WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.760 Hear the Word of God. 00:00:01.240 --> 00:00:04.360 1 John 3, verses 4-10. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:13.580 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness. 00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:16.960 Sin is lawlessness. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:21.980 You know that He appeared, Jesus appeared, in order to take away sins. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:24.500 And in Him there is no sin. 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:28.920 No one who abides in Him, Jesus, keeps on sinning. 00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:32.679 No one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. 00:00:33.160 --> 00:00:36.020 Little children, let no one deceive you. 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:40.700 Whoever practices righteousness is righteous as He is righteous. 00:00:41.760 --> 00:00:47.000 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:52.900 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:58.680 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in Him. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:01.700 And He cannot keep on sinning because He's been born of God. 00:01:02.120 --> 00:01:06.799 By this, it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:13.640 Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:16.500 Hear the Word of God. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:19.219 Imagine a new soap opera. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:26.079 As the wind blows, Brittany has become pregnant. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:28.939 And it could be one of three men. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:34.120 Either Dirk, Stone, or Oscar. 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:38.079 A paternity test is called for. 00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:47.040 They take a sample of the baby in Brittany's womb, and then they are able to take samples from Dirk, Stone, and Oscar. 00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:50.020 And lo and behold, there is a DNA match. 00:01:51.320 --> 00:01:53.120 The DNA doesn't lie. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:02:04.700 So, next week, on the next As the Wind Blows, you will find out who is the paternal father of Brittany's baby. 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:09.879 A paternity test. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:17.840 Our ongoing obedience to Jesus Christ is a kind of paternity test. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:21.979 It reveals who we belong to. 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:25.319 Who we want to take after. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:28.139 The evidence isn't DNA. 00:02:28.859 --> 00:02:34.159 The evidence is in your ongoing habitual practice of righteousness. 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:42.439 Think of righteousness as practical holiness lived out in your attitudes and your actions. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:47.419 1 John contains a series of three tests. 00:02:47.539 --> 00:02:48.439 I've told you about these. 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:50.819 There's the belief test. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:53.340 What you believe to be true about Jesus. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:55.520 And then there's the love test. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:59.300 Do you love those who Jesus has shed his blood for? 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:01.980 And then there is the obedience test. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:04.680 The practice of righteousness. 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:07.520 Obeying God's commands. 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:11.680 Last week, we started in on an obedience test. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:14.340 The test itself is from chapter 228 through 310. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:18.580 And last week, I point you from 228 to 3.3 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:22.920 that John emphasizes the future appearing of Jesus. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:26.099 And it is to fuel our present obedience to Christ. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:29.139 And this morning, in verses 4 through 10 of chapter 3, 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:31.739 God's past work in Christ, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:37.959 it invigorates our present obedience to Jesus. 00:03:38.899 --> 00:03:42.219 The obedience test is actually a paternity test 00:03:42.219 --> 00:03:45.079 that reveals who your father is. 00:03:45.859 --> 00:03:47.000 Here's the big idea. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:52.000 When you remember what God has done for you, 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:57.900 you will want to be like Jesus all the more. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:05.780 When you remember, take to heart what God in Christ has done for you, 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:13.520 you will want to be like Jesus in his righteousness all the more. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:19.439 So this morning, I've got seven remembrances for you. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:22.699 We're going to make quick work of this. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:29.900 So remember, when you remember what God has done for you in Christ, 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:31.780 you're going to be stirred. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:33.679 Third, if you're a child of God, 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:38.239 it's going to stir you to want to obey God all the more. 00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:45.519 First remembrance is remember what making a practice means. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:51.039 If you look back at 1 John 3, 4 through 10, 00:04:51.299 --> 00:04:54.219 let me see if you can actually hear the emphasis. 00:04:54.220 --> 00:05:02.680 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning practices lawlessness. 00:05:04.020 --> 00:05:05.740 If you look down at verse 6, 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:10.920 no one who abides in him keeps on sinning. 00:05:11.380 --> 00:05:16.540 No one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or know him. 00:05:17.260 --> 00:05:20.860 Verse 7, whoever practices righteousness is righteous. 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:26.180 Verse 8, whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil. 00:05:27.100 --> 00:05:31.480 Look at verse 9, no one born of God makes a practice of sinning. 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:35.960 Verse 10, by this is evident who are the children of God 00:05:35.960 --> 00:05:37.860 and who are the children of the devil. 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:42.139 Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:44.400 So what does this making a practice mean? 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:51.139 Well, the best way to think about it is think about an overall way of life. 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:56.339 Your lifestyle, your general trajectory of life. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.939 And you've got two options. 00:05:59.979 --> 00:06:04.539 Either your general trajectory of life is towards Jesus, 00:06:04.739 --> 00:06:07.399 to follow him and to be like him and to obey him, 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:12.199 or it is to live for sin, 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:14.639 maybe tip your hat to Jesus once in a while, 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:16.019 but you're really living for yourself. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:22.620 And what this is getting at is the habitual practice of your life. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:30.500 John is not requiring sinful perfection of Christians here. 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:31.699 Do you know how I know that? 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:35.899 If you flip back into your Bible to 1 John 1, 9, 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:38.639 he's writing to Christians and he says, 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:40.420 if we confess our sins, 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:45.399 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:46.660 and to cleanse us from all unrighteous. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:48.259 Now look at 2, 1 and 2. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:51.779 My little children, I'm writing these things to you 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:53.560 so that you may not sin. 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:56.699 But if anyone does sin, 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:59.300 we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:03.319 He is the propitiation for our sins. 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:08.300 So when we read this making a practice 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:10.259 and see this repeated throughout our text, 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:13.839 what it's getting at is the way you typically live your life. 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:21.959 Let me just ask you two questions 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:24.779 and then point to a pastoral gray zone. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:29.060 Here's another way you can approach this 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:30.539 because what's riding on this 00:07:30.539 --> 00:07:32.459 is knowing if you're a child of God or not, right? 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:36.219 Here's another way to ask the question. 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:40.300 What is the outlier behavior of your life? 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:44.540 Is your normal course of life 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:47.259 to sin and to sin and to sin 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:49.780 with an occasional obedience thrown in, 00:07:50.220 --> 00:07:52.020 really for what other people think, 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:53.500 but you continue to sin, 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:57.139 or is your normal course of life, 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:59.220 obey Jesus, do what I can, 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:03.259 occasionally sin, I confess it, repent, move on. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.800 What's the outlier behavior? 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:07.660 What's norm? 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:08.660 What's the exception? 00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:09.000 What's the exception? 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:11.560 Here's another way to get at it. 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:13.660 What do you want? 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.879 What is the desire of your heart? 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:23.280 Do you desire the holiness and the righteousness 00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:25.879 that adorn God in His presence, 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:27.420 that adorn the life of Jesus, 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:32.759 or do you just want to live a life for yourself? 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:38.659 Now, this opens up to the pastoral gray zone. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:42.039 When a person professes to be a Christian, 00:08:42.839 --> 00:08:46.559 and yet their overall trajectory of their life 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:49.519 is characterized by sinful attitudes and actions, 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.759 it's really confusing. 00:08:53.079 --> 00:08:54.799 You know who it's confusing for? 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:58.879 It's confusing for the Christians and non-Christians 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:00.519 in relationship with that person, 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:03.439 and it's also confusing for the person, 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:08.200 because they know that they are professing something 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:09.240 that they're not living. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:12.560 I happen to think that a Christian 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:14.920 who's professing to be a follower of Jesus, 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.480 who is living a life of disobedience, 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:20.500 is actually the most miserable people person on the planet. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:26.059 And if you find yourself in that gray zone, 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:27.940 where you're saying, 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:32.240 I want to be a Christian, but man, I love sin, 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:35.500 you need to turn. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:38.659 Turn from your sinning. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:40.639 Turn from your idols. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.379 Turn to the living Christ, 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:45.139 and confess Him as Lord, 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:46.899 and find life. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:51.439 Remember, when John is speaking up here, 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:52.699 this making of practice, 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:55.699 he's talking about an ongoing, habitual way of life 00:09:55.699 --> 00:09:57.620 that ends up revealing who you are. 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:01.720 When you remember what God has done for you, 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:04.419 you'll want to be like Christ all the more. 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.939 So let me remind you of the second thing. 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:08.279 Remember that sin is lawlessness. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:11.019 In verse 4, sin is lawlessness. 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.299 And brothers and sisters, 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:15.699 it is far worse than you want to think it is. 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:18.779 Sin means missing the mark. 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:20.819 John Tippmann, this past fall, 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:23.879 showed me how to shoot a crossbow with its arrow. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:24.879 It's called a bolt. 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:29.819 And I spent hours practicing shooting a crossbow 00:10:29.819 --> 00:10:32.840 from different distances from the target. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:34.860 I'm trying to get into the bullseye. 00:10:35.319 --> 00:10:36.139 Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.459 Not once was it dead center. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:41.019 I'm talking hours. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.679 That's missing the mark. 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:48.219 And God calls all human beings everywhere, 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.500 and he holds every human being account 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:53.299 to be every day hitting the mark 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:55.479 of his righteousness, his holiness, 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:57.939 in your attitudes and your actions. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:00.179 But as the scriptures say, 00:11:00.359 --> 00:11:02.500 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:11:02.859 --> 00:11:03.939 Not one of us is righteous. 00:11:04.859 --> 00:11:06.419 Not one of us hits the bullseye. 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:09.419 Did you notice in verse 4 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:11.979 how John equates sin with lawlessness? 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:18.620 Lawlessness is a rejection of God's good, 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:21.519 holy, loving rules. 00:11:23.579 --> 00:11:26.839 We've seen two dramatic examples of that 00:11:26.839 --> 00:11:28.019 over the last several months. 00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:30.659 August, Jacob Blake is shot. 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:35.039 And then from within our city, 00:11:35.219 --> 00:11:38.419 there is this small contingent of people 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:40.399 who just go lawless. 00:11:43.199 --> 00:11:47.319 Hate, chaos, fear, destruction, 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:50.819 death, lawlessness. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:57.220 But it also happened just over a week ago in D.C. 00:11:57.680 --> 00:12:00.520 Another mob storms the U.S. Capitol building, 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.080 and it's lawlessness. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:07.420 Hate, chaos, fear, destruction, death. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:12.160 Now, if you feel like I haven't represented your group 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:15.100 or represented them poorly, 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.980 let me just bring this home a little bit. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:21.060 If you're being honest with yourself, 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:25.800 you will see the same sin in lawlessness 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:28.960 in your own heart. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:34.659 You know what you are capable of. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:38.019 You know what happens in you. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:40.940 You know the hate that can show up in your heart. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:44.680 You know the potential of chaos-making you can do. 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.979 You know the fears. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:53.039 You know the destruction you can bring about. 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:55.379 And you know the death in you. 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:57.699 You've had murderous thoughts. 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:58.599 Be honest. 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:01.279 The fact of the matter is, 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:04.799 we're not too far away from the lawless crowds. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:09.799 And what you must remember is, 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:14.039 the sin and lawlessness are in complete opposition 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:17.819 to a holy, good, loving God 00:13:17.819 --> 00:13:21.199 who gives His law for love and good. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:24.359 Sin is worse than you think, brothers and sisters. 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.979 It's far worse than you think. 00:13:27.099 --> 00:13:28.859 Especially when you realize it's in you. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:32.560 Here's something I want to make sure 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:33.899 you're making the connection of. 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:38.860 Lawlessness is actually lovelessness. 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:42.220 Remember how Jesus, when He showed up 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.539 and He preached the Sermon on the Mount, 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:45.080 Matthew 5, 17, He said, 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.759 I didn't come to abolish the law, 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.639 but to fulfill the law and the prophets. 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:50.980 And then towards the end of Matthew, Matthew 22, 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.899 He's talking to this hotshot lawyer, 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:54.860 and He tells this lawyer 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:58.879 that all of the law and the prophets 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:01.419 depend on just two commandments. 00:14:02.319 --> 00:14:03.959 You can sum up the whole Old Testament 00:14:03.959 --> 00:14:05.000 with two commandments. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:07.620 Love your God with everything you've got 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:09.139 and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.899 The law is fulfilled in love. 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.840 And Jesus embodied it. 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.740 Lawfulness, according to Jesus, 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.980 is obeying all that God commands 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.980 out of a wholehearted commitment 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:26.680 to God and your neighbor. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:31.860 Sin and lawlessness is worse than you think. 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:35.720 It affects our actions and our attitudes. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:40.240 It's a lovelessness towards God and our neighbor. 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:42.659 When you remember what God has done for you in Christ, 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.659 you're not going to want to do that. 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:49.800 So remember, three, who Jesus is. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:53.099 In verses 5, 7, and 8, 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.699 we're told things about Jesus. 00:14:57.339 --> 00:15:01.379 Remember, Jesus is the incarnate opposite 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:03.579 of sin and lawlessness. 00:15:04.479 --> 00:15:07.459 He is the incarnate, the embodiment 00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:11.879 of lawfulness manifest in love for God and others. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:16.000 And Jesus did what no one else could do, 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:18.000 even for an hour. 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.299 Jesus obeyed all of God's commands 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.159 every moment of his life 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.220 out of an all-consuming, 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:29.500 all-governing love for God and his neighbor. 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.279 Did you notice in verse 5? 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.340 In him there is no sin. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.360 Did you notice in verse 7? 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.100 He's the righteous one. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:38.820 Did you notice in verse 8? 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:40.180 He's the son of God. 00:15:40.760 --> 00:15:41.980 He's without sin. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.180 He's full of holiness. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:45.500 And he is fully God and fully man. 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:47.000 God incarnate. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.840 And he's alive today. 00:15:49.520 --> 00:15:51.120 What you must understand 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:53.460 is that as we're talking about 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.180 living lives of righteousness, 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.640 our source, 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:57.940 our standard, 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:59.100 our means, 00:15:59.260 --> 00:16:00.480 and our end 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.480 is Jesus. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:05.820 It's by his righteousness 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:07.500 imputed to us 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.879 the moment we believe 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:10.820 that we are righteous. 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:14.379 And he's the standard. 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:17.779 Jesus is the gold standard 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.879 of practical holiness. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:22.659 We must learn to compare 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.460 and evaluate 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:26.860 our own attitudes and actions 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:29.460 to Jesus. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:34.080 who do you think 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.940 is the standard 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:37.940 of the Christian life? 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.400 Pastors and elders? 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.660 To some extent, 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:43.080 as we emulate Jesus, 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:46.100 do you think you're the standard 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.019 of the Christian life? 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:52.560 Jesus is our gold standard 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.759 of practical holiness, 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.700 of lawfulness 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:57.519 manifest in love. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.939 And we must be constantly 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.159 aligning ourselves 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:02.240 to Jesus. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.180 That's the standard. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.319 Aren't you glad 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:10.059 to see the invisible God 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.740 made known 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.799 throughout the Gospels? 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.900 We can see him. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.779 He's not just the source, 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.319 standard, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.119 he's the means. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.859 We will grow 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.220 in practical, 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.819 everyday holiness 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.519 of attitude and action 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:27.579 as we abide in him. 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:28.420 See that in verse 6? 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.700 No one who abides in him 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.539 keeps on sinning. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.299 This abiding, 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.680 it's a present tense verb 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:37.019 and what it's talking about 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:38.139 is this ongoing, 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.000 dependent, 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.519 life-giving relationship 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.319 we have with Jesus. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.160 Remember, 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:43.980 he's the vine, 00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:44.839 we're the branches. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.460 If we abide in him 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.160 and he in us, 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.200 we will bear much fruit 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.200 but apart from him, 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:50.859 you'll be a jerk 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.259 and you'll be a jerk 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:58.859 as we depend on him, 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.379 who he is, 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.099 what he's done, 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.980 what he will do, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.819 as we remember him, 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:04.879 what God has done 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:05.859 for us in him, 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.960 it's going to juice 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.960 your holiness. 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.279 It's going to give you 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.819 a desire 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:12.039 to want to be like him. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.379 He's also our end. 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.420 The Greeks called it 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.319 telos. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:25.159 He's our aim. 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:28.000 Our practice 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.399 of everyday holiness 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:31.119 is ultimately 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.039 not for us, 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.939 not to us, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.259 oh Lord, 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:33.939 not to us, 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.659 but to your name 00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:36.139 give glory. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.740 I don't say no to sin 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.559 and yes to Jesus 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.859 so that you can pat me 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.519 on my back. 00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:44.059 Look what I've done. 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.859 Our aim is Jesus. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.379 It's for him. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.319 It's for his glory. 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.559 This past week 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.460 I was talking to 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.039 a young lady 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.139 as I had filled out 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.019 a reference for her 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:58.139 and one of the questions 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:59.019 that we were talking about 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:01.279 was how do you grow 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.599 as a Christian 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.339 and her answer 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.339 was on the money. 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:05.659 Read my Bible 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.240 every day, 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:07.500 pray throughout the day, 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.500 share my faith. 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.220 She's legit. 00:19:11.679 --> 00:19:11.980 I'm like, 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.419 amen. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.899 Can you disciple me? 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:17.019 And then I asked her, 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.539 well what's the goal 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.339 of your growing 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.959 as a Christian? 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.439 You know what she said? 00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:25.879 She paused. 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:28.259 Read my Bible 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.759 every day, 00:19:29.639 --> 00:19:30.399 pray throughout the day, 00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.279 share my faith. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.299 That's the goal? 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.599 That's the goal 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.379 of your Bible reading 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:39.879 is to read your Bible? 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.019 It's the goal 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.559 of your praying 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.119 is to pray? 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:45.399 The goal of your 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:45.979 sharing your faith 00:19:45.979 --> 00:19:46.879 is to share your faith? 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:49.159 I didn't say it like that to her. 00:19:52.679 --> 00:19:53.659 I said the goal 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.239 is Jesus. 00:19:56.699 --> 00:19:57.639 Romans 8, 29, 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.399 God is conforming us 00:19:59.399 --> 00:19:59.899 to the image 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.399 of his son. 00:20:01.479 --> 00:20:02.939 2 Corinthians 3, 18, 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.899 as we behold him 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.500 in the scriptures, 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.579 we are being transformed 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.759 from one degree of glory 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.379 to the next 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.639 and that's by the power 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.419 of the Holy Spirit, 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.000 the Lord, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.180 our end game, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.559 our telos 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.660 is Jesus. 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:18.000 And when you see that, 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.599 you remember that, 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.619 it makes you want 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.220 to live for him. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.380 Point number four, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.640 remember why Jesus came. 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.200 Are you feeling 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.420 a little adrift right now? 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.799 Are you feeling like, 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.420 well, you know what, 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:35.220 I'm kind of measuring 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:37.100 my works of righteousness 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:38.259 and my works of sin 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.060 like my practice? 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:41.180 I'm not really excited 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.720 about this. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:45.140 Remember why Jesus appeared. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.279 In verses five 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.980 and verse eight, 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:51.259 the word appeared 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.519 appears twice. 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.019 Last week, 00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:57.340 John showed us 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:59.180 he appealed to the 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.620 future appearings 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.960 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:03.880 to juice our present 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.819 obedience to Jesus. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.880 And here, 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.940 John is appealing 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.740 to the 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.980 first 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.799 appearings 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.299 of Jesus. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.799 Side note, 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.140 we live between 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.940 the appearings 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.380 of Jesus. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.900 His first 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.400 appearing 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.319 inaugurated 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.480 the saving reign 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.019 of God 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.980 and his 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.740 second 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.299 appearing 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:27.720 will 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.980 consummate it. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:32.120 bring it home. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.099 And notice 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.339 how John ties 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.039 this 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.839 first 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.620 appearing 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:39.660 talked in 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:41.240 verse five 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.380 to purpose. 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:44.559 You know 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.539 that he 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.440 appeared 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.900 in order 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.400 to 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.500 take away 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.779 sins. 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.240 That's 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.519 a purpose 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.140 clause 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:54.380 in order 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.059 to take away 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.420 sins. 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.539 He appeared 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.759 the first time 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.140 to take 00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.599 away 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.379 sins. 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.259 To take 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.740 away the 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.220 penalty 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.940 of sins 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.539 through his 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:06.859 death. 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.200 To bear 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.039 the wrath 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.379 of God 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:09.720 that was 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.059 intended 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.500 for you. 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.039 Remember, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.640 did you hear me 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.319 when I said 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.220 he is our 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.079 propitiation? 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.900 Jesus was the 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.700 perfect sacrifice 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.740 that endured 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.859 all of God's 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.500 wrath in 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.240 its full 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.240 for any 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.960 sinner who 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.500 would come 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.440 and confess 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.140 him as 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.599 their Savior 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.160 and Lord. 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:27.779 He came 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.259 to take 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.560 away 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.400 sins 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.259 by his 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.460 death. 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:31.820 And not 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.340 just that, 00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:33.300 he came 00:22:33.300 --> 00:22:33.720 away to 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.080 take 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:34.700 not just 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.220 the penalty 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.620 of sin 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.340 but the 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.400 power 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.060 of sin. 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.360 He broke 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:39.660 it 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:42.580 when he 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.279 was raised 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.759 from the 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.120 dead. 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:45.820 He 00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:46.920 demonstrated 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.100 that he 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.960 was victorious 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.880 and more 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.519 powerful 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.600 than sin, 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.180 death, 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.620 and the 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:52.860 devil. 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:54.719 And you've 00:22:54.719 --> 00:22:55.439 been united 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.039 to Christ 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.399 in his 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:56.740 death and 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.240 resurrection, 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.419 therefore sin 00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:58.819 has no 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.559 mastery over 00:22:59.559 --> 00:22:59.919 you. 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.000 Romans 6, 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.559 1-14. 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.139 Do you know 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.339 what this 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:03.579 means? 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.479 There is 00:23:05.479 --> 00:23:06.079 no 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:07.619 Christian, 00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:09.259 genuine 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.959 Christian on 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:10.659 the face of 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.359 this planet 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.359 that can 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.339 ever claim 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.839 they are 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.779 helpless 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:16.139 to sin. 00:23:18.219 --> 00:23:18.779 They've been 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.279 united to 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:19.879 Christ in his 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.199 death and 00:23:20.199 --> 00:23:20.619 resurrection. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.319 The Spirit 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.740 of God 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.479 indwells 00:23:22.479 --> 00:23:22.799 them. 00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:23.500 You think 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.439 he's not 00:23:25.439 --> 00:23:26.240 powerful 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.659 enough? 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.559 And there's 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:30.899 more. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.059 Jesus came 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.399 to take 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.779 away the 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.619 very presence 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.000 of sin. 00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:35.519 His death 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.339 and resurrection 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:38.339 inaugurated a 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.799 sin eradication 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:41.159 campaign that 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:42.219 will be fulfilled 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:42.959 at his second 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:43.319 coming. 00:23:46.719 --> 00:23:47.319 Jesus' 00:23:47.659 --> 00:23:48.479 first appearing 00:23:48.479 --> 00:23:50.500 was to 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.119 eradicate 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.899 sin and 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.399 sin. 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.559 Not to 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.299 spin off 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.759 a sin 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.579 toleration 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.259 campaign. 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.919 Not to 00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:58.819 spin off 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.519 a sin 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.359 permissiveness 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.139 campaign. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.379 Not to 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.199 spin off 00:24:03.199 --> 00:24:04.219 a sin 00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:05.139 excusing 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.819 campaign. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.699 Not to 00:24:06.699 --> 00:24:07.439 spin off 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:08.679 a presumption 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.439 on God's 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:09.919 grace 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.699 campaign. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.139 So if your 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.559 habitual 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.579 practice right 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.599 now is to 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.539 preserve and 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.559 multiply sins, 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.519 you've got to 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.339 know you're 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.099 at cross 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.339 purposes with 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:22.799 the risen, 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.359 reigning, 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.139 and radiant 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.240 Jesus Christ. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.139 Jesus is the 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.720 Son of God 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:31.039 in whom there's 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.559 no sin. 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.159 He is the 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:32.759 righteous one 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.059 and he 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.740 appeared in 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.119 order to 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.740 die for 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.259 sinful, 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.139 lawless, 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:36.859 unrighteous 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.579 folks like you 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.399 and me so 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:39.019 that we 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.899 could live in 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.419 the freedom 00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:42.240 from the 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.980 penalty of sin, 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.539 the power 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:43.839 of sin 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.160 and one 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.460 day its 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:44.900 presence. 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.339 Remember in 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.440 verse 4 there 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.000 was this 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.180 equating of 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.960 sin and 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.539 lawlessness? 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.660 Well, between 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:57.039 verses 5 and 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.900 8 there's this 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.740 other kind of 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.759 soft parallel. 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.500 Jesus appeared 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.039 to take away 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.880 sins in 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:04.019 verse 5 and 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.920 in verse 8 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.940 Jesus appeared 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.880 to destroy the 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.579 works of the 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:07.779 devil. 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.000 Do you think 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.539 about your 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.519 sins as kind 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.039 of like the 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.579 works of the 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.000 devil of 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.740 lining up with 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.120 that guy? 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.319 The devil has 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:20.880 been sinning 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.240 from the 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.759 beginning and 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.480 yet Jesus, 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.039 there is no 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.880 sin in him. 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.660 He's the 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.279 righteous one. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.579 So is your 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.759 ongoing practice, 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.160 your attitudes 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.559 and your actions 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.539 ongoingly, 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.079 are they 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.160 supporting the 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:39.620 love-driven 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:41.620 sin eradication 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.339 campaign of 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:42.620 Jesus? 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.279 or is it 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.859 supporting 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.380 unloving, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.519 sin-promoting 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.140 works of the 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.359 devil? 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.980 Which team are 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.279 you playing 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:53.559 for? 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.599 Who's your 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:54.859 captain? 00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:58.599 Uh, you 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:58.859 know, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:01.200 it's pretty 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.700 close. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.640 The devil, 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.500 Jesus, 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.839 Jesus, 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:09.380 I love sin, 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.460 righteousness, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:14.420 I'd rather 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:16.140 laugh when the 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.600 sinners than 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:17.100 cry with the 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.460 saints. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.740 Do you 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.240 remember what 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.940 happens to the 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.160 devil? 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.000 Revelation 20, 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.920 Jesus returns, 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.559 he cleans the 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.980 clock of the 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:31.620 hosts of the 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:31.900 devil, 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.420 and then the 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.279 devil is grabbed 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.779 and tossed into 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.779 the second death, 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.720 the lake of fire, 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:37.759 fire, 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.460 where, 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.279 and I quote, 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.839 he will be 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.120 tormented night 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.180 and day forever. 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:45.019 He came to 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:47.019 destroy the 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:49.100 works of the 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:49.420 devil. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.519 devil. 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.860 There's no 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.380 comparison. 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.180 When you 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:59.360 remember what 00:26:59.360 --> 00:26:59.880 God has done 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.400 for you in 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:02.940 Jesus, you 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.960 will want to 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.740 live for Jesus 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.380 all the more. 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.960 Remember who 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.440 you are. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.100 In verses 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.860 8, 9, and 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.800 10, we have 00:27:11.800 --> 00:27:12.720 this contrast. 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.539 Verses 7 and 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.039 8, there's this 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.140 contrast between 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.519 the children of 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.180 God who practice 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.000 righteousness and 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.440 the children of 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.380 the devil who 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.519 keep on sinning. 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.700 We see it in 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.319 verse 10. 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.240 By this, it is 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.859 evident who are 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.339 the children of 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.859 God and who are 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.460 the children of 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.019 the devil. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.900 You've got this 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.920 contrast, and the 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.339 difference is 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:33.000 obedience, but it's 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.180 a deeper difference. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:35.980 Do you know what 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.920 makes the difference 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.940 between a child of 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.700 God and a child of 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.000 the devil? 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.680 Look at verse 9. 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.599 No one born of 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.200 God makes a 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.140 practice of sinning 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:48.120 for God's seed 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.420 abides in him. 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.900 And he cannot 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.620 keep on sinning 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.220 because he has 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.860 been born of 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.140 God. 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.280 The difference 00:27:55.280 --> 00:27:55.960 between a child 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.800 of God and a 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:57.200 child of the 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:58.440 devil is whether 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.020 or not someone 00:27:59.020 --> 00:28:00.259 has God's seed 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.200 abiding in them. 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:01.940 So the question 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.840 becomes, what is 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.440 God's seed? 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:05.080 And classically, 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:06.960 option one is 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.060 God's seed is the 00:28:08.060 --> 00:28:08.920 implanted word of 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.759 God, the gospel, 00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:11.960 1 Peter 1, 22, 23, 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:12.560 and 25. 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.280 That's right on. 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:18.140 Or, option two, 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:21.020 this God's seed is 00:28:21.020 --> 00:28:23.180 the Holy Spirit, of 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.900 whom we just saw 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.680 a reference to in 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:26.259 227, the anointing. 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.680 It's this same 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.500 writer, John, 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.080 recounts Jesus' 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:32.700 meeting with 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.700 Nicodemus in John 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.000 3. 00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:34.360 Do you remember 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:34.620 this? 00:28:35.800 --> 00:28:36.840 Nicodemus, how do I 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.180 be born? 00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:37.960 I have to be born 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.220 again? 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:38.500 What? 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.180 And Jesus goes 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.020 on to explain the 00:28:42.020 --> 00:28:43.560 agent of the new 00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:44.259 birth, of 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.120 regeneration, of 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.959 being born again, 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.779 is the Holy Spirit. 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:48.439 Just as the wind 00:28:48.439 --> 00:28:49.159 blows wherever it 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:51.219 wills, so does the 00:28:51.219 --> 00:28:51.459 Spirit. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.879 Titus 3, 4 speaks of 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:57.299 the regeneration of 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.719 the Spirit. 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:01.059 Galatians 4, Romans 5 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:03.000 speak of God's 00:29:03.739 --> 00:29:05.000 Spirit indwelling 00:29:05.719 --> 00:29:07.000 Christians bearing 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:09.059 witness to our 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.799 inner beings that we 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.879 are children of God, 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.740 God by which we call 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:15.280 out, Abba, Father. 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.700 And in both 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:18.600 contexts, it shows up 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.460 in the way you live 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:19.900 your life. 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:22.500 Galatians 5, Romans 8, 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.760 13, put to death 00:29:23.760 --> 00:29:24.940 sin in you. 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:29.100 Well, I'm showing my 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.300 hand. 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.620 I lean towards this 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:31.300 being a reference, 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.300 God's seed to the 00:29:32.300 --> 00:29:32.860 Holy Spirit. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.380 But you know what? 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:33.880 We don't have to 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.880 decide between the two. 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:40.440 God's seed is God's 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:44.020 gracious, undeserved, 00:29:44.540 --> 00:29:46.020 pouring out of the 00:29:46.020 --> 00:29:48.060 Holy Spirit into a 00:29:48.060 --> 00:29:49.760 sinner's heart that 00:29:49.760 --> 00:29:51.720 inclines their heart to 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.820 God's Word to believe 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:59.420 and trust and obey. 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:03.900 God's seed is this 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:05.519 supernatural work of 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.560 God's grace that 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:08.620 transforms a child of 00:30:08.620 --> 00:30:10.019 the devil into a 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.620 child of God. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.920 We all used to be 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.800 children of the devil 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:15.380 following the course 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.960 of the Spirit of 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.740 this age. 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.140 Did you notice the 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.920 strong language in 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.420 3, 9? 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.420 We read, for God's 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.220 seed abides in him 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.759 and he cannot keep 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.640 on sinning. 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:34.839 If God's Spirit 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:37.720 indwells you, if the 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:39.360 third person of the 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:41.180 Trinity takes up 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:44.220 residence in you, he 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.799 will not allow you to 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:49.319 grow callous or casual 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:53.319 or comfortable with 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:55.019 the sin that Jesus 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:57.240 came to take away 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.000 and destroy. 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:02.620 Galatians 5, 16 and 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.660 17, walk by the 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.180 Spirit and you will 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.799 not carry out the 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.440 desires of the 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.799 flesh. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.380 The desires of the 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:09.039 flesh are opposed to 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.900 the desires of the 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.200 Spirit. 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.980 Spirit opposes the 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.680 desires of the 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:12.900 flesh. 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.200 Why? 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.440 So that you do not 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.279 do the sinful things 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:15.960 you want to do. 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.160 How do you respond 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.559 to this? 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:22.799 If you're not a 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:24.440 Christian, if you're 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.319 hearing these words 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.799 and you're like, 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:28.740 that's not me, that's 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:31.940 a kindness, now you 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:36.220 can run to Jesus and 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:38.159 say, Jesus, I confess 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.839 you as my Savior and 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.339 Lord. 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.500 Give me the life in 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:42.779 you. 00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:45.180 And he's going to call 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.259 you to follow him all 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.099 the days of your life. 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:49.659 It's a joy to follow 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.000 Jesus. 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.699 And if you're a 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:56.240 Christian and you are 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.879 within earshot of 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:59.959 these words and you're 00:31:59.959 --> 00:32:01.619 becoming aware of the 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:03.000 sin in you that 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.419 opposes Christ, 00:32:05.419 --> 00:32:06.779 that's good. 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:09.099 That's the Spirit of 00:32:09.099 --> 00:32:09.980 God at work in you, 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.219 conforming you to the 00:32:12.219 --> 00:32:13.319 image of Jesus. 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.159 And so what you do 00:32:15.159 --> 00:32:16.259 is you confess it, 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.159 you repent of it, 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.879 and you enlist the 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.359 help of other 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.259 Christians to help you 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.379 live for Jesus. 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.220 You know what the 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.960 real test is? 00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:23.339 The real test is this. 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.759 When you become aware 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.980 of your sin, how do 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.559 you respond? 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:30.000 Do you hide it? 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:32.000 Or do you bring it 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.500 into the light? 00:32:34.439 --> 00:32:35.139 Confess it to the 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:35.339 Lord. 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.579 Find forgiveness in 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.159 Jesus again. 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.559 When you remember who 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:40.819 you are, what God has 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:42.379 done, that you are a 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:43.900 child of God, born of 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.920 the Spirit, to be made 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:48.240 like Jesus, it makes 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.020 you want to be like 00:32:49.020 --> 00:32:49.340 Jesus. 00:32:53.780 --> 00:32:55.900 Sixth, remember what the 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:57.080 evidence points to. 00:32:58.060 --> 00:32:59.060 In verse 10 we read, 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.700 by this it is evident who 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.460 are the children of God 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.180 and who are the children 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.780 of the devil. 00:33:04.040 --> 00:33:06.140 This is your life. 00:33:07.760 --> 00:33:08.880 How you're conducting 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.580 your life. 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.600 It's the evidence. 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:14.860 It reveals whose child 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:15.280 you are. 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.840 God, child of God, or 00:33:16.840 --> 00:33:18.000 child of the devil. 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.840 Who you are determines 00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:22.220 how you live, and how you 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.960 live evidences who you 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.280 are. 00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:30.100 For people who know both 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:31.660 me and my dad, Steve 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:34.260 Salvati, we regularly get 00:33:34.260 --> 00:33:36.080 comments about how we share 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:37.240 his likeness. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.279 I look like my dad. 00:33:41.179 --> 00:33:43.059 Similar body frames and 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.740 head shapes. 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:46.960 I talk like my dad. 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:49.059 He's got some great words 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.879 that I like to use. 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.759 I laugh like my dad. 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.419 In fact, we share a lot of 00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:55.000 the same humor. 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:58.539 I work like my dad. 00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:02.379 My dad imparted to me a work 00:34:02.379 --> 00:34:02.759 ethic. 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:04.559 I'm so grateful for him. 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:07.799 I recreate like my dad. 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:10.599 I cut loose in the same way 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.260 he cuts loose. 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.599 I've become like my father. 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:18.019 And when I'm around other 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.280 people who know both of us, 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.619 I regularly hear, you are 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.860 truly your father's son. 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.380 Some of it's DNA. 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:29.320 Some of it I've learned. 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:33.500 Some of it's not perfect. 00:34:36.100 --> 00:34:37.180 But I welcome it. 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.680 I welcome the compliment. 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.820 I want to be like my dad. 00:34:42.160 --> 00:34:44.620 I want to be more like my 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.400 heavenly father. 00:34:47.580 --> 00:34:49.059 Just as the life of Jesus, 00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:51.460 the righteous one, holiness 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:53.700 incarnate, evidenced the 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:55.720 unseen God who is holy, 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:58.459 our lives, 00:34:58.859 --> 00:34:59.599 evidence, 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:02.839 our holy father too. 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.239 We want to be like him. 00:35:05.879 --> 00:35:07.639 We want to strive after 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:08.159 holiness. 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:10.899 He wants us to share in his 00:35:10.899 --> 00:35:13.079 holiness because he loves us 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:14.339 and wants good for us. 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:17.339 So, do you bear the family 00:35:17.339 --> 00:35:18.059 likeness? 00:35:19.839 --> 00:35:21.439 Are you becoming more like him? 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.559 Maybe you're a Christian and 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.219 you're discouraged. 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:26.440 You're more aware of your 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:28.159 sin than you are of God's 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.239 good work in you. 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:32.779 Imagine an 11-year-old boy 00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:34.360 playing with a red yo-yo. 00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:42.420 Many, many Christians think 00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:44.179 of their following of Jesus 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:44.940 like the yo-yo. 00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:47.579 They're more aware of when 00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:49.139 they're on a downstroke of 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:51.420 disobedience and then they're 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.699 aware of their upstroke of 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:55.099 obedience and that's their 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.519 life. 00:35:58.339 --> 00:36:01.059 But just imagine that 11-year-old 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:02.439 boy with a red yo-yo. 00:36:03.439 --> 00:36:05.059 Up and down it goes. 00:36:06.139 --> 00:36:07.679 But that 11-year-old starts 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:09.759 climbing a flight of stairs. 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:13.659 That yo-yo, even though it's 00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:15.879 going up and down, is 00:36:15.879 --> 00:36:16.480 ascending. 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:22.699 Many Christians are unaware of 00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:24.320 the work of God in them, 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:28.340 slowly transforming them into 00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:31.280 the image of Jesus because 00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:32.579 they're more aware that they're 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.800 on a downstroke. 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:39.699 But lo and behold, every 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:41.880 Christian is fixed to the right 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.539 hand of God. 00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:44.960 He will never let you go 00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:47.400 even when you come to the end 00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:48.059 of your rope. 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:52.659 This is reasons why we run in 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:53.900 packs, brothers and sisters. 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:58.500 When other Christians can speak 00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:59.880 into your life and say, you've 00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.659 made progress. 00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:02.019 You're different than you were a 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.440 year ago. 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:04.259 You treasure Jesus more. 00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:05.340 You obey Him more. 00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.960 You're trying to multiply your life 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.279 for Him. 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.900 You are giving yourself and 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.840 belonging to one another. 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:14.500 When you realize, when you 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.680 remember what God has done for 00:37:15.680 --> 00:37:17.400 you in Christ, it makes you 00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:19.320 want to be like Christ all the 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:21.360 more and run with a pack of 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:22.680 people who are wanting to be 00:37:22.680 --> 00:37:23.820 like Christ too. 00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:29.079 The last remembrance. 00:37:30.220 --> 00:37:31.559 Remember, do not be deceived. 00:37:32.160 --> 00:37:32.660 Verse 7. 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:35.600 Little children, let no one 00:37:35.600 --> 00:37:36.140 deceive you. 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:39.659 The devil's been around for a 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:41.119 long time and he's been sinning 00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:41.779 from the beginning. 00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:44.699 He's been deceiving from the 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.019 beginning. 00:37:47.139 --> 00:37:48.659 Distorting the truth of God's 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:48.980 word. 00:37:49.839 --> 00:37:51.679 Confusing what obedience is. 00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:56.639 Don't be deceived into thinking 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:58.299 that your practice of 00:37:58.299 --> 00:38:00.339 righteousness doesn't matter. 00:38:01.139 --> 00:38:01.900 Don't be deceived. 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:04.019 Do you know who it matters to 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.320 most? 00:38:05.579 --> 00:38:06.300 Your God. 00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.820 Your Holy Father. 00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:10.980 He says, be holy for I am 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.259 holy. 00:38:11.780 --> 00:38:13.480 Jesus, this is how serious God 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:13.840 takes it. 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:16.980 Jesus died for you so that you 00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:19.059 could live a holy life unto God. 00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:21.940 We don't live holy lives unto God 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:23.320 in order to be saved. 00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:25.880 We've been saved by God's grace 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:28.739 to live holy lives for the glory 00:38:28.739 --> 00:38:29.199 of Jesus. 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:32.099 Don't be deceived into thinking 00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:33.960 that your practice of righteousness 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.779 doesn't matter. 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:37.920 It matters to your God. 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.839 Don't be deceived into thinking 00:38:41.839 --> 00:38:43.579 that what happens in private and 00:38:43.579 --> 00:38:45.039 what happens in public are two 00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:45.880 different domains. 00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:48.139 That's a lie. 00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:51.199 And here's how we know it. 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:53.259 From God's perspective, he sees 00:38:53.259 --> 00:38:53.739 everything. 00:38:55.199 --> 00:38:57.839 There are no domains from God's 00:38:57.839 --> 00:38:58.059 sight. 00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:59.299 There's nothing hiding. 00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:01.800 You know that from Proverbs 15.3. 00:39:02.700 --> 00:39:04.380 So if you think you're committing 00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:06.220 secret sin, you're not. 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.680 God sees it plainly. 00:39:10.760 --> 00:39:12.180 Don't be deceived into thinking 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:15.420 that settling for a nominal degree 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:20.039 of common righteousness is okay. 00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.920 Many of us are looking around at 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:25.940 other people, other Christians, 00:39:26.080 --> 00:39:28.780 and you're like, well, I'm better 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.200 than him. 00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:33.000 Oh, man, only if I can be more 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:34.640 like that guy or that gal. 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:39.160 Sometimes we just all agree to a 00:39:39.160 --> 00:39:42.300 common level of righteousness, 00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:43.960 which is good enough. 00:39:50.760 --> 00:39:52.160 Jesus is the source. 00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:53.900 He's the standard. 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:55.440 He's the means. 00:39:55.440 --> 00:39:57.860 And he is the telos of our 00:39:57.860 --> 00:39:58.300 righteousness. 00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:01.380 Paul said in Philippians 14, 00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:04.179 I press on toward the goal for the 00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:06.860 prize for the upward call of God in 00:40:06.860 --> 00:40:07.720 Christ Jesus. 00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:11.480 Paul said, for me to live is Christ. 00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:13.760 Don't settle. 00:40:16.159 --> 00:40:17.800 Don't settle for ordinary 00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.400 righteousness. 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:24.039 your aim is Jesus. 00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:29.139 And don't be deceived by the world. 00:40:31.740 --> 00:40:34.800 Seriously, the world are those 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:37.300 unregenerate men and women who are 00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:39.000 living lives in opposition to God. 00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:42.380 The church are those blood-bought men 00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:44.800 and women born of God's spirit who are 00:40:44.800 --> 00:40:46.400 seeking to live lives of obedience. 00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:49.539 Are you really going to take your 00:40:49.539 --> 00:40:52.100 cues of how to live your life from 00:40:52.100 --> 00:40:53.380 people who don't know God? 00:41:00.060 --> 00:41:01.160 Don't be deceived. 00:41:02.160 --> 00:41:04.900 If you're being called a prude because 00:41:04.900 --> 00:41:06.580 you're taking God's word to heart, 00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:08.560 forget about it. 00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:11.059 Obey your Lord. 00:41:13.759 --> 00:41:15.159 Don't give in. 00:41:16.519 --> 00:41:18.820 Stop listening to them. 00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:22.820 Tune your ear to your Jesus. 00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:27.199 Make it your aim to please your God 00:41:27.199 --> 00:41:28.099 above all. 00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:33.099 But when you remember what God has done 00:41:33.099 --> 00:41:34.619 for you in Christ, 00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:39.699 you will want to live for Christ 00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:40.599 all the more. 00:41:42.819 --> 00:41:44.539 I've given you seven remembrances, 00:41:44.719 --> 00:41:45.440 brothers and sisters. 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:49.900 Is the Holy Spirit doing a convicting 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.880 work in you this morning? 00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:51.920 Welcome it. 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:53.539 Yes! 00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:55.480 Make me like Jesus 00:41:55.480 --> 00:41:58.259 in attitude and action. 00:41:58.260 --> 00:42:00.080 I am making progress 00:42:00.080 --> 00:42:01.800 up those stairs 00:42:01.800 --> 00:42:03.160 of Christ-likeness 00:42:03.160 --> 00:42:04.940 even when I am more aware 00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:06.920 of my yo-yo being on a downstroke. 00:42:08.960 --> 00:42:09.960 Do your work. 00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:14.220 What God has done for us in Christ, 00:42:15.220 --> 00:42:17.080 it compels us 00:42:17.080 --> 00:42:20.040 to live lives of Christ-likeness 00:42:20.040 --> 00:42:22.500 in present, ongoing, 00:42:23.100 --> 00:42:24.740 decision after decision. 00:42:24.980 --> 00:42:26.220 You will not regret that 00:42:26.220 --> 00:42:27.320 when you stand before Him. 00:42:28.260 --> 00:42:28.960 Let's pray. 00:42:30.640 --> 00:42:31.460 God in heaven, 00:42:33.200 --> 00:42:34.160 God in heaven, 00:42:34.380 --> 00:42:35.760 we ask by Your Spirit 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:37.860 that You would do a thorough work. 00:42:38.300 --> 00:42:39.500 Cleanse Your house. 00:42:41.520 --> 00:42:43.200 Purify us as You are pure. 00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:45.360 Make us righteousness. 00:42:45.720 --> 00:42:47.060 Give us a taste 00:42:47.060 --> 00:42:48.800 for divine holiness. 00:42:50.860 --> 00:42:52.260 Help us not to settle. 00:42:53.800 --> 00:42:55.540 God, set us apart 00:42:55.540 --> 00:42:57.540 from everyone else. 00:42:57.539 --> 00:42:59.579 Make us the light 00:42:59.579 --> 00:43:00.579 that we are. 00:43:02.239 --> 00:43:03.779 Restore our saltiness. 00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:06.800 Renew our brilliance 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:09.679 by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:43:10.579 --> 00:43:11.559 In the name of Jesus. 00:43:12.639 --> 00:43:12.940 Amen.