WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.500 One of the most profound things that I have ever learnt as a Christian was that following Jesus is and always will be a battle, at least until Jesus comes back. 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:12.320 It's going to be challenging. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:18.600 And I remember during a series that we actually did here at St. Paul's a few years ago, looking at the book of Revelation. 00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:21.420 Revelation is the final book in the Bible. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:26.199 It's a prophetic vision that God gives to John about the end times. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:30.719 And there were two really significant things that I walked away from that series with. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:35.320 The first one was that heaven is going to be better than I've even begun to imagine. 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:39.619 It's going to be more exciting and more satisfying than even my wildest dreams. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:45.120 There'll be no sickness, no pain, no hurting, no goodbyes, no tears. 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:45.859 It will be amazing. 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:47.980 And I can't wait to get there. 00:00:47.979 --> 00:01:04.060 But the second thing that I learnt or that sharpened for me in that series was I realised that right up until that moment when Jesus returns and comes to fix things that are broken and right wrongs, until then, life will be broken and wrong. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:14.460 Until heaven, our earthly existence as people who are trying to follow Jesus, trying to live for him, will be marked by opposition. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:21.960 The opposition that's out there, the people who try and limit our ability to love and follow Jesus, to worship him. 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:33.839 The opposition of a world that is marked by the consequences of sin in the form of things like sickness, natural disaster, all of which can sometimes make it more difficult to stand up and say, 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:34.859 God is good. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:36.299 God loves me. 00:01:37.059 --> 00:01:37.879 God is gracious. 00:01:38.899 --> 00:01:41.019 And there's a whole other sermon series right there. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.719 But the other opposition is internal opposition. 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:51.760 The other thing that can make following Jesus a battle is our own weakness and our own failure. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:52.760 It's our own doubt. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:56.879 It's our own anger at God for not working the way that we want him to. 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:03.480 The point being, following Jesus is a battle. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:06.980 Now that's not supposed to scare you off. 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:08.719 Heaven's worth it. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:11.439 What Jesus did on the cross is worth it. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:13.340 Jesus himself is worthy. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:19.460 The point's not to scare us off, but to focus us, to open our eyes. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:22.580 Given it's a battle, how do we battle well? 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:27.620 How do we stand in the midst of the fighting and persevere and stand firm? 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:33.920 How do we live now that we've been forgiven, that we are adopted, that we're in the family and that we're waiting for heaven? 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:35.740 How do we do that well? 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:38.640 That's the struggle for the Galatians. 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:40.379 They've heard the gospel. 00:02:40.640 --> 00:02:42.140 They've started following Jesus. 00:02:42.139 --> 00:02:43.479 They were excited. 00:02:43.619 --> 00:02:44.939 Their lives changed drastically. 00:02:45.119 --> 00:02:47.359 But then they realized it's actually harder than we thought. 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:49.619 It's hard to stay the course. 00:02:50.019 --> 00:02:52.179 There's people trying to convince us to do other things. 00:02:52.359 --> 00:02:54.279 There's our own questions, our own doubt. 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:58.059 It's the question that every follower of Jesus must ask. 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:01.679 It's the question Paul wants to wrestle with right now. 00:03:02.139 --> 00:03:05.959 How do you battle well as a follower of Jesus? 00:03:05.960 --> 00:03:11.960 How do you stand firm in the freedom that Jesus has purchased for you? 00:03:13.200 --> 00:03:16.319 Well, let's look at three things in this passage. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.360 Firstly, how do you battle well? 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:22.219 You need to know where you are. 00:03:22.219 --> 00:03:27.139 It took me all of a month, but you're about to get your first marathon illustration. 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:29.460 After this, you might be excited that I'm leaving. 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:37.280 When I was running my half marathon a month ago, there was a lot of things conspiring to try and make me give up. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:40.340 It's fairly unpleasant, to be perfectly honest with you. 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:48.360 The lack of conditioning in my muscles, the capacity for my blood to carry oxygen to all the parts of my body that need it, dehydration. 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:52.060 But the biggest barrier in the half marathon was in my head. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:58.120 Because it's literally nearly two hours of arduous physical exertion. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:01.740 Just the same thing, step after step after step. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:06.560 21 kilometers, and every kilometer feels like it's getting longer and further away. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:11.219 And I find myself having this internal discussion as I'm running. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.159 There's nothing else to do. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:15.560 Internal discussion about, will I keep going? 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:16.420 Should I give up? 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:17.860 Is this worth all the effort? 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:22.560 And every time I pass a kilometer marker, there'd be a big number on a bit of cardboard. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:24.459 There's a burst of optimism. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:26.740 I'm suddenly thinking, I'm making progress. 00:04:26.840 --> 00:04:27.459 Off I go. 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:28.899 A little bit quicker for 100 meters. 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:33.360 And each one of these markers is about five minutes apart at the pace that I run. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:46.160 And that's five whole minutes of focusing on how uncomfortable I am and doing a million different little mathematical equations about how far there is to go, looking for an answer that might be slightly encouraging. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:50.240 Trying to break it down into ridiculous little segments or something like that. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:05:05.939 And in amongst this internal discussion, I catch myself hoping that every time I can't see around a corner, or every time there's a hill where I can't see the other side, I start hoping that this next corner or this next hill will have another kilometer marker. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:15.540 Now, the reality is, I've only been running for about 10 seconds since I passed the last one, but you start to lose track of time when you're just thinking about markers for two hours straight. 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:24.220 And it's that hope that I'm almost there that costs you more than anything because it's false hope. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.540 I mean, it's completely unrealistic hope. 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:27.740 It doesn't make sense at all. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.199 If I turned around, I could see the marker that I just ran past. 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:34.779 A thousand meters is a long way, just quietly. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:39.639 One kilometer is an uncomfortable distance, especially when it's kilometer 15 or 16. 00:05:40.119 --> 00:05:45.379 And so it's completely ridiculous that I would think just around this corner, this would be the shortest kilometer in the history of the world. 00:05:45.599 --> 00:05:48.199 But I convince myself that it's going to be there. 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:49.599 And so I pep up. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:06:01.019 And then as I come around the corner and it's not there, and suddenly I can see hundreds of meters down the road and there are no markers, I feel incredibly crushed. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:06.759 It feels like an eternity since the last marker, but there is none coming. 00:06:07.299 --> 00:06:09.500 And so I'm not as far progressed as I thought. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:16.019 I'm not as far progressed as I want to be, as I need to be for a little bit of affirmation and encouragement. 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.620 And it's the same when it comes to following Jesus. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:24.939 We start following Jesus and we trick ourselves into thinking we're through the worst bit. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:27.800 We're through the hardest period of change. 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:29.819 We're through the hardest bit of opposition. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:36.540 We're through the hardest bit of realizing that there's stuff in us that's embarrassing and shameful that we need to repent of and confess. 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:40.120 And we trick ourselves into thinking we're nearly there. 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:42.379 One more challenge. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:45.080 One more sin I've got to overcome. 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:48.560 One more family member making fun of the fact that I follow Jesus. 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:54.420 We think all the hard work is done and that if we just get through this one struggle, it will be easier. 00:06:56.140 --> 00:06:59.480 But when you're around the corner, there's another struggle. 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:04.480 There's another sin that you are not on top of, that you need to confess. 00:07:05.020 --> 00:07:11.060 There's another part of your life that you probably need to repent of and acknowledge to God and start working on. 00:07:11.140 --> 00:07:18.319 And the reality is that what the Bible teaches is until we get to heaven, there will always be another struggle. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:25.740 There will always be parts of our lives, parts of our own desires that will be pushing us away from God. 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:26.960 Things we have to fight. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:31.839 There will always be another hill, another corner, another sin, another doubt, another challenge. 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.299 Following Jesus is and will be a battle. 00:07:37.859 --> 00:07:40.099 And so when Paul says in verse 16, 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:45.979 walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:48.060 It sounds so simple. 00:07:49.219 --> 00:07:50.620 Just walk by the Spirit. 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:56.079 And then you won't do all these things that you're embarrassed about or that you're ashamed of or that you've been doing your whole life. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:02.439 The instruction sounds easy, but then he follows it with verse 17. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:02.959 He says, 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:05.839 The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:08.339 And the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.279 And here's the key bit. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:12.159 They are in conflict with each other. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.019 So you're not to do whatever you want. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:22.259 It's important if we're in a battle, and we are, to know that we're in a battle. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:26.240 It's important to have our eyes open to that reality. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:29.879 Conflict is where we live as followers of Jesus. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:33.899 This new life, this freedom that God has won for us, 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:37.579 this desire and opportunity to please and to serve God, 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:40.959 is fighting with everything that we used to be. 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:45.439 It's fighting with a lifestyle, a learned lifestyle, 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.539 that puts us at the centre, 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:51.519 that loves ourselves and our own comfort more than it loves Jesus. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:54.079 Deb mentioned this last week. 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:55.340 She took us to Romans 7, 00:08:55.620 --> 00:09:00.800 where Paul talks about the torture of deep down wanting to serve God 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:02.400 with every minute of every day, 00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:05.740 but knowing that so much of the time you compromise. 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:07.220 You say, 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.620 I'm going to serve God with everything, 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:11.620 but first there's a few things that I need to do to look after me. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:16.440 Conflict is the reality for the Christian. 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:18.800 So we need to expect it. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:26.819 In fact, if there's a lack of moral conflict and inner wrestling 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:28.479 in your life following Jesus, 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:32.439 that's probably not evidence that you've made it. 00:09:34.099 --> 00:09:36.620 It could be a sign that you've conceded defeat. 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:42.419 Your default setting will be to go back to your old way of life, 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:46.019 and conflict is the reality of the one 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:48.439 who is progressively becoming more like Jesus. 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:52.039 The only time that that old desire, 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:54.179 that old way of life will be fully destroyed 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:56.379 is when we get to heaven. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:02.599 Conflict is the reality for those who follow Jesus. 00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:03.919 Internal conflict. 00:10:04.979 --> 00:10:07.059 But this next verse is really, really important. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:08.559 Verse 18. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.919 If you're led by the Spirit, 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.240 you are not under the law. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.620 Let me say this really clearly. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:18.699 Where you are as a Christian in this battle, 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:21.559 there is conflict, 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:24.099 but there is no condemnation. 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:26.759 There is conflict, 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:29.279 but there is no condemnation. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.159 You will struggle, 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.219 you will wrestle, 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:33.000 you will fall sometimes, 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.919 but there is no condemnation. 00:10:35.319 --> 00:10:37.179 This is more a paintball skirmish 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:39.159 than an actual war. 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:41.639 If you've never done paintball, 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.479 it hurts, 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.099 it's uncomfortable, 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.180 it'll leave a mark, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:46.220 it'll do some damage, 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:47.300 but it won't kill you. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.639 If you succumb to temptation, 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.399 it'll be painful. 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:54.920 There'll be consequences. 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:56.860 You might damage relationships, 00:10:56.860 --> 00:11:00.720 but it can't undo what God has already done for you. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.460 It can't uncrucify Jesus. 00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:05.600 It can't put him back in the tomb. 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.440 So as a Christian, 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:09.539 you battle with life insurance. 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:11.940 You battle with a guardian angel. 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:13.379 You battle with a medic team. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:15.659 You battle in such a way that you are safe. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:19.600 We battle as those who have been adopted. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:23.460 And so we struggle and grow slowly, 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:26.360 but surely completely secure 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:29.019 that we are and will always be loved 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.039 by our heavenly father. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:32.879 In our great moments of victory 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.320 over sin and temptation, 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:36.980 and in our moments of despair and failure, 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:40.720 still secure in the love of our heavenly father, 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:44.120 battling well means knowing where you are. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.980 You are in conflict, 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:49.800 but there is no condemnation, 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:53.180 which means when you fail, 00:11:54.060 --> 00:11:55.540 you're secure. 00:11:56.660 --> 00:11:58.080 It means when you realize 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:00.259 that you haven't grown as much as you wanted to, 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.820 when you catch yourself falling back 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:03.840 into an old habit, 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:06.879 you have the security to confess that, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.120 to admit it, 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.120 and to get up and try again. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.480 You have the freedom 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:14.519 to hand over guilt 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.799 and to take the next step, 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:17.320 to face the next challenge, 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.700 to have the perseverance 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:20.500 to keep going around the next corner. 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.139 Knowing where you are 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.940 spares you the disappointment 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:28.639 of thinking life was supposed to be easy 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.600 and then being shocked 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:31.340 when actually you need to fight. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.399 You need to battle. 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.919 You need to persevere 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:36.700 if you want to become more like Jesus. 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:38.100 If you want to live in the freedom 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.500 that God has got for you, 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:40.820 know up front, 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:43.379 it will be hard. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.879 It will be difficult, 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:47.399 but you can do it secure 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:49.279 in the love that God has for you 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:51.100 and with your eyes focused 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.060 on the destination 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:54.420 that you're hoping for. 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.500 Battling well means 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.420 knowing where you are. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.180 Second thing, 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.259 it means focusing 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.560 on the real issue. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.160 Have a look at verse 19. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:07.100 The acts of the flesh 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.799 are obvious. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.379 Sexual immorality, 00:13:09.719 --> 00:13:11.139 impurity and debauchery, 00:13:11.339 --> 00:13:12.740 idolatry and witchcraft, 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:13.240 hatred, 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.259 discord, 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:14.899 jealousy, 00:13:15.219 --> 00:13:16.079 fits of rage, 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.379 selfish ambition, 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.279 dissensions, 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.919 factions and envy, 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.019 drunkenness, 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.079 orgies and the like. 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:22.779 I warn you, 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.600 as I did before, 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.379 that those who live like this 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.480 will not inherit 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.620 the kingdom of God. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:29.500 So Paul's digging into 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.819 this conflict for us 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.220 a little bit, 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.539 giving us a deeper view 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.980 and we experience 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.719 this conflict 00:13:34.719 --> 00:13:36.279 in the two halves. 00:13:36.839 --> 00:13:38.079 So the first half 00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:39.620 is what he calls 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:41.339 the acts of the flesh 00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:43.059 and when Paul uses 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:43.939 that word flesh, 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.779 he's kind of meaning 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:47.519 our basic carnal desires, 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.819 our default human setting, 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:50.899 the thing that everyone 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.199 in the world goes after 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.299 until they meet Jesus 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.699 and discover that he's better. 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:56.339 It's our internal 00:13:56.339 --> 00:13:57.620 default instincts, 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.839 it's the way we operate 00:13:58.839 --> 00:14:00.779 before we meet Jesus. 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.519 But there's two really 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.159 interesting things 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.740 in these verses. 00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:04.459 First, have a look 00:14:04.459 --> 00:14:05.159 at what's listed 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:06.579 in these verses. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.419 You've got some obvious ones, 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:09.980 some ones that we all assume 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.199 God's not going to be happy about, 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:11.919 idolatry, 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.299 witchcraft, 00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:14.779 sexual immorality. 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.699 But there's also 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:18.120 a couple of more subtle ones, 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.159 maybe even things 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:20.799 that we would see 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.839 as kind of acceptable 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:22.839 in small doses. 00:14:24.219 --> 00:14:24.620 Envy, 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:26.699 jealousy, 00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:29.240 the odd bit of drunkenness. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:31.500 selfish ambition 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.639 is even sometimes 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.580 considered a virtue 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.560 in our culture. 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.960 Look after yourself, 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.180 get what you deserve. 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.519 But look where the focus 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.360 is in this list. 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.480 See, the emphasis 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:47.419 isn't on those specific acts, 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.899 it's just a list of examples. 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:51.180 The focus is on the source 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:52.379 of those acts. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.460 acts. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:56.200 They come from the flesh. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.500 They're evidence 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.240 of a life 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.000 that is driven 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.779 by rejecting God. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.159 They're evidence 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.100 that the center 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.279 that makes the decision, 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.000 the center 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.840 that desires things 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.259 and then pursues things, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.899 is not in line 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:11.379 with God, 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.220 is not submitted 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:12.820 to Him 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:13.500 as King. 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.919 The real issue 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.700 is not the acts. 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.500 He does the same thing 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.000 when he moves on 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.960 to the positive half 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:19.879 in verse 22. 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:21.240 He says, 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.100 but the fruit 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.940 of the Spirit 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:24.080 is love, 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:24.519 joy, 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.080 peace, 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:25.720 forbearance, 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.180 kindness, 00:15:26.400 --> 00:15:26.680 goodness, 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:27.440 faithfulness, 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:27.960 gentleness, 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:28.840 and self-control. 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:30.259 Against such things 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.139 there is no law. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.100 So you've got 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.920 the acts 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.759 of the flesh 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:35.200 and then you've got 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.800 the fruit 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:36.800 of the Spirit. 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.759 That is acts 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.720 and fruit 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.320 that are produced by. 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.540 They're the result 00:15:42.540 --> 00:15:43.100 of something 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.840 that's going on 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.780 deeper inside. 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:46.740 See, 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:48.079 the conflict 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:49.339 that we experience 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.000 as Christians, 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.860 the battle 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.439 that we need 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.379 to fight in, 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:52.899 that we need 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.399 to commit to, 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:55.000 that we need 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.959 to struggle in, 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.939 the disagreement 00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.199 that we feel, 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.819 the tension 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.779 between our old way 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.240 of life 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.299 and the new life 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.819 that we have 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.399 in Jesus 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:06.220 is not a battle 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.980 that is waged 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.659 in our hands 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.120 and feet. 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.699 It's not a battle 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.419 that is waged 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.100 in your eyes 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.839 or your mouth. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:12.879 life, 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.780 it's deeper. 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.120 It's a battle 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.080 for your heart. 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:20.340 It's a battle 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.620 for the very core 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.060 of you. 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.399 And so if we spend 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:23.940 our energy 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.500 in this battle 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.540 focusing on our 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:26.240 hands and feet, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.720 focusing on the acts, 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.820 focusing on the fruit, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.420 we're missing 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.360 the real issue. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:32.620 See, 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.420 the jealousy 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.360 that I feel 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.280 or the jealousy 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:36.240 that I act on, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.720 the kindness 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.879 that I don't feel 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.700 or the kindness 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.980 that I don't act on, 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:44.399 they're both 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:44.940 the result 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.480 of what's going 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.180 on in my heart. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.320 Which means 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.240 I can't fix them 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.320 by just trying harder 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.420 or changing 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:54.039 my behaviour. 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.680 It might kind of 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.340 put on a show 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.100 for a little while. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.259 I might be able 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.139 to feel really jealous 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.700 and pretend 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.460 that I'm not. 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.120 I might be able 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.440 to fake kindness. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.319 But if 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.680 drunkenness 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.380 is my issue, 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:11.060 I might somehow 00:17:11.060 --> 00:17:11.940 force myself 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:13.560 to stop drinking 00:17:13.560 --> 00:17:14.540 and that's a good thing 00:17:14.540 --> 00:17:15.440 but I actually 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:15.880 haven't dealt 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.560 with the issue. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.820 There's a reason 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:19.040 that I'm doing that. 00:17:19.520 --> 00:17:20.780 I have to dig deeper. 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.360 That's why in verse 24 00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:23.140 he says, 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:23.860 those who belong 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.560 to Christ Jesus 00:17:24.560 --> 00:17:25.760 have crucified 00:17:25.760 --> 00:17:26.660 the flesh 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.860 with its passions 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.660 and desires. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.120 What's called for here 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.940 is not a slight 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:33.120 change in behaviour 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:34.920 but it's a killing 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.220 of sin, 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:37.880 a destroying 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:39.060 of desires 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:39.780 that drag us 00:17:39.780 --> 00:17:40.560 away from this 00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:41.140 new life 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.640 that Jesus 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.380 has purchased 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:43.180 for us. 00:17:44.760 --> 00:17:45.720 We need to put 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.780 that sin to death 00:17:46.780 --> 00:17:47.680 and in order 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.280 to do that 00:17:48.280 --> 00:17:49.060 we've got to ask 00:17:49.060 --> 00:17:49.900 the question, 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.920 why 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.580 do I get drunk? 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.640 Why 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.740 am I jealous? 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.660 Why 00:17:58.660 --> 00:18:00.060 am I immoral? 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:01.820 Why 00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:02.760 do I look at things 00:18:02.760 --> 00:18:03.220 that I know 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.960 that I shouldn't? 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.280 What is it 00:18:05.280 --> 00:18:06.500 that I desire 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.359 that I think 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.339 getting drunk 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.539 or being angry 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.019 or jealous 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.740 or whatever it is 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:12.039 will deliver for me? 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.400 That's the 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.579 heart question. 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.119 Only 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.960 if we begin 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.519 to engage 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.279 that question 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.000 can we begin 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.420 to deal 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.339 with the actual 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.079 enemy. 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.420 Heart change 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.259 is what is needed 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.680 and heart change 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.339 is something 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.339 that can only happen 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:33.980 by the grace 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.440 of God 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.019 and in the power 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.879 of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.660 Here's what the 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.660 process looks like. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.559 As you ask 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.119 that deeper 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.599 question 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.019 and maybe 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.500 there's something 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.099 in your life 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.519 right now 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:44.940 that you can 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.720 insert in this 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.299 process. 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:47.660 As you dig 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.279 behind the 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.940 acts of the 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.359 flesh 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.480 or the absence 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.019 of the fruit 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.579 of the Spirit 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:53.660 and you discover 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.220 what it is 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.000 that you want 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.799 that you're 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.480 hoping those 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.980 things will 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.319 deliver, 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.920 the Spirit 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:01.839 whose main 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.299 role 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.240 is to help 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.000 you and me 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.559 and all of us 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.420 know and see 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.299 Jesus in his 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.819 all satisfying 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.519 joy-giving 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.079 majesty, 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.880 the Spirit 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:12.299 shows you 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.240 how Jesus 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.460 meets that 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.200 desire more 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.740 completely 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.779 and more fully 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.799 than whatever 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.279 it is you're 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.920 doing instead. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.799 But you need 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.299 to know 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.819 what that 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.500 desire is 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.000 before you 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.299 can go 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.599 through that 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.160 process. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.200 Otherwise 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.720 all you'll 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.339 ever focus 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:26.759 on is 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.380 am I being 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:27.759 envious, 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.400 am I being 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:28.799 jealous, 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.559 am I being 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:29.920 kind, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.440 am I being 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:30.779 good and 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.059 you can 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.619 try to 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.099 do those 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.799 things but 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.319 deep down 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:34.720 you'll still 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.299 be jealous 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.019 and you 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.440 still won't 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:36.920 be kind 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.460 and eventually 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:37.940 you'll get 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.519 weary and 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:38.980 you'll go to 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.460 your default. 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.279 If you 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.940 never dig 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.460 down to 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:44.859 see the 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.579 why behind 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.139 your sin, 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.720 if you 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.259 never look 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.720 into where 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.139 the battle 00:19:49.139 --> 00:19:49.700 is really 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.160 raging, 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.779 then the 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.319 hatred you 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.839 feel for 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.379 some annoying 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:56.920 person will 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.299 be really 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.119 difficult to 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:58.559 see how 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.119 Jesus has 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.579 anything to 00:19:59.579 --> 00:19:59.859 do with 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.000 it. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:03.160 You need 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.539 to ask 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.000 why. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.720 Because in 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.240 the gospel, 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:06.879 in Jesus, 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.319 we have 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.059 everything we 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.379 need. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.799 Our problem 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.180 is we 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.720 haven't worked 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.139 out what 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.539 it is we're 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.759 chasing and 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.059 so we 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:13.779 can't see 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.519 how Jesus 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.000 provides and 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.440 satisfies. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.720 Conflict in 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.180 the Christian 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:19.940 life, the 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.779 battle to 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.259 live as 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.059 people worthy 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.660 of the name 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.039 Jesus is 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.639 not a battle 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.259 that's fought 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.859 in our hands 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.259 and feet. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.399 It's a battle 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.099 that goes on 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.779 in our hearts. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.299 And because 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.759 you lack 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.319 the power 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.920 to change 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.259 your own 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.579 heart, 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.200 focusing here 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.019 means that we 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.680 can battle 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.680 well by being 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.519 humble and 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.200 dependent on 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:39.839 God for that 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.339 transformation. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.279 It means 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.819 rather than 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.519 keeping our 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.259 weaknesses and 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.000 our failures and 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.039 our sins secret 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.779 and trying to 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.579 fix them before 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.200 we let anyone 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.839 else know that 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.099 they're an 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.420 issue, 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.599 instead of doing 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.359 that which won't 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:53.220 work, we can go 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.559 to God first and 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.480 regularly and say, 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.279 God, I failed, 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:56.740 I need your 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.599 forgiveness, I need 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.519 your help, and I 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.319 need you to change 00:20:59.319 --> 00:20:59.859 my heart. 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.960 I need your 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.799 spirit to help 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.639 me see that 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.619 Jesus is better. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.399 I need your 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.299 spirit to grow 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.000 in me a love 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.000 for Jesus that 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.000 drives my 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.799 actions, that 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.079 produces fruit. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.819 I need your 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.619 help to be 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.740 loving, kind, 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.659 good, patient, 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.619 joyful, peaceful, 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:21.000 faithful, gentle, 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.839 self-controlled. 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:24.419 They're called 00:21:24.419 --> 00:21:25.579 fruit of the 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.720 spirit because 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.480 they grow 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.720 slowly but 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.599 surely in the 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.119 life of a 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.639 Christian who 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.359 is being led 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.980 by the spirit 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.639 that's in them. 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:36.799 Battling well 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.899 means knowing 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:38.639 to expect 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:40.000 conflict but 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.000 not condemnation. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.379 It means 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.299 focusing on 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.059 your heart, 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.459 which means 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.220 depending on 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.819 God to do 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.339 the work of 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.819 transformation. 00:21:48.179 --> 00:21:48.659 And the last 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:50.559 thing, battling 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.299 well as a 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:51.679 Christian, 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.439 means getting 00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.059 ahead of the 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.339 game. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.259 Or to use 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.099 Paul's language, 00:21:59.459 --> 00:21:59.899 it means 00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:00.679 keeping in 00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:01.459 step with the 00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:01.779 spirit. 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.539 Verse 25. 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.819 Since we 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.720 live by the 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.859 spirit, that 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.439 is since we've 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:08.939 been given 00:22:08.939 --> 00:22:09.899 life by the 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.299 spirit, that's 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.879 what Galatians 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.639 has taught us, 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.259 let us keep 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.240 in step with 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.839 the spirit. 00:22:16.199 --> 00:22:16.859 Now it took 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.500 me a month to 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:17.819 give you the 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.319 first one, you're 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.519 going to get 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.000 two in one 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.599 day, two 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:19.819 running 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.259 illustrations. 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.940 The other 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.519 running that I 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.259 do, apart from 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.720 trying to do a 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.879 half marathon, is 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.940 a weekly park run 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.500 with a bunch of 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.140 people in this 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.359 room. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:27.839 There's a bit of 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.759 healthy competition 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:30.420 amongst us about 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:30.940 who can be the 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.240 fastest. 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:31.879 It's supposed to 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.519 be a race against 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.240 yourself, but 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.960 nobody actually 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.599 believes that. 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.879 And you get a 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:37.019 time every week as 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.819 to how fast you 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.460 can run the five 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:38.759 kilometres. 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.140 If you don't 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.559 believe me about 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.059 the competition, 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.740 note how many 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.279 people are talking 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.900 about their times 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.460 at morning tea. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.220 Anyway, it's a 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.299 five kilometre time 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.660 trial. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.680 And in my 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:48.200 marathon training, a 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.340 good win about 00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:50.460 investing all those 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.500 hours was that my 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.539 times got better and 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.140 better and better and 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.819 I had something to 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.720 brag about and gloat 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:54.940 about. 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.420 And then I set 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.400 myself a bit of a 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:58.480 target about what 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.640 time I would get to. 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.779 I wanted to get 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:02.180 faster than 22 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.720 minutes. 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.620 And I got kind of 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.460 close and I was 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.220 pretty happy with 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.440 that. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.400 And then after my 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.120 marathon I thought 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.759 that's where I'm 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.620 going to focus my 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:09.960 energy. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.140 And I had a couple 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.779 of weeks break 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.600 because my body was 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.420 kind of exhausted. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.000 But the first time I 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.319 went back I ran like 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:18.079 quite a bit slower 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.919 than I'd been running 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:19.460 beforehand. 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.759 I was very frustrated 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:22.039 and so I went home a 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.859 little bit disappointed 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:24.379 and agitated and I 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:24.919 thought I'll go back 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.019 next week and I'll get 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.579 that goal. 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.179 Because once I've got 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.179 that goal I can relax. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.720 Job done. 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:30.579 The next week still 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.200 nowhere near my 22 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.799 minute goal. 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:34.019 Very disappointed and 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.439 frustrated. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.720 And as I'm running 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.379 around the five 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.240 kilometres trying to 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.119 beat this time I'm 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.839 getting angry at 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.200 myself. 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.099 Like what are you 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.259 doing? 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.379 Just put some extra 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:41.960 effort in. 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.139 Run faster. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:45.079 But there's some 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.119 physiological issues 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:47.199 like having to throw 00:23:47.199 --> 00:23:48.079 up next to the track 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:49.000 that were limiting me 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.939 getting to my time. 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.480 And that's because the 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:53.039 reality is what I do 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.019 in that moment actually 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.559 counts very little in 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.939 the scheme of things as 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:58.899 to whether or not I can 00:23:58.899 --> 00:23:59.799 actually produce the 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.599 result that I want. 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:03.079 The factors that 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:04.279 influence whether or not 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.679 I can get that goal 00:24:05.679 --> 00:24:07.079 and get victory if you 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.579 like in that moment is 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.599 the work that's done 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.099 beforehand. 00:24:11.199 --> 00:24:12.539 It's the whether or not 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.659 I ate KFC the night 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:14.740 before I did. 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.599 It's whether or not I 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.779 ran during the week or 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.659 two weeks or actually 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.819 three weeks beforehand 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.899 I didn't. 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:24.000 The preparation is where 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.059 the victory is won. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.359 In the battle you might 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.639 have all the willpower in 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.619 the world but if you have 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:31.359 not prepared yourself and 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:33.119 strengthened yourself you 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.879 will lose. 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:36.799 You will be defeated. 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:39.899 We have life in the 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.480 spirit so the call is to 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.279 keep in step with the 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.720 spirit. 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:46.259 To constantly be led by 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.899 the spirit. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.399 To have the spirit 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.920 shaping us and equipping 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.960 us so that when the 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:54.180 temptation comes we know 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.319 that Jesus is better. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.639 When the failure comes we 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.980 know that God is gracious 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.740 and will still forgive us. 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:04.039 So what does it look like 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.259 to keep in step with the 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.579 spirit? 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.559 How do we do that 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.399 concretely? 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:09.580 How do we prepare for the 00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:09.860 battle? 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.680 Two things. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:16.019 Sharing and sowing. 00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:18.840 Sharing and sowing. 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:21.300 Firstly sharing. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:25.320 Spirit led life is 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:26.740 community life. 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.800 Have a look at verse 26. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:31.099 Let us not become 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.799 conceited, provoking and 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.720 envying each other. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.180 Brothers and sisters if 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.180 someone is caught in a 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.659 sin you who live by the 00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:39.019 spirit should restore that 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.399 person gently. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.339 But watch yourselves or 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.480 you also may be tempted. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.200 Carry each other's 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.279 burdens and in this way 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.460 you fulfill the law of 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:47.899 Christ. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.599 If anyone thinks they are 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.480 something when they are 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.220 not they deceive 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.700 themselves. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.619 Each one should test their 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:55.200 own actions then they can 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.240 take pride in themselves 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.940 alone without comparing 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.900 themselves to someone 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.100 else for each one should 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:01.360 carry their own load. 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.900 Spirit life, living by the 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:06.600 spirit, being led by the 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:07.840 spirit, keeping in step 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:09.480 with the spirit has to do 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:11.259 with how we live together. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.799 The first thing that Paul 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:16.360 goes to after saying keep 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:18.259 in step with the spirit is 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.519 how we perceive ourselves 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.740 and how that impacts the 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.519 way we relate to and love 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.100 one another. 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:26.700 Don't provoke each other out 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.519 of some sense of 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.139 superiority. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.539 Don't envy each other out 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.940 of feelings of inferiority 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.059 because both attitudes 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.720 reflect conceit or 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:37.160 self-absorption or focus 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.680 on me. 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.160 This echoes back to 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.920 chapter 5 when Paul talks 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.139 about being free and what 00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:44.720 it looks like to live free 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:46.819 is to lovingly serve our 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.220 neighbours. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:51.379 The spirit that God has 00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:52.660 given us didn't draw us 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.779 into this little quiet 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.859 private one-on-one 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:56.139 relationship with God. 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:58.299 It drew us into a 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.579 community that would be 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.799 the people of God. 00:27:00.979 --> 00:27:01.279 Plural. 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:06.439 The point being that 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.819 keeping in step with the 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.439 spirit requires you 00:27:09.439 --> 00:27:11.459 to be engaged with the 00:27:11.459 --> 00:27:12.579 people of the spirit. 00:27:14.199 --> 00:27:15.279 Engaged with Christian 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.879 community. 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.919 Preparation for the battle 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.959 in your heart, the battle 00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:20.119 to resist temptation, 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.659 the battle to deal with 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:24.099 your failures is best 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:25.439 done in partnership with 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:26.059 your brothers and 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.019 sisters in Christ. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.939 Carrying each other's 00:27:29.939 --> 00:27:30.399 burdens. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.859 Gently correcting one 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.159 another. 00:27:35.739 --> 00:27:37.239 Not comparing ourselves 00:27:37.239 --> 00:27:39.519 but pointing each other 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.579 to the freedom of the 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:42.539 gospel, to the obedience 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.699 that the gospel enables. 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:46.640 And here's a little 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.600 challenge for us in 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:47.920 this. 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.880 I think it's much 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:52.160 easier for us to 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.259 carry someone else's 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:56.059 burden with them than 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.559 it is for us to ask for 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.840 or accept help for our 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.460 own burdens. 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.500 We're happy to offer 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:04.980 help but accepting 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.779 help is a little more 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.140 difficult. 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.259 It's much easier to 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.420 recognise sin in someone 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.759 else and to gently seek 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:13.120 to restore them than it 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.119 is to have somebody 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:15.759 recognise sin in you 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.879 and gently seek to 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.500 restore you. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.039 We live in a culture 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:22.459 that prides itself on 00:28:22.459 --> 00:28:23.139 independence. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.919 But we serve a God who 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:28.159 delights in and designed 00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:29.539 us for interdependence. 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.879 The challenge for us as a 00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.539 community and as 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:37.619 individuals, will you ask 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.119 for help? 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.359 Will you share your 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:41.719 burden? 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:45.139 Will you hear 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.739 correction? 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:52.319 I remember when we 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.619 were having kids in that 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:55.939 crazy bit when they're 00:28:55.939 --> 00:28:56.959 first born and you just 00:28:56.959 --> 00:28:57.859 don't know which way is 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.939 up and you can't sleep. 00:28:59.479 --> 00:29:00.359 And lots of people 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.579 graciously and generally 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:03.199 offered meals, offered to 00:29:03.199 --> 00:29:04.539 babysit Bailey when 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:06.099 Hudson was born, offered to 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:07.299 do whatever we needed for 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:07.619 help. 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:08.639 And we'd have 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.839 conversations about that 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:11.259 and we're like, oh, that's 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.859 really nice. 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.879 And some people really 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:14.200 graciously forced their 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.720 help on us. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.900 And I mean that when I say 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.099 it. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.900 They forced their help on us 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:19.359 and we had to receive it. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.359 But I remember having 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:20.920 conversation. 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.539 We'd be sitting there 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.579 going, surely somebody else 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.500 needs help more than us. 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.259 We're surviving. 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.740 And we were. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:29.460 We were tired, but we were 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.059 surviving. 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.160 But what if that's not the 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.460 goal? 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.700 What if God's goal for you is 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.879 not that you survive in your 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.519 own strength? 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:39.200 What if in that moment 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.119 what we were doing was 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:41.920 actually robbing ourselves 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:43.420 of the blessing of 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:45.740 journeying together and 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:48.079 robbing our church family 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:50.599 of the blessing of doing 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.819 what we're instructed to do 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:53.500 when it comes to living in 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.379 line with the Spirit? 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.660 Keeping in step with the 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:59.839 Spirit requires us to be in 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.940 Christian community. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.299 And that doesn't mean 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.660 attending church once a 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:03.900 week. 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:06.380 Being in Christian 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:08.160 community means having 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:09.480 substantial, honest 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.680 relationships with other 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.100 Christians. 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:14.019 Having people that you feel 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.380 secure enough to ask help 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:15.680 from. 00:30:17.340 --> 00:30:18.900 People who you trust enough 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.440 to confess sin with. 00:30:23.580 --> 00:30:24.700 Maybe the people in your 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.380 community group. 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.620 Maybe others that you have 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.800 long-standing relationships 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:29.240 with. 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:30.700 But either way, ensuring that 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:32.620 you are there to share the 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.700 burden when they need it. 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:35.540 And they are there to share 00:30:35.540 --> 00:30:36.820 your burden when you need it. 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.840 We are in a battle. 00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:43.580 And the Spirit's power to 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:45.160 win that battle is built 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:46.540 into the kind of Christian 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.600 relationships that are 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.720 described in these verses. 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.960 Where we journey together. 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:54.680 So keeping in step with the 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.840 Spirit, staying ahead of the 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:57.560 game means sharing your life 00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.320 with your brothers and 00:30:58.320 --> 00:30:59.340 sisters in Christ so that 00:30:59.340 --> 00:31:00.259 you don't battle alone. 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.340 And the second bit it means 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:03.379 keeping in step with the 00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:04.599 Spirit is about sowing. 00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:06.099 Have a look quickly with me 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.699 at verse 7. 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.980 Do not be deceived. 00:31:09.699 --> 00:31:11.480 God cannot be mocked. 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:14.679 A man reaps what he sows. 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:17.039 Catch the seriousness of that 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.000 soundbite there. 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.279 Be easy to just skip past it 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.559 and focus on the reaping and 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:21.859 sowing. 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:24.819 God cannot be mocked. 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.779 It's a timeless principle. 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:30.119 You get out what you put in. 00:31:30.479 --> 00:31:31.779 You sow apple seeds, you get 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.399 an apple tree. 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.379 You sow rocks, you get 00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:33.740 nothing. 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:37.219 As followers of Jesus, it is 00:31:37.219 --> 00:31:41.419 mocking God to sow that which 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.979 is not honoring to him into your 00:31:42.979 --> 00:31:44.559 life and then to act surprised 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:46.639 or disappointed when you don't 00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.899 see the fruit of the Spirit being 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.360 produced. 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.740 Verse 8, 00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:53.019 Whoever sows to please their 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.720 flesh from the flesh will reap 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.360 destruction. 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:58.280 Whoever sows to please the 00:31:58.280 --> 00:32:00.040 Spirit from the Spirit will reap 00:32:00.040 --> 00:32:01.240 eternal life. 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:03.360 The things you fill your life 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:06.960 with, the things you watch, the 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:09.180 people you spend time with, those 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.180 are the things that you are 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.800 sowing into your character. 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:14.160 Those are the things that will 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:17.200 produce either the acts of the 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:19.460 flesh or the fruit of the Spirit. 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:22.319 If you spend all your time with 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.640 people who encourage you to be 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:25.160 dishonest or arrogant or 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:26.440 competitive or to compare 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:28.059 yourself, if you watch things on 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.920 TV or movies that fill your mind 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.880 with violence or hatred or 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:35.299 immorality, what do you think you 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:35.740 will reap? 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.319 Now the point isn't that we should 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.680 all go live in the desert and hide 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:44.160 away from the big bad world out 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.420 there. 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.660 Remember the battle's in here so 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.980 we're taking the battle with us 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:49.540 even into the desert. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:53.060 Plus God sent us into the world 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:54.480 to call people out of darkness 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:56.100 into light with the hope of the 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.440 gospel. 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:59.380 The point is you reap what you sow. 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:02.140 And so if your heart's desire is to 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:04.480 truly live a life that honors God, a 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.980 life that shines so brightly that 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.720 others are drawn into the hope and 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:11.940 joy of the gospel, then you need to be 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.140 sowing to please the Spirit. 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:13.220 Spirit. 00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:17.840 And the Spirit's desire is to make 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.680 much of Jesus. 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:22.500 So if you want to please Him, fill 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.640 your life with Jesus. 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.300 Fill your mind and your heart with 00:33:26.300 --> 00:33:26.680 Jesus. 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.320 Soak in His Word. 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:28.840 Pray. 00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:30.700 Spend time just hanging out with Him. 00:33:31.580 --> 00:33:33.300 Avoid the things that you know will 00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:34.280 lead you away from Him. 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:37.560 Walk out of the movie that you've paid 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:39.560 good money to watch if you can see 00:33:39.560 --> 00:33:41.400 that that movie is sowing into you 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.660 things that are going to lead you away 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.200 from Jesus. 00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:46.880 Stop doing that hobby if it's become 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:48.480 something that is sowing selfish 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:50.120 ambition or jealousy in you. 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:54.460 Gather with and invest in Spirit-filled, 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:56.560 interdependent relationships with 00:33:56.560 --> 00:33:58.000 brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:33:59.080 --> 00:34:01.300 Serve and allow yourself to be served. 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:05.680 Confess your sins and entrust yourself 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:08.619 to Jesus who died and rose again so 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:12.059 that you could be forgiven even as you 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:14.940 battle, even in your moments of doubt 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:16.440 and failure. 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:20.539 Walk with Jesus who has already won the 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:20.739 war. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.239 We are in a battle. 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:27.880 So we need to know that there will be 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:28.420 conflict. 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:31.039 And yet we are secure. 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:34.299 There will not be condemnation for those 00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.299 who are in Christ Jesus. 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:38.400 We are in a battle. 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:41.300 And that battle is not fought in our 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:43.280 hands and feet but deep within us, in our 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.640 hearts. 00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:44.660 So we need to pray. 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:47.420 We need to depend on God and on the 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:49.440 power of His Spirit within us to shape 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:51.500 and mould us to win the battles, 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.340 to stand firm. 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.580 We are in a battle. 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:59.600 So we need to get ahead of the game. 00:35:00.560 --> 00:35:02.300 We need to listen to the Spirit. 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:04.360 We need to share our lives with one 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:05.840 another, journey together, share 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:08.400 burdens and we need to sow for a future 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.019 harvest. 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:14.640 We need to take the things in that will 00:35:14.640 --> 00:35:16.680 produce the fruit that we desire most. 00:35:18.539 --> 00:35:22.740 Since we live by the Spirit, since we have 00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:24.840 been given life by the Spirit, we have 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:26.720 been brought to life through the death and 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:29.420 resurrection of Jesus which gifted us the 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:30.159 Holy Spirit. 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:35.579 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.320 in step with it.