WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.200 Well, good morning, church. It's good to see you all this morning. Would you turn with me to Galatians chapter 5, verses 1 through 15. 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:23.760 ! That's page 915 in the Pew Bible, if you want to follow along there. So today we've come to a new section of Galatians. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:31.580 This book of Galatians roughly falls into three parts. The first two chapters, as you'll remember, were mostly Paul's autobiography. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:42.120 The next two chapters, three and four, were mostly theology and biblical exegesis. And today we begin the last two chapters, chapters 5 and 6, 00:00:42.120 --> 00:00:49.079 which are mostly about ethics, that is how to live. How do we live? 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:54.899 So let me pray as we come to God's Word, and then I'll read for us. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:15.799 Father, our minds and our hearts are so often distracted and burdened by many things, cares of life, concerns of the weak. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:21.679 God, thank you that you are present with us in each one of those cares and concerns. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:31.079 We ask now that as we come to your Word, you would give us clear minds and hearts to hear from you. 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:39.780 Lord, help the words that you have inspired and that you continue to speak through, speak to our hearts today, 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:46.180 that we might see and know Christ and His grace more fully. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:48.820 We pray this in His name. Amen. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:52.540 All right, Galatians 5, 1 through 15. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:57.180 For freedom Christ has set us free. 00:01:58.460 --> 00:02:02.780 Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:11.099 Look, I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:17.659 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 00:02:18.640 --> 00:02:22.000 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:25.300 You have fallen away from grace. 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:34.600 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:41.560 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:46.120 but only faith working through love. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:49.000 You were running well. 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:51.980 Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 00:02:51.979 --> 00:02:55.739 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:02:59.120 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 00:03:00.459 --> 00:03:02.979 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:07.239 and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 00:03:08.679 --> 00:03:14.319 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? 00:03:15.339 --> 00:03:18.699 In that case, the offense of the cross has been removed. 00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:24.459 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:27.359 For you were called to freedom, brothers. 00:03:28.399 --> 00:03:31.759 Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:34.799 but through love serve one another. 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:37.620 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word. 00:03:38.339 --> 00:03:40.280 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:03:41.399 --> 00:03:43.179 But if you bite and devour one another, 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:47.699 watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:51.079 All right. 00:03:51.539 --> 00:03:56.259 So what Paul wants to drive home in this passage 00:03:56.259 --> 00:03:59.839 is that Christianity, a life in Christ, 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:03.780 is above all a life of freedom. 00:04:04.899 --> 00:04:08.439 For freedom, Christ has set us free. 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:10.979 And what is that freedom? 00:04:11.179 --> 00:04:14.379 Well, that's what Paul's been arguing for really the whole book up until this point. 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:16.620 And it's the greatest freedom of all, 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:19.659 freedom of acceptance with God 00:04:19.659 --> 00:04:24.980 and of access to God through Christ by grace. 00:04:26.379 --> 00:04:29.839 It's freedom from the tyranny of the law. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:33.560 That is, freedom from the dreadful struggle to keep the law 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:35.659 as a way to win the favor of God. 00:04:35.719 --> 00:04:38.319 In other words, it's the freedom of grace. 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:42.319 And in many ways, chapter 5, verse 1, 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.540 is sort of the rhetorical climax of the whole letter. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:48.120 Galatians is the letter of Christian freedom. 00:04:48.279 --> 00:04:51.339 There's no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:54.100 We no longer need to look to the law 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:56.180 or at our efforts at keeping the law 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:58.800 as the ground of our standing before God. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:04.079 Now, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 00:05:05.060 --> 00:05:07.000 Though we are still sinners, yes, 00:05:07.340 --> 00:05:09.480 we are now completely justified. 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:13.000 That is, God counts us as perfectly righteous in His sight, 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.240 in Jesus Christ, the righteous one. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:19.759 So, we ask ourselves this morning, 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:24.580 do we, do you know this freedom? 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:27.839 Well, if you are in Christ, 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:30.879 then you do know it. 00:05:31.599 --> 00:05:33.479 You are a partaker of this grace. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.060 Your sins are forgiven. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:36.860 You're righteous in God's eyes, 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:38.099 and He has adopted you 00:05:38.099 --> 00:05:39.699 and made you an heir of His kingdom. 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:41.419 You are His beloved. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:47.479 And the journey of the Christian life, then, 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:52.039 is now a journey to live 00:05:52.039 --> 00:05:54.419 in the freedom of this grace. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:58.259 To live as those who are no longer 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:00.099 under the condemnation of the law. 00:06:00.719 --> 00:06:03.019 To live as those who have been justified 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:03.979 in the Son of God, 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:06.300 who loved us and gave Himself for us. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:09.519 But, 00:06:10.039 --> 00:06:13.919 there are two pitfalls 00:06:13.919 --> 00:06:16.459 that Paul needs to address 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:18.819 as he begins to unfold 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:20.839 what living this life of freedom means. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:25.279 It's as if we've been carried up by grace 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:26.839 to the ridge of a high mountain. 00:06:27.619 --> 00:06:29.479 And along that ridge 00:06:29.479 --> 00:06:31.359 is the path of freedom, 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:33.419 the path of God's grace in Christ. 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:35.620 And to walk along that ridge 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:37.279 is to take in all the beauty 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:39.899 and the joy that comes from being high up 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:42.439 and seeing the landscape spread before you 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:43.279 in all directions. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:45.939 The sun rising to the east, 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:47.899 the ocean waves crashing in the distance, 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:49.639 the stars just beginning to fade 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:50.479 in the morning light, 00:06:50.979 --> 00:06:52.339 the fresh air in your lungs, 00:06:52.919 --> 00:06:54.439 the firm ground beneath your feet. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:55.859 This is the path of freedom. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:56.000 freedom. 00:06:58.060 --> 00:06:59.660 But just like a mountain ridge 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:00.500 has two slopes 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:02.139 that fall away on either side, 00:07:03.460 --> 00:07:05.720 so the life of Christian freedom 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:09.600 has two opposite pitfalls 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:10.980 on either side. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:14.300 As we walk along the path 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:15.780 of God's liberating grace, 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:18.759 there are two equal and opposite ways 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:21.560 that we can slide or fall off. 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:24.639 And that's what these verses 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:25.660 that we just read 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:27.319 describe for us. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:30.220 On the one hand, Paul says, 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:33.139 stand firm in the freedom of Christ 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:35.160 and don't lose it. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:38.079 And on the other side, Paul says, 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.899 stand firm in the freedom of Christ 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:42.660 and don't abuse it. 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:45.579 Two sides, two pitfalls 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:47.079 along the path of Christian freedom. 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:49.439 We can lose it by falling back 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.399 into the legalism 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:52.000 and works righteousness. 00:07:54.239 --> 00:07:55.539 And we can abuse it 00:07:55.539 --> 00:07:56.959 by giving way to license 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:58.319 and our old sinful nature. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:00.359 And in light of both, 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:01.519 we must stand firm. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:04.139 So let's look at these two pitfalls 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:05.919 so that we can stand firm 00:08:05.919 --> 00:08:06.739 in the freedom 00:08:06.739 --> 00:08:08.679 for which Christ has set us free. 00:08:08.979 --> 00:08:10.000 First, Paul says, 00:08:10.539 --> 00:08:11.739 don't lose your freedom 00:08:11.739 --> 00:08:13.319 by giving way to legalism. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.699 Paul argues this in verses 2 through 12. 00:08:15.979 --> 00:08:16.639 And in many ways, 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:17.620 this has been the argument 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.620 pretty much of the whole book 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.079 of Galatians so far, hasn't it? 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:23.299 But notice that these two paragraphs 00:08:23.299 --> 00:08:25.359 in verses 2 through 12, 00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:27.060 notice that these two paragraphs 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.079 show us that there are 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.620 kind of two ways 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:30.620 that we can be tempted 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.859 or two reasons why 00:08:31.859 --> 00:08:32.679 we can be tempted 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:33.840 to kind of go back 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:36.159 to that old mentality 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:37.240 of works righteousness. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.439 The first one is this. 00:08:40.459 --> 00:08:41.559 We're tempted to go back 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:42.500 into legalism 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:44.539 because it promises 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:46.439 something that we can see 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:47.420 and control 00:08:47.420 --> 00:08:48.400 here and now. 00:08:50.540 --> 00:08:51.580 Now, as Paul begins 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:53.040 in verses 2 through 6, 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:54.000 he begins by saying 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.180 that you kind of can't 00:08:55.180 --> 00:08:55.980 have it both ways. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.400 You can't go to the law 00:08:57.400 --> 00:08:58.280 or to law-keeping 00:08:58.280 --> 00:08:59.620 as your means of acceptance 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:00.200 with God 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:02.800 because then you inevitably 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.520 go away from Christ. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.600 And it's not just the Old Testament law. 00:09:07.660 --> 00:09:08.440 It could really be anything. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:10.480 Anything you put your trust in 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.500 other than Christ, 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.000 whether it's moral living 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:14.660 or whether it's justice work 00:09:14.660 --> 00:09:16.320 or whether it's family values 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.200 or your culture 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:17.940 or your upbringing, 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:18.800 it's no different. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:21.160 The further you move toward 00:09:21.160 --> 00:09:22.400 trusting your own ability 00:09:22.400 --> 00:09:22.940 and achievements 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:23.800 as your identity, 00:09:24.160 --> 00:09:25.040 as your righteousness, 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:27.280 the further you move away 00:09:27.280 --> 00:09:28.040 from Christ. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.620 It's sort of like taking 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:32.580 a cross-country road trip, right? 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:35.300 The closer you get to L.A., 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:37.200 the further away 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:38.580 you get from Boston, right? 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.040 Unless you're starting in Maine, 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:41.820 then you actually 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:42.420 have to go through both. 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:43.080 But that's, you know, 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:45.060 you get the illustration, right? 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:47.060 There's no way 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:48.480 you can drive towards both. 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:50.300 That's why Paul says 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:51.080 that the more and more 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:51.800 you start relying 00:09:51.800 --> 00:09:53.700 on your own doings, 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:54.740 the more and more 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.900 you've fallen away 00:09:55.900 --> 00:09:57.340 from this freedom of grace. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.560 Grace and works are opposite. 00:09:59.900 --> 00:10:00.980 Grace is God giving 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:03.200 freely to you something 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:04.279 that you don't deserve 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:05.320 out of His own mercy. 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:07.659 But if you try to earn 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:08.960 God's favor by your performance, 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:09.700 then by definition 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:10.960 it's not grace. 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:12.480 You're not trusting 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.519 Christ to save you, 00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:14.620 you're trusting in yourself 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.460 to save you. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:18.560 But why? 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.539 Why is it so easy 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.600 to fall off 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:22.320 on this side of the ridge? 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.340 Why is it so easy 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.680 to go back to trusting 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.580 in our own selves 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.460 and our own works 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:28.159 and thinking that 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.759 those are the things 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.639 that we have to keep up 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.059 and maintain 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:31.939 in order to stay 00:10:31.939 --> 00:10:32.659 in a right standing 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:33.240 with God? 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:36.080 I think one reason 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:36.740 is because 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:38.120 those things 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:38.960 that we usually 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:40.819 cling to or hold on to 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:43.539 are very easy to see. 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:44.600 They're tangible. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:45.259 You know, 00:10:45.319 --> 00:10:46.580 I can count how often 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.500 I had a quiet time 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:47.879 this week. 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:49.080 I can see how much money 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.659 I gave to charity. 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:50.980 I can sort of, 00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:52.759 I can say who I voted for 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:54.220 or what causes I support. 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:55.720 But what's more, 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:56.080 those things 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:57.000 aren't just tangible. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:57.080 people, 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:00.159 we can control them. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:03.860 They're in our grasp. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.379 We can be the ones 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:07.960 who do it. 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:09.080 You see, 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.799 it's not about 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:11.320 whether you are circumcised 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:12.019 and it's not about 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.639 whether you are uncircumcised. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.600 It's not about 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:18.340 your religious pedigree 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:19.419 and performance, 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.200 you see. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:21.639 You see, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.960 your religious pedigree 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.419 and performance 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:24.200 or your lack 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:25.100 of religious pedigree 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:25.560 or performance, 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:26.879 they count for nothing. 00:11:29.420 --> 00:11:30.460 There's only one thing 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:31.060 that counts, 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.700 faith in Christ, 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:36.320 faith that is energized 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.920 in love. 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:40.879 And at its heart, 00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:42.700 faith isn't about 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:44.639 controlling something. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:48.060 It's about trusting something 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:49.700 or rather trusting someone. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:52.060 It's about actually giving 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:53.720 over control of your life 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.139 to another. 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.420 And that sort of faith, 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.720 when placed in Christ Jesus, 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:01.000 will begin expressing itself 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:01.540 in love, 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.139 Paul says. 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:03.899 Now, 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:04.540 why is that? 00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:05.180 Well, 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.779 because this faith 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.519 looks ahead 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.420 to the future 00:12:08.420 --> 00:12:10.100 with eager expectation. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.340 That's what verse 5 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:11.940 is all about. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:13.840 You know, 00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:15.580 the legalistic mindset, 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:16.420 our works, 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:17.620 righteousness mindset 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:17.899 says, 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.740 look at yourself 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.139 and look at what you've done 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.019 or not done. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:22.419 And then maybe, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:23.539 just maybe, 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.480 you'll be okay 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:26.120 in the future. 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:29.220 But faith in Christ says, 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:32.139 I know that my Redeemer lives 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:34.159 and I will stand with Him 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.779 on that day. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.399 I eagerly wait 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:37.980 for the hope 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.659 of righteousness. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:42.039 It's not a scale 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:42.740 that might tip 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:43.840 one way or the other, 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:46.799 but it's assurance. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.399 Now, 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.559 what is this hope 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.299 of righteousness? 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:51.839 Well, 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.879 this hope of righteousness 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.299 is the righteous verdict 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:55.000 of God 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.120 that awaits those 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.579 who are in Christ 00:12:58.579 --> 00:12:59.179 through faith. 00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:01.879 God's declaration 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:03.419 that in Christ 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:04.819 we are righteous 00:13:04.819 --> 00:13:05.599 and approved, 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.000 a righteous verdict 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.159 that overturns 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.019 and undoes 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.099 all the ravages 00:13:10.099 --> 00:13:11.059 of sin in the fall. 00:13:13.079 --> 00:13:13.939 And this hope 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:14.579 of righteousness 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:16.120 is the time 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.220 when God's righteousness 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.040 prevails. 00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:22.620 When those in Christ 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.200 will be given 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.680 resurrection bodies 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:25.860 and death will be no more. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.580 When the creation 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.360 will be liberated 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.259 from its bondage 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:29.680 to decay 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.520 and all things 00:13:30.520 --> 00:13:31.280 will be made new 00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:33.020 and will be glorified 00:13:33.020 --> 00:13:33.580 in the presence 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.420 of God forever. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.700 Don't you look 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.780 at the broken world 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:42.179 and at times 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.639 your own broken self 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.980 and wonder, 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:47.139 is it ever going 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.539 to be made right? 00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:53.000 Will all that's sad 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.179 ever eventually 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.720 come untrue? 00:13:57.839 --> 00:13:59.039 And the answer 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.500 is yes. 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:04.299 the God of the Bible, 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:05.840 the Creator and Redeemer 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:07.440 has promised His people 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.879 great hope, 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:10.899 the hope of His righteousness 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.759 that all things 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.919 will be put right. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:14.899 And for those 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.299 who are in Christ, 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.240 you can have the assurance 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.960 where you will stand 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.500 when God's righteousness 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.240 judges sin and evil 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.379 and makes all things new. 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:28.460 You can have the assurance 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.400 that you will be counted 00:14:29.400 --> 00:14:30.820 righteous on that day 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:32.400 even though 00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:33.340 in our own sins 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:34.420 that's not what we deserve. 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.519 And why can we have 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.040 that assurance? 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:40.300 Why can we eagerly wait 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.720 for the hope of righteousness 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.480 not anxiously wonder 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.200 how things are going 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:44.820 to turn out? 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.840 How can we have 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.440 that assurance? 00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.379 Because we've done 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.220 something good or moral 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.080 or just with our lives? 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.160 Because we've obeyed 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:51.800 and worked and labored 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.580 and kept God's law? 00:14:52.900 --> 00:14:53.300 No! 00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:56.379 Because Christ did. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.420 And our trust is Him, 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.720 not ourselves. 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.940 We've actually given up 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:06.120 trusting in our own record 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:08.100 and trust only in His. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.660 So legalism can be tempting 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:16.000 because it feels like 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.040 something we can control. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.480 Oh, but the freedom 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:22.080 of grace is so much better. 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:24.639 It's entrusting ourselves 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.019 to another, 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:26.200 giving control to another, 00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:26.820 and that brings 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.700 great assurance, 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.440 the hope of righteousness. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:29.920 But you know, 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:30.760 there's a second reason 00:15:30.760 --> 00:15:33.120 why legalism can be 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.660 so tempting, 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.660 so easy to fall back into, 00:15:36.760 --> 00:15:37.700 even for Christians. 00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:39.540 And we see this 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.800 in verses 7 through 12. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.240 Not only is legalism 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.280 tempting because it offers 00:15:44.280 --> 00:15:45.140 us something we can see 00:15:45.140 --> 00:15:46.379 and control for ourselves, 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:49.460 but legalism is tempting 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.540 because it removes 00:15:50.540 --> 00:15:52.520 the scandal. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.720 It removes the offense 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.920 of the cross. 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.639 Now, in this paragraph, 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:00.200 Paul is kind of calling out 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:00.899 the false teachers 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.500 in Galatia. 00:16:01.660 --> 00:16:02.460 You know, he's not afraid 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.899 to say that what they 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.940 are teaching is not 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.480 from God. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.240 This persuasion is not 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.920 from Him who calls you, 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.840 he says to the Galatians. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.680 That is, it's not 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.660 from God the Father 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.600 who's called you 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.560 by His grace 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.379 to Himself 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.300 through the gospel. 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.800 These false teachers, 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.220 he says, 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.300 you were running well. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.220 They've cut in on you, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.580 he says, 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:23.360 and they've kept you 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.759 from obeying the truth. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.660 And their teaching 00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:27.460 is like leaven 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.460 in a dump of dough, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.980 in a lump of dough. 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:31.080 It's just going to spread 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:33.540 and leak into everything. 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:35.820 You know, 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.420 have you considered, 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:36.660 friends, 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.600 that you can't have 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.820 just like a little bit 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:42.180 of legalism, right? 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.120 It's not just like 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.780 you can have like 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.720 a plate full of grace 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.640 and then like a garnish 00:16:45.640 --> 00:16:46.840 of legalism, right? 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.840 And just be happy 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.340 with it there. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:50.700 No, it starts to spread, 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.879 right? 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:55.220 It starts to spread 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.160 through everything 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.060 because suddenly, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:17:00.980 if it's not Christ 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.920 that makes you right 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.540 with God, 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.420 but something you have 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.579 to add to it, 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.420 right? 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.600 Then when does it stop? 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.259 Suddenly, it's not just Christ, 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.279 but it's also how often 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.720 you pray. 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.720 It's also how many people 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.180 you've served. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.039 It's also how faithful 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.759 you've been. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:18.740 It's all the things 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:20.039 that you refrain from doing. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.599 It's not about how faithful 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.559 Christ has been. 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.420 And Paul is so passionate 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:31.500 to protect the churches 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.420 and the Christians 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.259 that he loves 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:35.319 from this freedom-killing 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.019 false teaching 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.779 that he even says 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.339 in verse 12, 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.940 I wish those who unsettle you 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.539 would emasculate themselves. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:45.799 Now, how many of you 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.220 thought you'd find 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.799 a verse like that 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.759 in the Bible, right? 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.339 Now, at first, 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:51.139 that seems like a pretty 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.599 crude thing to say, right? 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.039 I mean, 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.700 I mean, 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.440 has Paul just kind of 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.139 lost it here? 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.579 Like, has he lost his temper? 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.579 Did his sort of rhetoric 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.759 just go a little too far? 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.399 I mean, what is going on 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.299 in this verse, right? 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.379 Well, I think it's helpful 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:06.059 to consider 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:09.179 that in the ancient world, 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:12.440 the priests of pagan temples 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:14.819 would often be eunuchs. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.119 And Paul in this letter 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.200 has often said 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:22.599 that their breed, 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:24.339 this brand of legalism, 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.059 is actually no better 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:26.859 than paganism. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.440 In fact, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.200 they're kind of at root 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.960 the same thing. 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:32.159 Whether you're super, 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.259 super, super religious 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.720 and you think 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.679 that makes you right with God 00:18:34.679 --> 00:18:36.019 or you're totally irreligious 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.639 and you don't know 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:38.019 up from down, 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.119 they're both slavery, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:40.900 Paul says. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.779 So, Paul has said often 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.200 in this letter 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.839 that legalism 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.500 is no better 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.619 than paganism. 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:51.359 So, perhaps here, 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.480 Paul isn't just sort of 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.500 spiting his opponents. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.160 Perhaps he's saying, 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.119 I wish those people 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.920 who say 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.119 that they're teaching 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.839 God's law 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:04.940 would just show themselves 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.180 for what they truly are, 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.740 proponents of a false religion 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.360 altogether, 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.220 just like the priests 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.200 at the pagan temples. 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.360 Now, of course, 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.360 Paul's using deep 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.160 verbal irony 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:17.840 and wordplay, 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.240 isn't he? 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.460 It's risky, isn't it? 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.860 It's a bit of tension grabbing, 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.700 no doubt. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.980 But I don't think 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.400 he's making a personal jab 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.519 or a crude put-down. 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.180 I think he's actually 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.620 making a theological point. 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:33.719 If you make law-keeping 00:19:33.719 --> 00:19:34.779 your salvation, 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:37.500 you're worshiping 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.399 a false God, 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:40.799 not the God revealed 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.659 in Jesus Christ. 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:45.339 Because what does this God say 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.239 is the way of salvation? 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.000 The true God, 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.659 the God revealed in Jesus. 00:19:49.979 --> 00:19:51.219 What does God say 00:19:51.219 --> 00:19:52.099 is the way of salvation? 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.839 Not human achievement, 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:57.079 but the humiliation 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.399 of Christ 00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.039 on a Roman cross. 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.919 Look again at verse 11. 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:04.859 He says, 00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:05.399 but if I, brothers, 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:06.500 still preach circumcision, 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:08.119 why am I still being persecuted? 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.139 In that case, 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.679 the offense of the cross 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:13.079 has been removed. 00:20:14.959 --> 00:20:15.359 Apparently, 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.679 some people accused Paul 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.779 of being a people-pleaser, 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.619 and they claimed 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.019 that he would adjust 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.680 his message 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.819 according to the audience 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.819 so that, you know, 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.500 if he was in a place 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.279 where circumcision 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.079 was offensive, 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.139 well, he would just 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:27.799 leave that out. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.420 But then, 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.420 when he was in other contexts, 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.059 he would kind of 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.859 teach the whole thing. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:35.000 So Paul was perhaps 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.420 accused of doing, 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.899 but Paul here 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:39.379 just completely rejects 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:40.639 this accusation completely. 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.440 Paul didn't preach 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.079 circumcision 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.819 as a means of salvation 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.500 ever. 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.379 He preached 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:49.799 the cross of Christ. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.339 And in light 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.899 of the cross, 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.680 circumcision 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.000 was rendered meaningless. 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.779 In fact, 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.220 all human achievements, 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.619 all human works, 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:05.720 all human contributions 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:08.259 to put ourselves 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.399 in the right with God 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:11.920 are shown by the cross 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:13.839 to be utterly 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:15.220 insufficient to save. 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:20.000 nothing a human being 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.799 can do, 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.680 not even their most 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.200 earnest efforts 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:26.039 at keeping the very law 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.960 of God 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.380 can save them. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.880 That is the scandal. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.779 That is the offense. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:35.079 That is the stumbling block 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.799 of the cross. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:38.799 In other words, 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.740 your sins 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.700 are so great 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:43.200 that the Son of God 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.119 had to die 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:44.940 in your place, 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.720 even if you are 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.859 the most upright, 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:48.960 moral, 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.779 religious person 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.639 in the world. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.359 Do you want to know 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:55.799 how great 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.960 your righteousness is, 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.139 Paul tells us? 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.840 Look at the cross 00:21:59.840 --> 00:22:03.060 and see the crucifixion 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.860 of your so-called 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.560 righteousness 00:22:04.560 --> 00:22:07.740 and see the crucifixion 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.500 of your pride. 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.100 You see, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.900 legalism appeals 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.460 to our pride, 00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:13.880 doesn't it? 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.500 It says, 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.080 look, 00:22:16.280 --> 00:22:17.360 you can elevate yourself 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:17.780 to God. 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:19.820 You can do it. 00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:22.580 But the gospel 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:23.720 necessarily 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.980 makes us humble. 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:26.740 It doesn't say 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.920 you can elevate yourself 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.319 to God. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:28.660 It says, 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.599 God had to come down 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.839 and suffer 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.680 and die 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.640 to cover 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.779 our great sins 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.799 in order to turn away 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.779 the great wrath 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.960 that we justly deserved. 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.079 See, 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:44.319 legalism is very tempting 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.460 because it removes 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.620 that offense 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.339 of the cross. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:51.180 But when we embrace 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.740 the offense 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.339 of the cross, 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:52.740 you see, 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.160 when we come 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.839 to embrace 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.699 the scandal 00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:57.240 of it, 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.720 when we see 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.779 that our pride 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.119 and our self-made 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.759 righteousness 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.379 actually is nailed 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.159 to the cross, 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.159 something else happens. 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.240 We aren't just 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.019 brought low, 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:11.119 we're brought near. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.740 For the cross 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.199 tells us 00:23:14.199 --> 00:23:14.939 not just 00:23:14.939 --> 00:23:15.539 that our sins 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.279 were so great 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.919 that God had 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:17.959 to die for us, 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.819 but the cross 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.639 also tells us 00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:22.000 that we are 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.859 so loved 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:24.039 by God 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.399 that He was 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.939 willing 00:23:25.939 --> 00:23:27.639 and glad 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.799 to die for us. 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.599 We live 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.259 by faith 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.299 in the crucified 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.479 and risen Son of God, 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.259 as Paul says, 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.279 who loved me 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.219 and gave Himself 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:37.799 for me. 00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:39.419 You see, 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.439 when you trade 00:23:40.439 --> 00:23:42.259 legalism for grace, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.099 when you kneel 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.979 before the cross 00:23:43.979 --> 00:23:45.059 and trust in the crucified, 00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:46.199 you aren't just 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:48.000 humbled out of your pride, 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.420 but you're loved, 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.660 you're filled 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.200 with a new kind 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:52.960 of boldness 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.660 and confidence. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.720 You aren't just 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.319 brought low, 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.500 you're brought near 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.359 into an embrace 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.980 that will never 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.680 let you go. 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:02.220 So stand firm, 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:03.240 Paul says to us. 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.740 Stand firm 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.400 in this freedom 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.140 and don't submit 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.279 to a yoke of slavery, 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.619 this heavy burden 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.140 of thinking 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.079 you have to add something 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.660 to what Christ 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.500 has already done 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.380 for your salvation. 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.380 Stand firm 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.160 by fixing 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.040 your eyes 00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:17.960 on the cross. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.480 Now, 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.300 how do we do that? 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.160 Well, 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.779 we do that 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.400 through regular practices 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:28.140 of prayerful reading 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.600 and hearing 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.200 of Scripture, 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.740 through celebrating 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.640 the Lord's Supper, 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:32.980 receiving the broken bread 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.460 and the cup. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:33.980 We do so 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.480 when we hear 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.420 God's Word preached. 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.300 We do so 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:37.180 through prayer. 00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:38.700 We have all 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.540 these channels 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:39.940 to be able 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.620 to continue 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.820 to fix our eyes 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:42.700 on the grace 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.779 of Christ 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:45.040 displayed on the cross. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:48.120 But we also 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:48.680 stand firm 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.660 by eagerly 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.420 looking ahead 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.240 to the hope 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.779 of righteousness. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.880 Christ is risen 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.600 from the dead. 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.560 Christian hope 00:24:54.560 --> 00:24:55.660 is not wishful thinking 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:57.360 but confident expectation. 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.060 So we meditate 00:24:59.060 --> 00:24:59.720 and we sing 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.340 and we pray 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.980 and we reflect 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.779 and we remember 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.220 that God will complete 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.820 the good work 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.560 that He began 00:25:04.560 --> 00:25:05.400 and He'll make 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.420 all things new. 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.660 That Christ's resurrection 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:10.019 was the first fruits 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.580 of the renewal 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:11.180 to come. 00:25:12.060 --> 00:25:13.040 The guarantee 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:16.200 that He will conquer 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.799 sin and death 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.460 once for all 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.299 and all those 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.000 who belong to Him 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.039 will be raised with Him. 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.700 That one day 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.240 the verdict 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.559 that was enacted 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.000 in Jesus' 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.500 own resurrection 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:27.200 proclaiming 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.159 that He was righteous 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:29.539 will one day 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.960 be granted 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.879 to us as well 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.700 if we are in Him 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.599 and God will say 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.500 on the last day 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:36.000 this is my beloved son 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.680 this is my beloved daughter 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.279 you 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:40.279 in whom I'm well pleased. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:45.599 So that's all one side 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.200 of the ridge 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.660 right? 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:48.700 We can lose sight 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.420 of our freedom 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:51.180 in the pitfall 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.279 of legalism 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.440 legalism that promises 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.160 control 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:56.059 and puffs up our pride. 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.200 But there's an opposite 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.839 side as well 00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:00.240 there's the equal danger 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.200 that we can abuse 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.759 our freedom 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:03.059 in the pitfall 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.559 of license. 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.899 When we stumble 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:08.319 off this edge 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.480 we allow the freedom 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.079 of grace 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.059 to become an excuse 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.799 for sin. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.700 Listen again 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.460 to how Paul puts it 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.500 in verses 13-15 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:14.819 he says 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.360 for you were called 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.059 to freedom brothers 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.500 only do not use 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.000 your freedom 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.940 as an opportunity 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.819 for the flesh 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:21.360 but through love 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.299 serve one another 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.460 for the whole law 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.519 is fulfilled in one word 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.160 you shall love 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.559 your neighbor 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.360 as yourself 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:27.620 but if you bite 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:28.700 and devour one another 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.640 watch out 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.799 that you're not 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.279 consumed by one another. 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.640 You see the freedom 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.539 of God's grace 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.599 doesn't mean 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.259 that we're no 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.779 long 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.720 doesn't mean 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.380 that we no longer 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.559 care about 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:42.079 living holy lives 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.579 in obedience 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.440 to God's word. 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:43.980 It's actually 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.759 just the opposite. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.240 God's grace 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.299 empowers us 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.160 to live holy lives 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.740 in a way 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.819 that the law 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.720 never could. 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:51.920 Why? 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.519 Because the law 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:53.880 just says 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.220 do this 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.819 and don't do this 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.319 it doesn't give you 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.120 any power 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.759 to actually 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.539 follow through 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:59.220 but those 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.299 who are in Christ 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.920 through faith 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.819 are indwelt 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.839 by the Holy Spirit. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.120 The third person 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.660 of the Trinity 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:07.220 very God himself 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.579 lives within believers 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:10.079 and enables them 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.860 in a way 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:12.259 we could never before 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:14.319 to now love God 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.200 and enjoy God 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.940 and obey God 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.380 in a way 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:16.799 the law 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.559 never could 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.500 prompt us to do. 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.960 But this freedom 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.740 of grace 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.779 it can be misused, 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.079 right? 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.539 Paul says 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.779 don't use your freedom 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.740 as an opportunity 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.740 for the flesh. 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.360 Now the flesh 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.279 is sort of a technical 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.759 word for Paul. 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.440 It doesn't mean 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.420 your physical body 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.560 like your flesh 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:37.039 and bones 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.580 as we say. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:37.820 No, 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.779 when Paul says 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.400 your flesh 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.460 he's referring 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:42.720 to our old 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.300 sinful human nature 00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:45.180 that we inherited 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.900 from Adam. 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.800 This old sinful nature 00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:49.680 that still exists 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.220 in believers 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.880 even though 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.880 we've been regenerated 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:52.300 even though 00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:52.720 we've been given 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.380 new life 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:53.940 by the Spirit 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.580 through the gospel. 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.560 You see 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.220 in Christ 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.640 you are a new person 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.279 a new birth 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.080 has occurred 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:01.580 your true self 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.000 in Christ 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.259 is now alive 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.019 but 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:06.079 in this age 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.839 your old self 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.359 your flesh 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.539 still dwells in you 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:11.200 and as we'll see 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.640 next week 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.319 the desires 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.019 of the Spirit 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.480 in us 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.519 and the desires 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.079 of the flesh 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.339 in us 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.079 are constantly 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.099 opposed to one another 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.480 constantly in conflict 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.200 in this life. 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.299 This is why 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.180 believers often feel 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.960 a battle 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.440 with sinful desires 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:26.619 because our old self 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:28.079 is still hanging on 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.980 in this fallen world 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.599 but the Spirit 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:29.880 in us 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:30.660 is finally 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:31.680 putting up a fight 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:33.060 with this old nature 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:33.900 that loves sin 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.700 right? 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.420 This is why 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:35.880 when some people 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.759 become Christians 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.820 they finally realize 00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.840 that there's this huge 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.880 turmoil going on. 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.720 Why? 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:41.660 Because before 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.240 they didn't care 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.779 if they sinned 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.100 it was just 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.840 what they did 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.640 now the Spirit's 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:44.840 in them 00:28:44.840 --> 00:28:45.180 and they're like 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.940 holy moly 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.860 what's going on 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.539 inside of me? 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.660 Well the desires 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.220 of the Spirit 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.740 are opposed 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.299 to the desires 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.060 of your flesh 00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:52.320 so if you're feeling 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:53.400 conviction over sin 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.299 that's a good thing 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.019 that's the Spirit 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.380 in you 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.019 at work 00:28:56.019 --> 00:29:00.100 but Paul's point here 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.480 is that this 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.660 freedom of grace 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.259 this freedom 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.800 that you've been 00:29:02.800 --> 00:29:03.220 loved 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.720 accepted 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.440 justified 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.320 in Christ 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:06.740 holy by grace 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.540 apart from your works 00:29:07.540 --> 00:29:09.140 it doesn't mean 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:09.680 that we should 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:11.759 give our old sinful 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.920 natures an opportunity 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:14.660 to go on sinning. 00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:17.279 That word opportunity 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.019 is actually kind of 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.080 like a military word 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.700 it means something 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.880 like a foothold 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:22.160 or a base of operations 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.680 you know 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.620 like a beachhead. 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:26.580 In other words 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.060 Paul's saying 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.660 that the freedom 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.140 of grace 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.600 doesn't mean 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:28.939 we should 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:29.539 allow 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.339 our old 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.299 sinful habits 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.819 and patterns 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.319 to set up 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:32.740 a camp 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.119 in the middle 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:33.899 of our lives. 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.259 We shouldn't say 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.879 because I'm 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:42.639 saved by grace 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.139 I can now 00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:44.259 indulge my sinful 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.779 habits. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.619 No that's not 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:47.319 what Christ 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.179 set us free 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:48.899 for. 00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:52.439 He set us free 00:29:52.439 --> 00:29:53.240 not 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.759 for the flesh 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.680 he set us free 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.559 for love. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.599 Through the Spirit 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.339 we can actually 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.120 say no 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:03.440 to sinful desires. 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.400 We can say no 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:06.299 to sinful desires 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.079 that really 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:07.680 just want to 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.839 use other people 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.240 right? 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.620 And instead 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.500 we can use 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.180 this freedom 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.880 we have 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.480 of grace 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:16.140 to now serve 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.660 other people 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.339 through love. 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.140 We don't need 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:20.380 to use other people 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:22.620 we can serve 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.280 them in love. 00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:25.780 And here's 00:30:25.780 --> 00:30:26.220 the wonderful 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.640 thing. 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.620 When by the Spirit 00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.200 and the freedom 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.840 of grace 00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:32.100 we serve 00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:32.580 one another 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:33.340 through love 00:30:33.340 --> 00:30:35.520 we actually 00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:37.240 fulfill 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.800 the law. 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.880 Verse 14 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.540 for the whole law 00:30:41.540 --> 00:30:41.940 is fulfilled 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.480 in one word 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.560 you should love 00:30:43.560 --> 00:30:44.000 your neighbors 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.480 yourself. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.600 Here's the 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.320 beautiful thing 00:30:47.320 --> 00:30:48.880 when we stop 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.700 trying to earn 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.319 our salvation 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.880 by keeping 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.400 the law 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.460 and when we 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.140 trust in Christ 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.880 alone for our 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.500 righteous standing 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.140 before God 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.480 then we're 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.920 actually freed up 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:58.100 to begin 00:30:58.100 --> 00:30:58.960 fulfilling the 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.640 law in love. 00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:01.799 Now do those 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.360 acts of love 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.279 contribute to our 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:03.759 justification 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.460 in some way? 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:04.980 No! 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.299 Christ's righteousness 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.880 doesn't need 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.539 any supplement 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.180 from you. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.400 Right? 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.980 It's not like 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.200 you eat a big 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.819 plate of Jesus 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.400 and then you need 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.559 a multivitamin 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.480 to fill it out. 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:14.819 Right? 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.220 No! 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.700 His righteousness 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.680 is complete 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.779 and whole 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.980 and it's yours 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.799 through faith. 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.220 But you see 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.799 this is just 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.380 the thing. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.660 The law 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.660 was never 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:31.039 meant to be 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.700 a tool 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.500 for saving 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.160 ourselves. 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.120 The false 00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:36.660 teachers at 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.299 Galatia 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.680 weren't just 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.500 confused about 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.100 what time 00:31:40.100 --> 00:31:40.539 they were at 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.120 in redemptive 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:41.559 history. 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.680 Now that Christ 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.039 had come 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.440 the law 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.200 had passed. 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.600 They didn't 00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:46.420 really understand 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:46.840 the law 00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:47.240 at all 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:47.900 in the first 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.460 place. 00:31:50.040 --> 00:31:50.620 The law 00:31:50.620 --> 00:31:50.940 was never 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.500 meant to be 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:51.800 a tool 00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:52.300 for saving 00:31:52.300 --> 00:31:52.840 ourselves. 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.980 It was 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.360 meant to be 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:55.860 a pointer 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.600 to Christ 00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:57.820 and through 00:31:57.820 --> 00:31:58.240 Christ 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.740 it was meant 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.000 to then 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.600 show us 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.120 the path 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:00.340 of how 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:00.840 to truly 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.259 love 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.800 and freedom. 00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:04.740 Through the 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.300 freedom of 00:32:05.300 --> 00:32:05.640 grace 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:06.080 we actually 00:32:06.080 --> 00:32:06.720 run 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.120 in the 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:07.600 path 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:08.200 of God's 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.759 commands 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:10.240 not out 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:10.920 of fear 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.420 that God 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.080 might reject 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:12.560 us 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:14.700 but out 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.279 of grateful 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.839 love for 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.220 the God 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.480 who has 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.339 accepted us 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:17.740 by His 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.159 grace 00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:19.059 and whose 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.559 commands 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.179 now show 00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:20.559 us how 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.399 life was 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.200 always meant 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.500 to be 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:22.980 lived. 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.079 The life 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.599 of love 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.500 lived according 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.119 to God's 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:27.519 commands 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.339 is the 00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:28.960 truly good 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.399 life. 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.319 Your 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.059 holiness 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.879 and your 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.639 happiness 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.839 are the 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.279 same 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.819 thing. 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:42.779 And the 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.319 Spirit 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.019 in us 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.599 not only 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.000 helps us 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.619 to see 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:47.379 and understand 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.000 those 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.379 commands 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:48.919 as good 00:32:48.919 --> 00:32:50.639 but He 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:50.919 also 00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:51.619 continues 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:53.339 to make 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:53.700 the love 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.259 of Christ 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.720 real in 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.339 our hearts. 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.639 The Spirit 00:32:56.639 --> 00:32:57.759 testifies to 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.319 our spirit 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.700 that we 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.319 are God's 00:32:59.319 --> 00:32:59.659 children. 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.299 We call 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.599 out 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.279 Abba 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:01.619 Father. 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.319 We enjoy 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:02.659 God's 00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:03.099 embrace 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.639 and love 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.220 and then 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.500 in the 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.000 communion 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.480 of His 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.000 love 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.379 we go 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:07.900 forth 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.600 into the 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:08.960 world 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.940 as people 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.840 of love. 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.500 Christians 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:15.880 should be 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.720 the last 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.300 people in 00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:17.900 the world 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.700 to love 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.100 sin. 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.140 How could 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.760 we love 00:33:21.760 --> 00:33:22.220 the very 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.760 thing 00:33:22.760 --> 00:33:23.740 that sent 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.400 Christ the 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:24.900 lover of 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.400 our souls 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.720 to the 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.100 cross? 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.560 How could 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:27.860 we give 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:28.840 any foothold 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:29.180 to the 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.740 old nature 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.460 that steals 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.060 our life 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:31.580 and joy? 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.200 As Paul 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:34.640 says at the 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:34.980 end of our 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.300 passage, 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:35.860 if you bite 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.400 and devour 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:36.940 one another, 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.700 watch out 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:37.960 that you're 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.700 not consumed 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.120 by one 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:40.860 another. 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.759 You see, 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.480 the opposite 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.200 of true 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.700 holiness 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:47.180 is not 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:48.080 fun and 00:33:48.080 --> 00:33:48.440 happiness. 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:49.960 The opposite 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.960 of real 00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:51.799 holiness in 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.100 Christ, 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.620 fueled by 00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:52.920 the joy 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.200 and love 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:53.440 of Christ, 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:53.920 the opposite 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.320 of that 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:55.140 isn't fun 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:55.600 and happiness. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.299 It's 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.100 cannibalism. 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:58.580 It's 00:33:58.580 --> 00:33:59.160 death. 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.500 Sin wants 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.340 us to use 00:34:02.340 --> 00:34:02.779 each other 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.200 for our 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.940 own pleasure, 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.320 to bite 00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:06.059 and devour, 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.440 but in 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:06.839 the end, 00:34:06.919 --> 00:34:07.159 that's 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:07.639 the path 00:34:07.639 --> 00:34:08.279 of sorrow. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:08.900 We are 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.679 consumed. 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:12.639 So, 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.059 Christian, 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.500 stand 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.119 firm. 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.019 Christ 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:17.639 has set 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.480 you free, 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.079 not so 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.320 that you 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:20.920 can indulge 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.380 your flesh, 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.659 but so 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:21.820 that you 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.239 can walk 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:22.840 in love, 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.460 not so 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:24.739 you can 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.539 reject God's 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:25.779 commands, 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.119 but so 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.380 that you 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.179 can finally 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.739 fulfill 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.039 them. 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.279 In 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.639 Christ, 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:30.940 we've 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.519 been set 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.299 free. 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:35.900 how will 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.820 we live 00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:37.680 in this 00:34:37.680 --> 00:34:38.160 freedom? 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:39.960 Brothers 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.440 and sisters, 00:34:40.620 --> 00:34:41.800 let's stay 00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:43.720 on that 00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.680 high mountain 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:45.340 ridge. 00:34:46.120 --> 00:34:47.200 Let's walk 00:34:47.200 --> 00:34:48.400 and stand 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.440 firm in the 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.400 path of the 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:51.039 grace of 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.440 God. 00:34:52.560 --> 00:34:53.200 This is the 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:53.440 way, 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.220 not of 00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:54.960 legalism, 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.940 not of 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.740 license and 00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:57.320 indulging the 00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:57.600 flesh, 00:34:57.640 --> 00:34:57.960 it's the 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.340 way of 00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.820 love. 00:34:58.820 --> 00:35:01.220 love 00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:01.840 demonstrated 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.700 above all 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.820 by Christ. 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.380 This is 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.200 why you've 00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:07.780 been set 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.160 free, 00:35:08.740 --> 00:35:10.620 to live a 00:35:10.620 --> 00:35:10.940 life of 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.400 love to 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:11.920 the glory 00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:12.420 of Christ, 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:12.700 where it's 00:35:12.700 --> 00:35:13.600 not circumcision 00:35:13.600 --> 00:35:14.160 that matters, 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:14.920 it's not 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.700 uncircumcision 00:35:15.700 --> 00:35:16.240 that matters, 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.420 but faith in 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:17.840 the Son of 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.440 God that 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:18.860 matters, 00:35:19.760 --> 00:35:20.860 faith expressing 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.640 itself in 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:22.000 love, 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.039 and where 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.519 with eager 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.420 expectation 00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:26.160 and with 00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:27.039 certain hope 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.900 we look 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.700 ahead to 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.159 where this 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:30.159 path ultimately 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.859 leads, 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.599 the hope 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:31.759 of 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:32.279 righteousness, 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:34.500 when the 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.079 glory of 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:35.779 God covers 00:35:35.779 --> 00:35:36.159 the earth 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:36.519 like the 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.159 waters cover 00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:37.519 the sea, 00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:37.859 when we 00:35:37.859 --> 00:35:38.599 rise with 00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:39.500 Christ in 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.859 the new 00:35:39.859 --> 00:35:40.279 heavens and 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:40.739 new earth, 00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:41.619 where there's 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:41.939 no more 00:35:41.939 --> 00:35:42.759 sickness or 00:35:42.759 --> 00:35:43.099 sorrow, 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:43.480 there's no 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.059 more sin 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:44.279 and no 00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:44.939 more death, 00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:45.939 a world 00:35:45.939 --> 00:35:46.619 where there's 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:48.480 only love, 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:52.219 a love 00:35:52.219 --> 00:35:52.559 that goes 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.019 on for 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.559 eternity 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.460 and gets 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.319 richer and 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:55.699 richer, 00:35:55.939 --> 00:35:56.619 wave upon 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.099 wave, 00:35:57.439 --> 00:35:58.099 world without 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.639 end. 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:01.659 Friends, 00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.239 AI is not 00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:03.699 the future. 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.480 Love is 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:05.980 the future, 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.480 the love 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:08.139 of Christ. 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.579 That's what 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:09.880 you've been 00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:10.299 set free 00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:10.599 for, 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.259 so stand 00:36:12.259 --> 00:36:12.599 firm. 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.019 Let's 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.259 pray. 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:14.259 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:14.279 pray. 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.799 Holy Spirit, 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:24.839 through you, 00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:27.059 by the 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.480 gift of 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:27.900 faith that 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.100 you've 00:36:28.100 --> 00:36:28.740 given us, 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:30.720 we, 00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:32.200 whom you've 00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:32.660 caused to 00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:33.019 be born 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.480 again, 00:36:34.140 --> 00:36:34.380 we, 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:34.820 whom you've 00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:35.500 united to 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.100 Christ, 00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:37.380 oh, 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:37.880 how we 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.579 eagerly look 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:39.140 forward to 00:36:39.140 --> 00:36:39.660 this hope 00:36:39.660 --> 00:36:40.300 of righteousness. 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:43.100 Thank you, 00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:43.519 Father, 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.059 that we, 00:36:44.640 --> 00:36:45.059 as your 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.480 children, 00:36:45.900 --> 00:36:46.320 can be 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.900 people of 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:48.760 hope and 00:36:48.760 --> 00:36:49.420 therefore people 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.039 of love. 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:50.099 love. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.659 Lord, 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.960 renew in us 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.759 a conviction 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:56.619 that walking 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.300 in the paths 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:58.500 of holy love 00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:59.559 really is our 00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:00.400 deepest joy, 00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:01.679 because it is 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.300 the place 00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:04.059 where you are. 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:05.779 So, 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:05.960 God, 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.559 keep us, 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:07.179 keep us from 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:07.739 the mindset 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:08.219 that would 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:09.380 tell us, 00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:11.420 those voices 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:11.820 that would 00:37:11.820 --> 00:37:12.659 whisper in our 00:37:12.659 --> 00:37:13.500 ear telling us 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.179 we're not good 00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:14.619 enough. 00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:14.699 love. 00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:16.380 Oh, 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:16.639 Lord, 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:17.279 help us to 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:17.739 turn our 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.099 eyes to 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.639 the crucified 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.619 Christ and 00:37:19.619 --> 00:37:22.480 see the 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:25.199 great love 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:25.920 that you've 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.400 loved us. 00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:27.359 And, 00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:27.579 Lord, 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.639 when the old 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.159 nature would 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:29.799 whisper in our 00:37:29.799 --> 00:37:30.299 ears and 00:37:30.299 --> 00:37:31.000 promise us 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:31.739 life along 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:32.339 its paths 00:37:32.339 --> 00:37:32.880 of death, 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.619 help us to 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:33.880 say, 00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.279 no, 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:35.799 we belong 00:37:35.799 --> 00:37:36.380 to another 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.779 now. 00:37:38.779 --> 00:37:39.380 We are 00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:39.779 people of 00:37:39.779 --> 00:37:40.199 the Spirit. 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:42.420 Move among 00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:42.659 us, 00:37:42.759 --> 00:37:42.960 Spirit. 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.500 In Jesus' 00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:45.940 name we 00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:46.179 pray. 00:37:46.299 --> 00:37:46.539 Amen.