WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.100 And this week we will look at Paul's further explanation of the doctrine of reconciliation. 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:12.679 ! But we should remember first, recall that Paul did not establish the church at Colossae. 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:19.400 ! He was not the one who preached the gospel first to them and set up the church there. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:25.219 It was likely established by Epaphras, who was with Paul in Rome at the writing of this letter, 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:34.619 and had probably traveled there to inform Paul of some heresy that was encircling and within the church at Colossae. 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:44.579 We do not know the exact nature of this heresy, but Paul's letter gives us some clues to it as it is heavily doctrinal, 00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:46.960 as most of his writing tends to be. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:54.460 But what he's doing here is he's trying to establish proper doctrine amongst the church in Colossae. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:58.259 Paul's letter to the Colossians is very timely for our day, 00:00:58.839 --> 00:01:04.920 as there exists today much error encircling and within the church in America. 00:01:05.579 --> 00:01:11.099 One particularly troubling error concerns the means and nature of salvation. 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:16.299 You have heard me say before, and I try not to be this person. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:20.939 I want to be a glass half full kind of a person. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:26.659 I'm definitely glass half empty or maybe 10% full kind of a person. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:38.799 But I think with some accuracy that this comment is true that most people who think they're followers of Jesus Christ, 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:42.780 who sit this morning in Sunday services, are not. 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:46.120 They have not been regenerate. 00:01:46.699 --> 00:01:51.439 They've had a false gospel preached to them, and they have believed that false gospel, 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:54.659 and that are being led astray as such. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:58.319 Listen to what the Scriptures have to say concerning this. 00:01:58.399 --> 00:01:59.719 You can mark Colossians. 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:03.219 I invite you, though, to turn to the book of Matthew 13 with me. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:14.740 I'm normally not much for long intros, but this morning we'll have one. 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:16.539 Matthew 13. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:19.219 I'll begin reading in verse 24. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:23.800 For Jesus put another parable before them, saying, 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:29.500 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:37.960 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds or tares among the wheat and went away. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:42.960 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:46.740 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 00:02:46.740 --> 00:02:50.159 Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:52.060 How then does it have weeds? 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:53.780 He said to them, 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:55.240 An enemy has done this. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:56.840 So the servant said to him, 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:58.640 Then do you want us to go and gather them? 00:02:59.260 --> 00:03:00.000 But he said, 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:03.879 No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 00:03:04.320 --> 00:03:06.760 Let both grow together until the harvest. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:09.500 And at harvest time I will tell the reapers, 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:13.219 Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, 00:03:13.419 --> 00:03:16.099 And gather the wheat into my barn. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:23.139 And this parable was meant to teach the disciples that this will be the nature of the church. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:27.800 There will be false converts amongst us. 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:31.680 What he's trying to encourage them with is that this will one day be sorted out. 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:38.020 Final judgment will sort out who is truly in Christ and who is not in Christ. 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:40.700 This is meant to be a comfort to them. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:44.540 However, this wheat and tare analogy, 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:49.140 The wheat would have been much more plentiful in this field. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:52.180 It ought not be accepted on our part, 00:03:52.320 --> 00:03:55.520 A, well, that's the way it's going to be sort of mentality. 00:03:55.860 --> 00:03:59.219 Because in other places we're warned against this type of thing. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:01.640 Turn a couple pages back to Matthew chapter 7. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:07.360 In the conclusion of what we call the Sermon on the Mount, 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:09.719 Beginning in verse 21, Jesus says, 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:11.600 Not everyone who says to me, 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:14.640 Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:18.800 But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:21.840 He's saying, not just the one who gives me lip service, 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:25.879 But the one who is obedient to the will of the Father. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:26.439 Verse 22, 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:28.139 On that day many will say to me, 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:30.519 Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy in Your name, 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:32.339 And cast out demons in Your name, 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:34.920 And do many mighty works in Your name? 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:38.199 Fantastic things to be witnessed. 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:40.959 Jesus says in verse 23, 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:42.040 And then I will declare to them, 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:43.779 I never knew you. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:47.639 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:52.399 This is a warning against this type of apostasy. 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:55.560 Sitting in amongst churches, 00:04:55.919 --> 00:04:58.060 Calling yourself a disciple of Jesus Christ, 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:01.379 And yet not being so. 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:05.800 Listen to what Dr. Jim Binney wrote in Issues of the Heart 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.800 Concerning the State of the Church. 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:10.219 He writes, and I quote, 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.380 Dr. Rod Bell, 00:05:11.840 --> 00:05:14.240 President of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of America, 00:05:14.460 --> 00:05:18.540 Estimates that 50% of church people are without Christ. 00:05:19.440 --> 00:05:22.820 His estimate concurs with that of Bob Jones Sr. 00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:26.700 In the 1940s, he also fixed the estimate at 50%. 00:05:26.700 --> 00:05:31.740 Dr. B.R. Lakin estimated that 75% are lost. 00:05:32.400 --> 00:05:35.020 W.A. Criswell would be surprised to see 00:05:35.020 --> 00:05:38.620 Even 25% of his church members in heaven. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:40.759 Dr. Bob Gray, 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:44.420 Longtime pastor of the prestigious Trinity Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:49.860 Once said that probably 75% of those he baptized were not saved. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:52.620 Billy Graham puts the figure at 85%, 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:58.620 While A.W. Tozer and Southern Baptist consultant Jim Eliff raise it to 90%. 00:05:59.160 --> 00:06:04.459 These are shocking figures, to be sure, but not surprising. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:08.240 Many such lost people find their way into the roles of the church 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:11.019 through evangelism methods that are less than thorough. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:14.720 In a country boasting of coast-to-coast Christianity 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:17.840 with thousands of church buildings and millions of members, 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:20.980 it is hard to realize the depth of the problem. 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:25.720 The reason that so many who think they are saved may actually be lost 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:30.079 is traceable to a misunderstanding about the means of salvation. 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:34.220 Many religious people are misled into believing they are genuine Christians 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:36.200 because of some external criteria. 00:06:36.200 --> 00:06:39.720 This may be the form of their prayer at the time of salvation. 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:44.220 It can also include a dependence upon feelings going forward at a public meeting 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:48.860 or meeting someone's expectations in any regard about the means of salvation. 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:53.759 The Bible warns against dependency upon the wrong things for salvation. 00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:55.020 End quote. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:59.000 This is a serious issue before us. 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:04.180 And so, Paul sets right their understanding and ours 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:07.460 concerning the means and nature of salvation 00:07:07.460 --> 00:07:11.340 by teaching on the doctrine of reconciliation. 00:07:11.339 --> 00:07:14.839 So back in Colossians 1, if you're not already there. 00:07:16.119 --> 00:07:19.699 It's our text for today, beginning in verse 21. 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:27.739 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:31.959 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:36.939 in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:41.540 If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:44.639 not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:47.480 which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:50.860 and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.680 This is God's word to us. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.959 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:07:57.040 --> 00:08:00.480 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:03.199 and obey its commands. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:08.620 Now, there are five very important words used in the New Testament 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:10.219 to speak of salvation. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:13.479 The Scriptures tell us that we are justified. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:16.980 We stand before God guilty and condemned or declared righteous. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:19.579 We are redeemed. 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:23.159 We stand before God as a slave, but we are granted freedom. 00:08:24.019 --> 00:08:25.120 We are forgiven. 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:29.199 We stand before God as a debtor, but the debt is paid and forgotten. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.199 We are adopted. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:35.039 We stand before God as a stranger, but are made a son. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:41.360 But perhaps the most rich of all these explanations is that of reconciliation. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:45.019 We are reconciled if we are in Christ. 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:52.319 We once stood before God as his enemies, but we are made his friends. 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:57.299 The Greek word for reconcile means literally to change in relationship. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:09:03.299 Our status with God Almighty has been changed if we are found in Christ. 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:10.899 It is of great importance that we rightly understand the means and nature of our salvation. 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:18.539 The eternal state of our souls and of those who we minister to depend upon it. 00:09:18.599 --> 00:09:22.099 This is an eternal, weighty matter before us. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:27.019 And as such, I believe that the proper application of this text, 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:31.000 which I normally give to you at the end of the sermon, should be given to you now. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:36.340 I want you to think with these filters on through what we're going to study together. 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:43.340 So the application is to firstly, be sure of your reconciliation. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:48.800 Know for a fact this morning that you are eternally secure. 00:09:49.160 --> 00:09:53.580 That you have placed believing faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.660 That God has in fact changed your heart. 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:58.420 Called you a friend. 00:09:58.800 --> 00:10:00.280 Made you his son. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:04.279 That you have been saved from the wrath to come. 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:10.839 Secondly, contend for the faith. 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:13.740 The last half of Jude verse 3 says, 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:18.799 Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:24.620 In the name of the truth, so many are being led astray. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:29.120 They're hearing this is what it looks like to follow Jesus Christ. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:31.620 And they're being taken down a wide path. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:36.399 We must warn them to flee from the wrath to come. 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:39.960 We must preach a pure gospel. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:42.940 That people may believe and be saved. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:45.919 Even those who already think that they are. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.620 And so with those filters on, with those applications, 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:52.240 we'll study our text together in the following outline. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:54.120 And I'll give this to you again as we work through. 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:56.620 But firstly, the need for reconciliation. 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:59.480 Second, the means of reconciliation. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:02.580 Third, the goal of reconciliation. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:07.039 And fourth, the evidence of reconciliation. 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:13.000 It is of great importance we rightly understand the means and nature of salvation. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:16.659 And firstly, we need to look at the need for reconciliation. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.320 Verse 21 says, 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:38.800 We once were separated from God because of who we once were if we're found in Christ. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:44.899 There are many people and issues in our time that seek to divide humanity for a variety of criteria. 00:11:45.099 --> 00:11:48.159 Gender, race, nationality, political party. 00:11:48.959 --> 00:11:51.579 Some of these are helpful for certain conversations, to be sure. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.899 I'm not discrediting them altogether. 00:11:53.439 --> 00:11:57.479 But the Bible makes the most helpful distinction to aid us in understanding the world, 00:11:57.859 --> 00:12:00.079 its nature, and the part that we play in it. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:08.379 That distinction is whether or not we are a people in fellowship with God or not in fellowship with God. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:10.879 Where is our status? 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:13.379 One of two most important. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.960 We're saved or we're lost. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:19.820 There are many other descriptors for these two categories. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.400 Here with the doctrine of reconciliation, 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:27.400 you're either God's enemy or you're reconciled to Him as His friend. 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:31.220 Your relationship has been made right once again. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:37.759 And Paul gives some understanding of what this without God, 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:42.779 this cut off from fellowship with Him relation looks like. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:47.620 He uses the terms alienated, hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:53.519 To be alienated means to be cut off, to be separated or estranged from. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:13:01.220 The Colossians and all of humanity are estranged from God apart from Christ. 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.699 The metanarrative of humanity. 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:09.019 We all share this problem apart from the solution of Jesus Christ. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.960 Paul writes elsewhere, like Ephesians 2.12 of this, 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:16.460 Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ. 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:21.600 Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise. 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:26.019 Having no hope and without God in the world. 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:30.660 The creation separated eternally from its Creator. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.840 We're also hostile in mind, 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:38.160 which means to be hateful toward God in thought and attitude. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:42.980 It's not just that we are not particularly concerned with who God is and His ways, 00:13:43.719 --> 00:13:45.459 but that if we're not found in Christ, 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:49.719 we are actually hateful toward God in our thoughts and our attitudes. 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:54.179 The Colossians and all humanity, apart from Christ, 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.639 hate God and His holy standards, 00:13:57.039 --> 00:14:00.379 and express so by doing evil deeds. 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:05.179 That is the outcome of hearts that are evil and bent towards God. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:09.979 Living in contradiction to God and His holy standards. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.419 John 3.19-20 says, 00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:14.639 People loved the darkness rather than the light, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:16.839 because their works were evil. 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:19.659 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light, 00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:21.679 and does not come to the light, 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:24.559 lest his works should be exposed. 00:14:24.959 --> 00:14:28.219 So there's these important two distinctions. 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:30.599 Without Christ, we are cut off, 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:33.199 separated from, estranged from God. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:35.560 We have no point and purpose in our life 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:38.020 because we cannot properly worship the Creator. 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:41.620 We cannot do the thing we were created to do. 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:46.259 This is the bad news of this condition. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:51.140 People are either in fellowship with God or they are not. 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.440 It's bad news, beloved. 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:57.879 To not be reconciled to God is bad news 00:14:57.879 --> 00:15:02.439 because God hates sinners. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.620 And yes, you heard me right. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:09.360 God hates sinners. 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:12.879 His wrath burns white hot 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.659 against those who are His enemy. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:18.120 I do not want to be on God's bad side 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:20.039 on the day of judgment. 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.320 God hates sinners. 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:24.059 Psalm 5, 5 and 6. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.279 Listen carefully. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.879 This is the holy writ. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:30.120 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.220 You hate all evildoers. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:36.279 You destroy those who speak lies. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.379 The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:41.699 and deceitful man. 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:44.600 In the book of Psalms alone, 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:48.120 14 times in the first 50 Psalms, 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:51.559 it is stated that God hates sinners. 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:56.959 God is also love. 00:15:57.919 --> 00:16:00.339 And He is perfectly love. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:05.199 One time, a young lady asked Charles Spurgeon 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:07.639 how to reconcile the doctrines 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.739 of the sovereignty of God 00:16:08.739 --> 00:16:10.500 and the responsibility of man. 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.019 And his response was, 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:13.439 why would we need to reconcile 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:14.959 two doctrines that are friends? 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.959 The same could be said here as well. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.919 There's no real need for reconciliation 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:21.399 between the two. 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:23.319 God is also love. 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.279 And as such, 00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:26.139 He has made a way 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:28.779 for our reconciliation in Christ. 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.339 He has made a way 00:16:30.339 --> 00:16:33.240 to extend His love to humanity. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.899 But you must know, 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.039 if you're not found in Christ, 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:40.479 God's graciousness in a particular way 00:16:40.479 --> 00:16:41.659 is not extended to you. 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.579 In a general way, it is 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:43.579 because you're still alive. 00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:45.279 You haven't already faced His wrath. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.919 But in a particular way, 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:49.819 His love has not yet been received 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:51.100 because it must be received 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.799 in Christ. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.639 If you're apart from Christ, 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:58.759 God hates you. 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.579 You have to hear it. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.600 People want to make our sin 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.019 exterior to us, right? 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:06.359 The adage, the cliché term. 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.720 God doesn't hate sinners. 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.980 He hates their sin. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.899 But if we are apart from Christ, 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.000 the sin that we do is who we are. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.759 It's an outflow of who we are. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.759 We are evil. 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:21.040 We are His enemies, right? 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.960 We with our actions say to Him, 00:17:23.060 --> 00:17:25.160 I hate you and I hate your ways. 00:17:25.280 --> 00:17:26.580 And God in turn says, 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.519 likewise. 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.920 And one day I will punish 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:31.960 and destroy you for eternity. 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:35.140 This is the judgment of God for sin. 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:37.519 We need to take sin seriously. 00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:40.860 This false gospel 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.880 creates God's love 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.160 and never talks about 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:47.900 wrath and the consequence of sin 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:50.580 is what caused so many people 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.780 to be led astray. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.940 The beginning of knowledge? 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.160 Fear of the Lord. 00:17:57.080 --> 00:17:58.100 That we may know 00:17:58.100 --> 00:18:00.000 that He will not tolerate 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.460 those who will not worship Him. 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:07.080 It is of great importance 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:08.700 that we rightly understand 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:10.800 the means and nature 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.419 of our salvation. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.259 We have a need 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.399 for reconciliation. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.079 We have a means 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.859 of reconciliation. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.680 God's love 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:22.519 graciously extended 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:24.019 to us 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.619 in the person and work 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.899 of Jesus Christ. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.220 The fear of God 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.220 enters into your heart. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.779 Look to the cross 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:33.500 and see the love 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.259 of God 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.200 for you. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.539 Many people today 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.519 believe that you must 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.419 simply believe 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.279 believe in something. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.060 That right motivation 00:18:43.060 --> 00:18:43.940 and sincerity 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.480 are the proper measure 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.220 of that belief. 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.620 And that belief itself 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.380 in some way 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.160 is salvific. 00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:50.600 You talk to many people today 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:52.779 and they're spiritual people 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.880 and they believe 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:55.300 that they're good people. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.220 And the measure 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:57.960 of that goodness 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.460 is found in the sincerity 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.900 of those affection. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.920 But the road to hell 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.560 is paved 00:19:02.560 --> 00:19:04.140 with good intentions. 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:05.860 The Bible 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.920 is constantly 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.160 and consistently 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.940 stressing 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:10.080 the proper 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:11.039 object 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.620 of belief. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.900 Belief itself 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.880 is not enough. 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:16.960 You can believe 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.620 that a rock 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.300 will save me 00:19:18.300 --> 00:19:19.080 from my sin. 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.940 But it has no benefit 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.440 to me. 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.519 There's no power 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.400 in the rock. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.000 We must have 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.519 the proper 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.640 object 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.900 of belief. 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:29.680 Jesus Christ 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.940 and His sacrificial 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.800 work on the cross. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.880 The first part 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.500 of verse 22 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.160 says, 00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:35.259 He, being Christ, 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.900 has now reconciled 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:38.099 in His body 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.940 of flesh 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:41.779 by His death. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.400 If we have believed 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.759 in Him, 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.720 He is reconciled 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.879 in His body 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:46.240 of flesh 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.819 by His death. 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.039 Us to God 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.940 and God 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.460 to us. 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:53.379 The sacrificial system, 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.619 the Old Testament 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.720 sacrificial system 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.960 was all meant 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.859 to prefigure 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.839 the ultimate 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.680 sacrifice 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:01.240 of Jesus Christ. 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.680 The way in which 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.819 animals were being 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.579 slaughtered. 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.539 The temple worship 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.139 was constant. 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.299 It was ongoing. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.019 There was always 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.519 a flow of blood 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.899 coming from the temple 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:13.879 because of the sins 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:14.619 of Israel. 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.079 It was meant 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.019 to show us 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.899 the perfect sacrifice. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.679 Prefigure 00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:19.619 point to 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.519 the one 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.139 in whom 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:22.579 we believe. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.819 Do you think 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.359 that God 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.460 doesn't hate sinners? 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.460 You need to listen 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.460 to Isaiah 53, 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.319 5-7. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.819 Consider the way 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.839 in which God 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:35.019 turned His back 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.299 on Christ, 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.399 His Son, 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.659 perfect in every way 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.519 without sin, 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:41.019 laid on Him 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:43.000 the sins of His people 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.879 and poured His wrath 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.579 out on Him. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.859 Hated Him 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.960 to death. 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:49.980 Isaiah 53, 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.679 5-7. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:54.180 But He was pierced 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.759 for our transgressions. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.140 He was crushed 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.600 for our iniquities. 00:20:59.340 --> 00:20:59.940 Upon Him 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.000 was the chastisement 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.060 that brought us peace 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:03.340 and with His wounds 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.600 we are healed. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.700 All like sheep 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.420 have gone astray, 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.200 every one of us. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.240 We all need reconciliation. 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.160 We have turned 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.700 everyone 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:12.060 to His own way 00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:12.940 and the Lord 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.940 has laid on Him 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.660 the iniquity 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.820 of us all. 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.519 He was oppressed 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:19.160 and He was afflicted 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.200 yet He opened 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.799 not His mouth 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.619 like a lamb 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.240 that is led 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.839 to the slaughter 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.740 and like a sheep 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.519 that before it 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.400 shears a silence 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.539 so He opened 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.740 not His mouth. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.160 Beloved, 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.859 we have to understand 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:31.160 that Jesus Christ 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.180 is the means 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.039 of reconciliation. 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.599 He is the only 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:36.079 means of reconciliation. 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:38.079 His perfect life 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.139 imputed to us 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.859 that we may be found 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.779 righteous in Him 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:42.420 and His bearing 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.139 of our sin 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.680 on the cross 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.299 that we would be 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.859 forgiven 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:46.579 of those sins. 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.879 Apart from that, 00:21:50.479 --> 00:21:51.240 the wrath 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.979 that was poured out 00:21:51.979 --> 00:21:52.779 on Jesus Christ 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.500 will one day 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.319 be poured out 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.379 on you. 00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.579 If Christ 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.240 is not born 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.959 your sin 00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:58.719 because you have not 00:21:58.719 --> 00:21:59.719 placed believing faith 00:21:59.719 --> 00:22:00.139 in Him, 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.299 then it will be 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.019 one day 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.079 poured out on you 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:04.179 for eternity. 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.539 Christ drank up 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:09.019 the wrath of God 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.519 for the people 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.539 of the church 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.979 for all eternity. 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.279 And then He said 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.019 it is finished. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.539 And He sat down 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.339 at the right hand 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.339 of the Father. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.579 The author of Hebrews 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.799 in chapter 13, 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.639 11, and 12 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:25.619 reiterates this point. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.379 For the bodies 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.319 of those animals 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.460 whose blood 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.940 is brought 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.879 into the holy places 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.839 by the high priest 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.579 as a sacrifice 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.220 for sin 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.920 are burned 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:34.180 outside the camp. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.879 These animals 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:36.039 that were slaughtered 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.920 for the sins of Israel 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:38.079 burned outside the camp. 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.240 So Jesus also suffered 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.259 outside the gate 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.579 in order to sanctify 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.240 the people 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:45.500 through His own blood. 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:48.579 We've been reconciled 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:50.259 in His body of flesh 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:52.220 by His death. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.519 Because of that work, 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:57.559 we have been reconciled. 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.859 Because of His activity 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.160 and His accomplishment 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.319 on the cross, 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.759 we can be, 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.299 I hope, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:07.200 have been reconciled. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.460 That we might join 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.640 with the writers 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.599 of the New Testament. 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.679 Romans 5, 11, 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:13.939 we also rejoice in God 00:23:13.939 --> 00:23:15.740 through our Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.659 through whom we have now 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:19.559 received reconciliation. 00:23:20.439 --> 00:23:21.719 Through Jesus. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.619 What does that mean? 00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:23.579 John 14, 6, 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.480 Jesus said to Him, 00:23:24.959 --> 00:23:25.740 I am the way 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.819 and the truth 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.659 and the life. 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:29.559 No one comes to the Father 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:32.199 except through Me. 00:23:33.199 --> 00:23:34.559 Ephesians 2, 8, 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.339 for by grace 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.220 you have been saved 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.759 through faith. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.599 Faith 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:41.079 in the person 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.220 and the work 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.500 of Jesus Christ. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.679 Rightly setting our belief 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:47.700 on the proper object. 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.619 This is the way 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.859 that we are reconciled 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:52.879 through Jesus Christ. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:55.360 Ephesians 2, 8, 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.160 goes on to say, 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:57.280 and this is not 00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:58.680 your own doing. 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.880 It is the gift of God. 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:03.280 Charles Spurgeon said, 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.680 reconciliation of man 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.460 to his Maker 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:07.140 is never achieved 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.060 by man, 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.440 but is the work of God 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.900 from first to last. 00:24:12.020 --> 00:24:12.620 And to God 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:15.300 must be all the glory. 00:24:17.280 --> 00:24:18.600 We've got to get this right. 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.100 It's of great importance 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:20.980 we rightly understand 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.160 the means and nature 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.860 of our salvation. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.200 We have a need 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.960 for reconciliation. 00:24:26.060 --> 00:24:26.920 Jesus Christ 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:28.180 is the means 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:29.720 of that reconciliation. 00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:32.080 And there's a goal in mind. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.920 There's a goal 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:34.340 of reconciliation. 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:36.300 The last part of verse 22. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.460 In order 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:39.640 that to present 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.960 you holy 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.380 and blameless 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:44.480 and above reproach 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.840 before Him. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.480 The right state 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.900 that we must be in 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.580 to enter into 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.700 the presence of God. 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.960 Set apart 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.720 from sin. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.860 Taken away from it. 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.740 Sanctified 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.579 from sin. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.660 To present you 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:59.000 holy and blameless 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.880 and above reproach. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.400 All of these 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.019 have both 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.640 present 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:05.240 and future 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.779 implications. 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.819 They are realities 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.920 for this life 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.799 and 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:10.200 in the hereafter. 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:11.880 Paul says 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.460 that if we are 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.819 reconciled to God, 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.180 we are 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.759 holy, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.000 separated from sin 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.799 and set apart 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.819 to God. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.859 As a result 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.399 of faith 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.359 in Jesus Christ, 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.720 God sees 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.319 Christians 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.220 as united 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.339 with Christ 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:26.200 in His holiness. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.139 This is that 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:28.339 imputed righteousness. 00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:29.139 Jesus' 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.119 perfect life 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:31.659 given to us 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:32.799 by faith. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.579 Ephesians 1.4 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.240 states that 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.740 God chose us 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.539 in Christ 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.519 before the foundation 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.079 of the world 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:40.099 that we should be 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.740 holy and blameless 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.879 before Him. 00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:45.040 In 2 Corinthians 5.21 00:25:45.040 --> 00:25:45.860 it says, 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.820 For our sake 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:48.280 He, being God, 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:49.340 made Him, being Christ, 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:49.940 to be sin 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.440 who knew no sin, 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:52.820 gave our sin 00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:53.580 to Jesus 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:55.060 so that in Him 00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:56.420 we might become 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.320 the righteousness 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.280 of God. 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:59.280 So that in Christ 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:00.140 we are given 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:02.320 Christ's righteousness. 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:03.820 This is what 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.640 Martin Luther called 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.720 the great exchange. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.160 Our sin given to Christ. 00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:07.940 His righteousness 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.780 given to us. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.540 We are also to be 00:26:11.540 --> 00:26:12.520 presented blameless 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:14.299 this is without blemish. 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.200 Reconciliation gives us 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:18.039 a blameless character 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:20.019 and above reproach 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.980 which goes beyond 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.079 this idea 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.460 of being blameless. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.420 No one 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.639 can bring a charge 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:28.039 against us. 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.859 Those who are found 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.299 in Christ. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.940 Those who have been 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.139 reconciled to God. 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.680 No one can even bring 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.259 a charge against us. 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.660 Romans 8.32-34 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.740 He who did not 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.700 spare His own Son 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.599 but gave Him up 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.180 for us all, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.099 how will He not 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:42.400 also 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.019 so with Him 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.340 graciously give us 00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:44.880 all things. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.380 Who shall bring 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.220 any charge 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.320 against God's elect? 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.259 It is God who justifies 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.519 who is to condemn. 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.700 Christ Jesus 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.500 is the one who died 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.320 more than that 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.320 who was raised, 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.120 who is at the right hand 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.540 of God, 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.960 who is indeed 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.660 interceding for us. 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.240 Because we have 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.519 a great intercessor, 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.120 the person Jesus Christ, 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.000 and because we are 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.300 found in Him, 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.040 we have been 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:08.100 reconciled 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:09.700 to God. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.920 And because God 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:11.680 has reconciled us 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.279 to Himself, 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.640 He has declared us 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.600 righteous in Christ. 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.120 And no one can leverage 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:17.620 a legitimate accusation 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.200 against us 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.059 that has eternal weight. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.720 It is an accomplished, 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.900 finished work 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.360 that we would be presented 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:25.440 in this way 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.460 before God. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.920 So we have a need. 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.580 We have the means. 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.500 There's a goal. 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.380 There also ought to be 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.440 evidence 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:37.140 of our reconciliation. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.680 Evidence. 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.480 of that reconciliation. 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:41.960 And beloved, 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:42.860 you need to hear this. 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.200 The church today 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.200 needs to hear this. 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.799 Paul's words in verse 23. 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:50.140 If indeed 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:51.799 you continue. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.700 If indeed 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.500 you continue. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:56.000 This has been accomplished 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.259 on your behalf. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.140 You were once 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.000 alienated 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.779 and hostile mind 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.779 and doing evil deeds, 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.580 but now 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.600 Jesus Christ 00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:03.759 by the work of His blood 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.500 has reconciled you 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.279 to God 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.299 to present you 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.059 blameless, 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.639 holy, 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:09.599 above reproach, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.460 before Him 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:12.539 if indeed 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:14.099 you continue 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.359 in this faith. 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.859 If you have 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:18.099 professed faith 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:19.379 in Jesus Christ, 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.980 His person 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.799 and His work, 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.559 and then you 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.339 continue 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.899 in this faith. 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.099 Stable 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.299 and steadfast. 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.419 Not shifting 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.019 from the hope 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.519 of the gospel 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.220 that you heard, 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.099 which has been 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.579 proclaimed in all 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.180 creation under heaven 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.799 and of which I, 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.079 Paul, 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:34.919 became a minister. 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.480 If you 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.539 continue 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.879 in the faith, 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.579 then here is presented 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.099 the doctrine 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.359 of the perseverance 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:43.059 of the saints. 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.339 Those who are truly 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.599 in Christ, 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.579 who are saints, 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.579 will 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.819 persevere 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.899 to the end. 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.700 The doctrine states 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.200 that all those 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.940 who are in Christ 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:54.200 will persist 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.980 in holiness 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.579 until the end, 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:57.700 their death 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:59.200 or Christ's return. 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.859 They will persist 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.659 in holiness. 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.439 Progress 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.699 in holiness. 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:05.740 Not found perfect 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.079 on our own. 00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.240 Certainly found 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.159 righteous in Christ 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:09.939 before God. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:12.199 Not living perfect lives, 00:29:12.979 --> 00:29:14.519 but persisting, 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.740 moving on 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.539 in holiness. 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.939 Continually hating 00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:18.740 more of the world 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.519 and loving more 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.059 of the things 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.779 of God. 00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.779 Turning from sin 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:23.179 and turning to Christ. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.219 You've heard me say 00:29:24.219 --> 00:29:25.079 many times before 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.019 our trajectory 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.319 should be heavenward. 00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:28.740 We should be working 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.699 in that direction. 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:31.100 Zoom out 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:32.319 from our lives 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.160 and that's the way 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.100 the graph should run. 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.620 Zoom in on any 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.200 given moment? 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.940 Maybe not. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.519 But in a general sense, 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:38.980 we ought to be 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.059 pressing towards 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:41.019 holiness. 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.880 Some prefer to call 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.299 this doctrine 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.120 the perseverance 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.360 and preservation 00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:46.720 of the saints 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.799 in order to express 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:49.640 both the proper activity, 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.080 that is, 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.980 a pursuit of holiness 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.200 of the Christian, 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:54.080 as well as the timeline 00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.640 for that. 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.640 That God will take us 00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:56.319 all the way 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.580 to the end. 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.019 That we are 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:59.240 eternally secure. 00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.700 We've been sanctified 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.440 and we are being 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.759 sanctified to express 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:04.099 both of those things. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:06.940 This must be true 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.839 of the Christian. 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.599 To know that you're 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:13.119 reconciled to God. 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:14.359 There must be some 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:16.759 evidence of such a claim. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.940 Simply, those who claim 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.460 to be disciples 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.420 of Jesus Christ 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:22.220 follow Him. 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:24.700 They must follow Him. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.860 The very definition 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.660 of the Word. 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.480 To say, 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.980 I follow Jesus Christ 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.740 and then to not 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.440 follow Him 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.500 is idiotic. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.840 If we are disciples 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.759 of Jesus Christ, 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:37.140 we do what He says. 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.440 We're obedient 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.279 to the call 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.319 of the Gospel. 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.200 We take up 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.920 the promises. 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:44.860 We obey the commands. 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.460 We press in 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.620 to the truth. 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:50.539 John 3.36 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:53.399 Jesus says, 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.259 whoever believes 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.019 in the Son 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:56.519 has eternal life. 00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.599 True. 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.299 Right? 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.379 Fantastic. 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.799 Oh, those words 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.339 are precious. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:03.700 Whoever believes 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.259 in the Son 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.200 has eternal life. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.740 But He helps us 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.639 understand this Greek 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.639 word belief, 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:09.039 which is not simply 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.659 mental cognition, 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:12.539 but rather the type 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.139 of belief that 00:31:13.139 --> 00:31:14.240 changes you. 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:14.839 Right? 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.700 And it reorients 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.519 the way in which 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.680 you live. 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.680 And He helps us 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.859 with that in verse 36. 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.959 He goes on to say, 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.479 whoever does not 00:31:22.479 --> 00:31:24.019 obey the Son 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.599 shall not see life, 00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:27.240 but the wrath of God 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:29.379 remains on Him. 00:31:30.439 --> 00:31:31.159 There are too many 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:31.979 people who claim 00:31:31.979 --> 00:31:33.059 to know the Gospel 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.879 of Jesus Christ 00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:35.059 and believe it 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.879 and live in 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:37.439 contradiction to it. 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:40.679 Luke 6.43-45 00:31:40.679 --> 00:31:42.459 Jesus says, 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.479 for no good tree 00:31:43.479 --> 00:31:44.919 bears bad fruit, 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.779 nor again does a bad 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.679 tree bear good fruit, 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.759 for each tree is known 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:50.200 by its fruit. 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.240 Now certainly, 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:51.920 occasionally, 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.379 an apple tree bears 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.299 an apple that's not 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.720 delicious. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.759 But still it bears 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:59.140 apples. 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.900 For figs are not 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.420 gathered from 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.099 thorn bushes, 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.879 nor are grapes 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.960 picked from a 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.759 bramble bush. 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.420 The good person 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.700 out of the good 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.319 treasure of his 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:09.980 heart produces 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.440 good, 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.879 and the evil person 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:12.700 out of his evil 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:14.140 treasure produces 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:15.400 evil. 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:15.460 evil. 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.200 How do we know 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:18.759 this then? 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.420 How can we possibly 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:20.940 know, 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.060 how can we have 00:32:22.060 --> 00:32:23.120 some indicator, 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.300 some measure of 00:32:24.300 --> 00:32:24.960 whether or not 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.680 we have been 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.360 reconciled? 00:32:26.580 --> 00:32:27.340 Whether or not we 00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:29.120 are found in Christ? 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.220 We've been given a 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:33.740 book that you can 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.259 read, 00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:35.360 and you can see 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:36.280 how it is that the 00:32:36.280 --> 00:32:37.100 Christian is supposed 00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:38.360 to live. 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:40.120 And you can not just 00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:40.540 read the book, 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.040 but let the book 00:32:41.040 --> 00:32:41.720 read you, 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:43.759 and show how you 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.559 fail at these 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.059 things. 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.299 Even though I'm 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.100 not perfect, 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.500 I have a great 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.200 confidence that I 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.100 am of God, 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.900 because when I read 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.559 the things that I 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.299 don't do well, 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.660 I am convicted by 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.059 those things, 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.880 and I want to do 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.380 those things. 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.380 I don't want to 00:32:58.380 --> 00:32:59.380 continue in the 00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:00.539 old Nathan ways, 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.600 the old self. 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:02.440 I want to be the 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.120 new self. 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.059 I want to live by 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.920 the power of God 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.579 within me to do 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.759 the things I am 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.940 supposed to do. 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.640 I love His Word. 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.660 I treasure it. 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.700 I want to be 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.420 sinless. 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:14.220 I so desire that, 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.019 to cast off the 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:16.480 burden of my sin 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.580 and all of the 00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.279 consequence that 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.880 comes with it. 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.820 I want to be 00:33:19.820 --> 00:33:20.180 perfect, 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:21.380 so I press at it, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.540 and I go after it, 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.259 and this is the 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.340 evidence that Christ 00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:25.740 is at work within 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.060 me. 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.720 Pick up the book 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:30.640 and read it, 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:31.700 and let it read 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.080 you. 00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:32.980 Ask that God 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.680 would work in 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.860 your heart by the 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:36.120 power of His Word. 00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.940 This is the tool 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.700 that the Spirit 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:40.400 of God uses in 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.140 our lives, 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:43.040 not your feelings. 00:33:44.080 --> 00:33:45.860 Never your feelings. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:47.220 He uses the Word 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.160 of God. 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.300 It is precious to us 00:33:49.300 --> 00:33:49.820 for this, 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.660 that we might 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:52.660 measure our lives 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.300 by it. 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.360 1 John, 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:55.460 if you are doubting 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.460 whether or not 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.000 you have placed 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.940 believing faith in 00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.259 Christ, 00:33:58.540 --> 00:33:59.280 go read the book 00:33:59.280 --> 00:34:00.060 of 1 John. 00:34:00.320 --> 00:34:00.940 It is just 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.860 constantly saying 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:02.340 to you, 00:34:02.800 --> 00:34:03.540 hold yourself up 00:34:03.540 --> 00:34:03.960 to this. 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.280 Look at your life 00:34:05.280 --> 00:34:06.540 in comparison to this. 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:08.159 Be sure you are 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:09.860 found in the faith. 00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:11.059 Beloved, 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:12.579 eternal consequence 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:14.179 is at play here. 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.539 Don't think you're 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.980 good enough. 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:18.579 Know that you're 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.900 found in Christ. 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.920 That you'll never 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.679 be good enough, 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.079 but that you're 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.820 found in Christ. 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.400 And as such, 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.840 your affections have 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.199 been turned. 00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:28.199 You're moving in a 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:29.279 different direction. 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.480 You have repented, 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:31.639 turned from sin, 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.519 and you've been 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:34.239 turned to God. 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:37.139 I have been accused 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:38.339 of heresy 00:34:38.339 --> 00:34:39.480 teaching such a thing. 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:42.799 1 John 5.1 00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:44.039 given as the 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:44.739 counterpoint. 00:34:45.859 --> 00:34:46.639 Now I recognize 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.579 the danger in telling 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.139 you that there has 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:49.219 to be some measure, 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.699 some outwardly 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.759 visible thing 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.319 that's going to help 00:34:52.319 --> 00:34:52.900 you know you're 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.460 found in Christ. 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.239 I get that. 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.199 I get the fear 00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:56.219 it may even cause 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.440 you, 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.299 but that's a good 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:58.079 thing if you're 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.500 not found in Christ. 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.980 I hope the majority 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.619 of you this morning 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.000 are saying, 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:02.659 I'm good. 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:03.380 I fail, 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.039 but I'm good. 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:05.599 I know that I have 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.960 this eternal security 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.799 in Him. 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.539 1 John 5.1 says, 00:35:09.819 --> 00:35:10.420 Everyone who believes 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:11.179 that Jesus is the 00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:11.799 Christ has been 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:12.579 born of God, 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.460 and everyone who 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.299 loves the Father 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:15.679 loves whoever has 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.359 been born of Him. 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.480 There's the text, 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.179 the counterpoint 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:19.799 to this thing. 00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:20.980 Everyone who believes, 00:35:21.359 --> 00:35:22.099 who has professed 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.960 faith in Jesus Christ 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:25.599 has been born of God. 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:27.279 But verses 2-5 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.339 go on. 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:30.159 By this we know 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.920 that we love the 00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:31.780 children of God, 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:33.519 when we love God 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:38.360 and obey His commandments. 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.300 For this is the 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:40.900 love of God, 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.940 that we keep His commandments. 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.559 And His commandments 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.420 are not burdensome. 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:47.240 For everyone who has 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:48.220 been born of God 00:35:48.220 --> 00:35:49.619 overcomes the world. 00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:51.300 And this is the 00:35:51.300 --> 00:35:51.880 victory that has 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.720 overcome the world, 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:53.980 our faith. 00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:55.539 Who is it that 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.240 overcomes the world 00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:56.980 except the one 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.760 who believes 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.660 that Jesus 00:35:58.660 --> 00:35:59.760 is the Son 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:00.660 of God? 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:01.840 You see what 00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.920 John does for us 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.180 there? 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.700 He says, 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.780 if you believe 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.980 that Jesus is the 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.300 Christ, 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.540 you've been born of God. 00:36:09.580 --> 00:36:10.280 But then he tells us 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:10.980 how it is that we're 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.060 meant to give expression 00:36:12.060 --> 00:36:12.600 of that. 00:36:13.120 --> 00:36:14.040 That we're supposed 00:36:14.040 --> 00:36:15.100 to actually show 00:36:15.100 --> 00:36:16.180 evidence forth 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:17.040 of that. 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.060 And then he 00:36:18.060 --> 00:36:18.680 encapsulates with 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:19.160 verse 5, 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.000 who is it that 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.820 overcomes the world? 00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:21.960 Except the one 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.400 who believes 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:23.320 that Jesus is 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:24.119 the Son 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:25.539 of God. 00:36:27.200 --> 00:36:28.260 We have to hold 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.920 our lives up 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:30.160 to the great truth 00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:31.039 of the Scripture. 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.380 We must 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.920 see evidence 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:35.579 that we're good 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.579 trees or we're not. 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:39.139 And then repentance 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:40.019 and faith. 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:40.720 Right? 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.280 You can be confident 00:36:42.280 --> 00:36:42.940 this morning 00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:43.599 that you're found 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.480 in Christ. 00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:45.559 Repent of your sin 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.420 and turn to Him. 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.660 It's of great 00:36:48.660 --> 00:36:49.480 importance that we 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:50.480 rightly understand 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.500 the means and nature 00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:52.300 of our salvation 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:53.560 because we need 00:36:53.560 --> 00:36:54.160 to be reconciled 00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:54.560 to God 00:36:54.560 --> 00:36:55.640 and Jesus Christ 00:36:55.640 --> 00:36:57.140 is the only means 00:36:57.140 --> 00:36:58.620 by which this is 00:36:58.620 --> 00:36:59.039 possible. 00:37:00.140 --> 00:37:01.200 We need to be 00:37:01.200 --> 00:37:02.400 presented before God 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:04.460 clothed in Christ's 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:04.840 righteousness. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.660 We need to ask 00:37:06.660 --> 00:37:07.560 ourselves if we are 00:37:07.560 --> 00:37:08.420 truly saved 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:09.200 and we need to 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:10.019 lead others 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:12.060 in doing the same. 00:37:13.640 --> 00:37:14.120 Beloved, 00:37:14.180 --> 00:37:14.920 there is a ripe 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:16.360 harvest to be had 00:37:16.360 --> 00:37:18.320 in the church. 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:19.460 Those who are 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.460 churched, 00:37:20.780 --> 00:37:21.220 many, 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:21.920 many people, 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.579 your friends 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.260 and your 00:37:23.260 --> 00:37:23.840 co-workers. 00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:25.300 I know very few 00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:26.039 people who won't 00:37:26.039 --> 00:37:26.440 say, 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:26.860 yeah, 00:37:26.860 --> 00:37:27.440 I go to church. 00:37:27.800 --> 00:37:28.019 Yeah, 00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.559 I'm a Christian. 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:31.059 They need to be 00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:32.280 asked smart, 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.619 probing questions. 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.460 You need to spend 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:36.300 time with them 00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:37.039 and you need to 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.559 show them what 00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:38.980 pursuing Christ 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.980 looks like. 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:41.099 You need to 00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:41.820 experience it for 00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:43.220 yourself and you 00:37:43.220 --> 00:37:44.119 need to display it 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:45.059 and proclaim it 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.820 in your living. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:47.059 The supremacy of 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:47.860 Jesus Christ in all 00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:49.539 things to all 00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:49.920 peoples. 00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:52.860 will you labor 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:53.680 with me in that 00:37:53.680 --> 00:37:54.079 proclamation? 00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:56.240 I hope that you 00:37:56.240 --> 00:37:57.480 will with our 00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:58.860 living and with 00:37:58.860 --> 00:38:00.740 our words in all 00:38:00.740 --> 00:38:02.800 things to all 00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:03.139 peoples. 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.059 I'm going to 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:06.180 close by reading 00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:06.880 to you again 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:09.400 another prayer. 00:38:09.700 --> 00:38:10.440 You can tell I 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:12.480 poked around in 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:13.000 this book this 00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.260 morning. 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:15.700 This is a 00:38:15.700 --> 00:38:16.400 prayer from, 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:16.760 again, 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:17.380 from the Valley 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:17.780 of Vision. 00:38:18.040 --> 00:38:18.440 It's a collection 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:18.880 of Puritan 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:21.120 prayers entitled 00:38:21.120 --> 00:38:22.000 Reconciliation. 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.120 Reconciliation. 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:30.000 Lord God 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.620 Almighty, 00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:32.480 Thou art 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.980 beforehand with 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.340 men, 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.060 for Thou hast 00:38:35.060 --> 00:38:36.420 reconciled Thyself 00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:37.000 to the world 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.760 through the cross 00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:39.240 and dost beseech 00:38:39.240 --> 00:38:40.880 men to accept 00:38:40.880 --> 00:38:41.720 reconciliation. 00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:43.739 It is my 00:38:43.739 --> 00:38:44.599 responsibility to 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.279 grasp Thy 00:38:45.279 --> 00:38:46.359 overtures of 00:38:46.359 --> 00:38:46.799 grace, 00:38:46.899 --> 00:38:47.799 for if Thou, 00:38:48.219 --> 00:38:48.799 the offended 00:38:48.799 --> 00:38:49.299 part, 00:38:49.459 --> 00:38:50.959 act first with 00:38:50.959 --> 00:38:51.519 the word of 00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.139 appeasement, 00:38:52.459 --> 00:38:53.159 I need not 00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:53.599 call and 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:54.159 question Thy 00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:54.799 willingness to 00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:55.139 save, 00:38:55.239 --> 00:38:55.679 but must 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:56.679 deplore my 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:57.459 own foolish 00:38:57.459 --> 00:38:58.539 maliciousness. 00:38:59.099 --> 00:38:59.719 If I do not 00:38:59.719 --> 00:39:00.399 come to Thee as 00:39:00.399 --> 00:39:01.139 one who seeks 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:01.799 Thy favor, 00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:02.839 I live in 00:39:02.839 --> 00:39:03.399 contempt, 00:39:03.939 --> 00:39:04.299 anger, 00:39:04.839 --> 00:39:05.319 malice, 00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:06.599 self-sufficiency, 00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:07.739 and Thou 00:39:07.739 --> 00:39:08.719 dost call it 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:09.459 enmity. 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:11.300 Thou hast 00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:11.940 taught me 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.699 the necessity 00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.860 of a mediator, 00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:15.000 a Messiah, 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.240 to embrace 00:39:16.240 --> 00:39:17.119 in love 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:17.800 with all my 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:18.159 heart, 00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:19.079 as King 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:19.840 to rule me, 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:21.079 as prophet 00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:21.760 to guide me, 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:22.720 and as priest 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.579 to take away 00:39:23.579 --> 00:39:24.179 my sin 00:39:24.179 --> 00:39:25.199 and death, 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.460 and this by 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.119 faith in Thy 00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:27.760 beloved Son 00:39:27.760 --> 00:39:28.320 who teaches 00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:29.539 me not to 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.380 guide myself, 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:31.720 not to obey 00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:32.280 myself, 00:39:32.639 --> 00:39:33.400 not to try 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.220 to rule and 00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:35.019 conquer sin, 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:35.920 but to cleave 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:36.539 to the One 00:39:36.539 --> 00:39:37.400 who will do 00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:38.559 all for me. 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:40.099 Thou hast 00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.599 made known 00:39:40.599 --> 00:39:41.099 to me that 00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:41.680 to save 00:39:41.680 --> 00:39:42.160 me is 00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:42.880 Christ's 00:39:42.880 --> 00:39:43.139 work, 00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:44.019 but to 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:44.619 cleave to 00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:45.059 Him by 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.840 faith is 00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:46.559 my work, 00:39:46.720 --> 00:39:47.180 and with 00:39:47.180 --> 00:39:47.900 this faith 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.220 in the 00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:48.660 necessity 00:39:48.660 --> 00:39:49.039 of my 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.300 daily 00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:49.760 repentance 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:50.660 as a 00:39:50.660 --> 00:39:50.920 mourning 00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:51.320 for the 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:51.680 sin which 00:39:51.680 --> 00:39:52.400 Christ by 00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:52.880 grace 00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.860 has removed. 00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:55.480 Continue, 00:39:55.780 --> 00:39:56.240 O God, 00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:56.800 to teach 00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.240 me that 00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:57.700 faith 00:39:57.700 --> 00:39:58.599 apprehends 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.240 Christ's 00:39:59.240 --> 00:39:59.660 righteousness 00:39:59.660 --> 00:40:01.079 not only 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:01.420 for the 00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:01.840 satisfaction 00:40:01.840 --> 00:40:02.820 of justice, 00:40:03.160 --> 00:40:03.519 but as 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:04.400 unspotted 00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:05.099 evidence 00:40:05.099 --> 00:40:05.500 of Thy 00:40:05.500 --> 00:40:06.360 love to 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:06.640 me. 00:40:07.800 --> 00:40:08.220 Help me 00:40:08.220 --> 00:40:08.539 to make 00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:09.300 use of 00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:09.780 His work 00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:10.420 of salvation 00:40:10.420 --> 00:40:11.320 as the 00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:11.960 ground of 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.980 peace and 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.280 of Thy 00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:14.079 favor to 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:14.840 and acceptance 00:40:14.840 --> 00:40:15.360 of me, 00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:15.840 the sinner, 00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:16.880 so that I 00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:17.340 may live 00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:18.960 always near 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:19.500 the cross. 00:40:20.260 --> 00:40:20.960 Let's pray 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:21.200 together.