WEBVTT 00:00:00.740 --> 00:00:07.700 So, we're reading from Romans chapter 14, verses 1 to 12, and that's on page 1140 in the Red Bible. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:19.039 So, except him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 00:00:19.559 --> 00:00:25.120 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:28.839 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:35.259 and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 00:00:36.100 --> 00:00:38.039 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:44.380 To his own master he stands or falls, and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:47.780 One man considers one day more sacred than another. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:50.420 Another man considers every day alike. 00:00:51.120 --> 00:00:53.460 Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:57.760 He who regards one day as special does so to the Lord. 00:00:57.759 --> 00:01:06.439 He who eats meat eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God, and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:11.400 For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. 00:01:12.179 --> 00:01:13.920 If we live, we live to the Lord. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:15.959 If we die, we die to the Lord. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:18.819 So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:25.419 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life, so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:28.359 You then, why do you judge your brother? 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:30.739 Or why do you look down on your brother? 00:01:31.479 --> 00:01:34.179 For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 00:01:35.199 --> 00:01:35.959 It is written, 00:01:36.899 --> 00:01:42.479 As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me, every tongue will confess to God. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:46.640 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 00:01:58.120 --> 00:01:59.159 Thank you, Kate. 00:02:01.100 --> 00:02:03.939 So keep your Bibles open there at Romans 14. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:12.400 We've been looking over the last few weeks at what it means to apply the gospel to our lives. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:17.979 As we often say, the gospel, the good news about Jesus, is not just for people who are unbelievers, 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:21.419 but it is also for those who are believers. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:29.500 And when the gospel changes us and transforms us, it turns us into people, as we've been seeing, into people of love. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:34.259 But this week we will see that it also causes unity. 00:02:35.699 --> 00:02:40.460 Well, let's pray together and ask for God's help to us all. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:58.560 Father, we thank you so much for the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:07.099 Thank you for the wonderful truths that Jesus died for our sins. 00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:24.139 That he rose again from the grave, defeating death, giving forgiveness and a rich welcome into his family to all who will trust him. 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:35.239 Father, we ask that you would continue to shape us and transform us by the gospel. 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:48.840 We pray that it will be understood with our minds, but that it will begin to work out in our life, 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:53.640 causing us to love one another deeply, 00:03:53.639 --> 00:04:03.799 and that it will create and build an inseparable bond between one another. 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:12.699 We ask this for your sake, for we long that Jesus be made known. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:20.279 We pray this in his name. Amen. 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:33.699 Well, on the 6th of June, 1944, almost 70 years ago to this day, 00:04:34.619 --> 00:04:41.719 British and American troops joined together in a united effort and landed on the beaches of Normandy. 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:47.640 Together as one joint force on what became known as D-Day, 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:52.660 they made their attack, which led to the winning of the Second World War. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:56.360 On their own, it just simply wouldn't have been possible. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:02.960 It took two sides united in one mission. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:07.039 Now, the church is also on a mission. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:10.639 That is pretty much what Romans is all about. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:15.039 The mission is this, to announce the gospel, 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:22.060 the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ to all peoples in all places. 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:28.839 And if that mission is to be accomplished, the church must be united. 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:36.899 The people must join together as one force and go into the world together. 00:05:38.679 --> 00:05:46.279 But the problem is, the unity of the church is always under threat. 00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:54.179 In fact, the church was in danger of dividing. 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:58.900 They were having their own particular D-Day. 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:02.139 First, look at verse 1. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:05.900 He says, 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:08.180 Except him whose faith is weak, 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:13.420 without passing judgment on disputable matters. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:17.439 So instead of joining together, 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:23.100 they were actually dividing over what we might call secondary matters, 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:25.560 or non-gospel issues. 00:06:26.820 --> 00:06:29.840 You see, the church was made up of two main groups. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:35.060 On the one side, there were Jewish people from a religious background. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:39.020 And on the other side, there were people from a Gentile, 00:06:39.160 --> 00:06:40.720 a non-religious background. 00:06:41.580 --> 00:06:44.400 And both sets of people, both groups of people, 00:06:44.520 --> 00:06:47.939 had all come to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:50.480 They were all part of the church. 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:58.959 But, both these groups had a different opinion about non-gospel issues. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:04.060 There was an argument over disputable matters. 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:09.439 So what were these disputes all about? 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.399 Well, we're going to look at them briefly. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:13.859 Firstly, first, 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:19.839 they were dividing over what you could eat and could not eat. 00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:21.120 So look at verse 2. 00:07:23.299 --> 00:07:25.959 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:28.879 but another man whose faith is weak, 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:30.839 eats only vegetables. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:33.979 Now we'll come back to that in a minute. 00:07:34.419 --> 00:07:34.899 Second, 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:40.319 they were dividing about certain days in the diary. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:41.779 So verse 5. 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:46.159 One man considers one day more sacred than another. 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:49.800 Another man considers every day alike. 00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:53.920 Now we might think that absolutely crazy. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:56.360 Who's going to divide about whether you have vegetables 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:57.579 or whether you have pork? 00:07:57.899 --> 00:07:59.600 What's the big issue? 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:03.680 Well, we've got to remember here the context 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:05.939 and the culture of the church. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:11.660 You see, those from a Jewish and a religious background 00:08:11.660 --> 00:08:14.639 had been taught all through their childhood 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.740 and all through their lives, 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:17.439 according to the Old Testament law, 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:21.639 that food and festivals were really important. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:23.659 It was part of your cultural identity 00:08:23.659 --> 00:08:25.839 and it was also part of your belief system. 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:30.479 So if you ate certain kinds of food like pork sausages, 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:36.159 well then you would be considered unclean before God. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:41.419 And if you didn't observe special days like the Sabbath, 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:45.980 then you would be considered unacceptable to God. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:51.519 So while they had all come to faith in Christ, 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:54.539 they understood that God accepts people 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:57.240 not on the basis of what we do, 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:00.659 but simply on the basis of what Christ has done. 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:01.800 They knew that, 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:04.300 but yet with all their background 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:07.180 and all the teaching and their culture all around them, 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:10.100 it was just really hard to shake off 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:12.560 what you believed and practiced all your life. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:16.139 Yes, they knew the gospel was true, 00:09:17.359 --> 00:09:19.719 but it was taking time for the gospel 00:09:19.719 --> 00:09:22.739 to get right deep down into their lives 00:09:22.739 --> 00:09:24.399 and begin to change 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:27.419 what had been the pattern of their life for so long. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:30.619 Some of you here 00:09:30.619 --> 00:09:33.659 might come from a particular religious background 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:37.500 and your religious tradition taught you 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:39.279 that you couldn't drink alcohol 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:42.459 or that you couldn't play games on a Sunday. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:46.799 But now that you've come to faith in Jesus Christ, 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:49.079 you know that those things don't save you, 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:52.039 but still it's hard to shake off 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:55.079 what has been the pattern and practice for so long. 00:09:57.399 --> 00:10:00.599 So we had those of a religious background on one side 00:10:00.599 --> 00:10:03.659 and then we had the Jews or the Gentiles 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:06.759 who had no religious tradition. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:09.019 And when they came to faith 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:10.699 and when they became part of the church, 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:13.180 they really couldn't get these Jewish people at all. 00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:16.080 What were they going on about food and festivals 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.960 and why you can't eat this 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:19.440 and how you must only eat that 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:21.560 and this day was more important than this day? 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.400 What was the big deal? 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:29.000 Now some of you might come from a background 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:31.420 that is a little bit more liberal than traditional. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:36.159 So having your tea and coffee during the worship service 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:36.959 is no big deal. 00:10:37.459 --> 00:10:39.379 Why do people get upset about that? 00:10:40.439 --> 00:10:41.659 What's all the fuss about? 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:44.479 It's not about tea and coffee, 00:10:44.599 --> 00:10:45.799 it's about faith in Jesus. 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:52.359 So in this context, as in every church, 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:56.579 there are always arguments over secondary matters. 00:10:58.019 --> 00:11:01.579 And the result was obvious. 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:04.699 Verse 10 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:09.040 You then, 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:15.140 why do you judge your brother or sister? 00:11:17.020 --> 00:11:18.980 Or why do you look down 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:21.980 on your brother or sister? 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:26.840 You see, the two groups were beginning to divide. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.680 One side was judging the other 00:11:29.680 --> 00:11:31.620 for not following certain practices 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:34.480 and the other side was beginning to look down on the others 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.759 because they did follow them. 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:38.500 And instead of loving each other, 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:40.200 which was chapter 12 and 13, 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.740 that was what that was all about, 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:44.840 they were beginning to be critical 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:46.759 and condemning one another. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:49.779 Instead of joining in the force together 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:52.399 and being part of the one mission together 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:54.799 and going and telling the good news 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:57.240 to all people in all places, 00:11:57.620 --> 00:12:00.339 it was all about internal struggles 00:12:00.339 --> 00:12:02.000 and they were beginning to fall out 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.679 over differences of opinion. 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:09.419 Now as I look out on this church, 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:13.039 and I see myself very much as part of this church, 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:15.279 there's people from all kinds of backgrounds. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:18.319 There's different nationalities represented here. 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:21.080 We come from different cultures. 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:25.140 We have different religious and family traditions. 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:30.000 But yet, because of our faith in Jesus Christ, 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:33.580 we have been united together as one people, 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:34.360 one family. 00:12:36.260 --> 00:12:38.280 But it doesn't take me to tell you this, 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:40.360 that we don't actually always agree, do we? 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:44.380 Yes, we agree on primary matters, 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:49.080 like salvation by grace through faith in Christ. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:51.100 That's a big theme in Romans. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.379 That was central. 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:54.939 That was not to be changed. 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:58.279 Yes, we agree on the authority of Scripture, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:04.620 but we disagree on all sorts of secondary issues, 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.179 or as it says in verse 1, 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.519 disputable matters. 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:10.740 So let me throw out a few, 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:14.840 stir a little bit of argument amongst us. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.840 Should we have our own building, 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:20.259 or should we continue to rent? 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:25.000 Can we celebrate the Lord's Supper in our home groups, 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:27.980 or should it only be on a Sunday morning? 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:32.440 Is it okay if I use the message 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:35.180 as my translation of the Bible, 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:37.360 or should it be the ESV? 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:43.139 Do I have to believe in a literal six-day creation? 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:48.460 Or can I believe that the days represent a period of time, 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.120 perhaps millions of years? 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.899 And what about spiritual gifts? 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:55.920 Have they ceased, 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:57.820 or do they continue? 00:13:57.980 --> 00:14:01.100 And what about membership? 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.180 And what about baptism? 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.980 And what about how we structure the church? 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.180 And what about music? 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:06.860 And what about the songs we sing? 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:12.080 And I'm sure you have a lot more to add to the list. 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.659 You see, the point is, 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:17.259 we can all have a different opinion. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:21.340 But we must be very careful 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:26.800 that disputable matters do not end in division. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:31.759 In fact, we must work very hard to keep our unity. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:31.879 unity. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:38.700 And there are three ways by which we can do this. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:43.720 Because what we want is unity around the gospel, 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:47.139 around the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:54.460 So, here's the first thing that we must hold dear and not lose. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:15:02.019 First, we accept each other because we have been accepted by God. 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.040 So, look at verse 1 again. 00:15:04.040 --> 00:15:11.400 Accept him whose face is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:14.579 You see, the reality is within the life of the church. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:19.019 We're going to meet fellow believers who don't always agree with us. 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.860 Ralph and me are both elders. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:26.059 We agree on an awful lot, but there's some things we don't agree on. 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:29.139 But rather than judge and fall out with each other, 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:32.259 we accept one another. 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:35.740 And we should all accept one another, especially, 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.919 again, look at verse 1. 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:42.819 Accept him whose face is weak. 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:47.899 Now, that does not mean their faith in Christ is in question, 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:50.819 and we're wondering, are they really a Christian or not? 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:53.120 No, they have faith in Christ. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.200 They are most truly God's child. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:16:00.080 But what it means is the outworking of their faith 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:02.820 is still in its infancy. 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:04.820 It's still growing. 00:16:05.780 --> 00:16:11.560 They are still working out how the gospel relates to these disputable matters. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:15.000 And they're still applying it and still working it through. 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:21.160 So, we must give room to that. 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:23.160 So, accept those whose face is weak. 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.780 So, verse 3, 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:27.160 The man who eats everything 00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:30.740 must not look down on him who does not. 00:16:30.800 --> 00:16:34.820 And remember, this is specifically a Jewish Gentile context. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.580 It's not really about vegetarianism today. 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:38.560 So, verse 3, 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:40.259 The man who eats everything 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:42.280 must not look down on him who does not. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.680 And the man who does not eat everything 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.740 must not condemn. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.100 The man who does, 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.780 for God has accepted him. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:51.280 There's the reason why we accept. 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:54.720 Because God has accepted him. 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:58.060 And to accept someone means, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:17:00.080 we don't just put up with them and go, 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.860 You know, they've just got peculiar views. 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.240 God bless them. 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.059 Hmm? 00:17:05.580 --> 00:17:08.440 No, it means you give them a rich welcome 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.000 into the family of the church, 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:12.759 because that's how God has treated you. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:16.000 God has welcomed us into his family. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.420 He has taken us and accepted us 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:22.379 on the basis of our faith in Christ alone, 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:27.359 not on our opinion of disputable matters. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:30.379 So, who am I and who are you 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:33.939 to reject those who God has accepted? 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.039 You see, we don't actually get to decide 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.740 who we welcome. 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.299 We don't stand at the door with a little clipboard 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:43.079 and we have all our little list of opinions 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.379 and go, 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:46.679 Sorry, what's your opinion there on creation? 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:50.519 What's your view on the tea and coffee issue? 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.439 Hmm? 00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:54.179 And give a little tix or an x on the box 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:56.180 and, well, if they all line up with you, 00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:58.500 then you'll talk to them. 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:01.740 Now, we don't get to decide who to welcome. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.880 God decides who he welcomes. 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:06.960 If God has accepted somebody by grace, 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.080 then we welcome them in grace. 00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:12.660 We need to be so careful 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:14.799 that we don't accept people on the basis 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.700 that they hold the same opinion as me. 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:19.500 No, at the end of verse 3, 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.720 we accept each other 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:24.140 because God has accepted us both. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:28.259 So that's the first thing we hold dear. 00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:29.680 Second, 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.460 live to please the Lord 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:38.240 because we are all under his lordship. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:40.779 Live to please the Lord 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:43.660 because we're under his lordship. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.360 Verse 4. 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.580 Who are you? 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.200 Or who am I? 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.860 To judge someone else's servant. 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.179 You see, 00:18:53.219 --> 00:18:55.859 we can all take on that kind of role 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:57.119 that we act as if, 00:18:57.419 --> 00:18:58.439 well, I'm the Lord 00:18:58.439 --> 00:19:00.419 and you're my servant. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.019 In other words, 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.359 you're answerable to me 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.879 and I judge you 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.559 on the basis of whether you agree 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.679 with my views. 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:10.279 And if you don't share my opinion, 00:19:11.179 --> 00:19:13.459 I don't want to do anything to do with you. 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:15.500 But look what it says 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.600 at the rest of verse 4. 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:21.660 To his own master he stands or fall. 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.460 That is, 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:24.120 we don't stand before each other. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:27.039 We stand before the Lord. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:32.400 And he will stand. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:34.240 The Christian will stand. 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.579 Why? 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.799 Because the Lord 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.500 is able to make him stand. 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.299 You see, 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:44.119 we're not lords over each other. 00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:45.579 Rather, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:47.179 we are all under 00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:49.399 the lordship of Christ. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.279 Verse 5. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.259 One man considers 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:54.059 one day more sacred than another. 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.839 Another man considers, 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.119 well, 00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:57.059 every day alike. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.199 Each one 00:19:59.199 --> 00:20:01.419 should be carefully convinced 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:03.779 in their own mind. 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.680 You see, 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.480 if my opinion 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:10.259 is that Sunday 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:12.460 is the same as any other day 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.000 of the week, 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.220 and your opinion is 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.539 that Sunday should be kept 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.560 really special, 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:21.680 then I should not impose 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.500 or force 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.400 my view 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.080 on you. 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.380 Similarly, 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:29.160 if you think that Sunday 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.680 is more special, 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:33.600 and it should be different 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.539 to every other day 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.140 of the week, 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.300 well, 00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:37.640 then I shouldn't change 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.700 my opinion 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.600 just to please you 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.580 and to kind of fit 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:42.800 into your little group. 00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:45.060 The point is 00:20:45.060 --> 00:20:46.400 we are not to impose 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.779 our views on others 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.940 and we don't change 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.580 our views 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:52.279 to please others. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.680 Instead, 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.440 look at the end 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.120 of verse 5, 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.800 each one should be 00:20:56.800 --> 00:20:58.060 carefully convinced 00:20:58.060 --> 00:21:00.259 in his own mind. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.940 that means 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.740 we've got to do 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:04.039 a little bit of weighing up 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.640 and a little bit 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.700 of thinking through. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.519 We must do 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.539 what is right 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:11.819 as far as we can discern 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:14.000 before the Lord. 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.700 Verse 7, 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.700 for none of us 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.240 lives to himself alone, 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.799 as in we're not 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.079 answerable to ourselves, 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.319 and none of us 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.819 dies to himself alone. 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.619 If we live, 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:29.159 we live to the Lord. 00:21:30.239 --> 00:21:31.259 And if we die, 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.599 we die to the Lord. 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.119 In other words, 00:21:34.179 --> 00:21:34.899 we will be living 00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:35.459 with him. 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.379 So whether we live 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.079 or die, 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:39.019 we belong to the Lord. 00:21:39.719 --> 00:21:40.919 It's so clear 00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:42.259 through these verses here 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.599 that it's the Lord 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.779 who is our master. 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:47.579 When we become Christians, 00:21:47.979 --> 00:21:48.859 we come under 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:50.500 his lordship. 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.679 We belong to him. 00:21:51.939 --> 00:21:52.979 He is our master. 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.619 We are his servants. 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:56.679 So our desire 00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:58.299 is to obey the Lord, 00:21:58.839 --> 00:22:00.459 not each other. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.599 And our aim 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:04.219 is to please the Lord, 00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:06.559 not one another. 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.399 And we do that 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.679 as we engage 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:12.699 with the Lord's word, 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.319 with God's word itself. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.519 We read it. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.699 We discern it. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:18.299 We pray over it. 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.699 And we are answerable 00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:21.239 to him. 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.159 Verse 9, 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:24.400 For this very reason, 00:22:24.560 --> 00:22:25.380 Christ died 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.500 and returned to life 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.960 so that he might be 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.519 the Lord 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:30.160 of both the dead 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.740 and the living. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.460 You see, 00:22:32.580 --> 00:22:33.900 what really counts, 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:36.840 and we can have 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.580 our discussions 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.980 and our talks 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.680 with each other, 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.920 but what really counts 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.200 is not what I think. 00:22:43.300 --> 00:22:45.180 It's not what you think, 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.220 but what God thinks. 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:50.620 And what God has said 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:52.039 in his word. 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:54.100 This is our authority. 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:56.660 We come under his lordship. 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.460 We must seek to obey 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.559 the Lord who died for us. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:03.559 And we seek to please the Lord 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:05.920 who was raised to life 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:07.220 for us. 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:11.259 So we accept each other 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:13.140 because God has accepted us. 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.779 We live to please the Lord 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.039 because we are all 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:19.299 under his lordship. 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.960 And then the third one. 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:25.200 We don't judge each other 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:28.019 because we will all face 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:29.860 the judgment of God. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.759 Look at verse 10. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:36.259 You then. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.480 So he's addressing 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.299 both groups of people 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.200 within the church, 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.920 the different sides 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:43.220 of the argument. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.200 You then. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.740 Why do you judge 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.519 your brother? 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:49.420 Or you over there. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.059 Why do you look down 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.900 on your sister? 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.140 Well, for we will all stand 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:58.000 before the judgment seat 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.000 of God. 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.680 I think this is a wonderful, 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:03.019 this is a great leveller, 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.420 isn't it, 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.140 for the church. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:06.340 I am not your judge 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:09.060 and you're not my judge. 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.140 Instead, 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.620 we are all going to be 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.700 judged by God. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.019 Sadly, 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.259 many Christians sit 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.500 in God's place 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:20.160 and they act 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.220 as judge and jury. 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:24.180 They sit like Simon Cowell 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:25.320 on Britain's Got Talent 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.420 ready to press 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.620 that big red button. 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.060 Beep. 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:30.740 Get them out of the church. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:32.480 We don't want them 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.839 in here. 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.480 They don't have 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.839 the same opinion as me 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.940 over some disputable matter. 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:40.279 Well, if that's you, 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:43.079 let me make it very clear 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:45.599 that you are not the judge 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:48.200 and neither am I. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.259 God is. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.480 Verse 11. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:55.180 As it is written, 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.500 as surely as I live, 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.180 says the Lord, 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.640 every knee will bow 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.400 before me 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:03.140 and every tongue 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.039 will confess 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.599 to God. 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.319 You see, 00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:07.900 it doesn't matter 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.720 what I think 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:10.500 or what you think 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.880 or even what I think 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.759 about myself. 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.819 What matters 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.339 is what God thinks. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:19.139 And in everything 00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:20.000 that I do, 00:25:20.179 --> 00:25:20.959 I obey him 00:25:20.959 --> 00:25:21.559 and in everything 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.079 I say, 00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:23.419 I seek to please him 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.259 because, 00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:24.980 verse 12, 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:26.039 so then each of us 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.859 will give an account 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:28.119 of himself to God. 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.679 You see, 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.359 I am not your judge 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:36.359 and God is the judge 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.759 and I'm going to have 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.439 to give an account 00:25:38.439 --> 00:25:38.839 to him 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.740 and you're going 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.379 to have to give 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:41.259 an account to him. 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:46.779 Just think about it 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.299 for a minute. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.599 If I was your judge, 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:54.299 you would stand 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.379 no chance. 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.700 You just wouldn't 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.200 get in 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.559 because I am 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.740 far too critical. 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:03.099 You don't match up 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.779 to all my opinions 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.579 and views. 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.700 You just wouldn't 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.140 get in. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.680 But if God 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.519 is your judge, 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.460 then you have 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.560 great confidence 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.519 because 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:17.680 he is full 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.920 of grace. 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:22.060 We come before God 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:23.000 not because 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.019 I have this view 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.660 or because 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.880 I have this opinion. 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:27.720 We stand 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.700 free before God 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.420 because we are 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.820 trusting in Christ, 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.140 the one who 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.519 died for us, 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.920 the one who 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.000 gave his life 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.500 for us, 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.279 the one who 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.560 lived his life 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:40.460 perfectly for us. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:42.340 who has forgiven 00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.400 us and accepted 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.320 us and welcomed 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.580 us into his family. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.960 So let us 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:48.220 not play judge 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.039 and jury, 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.320 but let us 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.039 make sure 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.759 that you 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.460 and I 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.120 are ready 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.740 to meet 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.560 our judge 00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:56.940 with confidence 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:59.220 that we are 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.980 right with 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.440 the Lord, 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.060 that we 00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:04.240 are accepting 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.960 those around 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.940 one another 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.799 because God 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.480 has accepted 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:07.820 them, 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.220 and that 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.579 we are 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.139 living to 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:10.779 please the 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.359 Lord because 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.039 I am living 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.720 under his 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.460 lordship. 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.220 The church 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.619 has been 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.379 called to a 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:21.679 mission. 00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:23.599 It's a 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.439 wonderful mission. 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:25.919 We'll get to it 00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:26.619 in a couple of 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:26.919 weeks, 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.980 but the mission 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.879 is simply this, 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.059 that we are to 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.720 announce the 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.119 gospel, 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.240 the good news 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.759 of the Lord 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.500 Jesus Christ 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.439 to all people 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.680 in all places. 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.860 But if the 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.380 church is 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:38.900 divided, 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:40.900 the message 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.420 will never 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.019 go anywhere. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.140 But if that 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.779 mission is to 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.400 be accomplished, 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.180 the church 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.759 must be 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.299 united. 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.480 So let us 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.400 together as 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:52.900 the church 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.220 family join 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.180 forces. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.539 Let us 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.440 continue as 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.279 we seek to 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.539 do, 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.980 work at it 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.480 together, 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.100 and apply the 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.160 gospel of grace 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.120 to one another 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.220 and to our 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.620 lives, 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.720 so that we 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.940 continue as 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.740 one people, 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.340 united together 00:28:10.340 --> 00:28:11.200 in Christ, 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.440 reaching the 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.740 community and 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.420 reaching the 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.820 world with 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:17.400 the gospel. 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:20.160 Let's pray 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.480 that it does. 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.540 Amen. 00:28:21.540 --> 00:28:21.620 Amen. 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:21.680 Amen. 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:21.740 Amen. 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:23.620 Amen. 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:25.620 Amen. 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:25.680 Amen. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:25.720 Amen. 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.620 Amen. 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.620 Amen. 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:29.620 Amen. 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:29.680 Amen. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:29.720 Amen. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.220 Amen. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.259 Amen. 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.279 Amen. 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.300 Amen. 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.160 Amen. 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:35.160 Amen. 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.160 Amen. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.759 Amen. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.040 Let's just 00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:37.759 take a moment 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:41.380 to reflect. 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.519 Is there a 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.300 fellow believer 00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:50.140 that you 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:53.019 judge 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:55.420 because they 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.019 don't hold 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.540 to your 00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.040 view? 00:29:00.820 --> 00:29:01.640 Have you 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.200 a habit 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.160 of looking 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:03.960 down on 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.420 someone 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:06.920 because they 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.500 don't share 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.100 your opinion? 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:20.980 Father, 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:23.380 would you 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.259 please forgive 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.900 me? 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:28.420 will you 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.280 forgive us 00:29:29.280 --> 00:29:31.840 for the 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:32.440 times we 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:32.820 become 00:29:32.820 --> 00:29:33.340 critical 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:33.680 and 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.259 condemning? 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.280 Thank you 00:29:39.280 --> 00:29:39.860 that you 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.960 have accepted 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.560 us 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:45.100 because of 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.800 your grace 00:29:45.800 --> 00:29:48.360 and on 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.840 the basis 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.360 of our 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:50.440 faith in 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.560 Jesus Christ, 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.580 the perfect 00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:53.960 one. 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.900 God, 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:58.300 thank you 00:29:58.300 --> 00:29:58.960 that you 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.320 have welcomed 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:00.960 us into 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.720 your family, 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.340 forgiven us 00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:05.880 and given 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.320 us the 00:30:06.320 --> 00:30:06.860 right to 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.540 become your 00:30:07.540 --> 00:30:08.080 children. 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.500 Thank you 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:10.980 that you 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.740 have brought 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.240 us in 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.700 together, 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.620 the variety 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.220 of people 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.540 that are 00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:16.100 here from 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:16.640 different 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.340 backgrounds 00:30:17.340 --> 00:30:18.140 and cultures 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:19.340 and nationalities, 00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:21.720 yet united 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.280 through our 00:30:22.280 --> 00:30:22.759 faith in 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.079 Christ. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.420 How wonderful, 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.400 how amazing 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:26.220 that is. 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.500 Father, 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.000 please, 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.440 by your 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.259 Holy Spirit, 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.440 help us 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.000 to get 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.680 rid of 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.119 every 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.859 critical 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:36.819 and 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.519 condemning 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.079 spirit 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.579 that we 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.019 have 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:42.299 and 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.900 accept 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.200 one 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.579 another 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:45.319 as you 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.980 have 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.500 accepted 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.000 us. 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:50.980 we pray 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.240 that 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.640 together 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.079 we will 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.259 be 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.660 those 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:52.859 who 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.000 are 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.619 united 00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:54.880 in 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.380 reaching 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:55.640 the 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.180 community 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:56.579 and the 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:56.980 world 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.980 with the 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.339 gospel. 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:01.299 Help us 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.700 to do 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.339 that well. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:02.819 Help us 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.640 to encourage 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.259 one another. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.980 and we 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.619 thank you 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.299 so much 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.539 for the 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.019 unity 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.579 of this 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.059 church, 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.240 for the 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.759 family 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.259 of this 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.700 church, 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.799 for the 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.279 support 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.660 and the 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.259 encouragement. 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.920 Thank you 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.700 so much 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.940 for each 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.259 other. 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.160 In 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.500 Jesus' 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.119 name we 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:22.440 pray. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.000 Amen. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.119 Amen. 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:25.119 Amen.