WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:04.339 What kind of goals do you have for yourself? 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:08.179 Now I'm going to guess a lot of people in this room, 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:11.679 we have financial goals. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:14.519 Some people, your goals to get out of debt 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:16.359 maybe this year or as soon as possible. 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:19.320 Some people have goals related to retirement. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:23.260 And that is, that's good. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:28.039 It is good to have financial goals. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:32.839 What would be bad is if that's the only kind of goal you have. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:40.140 We need to have career goals, educational goals. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:50.920 We need to have goals as the kind of husband or wife or parent 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:52.899 God wants me to be. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:57.859 The kind of child living with your parents 00:00:57.859 --> 00:01:00.280 that God wants you to be. 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:03.479 It's good to have goals 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:06.760 about a lot of different areas of our lives. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:08.239 But I want to ask you, 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:12.939 what are your goals specifically as a Christian? 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:17.760 What is it that you want God to do in you? 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:22.620 What is it you are praying and asking God to help you to be, 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:24.340 what are your goals for you to do? 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:28.600 We've been looking now since the first Sunday in January 00:01:28.600 --> 00:01:32.060 at God's goals for us. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:37.340 Really the Bible is filled with God's goals for His people. 00:01:38.300 --> 00:01:40.800 Now, we're looking at it, 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:43.040 Colossians chapter 3, 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:45.180 verses 1 through 17. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:47.480 We're looking at it under a big topic. 00:01:48.100 --> 00:01:48.860 You see on the screen, 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:50.300 God's goals for you 00:01:50.300 --> 00:01:53.820 are never just for the year, 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:55.840 like a New Year's resolution or a New Year's goal. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:58.400 God's goals for you this hour, 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:00.460 this day, 00:02:01.360 --> 00:02:02.200 this year, 00:02:02.740 --> 00:02:04.380 and on and on as long as we live. 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:07.200 This study is really about 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:09.080 developing Christ-like character, 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.420 which is God's number one goal for us. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:15.140 I put it on the screen just about every week. 00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:16.180 I'm going to do it again today 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:17.820 because we need to understand 00:02:17.820 --> 00:02:20.320 what God is doing in our lives if we're Christians. 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:24.000 For those whom He foreknew, 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:29.460 set His heart on in a favorable way. 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:31.780 Very similar to the word chosen. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:33.660 For those whom He foreknew, 00:02:33.980 --> 00:02:35.820 He also predestined 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:40.180 to be conformed to the image of His Son. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:43.739 This is what God's doing in every Christian's life. 00:02:44.359 --> 00:02:45.719 He is working in our lives 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:48.019 through every kind of situation possible, 00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:50.280 through the people in our lives. 00:02:50.959 --> 00:02:52.639 He's working through the good times and the bad 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:55.759 to shape and mold us into the likeness of His Son. 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:57.639 And I like to think of it in terms of us 00:02:57.639 --> 00:02:59.719 developing Christ-like character. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:01.879 Well, Colossians 3 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.639 helps us to see some of the ways 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:05.679 God works in us 00:03:05.679 --> 00:03:07.500 to accomplish this. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:09.459 We've looked at this passage, 00:03:09.559 --> 00:03:10.779 verses 1 through 17, 00:03:11.619 --> 00:03:13.859 in terms of three goals God has for us. 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:14.419 Number one, 00:03:14.779 --> 00:03:17.039 be mindful of who you are in Christ. 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:18.699 I'll remind you one more time. 00:03:19.279 --> 00:03:21.099 This whole series is designed 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:22.479 for Christians. 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:26.459 We have to, 00:03:26.579 --> 00:03:28.560 for this to make sense, 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:29.319 to work. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:32.379 We have to be united to Christ 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:33.079 by faith. 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:35.620 We have to be one with Him. 00:03:36.259 --> 00:03:37.299 And we need to know 00:03:37.299 --> 00:03:38.639 who we are in Christ. 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:40.620 That's what 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:41.879 verses 1 through 4 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:42.460 is all about. 00:03:42.859 --> 00:03:43.579 The second goal, 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:44.979 don't be who you are 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:46.060 apart from Christ. 00:03:47.859 --> 00:03:49.519 We still have a sinful nature. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:52.439 We have sinful desires. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:53.500 We are tempted. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:56.340 And what we need to understand 00:03:56.340 --> 00:03:57.560 is who we are in Christ. 00:03:57.560 --> 00:03:59.759 We can resist any temptation. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:01.620 In fact, 00:04:01.699 --> 00:04:03.039 we're told in this passage, 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:04.300 verses 5 through 10, 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:06.020 to put off 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:08.879 sinful habits 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:09.879 and desires. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:12.420 And then in goal number three, 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:15.379 put on some things. 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:16.399 Look at goal number three. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:17.579 Become more like Christ 00:04:17.579 --> 00:04:18.120 every day. 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:21.840 This is how we put on 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:24.879 Christ-like character qualities 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.279 with the grace God gives us 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:27.759 to do that. 00:04:28.719 --> 00:04:29.719 We're going to conclude 00:04:29.719 --> 00:04:30.500 goal number three 00:04:30.500 --> 00:04:31.120 this morning 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:32.339 by looking at how 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:33.480 we can become like Christ 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:34.259 every day. 00:04:34.819 --> 00:04:35.699 We've already looked 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:36.120 at the fact 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:36.800 that if we're united 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:37.839 to Christ by faith, 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:39.139 we are 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:41.100 God's special people. 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:42.600 In verse 12, 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:43.620 let me remind you, 00:04:43.939 --> 00:04:44.620 God declares 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:45.480 that we are, 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.659 or Paul declares 00:04:46.659 --> 00:04:47.060 that we are 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:48.540 God's chosen one. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:52.139 God's chosen people 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:52.879 from the foundation 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:53.279 of the world 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:53.919 we looked at 00:04:53.919 --> 00:04:54.939 a few weeks ago. 00:04:56.119 --> 00:04:57.979 We are chosen people. 00:04:58.299 --> 00:04:59.179 We are holy people. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:00.279 God has chosen us 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:00.559 as His 00:05:00.559 --> 00:05:01.739 and set us aside, 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:02.639 set us apart, 00:05:03.059 --> 00:05:03.899 different from everybody 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:04.479 else in the world 00:05:04.479 --> 00:05:05.179 who's not a Christian. 00:05:06.119 --> 00:05:07.259 And we are beloved. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:09.079 We are dearly loved 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:09.879 by God 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:12.000 as His people 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.619 united to Christ. 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.039 Now most of the passage 00:05:16.039 --> 00:05:17.019 that we're looking at now, 00:05:17.979 --> 00:05:19.719 verses 11 through 17, 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:22.399 most of this passage 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:23.199 encourages us 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.139 to actually live 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:25.479 like God's special people. 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:27.979 We can do that. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:29.839 You and I, 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:30.379 if we're Christians, 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:31.479 we can live 00:05:31.479 --> 00:05:32.939 like God's special people 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:33.939 because when God 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:34.560 saved us, 00:05:34.599 --> 00:05:35.379 He put His Spirit 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:36.000 in us. 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:37.899 And we've looked at this 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:39.519 over the years, 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:40.120 we've looked at this 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:40.979 a lot of times. 00:05:41.979 --> 00:05:42.759 If you're a Christian, 00:05:42.859 --> 00:05:43.500 the Spirit of God 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.279 indwells you 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:45.179 and He gives you 00:05:45.179 --> 00:05:45.919 the desire 00:05:45.919 --> 00:05:46.799 and the ability 00:05:46.799 --> 00:05:47.479 to live a life 00:05:47.479 --> 00:05:48.419 that pleases God. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:49.780 And some of the things 00:05:49.780 --> 00:05:50.420 we're looking at 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:51.740 in Colossians chapter 3 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:53.300 helps us to understand 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:54.720 what it takes 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:55.960 to please God 00:05:55.960 --> 00:05:57.759 as His children. 00:05:58.340 --> 00:05:59.240 We've already seen 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:00.500 that it begins with love. 00:06:00.640 --> 00:06:01.720 Look at this real quickly. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:03.460 Let the love of Christ 00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:04.220 fill you. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:05.460 That was the heading 00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:06.720 we gave to what we see 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:08.680 in verses 11 through 14 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.819 that we've already covered. 00:06:10.020 --> 00:06:10.580 So let me just hit 00:06:10.580 --> 00:06:11.400 the highlights here. 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:12.319 Number one, 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:13.379 love will motivate us 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:14.480 to live in unity 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.240 with one another. 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:17.660 in spite of our differences 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:18.480 and just look around, 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:19.560 we're very different. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.560 But if we are children of God, 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:23.519 we're brothers and sisters 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:24.160 in Christ 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:26.540 and we can live like Him. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:28.280 Love will motivate us 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:29.079 to be gracious 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:30.079 with one another. 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:32.379 Look at Colossians 3, 12 there. 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:34.160 What that means. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:37.920 We'll show compassion. 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:38.900 We'll show kindness. 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:39.900 We'll show patience. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:41.980 We'll do things like that. 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:43.259 Love will compel us 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:44.620 to treat one another this way. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:46.259 Love will motivate us 00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:47.840 to bear with one another. 00:06:48.840 --> 00:06:50.420 Put up with one another. 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:52.620 Some people in here 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:53.620 are hard to deal with, 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:54.759 hard to live with. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:59.160 Some of us, 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:00.680 more of us than we think 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:02.139 are hard to deal with. 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:04.980 Now, number four, 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:06.600 love will motivate us 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.740 to forgive one another 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:08.840 in the same way 00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:09.959 that God forgives us. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:11.019 That's what we looked at 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:12.980 in detail last week. 00:07:12.980 --> 00:07:15.040 What I want us to see 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:15.540 at the outset 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:16.920 is loving one another 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:18.620 is the number one way 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:21.160 we live like God's special people. 00:07:22.400 --> 00:07:23.939 Jesus said we are to be known 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:25.120 by the love that we have 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:25.900 for one another. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:27.480 But, 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.460 this is not all Paul says 00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:30.220 in this passage 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:30.860 when he talks about 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.680 living like God's special people. 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:33.939 Let's move on now. 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:35.900 Let the peace of Christ 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:37.259 rule you. 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:38.520 Look at verse 15. 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:42.079 And let the peace of Christ 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.939 rule in your hearts 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:45.620 to which indeed 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:46.519 you were called 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:48.539 in one body, 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:49.719 one church, 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:51.459 one family, 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.579 and be thankful. 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:57.899 What is the peace of Christ? 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:01.079 Oh, obviously it has 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:02.159 something to do with him. 00:08:02.799 --> 00:08:03.740 It's the kind of peace 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:04.519 that he experienced 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:07.379 and gives to us 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:08.599 his people 00:08:08.599 --> 00:08:09.819 as noted 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:11.500 in John chapter 14. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:12.180 Look at this. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:13.839 Jesus said, 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:15.079 Peace 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:16.879 I leave with you. 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:17.680 My peace 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:18.680 I give to you. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:20.819 Not as the world gives 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:22.219 do I give to you. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:24.099 Let not your hearts 00:08:24.099 --> 00:08:24.819 be troubled. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:25.879 Neither let them 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:26.659 be afraid. 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:28.659 Now I want you to understand 00:08:28.659 --> 00:08:30.279 this is John 14. 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:33.459 This is the night 00:08:33.459 --> 00:08:34.899 that Jesus was arrested. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.179 This is the night 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:38.039 before Jesus 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:39.059 was going to be 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:39.679 crucified 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:40.839 and he knew it 00:08:40.839 --> 00:08:42.319 but he told his disciples 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:43.399 let not your hearts 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:44.139 be troubled. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.240 Let them be afraid. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:50.579 This shows us 00:08:50.579 --> 00:08:52.839 that the peace of Christ 00:08:52.839 --> 00:08:54.720 is not dependent 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:57.699 on having peaceful circumstances. 00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:00.160 It's not dependent 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:00.800 on everybody 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:01.640 loving us 00:09:01.640 --> 00:09:02.600 and treating us 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:03.379 well. 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:05.300 The peace of Christ 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:06.520 that he talks about 00:09:06.520 --> 00:09:07.640 that he gave 00:09:07.640 --> 00:09:08.520 to his disciples 00:09:08.520 --> 00:09:11.000 he was about 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:12.120 to about go through 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:12.420 the 00:09:12.420 --> 00:09:14.580 the worst 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:15.040 that the devil 00:09:15.040 --> 00:09:15.900 could throw at him. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:17.940 He knew 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:18.640 he was about 00:09:18.640 --> 00:09:19.400 to bear 00:09:19.400 --> 00:09:20.820 the full wrath 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:21.360 of God 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.840 against sin 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.080 as he hung 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:24.700 on the cross. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:28.120 So this peace 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:28.840 is not dependent 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:30.160 on our circumstances. 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:32.040 The peace of Christ 00:09:32.040 --> 00:09:32.560 look at this 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:34.360 it is an inward sense 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.720 of quiet confidence 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:37.000 that comes from 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.660 knowing you are 00:09:37.660 --> 00:09:39.120 right with God 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:40.980 through faith 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.420 in Jesus. 00:09:42.520 --> 00:09:43.320 Look at what Paul 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:44.320 says in Romans 5 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:44.640 1 00:09:44.640 --> 00:09:45.340 therefore 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:46.900 as we have been 00:09:46.900 --> 00:09:47.820 justified by faith 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:48.560 as we have been 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:49.640 declared right 00:09:49.640 --> 00:09:50.460 with God 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:52.680 by faith. 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:55.000 we have peace 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:56.059 with God 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:57.699 through our Lord 00:09:57.699 --> 00:09:58.439 Jesus Christ. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:09:59.939 It's the peace 00:09:59.939 --> 00:10:00.559 that we have 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.799 in our soul. 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.299 Peace is hard 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:05.059 to describe. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.479 Paul says 00:10:06.479 --> 00:10:07.899 it is beyond 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:09.079 description 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:10.339 in Philippians 4. 00:10:12.839 --> 00:10:14.059 It's the peace 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:14.679 that God 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:15.879 gives us 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:20.019 deep within 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.960 that we really 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:23.559 are 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:25.279 God's 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:26.019 chosen 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:26.899 person. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:29.919 His set 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:30.620 apart person. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.860 His dearly 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.860 loved person. 00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:34.120 No matter 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:34.500 what else 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:35.199 is going on 00:10:35.199 --> 00:10:36.399 it's the peace 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:36.720 that God 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:37.319 puts in our 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:37.720 heart 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:40.000 because we 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:40.779 are one 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:41.840 with him. 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:43.240 Now 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.299 we can 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:44.720 experience 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.120 that kind 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:45.480 of peace 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.039 by living 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:46.500 as Paul 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.100 calls us 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:47.679 to live 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:48.979 throughout 00:10:48.979 --> 00:10:49.559 Colossians 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:50.259 chapter 3. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.000 We can 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:52.579 experience 00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:53.099 this kind 00:10:53.099 --> 00:10:53.539 of peace 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.859 within our 00:10:55.859 --> 00:10:56.379 soul 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.500 and within 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:58.779 the family 00:10:58.779 --> 00:10:59.159 Christian 00:10:59.159 --> 00:10:59.679 family 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:01.699 if we 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:02.239 put off 00:11:02.239 --> 00:11:02.639 sin 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:04.379 say no 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:04.919 to it 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:05.639 resist 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.259 temptation 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.659 and put 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.319 on as 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:08.620 we've been 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.000 seeing 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.299 these 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:11.120 Christ-like 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:11.679 character 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:12.639 qualities. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:13.620 Now 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:14.799 that's not all 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:14.979 he says 00:11:14.979 --> 00:11:15.240 he doesn't 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:15.579 just say 00:11:15.579 --> 00:11:15.919 the peace 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:16.259 of Christ 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:16.620 he says 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.439 he talks 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:17.679 about the 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:17.819 peace 00:11:17.819 --> 00:11:18.240 of Christ 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:18.860 ruling 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.159 in your 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:19.399 heart 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.379 how does 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:20.539 that 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:20.879 happen? 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:22.319 Well the 00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:22.899 word rule 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:23.500 here refers 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:23.759 to the 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:24.200 activity 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:24.559 of a 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:24.939 referee 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:25.819 or umpire 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:26.379 in a 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:26.759 game. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.460 The role 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:28.759 of a 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:29.019 referee 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:29.700 or umpire 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:30.279 is to 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.659 maintain 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:32.480 control 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.639 keep 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:34.559 order 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.179 allow the 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:36.480 game to 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:36.939 be played 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:37.700 as it 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.740 is intended 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:39.139 to be 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:39.600 played. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:42.100 The idea 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:42.480 that he's 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:42.919 talking about 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:43.340 here is 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:43.720 let the 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:43.919 peace 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:44.360 of Christ 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:44.620 rule 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.139 your life 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.840 were to 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.100 live in 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:47.379 such a 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:47.639 way 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.759 that we 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.539 maintain 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.580 the peace 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:51.159 of Christ 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:51.699 within 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:53.799 in everything 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.159 that we 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.379 do. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.240 He's 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:56.699 talking about 00:11:56.699 --> 00:11:57.080 how we 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.460 go about 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:57.860 making 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.539 decisions 00:11:58.539 --> 00:11:59.179 and interact 00:11:59.179 --> 00:11:59.799 with people 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.679 in such 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.159 a way 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:01.539 that we 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.360 stay close 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:02.679 to the 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.019 Lord 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.080 that we 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:04.879 experience 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.819 his peace 00:12:05.819 --> 00:12:07.240 and as far 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:07.519 as we're 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:07.919 concerned 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.120 we experience 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.519 peace with 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.039 other people. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:11.220 Let's think 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:11.500 about how 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:11.860 this might 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:12.299 work 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:15.039 in some 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:15.820 situations. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:17.759 Let's 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.299 begin with 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:18.659 something 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.220 sort of 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.980 light 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:22.120 even 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.600 fluffy. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.360 Most 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:24.720 churches 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:25.159 in our 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:25.559 area 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:26.820 have both 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:27.759 Carolina 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.500 and Clemson 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.120 fans. 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:30.820 Both 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:31.620 fans 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.820 like to 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:33.340 tease 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.659 and insult 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:36.940 the team 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:39.039 that is 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.600 not yours. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:41.320 I love 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:41.920 to insult 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:42.279 you 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:42.960 Gamecock 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.360 guys. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:46.379 And 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:46.960 there's 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:47.259 some of 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:47.420 you 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:47.980 love 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:48.279 to 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:48.759 insult 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.139 me. 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:50.540 You 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:50.720 don't 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:51.019 like 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:51.500 winners 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:51.940 you know. 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:55.639 Calm 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.759 down 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.019 now. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.899 If we 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.279 let the 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:00.620 peace 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.180 of Christ 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:01.560 rule 00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:01.860 in these 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:02.100 kind of 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.659 situations 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:05.120 we won't 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.740 take our 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.180 teasing 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:07.100 too far. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:08.200 You 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:08.600 have no 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.540 idea 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:09.939 how much 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.659 restraint 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.399 I show. 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:13.579 Especially 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:13.980 throughout 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.759 football 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.159 season. 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:18.620 And 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:20.399 we 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:20.639 won't 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.159 take 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:22.439 offense 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:24.399 when 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:24.719 others 00:13:24.719 --> 00:13:25.120 take 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.639 their 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.039 teasing 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.759 us 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.379 too 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:27.799 far. 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.319 Let me 00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:30.719 be serious 00:13:30.719 --> 00:13:30.980 for a 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.139 moment. 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.719 What we're 00:13:34.719 --> 00:13:35.079 talking about 00:13:35.079 --> 00:13:35.539 is we 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:35.980 will so 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.559 value 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.299 staying 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.000 close 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.859 to the 00:13:39.859 --> 00:13:40.239 Lord. 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.779 Experiencing 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.659 his peace. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:45.379 Demonstrating 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.079 Christ-like 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:46.659 character. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:48.399 That we 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:49.339 will overlook 00:13:49.339 --> 00:13:50.199 silly 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:50.659 insults 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:54.019 more than 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.679 winning an 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.219 argument 00:13:55.219 --> 00:13:56.659 about 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.000 something 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.539 when all 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:58.979 is said 00:13:58.979 --> 00:13:59.579 and done 00:13:59.579 --> 00:13:59.659 doesn't 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:01.979 really matter. 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.039 here. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.759 You see 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:05.940 what I'm 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.159 talking 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:06.420 about? 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.220 Now, 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:11.860 change the 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.700 idea of 00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:12.840 the 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.300 conflict, 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:13.899 the potential 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.460 for conflict 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:16.300 over being a 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:16.800 Carolina or 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.379 Clemson fan. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.920 Think about 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:20.980 something serious. 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:24.519 when questions 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.420 arise over 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:26.060 something that 00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:26.440 the Bible 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:28.360 says clearly 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.879 is right 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.440 or wrong, 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.360 we must, 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.019 as God's 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.320 people, 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:34.800 take a 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:37.060 stand for 00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.720 the truth 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.300 of God's 00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:38.700 Word. 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.980 And allowing 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:41.659 the peace of 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:42.159 Christ to 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.700 rule in those 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.860 situations will 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.200 sometimes mean we 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.300 have conflict with 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:47.379 somebody who is 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.100 opposed to the 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.740 truth of God's 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:48.940 Word. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.720 But our 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:54.320 point, 00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:55.139 our purpose, 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.800 we're more 00:14:56.800 --> 00:14:57.340 concerned to 00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.220 please God, 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.960 to stay close 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.460 to Him, 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:01.759 to remain in 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.259 fellowship with 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:02.920 Him than we 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.740 are to please 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.519 someone who is 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.600 opposed to God's 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.560 way, to His 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:09.039 will, to His 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.399 Word. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.440 What do you 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.420 value most? 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.580 Being close 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.100 to God or 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.740 close to 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.159 whoever you're 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.820 around at the 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.080 time? 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.180 Bottom line, 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.340 who do you 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:23.720 really and 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.320 truly want to 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.759 please the 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.500 most? 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.820 God, by 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.300 being faithful 00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:29.840 to Him and 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.340 His revealed 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.800 Word? 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:34.000 Or other 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.360 people? 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.600 No one should 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.680 enjoy conflict. 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:40.240 Seriously. 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:42.560 We should not 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:43.879 seek out 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.460 conflict. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.080 We shouldn't 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:45.940 thrive on 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.379 conflict. 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:47.639 But as God's 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:49.420 people, when the 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.279 truth of God is 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:52.819 at stake, we 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:55.139 must not fear 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:56.159 conflict, and we 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.099 must not avoid 00:15:57.099 --> 00:15:57.659 conflict. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.559 As long as we're 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:01.259 seeking to please 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.039 God, be right 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.519 with Him, 00:16:02.979 --> 00:16:03.819 experience the 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.799 peace of God, 00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:05.779 the peace with 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.819 God for being 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.620 faithful to Him, 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.379 we ought to be 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.799 able to sleep 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.479 well at night, 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.599 even if other 00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.740 people have 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.439 something against 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:16.159 us over a 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.079 matter of truth. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.700 But let me say 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.780 this before we 00:16:19.780 --> 00:16:20.280 move on. 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.720 We need to be 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.240 committed to 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:22.720 speaking the 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.700 truth in love. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.540 We need to 00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:27.660 defend the 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:28.639 faith in the 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.500 right way. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.280 We can't 00:16:31.280 --> 00:16:33.200 experience peace 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.820 with God in our 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.620 heart and be 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:37.480 arrogant, be 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:39.540 rude, be 00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:41.460 mean-spirited. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.580 I know some 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.480 Christians who 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.440 believe right, 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.740 but they're 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.280 just doggone 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.440 mean about it. 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.720 That's not what 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.860 God calls us to 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.420 be, and that's 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:53.940 certainly not going 00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:54.560 to help us to 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.580 continue on 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:56.820 experiencing the 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.640 peace of Christ 00:16:57.640 --> 00:16:58.980 within or in the 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.860 body of Christ when 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.900 we're mean-spirited 00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:03.120 about defending the 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.420 truth. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.720 When we live like 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:08.519 God's people, we 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.580 will make decisions 00:17:09.580 --> 00:17:10.620 that will enable us 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.960 to preserve the 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.900 peace of Christ 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.799 within and among 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.299 the family. 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.899 Let's move on. 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.639 Living like God's 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.500 people also means 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.619 let the word of 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:22.039 Christ dwell in 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.220 you. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.240 Verse 16, let the 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.079 word of Christ dwell 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.059 in you richly, 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.680 teaching and 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.940 admonishing one 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.180 another in all 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.859 wisdom, singing 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.359 psalms and hymns and 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.720 spiritual songs with 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.099 thankfulness in your 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:36.980 hearts to God. 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.559 Let's look at that. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.159 The word of Christ 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:41.099 refers to the gospel 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.919 of Christ or the 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.039 teachings of Christ. 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:46.379 Either way, it's 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.139 referring to the 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:48.639 authoritative message 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.899 about Christ which is 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:50.579 found in scripture. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:55.740 Now, if we're going to 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:57.039 let the word of Christ 00:17:57.039 --> 00:18:01.419 dwell in us richly, we've 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:02.219 got to read it, don't 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:02.399 we? 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.139 We've got to know what 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:06.480 the Bible says. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.940 But as important as 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.819 that is, reading the 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.860 Bible is not enough. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.420 I read things all the 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:16.860 time and just in a 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.620 short time, I don't 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.779 really remember what it 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.059 was. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.779 There's a lot of 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.240 mornings I get up and I 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.960 look at the weather, see 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.519 what it's going to be 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:22.960 that day. 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.519 And before Lisa leaves 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.539 home, it hadn't been 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.440 that long, she'll ask 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.039 me, what's the 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.620 temperature going to be 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:27.920 today? 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.079 Well, I forgot. 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:33.339 I read it, I looked at 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:35.700 it, but I forgot. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:39.240 We can do that when we 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.380 read the Bible. 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.700 You know, it is a 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.640 commendable goal if you 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.059 were reading through 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.900 the Bible this year. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.880 It's a commendable goal 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:48.000 to have to read the 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.839 Bible every day. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:52.039 But don't just read it 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.279 and check off on your 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.319 list that you've read 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:54.500 it. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.740 Just putting content in 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.660 your mind is not 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:57.980 enough. 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.599 Let the word of Christ 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:01.640 dwell in you richly. 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.039 Read it. 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.620 Think about it. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:05.819 Think seriously. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:07.439 Think deeply about it. 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.679 Meditate on it. 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.159 Memorize it. 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.579 That's what he's 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.200 talking about. 00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:13.759 And the key to know if 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.700 this is happening is 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.019 simple. 00:19:15.159 --> 00:19:16.059 Do we obey it? 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:20.159 If we're really taking 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.639 in the word, dwelling on 00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:22.859 the word, letting it 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:26.019 dwell in us richly, we'll 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:28.519 not only believe it, we 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.619 will live it. 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.619 And notice what else it 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.899 says about what we should 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:33.119 be doing with the word. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:35.299 teaching and admonishing 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.819 one another. 00:19:38.179 --> 00:19:40.559 Now, for you Carolina 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.959 fans, the word admonish 00:19:41.959 --> 00:19:42.959 means to warn. 00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:48.199 That just sort of got over 00:19:48.199 --> 00:19:49.099 your head, I do believe. 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.719 Clemson people, they 00:19:52.719 --> 00:19:53.839 understand admonish means 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.259 to warn. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.099 So I was trying to help 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.979 out these game cops. 00:19:56.959 --> 00:19:58.179 Now see, that was a test to 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:58.699 see if you're going to let 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.620 the peace of Christ dwell 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.059 in your heart. 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:02.519 See, I set you up. 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:10.160 Admonish does mean to 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.460 warn. 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:14.200 We are to teach and warn 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:17.519 each other based on the 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:19.140 truth of God's word. 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:20.940 You know, most of the 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:23.160 things that we're to do in 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:26.180 the church, it's not from 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:28.100 church leaders to church 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:28.500 members. 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.560 Most of what we're called 00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:32.480 to do in Scripture is for, 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:34.600 with, to one another like 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:34.980 this. 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.700 If you have any doubts, 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:39.040 when you go home today, do 00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:39.800 a Google search. 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.519 Don't do it here. 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.259 And write in there. 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:42.860 Type in there. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.740 The one another's of the 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.060 Bible. 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.279 And there will be a long 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:49.060 list of things we are called 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:50.880 by God as Christians to do 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:54.160 for, to one another like 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.700 this. 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:57.140 How do you advise your 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:59.140 friends, people that come 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:01.480 to you about important, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.620 serious life issues? 00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.780 We've talked about this 00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:06.100 before. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:10.340 You are probably some people 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:11.740 maybe in your family or 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:13.160 where you work or your 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.680 classmates, you are probably 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:17.380 somebody's main Christian 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.060 counselor. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:22.059 You are probably someone in 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:25.460 one of your circles, you're 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:27.700 the go-to person if they have 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:30.220 a real problem and they want 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:32.220 some spiritual, biblical, 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.059 Christian guidance. 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:38.339 Well, how do you advise them? 00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:40.659 Do you go just by, you know, 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.740 your gut feeling? 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.639 Do you tell them what you think 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.339 they want to hear? 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.339 That's not being a friend. 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:50.740 Or do you speak the truth 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.220 of God's word? 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:55.799 Years ago, Lisa worked with a 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.039 lady. 00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:00.159 And she was, she had separated 00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:01.419 from her husband contemplating 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:01.980 divorce. 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.959 But she knew Lisa was a 00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:05.839 Christian and so she talked to 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.459 Lisa about it. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.059 Lisa was her counselor. 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:11.879 And they, as friends, 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:13.919 talked. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.480 Lisa said some things about 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.279 what the Bible teaches. 00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:21.519 This lady really was 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.019 interested. 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.379 She listened to Lisa. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.639 She actually read the Bible. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.940 She initiated with her husband 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.799 Christian counseling. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.599 And in time, they were 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.440 reconciled. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:37.980 God used, Lisa is what I'm 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.259 saying. 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.539 God will use you 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:45.840 in life-changing ways 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.799 in other people's lives 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:49.680 as their counselor, 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.820 as their teacher, 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:52.720 as their warner, 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.620 admonisher, 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:56.840 if you will be that. 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.980 God calls us to teach and warn 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:02.819 one another according to the 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.640 wisdom of his word. 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.620 Now we also, look in this 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.880 passage, we also see that 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.680 when we allow the word of 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.839 God to dwell in us, it'll 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:11.759 not only produce information 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.640 but also emotion 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.759 specifically. 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.980 It will promote praise, 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:20.140 praise and worship to God 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:21.720 in the forms of music. 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.900 Look at this phrase. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.259 Singing psalms and hymns and 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.880 spiritual songs with 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:28.680 thanksgiving, thankfulness in 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.660 your hearts to God. 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:32.220 Stuart Briscoe comments on 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:34.920 these phrases here like 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.299 this. 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.259 The fellowship of believers 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.880 is a praising community 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:40.380 where people who can sing 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.700 beautifully, sing beautifully. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:43.279 And those who just sing, 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:43.960 just sing. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.200 And those who have voices 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.960 like crows with laryngitis 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.839 croak to the glory of God. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:51.019 But nobody just sits there 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.360 like an old sourpuss 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:54.000 looking as if they had lost 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.880 their last friend having had 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.380 their breakfast of onions. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:24:03.020 Listen to what he says. 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.940 Singing, it really is an 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:07.140 important part of Christian 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.000 worship. 00:24:09.800 --> 00:24:11.360 And I'm saying that as 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:13.920 someone who really can't 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.300 sing. 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:19.759 It is important that we do, 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:22.539 that we worship and praise the 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:22.879 Lord. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:25.460 But it is important that we 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.619 worship and praise the Lord 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:30.419 in a biblically sound way. 00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:33.759 According, as the word of God 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.159 richly dwells in us. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:38.420 I want you to know Paul uses 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.360 three different words here. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.800 Psalms, hymns, and spiritual 00:24:40.800 --> 00:24:41.279 songs. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:43.360 There's a lot of debate among 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:45.100 New Testament scholars as to 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:46.940 what the differences are. 00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:49.080 Are they major or minor? 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:50.540 Let me just say this. 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:52.380 There are some differences. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:57.320 Psalms, hymns, and spiritual 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:57.900 songs. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.840 That means we should use 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:02.380 different kinds of music in 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.019 our worship. 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.660 And we do. 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:07.220 Good example this morning. 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:10.880 We sang, this is amazing 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.540 grace. 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:14.120 A more contemporary type 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.500 song. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:17.680 We sang an old hymn, amazing 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.380 grace. 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:23.340 And I want you to know, God 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:26.060 enjoyed both if they were sung 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:28.680 as an act of worship and praise 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.200 to him. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.400 He didn't like one better than 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:31.700 the other. 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:34.440 You may have liked one better 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.040 than another. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.180 And that's fine. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.880 I liked one better than 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.200 another. 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.920 But you know something? 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:43.019 I'm not going to talk about 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.200 which one I liked the best, 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.360 which one I didn't like as 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:45.759 well. 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.380 It's really not about me. 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.860 And I got news for you. 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.880 When we come here to worship 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.100 on Sunday morning, it ain't 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.940 about you. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:58.600 Never is it about you. 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.660 When we come here for worship, 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:02.200 it is about worshiping and 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.600 praising and honoring and 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:05.580 glorifying God and the Lord 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.420 Jesus Christ. 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.700 And we're going to do it in as 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:09.040 many different ways as we 00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:10.600 possibly can because it's 00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:12.040 biblically, as long as it's 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:14.259 biblically sound and it is 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:17.040 because that's what God wants us 00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.400 to do. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.680 We're different and we have 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.340 different ways of expressing our 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:22.320 worship and praise. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:26.159 But you know, I can really 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:28.579 praise God in different kinds 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:30.159 of ways, even ways that's not 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.879 my favorite. 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.879 And if it's about praising God, 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.779 you can do the same. 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:37.439 You will do the same. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.679 You know, I've been pastor here 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.579 a long time. 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.500 And I don't think there's anyone 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.899 in this room other than maybe 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.279 Brian. 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:48.159 I've never said much to him in 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:48.839 all these years. 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:51.079 There's very few people in this 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:53.819 room who knows what my favorite 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:56.159 form of music and worship is. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.740 And I don't care what yours is. 00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:03.799 Because we try to do a little 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.819 bit of all that is biblically 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:09.399 sound and God focused, God 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:11.579 honoring, praising and worshiping 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:14.079 him, talking about him. 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:17.779 That's what worship really is. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:20.199 And that's what Paul tells us to 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.340 do. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.480 It's got to be biblically sound, 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.200 but it needs to be done in a 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.620 variety of ways. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.360 Emotion is important. 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:30.319 Let's look at one more way we're 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.140 to live like God's people. 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:33.400 Verse 17, let the name of Christ 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.200 guide you. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:36.340 And whatever you do, in word or 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.960 deed, do everything in the name 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:39.940 of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:42.299 to God the Father through him. 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:46.980 Paul is describing, obviously, every 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:48.659 aspect of our lives when he says, 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:52.659 and whatever you do, in word or 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.180 deed. 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:57.159 Whatever you do, what you say, what 00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:59.980 you do, everything we should do 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.359 should be done in the name of Jesus. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.899 Now, what is he talking about? 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.259 We're to think of ourselves as always 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.700 being the Lord's representative. 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.900 I think that's the best way to think 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.980 of it here in this context. 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:12.539 Or as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:14.640 we are his ambassadors. 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:19.019 Now, this is a real sobering thought. 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.420 Let it sink in. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:25.680 As Christians, what he's telling us 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:29.700 here, we are to represent Christ in 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:34.660 everything we say and do in our lives. 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.840 Let the name of Christ guide us. 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:45.160 That means at home, at work, at 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.720 school, wherever we are, with our 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.819 friends, with our enemies. 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.840 Think about it. 00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:53.640 What kind of representative are you 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.880 on a typical day? 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:59.680 On some days, we're all poor, poor. 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.700 We're all poor, poor. 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:11.100 But on a typical day, do you represent 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:15.299 Christ in a way that is honoring of him? 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:19.460 Or do you represent him, misrepresent 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:19.799 him? 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.759 Think about it another way. 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:27.500 The way you represent Christ, are you 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.980 attracting people to him? 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:33.600 Or are you turning people away from him 00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:36.660 on our typical day? 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.799 You know, the Bible does not provide a 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:42.960 verse or even a passage that applies to 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.480 every kind of problem we encounter in 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.799 life. 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.200 But this verse provides one of the best 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:49.940 guidelines for helping us to make wise 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:52.400 decisions about the things the Bible is 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.299 not specific about. 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:56.399 For example, whenever you face a situation 00:29:56.399 --> 00:30:00.819 and you don't really know how to respond, the 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:03.579 Bible doesn't really address your question. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:08.319 Well, think to yourself, as a representative of 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:13.579 Jesus Christ, what would be my best response? 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:23.859 How should I respond to most honorably represent the Lord in 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:26.740 this conversation, in this action? 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:32.740 This is one of the ways that God guides us to make wise 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:36.740 decisions when there's no passage that actually addresses the 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.079 issue. 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:39.779 Well, let's think about this now. 00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:43.000 How well are you living like a child of God? 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:45.819 How well are you living like one of God's special people? 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.119 Think. 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:48.319 Look at yourself. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.000 Ask God to help you to see. 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:52.259 Is the love of Christ filling you? 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:54.879 Is the peace of Christ ruling you? 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:57.980 Is the word of Christ dwelling in you? 00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:01.839 Is the name of Christ guiding you? 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:08.240 None of this can be true if you don't know Christ as your Lord 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.619 and Savior. 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.240 I want you to understand. 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:15.859 If you don't know Christ as your Lord and Savior, the only 00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:18.899 thing you can do right now is to admit that to the Lord, 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:24.919 humble yourself before Him, turn from your sin, repent, 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:28.259 change your mind, and put your faith in Jesus. 00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:30.779 Call upon Him to save you. 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:36.579 But you know, none of this can be true until you do what we've 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:40.639 been looking at throughout this chapter. 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:44.179 Put off sin. 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.759 Say no to temptation. 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:50.359 Put on Christ-like character. 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:55.179 And remember, it's only by the power of the indwelling Spirit that 00:31:55.179 --> 00:31:58.599 we can do that, but we can do that with His help. 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:05.059 But if that's not how you're living right now, if this is not a good 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:09.819 description, what you see on the screen, go to God right now and just 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:13.779 confess your sin specifically. 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.059 Turn from it. 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:24.299 Come back to the Lord and renew your faith, your commitment to Him as the real king of your life. 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:30.220 And keep in mind that repentance and faith is not just a one-time commitment. 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:38.940 As Christians, our lives are just a process of being convicted of our sin, turning from it, 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:43.900 turning to Christ in renewed faith and commitment and love and service. 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:48.460 The Christian life is a life of saying no to sin and temptation. 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:57.160 And saying yes to the Holy Spirit's prompting us and helping us to truly develop Christ-like character. 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.160 There's one final thought. 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:05.700 In each of these verses we've looked at this morning, Paul tells us to be thankful. 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:12.500 Every one of those verses, 15, 16, and 17, he says in some way, be thankful. 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:20.619 We need to leave here this morning thankful for the grace that God has shown us, 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:25.279 for the work that He is doing in us every day. 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:33.980 Thankfulness is a sure sign of people who know they belong to God. 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:42.480 If you know you are chosen by Him, that He has truly set you apart as His child, 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:46.839 if you truly know that you are a dearly loved child of God, 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:55.920 you will be thankful and you will express it to Him in word and in deed. 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:57.059 Let's pray together. 00:33:57.759 --> 00:34:04.480 Father, help us to see right now how we should respond. 00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:09.880 Convict us. 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.519 Encourage us. 00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:14.199 Affirm us. 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.679 Whatever we need. 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:22.880 Call people in this room who are not Christians to real faith in Jesus. 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:29.780 Call Christians who are being unfaithful right now. 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:33.619 Back to you. 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:46.519 Encourage Christians, Father, who are seeking to be sensitive to your spirit and obedient and faithful to your word. 00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:50.500 Encourage those who are struggling. 00:34:50.500 --> 00:35:03.739 Use those who are truly seeking to walk faithfully with you to help others and be an example and a counselor to others. 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:10.559 Father, show us all how we should respond and help us to do it right now. 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:12.280 Let's just all do that in attitude of prayer. 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:16.000 If I could pray with you during this time, I'd be happy to do that. 00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:21.260 But as always, the important thing is that you listen to God and obey Him in these next few minutes.