WEBVTT

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 All right, we're going to have our Bible reading now, so if you want to grab out your Bibles and open up to 1 Corinthians.

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 We'll be reading from chapter 2, starting at verse 1 through 2.16.

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 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

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 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

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 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling.

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 And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

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 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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 Yet among the mature, we do impart wisdom.

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 Although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

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 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

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 None of the rulers of this age understood this.

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 For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

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 But as it is written,

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 What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,

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 what God has prepared for those who love him.

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 These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

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 For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

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 For who knows a person's thoughts except the Spirit of that person, which is in him?

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 So also, no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

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 Now we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God,

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 that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

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 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit,

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 interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

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 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God,

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 for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them,

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 because they are spiritually discerned.

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 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

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 For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?

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 But we have the mind of Christ.

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 Is it possible?

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 Is it possible to make our church family division-proof?

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 We think of all the differences that will have already arisen or will inevitably arise in the future,

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 and wouldn't it be wonderful, given the history of churches,

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 if we could say, yep, we can make our church division-proof?

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 Is it possible to repair already broken relationships,

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 dysfunctional relationships with fellow believers,

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 which are an ongoing source of tension, a barrier to fellowship?

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 Wouldn't that be wonderful?

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 But it sounds unlikely, doesn't it?

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 Especially when we examine our own hearts.

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 And when we examine our own hearts, we find that our fears,

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 our insecurities, our determination to win an argument,

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 so often drives us to make self-protection,

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 self-promotion dominant.

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 And in turn, that blinds us to what we have in common in Christ.

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 Last week, I picked up the idea that you may have a genuine desire

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 to be a useful disciple of Jesus in this church family.

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 To be Jesus-focused, to be gospel-shaped,

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 to be wise, to make a significant impact for good as a believer in this church family.

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 But then, I said last week,

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 well, how does that happen?

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 Do I actually have the skills and abilities to make that real,

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 to deliver on that?

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 Yes, I would love that to be the case.

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 But can I actually be that person

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 in this church family?

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 What does it look like in practice?

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 And all that's very hard,

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 because we know how easily we become rusted on to personalities, don't we?

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 It's just a plain fact that some people,

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 we find it much easier to engage with some people over others.

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 We're more attracted to one type of personality than another.

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 So how can we have a church family that's not driven by that

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 as we look into the future?

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 Well, Paul says in his letter to the church at Corinth,

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 and remember, it was a pretty dysfunctional church.

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 All these issues were big issues in the church in Corinth.

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 But Paul is saying to the church in Corinth,

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 yes, it is possible.

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 It's possible that all those things would be true.

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 It is possible to be division-proof as a church family.

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 Yes, you do have all the wisdom and power

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 to be really useful in your interactions with people.

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 Staying rusted on to Jesus

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 while getting deeply and generously involved in the lives of others.

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 Yes, it is possible.

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 If only you remember who you are in Jesus,

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 that you have it all in Jesus, chapter 1, verses 1 to 9.

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 And if you live in the light of that, chapter 1, verses 10 to 31.

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 Paul said to the church,

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 look, you're defined individually and as a church family

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 by relationship with Jesus,

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 not by people around you.

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 Your blessing and security is in Jesus,

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 not in people or how they respond to you.

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 And then we looked at verse 10, two weeks ago.

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 Practically, in Jesus we're already,

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 chapter 1, verse 10, that is,

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 in Jesus we're already knitted together in unity,

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 deep unity of status, mind and purpose.

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 Just like a broken bone has been knit together.

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 So we're stronger than the original bones.

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 And Paul says again,

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 that unity will flourish

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 in a church family like this.

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 That unity will flourish when we live,

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 we build Jesus' empire,

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 not our own.

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 It sounds so easy, doesn't it?

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 Yet so often we find ourselves building our own empire

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 and being distracted from the core business

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 of building Jesus' empire.

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 Paul says it is possible when daily

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 your old pre-Christian idea of being wise

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 is replaced with God's wisdom,

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 God's new way of thinking,

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 God's new way of evaluating people.

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 Jesus-shaped attitudes

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 as you interact with people in this congregation,

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 this church family.

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 It's all there for us.

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 And today, chapter 2, verses 1 to 16,

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 Paul's saying that sort of deep unity

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 will flourish as we operate in God's power

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 rather than the world's power categories.

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 Paul's point is very simple.

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 Thinking and actions are inseparably tied.

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 When hearts are shaped by God's wisdom,

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 which is a new Jesus-shaped way of thinking

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 about themselves and about others,

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 that will overflow,

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 those hearts will overflow

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 in a new Jesus-shaped way of behaving

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 and treating people

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 and interacting with people in the church family.

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 And that makes for useful and powerful

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 involvement in this church family.

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 Paul pivots from wisdom to power

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 in chapter 1, verses 30 and 31.

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 Let me read it to you again.

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 From last week, we looked at this,

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 but we'll read it again.

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 Chapter 1, verse 31.

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 Talking about Jesus,

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 God is the source of your life

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 in Christ Jesus,

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 whom God made our wisdom

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 and our righteousness

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 and sanctification and redemption.

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 Therefore, as it was written,

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 let the one who boasts

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 boast in the Lord.

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 I think what those verses are saying

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 is that the gospel shows us

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 what really matters to the Lord.

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 It shows us the categories

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 that are first-order categories.

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 And those first-order categories

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 are righteousness.

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 That is, right standing

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 and acceptance before God

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 and relationship with Him.

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 Sanctification or holiness.

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 That is about renewing us

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 from inclination to rebel against God

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 and giving us increased desire

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 to live to please God.

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 Redemption.

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 Being forgiven.

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 Being renewed.

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 Freed from the power of sin

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 at incredible cost to Jesus

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 and the Father.

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 Those are God's first-order categories.

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 Those are the things that really matter.

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 The gospel tells us

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 those are the things

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 that really matter to God.

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 And Paul's point is this.

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 When the believers at Corinth,

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 as he was writing them to Corinth,

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 and when we fully understand that,

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 then actions will passionately overflow

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 with those very things.

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 that will be our shape.

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 That will be our shape.

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 That will be our shape

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 individually.

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 That will be our shape

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 as a church family.

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 And that's what we'll boast in

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 rather than promoting self

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 and seeking dominance or preeminence.

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 And Paul presses his point

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 from two angles in chapter 2.

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 Verses 1 to 5, first of all,

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 believers are already equipped

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 with God's power.

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 We saw two weeks ago

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 that word is dynamite.

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 Believers are already equipped

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 with God's power

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 in and through Jesus.

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 Now, again,

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 Paul's argument is linked back

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 into chapter 1, verses 18 to 31.

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 So if you look back to verse 18,

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 for the word of the cross

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 is folly to those who are perishing.

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 That's the word there

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 was folly, was moronic.

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 The word of the cross

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 is moronic to those

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 who are perishing.

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 But to us who are being saved,

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 it is the power of God.

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 The wisdom of God.

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 The message of Christ crucified

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 displays all of God's wisdom

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 and power.

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 That's a pretty incredible statement,

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 isn't it?

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 In other words,

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 there's no more power,

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 no more wisdom to be revealed.

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 Verse 23 and 24,

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 same sort of idea.

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 For Jews demand signs

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 and Greeks seek wisdom,

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 but we preach Christ crucified,

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 a stumbling block to Jews,

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 folly to Gentiles,

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 but to those who are called

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 both Jews and Greeks,

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 Christ the power of God

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 and the wisdom of God.

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 The spoken word of the gospel

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 of Jesus crucified

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 is God's power

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 to save and renew.

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 a power that each believer

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 in Corinth

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 had already experienced.

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 A power that each believer here

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 has already experienced.

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 When you are converted,

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 God's power

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 is now within them,

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 now within us.

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 If only they would realize that.

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 If only they would harness that.

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 Paul then details

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 what operating in God's power

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 means for him

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 in these first verses

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 of chapter 2.

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 Verse 1,

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 operating in God's power

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 actually determined

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 his method.

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 When I came to you,

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 brothers,

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 I did not come

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 proclaiming to you

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 the testimony of God

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 with lofty speech

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 or wisdom.

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 In the days of,

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 Paul was writing to you

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 in Corinth,

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 the way to get ahead

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 as a clever speaker

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 was to manipulate,

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 to intimidate,

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 to use spin or hype.

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 Paul says,

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 I refuse to use

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 any of those things.

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 I don't need to.

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 I don't need to use

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 those things

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 to get the desired

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 response to Jesus.

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 For I decided

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 to know nothing among you

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 except Jesus Christ

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 and him crucified.

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 And I was with you

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 in weakness

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 and in fear

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 and much trembling.

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 And my speech

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 and my message

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 were not in plausible

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 words of wisdom

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 but in the demonstration

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 of the spirit

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 and power.

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 It's not that Paul

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 didn't try to persuade people.

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 If we read the back story

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 of the church

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 implanted in Corinth,

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 Acts chapter 18,

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 Paul tells us there

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 that he did work as hard

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 as to persuade people.

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 The point is here

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 that he doesn't think

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 for a moment

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 that his choice of words,

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 the clear logic

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 of his arguments

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 or the smoothness

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 of his presentation

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 would save anybody.

00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:31.620
 Verse 2 again,

00:14:31.900 --> 00:14:32.820
 looking back to that.

00:14:35.520 --> 00:14:36.639
 Determined his content.

00:14:36.900 --> 00:14:37.460
 The power of God

00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.300
 determined his content.

00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.280
 The life,

00:14:40.640 --> 00:14:41.700
 death and resurrection

00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:43.120
 was always the center

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.720
 and the substance

00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:46.140
 of his teaching.

00:14:48.140 --> 00:14:48.960
 Those things

00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.900
 change everything.

00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.060
 Verse 3,

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.040
 it determined

00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:55.740
 his attitude.

00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.420
 Paul was constantly

00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:00.560
 aware of his physical,

00:15:00.780 --> 00:15:01.200
 emotional,

00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.080
 and intellectual

00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.080
 inability

00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.300
 to make anybody

00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:04.780
 believe

00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:05.560
 or get saved.

00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.460
 On the contrary,

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.640
 verse 4 and 5,

00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:09.340
 Paul was confident

00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.200
 that when he speaks

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:10.720
 the gospel

00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.759
 of Jesus crucified

00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:13.200
 and sees a person

00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.600
 changed from the inside out,

00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:16.420
 then the only plausible

00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.019
 possibility

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.800
 is it was God's power

00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.360
 at work

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.379
 in that person's life,

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.019
 not Paul's cleverness.

00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.480
 Understanding

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.360
 the power

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:31.840
 and wisdom

00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.460
 of God

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:34.920
 changes the whole

00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:35.660
 basis

00:15:35.660 --> 00:15:36.460
 on which Paul

00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.460
 lives and operates.

00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:41.280
 And second point

00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:41.660
 then is that

00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.920
 Paul contrasts

00:15:42.920 --> 00:15:44.080
 wisdom and power

00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.780
 in the spirit

00:15:44.780 --> 00:15:45.379
 of the world

00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.280
 and the spirit

00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:46.720
 of God,

00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:48.100
 verses 6 through 16.

00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.060
 Now,

00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.280
 these verses

00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:51.139
 can appear

00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.900
 a bit complicated,

00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.139
 but I think

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.900
 it's quite simple

00:15:53.900 --> 00:15:54.980
 if we know

00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.560
 a little bit

00:15:55.560 --> 00:15:57.300
 of cultural

00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:57.980
 context

00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.480
 that Paul's

00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.019
 writing into.

00:15:59.660 --> 00:15:59.900
 So,

00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.900
 it runs like this.

00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.800
 Greek culture,

00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.000
 Greek religion

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.540
 particularly,

00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.460
 and Greek philosophy

00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:07.540
 are all permeated

00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.240
 with the idea

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.780
 of a secret

00:16:09.780 --> 00:16:10.920
 higher wisdom

00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:11.840
 and knowledge.

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:12.820
 So,

00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.780
 in any one

00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:14.560
 of the plethora

00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.200
 of religions

00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:15.800
 that was available

00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:16.300
 in Corinth,

00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:17.800
 the standard procedure

00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.480
 would be that you

00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.420
 would have an entry

00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.680
 point set of beliefs,

00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:23.420
 but then to show

00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:24.639
 maturity and growth

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.560
 in that religion

00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.220
 or philosophy

00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:26.960
 or culture,

00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.060
 then you would have

00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:28.780
 to move on

00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:29.360
 and discover

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.180
 these secret

00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:31.480
 levels of things,

00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.320
 secret wisdom,

00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.220
 secret power.

00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:35.460
 and that

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.340
 was the mark

00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:36.840
 of maturity.

00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.259
 And many

00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.320
 believers at Corinth

00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.639
 had made the same

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.180
 assumption

00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:48.240
 about the Christian

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.700
 life

00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:51.720
 and concluded

00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.940
 that to mature

00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:54.060
 or grow as Christians,

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.460
 they needed to move

00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.519
 on from the beginning

00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:57.800
 focus on Christ

00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:58.680
 and Him crucified

00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:01.179
 and discover

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.479
 better,

00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.259
 more exciting,

00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:04.859
 hidden,

00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.559
 secret,

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.679
 mysterious

00:17:06.679 --> 00:17:07.440
 expressions

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.960
 of wisdom

00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.480
 and power.

00:17:11.679 --> 00:17:12.899
 Paul's response

00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.599
 in summary,

00:17:13.919 --> 00:17:14.519
 verse 16,

00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:19.859
 you have the mind

00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.399
 of Christ,

00:17:21.679 --> 00:17:24.259
 which is really

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.659
 a summary

00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.480
 of chapter 1

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.220
 verses 1 to 9

00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.500
 10 again.

00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:29.460
 There is no more

00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.059
 to be discovered.

00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:31.079
 You already have

00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:32.100
 the mind of Christ.

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.700
 What more

00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.559
 wisdom and power

00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.900
 can be found?

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:43.380
 There is no higher

00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:43.759
 wisdom,

00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:44.720
 knowledge,

00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.339
 or power

00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.039
 to discover

00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.620
 or attain.

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.039
 Verses 6 through 9,

00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:51.779
 each believer

00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.120
 has already experienced

00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:54.259
 both the sacred

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.720
 wisdom of God

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.819
 and God's secret

00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.620
 power source

00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.559
 in His Holy Spirit.

00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.000
 In the end,

00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.380
 says Paul,

00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.880
 that's the only

00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.519
 explanation

00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.779
 why you believe

00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.460
 and others

00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.880
 still disbelieve.

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.440
 Others think

00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:06.839
 the gospel

00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.440
 is moronic.

00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.480
 And says Paul,

00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.240
 verse 10 through

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.019
 to 16,

00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.440
 it's God's

00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.440
 powerful spirit

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.240
 working in them

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.579
 daily,

00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.600
 which enables

00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:17.519
 them to evaluate

00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.259
 themselves,

00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.660
 to evaluate others,

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.160
 to form judgments

00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.039
 about what's right

00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.600
 and wrong

00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:23.839
 and defend those

00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.940
 conclusions before others

00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.180
 and which empowers

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.940
 them to impart

00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.740
 gospel truth

00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.279
 to others.

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.980
 You have the mind

00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.600
 of Christ,

00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.259
 says Paul.

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.100
 So here's the rub

00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:41.380
 for these Christians

00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:41.920
 and Corinth.

00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.059
 The daily struggle

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.200
 is not to discover

00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.420
 some new wisdom,

00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.759
 new source of power,

00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.259
 new aspect

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.620
 of those things.

00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:52.439
 the struggle

00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.179
 is to live

00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:54.039
 increasingly

00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.059
 in the light

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:57.599
 of what you

00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.259
 already have,

00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.659
 the mind

00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.159
 of Christ.

00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.459
 The struggle

00:19:01.459 --> 00:19:02.339
 is to increasingly

00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.979
 express the mind

00:19:03.979 --> 00:19:04.519
 of Christ

00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.639
 in every relationship,

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.799
 in every interaction,

00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:08.979
 in every aspect

00:19:08.979 --> 00:19:10.219
 of church family life.

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:16.880
 And make no mistake,

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:17.980
 unless you're

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.779
 different from me,

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.660
 I find it

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:22.640
 a seriously

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.680
 hard struggle

00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:25.380
 to keep

00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:25.900
 the mind

00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.500
 of Christ,

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:28.600
 to be convinced

00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.319
 that the mind

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:29.819
 of Christ

00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:31.000
 is all I need.

00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.259
 Unless you're

00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.779
 very different

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.279
 from me,

00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.380
 then we so

00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:38.380
 easily find

00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.319
 ourselves chasing

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.740
 after the new

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.019
 next best thing,

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.220
 new things

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.960
 to explore.

00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.059
 We get to feel

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.019
 that ordinary life,

00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:48.619
 daily life,

00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.279
 is humdrum.

00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.240
 And we certainly

00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.159
 look for new

00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:51.980
 exciting things,

00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.799
 new spectacular

00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.419
 things.

00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.559
 And we see it

00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.139
 right across

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:57.059
 the Christian church.

00:20:02.439 --> 00:20:03.460
 We tire

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.559
 of what we have

00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:06.119
 and we chase

00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.119
 new exciting things

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.819
 concluding they're

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.099
 better.

00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.500
 or more

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:10.980
 personally,

00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:11.980
 we're asking

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.339
 the question,

00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.119
 yes,

00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.619
 I know I'm

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.079
 a Christian,

00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.460
 yes,

00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.460
 I'm so thankful

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.819
 that Christ

00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.439
 died for me,

00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.240
 I've been

00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.899
 made new,

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:19.839
 but

00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:22.980
 what new

00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.579
 thing can I

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.259
 discover to

00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.839
 make me feel

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.480
 better about

00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:25.919
 myself?

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.960
 What is there

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.200
 I can tap

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.799
 into that will

00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.419
 make me feel

00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:34.139
 more whole

00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.899
 as a person,

00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:37.539
 that will make

00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:37.960
 me more

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.660
 attractive to

00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.340
 others around

00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:39.660
 me,

00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:42.220
 to make me

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.819
 more useful

00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.440
 in this church

00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.900
 family?

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.100
 Those sorts

00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:48.860
 of thoughts

00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:54.079
 tell us that

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.079
 to have the

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.940
 mind of Christ

00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:57.100
 as we're

00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:57.600
 thinking about it,

00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:57.920
 to have the

00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.500
 mind of Christ

00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.240
 isn't everything,

00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.700
 or it doesn't

00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.500
 seem exciting

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.340
 or spectacular

00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:03.740
 enough.

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.599
 we think

00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:04.819
 there's

00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.120
 something

00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.480
 just beyond

00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:06.680
 us,

00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.440
 if only we

00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.880
 can get it

00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.339
 then everything

00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.799
 else will be

00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.120
 right.

00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.200
 Paul pushes

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.380
 the Corinthian

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.200
 believers to

00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.799
 say that the

00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.779
 truly useful

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.720
 disciple is

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.299
 one who

00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.480
 displays God's

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.079
 wisdom and

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.420
 power.

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.079
 Jesus

00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.579
 shaped,

00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.539
 Jesus

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.039
 focused,

00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:30.740
 and that's

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.399
 in sharp

00:21:31.399 --> 00:21:33.220
 contrast to

00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.559
 what the

00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.460
 world offers

00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.279
 or considers

00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.859
 wise and

00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.220
 powerful.

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.619
 Let's just

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.319
 circle around

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.899
 then back to

00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:42.960
 my opening

00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.399
 challenges about

00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:44.980
 division,

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.059
 dysfunctional

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.639
 relationships,

00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.379
 and having the

00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.039
 ability to be

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.480
 wise, useful

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.119
 disciples of

00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:50.740
 Jesus in this

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.399
 church family.

00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.460
 They're the

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.159
 takeaway points

00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.579
 for today.

00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.200
 So the first

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.740
 one is this,

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.259
 on repeat,

00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:58.900
 from the past

00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.440
 two weeks.

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.500
 The gospel

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.500
 really is a

00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.420
 radical new

00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:05.180
 worldview, a

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.660
 new way of

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.359
 seeing the

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:06.779
 world, a

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.180
 new way of

00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.859
 operating in

00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.259
 the world.

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.039
 And it's

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.620
 totally at

00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.980
 odds with

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.440
 our old

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.460
 pre-Christian

00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.259
 framework of

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.759
 thinking about

00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:17.099
 who and what

00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.799
 is important

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.480
 in Christ's

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.839
 church.

00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:24.940
 And that

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.859
 new worldview,

00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.579
 that new way

00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.120
 of thinking,

00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.920
 ought to

00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:31.140
 overflow into

00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:32.120
 Jesus-shaped

00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.680
 ways of

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.120
 relating,

00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.480
 engaging in

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:36.880
 this church

00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.220
 family.

00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:39.759
 Now,

00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.099
 Paul repeats

00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.819
 it and repeats

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.940
 it because

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.960
 he finds it so

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.880
 hard to learn

00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.440
 that lesson.

00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:56.200
 we constantly

00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.759
 think we can

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.880
 blend what

00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.320
 the world

00:22:59.320 --> 00:23:00.039
 tells us

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.880
 and what

00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.299
 the gospel

00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.960
 tells us.

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.559
 And we

00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.000
 wonder why

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.420
 we end up

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.200
 in a total

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.779
 mess in our

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.080
 minds.

00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.059
 We're trying

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.400
 to mix

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:08.740
 things that

00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.320
 don't mix.

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.500
 Trying to

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.980
 have food in

00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.539
 both camps,

00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:12.960
 as the old

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.440
 saying goes.

00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:15.380
 second thing

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:15.860
 is this.

00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.380
 We need to

00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.940
 call out

00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.980
 most division

00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.680
 and factions

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.380
 in a church

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:23.080
 family as

00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:23.860
 inherently

00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.299
 being about

00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.220
 power struggles.

00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:27.860
 Now,

00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.140
 that might

00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.860
 sound pretty

00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.320
 negative,

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.080
 and it is

00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:30.640
 pretty negative,

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.580
 but let me

00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.120
 try and defend

00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.279
 it.

00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.320
 If I can't

00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:33.700
 defend it,

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.240
 just write me

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.880
 off as Eeyore,

00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:35.880
 as you would

00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:36.440
 normally do.

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:40.160
 We recognize

00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.700
 the process,

00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:41.160
 don't we?

00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.440
 An individual

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.680
 latches on to

00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.960
 some issue

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.559
 from the

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:47.840
 Bible,

00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:50.019
 which they

00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.759
 believe is a

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.799
 really crucial,

00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:52.539
 fundamental

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.720
 expression of

00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.240
 what it is to

00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.779
 be a believer,

00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.539
 or what it is

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:56.820
 to be a

00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.580
 mature believer.

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.860
 Then it

00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.660
 easily becomes

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.559
 a lobby group

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:05.039
 where that

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.539
 person

00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.859
 convinces

00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.460
 others

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.839
 that

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.480
 maturity

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.159
 in Christ

00:24:11.159 --> 00:24:12.299
 is to

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.839
 share their

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.339
 view on

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.839
 this particular

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.200
 issue.

00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.759
 Then that

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.559
 easily becomes

00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.099
 behind the

00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.539
 scenes,

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.839
 or even

00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.259
 in frontal

00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.740
 assault,

00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.039
 they start

00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.500
 to take

00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.180
 down anybody

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.700
 else in the

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.059
 congregation

00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.899
 who don't

00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.319
 share their

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.680
 views,

00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.399
 or who push

00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.960
 back against

00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.500
 that particular

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:29.779
 view.

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.019
 And finally,

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.480
 a particular

00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.000
 person who

00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.559
 started it all

00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.339
 makes themselves

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.779
 and their

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.579
 view dominant

00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:41.299
 and preeminent

00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:41.859
 in the church

00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.279
 family.

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.539
 Now,

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.339
 some of you

00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:46.720
 might think

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.400
 that's negative,

00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.279
 but I can tell

00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.220
 you now that

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.700
 people who've

00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.079
 been around

00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.859
 churches for

00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.480
 long enough

00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.779
 will recognize

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.599
 that only too

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:53.940
 well.

00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.940
 people who

00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.400
 have a

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.400
 view of

00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:57.920
 the church

00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:00.059
 and sometimes

00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.539
 those trip

00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.700
 points will

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:01.960
 be,

00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.840
 or oftentimes

00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.240
 will be

00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.840
 presented as

00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.320
 a wide

00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:05.019
 variety of

00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.519
 theological

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.080
 issues.

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.920
 But again,

00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.180
 while there may

00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.039
 well be genuine

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.600
 theological

00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.200
 differences,

00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.940
 behind those

00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.420
 sorts of

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.059
 things can

00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.559
 just be raw

00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.480
 power struggles.

00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:21.920
 And the

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.240
 point I want

00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.500
 to make

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.519
 here is that

00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:25.279
 that process

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.940
 is common

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:28.440
 and oftentimes

00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.460
 even convincing

00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.460
 in churches.

00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.420
 But it's not

00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.120
 God's wisdom

00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:34.740
 or power

00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:37.059
 if it's driving

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.140
 a person's

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.720
 dominance,

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:41.880
 if it's not

00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.779
 Jesus-shaped

00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.880
 and gospel-focused,

00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.620
 but person-shaped

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.259
 and focused

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.179
 through clever

00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:49.859
 manipulation.

00:25:51.439 --> 00:25:52.199
 Brothers and

00:25:52.199 --> 00:25:52.459
 sisters,

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.419
 two weeks out

00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:53.819
 from my

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.500
 formal ministry

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.819
 here,

00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.119
 I beg you,

00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.819
 don't fall

00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.339
 into that

00:25:59.339 --> 00:25:59.739
 trap.

00:26:01.439 --> 00:26:01.779
 It has

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.679
 destroyed too

00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:03.219
 many church

00:26:03.219 --> 00:26:03.639
 families

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:05.419
 throughout

00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:05.779
 history.

00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:10.539
 And especially

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.939
 when you see

00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:12.659
 things in this

00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:13.479
 church family

00:26:13.479 --> 00:26:14.619
 that you wish

00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.259
 were different

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.219
 and even

00:26:16.219 --> 00:26:17.379
 perhaps need

00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.700
 to be

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.080
 different.

00:26:23.020 --> 00:26:23.900
 By all

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.260
 means,

00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.120
 speak up.

00:26:26.040 --> 00:26:26.700
 By all

00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:26.920
 means,

00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.440
 challenge.

00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:29.840
 But make

00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.820
 sure that

00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:31.180
 when you

00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.680
 speak up,

00:26:31.760 --> 00:26:32.160
 when you

00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:32.580
 challenge,

00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.500
 you do

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.840
 so in

00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:35.420
 the context

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.060
 of God's

00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:36.560
 wisdom and

00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:36.840
 power.

00:26:37.520 --> 00:26:38.280
 Jesus-shaped

00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:39.900
 and gospel-focused.

00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.740
 Not self-promotion.

00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.040
 That's a hard

00:26:45.040 --> 00:26:45.540
 one to do

00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:47.599
 because inevitably

00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:49.799
 passions and

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.519
 emotions get

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.000
 involved in

00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.480
 those things.

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:51.539
 things.

00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.440
 I think,

00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.779
 just wearing that

00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.700
 application myself,

00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.579
 I think Christian

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.500
 leaders are often

00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.920
 guilty of

00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.460
 exerting this

00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.140
 sort of worldly

00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.579
 power.

00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.480
 It's easy for a

00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.259
 leader like myself

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.680
 to use

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:13.299
 personality or

00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.380
 perhaps a formal

00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.440
 position in the

00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:15.799
 church.

00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:15.839
 church.

00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:17.579
 I'm the

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.000
 pastor.

00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:19.119
 And I can use

00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:19.759
 that or could

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.359
 use that.

00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.919
 To bulldoze

00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:23.619
 folk in the

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:23.940
 church.

00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.799
 To bulldoze

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.139
 them into

00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:27.740
 conformity.

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.440
 Or again,

00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.279
 it's a real

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.099
 temptation for

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.619
 church leaders

00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.839
 like myself to

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.799
 use a position

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.879
 to hide behind,

00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:39.759
 to avoid what

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.500
 is a right and

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.440
 proper accountability

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.180
 to the church

00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.580
 family.

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.440
 Don't you

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.100
 challenge me.

00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.480
 I'm the

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:45.860
 pastor.

00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.360
 What would you

00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:47.600
 know?

00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.580
 And again,

00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.220
 I've seen it

00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.559
 all.

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.299
 And it's

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.880
 always ugly

00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:56.299
 and destructive

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.759
 to God's

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:56.980
 people.

00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.620
 Leaders need

00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.160
 to challenge

00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.640
 people and

00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.360
 motivate people,

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.799
 motivate change

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.640
 rather, using

00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.660
 the power of

00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.440
 true doctrine,

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.039
 accurate teaching,

00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:06.779
 prayer.

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.500
 In other words,

00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.200
 God's wisdom,

00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.200
 God's power.

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:16.200
 The final thing

00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.620
 then is we

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.279
 need to act

00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.759
 confidently to

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:20.180
 repair dysfunctional

00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.820
 relationships,

00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.140
 knowing we have

00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:23.039
 the wisdom and

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.400
 power necessary.

00:28:27.820 --> 00:28:28.220
 See, the

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.200
 gospel tells us

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:29.940
 in Ephesians,

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.720
 we're told in

00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.200
 Ephesians, that

00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:33.000
 the gospel was

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.680
 about creating

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.920
 one new

00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:36.519
 humanity in

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.740
 Christ.

00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:36.980
 It's about

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.400
 unity.

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.059
 All the

00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.140
 dividing categories

00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.779
 in our world

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.619
 are dismantled

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.359
 in the gospel.

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.579
 If that's the

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.119
 case then,

00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.819
 division and

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.399
 strife,

00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:51.399
 which are just

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.180
 new dividing

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.799
 categories,

00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:55.579
 must be the

00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.319
 very opposite

00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.940
 of what God

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.700
 wants for his

00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.399
 people, and

00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.160
 the opposite of

00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.980
 spirit-controlled

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.440
 Christians, what

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.859
 they ought to be

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.200
 like.

00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:05.259
 therefore, my

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.840
 friends, I

00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.380
 say this to

00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.400
 you, to

00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.080
 live with

00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:09.019
 dysfunctional

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.860
 relationships

00:29:09.860 --> 00:29:11.120
 within this

00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:11.880
 church family

00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.360
 is to live

00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:14.160
 in denial

00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.880
 of God's

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.180
 powerful,

00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.299
 renewing spirit

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.799
 within us.

00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:24.379
 God's

00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:24.940
 not serious.

00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.299
 Now, how

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.599
 could we

00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.779
 possibly settle

00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.419
 for that

00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:34.200
 when God

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.879
 has enriched

00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.779
 us with both

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.639
 wisdom and

00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:38.019
 power in the

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.559
 gospel of

00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.119
 reconciliation,

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.379
 equipping us

00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:41.960
 therefore to be

00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:43.480
 reconcilers with

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.940
 one another?

00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:46.100
 how could we

00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:46.940
 possibly settle

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.100
 for that when

00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:49.100
 we can, each

00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:49.799
 of us, both

00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.400
 sides of the

00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.360
 dispute, can

00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:51.980
 bring to the

00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.299
 table the

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.779
 mind of

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.160
 Christ?

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.279
 Because that's

00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.820
 what we have to

00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:03.259
 bring to the

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.500
 table.

00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.900
 We have the

00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.400
 mind of

00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:05.820
 Christ.

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.420
 An

00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.340
 extraordinary

00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.759
 equipping,

00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.200
 is it not?

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.900
 Very simple

00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.700
 final question,

00:30:14.800 --> 00:30:15.280
 but it's a

00:30:15.280 --> 00:30:16.160
 profound final

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:16.540
 question.

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.480
 Will we

00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.660
 function in

00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.320
 the reality

00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.360
 of the

00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:21.720
 mind of

00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.000
 Christ?

00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:26.960
 Will this

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.340
 congregation

00:30:27.340 --> 00:30:29.580
 as a whole,

00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.100
 this church

00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.540
 family as a

00:30:30.540 --> 00:30:30.840
 whole, will

00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:31.700
 you individually

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.259
 and as the

00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.680
 whole congregation,

00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.080
 will you

00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.740
 determine to

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.140
 be known as

00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.759
 a group and

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.019
 as an

00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:38.280
 individual who

00:30:38.280 --> 00:30:39.580
 operates with

00:30:39.580 --> 00:30:40.120
 the mind of

00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:40.440
 Christ?

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.580
 I'll tell you,

00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:43.960
 it'll be

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.000
 powerful stuff

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.460
 as you guys

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.079
 step into the

00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.839
 next chapter of

00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.259
 this church

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.899
 family life,

00:30:49.199 --> 00:30:49.639
 and I step

00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:49.879
 out.

00:30:51.939 --> 00:30:52.679
 Powerful stuff

00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:52.960
 indeed.

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.319
 Pray with me.

00:30:54.319 --> 00:31:08.879
 Lord, it's

00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.480
 such an

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.179
 indictment on

00:31:10.179 --> 00:31:11.879
 us that

00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:13.159
 for us

00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:13.700
 who are

00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.759
 new in

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.139
 you in

00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:15.439
 the Lord

00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.139
 Jesus Christ,

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.579
 who have

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.000
 the mind

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.500
 of Christ,

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.639
 so often

00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:20.819
 continue to

00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.299
 act with

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.000
 a mind of

00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.700
 selfishness

00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.539
 and self

00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:23.940
 promotion.

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.880
 Help us

00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.539
 to see the

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.160
 awfulness of

00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:30.720
 it, Lord.

00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:31.960
 Help us to

00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.660
 see that in

00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.100
 Christ it

00:31:33.100 --> 00:31:33.620
 doesn't have

00:31:33.620 --> 00:31:34.200
 to be that

00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.440
 way.

00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.019
 And help

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.420
 us, Lord,

00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:36.960
 to take

00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.460
 action,

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.720
 to repair

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.440
 relationships

00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.840
 that are

00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.620
 strained and

00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:41.900
 broken,

00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.500
 perhaps some

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.059
 for years,

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.900
 to be

00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.600
 confident in

00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:47.380
 stepping forward

00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:49.240
 and thrown

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.980
 our involvement

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.600
 and commitment

00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.180
 into this

00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.460
 church

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.100
 practically,

00:31:54.280 --> 00:31:54.700
 knowing that

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.120
 we have the

00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.780
 wisdom and

00:31:55.780 --> 00:31:56.560
 power of

00:31:56.560 --> 00:31:58.600
 God to

00:31:58.600 --> 00:31:59.040
 make us the

00:31:59.040 --> 00:31:59.780
 most useful,

00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.120
 wise,

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:01.920
 powerful

00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.100
 disciples possible

00:32:03.100 --> 00:32:03.540
 in this

00:32:03.540 --> 00:32:03.900
 place.

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.260
 Help us to

00:32:06.260 --> 00:32:06.840
 see that,

00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:07.840
 help us to

00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.620
 long for it,

00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.760
 and help us to

00:32:09.760 --> 00:32:10.440
 delight in it.

00:32:10.820 --> 00:32:11.380
 In Jesus' name

00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:11.720
 I pray.

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.020
 Amen.

00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:12.140
 Amen.

00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.640
 Amen.

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.640
 Amen.

00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:13.720
 Amen.

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:13.820
 Amen.

00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.140
 Amen.

00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.320
 Amen.