WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.040 Well, good morning, church, and happy Mother's Day. It's good to see you all this morning. 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:14.500 Would you turn with me to Galatians chapter 6, verses 11 through 18. We've come to the end of our series in Galatians today. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Galatians 6, verses 11 through 18. Let me pray for us as we come to God's Word. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:34.359 Father, what a thing to sing that all of our wealth is in the cross. Lord, the cross to our human eyes looks like weakness and defeat. 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:40.500 Lord, so many things we'd love to hold up as our trophies of accomplishment and boast. 00:00:42.120 --> 00:00:48.120 And yet, truly, Your cross is where real wisdom and real power are found. 00:00:48.119 --> 00:00:55.859 So, as we come again to this mighty book of Galatians, as we come again to Your living Word, 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:00.759 help us to see Christ in all of His beauty, the crucified and risen One. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:09.000 Lord, that we might behold Him, worship Him, become more like Him, and serve Him to the glory of Your name. Amen. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:13.299 All right, Galatians 6, 11 through 18. Paul writes this, 00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:43.299 00:01:43.299 --> 00:02:04.299 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, even upon the Israel of God. 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:10.079 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 00:02:11.079 --> 00:02:16.280 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with Your spirit, brothers. Amen. 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:26.340 All right, well, as Paul brings this letter to a close, he takes up the pen and starts writing with his own hand. 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:31.439 In the first century, most letters were written by dictation. In other words, Paul would speak, 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:35.340 and one of his associates would write it down, and that was the letter that they would send off. 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:40.460 And often at the end of his letters, Paul would take up the pen from his scribe and write a final word. 00:02:40.579 --> 00:02:43.859 Often it was sort of a short word of blessing or a short word of greeting. 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:51.419 But here in Galatians, this final writing from Paul is much fuller and much more emphatic. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:52.520 He says, 00:02:52.520 --> 00:03:03.420 Now, some have speculated that maybe Paul had really bad handwriting, or maybe he had bad eyesight, 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:06.100 and that's why he had to write his letters so large. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:13.660 So, you know, if your penmanship isn't so good, well, perhaps you're in good apostolic company, you know. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:25.019 But I actually think the real reason Paul is writing with such large letters is because he really wants to drive these final words home. 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:33.800 It's as if he's writing an email, and he kind of comes to the end, and he hits, you know, all caps and just starts typing away. 00:03:34.199 --> 00:03:38.439 Don't miss this. This is bold. This is underlined. This is all caps. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:40.960 See with what large letters I'm writing to you. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:51.180 And what does, what does Paul want ringing in our ears and in our minds as he draws this passionate letter of Galatians to a close? 00:03:52.760 --> 00:03:54.680 Well, no surprise. 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:59.439 It's nothing less than the heart of the gospel itself. 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:07.600 One more time, Paul wants to highlight the wonderful good news of what Jesus has done 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:12.939 so that we might not be taken captive by a false gospel, 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:20.360 by a false gospel that says circumcision or any other human work could possibly justify us before God. 00:04:21.219 --> 00:04:25.459 In fact, Paul ends by drawing a contrast, 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:28.439 a contrast between legalism and the gospel, 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:33.019 so that we might spot this deadly legalism before it takes us captive, 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:41.359 and so that we might rejoice and rest in the peace and mercy and grace that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring. 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:50.780 So I wonder, having listened to us teach Galatians for the last three, four, five months, 00:04:51.080 --> 00:04:53.340 can you tell the difference? 00:04:55.420 --> 00:05:01.300 Can you tell the difference when a message or a community or your own heart, perhaps, 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:06.259 is operating out of one of these two radically different principles? 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:10.339 Can you tell the difference when you're living out of legalism and works righteousness 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:13.219 or when you're living out of the gospel? 00:05:15.139 --> 00:05:19.000 Well, Paul's going to help us one last time in these final verses. 00:05:19.899 --> 00:05:25.480 First, first thing he emphasizes is that there's a difference in what you boast in. 00:05:25.659 --> 00:05:27.599 There's a difference in what you boast in. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:30.980 A legalistic heart boasts only in the flesh, 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:36.300 whereas a gospel-shaped heart boasts only in the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:05:37.080 --> 00:05:41.939 In verses 12 and 13, Paul highlights that the teachers who are troubling the Galatians only, what? 00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:44.160 Want to make a good showing in the flesh. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:49.300 That is, they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:52.240 But by contrast, Paul says in verse 14, 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:57.259 far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:04.959 You see, a legalistic heart is going to boast in what our human efforts can accomplish. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:07.240 That's what's going to excite it. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:09.039 That's what's going to energize it. 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:14.500 And it's all going to be about our ego and our pride. 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:15.519 Look at what I've done. 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:16.819 Look at what I deserve. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:21.740 But the gospel-shaped heart stands not on a resume, 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:24.000 not on a list of accomplishments, 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:27.740 but it stands before the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:33.220 And before the cross, we realize that our human efforts and our human good works 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:36.300 can never be good enough to reconcile us to a holy God. 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:40.560 After all, if the labors of our hands could reconcile us to God, 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:43.019 if obedience to the law could justify us, 00:06:43.339 --> 00:06:45.639 then why did Christ have to die? 00:06:47.379 --> 00:06:50.100 Well, the answer that Paul's been saying again and again in this book is clear. 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:52.820 He says, our works could never atone for our sins, 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:55.740 and that's exactly why Jesus came and died in our place. 00:06:56.780 --> 00:07:02.320 At the cross, the wrath of God that stood over our sins was fully absorbed by Jesus, 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:06.840 who took our sins upon Himself and paid our penalty of death in full. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:09.620 So the gospel doesn't say, 00:07:10.460 --> 00:07:11.900 God helps those who help themselves. 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:14.779 The gospel says, 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:17.439 God rescues the helpless by His grace alone. 00:07:18.859 --> 00:07:22.879 And that's why our boast is not in ourselves or in our righteousness. 00:07:23.919 --> 00:07:26.259 Our boast is in the cross of Jesus Christ, 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:29.659 because at the cross, the battle was won, 00:07:30.739 --> 00:07:31.899 and the debt was paid. 00:07:32.419 --> 00:07:34.819 And at the cross, the final verdict was cast 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:37.139 that declares sinners righteous. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:40.560 You know, imagine that you're out at sea, 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:41.740 and a storm rises up, 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:44.060 and your little ship's being battered by the waves, 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:46.720 and the sun suddenly goes dark behind the clouds, 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:48.579 and then your boat capsizes, 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:49.819 and you're flung overboard, 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:51.300 and you're floundering in the waves, 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:52.959 trying to keep your head above water, 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.040 but the current's pulling you down, 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:56.819 and you know you're lost. 00:07:58.420 --> 00:08:00.660 But suddenly, you hear a helicopter overhead, 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:03.959 and a diver plunges down into the water after you, 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:05.860 ties a rope around your waist, 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:07.879 pulls you above the water in the waves, 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:09.939 secures your lift into the helicopter, 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:11.240 and you're brought to safety. 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:14.839 Now, when you get back to land, 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:18.680 what will be your boast? 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:23.079 Wow, I did a pretty good job back there. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:26.699 My backstroke practically saved my life, right? 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:27.560 Of course not. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:29.819 Your boast isn't going to be in yourself. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:33.000 Your boast is going to be in your rescuer. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:37.840 Friends, that's the message of the Bible. 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:39.519 That's the good news. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:44.139 The triune God has rescued us through the cross. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:46.860 We were dead in our sins, 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.080 and God made us alive with Christ. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:53.000 So the cross, not ourselves, 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:54.740 will always be our boast. 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:59.539 That's why we talk so much about the cross at Trinity, 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:02.459 because it is the center of everything. 00:09:05.099 --> 00:09:06.679 So we ask ourselves, 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:10.459 is it your boast today? 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:15.179 Or are you still trying to stand on your own righteousness 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:16.459 and your own good works? 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:19.620 Perhaps today is the day 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:22.000 when you finally admit 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:25.419 that before a holy and perfectly good God, 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:29.039 you're actually like a person sinking in the waves. 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:32.120 And with every stroke to save yourself, 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:34.779 you sink simply deeper down. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:38.120 Friend, call upon Christ. 00:09:38.699 --> 00:09:40.419 He's descended into the waters 00:09:40.419 --> 00:09:42.139 of death and hell on the cross 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:44.899 to save all who place their faith in Him. 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:47.679 Everyone who calls upon Him will be saved. 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:50.139 He died and rose again on the third day 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:51.819 to atone for all your sins 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:54.639 and to secure a perfect and complete salvation. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:57.620 And He'll lift you above the storm of sin and judgment 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:59.620 and carry you to safety, 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:02.039 to eternal life in His righteousness. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:06.340 And for those of us who are Christians, 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:08.539 who have placed our faith in Christ, 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:12.419 isn't it true that we sometimes slip back 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:15.279 into that old form of boasting? 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.860 Surely we do. 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:19.980 Pride comes lurking in. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:23.379 Our old sinful nature wants to steal the glory 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.779 that only Christ deserves. 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.539 Ah, look at what I've done, 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.059 our old self says. 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:32.700 God sure is lucky to have a follower like me. 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.220 Brothers and sisters, 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:38.399 let us return to the foot of the cross. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:41.899 Let our pride be washed away again 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:44.740 by the cleansing waters that flow 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.820 from Calvary and the crucified one. 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:51.160 Let's be freed from that self-centeredness 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:52.300 and that selfishness, 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:55.680 not so that we might think very little of ourselves, 00:10:55.780 --> 00:10:58.760 but that we might stop thinking about ourselves at all 00:10:58.760 --> 00:11:00.780 and focus on God 00:11:00.780 --> 00:11:02.740 and His great love for us 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:05.240 and focus on serving and loving those around us. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:09.100 It was my sin that held Him there, 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:09.620 we sing, 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:11.779 until it was accomplished. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:14.799 His dying breath has brought me life. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.419 I know that it is finished. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:19.120 I will not boast in anything, 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:19.919 no gifts, 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.779 no power, 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:21.519 no wisdom, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:24.639 but I will boast in Jesus Christ, 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:26.860 His death and resurrection. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.840 So that's the first contrast 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:32.399 that Paul wants to drive home in all caps, 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:35.939 the big difference between the gospel and legalism 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:37.019 is what we boast in. 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:40.139 And the second contrast is this. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:42.319 Paul emphasizes the difference here 00:11:42.319 --> 00:11:48.340 between whose opinion matters most to us. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:51.759 Whose opinion matters most. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:53.740 You see, in the legalistic, 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:55.079 works, righteousness, heart, 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.720 it's human opinion that takes center stage. 00:11:58.579 --> 00:12:00.539 But in the gospel-shaped heart, 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.579 only God's opinion finally matters. 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:05.719 Again, in verse 12, 00:12:05.839 --> 00:12:06.620 Paul's opponents are 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:09.319 those who want to make a good showing in the flesh. 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:11.699 They want other people to notice and applaud. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:15.240 But listen to what Paul says in verse 14. 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:16.699 He says, 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:19.159 By the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:12:19.959 --> 00:12:22.599 the world has been crucified to me 00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:24.500 and I to the world. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:28.840 What the world thinks, 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:30.899 the world's opinion, Paul says, 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:33.919 has lost all power over me. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.200 Let them applaud. 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:38.840 Let them jeer and mock. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:41.200 It doesn't matter to me anymore. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:44.399 Only God's opinion matters now. 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:47.940 After all, what does the cross show us? 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:51.799 What does the cross show us? 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:56.199 It shows us that the fallen world 00:12:56.199 --> 00:13:00.839 cannot possibly give us a reliable standard 00:13:00.839 --> 00:13:02.299 by which we live our lives. 00:13:03.219 --> 00:13:03.859 Why so? 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:07.199 Because when the King of glory 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:08.839 walked among us in the flesh, 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:11.559 the embodiment of perfect wisdom 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:14.039 and love and truth and righteousness, 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.819 what did the world do? 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:19.099 The world crucified Him. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:23.000 That was the world's opinion of Jesus. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.360 Here's the summit of the world's opinion. 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:29.379 Perfect righteousness, truth, glory, love, and justice. 00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:30.840 Let's kill Him. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.340 Now, I don't know about you, 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:36.259 but that doesn't seem like a very reliable system 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:37.519 to base your life on, does it? 00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:38.360 Right? 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:41.540 You see, when Christ was crucified, 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:45.540 the fallen world was exposed as a sham. 00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:47.180 Its spell was broken. 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:49.779 It comes to us in waves and says, 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.519 think this way, act this way, 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:53.559 believe this way, value this way, 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.599 love this way, 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.679 and then Christ was crucified. 00:13:58.359 --> 00:14:00.079 And the house of cards came down 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:01.919 and we saw it for what it really was. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:07.439 No longer does the world's opinion 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:10.059 of what is wise or beautiful or just or true 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:12.299 hold any persuasive power 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:14.179 when we stand before the cross. 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:18.539 For there, before the crucified and risen Jesus, 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:21.679 there is where we behold the fullness of wisdom 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.479 and power and truth and love. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.879 And we live only on the basis of His opinion now. 00:14:29.479 --> 00:14:30.359 Can you imagine, 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:32.739 can you imagine living a life 00:14:32.739 --> 00:14:34.859 that isn't blown and tossed 00:14:34.859 --> 00:14:37.459 by the approval or disapproval of the world? 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:39.639 Can you imagine living a life 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.519 that isn't thrown around 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.940 by the latest fad of thinking, 00:14:44.780 --> 00:14:46.639 by the latest, you know, 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.960 trend of popular opinion? 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:52.700 Can you imagine being able to rise above the game 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:54.019 of people-pleasing, 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.000 of flattery, 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.740 of favor-currying, 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.780 and peer pressure? 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:02.439 Can you imagine not having to ride 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:04.179 the rollercoaster of elation 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:06.199 when people like and approve of you 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:08.019 or of devastation 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.600 when you get disapproval and rejection? 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.480 You know, trying to live your life 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.839 on the opinion and approval of the world 00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:16.019 is like trying to build a house 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:17.399 on a floating dock 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.399 in the middle of a storm. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.220 Part of my growing up, 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.360 I lived near a small lake 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.139 in upstate New York 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.980 and you could swim out 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:24.459 to this little, like, floating dock 00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:25.159 that was big enough 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.199 for maybe, like, four or five kids, right? 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.159 And, of course, 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.019 we'd always get that thing 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.379 really rocking back and forth 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:32.419 and then you'd fall off, you know. 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.699 Imagine a little dock like that 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.620 in the middle of a storm. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.819 Just rocks back and forth 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:39.699 and back and forth 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.120 and, you know, 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.579 basing your life 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.379 on the opinion of the world 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.740 is like trying to build a little house 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.939 on a dock like that. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.279 You think you build up a wall here, 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.679 you think you secure a door there, 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.699 the whole thing rocks again 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:49.779 and it all falls down. 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:53.379 How many of our lives are like that? 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:57.480 But through the cross of Jesus Christ, 00:15:57.879 --> 00:16:00.039 you don't have to build your life 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:02.759 on the fleeting opinions of the world. 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.259 My hope is built 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:08.659 on nothing less 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:11.579 than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:15.219 I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:18.639 but wholly lean on Jesus' name. 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:21.639 On Christ the solid rock I stand, 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:23.819 all other ground is sinking sand. 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:26.340 You see, by the cross of Jesus, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:28.640 Paul can say, you can say, 00:16:28.900 --> 00:16:31.060 the world's been crucified to me 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:32.580 and I to the world. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.440 So, Christian, 00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:36.560 do the opinions of the world 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.940 take up too much real estate 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.580 in your heart? 00:16:39.520 --> 00:16:40.680 Are there certain aspects 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.520 of following Jesus 00:16:41.520 --> 00:16:42.320 that you're afraid 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:44.080 or embarrassed to maybe profess 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:44.860 or believe 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.620 because you're worried 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.820 of how the world will respond, 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.660 what your friends, 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.860 your colleagues, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.800 your neighbors will think 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:51.460 if you really followed Christ 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.639 in this area of your life? 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:55.019 Are you blown and tossed 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:56.460 by the opinions of the world? 00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:02.040 Come, let us reason together, 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.800 God once said 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:05.120 through the prophet Isaiah. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:08.500 Though your sins be like scarlet, 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.480 I will make them white as snow. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.840 Friend, consider all 00:17:13.840 --> 00:17:15.500 that the triune God has done 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:17.319 to prove to you 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:19.079 His love and faithfulness. 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.500 The Father gave His only Son 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.160 on the cross 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:25.180 to grant you eternal life. 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.099 He's demonstrated 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.039 His love for you 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.579 in a measure 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:30.339 beyond human comprehension. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.559 And if that's how much 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.599 God loves you, 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.099 if that's the lengths 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.759 God has gone to save you, 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.740 then surely here is a God 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.960 that you can trust. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:45.279 All His words are true. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.960 All His ways are good. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:50.039 His kingdom may run counter 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:51.480 to the cultures of this world, 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.480 but His kingdom 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.720 is the only place 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:55.440 of lasting and true flourishing. 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:58.279 Surely, this God 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:01.759 would only be giving you 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.579 His words and His ways 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.660 for your flourishing. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:08.640 When Christ died on the cross, 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.700 God's love was displayed 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:13.059 for you in undeniable glory. 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.940 So now, 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.840 how could the world 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:16.539 hold anything 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.500 that could charm us? 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.340 I mean, think about it. 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:22.059 Has the world ever loved you 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:23.759 like Jesus loves you? 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:28.240 I mean, I know how fun it is 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.220 to flip through YouTube 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.799 and see all those fun videos 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.420 of like people telling me 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.279 how I can be fit 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.180 and happy and wise 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.580 and wealthy 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:35.620 and all these things, right? 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.360 But no one has loved us 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:39.960 like Christ. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.620 And only His ways are good. 00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:46.259 So why would we now look? 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.380 Why would we now look 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.640 to the world's opinions 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:50.819 to tell us how money 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:52.620 or sex 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:53.980 or power 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.480 should really be used? 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.160 Why would we look 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.980 to the world's opinions 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.640 to determine 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.400 whether we're living 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.759 a full and robust life? 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.140 Now, surely, 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:05.160 every culture has echoes 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.600 of God's common grace, 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.080 and we're grateful 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:08.960 for those echoes. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.960 God has not led Himself 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.680 without a witness 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.640 in any human culture. 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:15.480 But we should not rest content 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.620 merely with those echoes. 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:19.039 Let us press on 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.000 to the fountainhead. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.180 From God, 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.360 the one from whom 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.799 these streams of goodness 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.600 and truth 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:27.680 and beauty flow, 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.940 let the opinions 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:30.440 of Almighty God, 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.680 the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.480 be the lens 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:35.240 through which we can really know 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.519 what is true 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.259 and good 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.920 and beautiful. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.059 Now, of course, 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:42.440 living 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:44.980 for the opinion of God 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.960 rather than for the opinion 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.680 of the world, 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.779 it won't always be easy 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.819 in this life. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.380 It may bring difficulty. 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:55.319 It may even bring conflict. 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.440 You see, 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.140 Paul realized 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:58.880 that the false teachers 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.440 in Galatia 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.599 were preaching circumcision 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:02.139 so that they might not 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:03.059 be persecuted 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:04.740 for the cross of Christ. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.579 Now, what does that mean? 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:06.859 Well, 00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:08.539 in context, 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:08.980 you see, 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.819 in the first century 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.399 Roman Empire, 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.879 Judaism was a religion 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:13.059 that had legal status 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.000 and legal protection 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.139 because it was so ancient 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.959 and so old. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.219 But many Christians 00:20:18.219 --> 00:20:18.599 were persecuted 00:20:19.219 --> 00:20:20.179 because Rome 00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:21.339 considered Christianity 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.559 this sort of new 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.899 and dangerous ideology. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.980 They didn't understand 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.599 that Christianity 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:27.099 was simply the fulfillment 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.000 of the Old Testament. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:30.940 And given that context, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.420 it would have been 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.299 very tempting 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.640 for Gentile believers 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:35.799 to want to come back 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.920 under the Old Covenant 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.980 and get circumcised 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.640 because then 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.740 they might not have 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.720 to face persecution 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.880 from the Roman authorities. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:45.359 So, a big draw 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:47.880 of this false gospel 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:48.720 in the first century 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.700 was that it allowed you 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.900 to kind of skirt out 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:52.500 of persecution 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.819 and ostracization 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.720 and all this stuff. 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:56.799 And friends, 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:58.000 it is very much 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.740 the same today. 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.639 Most false gospels 00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:02.259 are shaped 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:04.220 in part, 00:21:04.419 --> 00:21:05.899 consciously or unconsciously, 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.319 to avoid 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.639 tension and conflict 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:11.039 with the world around us. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.940 But notice what Paul says 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.799 in verse 17. 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.879 From now on, 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.960 let no one cause me trouble. 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.279 That is, 00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:24.000 let no one question 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.180 this truth 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.320 that I am bringing to you. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.539 For I bear on my body 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.759 the marks of Jesus. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.220 What are these marks 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.799 of Jesus 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:35.720 that Paul is talking about? 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.600 Well, I think pretty obviously 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.680 they were the scars 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:41.420 that Paul had acquired 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:43.420 through being persecuted 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:45.160 because he proclaimed 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.779 to all that he meant 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.360 that the crucified Jesus 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:49.600 was the world's true king. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:52.139 In 2 Corinthians, 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.879 Paul recounts 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.419 how he faced 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.959 many physical beatings 00:21:54.959 --> 00:21:55.439 and hardships 00:21:55.439 --> 00:21:56.659 for the sake of the gospel. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.019 The false teachers 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.000 wanted the Galatians 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.119 to mark their bodies 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.919 with circumcision 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.480 so they could avoid persecution. 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.000 But Paul says, 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.539 don't you see? 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.919 A willingness 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:07.259 to suffer for Christ, 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.839 those are some of the only 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.799 true outward marks 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.379 of the gospel. 00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.179 So, brothers and sisters, 00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:15.059 don't be afraid 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:16.819 to face hardship 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.859 or rejection 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.019 for the name of Christ. 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:21.740 Yes, we might be ostracized, 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.339 we might be ridiculed 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.939 for following Jesus as Lord, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.359 but you need not be afraid. 00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:29.619 If we suffer with Him, 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.859 what does the Bible say? 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:33.019 We will be raised with Him. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.039 What did Jesus Himself say? 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:35.939 He said, 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.259 blessed are you 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:39.059 when others revile you 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.699 and persecute 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:40.939 and utter all kinds of evil 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:41.839 against you falsely 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.459 on my account. 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.139 Rejoice and be glad, 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.879 for your reward 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.799 is great in heaven, 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.619 for so they persecuted 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:49.220 the prophets 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.319 who were before you. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.159 Seek first His kingdom 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:54.680 and His righteousness. 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.819 God's opinion 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.139 is the only opinion 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.819 that matters. 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.960 So, the first contrast 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.220 is about what we boast in. 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:05.859 Second contrast 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.839 is about whose opinion 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.579 matters most. 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.839 Finally, the third contrast 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:14.220 is about how real change happens. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:17.019 A legalistic heart 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.480 tries to change 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.960 from the outside in, 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.940 but a gospel-shaped heart 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.980 changes from the inside out. 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.700 In verse 13, 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.539 Paul points out, 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:28.860 he says, 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:30.660 even those who are circumcised 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.660 do not themselves 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.299 keep the law. 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.160 You see, 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.000 this was the great irony 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.259 of the false teacher's position. 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.360 They were saying, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.740 well, you have to get circumcised 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.380 and keep the law 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.039 to be saved. 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.140 But in reality, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.620 even though they were circumcised, 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.160 they couldn't keep the law, 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.700 they couldn't keep the whole law. 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.540 They were just like everybody else, 00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:49.480 stuck in the old patterns of life. 00:23:50.040 --> 00:23:51.200 Outward circumcision 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.620 could never create 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:54.200 an internal change. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.500 So, look at what Paul says 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.240 in verse 15. 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.740 He says, 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.080 for neither circumcision 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.240 counts for anything 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.540 nor uncircumcision, 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.779 but a new creation. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:10.220 What really counts 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:13.339 isn't external markers, 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:16.420 but internal regeneration. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.259 That's what it means, really, 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.940 to be a Christian. 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:26.579 Circumcision could never make you 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.559 a redeemed child of God. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.740 And the same thing is true today. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:33.240 External symbols and signs 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:35.400 don't make you 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:37.019 a Christian, 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.900 a child of God. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.240 We're going to celebrate 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.220 baptism in just a minute, 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.259 but baptism doesn't 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.660 cause you 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:44.019 to be a Christian. 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:46.420 We celebrate the Lord's Supper 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.059 every month. 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.799 The Lord's Supper 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:49.160 doesn't cause you 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.000 to be a Christian. 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.799 Rather, 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.700 these things 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.599 are beautiful, 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.880 powerful, 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:57.220 signs and seals 00:24:57.220 --> 00:25:00.360 of what God does 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.759 through faith 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:04.640 from the inside out. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.420 What matters 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:08.380 is a new creation. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.700 Through the Holy Spirit, 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.299 by faith in Christ, 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:16.460 have you been made alive 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.620 spiritually, 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.160 internally? 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.759 Has your old heart of stone 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.600 been replaced 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:23.640 with a heart of flesh? 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:25.600 Have the eyes of your heart 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.939 been opened to see 00:25:26.939 --> 00:25:28.299 the gravity of your sin 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.339 before a holy God 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.480 and the wonder 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.500 of God's grace 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.399 and forgiveness 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.539 freely offered 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.579 through Christ 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.419 as your substitute 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:36.059 and Savior? 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:38.259 Have you been 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.759 born again? 00:25:42.439 --> 00:25:43.519 That's what matters. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.480 Not whether you're Jew 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.179 or Gentile 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:47.279 or male or female, 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.480 college-educated 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.619 or self-educated. 00:25:50.459 --> 00:25:51.799 Have you been 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:54.139 made a new creation? 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.480 Have you been regenerated? 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.720 Have you been born again? 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.160 Did you know that 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.480 nearly every major writer 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.279 in the New Testament, 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.059 Paul, 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.380 John, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.440 Peter, 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.720 James, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.880 they all describe 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.240 genuine Christianity, 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.660 real Christianity, 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.720 what it means 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.480 to be a Christian 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.519 at all 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.759 as being 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.160 regenerated, 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.980 born again, 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.380 being a new creation 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:19.860 in Christ. 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.640 We sometimes think 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.140 that born again 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.900 is sort of this label 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.860 for weird Christians, 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.440 right? 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.620 There's like the born again 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.419 types over there 00:26:25.419 --> 00:26:26.699 than there's us 00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:27.779 serious types over here. 00:26:28.979 --> 00:26:29.579 The New Testament 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.859 knows no such distinction. 00:26:31.979 --> 00:26:33.759 Every single writer 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.059 practically in the New Testament 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.459 says, 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.279 real, genuine Christianity 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:39.079 is being made new. 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.079 In fact, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.719 this is how Jesus himself 00:26:44.719 --> 00:26:45.359 talks about 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.179 what he came to do. 00:26:47.459 --> 00:26:48.139 He didn't come 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:49.239 to give us more rules. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.159 He didn't come 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:51.059 to give us more examples. 00:26:51.479 --> 00:26:52.000 He didn't come 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.539 to give us more 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.359 ethical principles. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.960 That's not ultimately 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.039 why Jesus came. 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.500 He came to give us 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.619 new hearts. 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.960 It's not circumcision 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.539 that matters. 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:03.500 It's not your uncircumcision 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.079 that matters. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.579 It's a new creation. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.220 And that's where 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.559 real change comes from. 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:12.019 Not from outside in, 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.059 but from inside out. 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.559 Now, you see, 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.259 it wasn't just 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.519 in first century Galatia, 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:21.240 but it has really been 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.559 throughout much 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.940 of Christian history 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:25.420 that there have been 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.460 those who have said, 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:26.940 you know, 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.900 if you really believe 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.359 that salvation 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:31.660 is by grace alone, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:33.059 through faith alone, 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.220 in Christ alone, 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.680 if you really believe that 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.299 and preach that, 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.240 then you know 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:39.420 you're just giving people 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:41.000 no incentive at all 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.879 to obey God. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.579 If you preach 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.440 that kind of message, 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:46.019 people will just be content 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.859 to stay in their 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.000 old sinful patterns. 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.979 That's how people 00:27:50.979 --> 00:27:51.679 will critique 00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:52.859 the biblical gospel. 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.799 But what this critique 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.399 misses, 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.859 completely misses, 00:27:57.859 --> 00:28:00.219 is that adding 00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:01.299 more law 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.879 or requiring 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.039 more obedience 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.740 to be saved 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.159 or more requirements 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:06.759 and rituals, 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:09.740 that doesn't make us 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.439 holy either. 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:14.019 Only an internal 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.000 change of heart 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.539 can begin 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.839 to bear the fruit 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.779 of a holy life. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.660 And this internal 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.359 change of heart 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.980 doesn't come from us, 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.880 from the outside. 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.279 It comes as a gift 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.099 from God 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:29.700 to all who believe 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.319 in Christ. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.480 Real change 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.799 only happens 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:37.019 when our loves 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:40.000 begin to be reordered 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.200 and reshaped 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.180 by God's love 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.079 from the inside out. 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:45.539 Pastor Matt 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.279 mentioned this writer 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.119 a few weeks ago. 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.220 A guy named 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.119 Thomas Chalmers, 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.879 who was a Scottish 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.960 pastor many years ago, 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.659 he wrote an essay 00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:53.899 called The Expulsive 00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:55.339 Power of a New 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.019 Affection. 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.039 Big words. 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:58.759 Preachers in the, 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.819 you know, 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.539 19th century, 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.639 they liked long titles, 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.119 you know. 00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:03.079 I should have called 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.480 this sermon 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.419 something cool like that, 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:06.519 but I just call it 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:08.139 some stuff about 00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:08.919 the end of Galatians. 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.339 The Expulsive Power 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.000 of a New Affection. 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.339 What does he mean? 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.579 He means that when 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.740 you have a new affection, 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.819 a new love, 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.839 that's what has 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:20.519 the expulsive power, 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.240 the power to drive out 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.359 the old loves. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.119 What makes a greedy 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.900 person generous? 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.140 What makes a fearful 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.200 person confident? 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.440 I mean, think about that. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.460 You can tell 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.779 a fearful person 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:37.319 stop being afraid 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.759 a hundred times over, 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.920 and it won't move 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:41.100 their fear one inch. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.460 Right? 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:45.539 But when the fearful 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.060 heart catches a glimpse 00:29:47.060 --> 00:29:48.900 of Jesus Christ, 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:51.160 the lover of their soul, 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.860 standing sovereignly 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:55.140 amidst the storms 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:55.960 of their life, 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.400 the one who calmed 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.480 the storms and said, 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.460 peace be still 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.660 to the wind and the waves. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.860 You see, 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.000 let the fearful soul 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.620 feel the embrace of Christ 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:08.399 in all His power and love. 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.739 And then the words, 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.299 don't be afraid, 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:14.099 suddenly begin to melt 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.639 the cold hands of fear, 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:18.339 and the warm confidence 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.799 of being a child of God 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.399 begins to rise in the soul. 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:25.059 Whom shall I fear? 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:26.500 says the heart 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.899 who sees the God 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:30.599 of heavenly hosts, 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.799 the one who commands 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.980 the armies of heaven, 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.259 that God, 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.559 seeing that God 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.619 bow low 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:38.279 to take up 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.419 our sinful flesh, 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.519 bearing away 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:43.019 our sins on the cross, 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.879 rising again 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.539 in victory 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:47.039 over all the worst 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.859 that hell and death 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.639 could possibly 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.659 throw against us? 00:30:51.419 --> 00:30:51.940 Indeed, 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.599 whom shall we fear? 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:59.759 That's the expulsive power 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:01.440 of a new affection. 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.759 Change comes 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:05.200 not from outside in, 00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:07.139 but from inside out. 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.700 So here are the contrasts 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.279 that Paul puts in bold 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:15.419 at the end of his great letter 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.299 to the Galatians. 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:18.440 We boast in the cross, 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.639 not in our flesh. 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.740 We live for God's opinion, 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.899 not the world's. 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:24.640 And we change 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.560 from his power 00:31:25.560 --> 00:31:26.740 inside out, 00:31:27.080 --> 00:31:29.180 not from the outside in. 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.400 And what's the result 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.000 of all this? 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.460 Well, interestingly, 00:31:35.800 --> 00:31:36.700 look at verse 16. 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.580 And that's for all 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.720 who walk by this rule, 00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:43.160 peace and mercy 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.080 be upon them 00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:46.740 and upon the Israel of God. 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:48.279 In fact, 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.240 the way that last phrase 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.120 should be translated 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.880 is, 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:53.920 even upon the Israel of God. 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.519 Paul isn't distinguishing 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.440 two groups here. 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.120 He's saying, 00:31:57.279 --> 00:32:00.559 this is the real people of God. 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.200 That's what Paul's saying. 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.620 The people of God 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:05.579 is no longer defined 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.460 by circumcision 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.940 or any external marker, 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.980 but only by faith 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:11.799 in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:14.139 And in this community 00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:15.659 defined by faith, 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.779 what is there? 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.279 What reigns? 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:23.079 Peace and mercy. 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.619 You see, 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.859 where the gospel reigns, 00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:26.639 there is peace 00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:27.940 and there is mercy. 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:29.839 Peace because we no longer live 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.919 under the condemning 00:32:30.919 --> 00:32:31.799 voice of the law, 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.779 and mercy because 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:35.180 we have been forgiven. 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:39.200 And a community like that, 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.399 a community, 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.740 a church that lives 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.200 in peace and mercy, 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.580 will be a community 00:32:45.580 --> 00:32:46.600 that extends 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:48.480 peace and mercy. 00:32:50.560 --> 00:32:51.120 Friends, 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.400 being a people of the gospel 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.100 means being a people of peace 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:55.540 and not violence. 00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:58.480 Being a people of mercy 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:00.560 and not hatred 00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.720 and bitterness. 00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.759 That's a place 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.900 where the gospel reigns. 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:09.040 And what makes that possible 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:10.420 is what Paul's been talking about 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.819 throughout this entire book. 00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:12.960 Grace. 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:16.279 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.379 be with your spirit, 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.259 brothers and sisters. 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.379 May our church 00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:21.039 be a church 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.920 of grace. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:25.899 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.940 And then our Lord Jesus Christ 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.920 will get all the praise 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.680 that He deserves. 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.680 Let's pray together. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:39.660 O Lord, 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.759 as we come to the end 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:42.960 of this book of Galatians, 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:43.660 Lord, 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.320 as it seems, 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.500 like Luther said 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.279 so many years ago, 00:33:46.340 --> 00:33:47.820 we've been just hammering 00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:49.100 the gospel into our heads 00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:50.340 week after week. 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.240 O Lord, 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.880 would it descend 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:54.140 from our heads 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:55.500 into our hearts, 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:56.920 and would you give us 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.980 a fresh taste 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.980 by your spirit 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:00.920 of how sweet 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.420 and good 00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:04.420 and lovely 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:06.420 is our Savior, 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.339 Jesus Christ? 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:09.059 Would we be a church 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:10.960 that lives by His grace, 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:13.320 that lives in peace 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.159 and mercy, 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.099 that boasts 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.059 in the cross? 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.579 Would we be a church 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.139 where we say, 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:19.340 oh, 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.079 the world 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:22.019 is crucified to us 00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:23.159 and us to the world? 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.320 And out of that place, 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:26.480 Lord, 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:28.139 where we no longer need 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:29.840 the opinions of the world, 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:32.079 would we be equipped 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:32.980 by Your Spirit 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:34.760 to truly love 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:36.099 this world 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:38.219 that You have loved so much 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:40.260 and to go forth 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.559 to serve 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.760 and to proclaim 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:44.860 Jesus is Lord. 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.780 We ask all this 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.539 in Your mighty name, 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:47.840 Jesus. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.320 Amen.