:13:00.079 You have been thinking so much. 00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:01.139 About your own culture. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.500 You have been so influenced. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.860 By the ways of thinking around you. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.980 And maybe even by leaders among you. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.939 As we see at the end of this chapter. 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:13.260 But would you. 00:13:13.260 --> 00:13:15.300 My beloved children. 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:17.520 Imitate me. 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:20.060 Follow my example. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:22.940 Not in boasting. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.160 Not in self-promotion. 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:27.420 Not in self-exaltation. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.520 Not in self-dependence. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:35.059 But in self-denial. 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.939 And sacrifice. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.000 Following. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.860 In the footsteps of the Savior. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.399 Imitate me. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.819 In following Christ. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:51.960 Paul unpacks this passage. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.060 There are two different things. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.180 I want to look at this morning. 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:54.840 As we look at. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.960 What it is that Paul is saying. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.700 As he's doing this. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.820 I want to look first. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:13:59.740 At the relationship. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.220 On which this appeal. 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:01.900 Was grounded. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:02.600 And secondly. 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.840 I want to look at the pattern. 00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:05.340 That he put forward. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.760 For us to imitate. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.920 So let's look first. 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:09.800 At the relationship. 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.280 That Paul had. 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.300 The relationship. 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.440 That gave the grounds. 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:14.440 For this imitation. 00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:15.400 First. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:17.039 What we see is that Paul loved. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.740 The Corinthian church. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.759 To them. 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:21.840 To him. 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:23.059 They were like family. 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:24.319 You see it in verse 6. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.620 My beloved. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.459 My brothers. 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:30.220 I've done this to you. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.340 Because you are my brothers. 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.019 In Christ. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.819 I don't lord it over you. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.980 I am not simply trying to come in. 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:36.779 And fix you. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.679 As some authority. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.179 I am your brother. 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.019 In this. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.720 And then as we saw. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.019 In 14 through 17. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.519 He says. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.379 Not only am I your brother. 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:47.579 But I'm your father. 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:49.600 Verse 15. 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:50.319 When it says. 00:14:51.579 --> 00:14:53.480 I have become your father. 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:54.439 The word there. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.340 Is the same word. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:57.399 To birth a child. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.779 And it's interesting. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.899 The way Paul puts it. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.220 Isn't it? 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.419 He didn't say. 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:03.279 I have birthed you. 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.399 He said. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.980 I have become your father. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.840 Because the gospel. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.519 Has begotten you. 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.579 As my child. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.639 Do you see how he says that? 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.439 I became your father. 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.879 In Christ Jesus. 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.419 Through the gospel. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.259 Paul isn't saying. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.580 I'm appealing to you. 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:24.120 Because I have done all these great things in your life. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.340 Paul is saying. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:25.699 No. 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:27.799 The gospel has done great things. 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:29.059 And I've had the privilege. 00:15:29.319 --> 00:15:30.259 Of being a vehicle. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.919 Through which the gospel has worked. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.919 In you. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.139 And I love you. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.960 And I love you enough. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:40.019 Not to back down. 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.580 I love you enough. 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:42.259 Not to say. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:42.679 Hey. 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.679 I just given my opinion. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.539 Do your own thing. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.460 He loves them enough. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:47.960 To say. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.779 I will come. 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.299 It will either be with a rod. 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.960 Or it will be with gentleness. 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.139 It will either come with strength. 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.159 Of rebuke. 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.480 Or it will come. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.379 With the gentleness. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.299 Of embrace. 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:04.959 He loves them that much. 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:08.379 And he does say. 00:16:08.579 --> 00:16:09.819 I have become your father. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.299 So imitate me. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.959 This was a cultural pattern. 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.339 That in our modern world. 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:17.039 We have very little sense of. 00:16:17.979 --> 00:16:19.339 But in the ancient world. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:19.839 And in fact. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.559 In most places in the world. 00:16:21.719 --> 00:16:22.919 In most times. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.439 Sons would follow. 00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:27.799 In the footsteps of their father. 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:30.159 Think of how in the English language. 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.839 We have some great last names. 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.079 Baker. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.500 And Smith. 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:36.600 Do you know why they have that last name? 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.639 Because their dad was the baker. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.100 And then the son was the baker. 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:42.459 And the son after him. 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:43.120 Was the baker. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:45.219 And so you just kept your name. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.240 Or in the Scandinavian countries. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.659 How many of you are named. 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.240 Peterson. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.219 Or Svensson. 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:50.919 Or Olson. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:51.740 Or Olofsson. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.519 Or whatever. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.360 I'm the son of my father. 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:57.539 And that's my identity. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.159 And I follow in his footsteps. 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:00.439 And I bear his name. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:05.000 Think of even how the crowds responded to Jesus. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.440 When he began his ministry. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:09.460 Isn't he the carpenter's son? 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:12.480 Shouldn't he be in his woodshed? 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:13.920 Workshop? 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:14.440 Working? 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.980 What is he doing? 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.620 Preaching? 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.400 This isn't what he's done. 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:23.299 So Paul is leaning on a cultural pattern of imitation. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.220 He's saying, I have become your father. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.820 Not a pedagogue. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.220 Not a... 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:31.400 The word here for countless guides. 00:17:31.840 --> 00:17:35.759 Might be best translated a governess or a nanny. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:44.160 Someone who takes over the full-time care and moral development of a child for a period of time. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.720 But not forever. 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:51.220 And in the ancient Near East, there's a clear distinction between who is the father. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:56.140 And who was the caretaker on a day-to-day basis. 00:17:56.140 --> 00:18:01.120 And Paul says, you have many who can come and teach you and take care of you. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:03.780 He's not trying to pick a fight with the other teachers. 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.200 Apollos and Peter and others. 00:18:06.300 --> 00:18:08.220 Saying they're a blessing to you. 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:09.700 But you only have one father. 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:12.460 Imitate me. 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:18.160 Finally, I want you to see that in his relationship, his focus was not on himself. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.680 It's so easy for us, isn't it? 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:28.920 As people to try to sort of leverage our personal relationships to get someone else to do what we want to do. 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:32.660 Hey, I did all this for you. 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.500 Come on. 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:34.940 Give me a little... 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.539 Give me a little something in return. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:44.859 If we have authority over someone, we can wield that in a way to manipulate or to control. 00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:46.599 Paul isn't doing any of that. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:51.440 So striking in verse 14. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.159 I don't write this that you would be ashamed. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:19:01.940 Don't be ashamed of who you are. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:05.579 Don't be ashamed of what God has done in your life. 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:07.059 Don't be ashamed of me. 00:19:08.639 --> 00:19:11.419 I don't want this to be a guilt trip for you. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:14.419 It is instead an invitation. 00:19:15.939 --> 00:19:20.240 I want to draw out of you the best. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:26.139 I want to elicit you to find what is right and good and true. 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.980 And to pursue that. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:31.519 He intervenes for their good. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:40.539 The thought that Paul would be wielding his relationship with them for his own benefit flies in the whole face of the passage. 00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:42.839 Because that's not the pattern. 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:50.279 I wonder if you've ever had a relationship like this in your life. 00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:53.699 I'm thankful to say that I've had many. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:58.259 I sat down this week and I counted four turning point incidents in my life. 00:19:58.259 --> 00:20:02.160 Where I had whether mentors or friends. 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:03.879 Men and women both. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.599 Who spoke into my life. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:13.379 I can think of Bill who confronted me about my lack of responsibility in a dating relationship. 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:15.780 outside of a dormitory at college. 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:17.580 I talked to him. 00:20:17.800 --> 00:20:26.620 I thought of a dear sister who sat me down when I was a young foolish and one of those really dangerous guys who was really nice. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.500 And didn't quite know what he was doing. 00:20:30.280 --> 00:20:36.400 And said, you've got to learn how to have more self-control so you can love your sisters well. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.720 And not be confusing. 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:44.720 I can think of a couple who called me on a decision that I was making. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:48.180 And they said, we think you're doing this for selfish ambition. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:51.240 And not for desire for the kingdom. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:59.880 I can think of a time here at Trinity when I was confronted by a brother about my lack of grace. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:08.240 And you know, sometimes I saw the wisdom of their statements in the moment. 00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:12.080 Sometimes it took years for me to really understand it. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:18.220 But each of them said, you're not living up to your profession to follow Christ. 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:21.220 You're being foolish when you think you are wise. 00:21:22.580 --> 00:21:25.480 You're being proud instead of humble. 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:28.100 I'm thankful for them. 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.540 I'm humbled by them. 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:31.560 And I want to imitate them. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:37.760 I think Paul's example is one for us to consider as well. 00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:41.480 How we might bring these dynamics into our relationships. 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:48.500 Obviously this applies to a discipling relationship or to church leadership as we lead the church. 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:50.840 That we might do this. 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:57.680 Sense both the weightiness and the responsibility to have these kinds of relationships. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:22:04.759 For any of you who are parents, you recognize this is a part of what we do in parenting as well, isn't it? 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:09.819 But also in spiritual friendships. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:12.400 The examples I gave many were mentors. 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:18.059 But one was just a friend, a sister, who sat me down and helped me see something that I couldn't see. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:24.519 And I wonder if we have those kinds of relationships that are based in love. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:31.519 That are calling us to live out the profession that God has given us. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:35.559 Willing to confront where we think wrongly. 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:42.799 Willing to love, not to shame, but to encourage and exhort one another to follow Christ. 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:48.259 Do we value people doing this in our own lives? 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:57.659 Do we value, do we seek to cultivate these kinds of relationships as we initiate them with others? 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:04.019 But this is only setting up the content of the passage, the rest of the passage, isn't it? 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:12.139 Because this is the basis upon which the appeal to imitate Paul is laid in this familial, loving relationship. 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:18.379 But then we see Paul saying, what is it that you're to imitate with me? 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:20.359 And he sets up this contrast. 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:27.259 He says, the pattern for you, that you are to imitate in me is one of boasting in nothing. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:30.659 But in the cross of Jesus Christ and him crucified. 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:38.679 And walking a path of life that is patterned by that crucified Messiah. 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:44.819 As you look, verses 7 through 13, you see this constant contrast. 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:49.240 You, we, you, we, you, we. 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:55.599 He's saying, there's a pattern that I see in your life that looks like this. 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:59.179 But the pattern that I have lived looks like this. 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:02.099 And he says, imitate this. 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.319 What is this? 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.179 Well, let's look at it. 00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:05.899 Let's look at this contrast together. 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.459 The Corinthian way. 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:10.199 Start with me in verse 7. 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.519 Who sees anything different? 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:17.579 That is, who sees anything special in you? 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:23.359 What do you have that you did not receive? 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:27.939 And if you received it, then why do you boast of it as if you didn't? 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:36.559 The very core of the Corinthian problem was that of pride. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:41.599 They had an inflated sense of self-worth. 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:46.519 Like Tom Hanks in Castaway sitting on this beach saying, 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:49.839 Look what I have created when he lights a bonfire. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:55.899 But we think about everything in our life that way. 00:24:55.900 --> 00:25:00.680 And rather than seeing that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above, 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:05.600 we take these things and we make them ours. 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:08.920 And then we say, look what a great thing I am. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:19.040 And when we do this, we fall into all the patterns that we've been talking about for the last two and a half months. 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.720 We compare to one another. 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.960 Am I ahead of them or not? 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.880 We compete. 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:29.059 We lift ourselves up by putting other people down. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:35.460 Taking credit for the things that we have that other people don't so that we can feel more important. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:40.480 We build our identities on things that separate us from others. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:45.100 And in doing so, we jockey for greatness. 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:50.439 And that pride is expressed in a kind of arrogance. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:55.000 It builds one another up. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:59.219 It's fascinating thinking about how to read this passage. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:03.240 Because if you've ever wondered whether sarcasm is okay, 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:05.259 for those of us who are in New England, we love it. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.659 Right? 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:08.059 Paul got sarcastic here. 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.679 Right? 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:12.600 He got ironic here. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.840 In verse 8, 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:23.080 he's saying something that is both true and untrue at the same time about them. 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:25.680 Already you have all that you want. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.820 Already you are rich. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:30.799 Already you have begun to reign, 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:32.900 which is the best translation of that phrase. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:35.080 You have begun to reign with Christ. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:35.199 Christ. 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.819 And look, if we went back, 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.879 if you were here two weeks ago, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:42.899 when Greg preached on the end of chapter 3, 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.899 you see this, right? 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:46.319 All things are yours in Christ. 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:49.159 So in one level, this is true. 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:53.059 And yet, because of the way they held it, 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.899 because they took these things, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:57.119 and rather than seeing them as received from the Lord, 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:59.019 they took credit for them, 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:01.500 and they puffed themselves up with it. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:09.319 In fact, they were empty rather than full of all that Christ had done for them. 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:14.720 They're boasting empties themselves. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:20.240 And like a souffle before it's pricked and collapses, 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:28.559 like cotton candy that looks so good and yet disappears in your mouth as soon as you touch it, 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:31.720 Paul says, this is what your lives are. 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:35.579 In your pride, you have built a great facade, 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:38.619 and there is no substance in it. 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:42.519 You have a misperception of yourselves, 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:46.319 and the fruit of it is destructive. 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:50.240 You haven't even gotten what you truly want. 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:53.639 For what you want is true wisdom, 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.539 true spiritual life, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.579 true greatness. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.980 True power. 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:03.899 And in fact, you have none of those things, 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:06.919 because you have sought to build them yourself, 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.319 and take them from the world, 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:11.240 and establish yourself in the worldly pattern, 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:14.500 rather than receiving these things from Christ. 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.740 And Paul says, 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.059 you are in grave danger, 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:22.119 because if you follow in this pattern, 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:24.859 you are robbing God of his glory. 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:30.339 You are denying all of the things that he has done for you. 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:34.399 And you are refusing to see how he has done it, 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:37.919 and embrace him as your pattern. 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:40.860 And so Paul says, 00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:42.779 you have done all of these things, 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:44.140 this has been your pattern, 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:47.000 but we have done these things. 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:49.279 We have followed a different pattern, 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.880 the way of the cross. 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:53.700 What is this characterized by? 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.140 Strikingly, 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:57.560 in verse 9, 00:28:57.559 --> 00:29:00.980 God has exhibited, 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.899 God has appointed us. 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:06.019 His starting point is not, 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.019 look what we have done, 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.579 but this is what God has done. 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.940 God called us into this. 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:13.940 God has called us into this path. 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:16.299 We probably wouldn't have chosen it, 00:29:16.320 --> 00:29:17.100 in our own wisdom, 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:19.539 but God has called us to this. 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:21.640 It is a part of his plan, 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:22.779 and it is good. 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:24.180 And what does it look like? 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:26.960 Friends, 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.980 are you ready for all these? 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.580 We have become a spectacle. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.960 Becoming a spectacle, 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.600 usually is not a good thing. 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.059 And here, 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.940 Paul certainly means it that way. 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:43.480 The world looks at you and thinks, 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:45.220 are you kidding me? 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.620 Seriously? 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:47.740 Really? 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.820 Foolishness? 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.100 Weakness? 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.680 Dishonor? 00:29:58.299 --> 00:30:00.160 We've become like a freak show. 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.900 Whoever that is, 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:04.039 I don't get it. 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.640 I don't understand it. 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:10.320 Paul goes on and he says, 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.660 I've embraced the suffering. 00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:15.400 Physical suffering, 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:15.980 hardship, 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:16.740 hunger, 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.519 and thirst. 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.920 No clothing, 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:19.680 no shelter. 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:26.200 I've experienced the scorn and derision of other people. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:29.200 I worked with my hands, 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.200 like a slave. 00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:33.440 It's like President Obama, 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:35.460 vacuuming his own office. 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:40.600 And even we are way too democratic to get, 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.600 that actually doesn't strike us as odd. 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:44.200 We'd be like the King of England, 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.100 cleaning his toilet. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:48.220 That's the kind of 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:50.039 shockiness 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.120 of a spiritual teacher 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:53.480 working with his hands 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.460 to earn his own 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:57.279 in the eyes of the Corinthians. 00:30:58.920 --> 00:31:00.340 He worked with his hands. 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.600 He was reviled. 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.959 He was slandered. 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.819 He was persecuted. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.179 And then, 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:10.339 one of my most favorite, 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:12.299 though most striking verses, 00:31:13.199 --> 00:31:14.099 we have become 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.099 and still are, 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:16.159 verse 13, 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:18.579 the scum of the world, 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.939 the refuse 00:31:19.939 --> 00:31:21.459 of all things. 00:31:22.939 --> 00:31:24.379 Have you ever left a coffee mug 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:26.059 in a hot window 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:28.559 with a little milk in the bottom of it 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:30.240 for a couple weeks? 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:35.839 Have you ever cleaned out 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.779 the grease trap 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:38.299 under your sink? 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:42.240 Have you ever walked 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.839 the streets 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.500 of a third world country 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.660 where you share 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.620 the sidewalk 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.519 or the road, 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.460 there's no difference, 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.259 with 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.240 scooters 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.500 and bikes 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.099 and cars 00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:54.720 and trucks 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.620 and cattle 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.319 and sheep 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.240 and 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.440 donkeys 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.839 and 00:31:58.839 --> 00:32:00.139 chickens? 00:32:01.699 --> 00:32:02.819 Have you ever seen 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.759 what you would scrape 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.059 off the bottom of your shoe 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:06.199 at the end of the day? 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.319 That's what the refuse 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.579 of all things is. 00:32:10.919 --> 00:32:12.059 That's what the scum 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:13.240 of the world is. 00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.639 They are things 00:32:14.639 --> 00:32:15.819 that are not only 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.619 ugly 00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:18.220 and distasteful, 00:32:18.439 --> 00:32:19.899 but they're actually 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.439 offensive. 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:24.980 And Paul says, 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.620 this 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:27.680 is what God 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.240 has appointed 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.940 for us. 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.620 This is the pattern 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.820 that God has set 00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:33.080 for us 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:34.740 to do it. 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.100 And do you see 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:37.000 there is no room 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.860 for pride here? 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.680 There's no room 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.380 for boasting 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.039 and self. 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.299 There is instead 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.660 a refining work 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:47.440 that empties us 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.900 of all of our 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:50.100 self-promotion 00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:51.400 and self-exaltation 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:52.580 and self-dependence 00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:54.580 and, dare I say, 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.700 it's self-esteem. 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.100 It refines us 00:32:59.100 --> 00:32:59.880 and empties us 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.539 of self 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:02.120 and fills us 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:02.860 instead 00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:04.519 with something else. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.779 It fills us 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.460 with love. 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.220 Do you see? 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:09.779 This is what 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.640 the end of verse 12 00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:11.980 and beginning of verse 13 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.360 say. 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.740 In the midst 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:15.039 of all of this 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.620 suffering 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:17.039 that I endure 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.879 for the sake 00:33:17.879 --> 00:33:18.639 of the gospel 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:23.799 when I am treated 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.779 like the scum 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.479 of the earth, 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.159 when people 00:33:27.159 --> 00:33:27.939 look at me 00:33:27.939 --> 00:33:28.319 and think 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.339 I'm a freak show, 00:33:30.699 --> 00:33:33.379 I seek to bless them. 00:33:33.939 --> 00:33:35.139 I want their good. 00:33:36.479 --> 00:33:37.599 I entreat them. 00:33:37.679 --> 00:33:37.919 That is, 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.119 I appeal to them 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:40.500 to see the folly 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.379 of their way 00:33:41.379 --> 00:33:42.299 and the wisdom 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.179 of the cross. 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:47.759 it fills us 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:49.299 with love 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:51.919 that enables us 00:33:51.919 --> 00:33:52.639 to endure 00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:55.479 because if our identity 00:33:55.479 --> 00:33:56.199 is in 00:33:56.199 --> 00:33:57.399 how great we are, 00:33:57.479 --> 00:33:58.079 then when people 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:58.859 treat us 00:33:58.859 --> 00:34:00.059 like 00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:01.719 the stuff 00:34:01.719 --> 00:34:02.299 on the road, 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:05.659 then we're shattered. 00:34:07.719 --> 00:34:09.099 But if we know 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.839 that this is what 00:34:09.839 --> 00:34:10.519 God has appointed 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.039 to us 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.599 and we know 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.420 that in Christ 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:12.960 we have 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.159 something far 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.539 better, 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.300 far more, 00:34:17.700 --> 00:34:18.380 far richer 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.460 than anything else, 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.680 then we can be 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:21.800 patient and enduring 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:23.880 even in those trials. 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.300 I think of 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:30.720 a man named 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.720 Charles Simeon. 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.639 If you ever want 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.200 to know about him, 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:33.820 John Hinkson 00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:35.039 did a master's 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.940 thesis on him. 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:38.300 It's a great story. 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:38.639 Actually, 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:39.220 John's thing 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:40.139 is a good read too. 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:41.659 But Charles Simeon 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.339 was a pastor 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:42.900 in England 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:44.339 a couple of 00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:45.599 centuries ago. 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:49.500 And he served 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.000 in a, 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.059 he was wonderfully 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.659 converted 00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.799 during his time 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.440 in college 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:55.219 and afterwards 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:56.579 he ended up 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.179 staying 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:57.920 and was 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:59.480 surprisingly 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.599 at a fairly young age 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.379 able to take 00:35:01.379 --> 00:35:02.440 the pastoral position 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:03.000 of a church, 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:03.779 Trinity Church, 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.719 right near 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.759 Cambridge University. 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:07.860 But this is what 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:09.000 his ministry life 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.660 looked like. 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:11.200 For the first 00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:12.220 ten years, 00:35:13.020 --> 00:35:13.860 the members 00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.800 of the congregation 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.860 didn't want him. 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.720 Back then, 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.580 you could 00:35:18.580 --> 00:35:21.080 reserve, 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:22.060 purchase, 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.820 own a pew 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.700 in the church 00:35:24.700 --> 00:35:25.920 so they locked 00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.500 their pews. 00:35:26.600 --> 00:35:27.040 If you've ever been 00:35:27.040 --> 00:35:27.760 to the Old North Church 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.280 in Boston, 00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:29.260 they have the 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.140 locking pews still. 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:31.660 It would be like 00:35:31.660 --> 00:35:32.380 there's a door 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.600 along the aisles 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:34.440 and you couldn't 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.119 get in 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:36.219 without getting 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:36.960 over these doors. 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.719 And for the first 00:35:38.719 --> 00:35:39.319 ten years, 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.819 the entire pews 00:35:40.819 --> 00:35:41.559 were empty 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:43.319 and people came 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:44.299 and sat on the floor 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:46.019 to be preached to. 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:47.920 Not the members, 00:35:48.319 --> 00:35:48.839 but others. 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:52.179 For ten years, 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.579 he preached to a church 00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.579 that didn't want him. 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.659 That finally 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.579 changed 00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:59.799 some, 00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:01.159 yet 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:02.099 he still 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:04.019 thirty years 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:04.880 into his ministry 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.699 went through 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.440 another season 00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:07.219 where everyone 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.940 sought to 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:09.259 cast him out 00:36:09.259 --> 00:36:10.039 of his position. 00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:12.239 When he turned 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:13.079 forty-seven, 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.019 he developed 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.239 a physical disability 00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:16.319 that made him 00:36:16.319 --> 00:36:17.079 almost unable 00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:17.719 to speak. 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:19.400 After he preached, 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.319 he could only speak 00:36:20.319 --> 00:36:20.880 in a whisper. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.179 This went on 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:23.420 for thirteen years. 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:31.380 He was so 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:31.980 looked down 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.420 upon 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:34.800 in the 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.420 university 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.200 community, 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:37.579 though he was 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.099 a graduate, 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.420 he was so 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:39.900 looked down 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.340 upon 00:36:40.340 --> 00:36:41.800 that he remarked 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.400 once in his 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:42.740 journal 00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:43.680 of the blessing 00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:44.559 of a colleague 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.200 who walked 00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:45.780 with him 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:46.500 for fifteen 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.000 minutes 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:48.659 around the 00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:49.059 courtyard 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:49.619 of the 00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:50.099 college 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:52.239 because it 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:52.539 was the 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:52.960 first time 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:53.239 it had 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.619 happened 00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:55.639 in years. 00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:56.940 He was 00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:58.319 so despised 00:36:58.319 --> 00:36:59.179 and scorned 00:36:59.179 --> 00:36:59.460 in the 00:36:59.460 --> 00:36:59.799 university 00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.319 community 00:37:00.319 --> 00:37:01.099 that even 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.980 his colleagues 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.460 would not 00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.079 walk with 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.380 him 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:04.420 around the 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:04.759 campus 00:37:04.759 --> 00:37:05.119 universe 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:06.699 around 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:06.960 the 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.380 campus. 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.719 And then 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.319 his biographer 00:37:13.319 --> 00:37:14.000 writes this 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:14.639 in April 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.860 1831, 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:16.860 Charles Simeon 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:18.179 was 71 00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.759 years old. 00:37:18.859 --> 00:37:19.099 He had been 00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:19.599 the pastor 00:37:19.599 --> 00:37:20.699 Trinity Church 00:37:20.699 --> 00:37:21.279 for 49 00:37:21.279 --> 00:37:21.639 years. 00:37:21.779 --> 00:37:21.960 He was 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.599 asked one 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.099 afternoon 00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:23.559 by his 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:23.940 friend 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.879 how he 00:37:24.879 --> 00:37:25.059 had 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.639 surmounted 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.319 persecution 00:37:26.319 --> 00:37:27.359 and outlasted 00:37:27.359 --> 00:37:28.219 all the 00:37:28.219 --> 00:37:29.039 great prejudice 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.779 against him 00:37:29.779 --> 00:37:30.139 in his 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:31.599 49-year 00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.139 ministry. 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:33.799 And he 00:37:33.799 --> 00:37:34.219 said to 00:37:34.219 --> 00:37:34.579 Gurney, 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:36.179 my dear 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:36.519 brother, 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.000 we must 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:37.719 not mind 00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:38.199 a little 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:38.679 suffering 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.519 for Christ's 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:39.759 sake. 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.659 When I 00:37:41.659 --> 00:37:42.000 am getting 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:42.399 through a 00:37:42.399 --> 00:37:42.639 hedge, 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.019 if my 00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:43.839 head and 00:37:43.839 --> 00:37:44.199 shoulders 00:37:44.199 --> 00:37:44.879 are safely 00:37:44.879 --> 00:37:45.339 through, 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:46.099 I can 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:47.019 bear the 00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:47.399 pricking 00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:47.960 of my 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.420 legs, 00:37:49.320 --> 00:37:49.720 let us 00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:50.380 rejoice in 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:50.960 the remembrance 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.820 that our 00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:52.700 holy head 00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:54.180 has surmounted 00:37:54.180 --> 00:37:54.720 all his 00:37:54.720 --> 00:37:55.480 sufferings 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:57.180 and triumphed 00:37:57.180 --> 00:37:57.840 over death. 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.240 Let us 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:00.880 follow him 00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:01.480 patiently. 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:02.880 We shall 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.519 soon be 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:04.139 partakers 00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:05.480 of his 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:06.760 victory. 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.019 This is 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:10.420 what Paul 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:10.960 longed for 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.559 the Corinthian 00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.019 church, 00:38:12.680 --> 00:38:13.240 that they 00:38:13.240 --> 00:38:14.000 would see 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.079 that his 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:16.380 example 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:19.780 was one 00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.360 of suffering 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:21.119 because he 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:21.780 was following 00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:22.440 Jesus, 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:24.240 the one 00:38:24.240 --> 00:38:24.780 who went 00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:26.119 first and 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:26.740 foremost, 00:38:27.260 --> 00:38:27.960 who suffered 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.460 in our 00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:29.000 place. 00:38:29.680 --> 00:38:30.280 The echoes 00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:31.480 of Isaiah 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.619 53 ring 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:32.900 in our 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:33.539 ears that 00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:34.099 he was 00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:35.460 wounded for 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:35.720 our 00:38:35.720 --> 00:38:36.519 transgressions, 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:36.920 he was 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:37.519 crushed for 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.019 our 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:39.380 iniquities. 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.700 Don't 00:38:43.700 --> 00:38:45.099 follow the 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.500 path of 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:45.920 boasting, 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.679 but instead 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:49.860 follow the 00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:50.400 example of 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:50.839 Christ. 00:38:52.839 --> 00:38:53.480 So what 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:53.880 might this 00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:54.299 look like 00:38:54.299 --> 00:38:54.880 for us? 00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:58.920 Friends, 00:38:59.000 --> 00:38:59.380 we need to 00:38:59.380 --> 00:38:59.719 do some 00:38:59.719 --> 00:39:00.299 heart work 00:39:00.299 --> 00:39:01.319 about who 00:39:01.319 --> 00:39:01.779 we are. 00:39:03.259 --> 00:39:03.920 Are you 00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:04.319 willing to 00:39:04.319 --> 00:39:04.880 walk around 00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:05.460 with a 00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:06.360 t-shirt that 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:06.739 says, 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:08.019 scum of the 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.319 earth, 00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:09.460 spectacle before 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:09.880 men and 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.239 angels? 00:39:10.239 --> 00:39:13.119 A t-shirt 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.719 is cheap. 00:39:14.339 --> 00:39:14.959 It's not 00:39:14.959 --> 00:39:15.419 really our 00:39:15.419 --> 00:39:15.859 identity. 00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:17.799 But more 00:39:17.799 --> 00:39:18.299 importantly, 00:39:18.479 --> 00:39:18.979 how about 00:39:18.979 --> 00:39:19.500 those that 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:20.019 you interact 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.379 with in 00:39:20.379 --> 00:39:20.819 the world? 00:39:22.479 --> 00:39:23.119 Whether it 00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:23.359 be your 00:39:23.359 --> 00:39:23.819 families, 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:24.899 your 00:39:24.899 --> 00:39:25.519 colleagues, 00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:28.299 your 00:39:28.299 --> 00:39:28.739 potential 00:39:28.739 --> 00:39:29.479 employers, 00:39:30.859 --> 00:39:32.059 your 00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:32.939 classmates in 00:39:32.939 --> 00:39:33.359 the school 00:39:33.359 --> 00:39:33.779 room and 00:39:33.779 --> 00:39:34.019 in the 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.619 hallways. 00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:39.259 friends, 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:40.019 Jesus' call 00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:40.579 here is 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:42.980 one that 00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:43.500 is striking 00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:44.699 because to 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.440 follow him 00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:46.239 makes us 00:39:46.239 --> 00:39:47.039 aliens and 00:39:47.039 --> 00:39:47.519 strangers, 00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:48.179 in the words 00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:48.500 of the 00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.199 apostle Peter, 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.139 aliens and 00:39:50.139 --> 00:39:50.940 strangers in 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.599 our world. 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.199 It ought to 00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:54.179 feel weird to 00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:54.980 follow Christ 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.900 in our world. 00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:57.900 Sometimes I 00:39:57.900 --> 00:39:59.739 fear that 00:39:59.739 --> 00:40:00.319 we have 00:40:00.319 --> 00:40:01.139 bought into 00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:01.819 a lie that 00:40:01.819 --> 00:40:03.420 somehow if 00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:03.980 we can do 00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:04.159 our 00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.739 Christianity 00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:07.639 just well 00:40:07.639 --> 00:40:08.719 enough and 00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.719 with enough 00:40:09.719 --> 00:40:10.480 wisdom and 00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:12.159 savvy that 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:12.480 we'll be 00:40:12.480 --> 00:40:13.179 accepted and 00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:13.619 people will 00:40:13.619 --> 00:40:14.039 think well 00:40:14.039 --> 00:40:14.599 of us. 00:40:20.819 --> 00:40:21.719 But that's 00:40:21.719 --> 00:40:22.420 probably not 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:22.899 really the 00:40:22.899 --> 00:40:23.279 case. 00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:24.460 Jesus said 00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:24.759 if they 00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:26.059 persecuted me 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:26.480 they will 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.440 persecute you 00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:28.279 also. 00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:31.119 The gospel 00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:31.879 cuts across 00:40:31.879 --> 00:40:32.699 every culture 00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:34.839 we will 00:40:34.839 --> 00:40:35.359 find the 00:40:35.359 --> 00:40:36.279 places where 00:40:36.279 --> 00:40:38.359 the exclusivity 00:40:38.359 --> 00:40:39.059 of Christ 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:40.579 or a 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.239 faithfulness 00:40:41.239 --> 00:40:42.039 about teaching 00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:43.819 of how we 00:40:43.819 --> 00:40:44.199 live our 00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:45.099 lives sexually, 00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:47.159 how we 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:48.159 interact with 00:40:48.159 --> 00:40:50.019 the world 00:40:50.019 --> 00:40:50.559 and other 00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:51.099 religions, 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:55.099 how we 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:55.899 forgive our 00:40:55.899 --> 00:40:56.500 enemies. 00:40:56.500 --> 00:40:56.579 things. 00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.139 All of 00:40:58.139 --> 00:40:58.659 these things 00:40:58.659 --> 00:40:59.099 will be 00:40:59.099 --> 00:41:00.199 striking and 00:41:00.199 --> 00:41:01.039 countercultural 00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.199 in various 00:41:02.199 --> 00:41:02.920 places in 00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.840 various ways. 00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:05.639 And if we 00:41:05.639 --> 00:41:06.480 think that by 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:07.219 faithfulness we're 00:41:07.219 --> 00:41:07.519 going to be 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.519 okay and 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:08.980 there won't be 00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:10.480 a cost, we 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:10.960 haven't heard 00:41:10.960 --> 00:41:11.699 Paul this 00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:12.079 morning. 00:41:15.659 --> 00:41:16.340 We may 00:41:16.340 --> 00:41:16.639 become 00:41:16.639 --> 00:41:17.639 marginalized in 00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.219 our culture. 00:41:20.139 --> 00:41:20.780 Friends, we 00:41:20.780 --> 00:41:21.400 need to be ready 00:41:21.400 --> 00:41:22.119 for this as a 00:41:22.119 --> 00:41:22.460 church. 00:41:22.460 --> 00:41:22.500 church. 00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:24.059 I don't want 00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:24.480 to be doom 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:25.000 and gloom. 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:26.780 I don't want 00:41:26.780 --> 00:41:27.400 to try to fight 00:41:27.400 --> 00:41:28.220 the culture war. 00:41:28.539 --> 00:41:29.199 I want to 00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:29.960 follow Christ. 00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:31.019 But we need to 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.639 recognize that 00:41:31.639 --> 00:41:32.420 following Christ 00:41:32.420 --> 00:41:33.079 may lead us 00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:33.720 outside the 00:41:33.720 --> 00:41:34.059 camp. 00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:36.980 It may lead us 00:41:36.980 --> 00:41:37.940 to places where 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:38.940 all we have is 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:40.820 the power of 00:41:40.820 --> 00:41:41.599 the gospel in 00:41:41.599 --> 00:41:42.679 our lives as 00:41:42.679 --> 00:41:43.720 we live humbly, 00:41:43.900 --> 00:41:45.380 brokenly, in 00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:47.400 weakness, and 00:41:47.400 --> 00:41:48.159 being seen as 00:41:48.159 --> 00:41:50.320 foolish in the 00:41:50.320 --> 00:41:50.720 world. 00:41:52.460 --> 00:41:55.820 friends, this is 00:41:55.820 --> 00:41:56.599 what Paul did 00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:57.940 because he 00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.659 followed Jesus. 00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.240 And this is 00:42:00.240 --> 00:42:01.320 what Jesus did 00:42:01.320 --> 00:42:02.280 for us. 00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:04.360 Because as 00:42:04.360 --> 00:42:05.579 offensive as 00:42:05.579 --> 00:42:07.960 the cross and 00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:08.579 following the 00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:09.559 cross can be in 00:42:09.559 --> 00:42:11.079 our world, the 00:42:11.079 --> 00:42:12.059 deepest offense in 00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:14.500 the world is 00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:15.420 far more profound, 00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:15.940 isn't it? 00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:17.720 The thing that 00:42:17.720 --> 00:42:18.720 most offends us 00:42:18.720 --> 00:42:19.940 and our friends 00:42:19.940 --> 00:42:21.139 and our world 00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:24.359 is not a 00:42:24.359 --> 00:42:25.279 particular stance 00:42:25.279 --> 00:42:25.799 on this or 00:42:25.799 --> 00:42:26.420 that issue. 00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:28.019 But it's that 00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:28.960 we are owning 00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:29.539 the fact that 00:42:29.539 --> 00:42:30.159 we are sinners. 00:42:32.119 --> 00:42:33.259 And that sin 00:42:33.259 --> 00:42:34.259 is so offensive 00:42:34.259 --> 00:42:35.339 that it deserved 00:42:35.339 --> 00:42:37.219 not a pass, 00:42:37.679 --> 00:42:38.639 not a warning, 00:42:39.639 --> 00:42:40.719 but it earned 00:42:40.719 --> 00:42:42.219 for us the 00:42:42.219 --> 00:42:42.839 death of the 00:42:42.839 --> 00:42:43.400 Son of God 00:42:43.400 --> 00:42:43.960 himself. 00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:47.539 when we 00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.059 admit that 00:42:48.059 --> 00:42:48.740 our sin 00:42:48.740 --> 00:42:49.780 cripples us, 00:42:50.079 --> 00:42:50.679 that our 00:42:50.679 --> 00:42:51.599 pride makes 00:42:51.599 --> 00:42:52.820 us empty 00:42:52.820 --> 00:42:53.480 and puffed 00:42:53.480 --> 00:42:54.059 up rather 00:42:54.059 --> 00:42:54.920 than substantive 00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:55.659 and real, 00:42:56.159 --> 00:42:56.760 when we 00:42:56.760 --> 00:42:57.679 recognize that 00:42:57.679 --> 00:42:58.400 our sin 00:42:58.400 --> 00:43:01.240 makes our 00:43:01.240 --> 00:43:01.659 wisdom 00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:02.460 foolishness 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:02.780 and our 00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:03.199 strength 00:43:03.199 --> 00:43:03.619 weakness 00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:05.260 and our 00:43:05.260 --> 00:43:05.840 spirituality 00:43:05.840 --> 00:43:06.480 empty 00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:08.519 and exposes 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:09.420 us as in 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:10.340 fact offensive 00:43:10.340 --> 00:43:11.280 to God, 00:43:11.280 --> 00:43:18.100 and helpless. 00:43:20.880 --> 00:43:21.740 We then 00:43:21.740 --> 00:43:22.200 see how 00:43:22.200 --> 00:43:22.840 wonderful a 00:43:22.840 --> 00:43:23.320 Savior we 00:43:23.320 --> 00:43:23.640 have 00:43:23.640 --> 00:43:25.080 because he 00:43:25.080 --> 00:43:25.640 stepped into 00:43:25.640 --> 00:43:26.000 that. 00:43:26.360 --> 00:43:26.940 Jesus took 00:43:26.940 --> 00:43:27.519 the offense 00:43:27.519 --> 00:43:28.240 for us, 00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:28.920 didn't he? 00:43:30.420 --> 00:43:31.340 Jesus was 00:43:31.340 --> 00:43:32.080 scorned and 00:43:32.080 --> 00:43:32.620 mocked. 00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:33.940 He was the 00:43:33.940 --> 00:43:34.500 Son of God 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:34.760 and the 00:43:34.760 --> 00:43:35.260 creator of the 00:43:35.260 --> 00:43:35.780 world and 00:43:35.780 --> 00:43:36.200 yet we 00:43:36.200 --> 00:43:37.019 esteemed him 00:43:37.019 --> 00:43:37.500 not. 00:43:37.500 --> 00:43:37.559 not. 00:43:39.699 --> 00:43:40.619 He came 00:43:40.619 --> 00:43:40.960 to his 00:43:40.960 --> 00:43:41.340 own and 00:43:41.340 --> 00:43:41.880 his own 00:43:41.880 --> 00:43:43.039 received him 00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:43.619 not. 00:43:47.219 --> 00:43:48.500 He was 00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:49.199 taken outside 00:43:49.199 --> 00:43:49.840 the city 00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:50.460 and crucified 00:43:50.460 --> 00:43:51.179 on a hill 00:43:51.179 --> 00:43:53.340 bearing the 00:43:53.340 --> 00:43:54.500 wrath of God 00:43:54.500 --> 00:43:55.199 against the 00:43:55.199 --> 00:43:56.019 offense of 00:43:56.019 --> 00:43:56.780 our sin. 00:43:56.780 --> 00:43:56.820 sin. 00:44:01.200 --> 00:44:01.620 And though 00:44:01.620 --> 00:44:02.440 our pride is 00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:03.160 pricked and 00:44:03.160 --> 00:44:03.740 our backs 00:44:03.740 --> 00:44:04.240 get up, 00:44:05.080 --> 00:44:06.260 we want 00:44:06.260 --> 00:44:07.019 desperately to 00:44:07.019 --> 00:44:07.560 find some 00:44:07.560 --> 00:44:08.180 other way, 00:44:08.980 --> 00:44:10.060 this alone 00:44:10.060 --> 00:44:10.780 is the only 00:44:10.780 --> 00:44:11.560 way that we 00:44:11.560 --> 00:44:12.019 can be 00:44:12.019 --> 00:44:12.460 saved. 00:44:14.660 --> 00:44:15.700 And so 00:44:15.700 --> 00:44:18.260 we find in 00:44:18.260 --> 00:44:19.140 this salvation 00:44:19.140 --> 00:44:20.200 not only our 00:44:20.200 --> 00:44:20.980 greatest hope 00:44:20.980 --> 00:44:21.840 but our only 00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:22.280 pattern. 00:44:24.280 --> 00:44:25.160 There's no 00:44:25.160 --> 00:44:26.080 easier way 00:44:26.079 --> 00:44:27.460 than following 00:44:27.460 --> 00:44:29.679 Christ because 00:44:29.679 --> 00:44:30.199 there's no 00:44:30.199 --> 00:44:30.880 better way 00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:32.500 than following 00:44:32.500 --> 00:44:33.159 Christ. 00:44:38.619 --> 00:44:39.579 I think about 00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:40.000 this now 00:44:40.000 --> 00:44:40.639 sometimes when 00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:41.219 I pray for 00:44:41.219 --> 00:44:41.759 my kids. 00:44:42.739 --> 00:44:43.639 Not often. 00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:45.739 But I pray 00:44:45.739 --> 00:44:46.920 not that their 00:44:46.920 --> 00:44:47.539 life would be 00:44:47.539 --> 00:44:49.099 easy but that 00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:49.420 they would 00:44:49.420 --> 00:44:49.739 know. 00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:53.139 They would 00:44:53.139 --> 00:44:53.599 know more 00:44:53.599 --> 00:44:54.340 of this 00:44:54.340 --> 00:44:54.960 Savior who 00:44:54.960 --> 00:44:55.420 loved them 00:44:55.420 --> 00:44:55.759 so. 00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:59.299 And that 00:44:59.299 --> 00:44:59.860 the hearts 00:44:59.860 --> 00:45:00.179 and the 00:45:00.179 --> 00:45:00.719 pains of 00:45:00.719 --> 00:45:01.380 their lives 00:45:01.380 --> 00:45:02.000 would drive 00:45:02.000 --> 00:45:02.759 them to 00:45:02.759 --> 00:45:03.099 him. 00:45:06.380 --> 00:45:07.199 That they 00:45:07.199 --> 00:45:07.779 might know 00:45:07.779 --> 00:45:09.239 the fellowship 00:45:09.239 --> 00:45:10.159 of suffering 00:45:10.159 --> 00:45:13.139 and perhaps 00:45:13.139 --> 00:45:13.860 attain to the 00:45:13.860 --> 00:45:14.559 resurrection from 00:45:14.559 --> 00:45:14.960 the dead. 00:45:16.139 --> 00:45:17.340 Let me close 00:45:17.340 --> 00:45:18.299 with the words 00:45:18.299 --> 00:45:19.759 of 1 Peter 00:45:19.759 --> 00:45:21.099 chapter 2. 00:45:21.099 --> 00:45:23.519 for this 00:45:23.519 --> 00:45:23.699 for this you 00:45:23.699 --> 00:45:24.019 have been 00:45:24.019 --> 00:45:24.500 called 00:45:24.500 --> 00:45:25.940 because Christ 00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:26.699 also suffered 00:45:26.699 --> 00:45:27.279 for you 00:45:27.279 --> 00:45:28.139 leaving you 00:45:28.139 --> 00:45:28.980 an example 00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:30.599 so that you 00:45:30.599 --> 00:45:31.159 might follow 00:45:31.159 --> 00:45:32.039 in his steps. 00:45:32.219 --> 00:45:32.659 He committed 00:45:32.659 --> 00:45:33.420 no sin 00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:34.380 neither was 00:45:34.380 --> 00:45:35.099 deceit found 00:45:35.099 --> 00:45:35.839 in his mouth 00:45:35.839 --> 00:45:36.440 when he was 00:45:36.440 --> 00:45:37.239 reviled he did 00:45:37.239 --> 00:45:38.000 not revile in 00:45:38.000 --> 00:45:38.420 return. 00:45:38.420 --> 00:45:39.199 When he 00:45:39.199 --> 00:45:40.420 suffered he did 00:45:40.420 --> 00:45:41.059 not threaten 00:45:41.059 --> 00:45:42.199 but continued 00:45:42.199 --> 00:45:43.259 entrusting himself 00:45:43.259 --> 00:45:44.500 to him who 00:45:44.500 --> 00:45:45.500 judges justly. 00:45:46.699 --> 00:45:47.480 He himself 00:45:47.480 --> 00:45:48.659 bore our sins 00:45:48.659 --> 00:45:49.779 in his body 00:45:49.779 --> 00:45:50.539 on the tree 00:45:50.539 --> 00:45:51.940 that we might 00:45:51.940 --> 00:45:52.719 die to sin 00:45:52.719 --> 00:45:53.480 and live to 00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:54.000 righteousness. 00:45:54.940 --> 00:45:56.139 By his wounds 00:45:56.139 --> 00:45:57.219 you have been 00:45:57.219 --> 00:45:58.920 healed for you 00:45:58.920 --> 00:45:59.579 were straying 00:45:59.579 --> 00:46:00.239 like sheep 00:46:00.239 --> 00:46:01.659 but have now 00:46:01.659 --> 00:46:03.319 returned to 00:46:03.319 --> 00:46:03.799 the shepherd 00:46:03.799 --> 00:46:04.699 and overseer 00:46:04.699 --> 00:46:05.599 of your souls. 00:46:06.539 --> 00:46:07.399 Let's pray. 00:46:07.399 --> 00:46:07.500 Amen. 00:46:07.500 --> 00:46:07.519 Amen. 00:46:07.519 --> 00:46:07.559 Amen. 00:46:07.559 --> 00:46:07.599 Amen. 00:46:07.599 --> 00:46:07.619 Amen. 00:46:07.619 --> 00:46:09.599 Amen. 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:09.619 Amen. 00:46:09.619 --> 00:46:09.719 Amen. 00:46:09.719 --> 00:46:11.619 Amen. 00:46:11.619 --> 00:46:11.719 Amen. 00:46:11.719 --> 00:46:11.759 Amen. 00:46:11.759 --> 00:46:11.799 Amen. 00:46:11.799 --> 00:46:13.719 Amen. 00:46:13.719 --> 00:46:13.759 Amen. 00:46:13.759 --> 00:46:13.799 Amen. 00:46:18.659 --> 00:46:19.219 Amen. 00:46:19.219 --> 00:46:19.319 Amen. 00:46:22.460 --> 00:46:23.480 Holy Spirit 00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:24.339 I invite you 00:46:24.339 --> 00:46:25.059 to do your 00:46:25.059 --> 00:46:25.839 searching work 00:46:25.839 --> 00:46:26.579 in our hearts. 00:46:29.059 --> 00:46:30.259 Lord help us 00:46:30.259 --> 00:46:31.500 to see how much 00:46:31.500 --> 00:46:33.399 we still cling 00:46:33.399 --> 00:46:34.339 to a vision 00:46:34.339 --> 00:46:35.119 of a world 00:46:35.119 --> 00:46:37.019 where life 00:46:37.019 --> 00:46:37.799 will be easy 00:46:37.799 --> 00:46:39.579 where success 00:46:39.579 --> 00:46:40.399 is expected 00:46:40.399 --> 00:46:43.000 where triumph 00:46:43.000 --> 00:46:45.339 is 00:46:45.339 --> 00:46:47.779 known 00:46:47.780 --> 00:46:49.620 and 00:46:49.620 --> 00:46:50.540 banked on. 00:46:52.200 --> 00:46:53.240 Lord help us 00:46:53.240 --> 00:46:54.200 to see how much 00:46:54.200 --> 00:46:56.200 we want to avoid 00:46:56.200 --> 00:46:57.380 suffering and trial 00:46:57.380 --> 00:46:58.220 in this life 00:46:58.220 --> 00:46:59.900 and how often 00:46:59.900 --> 00:47:00.600 we are 00:47:00.600 --> 00:47:01.540 derailed 00:47:01.540 --> 00:47:02.280 from the path 00:47:02.280 --> 00:47:03.260 of discipleship 00:47:03.260 --> 00:47:04.300 and following you 00:47:04.300 --> 00:47:08.040 because of that 00:47:08.040 --> 00:47:08.720 commitment 00:47:08.720 --> 00:47:09.560 in our heart. 00:47:11.220 --> 00:47:12.100 And Jesus 00:47:12.100 --> 00:47:12.700 help us 00:47:12.700 --> 00:47:13.560 to see you 00:47:13.560 --> 00:47:15.800 the great shepherd 00:47:15.800 --> 00:47:17.220 and overseer 00:47:17.219 --> 00:47:17.980 of our souls. 00:47:19.159 --> 00:47:20.059 Lord help us 00:47:20.059 --> 00:47:20.679 to return 00:47:20.679 --> 00:47:21.279 to you 00:47:21.279 --> 00:47:23.379 and to see 00:47:23.379 --> 00:47:23.839 the path 00:47:23.839 --> 00:47:24.539 that you walked 00:47:24.539 --> 00:47:25.059 for us 00:47:25.059 --> 00:47:25.619 and to walk 00:47:25.619 --> 00:47:26.379 that path 00:47:26.379 --> 00:47:29.039 for your sake 00:47:29.039 --> 00:47:30.539 for the gospel's sake 00:47:30.539 --> 00:47:32.199 for your glory. 00:47:34.980 --> 00:47:35.799 Lord may we 00:47:35.799 --> 00:47:36.399 not mind 00:47:36.399 --> 00:47:37.259 a little suffering 00:47:37.259 --> 00:47:38.819 in this life. 00:47:40.439 --> 00:47:41.279 We pray this 00:47:41.279 --> 00:47:42.059 in Jesus name. 00:47:42.639 --> 00:47:42.919 Amen.