WEBVTT

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 Bit of an opening. Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can.

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! Very fun movie.

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 Over 20 years old now, interestingly.

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! Main character in this movie, Frank Abagnale Jr.

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! He's played by Leo DiCaprio.

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 He begins a life of crime and deception,

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 in part, to fix his parents' broken marriage

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 and regain his father's lost honor.

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 He idolized his father,

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 and his father was on this descent,

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 and his, again, in part,

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 his purpose for his life of crime,

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 stealing money, was to restore his father's honor.

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 And while giving an acceptance speech,

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 while accepting a prestigious award from his Rotary Club,

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 Frank Abagnale Jr.'s father, Frank Abagnale Sr.,

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 tells a story, and the story goes something like this.

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 He gets up, and he goes,

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 two mice fell into a barrel of cream,

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 and the first one struggled and quickly gave up and drowned.

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 But the second one struggled and swam and struggled and swam

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 and turned that cream into butter and then climbed out.

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 And then he says to this audience of his peers,

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 I am that second mouse.

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 And that, interestingly,

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 that line, that image,

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 follows Frank Jr. all the way through the story.

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 So, he tries to give his father money after he steals a fortune,

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 and his father,

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 you know,

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 who is now, you know,

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 descending into poverty,

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 he says to his son,

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 which mouse am I?

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 And then his son kind of transforms back into that lowly 14-year-old boy,

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 and he says,

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 well, you're the second mouse.

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 He goes,

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 what do I need your money for?

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 It's a very interesting story,

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 an interesting analogy,

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 because I think what it does is it highlights something that,

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 in a movie, of course,

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 it's really exaggerated,

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 but it's something that is found in all of us,

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 that we have a hard time accepting help or receiving charity.

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 It's difficult for us.

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 So, maybe you're not as proud as Frank Sr. from the film,

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 but I would venture a guess that almost everybody here has a difficult,

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 maybe I'll put it this way,

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 would rather give charity than accept it.

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 Maybe receiving charity would give you a feeling of discomfort.

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 It would maybe even offend you.

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 We can feel that such help or charity is actually an affront to our dignity.

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 And for some here, like I've mentioned,

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 the shame or offense of receiving charity means we will never really accept it.

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 Our text today will touch on this very issue.

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 Romans chapter 1, verses 16 and 17.

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 And make it clear that such a mindset is actually

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 not just a weird character quirk,

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 but something that will inhibit us

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 from receiving saving faith from God himself.

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 So as we open Romans chapter 1, verses 16 to 17,

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 we're going to take our time through it.

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 And we're focusing on these two verses

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 because Romans 16 and 17 are really like the thesis statement

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 of the entire book of Romans.

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 So we're going to take some time and really understand it.

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 But as we open to Romans chapter 1, 16 and 17,

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 we'll look at God's power,

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 we'll look at God's righteousness,

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 and then how to properly respond to both.

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 And I hope and pray that in doing so,

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 we can better understand our deep need to feel dignified,

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 which I think is a real need that we have,

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 and how the gospel of God helps us in ways

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 that are both uncomfortable but deeply needed.

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 So, if you're following along in the scripture journals,

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 page 8, verse 16, point 1, God's power.

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 And I'll read it for us.

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 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

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 for it is a power of God for salvation

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 to everyone who believes to the Jew first

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 and also to the Greek.

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 The gospel is God's power to save sinners.

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 It's displayed in Christ for all people

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 to the Jew first and to the Greek.

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 And the Jew first and the Greek,

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 it's a very interesting thing to explore.

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 We're not going to explore it today.

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 It'll come up throughout our time in Romans.

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 But I'll just have a quick side note

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 that Paul is,

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 he'll constantly refer to the Jews

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 and their priority in proclaiming the gospel

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 primarily for two reasons.

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 Number one, because this is the combination

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 of the promises made to the Jewish people

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 in the Old Testament,

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 but also because Jesus himself was a Jew.

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 That's all I'm going to say.

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 If you have any questions,

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 you can talk to me about it afterwards.

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 I don't want to get too sidetracked,

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 but I wanted to bring your attention to that.

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 Again, we'll discuss this in weeks to come.

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 Nevertheless, it is God's power,

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 the gospel is God's power,

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 to save sinners displayed in Christ for all people.

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 It says a lot about God,

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 his willingness to exercise his power to save.

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 He did not have to.

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 Instead, God saves out of an act of love.

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 And we'll see in this next point

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 that it is actually an expression of his very character,

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 of his righteousness.

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 But for us,

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 I think it is,

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 it reveals a great amount

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 about who we are as human beings.

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 And very specifically,

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 that we are sinful

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 and wicked and corrupt.

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 It tells us that

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 we are not actually inherently good,

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 but there's something,

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 again,

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 again,

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 bent or corrupted

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 about us.

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 Put it in

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 very stark terms,

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 we are spiritual failures.

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 Why?

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 Because we are unable

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 to use religion

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 or spirituality

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 to achieve

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 our salvation.

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 It tells us that

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 our wickedness

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 is far worse

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 than we would have

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 ever imagined,

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 for it requires

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 the highest sacrifice

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 to atone for such evil,

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 namely,

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 the Son of God

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 dying on our behalf

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 on the cross.

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 And what it truly tells us

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 is that

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 all our pride

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 in being completely put together,

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 ultimately dignified,

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 is nothing more

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 than deluded self-righteousness

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 and self-indulgence.

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 And it's a heavy thing to say,

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 and I would prefer

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 to sugarcoat it

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 in some ways,

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 but

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 I think the fact

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 that God

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 is going to save

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 speaks,

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 of course,

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 to who God is,

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 but also to

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 the calamity

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 that is

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 the human experience.

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 And this

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 is where the shame

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 and offense

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 come in

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 because

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 our dignity

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 is offended.

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 The prideful heart

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 responds to the gospel,

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 not with a,

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 yes,

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 I'm a spiritual failure,

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 yes,

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 I need your help.

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 It responds,

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 I'm that first,

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 or I'm that second mouse.

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 who are you

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 to tell me

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 what I need,

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 that I am bad,

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 or that I am weak,

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 or that I am a failure,

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 or that my way

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 of salvation

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 is a false way,

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 or that true salvation

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 isn't about my happiness.

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 Who are you,

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 God,

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 to tell me

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 what I need?

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 And it sounds

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 potentially silly

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 to put it that way,

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 but this is

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 the nature

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 of a deluded mind

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 that is

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 self-righteous

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 and self-indulgent.

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 In addition to that,

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 it says that

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 we cannot lean

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 on our own pedigree

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 or achievements

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 to give us

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 preferential treatment

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 for salvation

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 because salvation

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 is for everyone.

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 So you see,

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 again,

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 going back to

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 Catch Me If You Can,

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 Frank Sr.,

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 he is so dignified,

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 what made him

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 so dignified

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 was his admittance

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 to this inner circle

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 of the New Rochelle

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 Rotary Club.

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 But if the inner circle

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 is open to everyone,

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 it no longer is

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 a special place.

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 Feeling special

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 is always in relation

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 to the status

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 of others,

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 and the Gospel

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 is making it

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 very clear

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 that because it is

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 offered to everyone,

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 everyone is

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 in the same position.

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 There is no

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 special person.

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 The Gospel

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 then insults

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 our desire

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 to be set apart

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 from the peasants.

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 It tells us

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 that we are a peasant.

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 And that is

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 precisely what is

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 so, again,

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 offensive about the Gospel

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 because it undermines

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 this delusional

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 self-righteousness

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 and self-importance.

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 It tells us

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 that we are not

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 special at all

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 for we all

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 need saving.

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 And yet,

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 and this is the

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 beautiful part,

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 and this is why

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 the Gospel

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 on one hand

00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:08.740
 is such a

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 beautiful picture

00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:11.399
 of God's grace

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 and love,

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 but it seems

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 almost comical

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 because although

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 it says that we

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 are not special

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 at all,

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 on one hand,

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 we are actually

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 so special

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 that God

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 has chosen

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 to save us.

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 So what does

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 the Gospel

00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.620
 do that can

00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:29.299
 both reveal

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 our self-delusion

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 and rescue us

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 from it?

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 And this brings us

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 to our second point,

00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:35.100
 God's righteousness

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 that is revealed.

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 Look with me

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 at verse 17.

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 For in it,

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 that is the Gospel,

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 the righteousness

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 of God

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 is revealed

00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:45.300
 from faith

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 for faith,

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 as it is written,

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 the righteous

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 shall live

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 by faith.

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 This one verse

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 is both crucial

00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:53.920
 to the rest

00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:54.340
 of the letter

00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:55.399
 and historically

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 very difficult

00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.300
 to interpret,

00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:58.700
 but the big questions

00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:59.340
 are what does

00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:00.159
 Paul mean

00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:02.000
 when he speaks

00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.220
 about the righteousness

00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:04.000
 of God?

00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:05.500
 What does he mean

00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.100
 when he says

00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.660
 from faith to faith

00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:08.899
 that the righteous

00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:10.160
 shall live by faith?

00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:10.639
 It's a really,

00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:11.860
 it's a really good question,

00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:12.980
 it's an important question,

00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:15.080
 and it's a question

00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.980
 that we need to answer.

00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:16.660
 Again,

00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.860
 because this is the thesis

00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:19.040
 of the entire book,

00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.620
 but also,

00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.879
 out of all of Paul's writing,

00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:22.080
 so he has written,

00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:23.540
 in the New Testament,

00:10:23.660 --> 00:10:24.220
 there's a number

00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:25.259
 of books written by Paul.

00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:27.620
 There are letters

00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:30.100
 written to specific churches,

00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:30.759
 but then there's

00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.740
 general letters

00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:33.200
 written to the

00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:35.379
 to people,

00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:36.180
 but they're called

00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.180
 the general epistles.

00:10:38.280 --> 00:10:40.040
 In all of Paul's writings

00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.980
 outside of Romans,

00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:42.259
 he talks about righteousness

00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:44.060
 something like 69 times.

00:10:45.420 --> 00:10:46.860
 In Romans alone,

00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.040
 he speaks of righteousness

00:10:48.040 --> 00:10:49.960
 77 times, okay?

00:10:50.780 --> 00:10:51.960
 So it's important for us

00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:52.980
 to get a good handle

00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:54.000
 as best as we can

00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.420
 so that we can read Romans

00:10:56.420 --> 00:10:58.160
 with some clarity.

00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.560
 So let's walk through this verse,

00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.200
 verse 17,

00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.100
 and attempt to answer

00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:02.640
 these questions.

00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:02.920
 So,

00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:04.460
 what is the righteousness

00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.200
 of God?

00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.040
 And I'll just say,

00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:07.540
 I'm indebted to

00:11:07.540 --> 00:11:09.040
 the late John Stott

00:11:09.040 --> 00:11:10.120
 for providing these

00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:12.360
 three possible options

00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.440
 or understandings

00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:14.280
 of what this righteousness

00:11:14.280 --> 00:11:14.820
 could be.

00:11:14.900 --> 00:11:15.340
 The first,

00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:17.160
 that the righteousness

00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:18.320
 of God describes

00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:19.740
 God's quality and character.

00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.740
 It is who he is.

00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:24.120
 God is himself righteous.

00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:26.600
 He hates wickedness.

00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:27.519
 He hates sin.

00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.440
 He hates evil.

00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:30.019
 He hates death.

00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:31.379
 He hates decay.

00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.100
 Conversely,

00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.539
 he loves what we would call

00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.500
 the fruits of the Spirit.

00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.759
 Love and joy and peace

00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.019
 and patience and kindness

00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.419
 and goodness and faithfulness,

00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:42.060
 gentleness and self-control.

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.379
 He hates evil.

00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:43.960
 He loves good.

00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.919
 This is what God is all about.

00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:48.240
 He himself is righteous.

00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:51.220
 And a part of that righteousness

00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:53.440
 is that God judges justly

00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:54.580
 wickedness.

00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.240
 And that justice,

00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:59.539
 that just judgment

00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.600
 is an expression

00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.460
 of his character.

00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:02.740
 Therefore,

00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.820
 at the cross of Christ,

00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:05.080
 God's just judgment

00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.639
 and perfect righteousness

00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:08.039
 are supremely revealed.

00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:09.820
 So, therefore,

00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.940
 the righteousness of God,

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:11.860
 his very character,

00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.639
 is fully displayed

00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:15.299
 in his acts of salvation

00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.659
 and judgment

00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:18.180
 in the gospel

00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:21.039
 God is committed

00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:22.879
 to his own righteous nature,

00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:24.120
 which is to say that

00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.319
 he cannot deny himself.

00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.559
 So, the gospel is

00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.419
 God's character

00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:29.799
 on full display

00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:31.459
 and he cannot not

00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:32.259
 be righteous.

00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.159
 Option one.

00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.339
 Second option

00:12:35.339 --> 00:12:37.479
 is that God's righteousness

00:12:37.479 --> 00:12:39.779
 describes his activity.

00:12:39.979 --> 00:12:40.939
 So, if the first option

00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:42.019
 is his character,

00:12:42.459 --> 00:12:43.339
 the second option

00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:44.379
 is his activity.

00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.779
 It is what he does.

00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:49.159
 God has made promises

00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:49.899
 in the scriptures.

00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:51.679
 He has made covenantal promises

00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:53.000
 throughout history

00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.559
 that he keeps

00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.399
 beyond

00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:57.339
 all hope.

00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.199
 He will keep his promises

00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:00.579
 because he is all-powerful

00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.799
 and, therefore,

00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.579
 his activity

00:13:02.579 --> 00:13:03.500
 in fulfilling them

00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.600
 cannot be undone

00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.199
 or thwarted.

00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:07.459
 The Lord acts righteously

00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:08.439
 when he fulfills

00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:09.299
 his promises,

00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.819
 overthrowing evil,

00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.779
 saving his people.

00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.899
 It's what God does.

00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:15.939
 That is option two.

00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:16.679
 Now, the final

00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:18.340
 and third option

00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.779
 describes the status

00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.860
 that God confers

00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.860
 upon those he saves.

00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.459
 If the first

00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.639
 is who God is,

00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:25.159
 the second

00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.179
 is his activity,

00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.159
 the third

00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.360
 is what he achieves.

00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.919
 In this final view,

00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:31.860
 God gives us

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.519
 his righteousness.

00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.519
 It is a status

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:36.340
 that is alien to us

00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.980
 but is who God is

00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:39.480
 and how does he do it?

00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.620
 By laying on Christ

00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.240
 our sin,

00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.259
 our brokenness,

00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.019
 our wickedness,

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.560
 which deserves

00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.680
 his just judgment

00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:47.180
 and instead

00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:48.779
 of rightly punishing us,

00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.000
 Jesus takes on

00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.620
 our punishment

00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:53.080
 in our place

00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.480
 and pays our penalty.

00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.279
 But not just that,

00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:56.639
 okay,

00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.980
 because it's great

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.180
 to not be in

00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:00.180
 the red anymore

00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:02.100
 but when you're at zero,

00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:03.779
 I mean,

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.220
 that's,

00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:05.840
 I mean,

00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.419
 at least you're not

00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:06.740
 in the red

00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.279
 but what we have here

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:08.680
 is that

00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:09.899
 then he gives us

00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:10.919
 his righteous status

00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.139
 so that we are

00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:13.500
 in the black

00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.319
 in an infinite

00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:15.039
 type of way.

00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.459
 Because of this status

00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.319
 given to us

00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:20.419
 as an act of love

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.000
 and grace

00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.039
 and received by us

00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:22.539
 through faith

00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:22.939
 and we're going to

00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:23.959
 touch on that faith bit

00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.219
 in the third point,

00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:27.000
 we have a certain hope

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.860
 that we can stand

00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:29.159
 before a righteous God

00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:31.659
 not just be unmade

00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.799
 and this is from

00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:33.399
 the scriptures

00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.199
 that nobody can

00:14:34.199 --> 00:14:36.339
 stand before God

00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:36.959
 and live

00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:38.259
 but that we can

00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:38.899
 in Christ

00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.799
 stand before God

00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.819
 being in his presence

00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:42.500
 and that we can

00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.960
 enjoy his presence

00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.960
 and fellowship forever.

00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.640
 The scripture talks

00:14:46.640 --> 00:14:48.020
 about being clothed

00:14:48.020 --> 00:14:49.360
 in the righteousness

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:49.960
 of Christ

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:51.000
 or given the status

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:52.200
 of Christ's righteousness

00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:54.100
 something that we need

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.940
 and strive after

00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.200
 but we constantly

00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.200
 fail to achieve.

00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.140
 It is an alien status

00:14:59.140 --> 00:14:59.960
 given to us.

00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.400
 So,

00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:02.100
 as a recap,

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:02.760
 okay,

00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.820
 this is like heavy,

00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:06.460
 thick theological things

00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.580
 we can talk about it

00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.180
 after if you need

00:15:08.180 --> 00:15:08.920
 a bit more clarification

00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.939
 but as a recap,

00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.639
 the righteousness of God

00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.799
 that Paul has in mind

00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:14.019
 could describe

00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.479
 either his divine character,

00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.079
 his divine activity,

00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:19.159
 or his divine achievements.

00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.179
 Okay?

00:15:20.959 --> 00:15:21.299
 So,

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:21.799
 which is it?

00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.819
 I'll make the case

00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.279
 today and throughout Romans

00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.779
 that the great weight

00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:28.179
 is given to the third option.

00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.439
 That God,

00:15:29.599 --> 00:15:30.740
 in his perfect justice

00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:31.599
 and perfect mercy,

00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:33.939
 he atones for our sins

00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.760
 and wickedness

00:15:34.760 --> 00:15:37.000
 by laying them

00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.160
 onto Christ

00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:39.540
 and giving,

00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:41.500
 and Christ giving us

00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.060
 his righteous status.

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:43.380
 Okay?

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.520
 Some theologians

00:15:44.520 --> 00:15:45.700
 call it the great exchange.

00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:47.380
 Our sin for his righteousness.

00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.000
 2 Corinthians 5

00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.780
 says it this way,

00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.940
 he who had no sin

00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.200
 became our sin

00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:55.500
 so that we could be

00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.220
 the righteousness of God.

00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.600
 This is primarily

00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.420
 what the apostle

00:15:59.420 --> 00:16:00.000
 will lay out

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.140
 in this letter.

00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.659
 However,

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.220
 okay,

00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:02.659
 however,

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.659
 to ignore God's

00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.500
 divine character

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.460
 and activity

00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.819
 I think is the key insight

00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:10.059
 to help us understand

00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:11.439
 what the righteousness

00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:12.199
 of God

00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:13.199
 that is being revealed

00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:13.759
 in the gospel

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.480
 is all about.

00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.259
 So I think,

00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.699
 and I'm going to put forward

00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.139
 to you today,

00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.779
 that although the third option

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.439
 has,

00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.039
 I would say,

00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.799
 the most weight

00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.919
 in terms of Paul's letter

00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.559
 in Romans,

00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.519
 all three aspects

00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.460
 of this righteousness,

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.279
 God's character,

00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:28.799
 activity,

00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.500
 his achievement,

00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.059
 should not be pitted

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.279
 against one another.

00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.419
 They are complementary.

00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.399
 I'll put it this way,

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.699
 how could God be faithful

00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:39.059
 to his righteous promises

00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:40.719
 if he was not

00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:42.019
 himself righteous?

00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:44.679
 How could those promises

00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:45.379
 be fulfilled

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.239
 that he has made

00:16:46.239 --> 00:16:47.959
 so that we could enjoy

00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:48.759
 his presence forever

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:50.139
 if we did not share

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.899
 that righteousness?

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.679
 There's a lot of interplay

00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.439
 happening here,

00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:54.939
 okay?

00:16:55.719 --> 00:16:56.539
 God's activity

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.479
 is an aspect

00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:58.979
 of who he is

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.940
 and what he does

00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.820
 in his activity

00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:03.820
 is to give us

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.599
 his righteousness

00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.519
 so that we could

00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.220
 be redeemed,

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.240
 counted as worthy

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.759
 to be in his presence.

00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.460
 So in a big way,

00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.680
 we can't really have

00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.740
 one without the other.

00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:15.120
 However,

00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:15.740
 for Paul,

00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.980
 he is emphasizing

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.819
 the third option

00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:22.599
 above the other two

00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:24.099
 in his letter.

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:26.980
 So the predominant view

00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.519
 presented in Romans

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.399
 is that the righteousness

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.019
 of God

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.339
 as revealed in the gospel

00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.379
 is this incredible

00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.439
 achievement of God

00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.019
 through Christ.

00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.459
 He is taking sinful,

00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:37.179
 spoiled,

00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:38.259
 corrupted humans,

00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:41.019
 he is paying the penalty

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.699
 for their sin,

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.639
 not overlooking

00:17:42.639 --> 00:17:43.619
 their transgressions,

00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.259
 not overlooking

00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.259
 our transgressions,

00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.740
 our sins,

00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.879
 but what he is doing

00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:49.500
 is he is paying

00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.039
 the penalty

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:52.719
 through Christ.

00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.759
 No more red ink.

00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.539
 And then giving us

00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.559
 the very status

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.819
 of being the son

00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.980
 so that it's not just

00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.719
 we have no liabilities,

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.199
 but that we are himself,

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.699
 we are ourselves,

00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.480
 in God's view,

00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:08.459
 as righteous

00:18:08.459 --> 00:18:09.579
 as Christ himself.

00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.079
 And this will lead

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.899
 to our third point,

00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.579
 because,

00:18:13.719 --> 00:18:14.259
 because,

00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.559
 with any gift,

00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:16.139
 and friends,

00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:16.759
 this is a gift,

00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:18.219
 with any gift,

00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.819
 we need to receive it rightly.

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.659
 And this leads

00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.399
 to our third point,

00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.539
 how we respond.

00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.359
 And that response

00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.159
 is by faith.

00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.819
 So three times,

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.460
 three times in two verses,

00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.379
 the Apostle Paul

00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.460
 will speak of belief

00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.079
 or faith.

00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:34.440
 He'll say in verse 16,

00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.379
 the power of God

00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.379
 for salvation

00:18:36.379 --> 00:18:36.940
 to everyone

00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:38.379
 who believes.

00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.539
 And then he'll say

00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.220
 in verse 17,

00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.299
 the righteousness of God

00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:42.779
 is revealed

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.000
 from faith for faith.

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.119
 The righteous

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:46.680
 shall live by faith.

00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:46.740
 faith.

00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.100
 So,

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.880
 if the gospel

00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:51.000
 is God's power

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.620
 to save,

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.539
 bestowing on us

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.560
 his righteous standing,

00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.100
 his righteous status,

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.700
 then the means

00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.900
 by which we receive

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.580
 this gift

00:18:58.580 --> 00:18:59.240
 is faith.

00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:01.460
 We are to believe

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.600
 in the gospel.

00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.080
 Before we dive

00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:04.600
 into belief,

00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.680
 let us again consider

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.000
 not our own ability

00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.500
 to believe,

00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.720
 but first and foremost,

00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.720
 the faithfulness

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.140
 of God,

00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.680
 the trustworthiness

00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.720
 of God.

00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.680
 So I think

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.700
 before we consider

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:17.860
 a belief in God,

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.840
 a trust in God,

00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.779
 a faith in God,

00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.380
 we ought to ask

00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:21.759
 the question,

00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:22.840
 is God trustworthy?

00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.700
 Is God worthy

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.500
 of our faith?

00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.920
 Is God faithful

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.580
 to keep his promises?

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.519
 And the answer is yes.

00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.220
 He is the one

00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.140
 who keeps his promises.

00:19:35.100 --> 00:19:35.920
 And we touched on this

00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.860
 in the previous point

00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:37.340
 where we said

00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:38.600
 that God's righteousness

00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.580
 is an expression

00:19:39.580 --> 00:19:40.420
 of his very character.

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.860
 So therefore,

00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.860
 when we ask the question,

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.200
 is God faithful?

00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:46.240
 Is God trustworthy?

00:19:47.320 --> 00:19:48.200
 We're really asking

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.779
 the question

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.800
 that has plagued humanity

00:19:50.800 --> 00:19:52.160
 from the very beginning,

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.100
 what we've wrestled with

00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.940
 from the very beginning.

00:19:54.560 --> 00:19:55.820
 It's a very hot-button question.

00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:58.300
 Is God who he says he is?

00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:01.320
 Is he a trustworthy God?

00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:03.220
 And I would just say

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.480
 to you now, okay,

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.660
 you might be feeling

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.440
 like your faith

00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.779
 is at maybe

00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:11.079
 a solid eight and a half

00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.720
 out of ten, okay?

00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.460
 You're feeling great

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.000
 about faith.

00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.619
 Maybe you're

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:16.119
 kind of potentially

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.500
 cratering, right?

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.879
 You might be

00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.579
 in a tough season

00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.839
 where faith isn't

00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.299
 really there.

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.019
 I think it's always

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.899
 an appropriate question

00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:25.940
 to ask the Lord.

00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.799
 Are you worthy

00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:29.579
 of my trust?

00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.859
 If you ask

00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.639
 in the question

00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:33.119
 with the heart

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.519
 of God,

00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.059
 I believe,

00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.859
 help my unbelief.

00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:37.659
 There's another way

00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.479
 to ask that question

00:20:38.479 --> 00:20:39.159
 that isn't good.

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.439
 It is the way

00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.119
 that the serpent

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.939
 asks the question

00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:43.059
 in the opening chapters

00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.599
 of Genesis.

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.779
 Did God really say that?

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.079
 Did he really say

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.679
 you couldn't eat

00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.139
 of the apple?

00:20:48.219 --> 00:20:49.299
 Is God really trustworthy?

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.579
 Which isn't so much

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.039
 a question,

00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.579
 it's more of a statement.

00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.019
 But I'll say to you,

00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.740
 and this is actually,

00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:57.500
 it's just an aside,

00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.539
 it's not in my notes,

00:20:59.179 --> 00:20:59.959
 it is an entirely

00:20:59.959 --> 00:21:01.099
 appropriate question

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.419
 to ask God

00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.600
 because God

00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.460
 is strong enough

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.080
 to weather

00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:05.820
 that kind of question.

00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.680
 So ask that question

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.180
 prayerfully.

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.960
 So is God,

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.880
 is God faithful?

00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:13.240
 Can we really trust

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.980
 that God will keep

00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.519
 his promises

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.279
 to restore

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.560
 our dignity,

00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:19.180
 to remake us,

00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:21.000
 and to redeem us?

00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.200
 And friends,

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.120
 the answer is yes.

00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.900
 And it is on this basis

00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.720
 that we believe.

00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:29.080
 That is in part

00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.420
 what Paul is referring to

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.039
 when he says

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.460
 from faith for faith

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:34.319
 because what he is saying,

00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:34.700
 and again,

00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.639
 this is why this is

00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.920
 a very difficult section

00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.720
 to interpret,

00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.619
 but it would have

00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.819
 kind of many facets to it,

00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.619
 but this is what Paul

00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.279
 is saying in part,

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.940
 that upon the faithfulness

00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.460
 of God we base our faith.

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.940
 From faith for faith.

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.500
 From the faithfulness

00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.879
 of God,

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:50.599
 that is what we,

00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.799
 that's what we build

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.799
 our faith upon.

00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:55.500
 But as it is multifaceted,

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.099
 there's more.

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.940
 For it would seem that

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:59.159
 by saying from faith

00:21:59.159 --> 00:21:59.779
 for faith,

00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:02.079
 Paul is also communicating

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.180
 that the faith

00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.500
 we are to have in Christ

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.940
 is to increase in quality

00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.639
 and quantity

00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:09.079
 as we continue on

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.920
 in the Christian life.

00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.139
 And by the way,

00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.039
 I mean,

00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.160
 I'm not trying to contradict

00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.139
 what I previously said

00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:15.599
 about having potentially seasons

00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:17.119
 where faith isn't really there.

00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.339
 You know,

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.220
 you zoom out,

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.180
 the line is going like this

00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.119
 in terms of quantity

00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.740
 and quality,

00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:24.899
 but if you zoom in,

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.019
 it might be like this,

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.359
 okay?

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.680
 But Paul here

00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.759
 is saying

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.899
 that faith in Christ

00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.819
 ought to,

00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.240
 for the Christian,

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.639
 increase in quality

00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.460
 and quantity.

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:39.000
 It's to permeate our lives.

00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.539
 And we can see this

00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.319
 if we take a moment

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.799
 to understand this last line,

00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.319
 the righteous

00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:44.680
 shall live by faith.

00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.379
 So this quotation

00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:48.079
 is from the Old Testament

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.460
 from a minor prophet

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.420
 named Habakkuk.

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.319
 He was a prophet

00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.379
 during the time

00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:54.180
 that the Israelites

00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.480
 were exiled

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.740
 out of the promised land

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.740
 into Babylon,

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.700
 which is modern-day Iraq,

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.319
 more or less.

00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.779
 Without getting lost

00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.460
 in the details

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.920
 in its original context,

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.059
 and in connection

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.000
 with our text today,

00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.579
 it describes

00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.440
 how the righteous

00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.980
 live by faith

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.900
 and how they can hope

00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:13.120
 to live through faith.

00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:15.239
 So the emphasis here

00:23:15.239 --> 00:23:16.859
 with this quotation

00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.819
 and with our text

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.039
 is not so much

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.319
 about proving

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.479
 one's righteousness

00:23:21.479 --> 00:23:22.699
 by the way they act,

00:23:22.739 --> 00:23:23.059
 as if,

00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.079
 I'm righteous,

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.479
 therefore I have faith,

00:23:26.219 --> 00:23:27.579
 but on how sinners

00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.739
 become saints

00:23:28.739 --> 00:23:30.179
 by faith

00:23:30.179 --> 00:23:31.459
 and how they continue

00:23:31.459 --> 00:23:32.719
 to grow in their righteousness

00:23:32.719 --> 00:23:34.579
 and trust in the Lord

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.339
 through faith.

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.919
 So from faith to faith

00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:38.599
 or from faith for faith.

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.959
 If you remember last week,

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.860
 we talked about

00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:42.440
 how the gospel

00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.200
 is not simply

00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.440
 the way into

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.880
 the Christian religion,

00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:48.059
 but the very thing

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.759
 that continues

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.700
 to animate it.

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:50.940
 Therefore,

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.900
 faith must be

00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.980
 continually fed

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:55.039
 and fostered

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.039
 because we are quick

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.539
 to either take pride

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.440
 in our own righteousness

00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:58.900
 again

00:23:58.900 --> 00:24:00.620
 or to be embarrassed

00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.299
 or ashamed

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.579
 by the gospel,

00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.400
 for we are slow

00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:03.960
 to remember

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.840
 that it is the power

00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.880
 of God for salvation

00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:08.220
 and it's offensive

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.759
 to us

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.559
 and our sensibilities.

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.039
 So therefore,

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.119
 faith and belief

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.500
 require action

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:15.379
 and commitment.

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.879
 Few ways

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:19.639
 that that faith

00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.839
 can be fed

00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.639
 and faith,

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.740
 how it's more

00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.299
 of a verb

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.460
 than it is a noun.

00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.720
 That we participate

00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.440
 in the life

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.720
 of God's covenant people,

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.240
 the church.

00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.559
 Again,

00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.279
 I emphasize it

00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.740
 and I might have

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.759
 emphasized it a bit too much

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.639
 because a couple people

00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.639
 were saying,

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:34.819
 well,

00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.559
 if you don't go to church,

00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.099
 were you saying

00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.799
 if you don't go to church

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.460
 you're not a Christian?

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:39.140
 I would take a step

00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.819
 back from that.

00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:42.180
 But only to say

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.079
 that the life

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.880
 of the Christian

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.740
 is lived out

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.340
 in community,

00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.120
 in the church,

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.019
 in the life of the church.

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.380
 It will require us

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.960
 to be disciplined

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.140
 and grow in our discipline

00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:53.319
 in spiritual practices,

00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.539
 in prayer

00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.720
 and in scripture reading

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.279
 and in saying yes

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.900
 to virtues

00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.980
 and no to vices.

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.059
 And then it also

00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:02.819
 means that we grow

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.819
 in godly wisdom.

00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:06.039
 We need to feed

00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.639
 our faith

00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.519
 with the gospel,

00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.439
 with a reminder

00:25:08.439 --> 00:25:09.859
 that God

00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:10.879
 is at work

00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:12.019
 in our lives

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.939
 in a huge display

00:25:13.939 --> 00:25:14.419
 of power

00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.679
 through the death

00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:16.319
 and resurrection

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.399
 of Christ Jesus.

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.779
 As we believe

00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.299
 and grow

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.519
 in our belief,

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.500
 we will see

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.980
 this power

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.240
 at work

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.819
 in our lives

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.960
 transforming us.

00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.119
 I mentioned

00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.000
 the fruit of the spirit

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.740
 earlier.

00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.619
 That is a way

00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.259
 that we will see

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.879
 this transformation

00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.659
 take place.

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.599
 Again,

00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.139
 saying yes

00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.659
 to the things

00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.220
 of God

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.279
 a lot more

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.980
 and saying no

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.519
 to the things

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.039
 of the world

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.599
 or our flesh

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.179
 or the devil

00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:41.399
 a lot less

00:25:41.399 --> 00:25:42.899
 or a lot more

00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.980
 or we will say yes

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.799
 to it a lot less.

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.899
 We will begin

00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:46.599
 to change

00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.619
 and be transformed.

00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.679
 But friends,

00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.079
 this is activated.

00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.000
 This power

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.700
 is released

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.339
 as we begin

00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:55.220
 to put our faith

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.899
 and trust

00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.639
 in what God

00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:57.099
 has said

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.819
 and in his word.

00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.779
 A great line

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.700
 by a 5th century

00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.480
 Syrian bishop

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.960
 named Theodorat.

00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.640
 It was quoted

00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.900
 in Timothy Keller's

00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.579
 commentary

00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.539
 on this text.

00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.559
 So I'm indebted

00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.960
 to the late

00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.680
 Timothy Keller

00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:12.019
 but this quote

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:13.380
 by this 5th century

00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.279
 Syrian bishop

00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.980
 describes how faith

00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.019
 releases

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.559
 this righteous power

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.299
 of salvation

00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.860
 by likening

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.420
 the gospel

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.140
 to a pepper.

00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.480
 I think it's brilliant.

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.400
 This is what it says.

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.340
 Quote,

00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.399
 A pepper outwardly

00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:28.000
 seems to be cold

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.879
 but the person

00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.759
 who crunches it

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.740
 between the teeth

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.480
 experiences

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.419
 the sensation

00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:35.099
 of burning fire.

00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.899
 A pepper

00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:37.639
 and that's

00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.019
 end quote.

00:26:38.159 --> 00:26:38.740
 A pepper may

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.559
 or may not be

00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.119
 spicy

00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.500
 but the power

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.199
 of it is not

00:26:42.199 --> 00:26:42.619
 released

00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.539
 until it is

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.059
 consumed.

00:26:44.939 --> 00:26:45.779
 Which is to say

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.199
 that you can talk

00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:47.899
 about the gospel

00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.579
 until the cows

00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:48.980
 come home

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.799
 but until you put

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.459
 your faith

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.539
 and trust

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:53.059
 in what God

00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.660
 has done

00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:55.380
 that that power

00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.019
 of transformation

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.100
 will not be at work

00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.819
 in our lives

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:59.120
 for the gift

00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.180
 will not be received.

00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.380
 When we believe

00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.039
 in the gospel

00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:04.259
 and the one true God

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.980
 to save

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.079
 we are saying

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:07.000
 no to our own

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.720
 vain efforts

00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.420
 to achieve

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.500
 our own

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.100
 version of dignity

00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:12.440
 and saying yes

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.220
 to the incredible

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.039
 work of God

00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.740
 to dignify us

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.240
 in ways

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.000
 we could never

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.759
 imagine.

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.160
 I'll end with this.

00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.940
 the great irony

00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.100
 of shirking

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.440
 help to safeguard

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.220
 our dignity

00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.700
 is that we become

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.779
 undignified people.

00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.700
 We fail to see

00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.259
 that the God

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.080
 of all creation

00:27:30.080 --> 00:27:30.860
 who made us

00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:31.620
 in his image

00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:33.000
 does not treat us

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.640
 as garbage

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.440
 when we fall

00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.460
 into indignity

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:35.980
 but rather

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:37.820
 restores our dignity

00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:39.680
 for Jesus Christ

00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.120
 who is the message

00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:41.880
 of the gospel

00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.680
 remember we said

00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.300
 last week

00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:45.220
 that it's not just

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.540
 good news

00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:47.980
 but it is a good person

00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.000
 namely Christ

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.960
 for Christ Jesus

00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.740
 who is the message

00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.380
 of the gospel

00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.140
 who is the power

00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.579
 of God

00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.299
 for salvation

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.880
 who is the righteousness

00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.579
 of God

00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.420
 he becomes

00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.700
 undignified

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.799
 by leaving

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.680
 the ultimate place

00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.559
 of divine dignity

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.220
 that is heaven

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.140
 taking on human flesh

00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.259
 dying a very

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.240
 undignified

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.740
 indign

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:09.000
 way on the cross

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.799
 for our sins

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.000
 sins he didn't commit

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.819
 and wearing wickedness

00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.579
 that was alien

00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.099
 to him

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.319
 and then giving us

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.339
 a righteousness

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.380
 alien to us

00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:20.340
 we then get to

00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.300
 revel in his

00:28:21.300 --> 00:28:21.960
 righteousness

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:23.340
 as saved sinners

00:28:23.340 --> 00:28:24.140
 as those who are

00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.700
 united to Christ

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.780
 that share in his

00:28:26.780 --> 00:28:27.860
 sonship as children

00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.940
 of God

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.240
 and this is accepted

00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.760
 by faith

00:28:30.760 --> 00:28:31.500
 and tell me

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:33.560
 what is more dignified

00:28:33.560 --> 00:28:34.320
 than being a son

00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:34.720
 of God

00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.500
 okay

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.340
 and I say son

00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:37.760
 because

00:28:37.760 --> 00:28:39.060
 although

00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.720
 definitely the imagery

00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.340
 in the Bible

00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:41.960
 and the language

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.080
 uses sons and daughters

00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.540
 of God

00:28:43.540 --> 00:28:44.900
 but here it is

00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.720
 the place of the

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.640
 firstborn son

00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.940
 the place of honor

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.920
 in the ancient world

00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.020
 there is no

00:28:50.020 --> 00:28:50.960
 higher honor

00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.420
 than that

00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.460
 and that is what

00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.540
 God in Christ

00:28:53.540 --> 00:28:54.620
 is bestowing on us

00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.259
 as a gift

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.540
 what is more

00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.720
 dignified than that

00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:59.940
 Christ has made

00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:01.080
 a way for the sinner

00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:02.060
 to become a saint

00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:04.200
 and then we understand

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.060
 that all of life

00:29:05.060 --> 00:29:05.620
 is a gift

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.880
 and we are not too

00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:08.060
 proud to take help

00:29:08.060 --> 00:29:09.300
 and then to give it

00:29:09.300 --> 00:29:10.320
 without any strings

00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.860
 attached

00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:13.600
 the sooner we know

00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:14.320
 friends that

00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.359
 that we are not

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.240
 that second mouse

00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.659
 but that both mice

00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:20.159
 die and drown

00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:21.399
 we would do well

00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:23.759
 to start as a beginning

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.419
 so that we would

00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.480
 understand the gospel

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.960
 of Christ

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.359
 in a

00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.679
 in a sweet

00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:28.379
 beautiful way

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.659
 and receive it

00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:30.639
 by faith

00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:32.859
 that is the life

00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.299
 of dignity

00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.220
 that Christ offers

00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:36.620
 as a woman

00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


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00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620


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00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.620