WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.600 All right. 00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:09.800 Thank you so much for that reading. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:11.859 We've been talking a little bit. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:13.519 If you were here last, actually, you know what? 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:16.359 This cross needs to be closer to the middle. 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:24.100 Because even though this banner is just metal and vinyl, 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:29.440 there's nothing inherently beautiful about metal and vinyl. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.960 The image on it is the cross. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:37.579 The cross of Jesus Christ. 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:42.340 And that is what our focus is in this series. 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:46.560 This is what our focus is in worship. 00:00:48.840 --> 00:00:53.240 And this is going to stand. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:01:01.359 And again, there's nothing more sort of special about bringing the cross closer to me, 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:03.980 but just even communion. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:11.079 Listening to those lyrics, listening to Arnell and Eric lead us. 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:15.140 You know, what heights of love, what depths of peace, 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:19.259 when fears are still, when striving sees in light of the cross. 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:23.019 And if there's one thing I hope we get away from, 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:26.000 we take away from this morning, 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:30.980 is that Jesus Christ is amazing. 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:33.840 And he's everything. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:39.859 And it's so simple, and you will probably have heard the word Jesus Christ, 00:01:39.960 --> 00:01:41.439 the name of Jesus Christ before, 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:44.000 but it's something that we go back to again and again. 00:01:44.100 --> 00:01:46.040 So that's even when we did communion, 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:48.120 when we prayed for the kids, 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:50.960 when we listened to Aniko's testimony, 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:53.319 these acts of worship, 00:01:54.179 --> 00:01:55.719 again and again responding. 00:01:57.679 --> 00:01:59.280 The kids that we sent out, 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:00.319 an act of worship, 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:00.979 saying, 00:02:01.919 --> 00:02:03.299 kids, this is so important, 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:05.919 that we're going to actually dedicate our time, 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:06.679 our volunteers, 00:02:07.479 --> 00:02:09.340 ourselves as parents, 00:02:09.459 --> 00:02:11.099 both biologically and spiritually, 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:11.900 to say, 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:13.560 this is so important, 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:14.560 you need to hear this, 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:17.240 you need to hear the message of Jesus Christ. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:19.699 So this is what this series, 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:22.000 is about right now, 00:02:22.060 --> 00:02:22.780 in Christ, 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:25.079 union with Christ. 00:02:26.699 --> 00:02:27.679 And last week, 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:28.599 if you were here, 00:02:29.739 --> 00:02:33.619 Chris focused on chapter two of Ephesians, 00:02:33.719 --> 00:02:40.479 and what it means for our identity to be completely shaped by Jesus Christ. 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:41.879 And we learned that those, 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:44.079 but whose we are, 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:45.199 this is what he said, 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:49.599 whose we are determines who we are. 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:50.859 In other words, 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:57.819 if we are children of this perfect heavenly father and king of the universe, 00:02:58.019 --> 00:02:58.739 whose we are, 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:03.159 if we're these children of this heavenly father, 00:03:03.239 --> 00:03:06.639 then we are actually given this status of royalty. 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:09.399 And that shapes who we are. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:12.099 Just think about a monarchy today. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:16.539 I know maybe a lot of you guys follow the British royal family, right? 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:18.719 It's not just the fashion, 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:19.500 and the glitz, 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:20.240 and the glamour, 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:21.639 but just, 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:22.280 I guess, 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:22.759 the gossip, 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:25.259 and the exciting news that comes out of there. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:27.439 Who follows, 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:30.060 who's a fan of Prince Harry here? 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:32.819 It's all right, 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:33.579 don't be bashful, 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:34.240 you can be honest. 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:36.319 What about Prince William? 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:38.459 Who's more of a Prince William fan here? 00:03:38.460 --> 00:03:38.939 Prince Harry? 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:41.180 Prince Harry? 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:41.540 Oh! 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:42.760 Yep, 00:03:42.920 --> 00:03:44.860 I think I like William a little more too. 00:03:45.260 --> 00:03:46.219 Who doesn't really care? 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:51.480 There's a few people who aren't being completely honest here. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:53.300 But here's the thing, 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:54.180 here's the thing. 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:56.219 Regardless if you're a Harry fan, 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:57.219 or a William fan, 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:58.260 or a Middleton fan, 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:00.780 the truth of the matter is, 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:02.340 when they came into this world, 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:02.879 when they, 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:04.180 you know, 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:07.140 when they came into this world, 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:07.960 little as babies, 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:09.700 they didn't do anything 00:04:09.700 --> 00:04:10.740 to earn 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:12.420 that title of Prince. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:14.800 They didn't do anything. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:16.960 They literally just came into existence. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.980 They didn't do anything to achieve that, 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:21.120 and in the same way, 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:22.439 when we are born again 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:23.920 into God's family, 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:25.639 we have this new identity, 00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:27.259 and God even calls us 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:28.860 a royal priesthood, 00:04:29.280 --> 00:04:30.860 that we didn't do anything 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:32.060 to achieve. 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:35.780 So as we move into today's sermon, 00:04:35.899 --> 00:04:37.280 we're building on that foundation 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:39.139 that Chris laid last week 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:39.959 about our identity. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:41.819 In Christ, 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:43.819 we have a new identity, 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:46.199 and that shapes our entire lives, 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:47.100 and our whole lives, 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:48.600 and that's what we're going to turn to 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:50.040 this morning. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:52.680 So, 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:54.360 if you had met me 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:55.459 during my years 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:56.899 in university, 00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:59.439 it's quite a few years ago, 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:00.279 even though I might not, 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:02.359 you might not be able to tell, 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:04.219 and you maybe observed me 00:05:04.219 --> 00:05:05.199 for a little while, 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:06.379 and you had talked to me, 00:05:06.599 --> 00:05:08.079 you probably would have seen 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:11.199 a pretty solid Christian resume, 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:12.339 a Christian CV, 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:13.639 if you want to put it that way. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:15.439 I was a leader 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:16.979 in my university ministry. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:19.579 I prayed a lot. 00:05:19.659 --> 00:05:20.419 I read the Bible. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:21.199 That was the time 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:22.799 when I read the whole Bible 00:05:22.799 --> 00:05:24.500 from beginning to end, 00:05:24.539 --> 00:05:25.879 and it wasn't just a normal Bible. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:27.040 It was a study Bible. 00:05:28.159 --> 00:05:28.579 So, 00:05:28.659 --> 00:05:30.000 it had lots of annotations 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:31.120 and lots of commentary, 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:32.360 and I read all of that, too. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:33.159 So, 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:33.759 that was a big deal. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:36.560 I had a regular prayer 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:37.719 and devotional times. 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:39.319 I had gone through 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:40.839 a number of discipleship classes. 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:42.600 I went on retreats. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:44.040 I shared the gospel with others. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:45.319 I went on a mission trip. 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:46.939 Big check there. 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:48.079 Went, 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:49.199 actually left 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:51.000 the confines of my country. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:53.240 Actually used my passport. 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:54.000 Big check. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:55.920 I gave financially. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:56.839 Check. 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:01.199 I even wore a WWJD bracelet sometimes. 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:03.740 You guys remember those? 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:06.759 If you don't know what that means, 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:07.800 it stands, 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:08.480 it's an acronym 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:10.620 for What Would Jesus Do? 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:12.300 And it was quite big sometimes. 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:13.800 It might still be big. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:14.600 I don't know. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:15.899 I don't really follow that anymore. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.360 But I even had the fashion 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:19.819 to tell me 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:21.420 and to tell others 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:23.120 of who I was. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:24.639 So, 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:25.800 I did all these things 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:26.360 pretty well 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:27.300 and it felt like 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:28.300 I was growing 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:29.680 as a Christian. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:32.019 That I was making progress 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:33.220 and I might even venture 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:34.579 to say and tell someone 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:35.920 or at least think 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:36.620 in my own heart, 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:38.160 I was a pretty good Christian. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:39.879 And if I had read 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:40.779 today's passage 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.300 that Esther and Vicki 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:43.180 so beautifully read, 00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:44.639 if I had read that today, 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:45.160 I would have been 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:45.980 pretty confident 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:48.300 thinking that I was 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.819 putting off the old self 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:50.620 and putting on 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:51.399 the new self 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:52.599 every day. 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:54.219 That was me 00:06:54.219 --> 00:06:54.899 in university. 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:55.899 But, 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:56.680 of course, 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:57.899 there's a big but here. 00:06:59.259 --> 00:06:59.939 But one day 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.120 I got really upset 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:01.800 at a friend. 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:03.699 And honestly, 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:04.699 in hindsight, 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:05.759 it was over something 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:06.959 that was much more 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:08.800 about my personal expectations 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:10.159 than anything. 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:11.700 And after I kind of 00:07:11.700 --> 00:07:12.460 just blew up 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:13.720 at them, 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:15.260 I was pretty shocked 00:07:15.260 --> 00:07:15.920 at myself. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:18.760 I realized 00:07:18.760 --> 00:07:21.360 that that outward expression 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:22.220 of my anger 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:23.460 was really just, 00:07:24.260 --> 00:07:24.920 aside from being 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:25.680 very uncomfortable 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:27.360 and stupid in hindsight, 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:28.400 it was really just 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.980 the tip of the iceberg 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:32.920 because inwardly 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:33.620 it had become 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:35.120 so much easier 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.200 to be judgmental 00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:37.520 towards the people 00:07:37.520 --> 00:07:38.020 around me, 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:39.260 especially the Christians. 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:43.340 because I had felt 00:07:43.340 --> 00:07:44.180 like I had become 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:45.320 such a good Christian 00:07:45.320 --> 00:07:46.320 myself. 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:46.880 And sure, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:48.480 I was more self-controlled 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:49.480 most of the time 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:50.680 in my outward behavior 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:51.920 towards others, 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.060 but inside, 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:54.280 just like Ed was saying 00:07:54.280 --> 00:07:54.900 during communion, 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:56.140 it was a cauldron, 00:07:56.280 --> 00:07:58.140 a pot of mixed motives. 00:07:59.280 --> 00:08:00.140 Some godly, 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.900 some very ungodly, 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:03.879 some I didn't even realize. 00:08:05.440 --> 00:08:06.360 And basically, 00:08:06.520 --> 00:08:08.060 the question I faced 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:09.440 in university 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:11.240 in that incident 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:12.519 and numerous 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:13.439 other little incidents 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:14.120 was this. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:15.680 Jeremy, 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:16.879 what's the point 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:18.319 of all these things 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:19.620 I do as a Christian, 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:21.120 things I take pride 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:22.339 as evidence, 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:23.740 as fruit of my faith, 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:25.279 when I can still 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:27.159 be such a jerk? 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:31.839 What's the point? 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:34.600 And I had placed 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:35.480 so much value 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:36.279 in those things 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:36.899 I was doing 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:37.659 as a Christian 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:39.419 that I forgot 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:40.100 about being 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.139 a Christian 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:43.159 was first and foremost 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:44.620 about my identity, 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:45.539 just like we learned 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.139 last Sunday. 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:49.919 So Paul says 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:50.959 in chapter 4, 00:08:52.079 --> 00:08:53.659 we just read, 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.959 you must no longer 00:08:54.959 --> 00:08:56.339 walk as the Gentiles 00:08:56.339 --> 00:08:57.339 do in the futility 00:08:57.339 --> 00:08:58.139 of their minds, 00:08:58.719 --> 00:08:59.539 darkened in their 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:00.319 understanding, 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:01.939 alienated from 00:09:01.939 --> 00:09:03.139 the life of God 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:04.000 because of the 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:05.299 ignorance that is 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:05.899 in them 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.059 due to the 00:09:07.059 --> 00:09:07.419 hardness 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:09.219 in their heart. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.500 And in that context, 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:13.779 Gentile simply means 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:14.659 anyone who's not 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:16.439 following Christ. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:17.539 And back then, 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.339 back in university, 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:19.360 I certainly wouldn't 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.039 have considered 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:21.120 myself one of them. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:23.740 but in hindsight, 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.820 I could see that 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:26.940 even as a professing 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:27.879 Christian, 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:29.679 how I was walking 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:30.639 in futility, 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.519 in ignorance, 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:32.620 in darkness, 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:36.519 finding my value 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:37.240 and identity 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:38.919 in the things I did. 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:41.940 Some of us here 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:43.179 may have been Christians 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:45.820 for a very long time 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:48.320 and we're still 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:49.139 struggling with 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:50.159 finding our identity 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.159 in things we do. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:52.939 I still struggle 00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:53.659 with that today. 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.620 I think that's why 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.559 I can empathize. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:00.360 No matter what 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:01.620 your beliefs are 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.719 this morning, 00:10:02.819 --> 00:10:03.199 whether you're 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:03.699 Christian, 00:10:03.939 --> 00:10:04.639 non-Christian, 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:05.539 agnostic, 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:06.120 atheist, 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:06.879 Buddhist, 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:07.360 Hindu, 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:08.699 Muslim, 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:09.500 whatever your 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:11.299 worldview is today, 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:12.539 I think we all 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:14.199 know something 00:10:14.199 --> 00:10:15.559 just by virtue 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.839 of living in Hong Kong 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:18.199 and living in the world. 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:19.980 it's this. 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:22.280 It's part of the system 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:24.720 to measure what we do 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.580 and to ascribe value 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.040 to that. 00:10:28.160 --> 00:10:29.000 And here's what I mean. 00:10:29.140 --> 00:10:29.940 Just think about it. 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:31.160 You know, 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:33.200 you're a kid, 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:34.379 you're a young age, 00:10:34.420 --> 00:10:35.220 you're in school, 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:36.940 you're getting marks, 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.020 you're being assessed, 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:39.700 you move up from grade 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.440 to grade, 00:10:41.400 --> 00:10:41.580 you know, 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:42.740 you go to university, 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:44.180 GPA, 00:10:44.900 --> 00:10:45.700 degrees, 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:47.759 clubs that you have 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.340 to join, 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:50.280 high table dinners 00:10:50.280 --> 00:10:51.480 if you're in Hong Kong U, 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:53.860 you have that path 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.400 for career advancement 00:10:55.400 --> 00:10:57.100 and job promotion. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.480 And numbers are everywhere. 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:00.520 We use them 00:11:00.520 --> 00:11:02.139 to measure everything 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:04.680 from national economic growth 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:05.640 to the number of reps 00:11:05.640 --> 00:11:06.879 you did at the gym yesterday. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.639 right? 00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:10.360 Just like Ed was talking about, 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:11.340 the markets, 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.240 numbers. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.679 And we live in a culture 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:16.539 that is just saturated 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:17.679 in this idea 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:19.320 of self-improvement. 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:20.600 It's the name of the game. 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:20.820 You know, 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.939 browse any major bookstore 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.860 and you'll see 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.480 just scores and scores 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:25.960 of books, 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:26.820 both Christian 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.919 and non-Christian, 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.279 that are basically telling you 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.620 how to be 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.700 a better person. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.120 You know, 00:11:34.160 --> 00:11:35.100 our society, 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:35.840 our culture, 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:37.560 at least a lot of what we hope 00:11:37.560 --> 00:11:38.280 and aspire to 00:11:38.280 --> 00:11:40.140 is built on meritocracy, 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:41.200 this idea that 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:43.120 those who do well, 00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:44.860 who perform well, 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:45.860 should advance. 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:47.680 It's only fair, right? 00:11:48.520 --> 00:11:50.000 And then we have to devise 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:50.860 these systems 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.840 that measure 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:52.560 what it means 00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:53.100 to do well. 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:55.060 And so all of that 00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:55.879 is ingrained 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.259 in us. 00:11:58.740 --> 00:11:58.860 Now, 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.460 don't get me wrong, 00:11:59.520 --> 00:12:01.200 I'm not anti-meritocracy, 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:03.240 I'm not anti-statistics, 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:05.700 I'm not anti-numbers 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.340 and metrics. 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:07.460 I happen to think 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.620 numbers are very useful 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.540 and I use them 00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:10.259 every day. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.480 And self-improvement 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.680 is a good thing. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.540 And who wouldn't want 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:18.259 to improve 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:20.280 and get better? 00:12:21.780 --> 00:12:22.960 But here 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.400 is the question 00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:25.960 that I think 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.360 we're being challenged with 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.960 and I certainly have been 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:30.759 as we look at the passage 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.580 and we look at 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.139 the message 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.480 of Ephesians. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.439 Is that 00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:37.580 the best way 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:38.419 to describe 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:40.519 the Christian life? 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:41.939 Our walk 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:43.279 as Christians? 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.299 Is progress 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:46.159 and growth 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.620 the best way 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.720 to describe 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.639 the Christian life? 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.000 And as we look 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:51.580 at the remainder 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.419 of the passage, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.580 I think the answer 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:55.819 is quite clearly 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:56.779 no. 00:12:56.779 --> 00:13:00.179 So follow with me 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:01.159 in chapter 4. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:04.259 Paul is contrasting 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.279 Gentiles 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.159 with Christians. 00:13:06.839 --> 00:13:07.959 And this is what he says. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.159 That is not 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:10.879 the way 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.879 you learned 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:12.600 Christ. 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:14.579 You have heard 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:15.459 about Him. 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:17.139 You were taught 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.939 in Him. 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.659 The truth 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.759 is in 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.799 Jesus. 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:25.519 That is not 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:25.819 the way 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:26.179 you learned 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:26.579 Christ. 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.339 You have heard 00:13:27.339 --> 00:13:28.219 about Him. 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:29.279 You were taught 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.000 in Him. 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:30.939 The truth 00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:31.659 is in 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.419 Jesus. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.299 And if you've been 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.219 part of Watermark 00:13:36.219 --> 00:13:37.219 for a decent 00:13:37.219 --> 00:13:37.759 amount of time, 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.219 you realize 00:13:38.219 --> 00:13:38.899 we talk about 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.919 Jesus a lot. 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.479 He's the reason 00:13:42.479 --> 00:13:43.019 why we're called 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:43.500 Christians. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.240 So you've got to figure 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.359 he's pretty important, 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:46.620 right? 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.199 And we're going 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:48.620 to continue 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.399 talking about him 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.159 in the coming months 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:50.879 in just different 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.559 sermon series 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:53.259 about how 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:54.519 Christ actually 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.619 shapes different 00:13:55.619 --> 00:13:56.959 dimensions and 00:13:56.959 --> 00:13:58.799 aspects of our 00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.139 lives. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.439 And some of us 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:00.919 are probably 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.219 thinking, 00:14:01.359 --> 00:14:01.459 what? 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.279 Jesus again? 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.579 I've heard that 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:05.019 before. 00:14:06.479 --> 00:14:07.299 I've heard that 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:07.639 before. 00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:08.119 It's like, 00:14:08.619 --> 00:14:09.379 I'm sympathetic. 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:09.979 It's like you're 00:14:09.979 --> 00:14:10.619 going to school 00:14:10.619 --> 00:14:12.219 and year after year 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:12.839 you're just learning 00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:13.959 the same thing 00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:16.019 over and over 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.379 again. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:16.839 And then you're 00:14:16.839 --> 00:14:16.959 like, 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.459 did I even 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.500 move up a grade? 00:14:19.619 --> 00:14:20.459 It's Jesus again? 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:23.000 But Paul makes 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.879 it so clear 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.199 in Ephesians. 00:14:27.099 --> 00:14:27.959 If you remember 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:28.599 last week, 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.419 Chris explained 00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:30.219 that the first 00:14:30.219 --> 00:14:31.139 three chapters 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.919 of Ephesians 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.699 is basically 00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:33.259 about our 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.779 identity 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.000 in Christ. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.139 And Paul is 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.759 hammering that 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.000 home. 00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:38.159 Remember who 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.719 you are. 00:14:38.979 --> 00:14:39.719 Remember who 00:14:39.719 --> 00:14:40.139 you are, 00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:40.459 guys. 00:14:40.599 --> 00:14:41.759 Remember who 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.679 you are. 00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:44.399 And then in the 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.019 second half, 00:14:45.079 --> 00:14:45.619 he's moving, 00:14:45.619 --> 00:14:46.279 he's shifting 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:48.000 towards what 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.000 is the result 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.500 of that 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.100 identity, 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:51.779 that new 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:52.360 identity. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.019 But here 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:54.019 in chapter 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:54.539 four, 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.139 at the beginning 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:55.620 of the second 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.019 half, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.120 guess what? 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:57.559 It's Jesus 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:57.879 again. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:14:59.960 And I'm not 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.580 making this up. 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.179 There's something 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.360 about this guy 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.759 Jesus, 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.639 and Paul is 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.179 saying we 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:04.820 have to go 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.580 back to him 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.980 again and 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.360 again, 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.620 seeking him, 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:09.879 seeing him, 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.500 experiencing how 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.340 he transforms 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.879 every aspect 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.559 of your lives. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:14.919 And this 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:15.940 isn't a school 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:16.620 subject, 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:18.159 because Jesus 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.060 is interested 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:20.019 in every 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.820 last detail 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.940 in your life 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.600 right now, 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:24.399 past, 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:24.820 present, 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.320 and future. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.879 So the truth 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.500 is the answer 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.179 for Christians 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.419 is always 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.060 Jesus. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:31.980 And though we 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.799 joke about that 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:33.159 time, 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.360 especially with 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:34.840 the kids, 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.500 they just know 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.259 that that's the 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.700 answer, 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.080 regardless of 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:38.580 the question. 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.600 Even though we 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.279 joke about that, 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:40.919 it's actually 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.340 true. 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.440 And it's what 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:44.460 makes Christianity 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:46.060 so utterly 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:46.580 unique, 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.399 among all the 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:47.980 major world 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.860 religions and 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.700 worldviews, 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.560 because everyone 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:52.019 else points you 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.740 to a set of 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.299 teachings that 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:54.840 you have to 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.960 follow and 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.820 get things right 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.379 to be good 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.120 enough for God, 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.580 right? 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.539 But the 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.320 Christian gospel 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.820 points you to 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.460 a person, 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.580 Jesus, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:07.600 the only person 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.820 who ever got 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.740 everything right 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:11.639 because he's 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:11.980 God. 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.039 God. 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.740 And the gospel 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.740 says put your 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.200 faith not in 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.700 yourself but in 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.340 him. 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.659 Hold on to 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:21.940 him. 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.519 Love him. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.560 Be in 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.840 relationship with 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.139 him. 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.340 Like the image 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.120 that Chris gave 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.039 us last week, 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.840 we're all like 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:34.500 this prostitute, 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.340 this sex worker 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:35.980 on the street. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.879 We're starving, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.539 ashamed, 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.820 sick, and 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:39.600 broken, and 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.560 Christ is the 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.460 perfect king 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.879 who reaches out 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.279 and says, 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.159 I love you. 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:46.120 Not because of 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.920 anything you did. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.060 Not because of 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:50.500 anything you 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.080 didn't do. 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.440 I love you, 00:16:52.540 --> 00:16:53.340 I choose you, 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.340 and you are 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.360 beautiful in my 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:55.940 eyes. 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:58.019 And I give you, 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.620 I bestow upon 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.800 you a new 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.279 identity. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:04.160 This image of 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.000 the bride and 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.140 the bridegroom is 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.200 used over and 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:07.819 over again in 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.140 scripture. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.259 scripture. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:09.820 And even 00:17:09.820 --> 00:17:10.380 though we are 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.780 so unfaithful to 00:17:11.780 --> 00:17:12.300 God, he 00:17:12.300 --> 00:17:13.500 faithfully pursues 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:15.160 us like that 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.000 perfect king. 00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:19.500 If you're not 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.000 sure, if you've 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.640 never heard about 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.180 that before, 00:17:21.300 --> 00:17:21.800 just go, when 00:17:21.800 --> 00:17:22.180 you go home 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.820 tonight, read 00:17:22.820 --> 00:17:23.540 the book of 00:17:23.540 --> 00:17:25.680 Hosea in the 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.240 Old Testament, 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:26.800 and you'll see 00:17:26.800 --> 00:17:27.320 what I mean. 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:30.120 So when we 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:31.040 think about our 00:17:31.040 --> 00:17:31.900 new identity, 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.060 our new life that 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:33.380 we've been 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.100 learning about, 00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:35.800 it's about a 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:36.560 relationship, 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:38.559 relationship. 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.200 The Christian 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.740 life is 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.159 ultimately about 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.240 a relationship 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.879 with God. 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.359 Not progress, 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.899 not growth, 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:50.220 not self-improvement, 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.579 not transformation. 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.480 It's ultimately 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.659 about a 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:56.259 relationship. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.319 And you may 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.839 have heard of 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.879 all that before, 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.759 but remember that 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.700 the concept of 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.960 being in a 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.919 relationship, a 00:18:02.919 --> 00:18:04.019 personal relationship 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.920 with a personal 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.500 God, that's 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.279 pretty revolutionary 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.240 in human history. 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.000 And if we 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.180 forget that, if 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.359 we take that 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:11.980 for granted, 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.619 we're just going 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.480 to default back 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.599 to our drive, 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.940 that ingrained 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:17.299 drive to do 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.359 and to measure, 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.240 to do things 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.680 and to do 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.019 better. 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.779 Think about a 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.619 loving relationship 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.420 that you have 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:25.980 right now. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.160 It might be your 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.200 relationship with 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.079 your husband, 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.000 your wife, 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.379 a family member, 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:33.620 a best friend, 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.660 a close friend. 00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:37.700 Is the ultimate 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.800 goal of that 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:40.300 relationship to 00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:41.080 be a better 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:42.060 person in that 00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:42.580 relationship? 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.300 No. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.040 Or is the 00:18:49.040 --> 00:18:50.520 ultimate goal to 00:18:50.520 --> 00:18:52.040 love and to 00:18:52.040 --> 00:18:52.720 cherish that 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:54.640 person, to get 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.560 to know that 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:57.800 person, to 00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:59.420 respond to that 00:18:59.420 --> 00:18:59.840 person? 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:03.660 Husbands, when 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.640 you propose to 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.440 your wives, did 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:07.000 you say, you 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.900 know, my love, 00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:10.140 after this 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.300 journey, I want 00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:11.900 to be a better 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.460 person. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.880 I just want to 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.700 improve myself. 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:15.580 Will you marry 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:15.860 me? 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.160 No, right? 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.060 And if you did 00:19:21.060 --> 00:19:21.560 that and she 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.380 still said yes, 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:24.040 man, she is a 00:19:24.040 --> 00:19:24.340 keeper. 00:19:26.260 --> 00:19:27.000 That'd just be 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.580 weird, right? 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:31.579 Parents, do you 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.179 say to your 00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:34.460 children, son, 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:35.199 daughter, the 00:19:35.199 --> 00:19:36.019 real reason I 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.679 brought you into 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:37.699 this life is so 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:38.159 that you and 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.779 your mom could 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.939 have, I mean, 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.759 me and my mom, 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.859 me and your 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.220 mom, me and 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.819 your mom. 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.240 The reason we 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.899 brought you into 00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:47.659 this life, mainly 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.960 your mom, the 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.279 reason we brought 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.000 you into this 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.019 world is because 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.759 we want to have 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.439 better lives. 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.659 Do you say that 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.099 to your kids? 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:59.559 If you do, stop 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.379 doing it. 00:20:01.459 --> 00:20:03.079 Because that's 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.480 scarring. 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.319 It's scarring to 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.019 have the weight of 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.779 your generations of 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:09.019 expectation on you. 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.279 And just remember 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.039 that God didn't 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.939 give you children so 00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:15.339 that you could 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.359 fulfill your own 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.019 dreams. 00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.199 So when you 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:21.799 truly love someone, 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:24.379 loving them is the 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:24.939 goal of the 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.539 relationship. 00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:26.160 And I'm not 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:26.840 talking about 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.680 transactional 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.980 relationships where 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.640 you're just in the 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.580 relationship to get 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.240 something out of it. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.960 I know I do that 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.640 all the time. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.580 I'm sure you can 00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:34.580 think of examples 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:35.160 in your own life. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.779 I'm not talking 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:37.059 about those types 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.779 of relationships. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.440 I'm talking about 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:42.100 a loving relationship. 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.840 And yes, your 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:45.539 personal growth might 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.660 become apparent and 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.779 develop as a 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.380 byproduct of that 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.279 loving relationship. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.480 relationship. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:54.079 But if self-improvement 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.920 is your goal, 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.579 whether it's 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:59.579 subconscious or a 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:01.079 stated goal, if that 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.799 is your goal, you 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:03.899 will have no power for 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:05.559 any real and lasting 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.859 change, any real or 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.740 lasting transformation. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.059 And that's what I 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.460 realized those years in 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.960 university. 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.920 I could do all the 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.940 amazing Christian 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.000 activities I wanted, 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:18.880 but my heart was 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.720 still like what the 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.660 Bible says in 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.880 Jeremiah 17. 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.279 Deceitful. 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.799 Desperately sick. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.240 Beyond understanding. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.859 Because doing things 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:32.579 in the name of Jesus 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.720 doesn't make me a 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.039 Christian. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.460 Being in a loving 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:38.680 relationship with 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:40.019 Jesus is what makes 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.720 me a Christian. 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.480 You know that 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.559 prostitute who's been 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:45.059 chosen and united 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.859 with the king? 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.799 She doesn't parade 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.240 around trying to find 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.759 validation in the 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.459 things she does. 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.559 She knows that the 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.619 status that's been 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.619 bestowed on her is 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:56.000 only because the 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:58.240 king chose her to be 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.779 his queen. 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.519 And the king is with 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:00.740 her. 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.240 He's beside her. 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.979 He's leading her. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.479 Did you notice in 00:22:08.479 --> 00:22:09.839 chapter 4 when Paul 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:12.139 says we are to 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.619 learn Christ? 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:13.759 Christ? 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.899 To learn Christ? 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.919 That idea of 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:19.299 learning a person 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:21.039 is utterly unique. 00:22:21.239 --> 00:22:22.879 It's truly unique. 00:22:23.979 --> 00:22:24.939 Nowhere else in the 00:22:24.939 --> 00:22:25.919 Greek Bible does it 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.319 say learn a person. 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.359 It doesn't even, as 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.179 far as we know, it 00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:31.239 isn't even in any 00:22:31.239 --> 00:22:32.359 Greek writings before 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.619 the Bible at all to 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:35.019 learn a person. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.459 But in Ephesians, 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.559 Paul is saying that 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.459 Jesus Christ himself 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:43.039 is the content of 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.759 what we learn as 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.100 Christians. 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:47.920 We welcome him as a 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.579 living person. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.460 We're taught in him. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:53.079 The truth is in Jesus. 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:56.880 And experiencing a 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.840 relationship with 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:58.819 Christ is the 00:22:58.819 --> 00:23:01.400 ultimate goal of the 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.160 Christian life. 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:04.299 God pouring out his 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.440 unconditional love to 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.100 you and us just 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:08.680 responding in love 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.860 towards him. 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.680 Our love motivates 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.920 us to learn Christ, 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.740 to learn what he 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.960 loves, what he 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:17.920 cares about, to 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.700 learn what honors 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.980 and glorifies him, 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.759 to learn to be like 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.400 him. 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.960 And everything we do 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.539 as Christians must 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.560 come out of that 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.220 relationship. 00:23:28.840 --> 00:23:29.360 You know, all those 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.620 spiritual disciplines I 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.740 was practicing back in 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.440 university, Bible 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:35.160 study, prayer, fasting, 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:35.980 whatever it is, 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.480 they're just ways to 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.900 get to know Jesus, 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.440 the person I love. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.700 All those acts of 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:45.400 worship and the life 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.259 I experienced in 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.279 community, that's 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.079 just a way to 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:51.559 respond to Jesus, 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.440 the person I love. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.380 Genuine change, 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.500 genuine growth, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.960 genuine progress 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.779 will only come out of 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.339 that love. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:06.279 And guys, this is 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:08.339 actually really, I 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:09.139 think this is really 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:10.759 good news when we 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.399 think about our 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:12.220 spiritual walk. 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:14.480 Because if progress 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.679 is the ultimate 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:17.480 goal, and if we're 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.500 honest with ourselves, 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.879 then I think we 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.000 would fail all the 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:23.039 time because we're 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.139 always going to fall 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.579 short of perfection in 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.179 this lifetime. 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.799 You know, we might 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.939 think we've overcome 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:31.379 this one kind of nasty 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:33.319 plant of selfishness, 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.779 righteousness and 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:35.659 pride and self-righteousness, 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.599 but like any weed, it 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:39.500 just pops up again in 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:41.159 another shape, another 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:42.679 form, another 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.319 circumstance. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.480 You know, I like to 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.359 think of sin in terms of 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.659 both things we commit, 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.279 you know, things we do 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:54.279 that we shouldn't do, but 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:56.179 also things we omit, 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.659 things that we should do, 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.859 but we fail to do. 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.119 And I know I tend to 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.259 think about the first, 00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.219 just things that it's 00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:05.019 like a big list of 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.500 don'ts. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.740 But just think, even if 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:09.339 you were somehow able 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.740 to, quote unquote, 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:12.019 remove all the bad 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.599 things from your life, 00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:15.799 what about all the good 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.699 things that you should 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:18.159 be doing? 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.639 Because true goodness 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:23.240 and perfection includes 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.899 all the good things that 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:26.279 God has called us to do 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.259 and to be. 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.579 And then it's not our 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.859 own sinfulness that we 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.619 just have to reckon 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:32.940 with. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:36.279 In this broken and 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.619 fallen world, we also 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:39.500 have to reckon with the 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:42.039 sin of others and just 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.819 sickness. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.399 You know, when sickness, 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.399 suffering, and other 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.279 things in life interrupt 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.899 you, it can feel like 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:51.759 your whole plan for 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:53.279 progress and self-improvement 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.660 is just thwarted. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.960 And all your plans are 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.740 thrown out the window. 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:01.079 Your first plan in every 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.500 contingency plan out the 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:02.740 window. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.720 So you see, there will 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:08.579 always be something that 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.259 pops up. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.539 You know, something in 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.519 your life that you 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.240 struggle with. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.700 And if you dwell upon 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.980 everything that could 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.119 potentially go wrong, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.879 both from the inside or 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:22.339 from the outside, you're 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.539 just going to always have 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:25.459 that nagging insecurity. 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.500 If you live your life as 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.039 if it's ultimately about 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.699 progress, you're either 00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:32.740 going to be disappointed 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:35.759 perpetually, or you're 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.619 going to somehow have to 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:38.119 live in ignorant denial of 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:40.099 how sinful you really are. 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:44.339 If you're thinking that 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.599 I'm, oh, Jeremy's just a 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.299 Debbie Downer. 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:49.379 Oh, just, why is he so 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:50.859 cynical and pessimistic? 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:53.319 Well, I don't think I am. 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.519 I'll be honest, because I 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.319 wrestled with that. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:57.479 Am I just being cynical as 00:26:57.479 --> 00:26:57.979 I get older? 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:04.059 I've been inspired by what 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.279 Paul says. 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:08.939 The Apostle Paul, the author 00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:10.459 of this letter, Ephesians, 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.379 the author of like half the 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:15.859 New Testament, is the man 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:17.459 that God used to write all 00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:18.679 these books and plant all 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:19.279 these churches. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:21.799 If there ever was a hero of 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.700 the faith, the Apostle Paul 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.039 was. 00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.700 If there was ever someone who 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:29.599 could live out that life of 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:32.700 Christian progress, that was 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.539 the Apostle Paul. 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.259 But towards the end of his 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.559 life, he writes some pretty 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.940 interesting things. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:42.480 Writing to the Roman church, he 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.139 says this. 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.539 Just listen carefully. 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:49.000 He says, I am unspiritual, sold 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.639 as a slave to sin. 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:53.940 I do not understand what I do. 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:57.819 For what I want to do, I do not 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.159 do. 00:27:59.159 --> 00:28:02.259 But what I hate to do, I do. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:05.859 I have the desire to do what is 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:08.819 good, but I cannot carry it out. 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:12.639 For I do not do the good I want to 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:12.879 do. 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.839 But the evil I don't want to do, 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:18.099 this I keep on doing. 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.119 And it just seems like he's 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:21.139 laboring this point over and 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.399 over and over. 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.500 There's this disconnect. 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:26.099 And later he even tells his 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:29.039 protege, Timothy, that I'm the 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.960 worst of all sinners. 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:33.480 And this is a man towards the 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:35.740 end of his life reflecting on 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:39.079 this life of being a prophet, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.819 of being the mouthpiece of God, 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:43.779 of seeing a vision of God 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.019 himself, planning churches, 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.319 writing all this scripture. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.559 And so I don't think Paul was 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:50.140 expressing some kind of false 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.880 humility. 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:53.160 That's not the Paul we see in 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.819 all his writings. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:57.840 I think for all the progress that 00:28:57.839 --> 00:29:00.779 the apostle Paul saw in his life, 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.599 at the end when he looked back, 00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:07.659 he really grasped the depths of 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:10.199 sin within the human heart and 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:12.659 how desperately he needed God's 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.039 grace. 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:21.819 In a culture fixated with progress, 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:25.599 the constant temptation is to 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:27.379 think of our spiritual growth 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:29.640 mainly in a linear way. 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:32.760 You've probably just consciously 00:29:32.760 --> 00:29:34.040 or subconsciously thought of it 00:29:34.040 --> 00:29:34.320 that way. 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:35.540 It's just like a straight line 00:29:35.540 --> 00:29:35.960 graph. 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.240 You're just improving. 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.920 There's a line, the trajectory 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:42.440 towards more holiness, more purity, 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.840 more sanctification. 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:47.440 And I'm not saying that can't 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:47.820 happen. 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:50.940 But practically speaking, the 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:53.560 Christian life is more circular. 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:58.539 And what I mean is that it's a simple 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:01.819 process of repentance and faith 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:04.279 again and again. 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:07.419 We see the sinfulness in our lives 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:12.599 and we repent, turning back to the arms 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:16.539 of Christ, the loving arms of Christ. 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:20.819 Putting our faith back in this daily process 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:23.740 of knowing God, responding to him. 00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:27.099 The linear might happen, 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.519 but you're not worried about that 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:31.279 because each day there is a moment 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:33.339 for repentance and faith. 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:36.099 Each moment there's a moment for repentance 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:38.099 and faith, even right now as you're sitting 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.179 in your chairs. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:44.019 And let me be clear, spiritual growth 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.460 will happen. 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:48.759 And that's where I can be hopeful. 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:52.320 But like physical fruit, the fruit of the 00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:54.259 spirit doesn't just sprout out before your 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.640 eyes. 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:56.560 You know, if you just stand there and stare 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:58.580 at a fruit trying to measure your growth, 00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:00.480 you're going to be bored out of your mind. 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.519 Because you're not going to see it. 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:06.140 And if you're focusing so much on the fruit, 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:08.600 the plant will probably start dying. 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.500 Right? 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:14.080 But if you make sure that the plant stays 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.960 connected to the source of life, 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:19.920 to a loving relationship with our Savior Jesus, 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.700 the fruit will grow. 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.740 And sooner or later you will see it. 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:28.759 And more importantly, the people around you 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.680 will see it. 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:33.120 So just as a side of encouragement, 00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:35.539 you know, when you see fruit in people's lives, 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.680 when you see them growing, 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.860 affirm them. 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:40.979 Affirm their growth, 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:42.459 their relationship in Christ. 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.740 And that's what community is about, 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:46.279 for us to encourage one another. 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:51.899 I want to conclude by applying all of this 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:53.019 to our lives right now. 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:55.099 And we're going to use the cross chart 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:56.939 to help us. 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:57.699 And I know, 00:31:57.919 --> 00:32:01.079 I know we've shown this to you many times 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.639 before. 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:05.660 But today I want to explain it in a slightly different way. 00:32:06.320 --> 00:32:09.640 So this is your relationship with Christ. 00:32:10.280 --> 00:32:13.580 And every day you're looking backward 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:16.000 and you're looking forward. 00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:20.560 Communion, which we observed earlier, 00:32:21.100 --> 00:32:24.280 it calls us to remember that at a point in history, 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:26.420 at the very far left of the chart, 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:30.619 Jesus Christ came into our lives, 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:32.079 into history. 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:36.399 He lived a perfect life to die for our sins 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:38.779 so that we can be forgiven. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:42.180 And then there was a point in time, 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:44.879 or maybe a few points even, 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.480 if you don't remember a specific time, 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:49.339 but clearly where there was a turn, 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.779 a conversion point. 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:52.920 When you realize that, 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:55.480 you realize what Jesus came and did on the cross. 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:59.460 And then you accepted that gift of grace, 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.700 that gift of forgiveness. 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:03.319 And you chose to follow him, 00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.700 and the relationship began. 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:11.460 That point might be today for some of you. 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.460 It can be today. 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:16.620 And then at the same time, 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.880 looking forward, 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.420 in communion, 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.779 Paul also says, 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.880 as often as you eat this bread 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.799 and drink this cup, 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:28.240 you proclaim my death 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.980 until I return. 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.900 And that's eternity, 00:33:32.100 --> 00:33:33.480 looking forward to the future. 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:35.200 So you're looking to the past, 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:36.360 to what Christ has done. 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:38.160 You're looking towards the future, 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.960 to eternity, 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.980 when Jesus will return 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.559 in victory and glory, 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:44.559 and he'll make everything new. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.080 He'll make us new. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:47.819 He'll make us perfect again. 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:52.539 And between those two points, 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:55.220 looking back and looking forward, 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:58.340 is today. 00:33:58.339 --> 00:34:01.240 your relationship with him 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.339 every day. 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:05.439 You're walking in a loving relationship 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:06.799 with Christ 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:08.500 every day. 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.639 And you're constantly aware 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:12.659 of how sinful you really are, 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:14.500 just like the Apostle Paul did. 00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:16.219 And you're constantly aware 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:17.719 of how God really is, 00:34:17.799 --> 00:34:19.659 how holy and perfect 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.960 he really is. 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:24.920 but you're also constantly aware 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:27.320 of how amazing Jesus is. 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.280 And that mercy 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:30.420 and that relationship 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.659 through Christ. 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:33.280 And every moment 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:35.199 is shaped by that cross. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:37.300 That's your relationship. 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.420 That cross today, 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:43.519 that's your relationship 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.240 with Christ. 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:46.239 You see, 00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.659 the beauty of understanding 00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.619 your relationship 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:50.019 with Christ 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:51.559 and that it's 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:53.339 not about progress, 00:34:53.379 --> 00:34:54.179 but it's about 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.519 a relationship. 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.659 The beauty of that 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:58.279 is you don't have to worry 00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:59.619 about whether you're 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.899 making progress today 00:35:00.899 --> 00:35:02.399 or whether you're not 00:35:02.399 --> 00:35:03.619 making progress today. 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:06.719 Because every last circumstance 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.759 in your life 00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:09.379 is an opportunity 00:35:09.379 --> 00:35:10.699 to experience 00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:11.619 that relationship. 00:35:11.619 --> 00:35:11.799 relationship. 00:35:12.259 --> 00:35:13.900 Because that's the real goal 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.779 to experience, 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.679 to cherish 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:17.059 that relationship 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:17.940 in the cross. 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:19.619 You know, 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.739 if things are going great 00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:21.259 right now, 00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:22.539 then you celebrate 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.559 with Jesus first. 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:26.019 If things are going bad 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.039 in your life right now 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.059 and you've messed up, 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.739 weep and mourn 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:31.519 with Jesus first. 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.639 And if someone 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.119 on the street 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.920 annoys you, 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:36.480 turn to Jesus first. 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:38.779 If someone's hurt you, 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:41.039 turn to your friend 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.960 Jesus first. 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:44.920 Turn to your father first. 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:46.480 Every moment 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.219 is a chance 00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:48.259 to learn Christ, 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:50.159 to know him, 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:51.019 to trust him, 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.480 to receive his love, 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:54.099 to respond in love. 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:54.820 And inevitably, 00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.940 that relationship 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.980 will become more 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:58.599 and more precious 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.159 to you. 00:36:02.259 --> 00:36:03.219 So at the end 00:36:03.219 --> 00:36:03.880 of the passage 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.779 in chapter four, 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.840 Paul tells us 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.739 to put off 00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:08.019 the old self 00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:09.219 and to put on 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:09.920 the new self. 00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:12.279 That new self 00:36:12.279 --> 00:36:13.019 is a completely 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.719 new identity 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:14.579 and the original 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:15.759 language actually 00:36:15.759 --> 00:36:16.860 suggests that we 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.579 have already 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:19.539 put off the old self 00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:21.380 and we've already 00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:22.039 put on 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:23.519 the new self. 00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:24.840 And since you already 00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:26.239 have this new identity 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:28.659 and that new identity 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.320 is going to be 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.659 perfected in eternity, 00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:32.779 then why don't we 00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:33.500 just start living 00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.259 that out today? 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.599 That's right. 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.239 Last week, 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:38.039 we learned that 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.940 our identity 00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:40.740 is Christ. 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.800 And today, 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:45.019 our walk 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:46.119 is Christ. 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.960 Our Christian walk 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:49.900 is Christ. 00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:51.099 That relationship 00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:53.079 is our spiritual walk. 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:55.240 Christ is our life. 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:56.260 It's everything 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:57.139 we need. 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.220 And that's why 00:36:58.220 --> 00:36:59.179 those martyrs 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.099 in the past 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:01.099 when they were persecuted, 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.980 they could walk 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:03.559 to the gallows 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.159 to be hung. 00:37:04.260 --> 00:37:04.960 They could walk 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:06.159 to the stake 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.920 to be burned 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:08.639 singing God's praises 00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.700 because they knew 00:37:09.700 --> 00:37:10.800 they would not be measured 00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:12.039 by any achievement 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.659 they did. 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.539 They would be measured 00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.440 by the love 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.460 and relationship 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.619 that they had in Christ. 00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:20.019 That's why they could 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.740 praise God 00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:21.880 walking to the gallows. 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:25.420 And so think about this 00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:25.960 with me 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:27.220 as you respond. 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.880 As we pray, 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.800 how are you experiencing 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:32.700 that relationship 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.659 with Christ today? 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:36.399 Do you know, 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.239 do you feel, 00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:38.019 do you recognize 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.940 that he's with you? 00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.440 Has that relationship 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.339 even begun 00:37:42.339 --> 00:37:43.619 for you today? 00:37:44.799 --> 00:37:45.500 And if not, 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:48.299 let that be the beginning. 00:37:48.819 --> 00:37:50.039 Let today be the beginning 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:51.619 of that relationship. 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.739 More specifically, 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.859 what's going on 00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:57.079 in your life right now? 00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:59.659 What is that circumstance 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:01.539 or ten circumstances 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.320 that God 00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:03.519 is using 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:06.300 to point you back 00:38:06.300 --> 00:38:07.500 to that relationship 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.719 with him? 00:38:10.219 --> 00:38:11.639 To that relationship 00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:13.259 of unconditional love 00:38:13.259 --> 00:38:13.860 and acceptance? 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.300 Let's actually 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:18.019 take a moment 00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:18.639 right now 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.739 to reflect on that. 00:38:20.239 --> 00:38:21.099 And just invite you 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:21.900 to close your eyes 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:22.659 and pray. 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.539 Reflect on what 00:38:24.539 --> 00:38:25.920 is going on 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.039 in your life today. 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:30.500 in the light 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:32.000 of your relationship 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.639 with Christ. 00:38:32.639 --> 00:39:01.960 God, we're going to keep reflecting 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:05.000 on you on the cross. 00:39:09.619 --> 00:39:12.059 And this isn't the end of the sermon. 00:39:12.259 --> 00:39:13.339 This is just the beginning 00:39:13.339 --> 00:39:16.759 of recognizing day after day 00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:17.759 that we need you. 00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:21.239 And our lives are defined 00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:24.159 by the relationship that we have with you. 00:39:24.239 --> 00:39:25.339 So God, I pray that 00:39:25.339 --> 00:39:27.879 whatever circumstances are happening, 00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:29.980 whatever is going on, 00:39:30.779 --> 00:39:31.819 those circumstances 00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:34.260 instead of drawing them away 00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:35.160 from you, Lord, 00:39:35.220 --> 00:39:36.480 they would point us back 00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:39.640 to the relationship we have with you, God. 00:39:42.180 --> 00:39:43.220 Lord, whatever it is 00:39:43.220 --> 00:39:45.720 that you need us to see this morning, 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:48.740 pray that your spirit would prompt us, 00:39:50.640 --> 00:39:51.900 would convict us. 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.680 God, if I walked 00:39:55.680 --> 00:39:57.740 to the gallows this morning 00:39:57.739 --> 00:40:01.719 because of persecution, 00:40:02.159 --> 00:40:02.839 because of 00:40:02.839 --> 00:40:06.279 those who hate you, 00:40:08.399 --> 00:40:10.179 Lord, would it be 00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:11.639 my praise, 00:40:11.739 --> 00:40:12.859 the praise on my lips 00:40:12.859 --> 00:40:13.539 that says, 00:40:13.939 --> 00:40:17.139 it is the love that I have from you. 00:40:17.699 --> 00:40:19.199 It is this relationship 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:21.099 that I walk with you 00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:22.659 that has defined me. 00:40:22.659 --> 00:40:31.420 God, I pray that you continue 00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.920 to illuminate, Lord, 00:40:34.119 --> 00:40:35.159 those circumstances 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:35.980 in our lives. 00:40:36.699 --> 00:40:37.259 Whatever it is 00:40:37.259 --> 00:40:38.059 we're going through, Lord, 00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:39.359 we know you're with us, God. 00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:41.859 So we respond to you now 00:40:41.859 --> 00:40:42.480 in praise 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:44.079 and prayer 00:40:44.079 --> 00:40:46.619 and repentance 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:48.299 and in faith. 00:40:48.299 --> 00:40:50.239 Amen.