WEBVTT

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 Here are some words from Acts, from the Apostle Paul.

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 Now, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.

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! Father, that is what we need. We need your grace.

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 We need to know your kindness and love.

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 And the only way we can do that is if you speak to us.

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 So please, would you do that now?

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 Would you not be silent, but speak to each of our hearts.

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 As I try to say a few things as we hear your word read,

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 from Ephesians in a moment.

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 And yeah, do a deep work in our hearts,

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 no matter where we are with you at the moment.

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 In Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Great. Well, Yeni is going to come and read from Ephesians.

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 Good morning, Watermark.

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 Today's scripture reading is taken from the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 1 to 10.

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 Please follow along your Bible.

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 If you don't have one, you can either grab it from the front of the stage

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 or at the back of the table next to the door.

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 So our passage is on page 917.

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 Hear then God's word to us today.

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 Ephesians chapter 2.

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 By grace through faith.

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 And you were deaf in the trespasses and the sins in which you once walked,

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 following the course of this world,

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 following the prince of the power of the air,

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 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience,

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 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh,

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 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,

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 and were by nature children of wrath,

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 like the rest of mankind.

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 But God, being rich in mercy,

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 because of the great love with which he loved us,

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 even when we were deaf in our trespasses,

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 make us alive together with Christ.

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 By grace you have been saved.

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 And raise us up with him and seated us with him

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 in the heavenly place in Christ Jesus,

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 so that in the coming ages,

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 he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace

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 in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

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 For by grace you have been saved through faith.

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 And this is not your own doing.

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 It is the gift of God,

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 not a result of works,

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 so that no one may boast.

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 For we are his workmanship,

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 created in Christ Jesus for good works,

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 which God prepared beforehand,

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 and we should walk in them.

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 Let us believe in response to God's word.

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 Great, thank you, Yidi.

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 Let's keep the passage open.

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 Now, if you're visiting,

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 we are not actually preaching a sermon series on Ephesians.

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 Normally we do that,

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 normally we preach sermon series,

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 but we're doing a topical series,

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 and this happened to be just such a wonderful message

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 for today's topic.

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 What is the series we're doing?

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 Well, you can see on the screen the five solas.

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 Now, what is the five solas?

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 About 500 years ago,

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 you may have heard of the Reformation,

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 that there was this big upheaval in Europe,

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 started by this guy called Martin Luther,

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 who rediscovered the gospel,

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 and that together with the Bible,

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 that was now being printed,

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 that it led to a big revival in Europe

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 with many new churches,

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 with a breakaway from the Catholic Church.

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 Yeah, God did amazing things back then,

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 and the emphasis of the gospel,

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 the things they emphasized,

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 there's five slogans, basically,

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 five alones,

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 grace alone,

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 scripture alone,

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 the Latin word is sola,

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 that's why we talk about the five solas,

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 and this is number three.

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 Now, some of these are a bit separate,

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 like scripture alone,

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 how we started,

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 it's how we know the gospel,

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 but some of them are very related, right?

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 So last week we had faith alone,

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 and now grace alone,

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 and next week Christ alone.

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 Of course, they're all connected,

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 and so, yeah,

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 it will feel a bit like little angles on the gospel,

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 but they're wonderful angles,

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 and, yeah, I mean,

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 you can see them here in the passage, right?

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 In 2 verse 8,

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 by grace you have been saved through faith,

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 and you could even add in Christ, right?

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 They're all together,

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 but today is grace,

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 and now I don't know about you,

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 but grace is one of those wonderful Christian words, right?

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 It's a popular girl's name,

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 so many graces,

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 or Hana in Hebrew,

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 or Keres or Cheris in Greek, right?

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 That's all grace,

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 because Christians love grace.

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 I know so many churches called Grace Church.

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 Here in Hong Kong,

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 we have Living Grace,

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 and there's Grace Community Church.

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 We love grace,

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 because, you know,

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 we believe grace is something unique.

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 There's so many religions in the world,

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 and Christianity is the only one that's about grace.

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 It's not about what we do,

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 it's about God, right?

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 Many religions,

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 you have to work your way towards God,

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 whether that's the eightfold path,

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 or the five pillars,

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 or the twelve steps,

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 or those kind of things.

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 It's about what we do.

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 And then Christians say,

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 well, this is about grace.

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 This is not about what we do,

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 that we go up to God,

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 but actually God came down to us in Jesus,

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 and he died for us,

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 and he took the initiative.

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 He did the work,

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 and that is his kindness.

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 That is his grace.

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 Though I know all of us have been scammed sometimes,

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 right?

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 Sometimes there's some,

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 you know,

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 the one person who promises to be different,

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 and they're not different,

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 or the one product that promises to be different.

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 Is it really grace?

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 Or is there actually something that we need to do?

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 Or are we living as if we still need to do something,

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 but actually we don't?

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 And we want to understand better this idea of grace.

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 And so that's what I hope will be the outcome of today.

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 And I think the big word actually is not grace,

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 it's alone.

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 Right?

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 This whole series is,

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 yeah,

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 the five alones.

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 Because,

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 you know,

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 500 years ago,

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 when Luther clashed with the Catholic Church,

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 the Catholic Church,

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 they really believed in grace.

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 And they said,

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 everything is by grace.

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 What was the problem?

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 Well,

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 for them,

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 grace worked very differently.

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 So maybe you were here two weeks ago,

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 and we met this monk called Tetzel,

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 who was selling indulgences,

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 right?

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 They were raising money for a new church building for the Pope.

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 And so,

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 you know,

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 you can buy these pieces of paper,

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 and that will give you merit.

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 And then,

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 you know,

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 that will pay for your sins.

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 Or it will pay for,

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 you know,

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 your loved one's sins,

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 and they can go out of purgatory,

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 and those kind of things.

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 Now,

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 how did we get that?

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 All by grace.

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 Because God gave all this grace to the church,

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 all this merit to the church.

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 So,

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 it's by grace.

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 But,

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 you still need to pay for it.

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 Is that grace?

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 Or,

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 you know,

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 you've sinned,

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 you need forgiveness.

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 Well,

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 what do you do?

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 Well,

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 you have to go and take the Mass,

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 right?

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 Take,

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 well,

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 yeah,

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 communion.

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 You know,

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 do penance,

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 and those kind of things.

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 Yet,

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 there's grace.

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 It's all grace.

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 But,

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 we need to come and get it.

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 We need to do something,

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 right?

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 Or even,

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 how are we saved in the end,

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 right?

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 We,

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 we get to heaven.

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 How will God accept us?

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 Well,

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 we always say,

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 well,

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 it's by grace,

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 and not by good works.

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 Except,

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 well,

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 how does it work?

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 Well,

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 grace comes into your life,

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 and grace helps you to do good works.

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 But,

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 you still need to do those good works then,

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 right?

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 That was kind of the thing.

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 And,

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 is that really grace?

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 I don't know what you think of that.

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 Does that count as grace?

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 Right?

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 Because,

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 I don't know,

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 think of someone who is drowning in the water,

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 and they need to be saved.

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 And so,

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 the Coast Guard comes,

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 and they,

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 you know,

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 they have this rescue helicopter,

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 and,

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 you know,

00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.419
 some of their rescue worker comes down,

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 and,

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 you know,

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 they rescue them.

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 They say,

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 hey,

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 grab my hand,

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 and I'll pull you out.

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 And that's wonderful,

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 of course,

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 right?

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 And this person could never be rescued without the helicopter.

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 Right?

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 It's purely the helicopter.

00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.439
 They couldn't save themselves.

00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:51.000
 But at the same time,

00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:52.099
 they need to grab the hand,

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 right?

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 Is that grace?

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 Or,

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 eh?

00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:56.959
 I don't know,

00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:59.259
 someone needs to take medicine every day,

00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:00.519
 to stay alive.

00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:00.799
 I mean,

00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.899
 they have some terrible disease,

00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.500
 they need to take this medicine every day.

00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:04.919
 Well,

00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:05.259
 is that,

00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:06.980
 you know,

00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:07.740
 how are you alive?

00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:07.899
 Well,

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 it's only the medicine,

00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:08.980
 right?

00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:09.779
 Without the medicine,

00:09:09.920 --> 00:09:10.580
 I would die.

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 But you need to take it every day.

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 And that is the question.

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 Is this grace?

00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:18.480
 How does grace work?

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 What is it?

00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.000
 Yeah?

00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:21.779
 Yeah?

00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:22.300
 Okay.

00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:23.940
 All right.

00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:26.100
 Okay,

00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:26.279
 I'll,

00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.680
 let's see if this is better.

00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:28.560
 Okay,

00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:29.100
 it's,

00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:29.740
 yeah,

00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.580
 there's another one coming.

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 This is not the best one,

00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:33.720
 but it seems to work.

00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:34.399
 Okay,

00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:35.320
 so,

00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:36.360
 yeah,

00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:37.879
 here's grace.

00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.120
 So,

00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:39.180
 do we need,

00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.940
 do we still need to do something?

00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.779
 Do we need to cooperate with God's grace?

00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:47.000
 They are the questions that were in the air,

00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.500
 and that was why,

00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:49.180
 well,

00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:52.320
 part of what so came out of the Reformation,

00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:53.720
 that really changed things.

00:09:54.420 --> 00:09:55.320
 Because Luther,

00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:56.100
 you know,

00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.080
 he wrestled with this,

00:09:58.519 --> 00:09:58.700
 right?

00:09:58.740 --> 00:09:59.420
 He was a monk,

00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.320
 he read scripture,

00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:01.800
 he was a professor of theology,

00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:04.139
 and he did not like it.

00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.059
 He didn't like it at all.

00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:09.219
 That wasn't just after he became a Christian,

00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.639
 actually years before that,

00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:13.419
 he was already teaching through Romans and the Psalms,

00:10:13.819 --> 00:10:15.620
 and he saw what it said about us,

00:10:16.219 --> 00:10:16.519
 and,

00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.519
 no,

00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:17.879
 right?

00:10:17.979 --> 00:10:20.199
 If it's 100% God's gift,

00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:20.459
 it's,

00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:20.939
 we,

00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:23.259
 we can't cooperate with this,

00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:24.779
 we can't do anything for this.

00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:26.759
 That's what he realized,

00:10:26.859 --> 00:10:27.719
 and that's what he emphasized,

00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.899
 and so that's what we're going to look at,

00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.500
 and so we're going to look at scripture,

00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.080
 and this passage of Ephesians is,

00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:34.740
 I mean,

00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:35.860
 it's a wonderful passage.

00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:37.100
 You know,

00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:38.300
 what is this passage about?

00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.279
 Well,

00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:40.560
 good question is always,

00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.480
 what gets repeated,

00:10:41.660 --> 00:10:41.820
 right?

00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.800
 What is the thing that gets repeated in this passage?

00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.120
 And,

00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.100
 two times,

00:10:45.300 --> 00:10:45.840
 Paul says,

00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:47.680
 by grace you have been saved,

00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.480
 verse five,

00:10:49.160 --> 00:10:49.899
 and verse eight,

00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.600
 for by grace you have been saved.

00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:52.320
 I mean,

00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.680
 what is this passage clearly about?

00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:55.160
 It's about grace,

00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:56.700
 and so,

00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.400
 let's dig into it,

00:10:58.520 --> 00:10:59.200
 and see what,

00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:01.480
 what Paul means when he says grace.

00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:01.780
 Well,

00:11:02.160 --> 00:11:04.600
 the first thing we see clearly in one to three,

00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.700
 is our inability,

00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:06.600
 right?

00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:08.520
 This is our inability,

00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:08.940
 two,

00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:09.420
 one to three,

00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.379
 let me read them again.

00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:13.840
 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins,

00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:15.060
 in which you once walked,

00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:17.180
 following the course of this world,

00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:20.120
 following the prince of the power of the air,

00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:23.100
 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience,

00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:25.320
 among whom we all once lived,

00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.960
 in the passions of our flesh,

00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:30.240
 carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind,

00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:32.720
 and we're by nature children of wrath,

00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.400
 like the rest of mankind.

00:11:35.300 --> 00:11:35.740
 So,

00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:36.780
 that's all about us,

00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.120
 and it is so depressing,

00:11:38.260 --> 00:11:38.420
 right?

00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:40.879
 We are dead in our sins.

00:11:41.099 --> 00:11:42.939
 Dead sounds very final,

00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.319
 right?

00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.240
 Very definitive.

00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:47.039
 You're not a little bit dead.

00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.620
 Dead is a binary thing,

00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.319
 and we are dead.

00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:52.000
 We are enslaved,

00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:52.620
 enslaved,

00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:53.500
 well,

00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.360
 to the world,

00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:55.159
 right?

00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.039
 Following the prince of the power of the air,

00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:57.579
 Satan,

00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.599
 carrying out the desires of our flesh,

00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.740
 our sinful nature,

00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.720
 yeah,

00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.700
 yeah,

00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:05.060
 what kind of dead are we talking about?

00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:07.460
 It's about trespasses and sins,

00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.320
 our rebellion against God,

00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:11.879
 our hostility to him,

00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.340
 that is,

00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.060
 yeah,

00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:14.259
 and it's our nature,

00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:14.759
 right?

00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:16.600
 We were by nature,

00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.820
 not just by choice,

00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:18.759
 or something like that,

00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.600
 by nature,

00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:21.600
 we were in this condition.

00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:22.799
 That's what it says,

00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.360
 we are,

00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.100
 you know,

00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.080
 spiritually dead in our sins,

00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.600
 we are enslaved,

00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:30.440
 we are hostile by nature,

00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.759
 and the verses could be multiplied,

00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:33.399
 I mean,

00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.300
 one of Luther's favorite verses,

00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.680
 from Genesis 6,

00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:39.480
 the Lord saw that the wickedness of man,

00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:39.820
 mankind,

00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.360
 was great in the earth,

00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:44.379
 and that every intention of the faults of his heart,

00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.899
 was only evil continually.

00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.300
 I mean,

00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.340
 we just think about that,

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:48.480
 right?

00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:49.080
 How depressing,

00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:51.779
 it's not just some of the intentions of your heart,

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:51.960
 no,

00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:53.120
 every intention,

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.420
 and not just a mix of good and evil,

00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.399
 only evil,

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.419
 and not just some of the time,

00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.199
 continually,

00:12:58.939 --> 00:12:59.899
 only evil,

00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:00.559
 continually,

00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:02.319
 that's what our hearts are like,

00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.399
 according to the Bible,

00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:04.519
 and yeah,

00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.559
 or Romans 8,

00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:08.279
 the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God,

00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:10.340
 it doesn't submit to God's law,

00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:10.699
 indeed,

00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.340
 it cannot.

00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.860
 We can't obey God,

00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:16.759
 we can't submit to what he wants from us,

00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:18.419
 we're hostile to him,

00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.579
 we're hostility,

00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.799
 it's very strong words,

00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.019
 right?

00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:24.559
 This is our inability,

00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:25.000
 you know,

00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:26.360
 people who are like this,

00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:28.360
 how much can we do?

00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:29.500
 Now,

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.000
 maybe you're here,

00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.319
 you wouldn't call yourself Christian,

00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:32.039
 and you'd say,

00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:32.220
 well,

00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.899
 these are terrible words,

00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:34.539
 right?

00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.740
 They're a bit offensive,

00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:36.319
 right?

00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.480
 How can the Bible say that?

00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.279
 I mean,

00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.120
 back in Luther's day,

00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.240
 people struggled with this,

00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.459
 and there was some big debates about this,

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.860
 I won't go into that.

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.180
 I think the question is,

00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.800
 is it true?

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.399
 Sometimes it's good to be told the truth,

00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:49.860
 right?

00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.600
 I went to the doctor,

00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:53.460
 because there was some clicking in my knees,

00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:53.940
 and he says,

00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.139
 well,

00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:55.899
 your cartilage is very degraded,

00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:58.720
 and you need to start doing some different exercises,

00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.060
 right?

00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.200
 It's good for me to know that,

00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:02.240
 rather than him just hiding it,

00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:04.220
 and me ruining my knees,

00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:04.440
 right?

00:14:04.520 --> 00:14:05.420
 That's the idea.

00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.720
 It's good to know the truth.

00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:07.920
 And so,

00:14:08.160 --> 00:14:08.360
 yeah,

00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:09.940
 but that is the first stage.

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.820
 Understanding grace means,

00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.360
 well,

00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:13.500
 knowing who we are.

00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.040
 But then,

00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.920
 at the same time,

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.080
 Paul emphasizes,

00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:17.920
 well,

00:14:18.020 --> 00:14:18.960
 God's power,

00:14:19.260 --> 00:14:19.500
 right?

00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:21.500
 God's rescue in power.

00:14:21.640 --> 00:14:21.780
 So,

00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:23.140
 verses 4 to 7,

00:14:23.760 --> 00:14:24.520
 but God,

00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:26.340
 being rich in mercy,

00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:29.080
 because of the great love with which he loved us,

00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:31.760
 even when we were dead in our trespasses,

00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:34.180
 made us alive together with Christ.

00:14:34.760 --> 00:14:36.120
 By grace you have been saved,

00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:38.040
 and raised us up with him,

00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:42.260
 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

00:14:42.380 --> 00:14:46.620
 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:50.360
 in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:51.140
 Now,

00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:52.920
 you hear all these words of God's character,

00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:53.200
 right?

00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:53.660
 Love,

00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:54.360
 and mercy,

00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.480
 and kindness,

00:14:55.780 --> 00:14:56.400
 and riches,

00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:59.100
 but who is the active person here,

00:14:59.140 --> 00:14:59.320
 right?

00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:01.280
 It's all God.

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.760
 God's made us alive.

00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.940
 God seated us.

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.260
 God raised us.

00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:06.400
 God,

00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:07.260
 you know,

00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.940
 is going to show the immeasurable riches of his grace.

00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.460
 There's nothing that we do.

00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.300
 I mean,

00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.180
 later in verse 8,

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.600
 it says,

00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:16.460
 you've been saved by grace through faith.

00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.480
 So,

00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.100
 I guess,

00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.040
 in some ways,

00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.660
 we have faith,

00:15:20.780 --> 00:15:21.900
 but in 4 to 7,

00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.660
 there's absolutely nothing that we do.

00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.720
 He does everything,

00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.120
 right?

00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:27.940
 blessing us for all eternity,

00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:30.360
 and just getting us from here to there.

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.759
 It's all what he does.

00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:35.060
 It's a very different idea of grace.

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.899
 Grace is here,

00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.200
 it's God's character.

00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.200
 It's his kindness.

00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:41.320
 It's not a kind of substance that you go and get.

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.960
 I need more grace.

00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:44.039
 I need to go and get it.

00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:44.679
 I need to,

00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.139
 right?

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.419
 That's not grace.

00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.200
 Grace is God's kindness.

00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:50.920
 His kindness that rescues,

00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.180
 right?

00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:53.140
 That gave Jesus to save us.

00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:54.460
 And so,

00:15:54.640 --> 00:15:57.860
 the picture here is very much that we can do zero,

00:15:58.140 --> 00:15:59.740
 and God does 100%.

00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.560
 Right?

00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:00.900
 It's,

00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:01.800
 you know,

00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.060
 the prevailing view was more like,

00:16:03.140 --> 00:16:03.280
 okay,

00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.660
 God does 99%,

00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:08.820
 and you do the remaining 1% with God's help.

00:16:09.020 --> 00:16:09.580
 But no,

00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.800
 Luther says,

00:16:11.020 --> 00:16:11.240
 you know,

00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.520
 look at this passage.

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.200
 Could we do 1%?

00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.800
 We can't even do 1%,

00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:16.040
 right?

00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.860
 If we're like this.

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:20.759
 And why would God stop at 90%?

00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:22.080
 Or 99%,

00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.300
 right?

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.680
 He does 100% here.

00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:25.220
 And if you're a great,

00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.120
 powerful savior,

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.500
 why not do more?

00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:27.899
 I mean,

00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:29.320
 think of that rescue helicopter.

00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.480
 Why would they say,

00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:31.659
 well,

00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.379
 grab my hand?

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:33.960
 I mean,

00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.980
 surely a good rescuer,

00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.680
 they would just grab the person and pull them out,

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:36.919
 right?

00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.600
 If you can do that.

00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.940
 If you want to rescue someone,

00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.200
 you just do 100%.

00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:42.279
 Why 99%,

00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:42.620
 right?

00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.360
 No.

00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:48.600
 The picture here is of God doing everything.

00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.039
 And those,

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:50.600
 you know,

00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:52.159
 us doing things and God doing things,

00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.259
 it doesn't go together.

00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.639
 The idea that we contribute,

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:57.580
 for Luther was just unthinkable.

00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.180
 I mean,

00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:01.080
 this is how he put it when he thought about grace.

00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.639
 So he said,

00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.539
 we cannot have it both ways.

00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:07.819
 The grace of God cannot be both so cheap

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:10.860
 as to be obtainable anywhere and everywhere

00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.799
 by any man's puny endeavor,

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.740
 right?

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.259
 That we,

00:17:14.419 --> 00:17:15.879
 we can do something and get.

00:17:15.959 --> 00:17:16.759
 And at the same time,

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:19.599
 so clear as to be given to us,

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:19.919
 so,

00:17:19.979 --> 00:17:23.859
 so dear as to be given us only in and through the grace of one man

00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.779
 and so great a man,

00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.299
 right?

00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.359
 For our rescue,

00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.439
 for God's grace,

00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:31.159
 the son of God had to come down and die.

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.979
 That is so big,

00:17:33.479 --> 00:17:33.719
 right?

00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:35.639
 How can that compare with,

00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:36.259
 you know,

00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.859
 some of the good things we do

00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:40.419
 and some of the actions that we do?

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:40.740
 That is,

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.259
 you know,

00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:42.019
 if,

00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.559
 if you can get grace like this,

00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.819
 it didn't need Jesus.

00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.819
 If it needed Jesus,

00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.939
 it can't be so small that we can do it.

00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:48.259
 Right?

00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.339
 That was kind of his idea.

00:17:50.479 --> 00:17:50.679
 Right?

00:17:51.219 --> 00:17:51.759
 And it's,

00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:52.759
 maybe,

00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.539
 I don't know what you think.

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.240
 Maybe you're here,

00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.579
 you wouldn't call yourself a Christian.

00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:57.379
 Here's the question,

00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:57.619
 right?

00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.759
 How can we get back to God?

00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:00.599
 Well,

00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:02.559
 if we think our efforts,

00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.139
 it's,

00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:04.500
 you know,

00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.959
 many of us are good people,

00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.839
 but we're not amazing,

00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:07.139
 right?

00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.920
 We're not amazing enough to compare to,

00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.600
 you know,

00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.920
 Jesus dying for us.

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.900
 The son of God coming down

00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:15.120
 and doing all that.

00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.740
 They just can't compare.

00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.100
 So,

00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:18.200
 Luther said,

00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:18.400
 you know,

00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.020
 the good news,

00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:20.380
 it's 0% us,

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.600
 100% God.

00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:23.480
 And as we saw last week,

00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:24.600
 that was a great delight.

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.259
 Of course,

00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:26.720
 the question,

00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:27.320
 hey,

00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:29.400
 last week we saw we're saved by faith,

00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.360
 not by good works.

00:18:30.780 --> 00:18:31.759
 How about our faith?

00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:33.640
 But shouldn't we have faith,

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:33.860
 right?

00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:35.580
 Shouldn't we trust in Jesus?

00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:36.320
 Shouldn't we,

00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:36.800
 you know,

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.159
 cry out to him and,

00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:38.619
 you know,

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:41.500
 pray the prayer and ask him to be our personal savior?

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.359
 I don't know how we,

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.519
 how you want to put it.

00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.980
 That was a debate and they,

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.839
 they hashed it out,

00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:49.159
 but they emphasize that even faith itself is a gift.

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.220
 Even faith is a gift.

00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.819
 And it says here,

00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.539
 that too,

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.099
 verse eight,

00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.639
 save through faith,

00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.559
 not from yourself.

00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.740
 It is the gift of God.

00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.359
 The gift of God,

00:18:59.419 --> 00:18:59.799
 there refers,

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.079
 it doesn't refer to faith.

00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.359
 It refers to the whole package,

00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:03.439
 but that includes faith.

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.599
 But think about the imagery here.

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:06.720
 Verse one,

00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.559
 you were dead.

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:10.159
 Dead people don't have faith.

00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:10.960
 Okay?

00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.679
 Dead people,

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.000
 they don't do very much.

00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.119
 They can't do anything.

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.439
 I mean,

00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.019
 think of,

00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:18.139
 and here's a great story from the Bible,

00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.420
 right?

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.799
 The raising of Lazarus.

00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.440
 That's when one of Jesus' friends died.

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.759
 He had been dead for four days.

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.680
 He was in a tomb.

00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:29.119
 He was starting to rot and smell.

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:32.180
 And then Jesus came and he said,

00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.680
 Lazarus,

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.119
 come out.

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.500
 And he,

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.079
 he was raised from the dead.

00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.579
 Now that was all Jesus,

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:37.859
 right?

00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:41.019
 It's not that Jesus was standing there and he heard a little voice.

00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:41.619
 Jesus,

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.200
 I'm dead.

00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.000
 Please help me.

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.660
 Doesn't work like that,

00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:45.799
 right?

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.319
 He was dead.

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:49.859
 And he didn't cooperate with Jesus.

00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.119
 That,

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:50.619
 you know,

00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.139
 Jesus said,

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.619
 Lazarus,

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.099
 come out.

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.019
 And Lazarus thought,

00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:53.319
 okay,

00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:53.940
 shall I do that?

00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.240
 Shall I,

00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:57.159
 should I stay dead or shall I come back to life?

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.259
 Right?

00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.919
 Lazarus,

00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.259
 he,

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.680
 you know,

00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.359
 he had no choice.

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:04.379
 He rose from the dead because he was dead.

00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.819
 That's the idea here,

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.259
 right?

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:11.139
 The idea of dead and alive means it's only one person doing it and it's God.

00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:14.099
 Other verses are similar.

00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.419
 So,

00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:17.720
 two Corinthians talked about us about how we become Christians.

00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.400
 For God,

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.860
 who said,

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.200
 let light shine out of darkness,

00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:26.480
 has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:29.579
 us seeing Jesus,

00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.579
 getting it,

00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:30.940
 that is,

00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.220
 it's compared to creation,

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:32.839
 light,

00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.740
 when God said,

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.620
 let there be light.

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.019
 And again,

00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.900
 the light didn't have a choice.

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.500
 It's not,

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.579
 and God said,

00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.380
 let there be light,

00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.539
 and the light said,

00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:42.920
 sure,

00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.940
 and there was light.

00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.019
 Now,

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.200
 right?

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.140
 God does it all.

00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.839
 That's the idea.

00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:53.720
 faith is God's gift because we were dead.

00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.539
 Now,

00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.359
 from our perspective,

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.819
 of course,

00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:56.339
 we believe.

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.259
 From our perspective,

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:59.319
 it looks like we believe in Jesus.

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.639
 And then you look back afterwards,

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:01.639
 and no,

00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:01.759
 no,

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.019
 actually,

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:04.039
 that was a gift from God that he gave me.

00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:08.659
 Because I couldn't do anything myself because I was dead spiritually.

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.399
 And that's the idea.

00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.099
 It's a gift.

00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.480
 It's 100% God,

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.639
 including your faith.

00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:15.799
 Now,

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:18.500
 there's a theological word for that that you may sometimes hear.

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.059
 I think it's a great word.

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.460
 Monarchism.

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.339
 Now,

00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.319
 the opposite is synergism.

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.039
 From synergy,

00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:25.920
 we know synergy,

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.220
 right?

00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:26.899
 You know,

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.480
 two things working together.

00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:29.859
 Well,

00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.779
 monarchy is the opposite.

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.059
 Yeah,

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.299
 you know,

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.920
 monogamy,

00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.799
 monarch,

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.619
 only one.

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:36.079
 There's only one person doing the work,

00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.779
 and that's God.

00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:38.079
 It's not us.

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:38.980
 That's grace.

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.399
 Grace alone means it's 100% God,

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.240
 100% his kindness.

00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:44.759
 Basically,

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.139
 it's just one package,

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.379
 right?

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.039
 It's Jesus.

00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.339
 It's salvation,

00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.279
 and not,

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:49.879
 you know,

00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.680
 something more or less.

00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:53.299
 It's Jesus,

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.440
 and so it's 100%,

00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.779
 not just 99%.

00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.680
 And that is wonderful news.

00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.480
 And without that,

00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.039
 that's not grace.

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:03.200
 And we're going to think a bit about that.

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.240
 So,

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.259
 what does this mean?

00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:05.740
 I mean,

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.779
 there's lots of applications.

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.059
 One,

00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.380
 of course,

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.500
 is about God's glory,

00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.180
 but that's in two weeks' time,

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:12.620
 as we talk about glory to God alone.

00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.779
 Let me give two big applications,

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:16.059
 if it's grace alone,

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.940
 and not what we do.

00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:18.900
 So,

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.559
 the first one,

00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.279
 obviously,

00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:21.460
 is humility.

00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.080
 Humility.

00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:25.180
 And I did nothing.

00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.620
 The Bible says,

00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.779
 it's 100% God,

00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.960
 100% his gift,

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.759
 because I couldn't even do 1%.

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.799
 God does it all.

00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.539
 That is humbling.

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.900
 If you haven't done anything,

00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.640
 and it's all without you,

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.380
 that is humbling.

00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.700
 I have that sometimes,

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.000
 right,

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.880
 that something happens completely without me,

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.480
 to my shame.

00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:44.720
 You know,

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.079
 sometimes I meet someone on Sunday,

00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.860
 after the service,

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.500
 and they share this problem,

00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.380
 and they say,

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.420
 can you pray for me?

00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.279
 And then the next week,

00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.640
 they come to me,

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:53.840
 oh,

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.040
 this,

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.460
 you know,

00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.360
 God's answered my,

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:55.900
 you know,

00:22:56.020 --> 00:22:56.540
 it's great,

00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.120
 it's all solved,

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.960
 thank you for praying.

00:22:58.800 --> 00:22:59.600
 And then I remember,

00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:00.160
 actually,

00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.680
 I didn't write it down,

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.520
 I completely forgot.

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.820
 I didn't,

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.480
 I'm really sorry if that happened to you.

00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.620
 The wonderful thing is,

00:23:07.320 --> 00:23:08.980
 God still was gracious,

00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.280
 right,

00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:10.480
 and he answered your prayer.

00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:11.780
 But it's very clear,

00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:13.160
 it had nothing to do with me.

00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:13.860
 Right?

00:23:14.020 --> 00:23:15.660
 I had no part in this,

00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.300
 because I,

00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.220
 yeah,

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.920
 I was distracted,

00:23:18.040 --> 00:23:18.720
 I forgot to pray.

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.960
 And that is humbling,

00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.420
 but,

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.759
 that's the idea.

00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.819
 I have nothing to be proud of,

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.119
 right?

00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:27.799
 There's nothing I can do.

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.940
 But it's the same with salvation.

00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.879
 There's nothing I contribute,

00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:33.039
 nothing I do.

00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.379
 It's 100% a gift.

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.799
 And of course,

00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.740
 it has to be a gift,

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:38.279
 because otherwise,

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.379
 I can be proud,

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.660
 right?

00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:39.960
 Otherwise,

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.379
 I have something to,

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.579
 on the language here,

00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.400
 boast about,

00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.640
 right?

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.339
 Not a result of works,

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.879
 verse 9,

00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.660
 so that no one may boast.

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.900
 I mean,

00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.500
 if I'm involved,

00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.140
 if even my,

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.680
 if my faith is my own,

00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.680
 if it's not a gift,

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:54.879
 then,

00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.660
 I can boast.

00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.279
 So,

00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:57.900
 you know,

00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.759
 simple example.

00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.180
 So,

00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.240
 imagine you invite two friends,

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.000
 to come to Alpha.

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:02.900
 Right?

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.500
 That's a great thing.

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.339
 Harry and Sally.

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.500
 So,

00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.579
 here are Harry and Sally,

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.079
 and maybe you know the movie.

00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.299
 Yeah.

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.619
 It's hard to find,

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.900
 I think there's a Sally here.

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.339
 I mean,

00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.539
 not meaning anything,

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:13.819
 but,

00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:14.660
 okay.

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.519
 But,

00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:15.900
 okay,

00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.980
 so they come to Alpha.

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.119
 Now,

00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.339
 we want them to be saved.

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.099
 What do they have?

00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.299
 Well,

00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:21.679
 of course,

00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.919
 Jesus lived a perfect life,

00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.319
 and died on the cross for sins,

00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:25.539
 right?

00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:25.819
 That's,

00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.299
 that's the wonderful truth.

00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:27.699
 Jesus,

00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.459
 life and death.

00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.099
 That's wonderful.

00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.500
 But then,

00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:30.939
 Harry,

00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.059
 he hears that,

00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:34.159
 and he doesn't respond.

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.559
 He just stays as he is.

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.399
 Sally,

00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.099
 on the other hand,

00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.379
 she sees her sin,

00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:40.199
 and she believes,

00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:40.779
 right?

00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.240
 And she trusts in Jesus.

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:42.959
 Now,

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.759
 what's the outcome?

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.500
 We believe,

00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.679
 right?

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.000
 I mean,

00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:45.439
 Harry,

00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.279
 Harry isn't saved.

00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.099
 And Sally,

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.519
 yes,

00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.219
 she is saved.

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.620
 Now,

00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.380
 here's the question.

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:54.839
 What made the difference between Harry and Sally?

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.039
 What was the deciding factor?

00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.360
 It wasn't Jesus,

00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:00.620
 right?

00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:03.120
 It was Sally.

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.480
 Sally had faith.

00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.799
 Sally responded.

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:06.900
 Right?

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.579
 Christ,

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.000
 in a way,

00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.880
 he couldn't save Harry,

00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.220
 because,

00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:09.900
 you know,

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.900
 he lived and died,

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.259
 but Harry didn't believe.

00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.259
 Right?

00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.000
 So,

00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:15.880
 doesn't Sally have something to boast about?

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.720
 Can't she just say,

00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:17.980
 well,

00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.259
 I'm better than Harry?

00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.339
 Harry,

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.660
 actually,

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.960
 I've contributed to this,

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.980
 because without my belief,

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:26.079
 I wouldn't be saved.

00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:28.200
 And because Harry didn't believe,

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.940
 he is not saved.

00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.140
 Right?

00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.660
 That's the thing.

00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.299
 We say,

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:32.579
 okay,

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.500
 we're saved by faith,

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.299
 and not by works,

00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:36.220
 but we can change faith into a work,

00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.559
 into something we do.

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:38.980
 Right?

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.839
 That's why Lever said,

00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.000
 no,

00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.839
 it's grace.

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.579
 Right?

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.400
 Faith is a gift.

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.619
 It's grace alone.

00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.359
 It's not grace,

00:25:44.439 --> 00:25:45.739
 plus your cooperation.

00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.419
 That can't be,

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.019
 because then,

00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:48.979
 you can boast.

00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.159
 No,

00:25:49.219 --> 00:25:50.299
 it's 100% God,

00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:52.819
 and 100% means 100%.

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:55.119
 I think that's an interesting test,

00:25:55.199 --> 00:25:55.359
 right?

00:25:55.439 --> 00:25:55.639
 So,

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.459
 you know,

00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.919
 we always talk about,

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.500
 okay,

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.079
 if yesterday,

00:25:59.219 --> 00:26:00.239
 you got hit by a bus,

00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:02.199
 and you arrive in heaven,

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:04.439
 and there's the pearly gates,

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.959
 and stuff,

00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.859
 and God asks,

00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:06.079
 okay,

00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:07.719
 why should I let you into heaven?

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:08.739
 Yeah?

00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.500
 What would you say?

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.400
 That's always the question,

00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:13.359
 and maybe you're here,

00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.019
 and you would say,

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.299
 well,

00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.859
 I've been a good person,

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.220
 and I've been really nice,

00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:19.000
 and I've been to church,

00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:21.099
 and I've never killed anyone,

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.480
 and those kind of things.

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:26.700
 I hope we know that that's not the answer,

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:26.920
 right?

00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:28.759
 Because the people we are,

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.940
 we can't be good enough.

00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:33.180
 But how about the person who says,

00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:33.980
 well,

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.759
 you should let me in,

00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:36.420
 because I've repented of my sins,

00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.539
 and I've trusted in you.

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.720
 I've trusted in you,

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.339
 my whole life.

00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.460
 In some ways,

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.839
 that's better,

00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.019
 right?

00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.960
 Because the Bible says,

00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.880
 repent and believe,

00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.279
 and yet,

00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.200
 the only,

00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.559
 the subject of all those verses is,

00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.000
 I.

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.339
 Is that the right answer,

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.599
 right?

00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:52.799
 It still feels like the focus is on me.

00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.000
 I mean,

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.700
 what I planned to say on that day,

00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:55.880
 well,

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.480
 why should you let me in?

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.539
 Because Jesus died for me.

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.779
 I'm the object,

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.240
 me.

00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.359
 I'm not the subject.

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.920
 Jesus is the subject,

00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.180
 right?

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.799
 Jesus died for me,

00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.319
 that's why,

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.279
 you should let me in.

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.059
 And that's the idea.

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.039
 Everything is a gift.

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.620
 Nothing that I have done.

00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:16.200
 And it's not even my faith,

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.039
 that's a gift.

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.099
 And God gave it to me,

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.400
 not because I was so great,

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.039
 and God thought,

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.200
 I just need to have him.

00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:21.839
 No.

00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.039
 Nothing.

00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.400
 It's absolutely nothing.

00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.800
 And that's humbling.

00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:28.620
 If we have something to do,

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.680
 it won't humble us.

00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.100
 Again,

00:27:30.540 --> 00:27:31.180
 here's Luther.

00:27:32.300 --> 00:27:34.140
 For as long as man is persuaded

00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:36.460
 that he himself can do even the least thing

00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.980
 towards his salvation,

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:40.940
 he retains some self-confidence

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:43.060
 and does not altogether despair of himself,

00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:45.660
 and therefore he is not humbled before God.

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:48.800
 As long as we think we have something to do,

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.320
 no matter how small,

00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.539
 we won't be humbled.

00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.879
 Let me say again,

00:27:55.419 --> 00:27:55.559
 yeah,

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.659
 if you're here,

00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.899
 and this is new to you,

00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.779
 yeah,

00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.839
 there's nothing you can do.

00:28:00.939 --> 00:28:01.839
 You need Jesus,

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:02.899
 right?

00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:05.119
 He is the only one who can save you.

00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.700
 And when you have discovered that,

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.980
 it makes you so grateful

00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.399
 because you did nothing to deserve this,

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.599
 right?

00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:13.460
 I can't even say that,

00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:13.799
 well,

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:15.200
 I responded in faith.

00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.720
 It's pure,

00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.259
 amazing,

00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.339
 undeserved kindness.

00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:18.799
 I mean,

00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.839
 that's one side of us not doing anything.

00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.240
 But the other side,

00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.599
 wonderful side,

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.000
 is assurance.

00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.740
 Assurance.

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:30.180
 This is the most wonderful thing about grace

00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.279
 and the most wonderful thing

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.480
 they discovered in the Reformation.

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.819
 We can have assurance.

00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.319
 Because,

00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:35.859
 you know,

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.759
 if you think about the Catholic system,

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.879
 you were never sure.

00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.859
 They say it's all about grace,

00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.680
 but you need to get it,

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.119
 right?

00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.719
 You need to take the Mass

00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:46.059
 and you need to do penance

00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.919
 and you need to do the good deeds

00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:48.659
 by God's grace

00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.419
 and those kind of things,

00:28:49.479 --> 00:28:49.599
 right?

00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.599
 And so,

00:28:50.959 --> 00:28:51.179
 yeah,

00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:51.759
 I mean,

00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:53.159
 like the guy taking his medicine

00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:54.399
 every day to stay alive.

00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:55.659
 He's very anxious

00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.879
 that he takes it every day,

00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:57.079
 right?

00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.839
 That he doesn't forget.

00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.979
 He has no peace.

00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.379
 And so,

00:29:00.479 --> 00:29:00.839
 in a way,

00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.959
 in the Middle Ages,

00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.899
 if you were a Catholic,

00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.919
 you wouldn't have peace

00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:06.519
 because you need to do

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.219
 all these things.

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.719
 Now,

00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.539
 you know the saying

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.279
 that a chain

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.479
 is only as strong

00:29:11.479 --> 00:29:12.459
 as its weakest link,

00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.739
 right?

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.279
 We know that expression.

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.879
 It doesn't matter

00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:17.439
 how strong

00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:18.139
 all the other

00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.859
 chain links are.

00:29:18.919 --> 00:29:20.019
 If there's one weak link,

00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:20.839
 well,

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.699
 the chain will break.

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.459
 Well,

00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.359
 if our faith,

00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.299
 if our efforts

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.839
 are a link,

00:29:26.459 --> 00:29:27.379
 then the result

00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:28.459
 is that you are never sure

00:29:28.459 --> 00:29:30.000
 because it depends on you.

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.979
 And I know many Christians

00:29:31.979 --> 00:29:32.779
 struggle with that,

00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:32.959
 right?

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.259
 Okay,

00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.619
 we just trust in Jesus,

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:34.899
 but

00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:37.519
 do I have enough faith?

00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.279
 They wonder.

00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:40.440
 do I have real faith?

00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.940
 What if I have doubts?

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.779
 What if I lose my faith?

00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.240
 Christians have these questions.

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.680
 Yeah.

00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.220
 And in some way,

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:54.139
 if you think God does 99%

00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.680
 and I only do 1%,

00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:55.700
 and I only do 1%,

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:57.620
 then you should feel like that.

00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.620
 Because it sounds great,

00:29:59.680 --> 00:29:59.860
 right?

00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:01.360
 God does 99%.

00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:03.080
 But that's only great

00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:03.920
 if the pass mark

00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.960
 is like 80%.

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.820
 Then it's great.

00:30:07.040 --> 00:30:07.720
 The problem is,

00:30:07.780 --> 00:30:08.340
 the pass mark

00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.580
 is still 100%.

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.939
 And that 1%,

00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:12.899
 you are 100%

00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:14.339
 responsible for that 1%,

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.539
 right?

00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:16.079
 You need to get

00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:18.019
 100%

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.839
 on the 1%

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.519
 to make a total 100%

00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.519
 because God only does 99%.

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:24.119
 And which means

00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.639
 the chain has a very weak link.

00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.679
 Despite all the unbreakable grace,

00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:29.619
 there's your efforts,

00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.319
 your faith.

00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.019
 And I don't know

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.759
 if some of you here

00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.500
 feel like that

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.879
 and resonate with that.

00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.799
 And how would you feel

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.419
 if something so important

00:30:37.419 --> 00:30:38.359
 rested on you

00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.599
 and your faith?

00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.159
 No,

00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:43.299
 there is really good news.

00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:45.139
 The good news,

00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:45.599
 well,

00:30:45.719 --> 00:30:46.479
 one good news

00:30:46.479 --> 00:30:47.139
 is that we have,

00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:48.379
 we don't need to have

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.919
 any uncertainty about

00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:50.979
 can we do this?

00:30:51.459 --> 00:30:52.359
 Can we do the 1%?

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.299
 We don't need to have

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.939
 any uncertainty

00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:55.059
 because the Bible is so clear

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.279
 we will mess it up.

00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:58.399
 We can't do the 1%.

00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.019
 We can't,

00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.219
 even if it was

00:31:00.219 --> 00:31:02.240
 0.0001% me,

00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.779
 I would still mess it up.

00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.539
 I know myself.

00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.740
 I hope we're honest enough

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.379
 to admit that.

00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:09.320
 That's the bad news,

00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.540
 right?

00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.320
 The people we are,

00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:12.200
 the people of Ephesians 2,

00:31:12.260 --> 00:31:12.840
 1 to 3,

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.760
 we would mess everything up.

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.760
 But that should drive us

00:31:16.760 --> 00:31:17.340
 to Christ.

00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.260
 That's good news

00:31:18.260 --> 00:31:19.360
 because it drives us,

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.880
 well,

00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.660
 if we know for sure

00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.360
 we can't do it,

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.680
 we need Jesus

00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.280
 and then we find salvation

00:31:24.280 --> 00:31:25.040
 is a gift.

00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.620
 It's 100% a gift.

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.420
 It's not doing it,

00:31:28.580 --> 00:31:29.300
 God is not doing it

00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:29.800
 through you.

00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.600
 He's done it all.

00:31:31.040 --> 00:31:32.220
 And so you can have assurance.

00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.200
 You can be sure.

00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.120
 Right?

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.199
 You know,

00:31:35.939 --> 00:31:37.419
 maybe now life is easy

00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:37.959
 and it's easy

00:31:37.959 --> 00:31:38.799
 to trust Jesus.

00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:40.139
 What if it gets hard

00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:40.859
 to trust Jesus?

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.559
 I would really worry

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.079
 about that

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:44.039
 if it depended on me.

00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:46.039
 But if I know

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.119
 it's God,

00:31:47.239 --> 00:31:48.219
 faith is his gift,

00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.759
 it doesn't depend on me,

00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.500
 well,

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.139
 I can rest.

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.299
 I mean,

00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:52.639
 Luther,

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.879
 he faced big trials,

00:31:53.959 --> 00:31:54.119
 right?

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.500
 He was kind of,

00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:55.699
 okay,

00:31:55.739 --> 00:31:56.259
 he had the whole

00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.919
 Catholic Church

00:31:56.919 --> 00:31:57.619
 against him.

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.179
 How could he do that?

00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.480
 And he said,

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.440
 I can only do that

00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.480
 because of God's gift,

00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:02.759
 right?

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.279
 He said,

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:03.980
 you know,

00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:05.240
 I should be unable

00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.060
 to stand firm

00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:07.019
 and keep hold of it

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:08.560
 amid so many adversities

00:32:08.560 --> 00:32:09.080
 and perils

00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:10.120
 and so many assaults

00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:10.680
 of demons.

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:13.100
 I would be unable

00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.720
 to do this.

00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:16.120
 But why was he not unable?

00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.200
 Because,

00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:17.440
 well,

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.980
 this is God's gift

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.720
 and so I'll just keep going.

00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.840
 And so he trusted God

00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:22.720
 and he kept going.

00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:23.480
 Right?

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:25.000
 He still actively trusted.

00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.519
 It's not like God

00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.940
 bypassed him.

00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.200
 He,

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.580
 you know,

00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.759
 he worked in Luther

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:32.140
 to have such faith

00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.820
 but it was still

00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:33.720
 his gift.

00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.080
 And from Luther's perspective,

00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.960
 he kept trusting

00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.539
 but it was God's gift.

00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.660
 And that's so wonderful,

00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.019
 right?

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.820
 I mean,

00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.700
 Hong Kong is all about performance.

00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.460
 It's all about achievements,

00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:43.759
 right?

00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.660
 You need to get into the right,

00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:47.100
 you need to get the right job

00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:48.279
 and so you need to write uni

00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.160
 and so you need to write

00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.160
 secondary school

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.900
 and you need to write

00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.779
 primary school

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.360
 and you need to write

00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:52.779
 kindergarten.

00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.880
 I don't know,

00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.360
 it goes,

00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:54.740
 what?

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.460
 Kindergarten interviews.

00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.960
 For me,

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.420
 that's hard to believe

00:32:59.420 --> 00:32:59.980
 as a European.

00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:00.920
 But yeah,

00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.460
 but it's all about performance,

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.720
 right?

00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:04.039
 And there's all these

00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.200
 anxious parents

00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.700
 and,

00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.400
 you know,

00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:08.180
 anxious young grads

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.220
 trying to get a job

00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:11.440
 and maybe dating,

00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:11.840
 right?

00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:13.100
 You need to perform well

00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:14.019
 otherwise you're not

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.720
 going to get married

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.059
 and,

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:15.720
 right?

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.140
 Everything is about achievements.

00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.740
 Isn't it so wonderful

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.720
 that salvation,

00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:22.340
 it doesn't depend

00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:23.100
 on your performance,

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.880
 doesn't depend

00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.720
 on your achievements.

00:33:25.260 --> 00:33:26.200
 It can't fail.

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.380
 The thing is,

00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.440
 God won't let it fail.

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.160
 It's too important

00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.620
 for him.

00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.000
 I mean,

00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:31.820
 why does God

00:33:31.820 --> 00:33:33.260
 not let us be part of it?

00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.620
 It's too important.

00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:35.960
 I mean,

00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.580
 I'm a parent

00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:37.820
 and my kids,

00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.320
 I get them to do some things

00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:39.980
 but there are some things

00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.860
 that I will do myself.

00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:42.160
 I'm going to do them.

00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:42.420
 Why?

00:33:42.800 --> 00:33:44.280
 I don't want to run the risk

00:33:44.280 --> 00:33:45.020
 that I mess it up.

00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.140
 Right?

00:33:46.260 --> 00:33:47.040
 I want to make sure

00:33:47.040 --> 00:33:47.500
 it happens

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.400
 and so I do it.

00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.980
 And it's the same with God.

00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.120
 He doesn't want us

00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:52.279
 to mess up our salvation.

00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:54.539
 So He takes us out of it

00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.880
 in His love.

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.460
 He does everything

00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.819
 and it should give us rest,

00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.740
 give us peace,

00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:00.960
 give us hope

00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:03.620
 because it's not something

00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:05.180
 that we need to reach for.

00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.400
 It's a gift.

00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.760
 And that's,

00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:08.960
 yeah,

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.820
 the most wonderful

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:11.059
 personal gift,

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.320
 the most wonderful truth

00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.760
 available for everyone.

00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.440
 That's the idea

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.179
 of grace alone.

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.579
 Let's,

00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.280
 yeah,

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.380
 let's rejoice in that.

00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:20.180
 Let's praise God for that.

00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.340
 Let's thank God for that

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:23.840
 and let's live with this joy

00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:25.019
 and hope that we can have

00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.640
 because it's grace alone.

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.740
 Why don't I pray?

00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.559
 Our Father,

00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.360
 we thank You

00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:37.220
 for Your grace.

00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:38.140
 We thank You

00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:40.940
 that it's 100% Your gift

00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:42.640
 because You know us,

00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.440
 You know our hearts,

00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:45.340
 You know how sinful we are,

00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.980
 You know we couldn't do anything

00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.500
 to make it work

00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.679
 and so You did it all.

00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.360
 When Jesus died on the cross,

00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.719
 You gave us everything.

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:53.639
 Lord,

00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.400
 help us to know

00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.079
 what it means,

00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:55.320
 Lord,

00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.199
 for any of us here

00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.940
 who are still struggling,

00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.039
 who are worried

00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:00.179
 about our faith,

00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.099
 worried about,

00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.820
 yeah,

00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:04.659
 things we need to do.

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.800
 Help us to remember

00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.340
 that if we,

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.519
 it's just Jesus,

00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:08.860
 it's one package.

00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:09.980
 We have Jesus,

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:10.800
 we have everything

00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.639
 and it's Your gift.

00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.139
 Would we know that

00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:15.059
 and would we enable us

00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.279
 to live in the light of that?

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:16.539
 Lord,

00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.539
 as we live in this city,

00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.879
 maybe now it's easy

00:35:18.879 --> 00:35:19.859
 but it might get harder,

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:22.460
 would we have the assurance

00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:24.619
 that everything's under control

00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:26.579
 because it's Your 100%,

00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.359
 it's Your gift.

00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.339
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:35:29.819 --> 00:35:30.219
 Amen.

00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:32.500
 Great.

00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:32.759
 Well,

00:35:32.819 --> 00:35:33.940
 we're now going to

00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.900
 celebrate the Lord's Supper together.

00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.440
 And in a way,

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.699
 it's very fitting today.

00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.019
 So,

00:35:39.439 --> 00:35:40.460
 you may have noticed

00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.259
 we haven't done

00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:43.339
 the catechism question yet.

00:35:43.799 --> 00:35:44.019
 You know,

00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.299
 the New City Catechism

00:35:45.299 --> 00:35:46.480
 which we do every week

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.079
 where we,

00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.859
 yeah,

00:35:47.939 --> 00:35:48.839
 reflect on the truth

00:35:48.839 --> 00:35:49.919
 and today it is about

00:35:49.919 --> 00:35:50.480
 the Lord's Supper.

00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.199
 So,

00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:52.659
 if we can have question 47,

00:35:53.399 --> 00:35:54.819
 does the Lord's Supper

00:35:54.819 --> 00:35:56.299
 add anything

00:35:56.299 --> 00:35:57.699
 to Christ's atoning work?

00:35:58.939 --> 00:35:59.139
 Yeah,

00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:00.099
 don't give it out yet,

00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:00.299
 okay?

00:36:00.719 --> 00:36:01.119
 Guys,

00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:02.019
 don't give it out yet.

00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.899
 Does the Lord's Supper

00:36:04.899 --> 00:36:05.619
 add anything?

00:36:05.919 --> 00:36:07.139
 Because this was the big question

00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.960
 in the Reformation.

00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.559
 Do we,

00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.940
 does it add something?

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.320
 Because,

00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:10.820
 you know,

00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:12.740
 that's what people believe.

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.059
 I,

00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:13.679
 you know,

00:36:13.740 --> 00:36:14.440
 I've sinned.

00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.360
 I need to get forgiven.

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.659
 I need to take the Lord's Supper.

00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.780
 I need the Mass.

00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.240
 I need,

00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.280
 I need this,

00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:19.460
 right?

00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.119
 I need more

00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:21.800
 of Christ's atoning work.

00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.740
 And so,

00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:23.360
 the answer,

00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.000
 well,

00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.240
 let's read the answer together.

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:26.880
 So,

00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:27.500
 sorry,

00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.320
 let me ask the question

00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:29.440
 and then we read it together.

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.159
 Does the Lord's Supper

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.099
 add anything

00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:33.539
 to Christ's atoning work?

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.559
 No.

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.980
 Christ died

00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.960
 once for all.

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.420
 The Lord's Supper

00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.800
 is a covenant meal

00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:42.240
 celebrating Christ's atoning work

00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:44.240
 as it is also a means

00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:45.639
 of strengthening our faith

00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.840
 as we look to him

00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:48.240
 and a foretaste

00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:49.360
 of the future feast.

00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.420
 But those who take part

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.840
 with unrepentant hearts

00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:54.579
 eat and drink judgment

00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:55.380
 on themselves.

00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:58.019
 The Catechism says,

00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:58.800
 you know,

00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.559
 the Lord's Supper

00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:00.880
 doesn't add anything.

00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:02.640
 Christ died once for all.

00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:04.039
 All the forgiveness,

00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:04.519
 all,

00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.180
 everything,

00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:07.220
 it was all there

00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:08.200
 when Jesus died.

00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.680
 And if you have Jesus,

00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.860
 you don't need anything else.

00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.480
 The Lord's Supper,

00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:11.960
 well,

00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.720
 it's just a meal

00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:13.500
 celebrating.

00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.860
 It's a symbol,

00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.140
 right?

00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.500
 It's a,

00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.340
 it's a foretaste

00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:16.960
 of the future,

00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:18.820
 but it doesn't do anything.

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.320
 I think,

00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.260
 I sometimes see Christians

00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:21.519
 who,

00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.099
 you know,

00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:23.220
 they seem so anxious

00:37:23.220 --> 00:37:24.000
 that we,

00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:25.940
 that they need

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.559
 the Lord's Supper.

00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:27.619
 I mean,

00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.820
 I sometimes see people,

00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.119
 they,

00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:30.259
 they take one for now,

00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:30.960
 but they take a few

00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.759
 maybe for home

00:37:31.759 --> 00:37:32.380
 during the week.

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.779
 Or people who are

00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.659
 very desperate

00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.559
 for their young kids

00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.039
 to have it.

00:37:37.299 --> 00:37:38.259
 The kid has no understanding

00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:38.779
 what's going on,

00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:39.679
 but please take this.

00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:41.719
 Almost as if it's,

00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.039
 well,

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:43.699
 like vitamin C tablets.

00:37:44.279 --> 00:37:44.619
 But the,

00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:44.699
 the,

00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.380
 the thing is,

00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:46.340
 isn't that a bit

00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:47.500
 of a Catholic understanding

00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:47.759
 that,

00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:48.420
 you know,

00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.699
 the grace

00:37:49.699 --> 00:37:50.719
 and forgiveness

00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.820
 is here in this cup.

00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:52.900
 And,

00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:53.579
 you know,

00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.299
 I need this.

00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.500
 I need to take this

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.299
 and I need to take this

00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:56.980
 during the week

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.180
 and my child needs this now.

00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:59.180
 No.

00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.560
 Everything is in Jesus.

00:38:00.680 --> 00:38:01.320
 You have Jesus,

00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.140
 you have everything.

00:38:02.640 --> 00:38:03.360
 This is just

00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:04.340
 a memorial.

00:38:04.580 --> 00:38:05.800
 It's a powerful memorial.

00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.900
 It's a wonderful thing

00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:08.519
 to celebrate,

00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.539
 but it doesn't add anything.

00:38:10.740 --> 00:38:10.880
 Right?

00:38:11.220 --> 00:38:12.820
 You don't have to feel anxious

00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:14.220
 about taking it.

00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:15.420
 You don't have to,

00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.080
 you know,

00:38:16.120 --> 00:38:17.200
 because it's grace alone.

00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:17.720
 It's not

00:38:17.720 --> 00:38:19.560
 us doing it.

00:38:19.560 --> 00:38:20.920
 It's not us having to get it.

00:38:21.620 --> 00:38:21.760
 We,

00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.840
 God has done it all

00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.780
 and we can just celebrate.

00:38:24.380 --> 00:38:25.320
 That's the Lord's Supper.

00:38:25.860 --> 00:38:26.519
 So that's what we're

00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.080
 going to do

00:38:27.080 --> 00:38:28.260
 in a moment.

00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.519
 I think it's in a way

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.700
 nice that we just sit here

00:38:30.700 --> 00:38:31.940
 and the basket comes to us.

00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:33.300
 It kind of symbolizes

00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.320
 that we do nothing.

00:38:34.740 --> 00:38:34.860
 Right?

00:38:35.180 --> 00:38:36.180
 We don't even have to

00:38:36.180 --> 00:38:36.820
 come and get it.

00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.120
 It just,

00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:38.240
 it's given to us.

00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:40.080
 So if you're here

00:38:40.080 --> 00:38:41.260
 and you are,

00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:41.580
 well,

00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.320
 it's a covenant meal.

00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:44.120
 If you're in covenant

00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:45.220
 relationship with Jesus,

00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:46.400
 if you've trusted in Jesus,

00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:47.539
 please take it.

00:38:47.840 --> 00:38:48.620
 If you're here

00:38:48.620 --> 00:38:49.940
 visiting from another church,

00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.680
 but you're here today,

00:38:52.120 --> 00:38:53.360
 please take it with us.

00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:53.720
 Right?

00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:54.579
 Because we're all

00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:55.940
 brothers and sisters

00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.480
 in Christ.

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:57.940
 Of course,

00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:59.079
 if you wouldn't call yourself

00:38:59.079 --> 00:38:59.640
 a Christian,

00:39:00.280 --> 00:39:00.960
 well,

00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.400
 first of all,

00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.340
 you don't need to take it.

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:02.539
 Right?

00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:04.240
 I see sometimes people

00:39:04.240 --> 00:39:04.880
 take this because,

00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:05.480
 oh,

00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:06.760
 now I can get some blessing

00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.360
 from God

00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:08.740
 or I get some forgiveness.

00:39:09.180 --> 00:39:10.200
 It's not in here.

00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:10.960
 It's in Jesus.

00:39:11.620 --> 00:39:12.340
 What you need to do,

00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.519
 you need to trust in Jesus.

00:39:13.660 --> 00:39:14.579
 If you want forgiveness,

00:39:14.760 --> 00:39:15.280
 if you want to

00:39:15.280 --> 00:39:16.579
 have God's blessing,

00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.519
 come to him.

00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:19.700
 Trust in him.

00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:21.399
 This won't do anything.

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.099
 Well,

00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.319
 actually,

00:39:22.399 --> 00:39:23.299
 it will do something.

00:39:23.419 --> 00:39:24.399
 Look at that last sentence.

00:39:24.919 --> 00:39:25.899
 But those who take part

00:39:25.899 --> 00:39:27.119
 with unrepentant hearts

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:28.019
 eat and drink judgment

00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:28.599
 on themselves.

00:39:29.399 --> 00:39:30.139
 It's a symbol,

00:39:30.279 --> 00:39:31.599
 but it's an important symbol

00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:32.899
 that God takes very serious.

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:33.879
 And so,

00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.980
 he wants us to honor it.

00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:35.799
 And so,

00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.199
 you know,

00:39:36.239 --> 00:39:37.099
 if you wouldn't call yourself

00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:37.559
 a Christian,

00:39:37.679 --> 00:39:38.519
 that's totally fine.

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.859
 Please just let the basket

00:39:40.859 --> 00:39:41.480
 pass along,

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.439
 but reflect,

00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:42.799
 hey,

00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:45.000
 what I need,

00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.679
 it's in Jesus.

00:39:46.379 --> 00:39:47.259
 And come to him.

00:39:47.299 --> 00:39:47.819
 And please come

00:39:47.819 --> 00:39:48.579
 and talk to me later.

00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.619
 I'd love to help you,

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.239
 you know,

00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:51.199
 start that journey

00:39:51.199 --> 00:39:52.079
 of faith.

00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.019
 But why don't I pray?

00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:55.559
 And then after that,

00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.319
 the stewards can

00:39:56.319 --> 00:39:57.360
 hand it out.

00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.019
 Father,

00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:02.460
 thank you for this gift

00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:04.440
 of the Lord's Supper.

00:40:04.619 --> 00:40:05.139
 Thank you that,

00:40:05.699 --> 00:40:05.900
 yeah,

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.799
 we have this reminder,

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.599
 this foretaste

00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.279
 of the future,

00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:08.940
 this reminder

00:40:08.940 --> 00:40:09.799
 of your grace

00:40:09.799 --> 00:40:10.719
 that is here

00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:12.019
 to strengthen our faith,

00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:12.980
 to just remind us

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:14.380
 of what Jesus did,

00:40:15.319 --> 00:40:16.259
 how he died,

00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:17.739
 how his body

00:40:17.739 --> 00:40:18.379
 was broken.

00:40:19.419 --> 00:40:20.619
 And that's what he told us,

00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.459
 that on the night

00:40:21.459 --> 00:40:22.139
 he was betrayed,

00:40:22.439 --> 00:40:23.199
 he took bread

00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:24.139
 and gave you thanks.

00:40:24.919 --> 00:40:25.639
 And he said,

00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:26.539
 this is my body,

00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:28.099
 broken for you.

00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:29.699
 And after supper,

00:40:29.799 --> 00:40:30.459
 he took the cup,

00:40:31.619 --> 00:40:31.899
 and he said,

00:40:31.979 --> 00:40:32.639
 this is the cup

00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.839
 of the new covenant,

00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.119
 shed for you

00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:35.739
 and for many

00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:36.919
 for the forgiveness

00:40:36.919 --> 00:40:37.439
 of sins.

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.159
 We thank you

00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:39.259
 for Jesus.

00:40:39.419 --> 00:40:40.079
 Please help us

00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:41.099
 as we take this

00:40:41.099 --> 00:40:41.619
 to reflect.

00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:42.679
 And would you speak to us?

00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.339
 Would you strengthen

00:40:43.340 --> 00:40:43.980
 our faith?

00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.320
 Would you remind us

00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.300
 that it's all from you?

00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.100
 It's all from Jesus.

00:40:48.160 --> 00:40:48.680
 And that's,

00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:49.320
 yeah,

00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:50.460
 we don't need

00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.039
 to do anything.

00:40:51.680 --> 00:40:51.820
 Lord,

00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:52.720
 make this a special

00:40:52.720 --> 00:40:53.720
 experience for us.

00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:55.579
 We ask this in Jesus' name.

00:40:55.980 --> 00:40:56.260
 Amen.

00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:56.400
 Amen.

00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


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00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.400


00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:56.500
 Amen.