WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.500 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:12.300 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:43.519 We talked about bearing fruit, bearing fruit not in order to be united to Christ, but because we are united to Christ, abiding in Him. 00:00:43.820 --> 00:00:47.519 Growth in grace versus growth in self. 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:59.000 And that is true not only when we talk about bearing good fruit, but also, and I warned you, the negative side too, when we consider fighting sin. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.700 In our hearts and lives. 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:03.899 We need to talk about that today. 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:13.439 Because I think so many of us trust in Jesus, and so we trust that we will defeat sin one day. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:18.359 But these days, we so often feel like we're losing the battle, don't we? 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:24.740 Like we're stuck in old patterns and habits, like we can't grow at all. 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:36.379 In fact, I suspect I'm not the only one who finds the fact that we still struggle with sin remaining in us very frustrating. 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:45.519 I mean, just this weekend, I think my own selfishness, my pride, my impatience, and I see how they hurt others. 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:46.959 I see just some of that. 00:01:47.039 --> 00:01:48.159 I'm just tired of it. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:55.119 And people ask me often, why doesn't God make us stop sinning right away when He saves us? 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:57.840 Wouldn't that make life so much better, Pastor? 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:05.340 The Bible doesn't give a direct answer to that exact question. 00:02:05.980 --> 00:02:09.420 But we'll see this morning hope in that struggle. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:17.379 And that at least part of the reason for that is that we desperately need Jesus to fight sin. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:24.379 So perhaps God uses this struggle to keep our hearts turned toward the Savior we need so much. 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:33.780 How does our union with Christ, that most important identity-defining, life-changing relationship, 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:37.419 impact our relationship with sin? 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:43.900 The Bible's answer to that begins with something we've already covered quite extensively this summer, 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:50.400 but we're not going to skip over it, that in Christ our sin is forgiven. 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:52.140 Praise the Lord. 00:02:52.259 --> 00:02:53.580 Ephesians 1. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:03:03.560 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace. 00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:05.520 Jesus paid it all, right? 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:09.900 And His blood washes away our sin once and for all. 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:10.980 What grace! 00:03:10.980 --> 00:03:13.319 Nothing we did to earn that. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:19.479 Because Jesus took the punishment for our sins, we will never face it. 00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:22.400 We are covered in Christ, right? 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.659 We talked about this great gift extensively. 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:29.060 It is a done deal. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:34.759 But remember we also said that Jesus doesn't just throw forgiveness at us from a distance, 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:37.639 like it's just a thing that we get from Him. 00:03:37.639 --> 00:03:42.780 Rather, He unites us in Him. 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.280 He marries us. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:52.979 He binds Himself to us so that He impacts our ongoing lives every day, 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:56.500 including our relationship with our sin. 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:03.099 As Paul reminds us many times, there is grace for this ongoing life too. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:19.819 Both our justification being made right with God and our sanctification being made like God flow from the grace of our union with Christ. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:26.860 It's that transformed life that I want to spend our time focusing on this morning. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:33.100 We don't want to sin more just because Jesus forgives all of our sins, do we? 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:34.100 That's not it. 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:34.100 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:35.100 That's not it. 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:40.240 It's an understandable question when grasping the gospel of grace and it's so wonderful. 00:04:41.020 --> 00:04:50.439 But Paul answers it definitively in Romans chapter 6, our main passage for today, page 942 in the Pew Bible. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:05:00.719 Paul tells us that another impact on our sin from our union with Christ that's so important. 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:06.160 It's a rich truth, but it is not simple to track with. 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:08.780 So listen to him explain. 00:05:08.880 --> 00:05:12.860 He's going to explain the reality of what changes in us. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:17.780 And then he's going to talk about the implications of that in our lives. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:18.320 Okay? 00:05:18.820 --> 00:05:21.140 Romans chapter 6 at verse 1. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.140 Here's that question. 00:05:22.460 --> 00:05:23.340 What shall we say then? 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:25.980 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:27.920 By no means. 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:33.740 How can we who died to sin still live in it? 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:40.439 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were united to him, right? 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:43.160 Were baptized into his death? 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:52.259 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:58.040 we too connected to him might walk in newness of life. 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:05.360 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:06:05.960 --> 00:06:17.860 We know that our old self, that sinful man, that sinful nature, was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:22.060 so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:25.220 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:30.640 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:34.220 We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again. 00:06:34.960 --> 00:06:36.900 Death no longer has dominion over him. 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:40.500 For the death he died, he died to sin once for all. 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:43.380 But the life he lives, he lives to God. 00:06:44.260 --> 00:06:52.240 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:07:01.060 Therefore, let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies to make you obey their passions. 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:05.379 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:09.879 but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:13.120 and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:19.620 For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law, but under grace. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:26.459 Paul explains our sinful natures used to rule over us, to have dominion over all of us. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:32.480 We are constantly selfish, deeply obsessed with what I want, right? 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:35.519 Not focused on God's glory. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:46.959 As a result, we thought and desired and did and said things that were consistent with our old king, 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:51.979 our master, our boss, that sinful nature. 00:07:53.919 --> 00:07:55.519 But something changed. 00:07:56.099 --> 00:07:56.879 Remember what it was? 00:07:57.199 --> 00:08:00.659 We were baptized into Christ Jesus. 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:05.680 In other words, by faith we were united to Jesus. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:13.900 All Christians, everyone who believes in Jesus, he's saying, we all died with Christ. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:14.320 Remember? 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:15.900 Connected to him. 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:21.180 What happens to Jesus happens to us in this amazing union. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.100 He's been teaching us that over and over. 00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:27.760 Not only did we die with him, we were buried with him. 00:08:28.200 --> 00:08:29.160 For what purpose? 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:32.639 That we might live a new life. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:33.620 Verse 4. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:38.639 Now that new life can't be a life in sin, right? 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:42.220 Because we just talked about a death to sin. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:45.519 We just died that death with Christ. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:53.579 So he explains in verse 6 that that sinful nature was kicked off the throne of our hearts and lives. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:58.039 It was displaced by Jesus so that we are set free. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:03.399 We are no longer under the rule of that ruthless taskmaster. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:05.120 That's the good news. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:08.539 Simply stated, Romans 6 is saying, 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:13.299 In Christ, our sin is dethroned. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:17.179 Now you may say, 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:21.000 It doesn't feel like that. 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:25.579 Sin still feels really strong. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:30.639 I mean, pastor, temptation is often overwhelming to me. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:33.159 I can't resist sometimes. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.159 He didn't say the struggle was over. 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:38.659 He'll be clear about that. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:43.819 He does say the battle is won. 00:09:43.820 --> 00:09:46.500 There's a new king. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:50.260 I think that when we think about sin that way, 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:58.160 What we feel sin as is what British author G.K. Chesterton described as a rhinoceros in a restaurant. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:09:59.300 Okay? 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:04.300 Can you picture, kids, a rhinoceros, full-grown rhinoceros in a restaurant? 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:16.019 That rhinoceros running around in the restaurant would have lots of power and would create a lot of damage and destruction and disruption in that restaurant, 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:20.579 but would have no authority whatsoever. 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:25.560 That is sin in your life, Christian. 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:34.220 Lots of power to do lots of damage, but don't you dare give it any authority where it has none. 00:10:35.900 --> 00:10:41.160 See, sin has been displaced as ruler in your life. 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:44.000 You are not a slave to sin. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:46.840 You, in fact, are dead to sin. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:49.940 Like it's a rotten ex-boyfriend. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:51.399 You are dead to me. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.179 Right? 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:55.659 In fact, you hate sin. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:11:02.159 It's what sent the lover of your soul to the agonizing death on the cross. 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:06.399 How can I make friends with the enemy of my best friend, Jesus? 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:10.379 The enemy of my own life in him as I'm connected to him? 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:11.240 I can't. 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:12.879 By no means. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:15.860 May it never be, Paul says. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:25.419 I hate sin because I know what it has done to me and to people I love and to this wonderful world that God has made. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:34.100 I want to live as one who is no longer bound by that awful taskmaster, but has really been set free. 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:37.460 Sin is not who you are. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:37.580 Sin is not who you are. 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:43.220 And so, Paul is going to say, it's not how you need to live any longer. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:49.780 I know you battle compulsions, addictions, obsessions. 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:53.860 Many of us in this room battle against those. 00:11:55.280 --> 00:12:00.740 But Christian brother or sister, you are not united to sin. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:04.220 You are united to Jesus. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:10.960 Jesus, he has kicked sin off the throne of your life. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:15.980 He has separated it from you as far as the east is from the west. 00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:19.200 So you do not have to sin. 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:22.139 Sin is not inevitable. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:32.660 Stand in the strength of God's word and tell that life-wrecking rhino that he has no authority in your life anymore. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.299 Truth. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:39.639 You must consider yourselves dead to sin. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:44.139 Because God says he defines us, not what we do. 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:47.480 God says he unites us to Jesus. 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:49.579 He takes the throne of our hearts. 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:54.120 And he alone in his gracious rule has dominion in our lives. 00:12:54.199 --> 00:12:54.740 No one else. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:55.899 Nothing else. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.139 He's in charge. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:13:03.980 John Owen is the theologian that I've learned the most about this topic from. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:08.699 How we fight indwelling sin in our lives. 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:13.259 He says there are really in the world only two challenges for pastors. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:22.580 The first is convincing people under the dominion of sin that they are under the dominion of sin. 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:33.240 The second is convincing people no longer under the dominion of sin that they are no longer under the dominion of sin. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:40.019 That second challenge is the one that I've been trying to focus on so far this morning. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:46.720 To encourage Christians like last week that abiding in Christ will bear fruit. 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.500 Change is possible. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.379 Growth is inevitable. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:54.919 There's a new king on the throne of your life and it makes all the difference in the world. 00:13:54.919 --> 00:14:00.159 But I do also want to say this to all of us. 00:14:01.099 --> 00:14:06.219 Be sure that you have bowed the knee to the new king. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:11.659 Be sure that he's the one you're looking to and hoping in. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:20.639 If you just come to church, if you just try to be good, that's not bowing the knee to the new king. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:28.360 If all you ever feel is desires to do whatever you want because no one else has authority in your life. 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:30.699 There's no God and no other authority. 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:37.899 Or maybe you acknowledge God exists but you just constantly feel, 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:42.019 all you feel is pressure to perform to be good enough for him. 00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:45.319 Or to come out on the right side of some cosmic karma. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:53.540 You may need to realize that you are still under the dominion of sin. 00:14:56.020 --> 00:14:58.900 And it's actually okay to admit that this morning. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:07.020 It's needful to admit that if that's where you are because you are hearing now the invitation of the true king. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:15.740 Of this new king who promises that if you will only trust in him, he will defeat sin and death for you. 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:23.419 And bring you into the new kingdom and the life of freedom that you have been looking for in your own rule over your own life. 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:26.039 All the pressure that that brings with it for you. 00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:30.919 You will find that freedom only in Jesus Christ. 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.699 And you can come to him right now. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:42.580 Now, this is what I mean when I talk about sin being dethroned from our hearts because we are in Christ. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:48.940 You don't have to live to please yourself, to be good enough, to become valuable enough. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:55.040 Sin is not who you are so it's not how you need to live any longer. 00:15:56.020 --> 00:15:58.300 See, that's the negative that we've been talking about. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:00.220 But Jesus didn't just die, Paul says. 00:16:00.280 --> 00:16:01.600 What's the rest of this passage about? 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:04.480 He also rose to new life. 00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:06.639 He will never die again. 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:08.860 Death no longer has dominion over him. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:10.279 You've been to Easter before, right? 00:16:11.040 --> 00:16:13.200 We've celebrated the resurrection, of course. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:17.840 Jesus lives to God perfectly and gloriously and forever. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:23.080 So you also. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.840 You've celebrated Easter. 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.240 It's not just about Jesus. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:30.420 It's about Jesus as the first fruits. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:39.339 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:44.319 All of you, you're so connected to him that if that's what's true for him, that's what's true for you. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:52.139 We now live to God for his glory, freed by his grace, led by his truth. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:54.419 You're defined in Christ. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:57.039 Remember, we started the summer there. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:59.360 Not achieving our own identity. 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:02.279 Receiving it from God. 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:10.319 And if that's true, if we are who he says we are, see, now who we are impacts how we expect to live. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:17.639 You say, I'm just a short-tempered dad who wounds his kids. 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:20.319 No. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:25.599 No, you repent of that and you find you are in Christ. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.700 Forgiven. 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.279 Loved. 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:30.319 Becoming patient. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:30.720 Becoming patient. 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:35.980 She's just a bad friend who can never be trusted. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.220 That's just Sally. 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.539 No. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:44.359 No, she repents and finds she is in Christ. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.359 Forgiven. 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:46.779 Loved. 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.240 Becoming trustworthy. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.759 Worthy. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.720 One more application. 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:55.420 I can be only who I am. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:58.140 You know what I'm born like. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.839 To some extent that's true. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:05.640 You act according to your nature. 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:06.620 Right? 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:15.559 But Satan tries to get you stuck with that lie and stop short of a truth. 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:20.960 Stop short of saying, I've been reborn in Christ. 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:24.639 I can only be who I'm reborn to be. 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:29.839 Remade to be in the image of the God who made me and who defines me. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.740 That's true. 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:44.159 So I don't know if you'll become patient, trustworthy, sober, or straight the way we think about those experiences. 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:46.900 I don't know if that'll be true for you anytime soon. 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.360 Or even in this life. 00:18:50.300 --> 00:18:51.600 There's a fight. 00:18:52.560 --> 00:18:53.660 You feel it. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.900 God understands it. 00:18:55.900 --> 00:19:07.560 But consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:21.100 Even if that's your experience and those are your struggles, you've got millions of more years to live freed from those struggles than you have left to live in them. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.199 Isn't that good news? 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.199 That's who you are. 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:30.019 For millions and billions of years, you're going to be completely free. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.959 So fight sin like that. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:35.679 Tell Satan who you really are. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.179 Whose you are. 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:42.159 Remind him you are no longer under his rule and you refuse to live like it. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:51.240 See, many of us who've been in the church a long time, we struggle with what I'd call imposter syndrome. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:57.560 We may hear things like this and we decide we better pretend to be better than we are. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:20:00.460 And we're pretending we're better than we feel like inside. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:07.920 And what we really are starting to think is that we're really more failures than successes as Christians many days. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:14.580 Many of us get discouraged and say things to me like maybe I really am just a failure. 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:17.060 Just an abuser. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.620 Just a gossip. 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.820 No, you're not. 00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:32.019 Union with Christ means that ultimately sin is the real imposter in our lives. 00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:33.380 That's so good, Sam Albury. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.940 Thank you. 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:38.680 Sin is the pretender to the throne of your heart. 00:20:39.100 --> 00:20:40.900 Kick that rhino out. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.820 He doesn't belong. 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:44.120 Jesus is king. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:48.059 You are the beloved child of the king. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:50.039 That's who he says you are. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:54.480 So don't let sin reign in your body. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.440 Verse 12. 00:20:58.100 --> 00:21:01.340 Don't offer yourself to serve unrighteousness. 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:03.000 I just got to go do this again. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.700 Verse 13. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.119 No. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:13.900 Offer yourself to the true king for righteousness, for fruit bearing, for resurrection life like Jesus. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:16.099 That's what our calling is. 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.680 So is that all that happens? 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:22.339 Is it that easy for you, Will? 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:25.579 Is fighting sin just mind over matter? 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:27.559 It's like this Jedi mind trick. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.740 I do no sin. 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.460 I do no sin. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:29.700 I do. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.539 And I don't sin. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.880 Is that all you do? 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:35.600 You just tell yourself sin's not in charge and you quit sinning all the time? 00:21:37.300 --> 00:21:37.940 No. 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:41.980 It does start with correct thinking. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:47.000 Because if we don't think correctly, we'll lose hope altogether, won't we? 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.839 You've had days like that. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.640 You'll decide there's no hope for you. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:56.799 But remember, there's something more than just new thinking. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:22:00.099 You're actually in a new relationship with Jesus. 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:05.880 Not only are we in him, but he is in us. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:09.039 There's real power for the fight. 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.200 Let me picture it for you this way. 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.460 We need more than this. 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.240 We need power. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:17.620 My young nephew, Ward, likes to come over to our house. 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:21.620 And if I am there, he likes to play basketball. 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:24.340 Otherwise, at his height, it's just not much fun. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.160 Okay? 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.220 Okay? 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:34.360 Even when I show Ward how to dunk, this is Jesus as example, right? 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.440 Which he is. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.220 Praise the Lord. 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:44.519 Ward looks up to me, but he still can't do it. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:50.279 Even if I then cheer for him, come on, come on, come on, you can do it. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:56.099 Even if I cheer for him and he tries with all his might, he still messes it up. 00:22:56.639 --> 00:23:01.259 Even with me on his team, see Jesus on my team cheering for me, and he is. 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:03.079 But it's not enough, is it? 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:11.759 For Ward to overcome his shortcomings, he actually needs to be connected to me. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.859 Oh, there it is. 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.680 So much better. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.900 Look at the look on that face. 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.599 That's what it feels like. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.660 Connected to Jesus. 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:30.480 When he's connected to me, he can dunk all day until I wear out, which Jesus never does. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:35.460 That's the kind of power you live with. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.759 This is the point. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:40.400 Jesus calls us not just to live up to him. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:43.859 But to live in him. 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:47.740 To live out of him and his strength. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:54.079 Many of us fighting against sin see Jesus merely as the example or the standard to strive for. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.900 To live to God. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.960 To live like Jesus. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:58.299 To live for righteousness. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.960 And that's true, but it gets really discouraging when we fail. 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:08.200 But if we're united to him, Jesus is in us. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:11.100 1 Corinthians 6. 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:14.759 You, your body. 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:20.080 A temple of the Holy Spirit that you have from God. 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:25.340 I am the tabernacle, the temple, the home of God himself. 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:28.440 Who doesn't just forgive me when I fall short. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.059 Although he does. 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:33.640 Who doesn't just kick sin off the throne of my heart so that I can fight sin. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.340 Although he does. 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:42.800 But he vitally, moment by moment, day by day, empowers me so that I do overcome sin. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:45.540 I'm not saying perfectly in this life. 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:47.480 There's that frustrating struggle, right? 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:53.580 The struggle for which we will never stop needing Jesus. 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:58.680 And the struggle for which he will never leave us alone. 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.740 Isn't that good? 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:06.440 Oh, we hate struggling, but there's something really sweet about the Savior and our struggle. 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:15.920 Paul in this chapter gives one particular example of sin in Corinth that needs to be addressed. 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:19.859 And dethroned and overcome. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:26.779 Let's read what can happen to a specific sin in union with Christ. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.120 Start at verse 15. 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:34.059 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:40.419 Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.759 Never! 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:43.119 There's that word again. 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:48.639 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:51.819 For as it is written, the two will become one flesh. 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:57.039 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one with him in spirit. 00:25:58.119 --> 00:26:00.759 Flee from sexual immorality. 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:04.259 Every other sin a person commits is outside the body. 00:26:04.459 --> 00:26:07.479 But the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:14.159 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you whom you have from God? 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:17.379 You are not your own for you were bought with a price. 00:26:17.739 --> 00:26:21.439 So glorify God in your body. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:25.380 See, he's reminding us, isn't he, of what we should know. 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:32.299 We are actually in an unbreakable union with Jesus. 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.820 We've got to get that in our minds. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.580 Jesus is our head. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.880 We are the members. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:39.180 His arms and legs. 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.880 His hands and feet. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.740 That is union with Christ. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:46.240 He has by his spirit made his home in us. 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:50.279 So, Corinthians, you're really connected. 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:55.519 How could you imagine uniting Jesus to some temple prostitute? 00:26:58.380 --> 00:27:05.960 So, Southwood, how could you imagine uniting Jesus to some person on a screen? 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:12.960 Would you even think about scrolling porn if you really thought you were bringing Jesus into that sin with you? 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:16.500 You wouldn't even do it with your mother sitting beside you. 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:21.840 How could you with your pure Savior inside you? 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.960 Right there with you every moment. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:27.079 Hear me, you're not causing Jesus to sin. 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.220 You can't do that. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:31.440 But he is connected to you. 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:36.299 So, for sin like that, he had to die. 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.360 He had to go to the cross. 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:46.360 Some people will tell you the Bible has a negative view of sex and sexuality. 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:50.080 Nothing could be further from the truth. 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:53.259 It is, in fact, such a high view. 00:27:54.340 --> 00:28:01.420 It's such a powerful view that the two become one in a mystical way. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:05.900 Analogous to our union with Christ. 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:09.519 Casual sex. 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:15.920 Playing around sexually is sacrilege. 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:21.000 It is misuse of something holy. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:26.559 Don't miss the direct warning here in this passage. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:30.580 You can't have it both ways, child of God. 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:39.099 You can't do whatever you want with your boyfriend or girlfriend and then reunite with Jesus on Sunday morning like nothing happened. 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:44.139 He was there with you the whole time. 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:48.039 See, this is one of our culture's lies. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:52.419 This is an idol that Old Testament prophets often call out. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:56.320 I believe it is one of our heart's greatest idols. 00:28:57.640 --> 00:29:00.160 We like to think this is true and it's a lie. 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:02.160 You can have it both ways. 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:05.540 You can do whatever you want. 00:29:06.540 --> 00:29:08.680 Talk however you want about your friends. 00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:12.380 Pursue security and importance wherever you want. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:15.779 Prioritize whatever you want all week. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:19.940 And then live a different priority on Sunday morning. 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.339 Me and Jesus. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.920 Me and Jesus. 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.980 That's what's important. 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.160 I praise him. 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:27.460 I want to be holy with him. 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:27.960 No. 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:32.559 Either you don't have him today. 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:36.840 Or he was with you all week, friend. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.100 He doesn't come and go. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:45.220 If you're united to Jesus, you have been bought with a price. 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.720 His precious blood. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:50.340 So you are not your own ever. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:53.259 You don't rule yourself. 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.759 You don't own yourself. 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:56.679 You don't define your own identity. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.899 He has bought all of us. 00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:00.199 Every part of us. 00:30:00.459 --> 00:30:01.859 Every bit of our time. 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.959 Everywhere we go. 00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:04.959 So we must live for whose glory? 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:06.699 His glory. 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:10.819 Even with the things that aren't really spiritual. 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.439 Yes. 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.500 With our bodies. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.519 With our jobs. 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.399 With our money. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.419 All of it. 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.879 Take all of it, Lord. 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:21.160 Allberry again says it really well. 00:30:22.520 --> 00:30:26.220 You can't leave Jesus in the car to go sin. 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:29.320 To go into a prostitute. 00:30:31.300 --> 00:30:39.080 You can't leave Jesus in a car in the driveway and go in to yell at your kids or ignore your neighbor. 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:46.860 You can't leave Jesus in a car in the school parking lot and go in to cheat on a test. 00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:50.020 Or make fun of a classmate. 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:55.900 Friends, our union with Him is inseparable. 00:30:56.760 --> 00:31:02.140 So He lives within us to empower us to overcome sin. 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:05.380 Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:07.540 He gives us strength to fight Satan. 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.360 To flee sexual immorality. 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.780 To resist temptation. 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:13.040 Because we never fight sin alone. 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.100 We're connected to Him. 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:16.139 So I encourage you. 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:18.339 Find a friend today to confess sin. 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:20.339 What's God bringing to your heart right now? 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:23.059 A friend you can confess to. 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.819 A friend who will pray for you. 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:29.240 A friend who will remind you of Christ in you. 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.240 That truth. 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.240 That truth. 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.240 That reality. 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.240 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.279 That reality. 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:34.019 We're not stuck. 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:36.519 We're not losing. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:40.220 When we fall, He forgives. 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:44.000 When we submit to sin, He kicks it back off the throne. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:49.559 And when we fall short over and over, He sends His Spirit to convict of sin. 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:52.160 To draw us back to abiding in Christ. 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:55.579 To bear fruit of repentance living with Him. 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.420 That's the battle. 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:59.519 That's the struggle that we live in. 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:03.299 In part so we never think we can live away from Jesus. 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:12.839 Perhaps also in part so that we know there is always something better to look forward to. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:19.740 When you're frustrated by the struggle of remaining sin in you, 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:29.579 doesn't it make you long for the wonder and the joy of sin removed forever? 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:32.139 Can you imagine? 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:38.220 When you eat this supper with your Savior at the wedding supper of the Lamb, 00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:42.519 sin is not invited. 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:47.679 Sin will be gone forever. 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:54.599 The true King will be on the throne of our hearts exclusively and eternally. 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:58.939 And we will be free, not just from the penalty of sin, 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:02.799 not just from the power of sin, 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:09.879 but from the very presence of sin once and for all. 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:16.279 This meal reminds us to look forward to that day. 00:33:17.199 --> 00:33:23.339 Jesus did on that night when He was with His disciples and was about to be betrayed. 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:25.659 Jesus took bread. 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:28.079 And He broke it. 00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.819 And He gave it to His disciples. 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:32.939 As I am ministering in His name, give this bread to you. 00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:34.399 He said, take, eat. 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:36.379 This is my body given for you. 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:38.519 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:42.420 And in the same way, after supper, He took the cup and said, 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:45.220 this cup is the new covenant in my blood, 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:48.079 shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.619 Drink from it, all of you. 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:53.480 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:56.660 you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 00:33:57.000 --> 00:34:02.619 You say, there's a day coming when sin will be gone forever. 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:05.279 And every day between now and then, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:11.980 it's His body and His blood that is given in my place to take care of my sins. 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:13.359 That's my hope. 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:18.659 And I look forward to the day when I eat this again with Him in glory, 00:34:18.839 --> 00:34:22.299 when sin is gone and death is swallowed up forever. 00:34:24.299 --> 00:34:25.920 I want to remind you this morning 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:32.320 that only repenting people come to this table. 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:36.760 Those who come to take the body and blood of Jesus 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:40.840 must believe that they are sinners in need of a Savior 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:46.700 and must even now be turning from sin to Jesus, 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:50.280 must be bringing their sin to their Savior 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:56.540 because only He forgives sin and dethrones sin 00:34:56.540 --> 00:34:59.680 and empowers us to overcome sin. 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:02.320 And so we come to Him because indeed, 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:04.800 grace is greater than all our sin. 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.040 Amen? 00:35:05.600 --> 00:35:06.960 That's our only hope. 00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:09.780 So if you come repenting, 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:12.300 then whether you're a member of Southwood 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:16.540 or any other church that preaches the good news 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:20.279 that the only thing that can be done with sin 00:35:20.279 --> 00:35:21.960 is taking it to Jesus, 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:23.840 that He alone deals with it, 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:27.279 then you come repenting to eat with Him. 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:31.279 If you're not repenting today, 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:36.800 don't come to take the bread and the wine. 00:35:38.239 --> 00:35:41.920 It may be that you are connected to Jesus by faith, 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:45.059 but you're just not willing to bring 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:47.240 some particular sin to Him 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:49.740 because you know that He'll take it away from you 00:35:49.740 --> 00:35:52.360 and you're not ready to let go of it yet. 00:35:54.180 --> 00:35:55.159 Brother or sister, 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:59.300 stay where you are and pray for His help. 00:36:00.220 --> 00:36:03.480 Come grab a brother or sister to pray with you 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:07.220 for Him to kick that sin off the throne of your heart. 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:11.959 It may be that you don't see yourself as a sinner at all 00:36:11.959 --> 00:36:15.239 or see Jesus as a Savior that you need. 00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:19.019 Oh, would you please hear the invitation of Jesus this morning 00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:22.759 to stop having to fight for your own freedom, 00:36:22.939 --> 00:36:25.439 but to come to the one who has given His life 00:36:25.439 --> 00:36:26.879 that you may be set free 00:36:26.879 --> 00:36:30.099 and have your sin and death covered 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:32.459 and taken care of once and for all. 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:34.079 That's His invitation to you 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.699 to come and find rest in Him 00:36:35.699 --> 00:36:37.559 and we'd love to tell you more about it. 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.819 He's an amazing Savior 00:36:40.819 --> 00:36:42.179 and we're gonna pray to Him 00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:44.519 and then we'll come and feast. 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:47.739 Jesus, thank You for what You have done. 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:50.000 You alone know what to do with our sin 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.579 and so we come with it, 00:36:52.939 --> 00:36:54.500 dragging it with us to You. 00:36:54.839 --> 00:36:56.519 Thank You that You're with us this morning. 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:59.799 Thank You that Your blood truly does cover and cleanse. 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:03.319 Thank You that we will never be separated from You. 00:37:03.320 --> 00:37:07.960 Use these elements to remind us of that. 00:37:09.160 --> 00:37:10.559 That You don't just eat with us now, 00:37:10.640 --> 00:37:12.460 but You go with us today and this week. 00:37:14.660 --> 00:37:18.120 Teach us, change us, make us thankful. 00:37:18.600 --> 00:37:20.000 In Your name, amen. 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:25.260 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:27.840 Thank you. 00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:30.420 Yes Yes Yes 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.420 00:37:30.420 --> 00:38:00.400 Thank you.